Hi Scotty,
I have a 2006 Toyota Matrix that’s been driving me insane the past few months. It’s my first manual vehicle. I bought it with a bad 5 speed transmission and clutch. I bought it from a private party. The gears were grinding and the clutch was high as a plane. So, I searched for a used transmission which was very difficult as I either couldn’t find a decent one at any junk yard since they would either not have it or they were just too expensive with high miles.
I was told by many on a Facebook forum to get a 6 speed instead since they were built better according to what I was told. I did just that and the gears pop out of 5th and 6th. Now I haven’t got too much money to spend and this car cost me a lot of money. I paid $3200 for it plus $1000 for the tranny and $400 for the job as I have a personal mechanic.
My mechanic has a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS. He replaced the motor, transmission, clutch, suspension and did some other work to it. I need a commuter and this Matrix isn’t doing me any good and I can’t afford to waste time, money and energy on it. Should I trade it for the Eclipse? Are Mitsubishi Eclipses reliable? Thanks.
I would not do that. I would look for better vehicle like a civic, corolla, or some similar vehicle
No, a 26-27 year old car will not be a good commuter, never buy something that old or with known big problems - it's going to cost you more than to buy something that's in good shape.
On the topic of the Eclipse, I'd avoid it - It might be great, it might be awful, it's a gamble.
I know the Ideal commuter is a Toyota E150, But what I've personally been doing - and what has been working out great for me, is buying low millage ±8 year old Focus MK2 and MK3 manual (Fiestas are also alright) with the DuraTec HE engine - usually you can get them used for cheap, but watch out for millage and keeping them until 120k-130k - the only ones that ever given me any trouble were ones with either a Ti-VCT engine (uncommon in the US) or ones with the Dual clutch auto (you should always get a manual with Ford Econoboxes). My experience with them has been great, your may vary.
At your own risk, I don't guarantee that anything I say here is correct, I could be wrong/mistaken:
I'm sure there are plenty of Toyota C59 gearboxes in junkyard - that's pretty much all the 1.6L Toyota Corolla E120 5 speed manual transmissions since 2003. you want one with the 3.941 final drive ratio, not the newer ones with 4.2 (ZR engine on Corolla E150) or the older ones with 3.7 (ZZ engine on Corolla E110) - something like a 2004 Corolla is probably the perfect donor (assuming there's no TCM on these or any other unexpected surplices like there is on new Toyota Corollas)
Also $1000 bucks for a used tranny? 400 to put it in? IMO, that's a lot. did you replace everything? maybe it's an issue with the shifter? (I'm not that great with manuals)
Find another car and have your trustworthy mechanic check it before purchase.
