The Toyota Corolla has been one of the auto manufacturer’s most enduring models since it was first introduced to the world in the 1960s. Over the last forty years the style of the cars has changed considerably. Built with the Toyota tradition for reliability, stability, and fuel efficiency, finding a Toyota Corolla at a used car sale is not something that happens very often. If you are lucky enough to find one that is in great shape for the right price, do not hesitate to buy it. It will run for a long time with the right maintenance, and we have heard of Toyotas that had the body rust out long before the engine ever gave out.
One of the newer styles of Toyota Corollas to hit the American market is the Corolla Matrix. It is the Corolla version of a hatchback wagon and the American version is considered a compact vehicle. In its native Japan, the Matrix is - believe it or not - looked upon as a mid-sized car. It is based on the standard Corolla chassis although the top end version, the XRS, sits eight inches lower and three inches wider than the rest of its siblings. This gives the car more interior room than most people would expect. Additionally, there is a lot of leg room in the front and back of the Matrix, and for more space in the storage bay there is a secret compartment you can hide stuff in, handy for those road trips where you need to hide valuables.
The base price for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix is around $23,000, but you should be able to find one at a used car sale for considerably less. Most Matrixﾕs come equipped standard with cup holders, analog dashboard gauges, roof rack, dual front airbags - some with side and head curtain airbags depending on the year - vehicle stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, rack and pinion steering, air conditioner and heating, cruise control and power packages. And the radio in the 2009 Matrix is a JBL AM/FM/CD/XM satellite version with WMA/MP3 player hookup. Older Matrix’s have comparable products.
The Toyota Corolla Matrix has a 2.4 liter, twin cam, four valves per cylinder, inline four aluminum engine that is rated to 158 HP. It can do zero to sixty in 8.6 seconds and surprisingly enough it has a 1,500 pound towing capacity, more than most other cars. Fuel efficiency in the Matrix is also nice at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. It handles beautifully and is probably one of the best options Toyota is currently offering on the market.