Toyota Matrix - Those in the know please enlighten me.

dean1484 said:

Regarding putting up a 2zz against a Miata. 

So that begs the question: Can you put a 2zz in a Miata if you already had the 2zz?

In reply to The0retical :

I wouldn't do a Miata motor swap for 180 hp that still needed a trans solution. 

That's bolt on supercharger territory. 

...an MR2 might be a different answer. 

In reply to SVreX :

That's where my mind went when I think about my Vibes afterlife.

In reply to The0retical :

I already bought the MR2 for my Vibe's afterlife. 

But I don't think I am cutting up my Vibe, and would consider passing it on, if you'd like!

andy_b said:

I had no idea there were so many fellow xrs/gt owners on here.  We may need to start a separate thread to trade tips.

Maybe this is the thread...

I just had to do cat, O2 sensors, radiator, hoses, etc on my XRS at 100K. I have some minor beefs. Most of my complaints center around having to do repairs in a gravel parking lot with my pull-a-part tool kit, as my real tools are 150 miles away, so while a little whiny, there is a tiny bit of legitimacy to my beef.

One, the thermostat is way up behind the alternator. Changing it requires pulling the belt, and the alternator itself (disconnecting battery, also). Bit of a PITA. The whole of the engine bay is somewhat mid-field in difficulty of access. You can see everything, but getting to it takes some effort.

Two, and this is my real beef. The spring clips on the radiator hoses suck. They have a locking mechanism that is a great idea in theory. They lock open, and once released, spring closed. Nifty, right? Well yes, if you have one of these:

but I didn't have access to mine, and had to use channel locks like a farmer. The locking mechanism keeps them from opening wide enough to go over the hose unless properly engaged, and getting them aligned for this engagement, for me, at least, resulted in many flying springs, and beat up fingers. This is more my fault than the car's. I could have bought hose clamps, but there you go.

Note; There is evidence that my car was a flood car, and had some minor issues due to this fact. Cat replacement at 100K is not the norm, and neither is radiator replacement. Your results may vary.

In reply to wheelsmithy :

I'm not excited to replace my AC compressor this weekend after your post.