Topic: Advice please: Matrix or Mazda3?

[jnny]

Hey,
Recently I paid my $1000 deposit for the 07 Matrix XR FWD. But now after doing research a bit I found that the Mazda3 comes with the standard safety features that the Matrix doesn't have with the same price I'm paying...So I was wondering, did I made a good choice picking this Matrix? (I had a feeling people's going for Mazda.. , I did kinda like the Matrix..)[Btw I'm a new driver, I kinda picked Matrix over Mazda because of the "big view"] Can you give me pros & cons for each car? Also I was wondering will the ABS do any good to me since Matrix doesn't offer it in the standard...thanks.

(oh, btw do you know if you can get back the "deposit" you made at Toyota if you decided not to buy?)

[2latecrew]

Have you negotiated a price and signed a contract sealed with a 1000 deposit for a Matrix?

If so just go pick up the car and drive it hiome and enjoy. Do not look at other cars, car reviews etc. it only diminishes the enjoyment of your purchase.

The time to ask advice and check out the options on a mazda 3 is BEFORE you put down a deposit on another car. Its not like Matrix is a hard to find car that will be gone if you don't secure it with a deposit.

The deposit (if you have an agreed upon price sales contract etc) is there to ensure the dealer will get 1000 in the event you change your mind and they lose out on another sale of that car becuse you decided not to buy it.

Sorry to be harsh but if I was that dealer you aren't getting that deposit back and if you signed a sales agreement no court is gonna be on your side.

Move on and enjoy your new Matrix. Look away when you drive by Mazda dealers.

[inco]

Check your contract - there may a clause there for mental instability.    If not, enjoy your Matrix and suck it up knowing you have a car that will have a better value down the road than the Mazda.

[echo7]

mazda parts are way more expensive than toyota...
matrix did excellent on crash test ratings.. so no worries

[Craig]

I liked ours, and I think it is a more versatile car than the Mazda3.  The Mazda3 is more fun to drive, so it gets a lot of attention from enthusiasts like you'll fond here.

In terms of safety, a well-engineered car without side airbags is safer than a poorly engineered car with them.  Think Kia Spectra.  Not calling the Mazda3 a poorly-engineered car (or a Spectra), but the Matrix is not a poorly-engineered car, either.

You bought the Matrix.  Enjoy it.

[quadzilla]

mazda parts are way more expensive than toyota...
matrix did excellent on crash test ratings.. so no worries

References please 

[dorin]

mazda parts are way more expensive than toyota...
matrix did excellent on crash test ratings.. so no worries

References please 

Seriously.  I don't actually have experience with Toyota parts, but from what I remember with previous cars Mazda parts are a little cheaper than Honda.

[ovr50]

Enjoy your Matrix - they are both good cars so your choice is fine.

I agree with others - too late to change your mind now (unless you walk on a G note).

[Trainman]

mazda parts are way more expensive than toyota...
matrix did excellent on crash test ratings.. so no worries

References please 

Some 2006 figures, the Matrix is slightly better:


2006 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. Crash Ratings (5 star scale) from http://www.automotive.com/2006/12/toyota/matrix/safety/index.html

Frontal Impact                        Side Impact
Driver's Side *****        Front Occupant ***
Passenger's Side ****       Rear Occupant  ****   

2006 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. Rollover Rating and Figures
Rollover Resistance Rating ****   


2006 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. Standard Safety Features
• Daytime Running Lights   • Child Seat Lower Anchorage
• Adjustable Upper Belt - Front   • Pretensioner
• Energy Management Feature   • Rear Center Lap/Shoulder Belt
• Advanced Air Bag Features   • Rear Seat Head Restraint
• Tire Pressure Monitor   



 2006 Mazda3 4-DR. Crash Ratings (5 star scale) from http://www.automotive.com/2006/12/mazda/mazda3/safety/index.html

Frontal Impact                        Side Impact
Driver's Side ****         Front Occupant ***
Passenger's Side ****      Rear Occupant ***   



2006 Mazda3 4-DR. Rollover Rating and Figures
Rollover Resistance Rating ****   

2006 Mazda3 4-DR. Standard Safety Features
• Child Seat Lower Anchorage   • Adjustable Upper Belt - Front
• Pretensioner   • Energy Management Feature
• Rear Center Lap/Shoulder Belt   • Advanced Air Bag Features
• Rear Seat Head Restraint   • Trunk Release

[Trainman]

Enjoy your Matrix - they are both good cars so your choice is fine.

I agree with others - too late to change your mind now (unless you walk on a G note).

   The Matrix will do you well.

[quadzilla]

mazda parts are way more expensive than toyota...
matrix did excellent on crash test ratings.. so no worries

References please 

Some 2006 figures, the Matrix is slightly better:

I was questioning the cost of parts not the crash test ratings.  Still, great job on the data 

[safristi]

when DID the MATRIX come OUT...it's an OLDE MOVIE.... ...zoom zoom

[Leviathan]

Some 2006 figures, the Matrix is slightly better:

Except jnny is looking at 07s and the Mazda3 got the full complement of airbags for 07.

[AVToller]

I test drove the two of them back-to-back. The Mazda3 was more fun, the Matrix more versatile, roomy and solid feeling. Long term reliability and resale should be better with the Matrix. For a new driver, I don't think you could do much better than a Matrix. I hope you enjoy it a lot. 

[safristi]

Don't listen ta Daddy...he's WET behind the TEARS.... ..come back Oh come back when ye've tried out the 2007's.....

[mwqa]

too late to change your mind now (unless you walk on a G note).

Better to walk away before the car is registered in your name, than after. You'll lose a lot more money if you decide to resell it.

A co-worker of mine tried to return a Chrysler Sebring once. On the test drive he felt like a king, but after bringing it home he decided it gave him a pain in his neck. He tried to return it to the dealer the next day. They said no problem - for $5,000 less than he paid for it. 

[Trainman]

Some 2006 figures, the Matrix is slightly better:

Except jnny is looking at 07s and the Mazda3 got the full complement of airbags for 07.

Good point.  A Google search will bring up the 07 data if anyone wants it   

[UmroAyyar]

http://www.automotive.com/2007/12/mazda/mazda3/safety/index.html

Same Site, same rating. Doesn't mention that it has been retested. NHTSA ratings are the same for 2007 Mazda 3 as well.

[Julie]

Original poster: You also mentioned "bigger view."

Visibility is an important factor to me, and a car who's visibility is less than ideal for you during the test drive may turn out to be a bigger irritant for you day in and day out.

[JSCC]

Neither. 

The best crash test rating goes to "da, da, da, dang!"