Hey Scotty,
I just put a deposit on an automatic 2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD w/ overdrive with 153,000 miles on it. Carfax indicates that it had all recommended services done every 5,000 miles since the car was new by the Toyota dealership.
My current car is a semiautomatic 2015 Kia Forte LX with 65,000 miles on it that has been perfectly maintained as well. I am planning on selling the Forte in order to hopefully make $2-4000 to put towards the Matrix based off of KBB value. I'm expecting the Matrix to run to 400,000 and the Forte to have run to 300,000 if I were to have kept it, so I think I would be technically making money buying the Matrix, besides getting slightly lower gas mileage than with the Forte. Not to mention Toyota doesn't make the Matrix anymore, so the value may increase a little down the road is what I'm thinking.
Then again, I don't know how the previous 2 owners drove the Matrix, but I've been driving the Forte carefully since it's had 14,000 miles on it and not slapping it into reverse, drive, and park like I see many others do with their vehicles and I've always used the parking brake.
Besides reliability, I like the Matrix for moving to and from college, as that is huge PIA in the Forte.
What do you think? Is buying the Matrix and selling the Forte a practical decision, or should I keep the Forte and forget about the Matrix?
P.S. How do I know if Scotty features my post in one of his videos?
You already have the forte, so I would say keep it. Korean cars have gotten better over the years but they're still not at the toyota/honda tier.
However, since you've been maintaining it and driving it conservatively, you never know just how long it will go. At that mileage I would certainly recommend getting the transmission fluid changed if not done already. (NOT FLUSHED)
In addition, if that matrix has the 2.4L engine, the 2AZ-FE, you wouldn't want to buy it because they have an oil consumption issue.
If you are confident in the Kia running to 300k miles (thats the exception rather than the rule btw) then why are you so eager to sell?
Also, a semi automatic trans? Do you mean an automatic with + - for "manual mode"?
There's nothing wrong really with what you're suggesting, selling a car that isnt a beacon of build quality and reliabilty for one that is, but you've owned the Kia since nearly new by the look of it, maybe its better the devil you know?
The 2009 Toyota Matrix S trim came with the 2.4L I4 (2AZ-FE) known for oil burning, well documented on this forum. That’s a dealbreaker, and I would pass on it. I am not a fan of the KIA either for longevity, but in this case don’t swap with the Toyota Matrix.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/toyota-matrix-purchase/#post-102465
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2009-2010-pontiac-vibe/#post-39504
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/toyota-oil-consumption-engines/#post-34671
I am aware that they had the oil burning problem initially, but as far as I know that was because of the defective piston rings. All recalls as well as the airbags have been fixed by Toyota. Are they still known for burning oil after the recalls are fixed?
Also, regarding your other question, you won’t really know if Scotty features your question in a video or not until you watch the video. Let’s just call it a pleasant surprise.
Does the seller have proof that the oil burning engine was fixed?
No the oil burning was not fixed and I made a mistake buying it. Burns half a quart every 500 miles.
Yes, I would definitely get the Matrix. It can easily go 400,000. The Forte will not last 300,000 and as the Forte ages it will become an endless moneypit. Even if the Matrix does end up burning oil all you have to do is frequently check and change the oil and you are good.
Anyone who thinks Hyundai is unreliable today is uninformed and doesn't know enough about modern cars. There's no comparison between a 2009 Toyota minivan and the 2015 Forte. Too many mods here are probably boomers without any updating. Scotty has made a bunch of videos talking about Hyundai's quality improvement. The specs on the Forte will be much better and it's reliable. just search the forums and the evidence is in the number of Matrix issues vs Forte issues. Cheers
