2008 Toyota Matrix

For nearly two years, I drove a manual transmission 2008 Toyota Matrix with the 1.8L 16 valve engine. Initially, I bought this car because I was determined to own a station wagon; I wanted the ability to put my belongings into the car and go at any time. The Matrix gave me exactly that. This car is perfect for road trips, hauling, or even taking short naps! A long trip to see some family members gave me the opportunity to try out the fold-down back seats and I wound up sleeping at a rest area comfortably for a few too many hours. I found enough storage areas to store anything I needed, and the car never felt weighed down. The speed-variable steering made a big difference around town, as did the gas mileage. I averaged over 32 miles per gallon most of the time! I also found the 1.8L engine to be have plenty of torque. There are only a few downsides to the Matrix: the base model doesn't have the option of 4WD, which I could've used on a few occasions, but it made up for it in fuel efficiency, and sometimes rear visibility was a huge issue, especially when reversing. This car would be great for families with kids, since the backseat folds down into a table: so does the passenger seat. This is also a great car for students or young drivers. It has plenty of room for friends, and it's got one of the best crash ratings of any recent Toyota vehicles. The Matrix is just a great all-around car.