Used 2008 Toyota Matrix Consumer Reviews
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A "Bulletproof" Automobile
Dan Niemiec, 06/25/2018
2008 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I own a 2008 Matrix XR. I've owned it since 2011. It had 85,000 miles on it when I bought it and now has 155,000. It has been a VERY reliable automobile. It's also easy to change your own plugs, air filter and cabin filter. I have not had a mechanical problem with the car. It is not impressive in mid-gear but the car does have a decent 1st gear and at 80mph in overdrive, the engine is at 3,000rpm. It drives and handles well with good braking. Outside visibility is excellent, A/C keeps people cool in hot SoCal summers. Hatchback feature is great-fold the rear seats forward and you have extra storage room. I can put my mountain bike in the car with the rear seats folded forward. Front legroom is very good, bucket seats have enough side bolster for tight cornering at speed. Only wishes would be for a 2.4L, 4 cylinder engine (mine has a 1.8L) and a sun-roof. In short, reliability and ease of maintenance makes this car "Bulletproof".
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POOR RIDE QUALITY
animalshack252, 02/24/2010
2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Bought car with 20K in june 09 now has 85K february 10 car has been reliable and good for delivery purposes, not comfortable to ride in at all would not buy another, goes through brakes more than average vehicle, think next time i will go back to honda. this car stinks in the snow so don't buy if you have to climb hills
Not Totally Happy
Viper, 05/07/2008
2008 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle to replace the lemon I purchased in Feb of 2007. I was happy when I first purchased the vehicle, but then I realized that it tended to ride like I was in an old pick-up truck. It has been in the shop 3 times so far with brake issues and just seems to be getting worse. At this point I will not get another Toyota ever again because they are just not built like they were and the paint would start to fade.
Loved my Matrix
Speedster Girl, 03/05/2009
2008 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I was a previous Honda Civic owner when I purchased my Matrix for increased versatility. I found the car to be comfortable, roomy (for me at 5ft10in and my husband at 6ft3in), a blast to drive, and great for hauling anything I wanted to put in it. I also learned recently that the Matrix is also a very safe car. I was in a front-end collision with a Suburban the other day. I estimate the impact was at ~50mph. The car is a total loss, but I walked away with nothing but a scratch and few bruises (mostly from the seat belt). I would buy another '08 Matrix in a second if I could. It's a bummer the '09s are less fuel efficient.
Toyota Matrix - GREAT CAR !
Edie Simone, 06/14/2018
updated 06/17/2019
2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2008 used in 2010 because it had better visibility than the new model. I added sun blocking strips, wind covers and tinting because the sun was always in my eyes. It has great cargo space; good pick-up and consistently gets 29-33 mpg. I've had no mechanical costs other than regular maintainence. The ride is a bit hard, but my passengers and I are always comfortable. I wish it had a rear windshield wiper. It has just over 100K miles and I expect to get another 100K to 150K like my last Toyota.
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- Performance
- Interior
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- Reliability
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