sunbyrne,oops my bad on the weight i was in a hurry when i looked up and i looked at it last night.....and i posted this morning:dunno: i guess my memory is going with my looks as i take the transision into old man:confused: :D :D

I actually read a magazine article (don't remember where) that concluded that the best Matrix is the cheapest one- 140hp/5spd/FWD (Like the Celica GT) because the hp/torque curve is much more linear & seems to suit it best.

Test Drive
 

I took A base model silver Matrix out for a test drive on tuesday.The seats and interior are very comfortable. besides that I would be happy sticking with my P5. I'm going back to drive 180 hp all-wheel 6-speed when they get one just for the shits and giggles and so I know what my competion IS:blue:

no AWD with the 180hp model- FWD ONLY!!! The AWD version is actually the least powerful of the 3 drivetrain choices.

craigrrp: No prob, I just couldn't resist.

Hey, where in Houston do you live? I'm down in Pearland, and I've seen a couple other P5's around here just in the last week or so (one silver, one blue)--either of those you?

huge?
 

How can you say the Matrix is "huge" compared to the P5?

It's less than 3 inches taller (but has no roof rack), less than 3 inches wider, and exactly the same length if you take the P5's license plate into account.

color me puzzled :dunno:

In automotive terms- 3 inches height AND width is a substantial difference. For me, it was the Matrix's height that was bothersome. It kinda looks like a short minivan.

I agree! Its way to tall. I dont mean its a "huge" height difference, but it looks that way. It also looks like a short mini-van like you said. As for the new civic hatch, i think is way to long looking. The P5 is uniformly designed, IMO. :bt: I still cant get over how small it looks on the outside, but its huge on the inside! Many people ask me, "How do you fit in there?". Since I am 6'4", I was very impressed with the room inside of the P5. Im sure the Matrix has more head room, but we have the looks baby!!! :D

I test drove a Matrix today--see my writeup here.

i say it is japanese version of PT cruiser~~~ Kek:p

the FIRST matrix showed up in my town yesterday...the first one purchased that is....there isn't a dealer here....anyway....its the first real close up look I have had at one....omg....its ugly. I can see only ONE department in which it has an advantage over the P-5....the hp rating in the stock engine.....that is IT! The commercials are very decieving as to it true shape....the commercial moves to fast and never gives you a good angle SLOW shot of the car....unlike the P-5 commercial where Mazda actually puts the whole commercial in SLOW-MO as it passes by so you get a good look.......I am happier now than ever that I chose the P-5....hands down...its a MUCH better looking ride. As far as the realibility, quality....all those other aspects of the car....I never had any doubt...after all...its a MAZDA! :bt:

Man, if only I were on this board earlier, I would have been all over this thread.

I can't believe how many people are saying "yeah the Matrix has only 130 lbs of torque". I hate to be the bearer of bad news fellas, but 180/130 is better than 130/135. Sorry guys, I hate to be the one to say it, but its true. I loved the Matrix from the first time I saw a picture of one, I liked the stance, the shifter position, the chrome bezels but..... you see what I am driving now. Two reasons. First and formost: It looks and feels like a van. Second: For the price I paid for the Pro5 with power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry and cruise control, I would have gotten power jack $hit on the Matrix. Plus I liked the handling of the Pro5 better.

And for those of you that bitched about the AWD only being available on the low end motor. The low end motor is also the only one the Pontiac is making a 200hp supercharger for. How do you think you Pro5 will stack up against that? Just a little food for thought.

The only thing I don't like about the Pro5 (other than the whistle) is the fact that it is ANEMIC in the power department. Maybe this just comes from driving a 300+hp eclipse and an IS300, but if I could find a supercharger for the Pro5 that would increase HP without any reliability issues or warranty voids, I'd be all over it like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

Crush, I agree that the Pro5 could have more power, and I fully expected the 180/130 engine in the Matrix XRS to feel faster than the Pro5, and I was kinda surprised it didn't. The problem with the Matrix engine is that it makes those numbers at higher RPMs than the Pro5. In fact, that's the one saving grace of the engine in the Pro5--the torque curve peaks at a nice friendly 4000 rpm.

I wouldn't be surprised if the XRS had a better 0-60 and quarter mile times than the Pro5--but I bet they're not much better, and it just doesn't feel much different in day-to-day driving conditions. Sure, it's an improvement over the Pro5, but not very much of one. I'd prefer a 150/150 engine (if it made its numbers at the kinds of torques the Pro5 does) over the 180/130 in the Matrix any day.

ha ha, all these matrix haters. :)

i think it looks alright, but can't help feeling it's a wannabe p5... :rolleyes: and the torque thing is right. what the hell would you want 180hp if it can't get you there until 6800rpms? oh well, they were banking on the 180hp to sell the ride over the 5. but the p5 is still a lot nicer looking. :)

oh yeah, and for all these cars coming out with this and that, i figure mazda was like sony- their playstation set the tone and when everyone else followed suit, out comes ps2. mazda won't sit around and let the comp roll on, they'll get theirs.

ack, my 5 is waaay nicer than the matrix.

I test drove a Matrix just before buying my P5 and it is not as quick or nible. Feels like your in a cropped minivan. Doors are to tall-reminds me of a stetched Echo...
The salesman wouldn't budge on the sticker price and was surprised after the test drive when I told him I like the P5 better-much better...
;)