I've narrowed down my car search to the two. If you're so inclined, beef up my pros/cons list from its current pathetic state.

Thanks,
The Car-Ignorant Greenwich Villager



xA Pros: Looks cooler, Fun to drive

Matrix Pros: AWD

Btw, I'd have to get automatic (if that makes any difference). :D

TC!!!!!!!!!

Matrix = Vibe = GM

xA = Ist = Toyota...

Matrix = Vibe = GM

xA = Ist = Toyota...

I am sorry but it should be the other way around...
Vibe=Matrix=Toyota :wink:

Matrix = Vibe = GM

xA = Ist = Toyota...

I am sorry but it should be the other way around...
Vibe=Matrix=Toyota :wink:

yeh.. that's the case

Gas saver.....and spirted :)

I am sorry but it should be the other way around...
Vibe=Matrix=Toyota :wink:


Enginewise, yes...but I heard buildwise, it feels like a GM. *shrug*

Get the xA unless you need the extra cargo room.

The Matrix is just a corolla with a spiffy body. A friend bought one and she is real disappointed. Soft on corners and not much fun to drive. Only 600 miles on it and she hates it. I've been seeing a lot of new ones on the road with their paper dealer advertisements still in the license plate frame. I guess the rebates on it right now are drawing people in. I think the xA has it beat on all counts--except choice of colors!

I'd get a xA and spend some extra on some rims, maybe drop a lil and a nice stereo, and you'd be one happy camper...

I am sorry but it should be the other way around...
Vibe=Matrix=Toyota :wink:


Enginewise, yes...but I heard buildwise, it feels like a GM. *shrug*


:roll: vibe/matrix/volts (made for the japanese market) - all the same car... just different bodies... vibe/volts made at NUMI in california , Matrix made in canada ...

dont really know where this is going..but their build quality is all the same... my mom has a matrix... it's not bad at all.. handles well...

I like the matrix over the vibe.

There's something about the vibe body that screams AZTEK!

I carpooled with an enthusiastic Matrix owner for a while and came --><-- this close to buying one myself last June ... so here's my $0.02:

Matrix: Beefier and probably safer in a crash, a bit more power, spacious rear seat (on a par with the xB) and decent cargo area. Also has hitch available for bike racks, cargo carriers or a really small trailer. And as you noted AWD available.

xA: Better mileage and handling, fits in smaller parking spaces, somewhat better interior fit/finish, standard ABS and less $$$$$.

And then there's looks ... personally I like the xA better but that's just my opinion :D

hmnnn...

i've always felt the matrix handled better than the xa... also... tests have shown that the xb handles better than the xa from motorweek tv...

mototrends results - 600 ft slalom
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0307_scion/index1.html

matrix - 66MPH
xa - 62MPH

motorweek article

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2303a.shtml

So I test drove the Matrix, the Mini & the xA yesterday. Going into it, I thought I'd definitely like the Mini best, but I found it to be claustrophic (I'm only 5'3") and just too damn small. It had plenty of engine, but when I merged on to 95 and had to get ahead of an 18-wheeler it did feel a bit like David and Goliath. And not in a good way. Can't beat the interior though. So cool!!

The Matrix handled fine. Had enough pep for me and made me feel safe but in a way too safe. I almost felt like a soccer mom!

Bottom line is that, to me, the xA is the *most* fun to drive. If I can get over my mental hurdle of driving in snow sans 4WD I'll be joining you all soon. :D

Carrie,

Looks like you need to put in an order for the limited-edition RS xA with the traction control then! Or, keep in mind you can always order a set of snow tires and wheels online to keep around for the winter, if you find that you still need more traction if you get a vehicle without it.

