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#1
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
I have been driving a 1986 VW GTI for the past 10 years, and since she's
starting to show her 20 years of age, I may soon be looking for a replacement. My VW driving and owning experiences have been good, although certainly not flawless. Here in Canada, VW are offering the 2007 City Golf for a very reasonable price. It's basically a 4-door A4 Golf, 2.0L engine, disk brakes on all 4 corners. With options like air conditioning and cruise control, it prices in around $20K CDN. Pretty good warranty. I like the hatchback versatility, and like I said, I have enjoyed driving my GTI. However, as many of you will know, VW are not necessarily leaders in reliability, at least according to the summaries in Consumer Reports and other sources. Toyotas seem to rank much better in the reliabilty area. (Yes, I know those are statistics, and it is possible to get a trouble-free VW or a lemon Toyota.) Looking at Toyota's lineup, the Matrix is the closest match to the City Golf, in terms of size and configuration. With similar options, the Matrix price is comparable, perhaps a bit higher. From doing some on-line comparisons, here are some pros that I've found for each: VW City Golf - ========== PROS: better warranty; disk brakes front and rear; anti-lock brakes; torque peak at low rpm; telescopic steering wheel; wipers are variable and speed sensitive; nicer styling (personal opinion); TOYOTA MATRIX ============== PROS: better fuel economy; higher HP; cargo area has flat floor; better reliability history; 16V engine; more usable cargo space; Opinions, please! |
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#2
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
"WT" > wrote in message ... >I have been driving a 1986 VW GTI for the past 10 years, and since she's > starting to show her 20 years of age, I may soon be looking for a > replacement. My VW driving and owning experiences have been good, > although > certainly not flawless. Here in Canada, VW are offering the 2007 City > Golf > for a very reasonable price. It's basically a 4-door A4 Golf, 2.0L > engine, > disk brakes on all 4 corners. With options like air conditioning and > cruise > control, it prices in around $20K CDN. Pretty good warranty. I like the > hatchback versatility, and like I said, I have enjoyed driving my GTI. > > However, as many of you will know, VW are not necessarily leaders in > reliability, at least according to the summaries in Consumer Reports and > other sources. Toyotas seem to rank much better in the reliabilty area. > (Yes, I know those are statistics, and it is possible to get a > trouble-free > VW or a lemon Toyota.) Looking at Toyota's lineup, the Matrix is the > closest match to the City Golf, in terms of size and configuration. With > similar options, the Matrix price is comparable, perhaps a bit higher. > From > doing some on-line comparisons, here are some pros that I've found for > each: > > VW City Golf - > ========== > PROS: better warranty; disk brakes front and rear; anti-lock brakes; > torque > peak at low rpm; telescopic steering wheel; wipers are variable and speed > sensitive; nicer styling (personal opinion); > > > TOYOTA MATRIX > ============== > PROS: better fuel economy; higher HP; cargo area has flat floor; better > reliability history; 16V engine; more usable cargo space; > > Opinions, please! > > I am not that familiar with the current generation of VW's, but I recommend that you drive the Matrix and Matrix-based Pontiac Vibe to see if you like them because they probably have a different feel and handle differently from the VW. I've seen very few posts about Matrix problems/issues in alt.autos.toyota, if that an indication of their lack of problems. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) |
#3
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
WT wrote:
> VW City Golf - > ========== > PROS: better warranty; disk brakes front and rear; anti-lock brakes; torque > peak at low rpm; telescopic steering wheel; wipers are variable and speed > sensitive; nicer styling (personal opinion); > > > TOYOTA MATRIX > ============== > PROS: better fuel economy; higher HP; cargo area has flat floor; better > reliability history; 16V engine; more usable cargo space; > > Opinions, please! buy whatcha like. personally, i think the toyota will be troublefree the longest, but the golf might be more fun to drive. ive owned a watercooled VW, and it was a fun lil car, but i doubt id ever get another. its all honda and toyota from now on. |
#4
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
I faced a similar situation a year ago. I owned a 97 Golf that had been somewhat reliable. When I started looking for a replacement, I wanted another Golf. But too many reviews suggested it was anything but reliable. After owning 3 VWs (and 5 German cars) I decided to pass and look at the cars with the better reviews: Honda, Mazda and Toyota. I bought a Corolla (even though it's not German.) I know how you feel about the Golf. I was disappointed that the quality of VWs had apparently suffered. But I've been very happy with the Corolla and have some peace of mind knowing in all likelyhood it will be a dependable car. |
#5
