I am in the market for a second car that I will be using to make a 1,500 miles drive and then use as a daily driver. I found a couple of cars in my area that I am interested in.
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS w/auto trans and 143,000 miles for $4,495 and a 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT with manual trans and 77,000 miles for $5,800. I want the car to last $50,000 miles/3 years but if it does last longer that is great. Both vehicles are located in West Texas. Taking this in consideration which one would you choose.
I have basic mechanic skills I the most advanced repairs I performed are replacing cv axles, suspension struts/shocks and, brake pads/rotors. I will need to drive this immediately on the $1,200 mile trip to Northern Nevada.
Beware that the engine in that model is the yamaha made one, or I think it is. I think all XRS models were. The Yamaha was the 2zz, the toyota was the 1zz.
It has 180hp, and a tendency to kill itself when revved too high, which is how it gets that 180hp.
Due to the Hyundai for sure having a garbage engine, if I had to choose between the two, might still go with the Matrix. I would look for a base or XR version if it were me. Pontiac Vibe is also good, not the s model, as it also has the Yamaha engine.
Matrix by far. If the car is in good shape, you'd have to have it checked out first of course
While the Matrix is far preferable overall, the main drawback of course is that being a 2003 model there's no getting around the fact that it is 21 years old. Therefore you would need to be prepared to deal with the kinds of problems that older vehicles are prone to regardless of manufacturer.
You should have it looked over carefully by a good mechanic before purchase. The Matrix will probably need some preparation for that long trip to minimize the chance of breaking down on the road, depending on how it's been maintained over the last couple of decades.
Do not even consider a Hyundai/Kia product. Refer to the site Hyundai topic for details.