Here's one of several forum links about the RS model:

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9502&start=30&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Thanks for keeping us info'd - it's like reliving the fun of the search. :)

~B

siopao2000 - Thanks for the links. In a nutshell, for the lzay, regarding the xA vs XB, from those links:

xA 0-60 in 10.8 seconds, quarter mile in 18.2 seconds at 77 mph.
xB 0-60 in 11.5 seconds, quarter mile in 18.5 seconds at 74 mph.
Both are quick off the line, but power is lost in later gears. xA was much quieter under full throttle.
The xA had slower turn-in, but really stayed planted through each turn. xB had a more precise turn-in that made for a sportier drive. But the xB has a taller roll center, which is why it also has the electronic stability control. An available front strut tower brace adds body stiffness and even more handing response.
xA 31 city/ 37 highway
xB 30 city/ 34 highway
xB's wheelbase is over five inches longer than the xA's, though it's overall length is only a bit more than one inch longer.

but arent the xa's and the xb's engine the same.......a toyota echo engine......

The Matrix is just a corolla with a spiffy body. A friend bought one and she is real disappointed. Soft on corners and not much fun to drive. Only 600 miles on it and she hates it. I've been seeing a lot of new ones on the road with their paper dealer advertisements still in the license plate frame. I guess the rebates on it right now are drawing people in. I think the xA has it beat on all counts--except choice of colors!


but doesnt the xa have a echo engine? i rather take a corolla engine over an echo engine

yes it is from the echo. whats wrong with having an echo engine in a small car?

corolla/matrix/vibe engine = celica engine =1zz or 2zz

I'd just get the Vibe, basically a Matrix -all the toyota with all the GM incentives sound like a win/win deal to me. Too bad you don't like the box. The BOX is the best of em all :!:

ive test driven the vibe, matrix, and Xa. the vibe is more GMish than Toyota like. The matrix is definetly toyota. Good ride and good feel and everything is wonderful. The Xa feels much of the same. I would go Xa between matrix and Xa. Xa has better stereo (in my opinion), sportier seats, and a more unique look. i like both very much but i think the Xa would win out for me. 8)

alright ive test driven vibe, matrix, and xA. vibe and matrix r not the same thing. yes they may be based off each other but you can definetly tell the diff. between GM and toyota. the two r like night and day. now back to the topic of matrix vs. xA.... the matrix is a nice riding car, good shifting, peppy little car (at least in FWD version). it rides comfortably and doesnt feel the bumbs the xA feels. the xA has a better radio, sportier seats, and the looks that make it unique and not like a cookie cutter since not many are buzzin around yet. the xA doesnt have the engine the matrix has but i would still go xA if i had the choice. i dont see how you could bring the matrix AWD price down to what a fairly well equipped Xa is. make sure you've test driven both and see what fits you best. i wud be xA all the way but that jus maybe me. good luck findin ur car :)

I've heard a lot of horror stories about the Matrix not living up to Toyota standards. . . btw they are built out of the SAME plant, I believe the Fremont plant in CA. My details may be off so don't hold me accountable, but I think it was also the same plant that built the older Corolla/Geo Prism, which are crap compared to the newer Corollas (no more Prism yay!) I think it is a joint-venture plant, hence the similar cars. Yes the matrix shares a lot with the Corolla, but it is not the same car. . .

I'd shy towards the xA, however I really hate the xA in auto, my personal preference. It's a cooler car, period. You'll also save some cash too! the xA is very solid and built very well; I have a lot of confidence in this car. I can't say the same for the Matrix.

The vibe and matrix are the exact same thing, except for the sheetmetal exterior. All of the mechanical parts are toyota, its only the interior which is designed by GM. So, for all of you that are bias agains GM (saying they always break), trust that the mechanisms are all toyota.

IMO, the interior is actually quite nice. Especially the rear area, the way the seats fold down is very smart. And i like how its all plastic, even on the back of the rear seats, so you can easily load, tie down, and roll whatever you gotta haul. Not to mention, the front passenger seat can fold down completely (you can throw a laptop on there just fine or load an 8 ft ladder into the cabin with all doors closed).

The Vibe and Matrix's suspension is actually BETTER than the xA's. Read more about it at www.matrixowners.com

dont discount the matrix, it can carry more and has more power. The only bad thing is that the AWD is not available in manual transimission.

The xA beats the vibe/matrix in small size, price, and stock audio.