I just read the review of the matrix xrs (the 180hp one). I was disappointed to find that the best they could do was 0 - 60 in 8.9 and 1/4mile in 16.6@85.

I forget he exact numbers for the p5 (but it is close to this I think), but considering that the p5 is outpowered by 50 horses, this really surprised me that it could make for some good fun. And of course, throw in a windy road and the prot. would eat its lunch. Why do so many people think that it is all about numbers and the pros are slow? Yes, they are fun, but they can hold their own against any car in the compact class.

 

That sounds a little slow for an XRS. For comparison, Car and Driver got 0-60 in 7.5 and 16.1 in the 1/4 mile.

 

This must be for the 130 hp one. The 180 HP one does it in 7.3 the quarter goes by at 15.7 at 92mph give or take a few tenths. Actually probably take a few more then give.

 

This isnt a very Factually oriented statement as this is not the case. When you have the XRS, SER, SI, WRX, Mazdaspeed, VW 1.8t, and the likes our cars cant even touch them.

 

One other thing to consider is the Toyota's powerband. The new VVTL-i 1.8L engine in the Celica and Matrix (don't remember the official Toyota engine nomenclature) has a ridiculously top-heavy powerband. The crossover to the big cam doesn't happen until 6,000 rpm, and the car's tall gearing makes it impossible to keep the engine on the big cam after the 1-2 upshift UNLESS you rev the engine past the redline and all the way to the limiter. If you shift at redline, you will automatically subtract 0.3-0.5 seconds from the car's 0-60 and 1/4 mile time. Testers who aren't used to abusing a car to get better times will often granny-shift these cars and get lousy times.

Which brings me to Point #2... the GT-S/XRS engine really isn't a 180 hp engine IMHO. In terms of what's actually usable on the street, it's effectively a 160 hp engine, because wringing out the last 20 hp requires REVVING THE HELL out of it. Due to the tall gearing, getting the engine into the powerband in 3rd gear and up requires speeds in excess of every speed limit in the U.S. and Canada. It's actually pretty useless and annoying. The Protege has a much more usable powerband.

 

Matrix has no toque, even the 180hp one only got 130 hp and the car isn't light. So, I guess that's why they aren't fast.

 

Why does everybody always talk about 0-60? If it doesnt get there fast enough for you than find a new car. And if it does get there fast enough you will lose all of your power where it actually counts, like passing on a freeway. Thats why there is the protege, perfectly balanced engine/transmission output. Fairly good off the line and can hold its own while accelerating from 45 mph.