XR2003

have you googled "toyota parts"? plenty of options for you to find the parts you need.

Rims: The 2003-2008 Matrix have a wheel offset of 5x100. The 2009 models (not the XRS) also have a wheel offset of 5x100. The 2009 Matrix XRS has a wheel ofset of 5x114.3 Some Toyota rims that WILL fit on a 5x100 wheel offset: Toyota Corolla (2004 - 2008CE, LE, S, XRS (same as Matrix 16's). Toyota Celica GT (15 inch) and GTS (16 inch) Scion TC - OEM 17's and 18s. The Scion TC 17 inch rims are actually 2 lbs. lighter than the Matrix OEM 16s. Tires to fit the rims can be calculated to the same wheel diameter via: http://www.rims-n-tires.com/info_specs.jsp...%20/%20Comparer I hope this helps current and future Matrix owners.

A little update: Borla has discontinued making the axleback exhaust for the 2003-2008 Matrix. You may still find some on ebay or other Toyota sites used. Vibrant does make an exhaust for the 2003-2008 Matrix as well as GReddy (DTM). Both are axleback but you can custom make piping from after the cat. to the axleback muffler. Vibrant is just a tad "throttier" than the OEM exhaust and the GReddy sounds very nice and smooth - not Honda fart can loud, but low and deep.

Welcome to TOC USA!

Any owners of a 2009 Matrix here?

welcome! it's hard to say what the issue may be. have the battery tested - it might be going bad. alternator would also cause issues. basically have the entire ignition system checked. not sure what else can cause a stall condition on a 2001 Corolla - do you have a 4afe or 4age motor?

welcome!!! new car smell should be bottled.

welcome to TOC USA!!! 4afe motor - nice. with some mods you will have a nice grocery getter there.

welcome! what car or truck do you drive?

agreed, as well as aftermarket alarm systems also use the starter kill that could triggered for no reason at all. My mother has a 1997 RAV 4, it came with an alarm system that would sometimes not allow the vehicle to start. We ended up removing the alarm system completely.

I am not amazed at this news. I had Continentals which are a great brand, but for some reason the OEMs that came with the Matrix (others Matrix Owners have experienced this) are prone to wear prematurely even if you inspect them weekly. In addition - the tires tend to "cup" or "out of round" shape causing weird steering wheel shakes @ certain speeds. As soon as I upgraded my rims and tires - all was well. I really am not sure where to place blame - either Toyota for going with poorly made tire brands or models of that brand OR the tire manufacturer themselves. Best advice for all new Toyota vehicle owners - if your tires that came with the car/truck start to feel "weird" or not normal - switch them out ASAP. :!:

agreed. keep the offset and overall diameter the same and you should have no issues with the odometer as well. Rubbing would occur if in most cases you lowered the vehicle or have way out of spec diameter tires.

Have the entire charging system checked, even the battery. It does sound like the alternator is the issue. I think your local auto parts store can check your alternator for you, most are free.

or perhaps a bad head gasket? Octane Booster only raise your octane a few points. You would get 87.4 octane instead of 87 - which is negligible. save the few dollars and drive smoothly/conservatively for better mileage. ;)

a new transmission would be needed if you do that again for quite some time. . . as for hypermiling - increase the air pressure in your tires for a little better fuel mileage. also slow to a light - then as it turns green - smoothly accelerate. ;)

This is what I did, used regular oil till my warranty expired. Switched to synthetic - loved it ever since. I plan to have my Matrix for a long time. While costing more $$$ - there is a piece of mind while using the synthetic stuff. I noticed little things ever since I switched. 1) Car runs smoother 2) Starts quicker, easier - maybe only a split second difference, but a difference nonetheless. 3) With regular oil, I noticed the oil would get darker/dirtier before the 5k mile interval change. With synthetic, even @ 5k - it still ran smoothly and the oil seemed a golden brown rather than almost black with regular. I prefer to use Mobil 1, but other brands out there are okay to use. To save a few $$$ you can use those Synthetic blends. Honestly synthetic should be used for vehicle that are forced induction (turbos, supercharge, etc.) or for full blown race cars. A peace of mind is a valuable thing and a lot of people are starting to see the benefits of synthetic and are switching.

Welcome to TOC! Relax, that .4 or .5 difference is very negligible. Many factors can cause tiny differences in gas mileage. Wind resistance, different gas from a different gas station, tire inflation, using the A/C on one hot day, using synthetic oil helps with mileage, etc. The brand new 2009 Corollas have that 1.8L with the XRS model having that 2.4L, so you still are getting better fuel mileage than a lot of people. But if it concerns that much, you are still under warranty to have the dealer check things out.

Welcome to TOC!!! I may not be a Corolla expert but I know a place that can assist you. 9thgencorolla.com has some modded Corollas that may inspire you. ;)

Camry looks good. B)

finding an XRS rear disc assembly would be your best bet. you can also look into aftermarket brands such as Stoptech or Wilwood, Bilstein, etc. of course they will be costly though. try looking through here: http://www.taprecycling.com/ toyota auto parts recycling may have the parts you are looking for.

From a 4 cylinder motor, the A/C compressor kicking on or off would be noticeable. Ths problem as you stated is not the compresser or IAC persay. In a V6 or bigger motor - this would simply not be noticeable. It is a slight drawback for having a 4 banger, but in return you get better mileage as compared to a Camry with a V6.

might want to look into a truck or bigger vehicle.

Not sure if Corollas have an A/C filter like the Matrix does, but you can check to see if it is dirty/clogged. A 5 year old A/C filter cannot be good. It's located behind the glove box. Other than that simple advice - check for leaks as suggested by Leighcm. Worst case scenario - bad compressor.

Short Ram Intake CAI = Cold Air Intake On the average - a 4 cylinder vehicle can increase the exhaust tubing diameter to 2 1/4 inch diameter - preferably mandrel bent to achieve gains in hp or mileage. Usually any larger of an exhaust diameter would lessen back pressure and cause the engine to "work" harder to push the exhaust gases out. Forced Induction such as S/C (supercharger) or Turbo needs the biggest piping diameter possible as the air is literally "forced" into the engine to creating more power (with the necessary fuel). This is just the basics but I hope you get the idea.