my new ride...

[fatcat]

traded in my '96 VW Jetta GLS (169k miles) for this...

2003 Toyota Matrix XRS

the jetta needed $1100 in brake work done, so I stopped by the local dealership to see what that had and what I would get for the Jetta. He didnt even look at it and said $2500 towards the Matrix. :eek2: So I took the Matrix home for the night and fell in love with it. Has all the options but this is my favorite...

1.8L (1796cc) VVTL-i 16 valve 180hp @ 7600rpm 6-speed manual :hair: ...doesnt even redline until 8200rpm and still gets over 30mpg. probably my first upgrade will be a cold-air intake so i get more power in the mid-range. i promise not to rice it too much:D


anyways just wanted to share some joy! :celebrate

[Leonardo]

1.8L (1796cc) WTL-i 16 valve 180hp @ 7600rpm 6-speed manual. I had no idea Toyota put high performance engines and transmissions in those cars! That's impressive, especially considering that car's modest price. (Why can't GM or Ford do something like that?)

[airbornflght]

lol, my 3.1 liter v-6 puts out a nice modest 145 hp at the crank.:bawling:

[dragonV8]

I can see why it is so powerful straight away.

It is RED.:mullet:

Nice looking ride, fatcat.:thumbsup:

[Annes]

Great looking ride, man. :)

I really want to get a manual vehicle...but I'm driving with hand-me-downs for the time being.

[fatcat]

I had no idea Toyota put high performance engines and transmissions in those cars! That's impressive, especially considering that car's modest price. (Why can't GM or Ford do something like that?)

actually Leo, Toyota had Yamaha design the engine. It is the same engine used in the Toyota Celica GT-S, Lotus Elise & Exige(190hp), Pontiac Vibe GT, and Corolla Compressor(Europe only, 215hp with supercharger).

I found another cool thing today. The passenger seat folds forward and has a recessed tray perfect size for a laptop. And with the included 115v AC outlet the possibilities are endless.

And yes dragonV8, not only is the exterior red, but the gauges etc are red:)

[fatcat]

engine pic...

[Leonardo]

actually Leo, Toyota has Yamaha design the engine That explains a lot. Yamaha has long been a leader in high horsepower/low weight due to their performance motorcycle history. It took a long time, but fairly ordinary (non-sports cars) are now available with 100hp/liter engines. Sport bikes have had this for over 20 years.

[GHoosdum]

Sweet ride!

[airbornflght]

wish my car had 100hp a litter, that would put me right at 310hp, although, if that little Grand am had 310 hp, I might be in trouble... with johny law;D although if it had a 5 speed manual it would be even worse.

which is a caveat I have with pontiac, I bought a Grand Am GT, normaly, GT denotes a little higher performance, the GT does have the 3.1 litter V6, but not a whole lot more power over the I4, but a better power/torqe curve. BUT, you would expect that they would at least give you a 5 speed manual in the GT version of all versions, instead, they give you a low performing automatic that couldnt got so save its life. I'd rather have myself a clutch pedal and shifter than that.


fat cat, nice ride, I'm envious of the engine, Im gonna call yamaha and see if they can work my engine over to 100hp/liter:D