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
How about safety? We have a 05 Passat and an 05 Lancer. I know, not the same
class of car, but that aside, the VW feels like a tank compared to the Mitsu. Drive them both and see which you are more comfortable with. BTW, who makes the Vibe/Matrix, Toyota or Pontiac? Cecil > wrote in message ups.com... > > I faced a similar situation a year ago. I owned a 97 Golf that had > been somewhat reliable. When I started looking for a replacement, I > wanted another Golf. But too many reviews suggested it was anything but blah, blah, blah....... |
#6
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
Naturally in any NG for a particular brand you will get opinion that favor
that brand. The fact is All manufactures are building good dependable vehicles today. I would suggest one drive all those vehicles that suit their needs then get a 'total drive home price,' not merely a selling price, to determine which best suits your budget. After you get a total drive home price you can determine if you believe any perceived differences between vehicles are worth the cost mike hunt "WT" > wrote in message ... >I have been driving a 1986 VW GTI for the past 10 years, and since she's > starting to show her 20 years of age, I may soon be looking for a > replacement. My VW driving and owning experiences have been good, > although > certainly not flawless. <snip> > VW City Golf - > ========== > PROS: better warranty; disk brakes front and rear; anti-lock brakes; > torque > peak at low rpm; telescopic steering wheel; wipers are variable and speed > sensitive; nicer styling (personal opinion); > > > TOYOTA MATRIX > ============== > PROS: better fuel economy; higher HP; cargo area has flat floor; better > reliability history; 16V engine; more usable cargo space; > > Opinions, please! > > > |
#7
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
"WT" > wrote in message ... >I have been driving a 1986 VW GTI for the past 10 years, and since she's > starting to show her 20 years of age, I may soon be looking for a > replacement. My VW driving and owning experiences have been good, > although > certainly not flawless. Here in Canada, VW are offering the 2007 City > Golf > for a very reasonable price. It's basically a 4-door A4 Golf, 2.0L > engine, > disk brakes on all 4 corners. With options like air conditioning and > cruise > control, it prices in around $20K CDN. Pretty good warranty. I like the > hatchback versatility, and like I said, I have enjoyed driving my GTI. > > However, as many of you will know, VW are not necessarily leaders in > reliability, at least according to the summaries in Consumer Reports and > other sources. Toyotas seem to rank much better in the reliabilty area. > (Yes, I know those are statistics, and it is possible to get a > trouble-free > VW or a lemon Toyota.) Looking at Toyota's lineup, the Matrix is the > closest match to the City Golf, in terms of size and configuration. With > similar options, the Matrix price is comparable, perhaps a bit higher. > From > doing some on-line comparisons, here are some pros that I've found for > each: > > VW City Golf - > ========== > PROS: better warranty; disk brakes front and rear; anti-lock brakes; > torque > peak at low rpm; telescopic steering wheel; wipers are variable and speed > sensitive; nicer styling (personal opinion); > > > TOYOTA MATRIX > ============== > PROS: better fuel economy; higher HP; cargo area has flat floor; better > reliability history; 16V engine; more usable cargo space; > > Opinions, please! > > > I have had three VW's and two Toyotas: 67 Karman Ghia -- too out of date to compare 86 GTI --Best handling car I have owned, reasonable reliability 90 Passat -- good handling, Lots of Shop time (wiring harness. rings, heater core) 00 Camry -- pretty good handling, excellent reliability (no expenses beyond maintenance and tires in 56k) 02 RAV 4 --decent handling, excellent reliability (maintenance, tires and front brake pads). YMMV, but Consumer Reports favors reliability of the Toyotas. Good luck with your car hunting, Tom |
#8
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
"WT" > wrote in message
... > > However, as many of you will know, VW are not necessarily leaders in > reliability....... My mechanic laughs when someone says VW. His intuition is spooky, so when he laughs, I trust him. |
#9
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
My choice for a new car is the Toyota Prius. It is a FULL hybrid that has
very low fuel consumption (the EPA combined city/highway rating is 55 mpg). Toyota could easily double that figure if they would only go to the next logical step and offer a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) option. |
#10
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VW City Golf or Toyota Matrix?
"Detailing Dude" > wrote in message ... > How about safety? We have a 05 Passat and an 05 Lancer. I know, not the > same > class of car, but that aside, the VW feels like a tank compared to the > Mitsu. Drive them both and see which you are more comfortable with. > BTW, who makes the Vibe/Matrix, Toyota or Pontiac? > > Cecil Toyota and NUMMI make the Matrix/Vibe. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) |
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