If the warranty is only for 36k, your clutch lasted 1.5x the warranty length. That's pretty good return IMO.

I've never had a manual transmission either, so I don't know if the $1k replacement cost is high.

But really, while I would likely agree with your mechanic (that the clutch should've lasted longer), I don't think it is fair to base your evaluation of this car on the clutch alone, and that it isn't a good car since your 92 chevy lasted so long. I am sure there are plenty of people with chevy's whose clutches (and transmissions) lasted far less than 192k. I also doubt every Matrix XSRs clutch has to be replaced so soon. Sometimes you just get stuck with bad luck, doesn't make Toyota any less a quality of brand.

 

Might wanna fix that little part up unless your mechanic has 4 wheels and a metal Toyota logo permanently welded on him. :wink2: Sorry, didn't mean to poke fun at the situation but for some reason I found that a bit amusing.

Like Pete, I haven't had a manual transmission since the old diesel Benz I drove in high school and my family's current Camry and Highlander are both automatic. Haven't had much problems with Toyotas personally though your case is a bit disturbing. Then again, I'd believe most people who buy Toyotas usually buy the ones with automatic transmission so maybe Toyota doesn't quite focus as much attention on manuals. Usually they're pretty well-made and long-lasting with great quality though I guess maybe that applies to just the automatics.

 

Sorry, but the Engine is probably on warrented for 36,000 also.
Does that mean there is no fault on Toyota if it fails at 40,00 and you are forced to replace it?

Wow... that is very very shabby.

A clutch going out after 50,000? I can imagine if you are pullling a trailer or somehow abusing it...but that is VERY premature for a clutch.

I learned two things from owning a Toyota in the past.
1. Things are EXTREMELY expensive to repair (Yeah, 1,000 is at least twice as expensive as I would expect).
2. When one thing goes wrong, it is usually a sign that many things are all going to go wrong.

That being said, I honestly think it is more a matter of you just somehow ending up with a lemon to some extent. The fact that Toyota isnt willing to work with you somewhat surprises me. :shifty:
Or does it:shifty:
Yeah, it really does.:shifty:

 

Last month I replaced the clutch on my Honda Prelude...It went 143k miles before the first clutch... 54k is just way too soon.

 

I'm glad you and I think alike on this part.

 

That's more or less what I was trying to get at.

 

sorry bout the news ffic. no one needs to be dropping a G, these days on auto care.

 

Sounds like there's an issue w/ the Matrix clutches but it isnt widespread enough for them to do a recall. Unfortunate. I know my Toyota has held up really well through 125k miles, but I'll avoid the Matrix if/when I'm looking for a new car lol.

Sorry for you troubles ffic.

 

my 90 CRX Si was still on its original Clutch when I blew the timing belt at 250k. Sell your Matrix and GET A HONDA! Thanks for the info bro. Hope you get some resolvement. No Matrix for me in the future. I will only do re-runs of the movie instead.

 

Down with the Jap cars!

I never bought the hype.

You've got American cars (see Ford) matching the Yaps step for step now so it's not a detriment to buy American anymore.

 

it is when the top 3 american companies are going bankrupt

 

Japanese cars tend to look better than most American cars and last longer. You get more bang for the buck, esp with Honda's in my experience.

ZING! TBH, besides the price, the only reason back then I wanted anything to do with an American car was to work for them and get into their union & benefits.

 

I agree, that's not good. The clutch on my 99 Dodge Dakota is doing fine and I'm close to 102,000 miles. Now I'll go knock on some wood.

 

look on the road and what do you see lasting? hondas, toyotas, nissans, mitsubishi to name a few.

in fact, american cars tend to age quickly and the cheap parts deteriorate fast. trust me, i drive a 96 explorer and that along with many older ford suvs they all have a sweaky sound to them.

im trying to get a new vehicle as we speak, damn the credit crunch. it sucks.

 

dodge is one american company that makes a good product that has a tough time competing with the crappy big 3..

 

I love my truck, I bought it brand new and it's held up well so far. I take pretty good care of it but I haven't exactly had it locked up in a garage everyday but Sunday either. It's been across the country and back twice.

 

Isn't Dodge part of Chrysler Corp ? :shifty:

 

Sorry to hear about that John. I can't add much except my sympathy, since I have always driven automatics.

 

Really? I had a 96 Explorer. Absolutely LOVED it. Not ever any issues.

I had 125,000 miles on it, many on rough back country roads. Never stranded me, never any bad issues....AND, I got an incredible turnaround when I traded it in...over $8,000, it was 8 years old...oh yeah and as I mentioned, it had 125,000 miles on it.
Before that, I had a 91 Explorer. Had 178,000 miles on it. Exact same scenario.....

 

Sorry to hear about the Matrix, FFIC. I know that other Toyotas are reliable, even though I'm a Honda girl myself. My husband drove a 4-Runner for about 12 years, and his "new" one is almost 10 years old, and so far, only tires and battery replacements. My best car ever was a Honda Civic, I'd had a Ford Escort and Mustang (2) prior, and as soon as the warranty was up, I had A/C and or transmission problems. Your basic Detroit planned obsolescence. I've had my Accord nearly six years now, and the paint is still beautiful and the leather interior in fantastic shape, and I've only had to replace batteries and tires. I drive I-95 every day too to work. I have pleasant exchanges at work with a colleague who swears by the Camry, and I the Accord, but the truth is, you can't go wrong with either.

 

Sorry for you bro. On the other hand it make me feel good as I was looking hard at an 04 Matrix right before I got my civic. Guess I don't have to second guess myself on that one.

My issue with American cars is there's just not any out there that I like right now (outside of luxury cars or course). Their "standard" cars are just too middle of the road. While i LOVE the old Muscle cars I cant convince myself to spend 8-9 G's on a newer car that I don't really like.

Since I don't have a ton of money to drop on a hot American car I'll spend my money on ones that look and perform great.

 

Dude, you're making arguments based off of the past reputation of American cars.

You may want to look at some recent data that should change your tune.
I know most of the public dosen't like to look at the actual facts involved in arguments though. They just take stories passed down over time at face value.

 

So much for that argument.

The financial mess is effecting Japanese car makers as well.

The point I was bringing up wasn't about financial health of companies nor the management of their finances.
It was simply to point out that the large gap in quality between Japanese and American cars in the past isn't a valid point anymore.
That gap has been eroded and even completely erased by certain American car models.

 

I have heard quite a few complaints on the Ram series. whereas I've heard no complaints from the silverado/F150 owners.

 

FWIW I love my Impala (and the 2 Lumina's I had).

 

I have a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. It is going to be 6 years in December. It runs outstanding. Never had any problems under the hood. At all. No "squeaky" sounds. Runs like it did 5 years ago. A product of the "crappy big 3".

 

If you were talking about any other type of part other then the clutch I believe Toyota would take your claim a lot more seriously. Toyota's position will be the problem is this part requires so much input from you the driver that it is warranted to 3 yrs or 36,000 miles. I have never heard of a clutch lasting to 192,000 miles. That is a ton of driving and a testimonial to the type of driver you are. Not saying it's not true or it didn't happen. I'm just saying, Toyota will say human error plays a big big factor in the longevity of a clutch.

I have a Toyota Highlander, 51.460, miles not one problem

I have changed oil and just last week had to get tires.

I also have a Toyota Sienna (wife), 54,633 miles and again not one problem

changed oil and had tires about 10,000 miles ago, did brakes on front last week....cost $35.00 ...did them myself, changed cabin filter couple months ago.....$33.00 I couldn't believe price for it....didn't even know it had cabin filter until one day looking in manual...LOL

So far great cars and no problems

Now got a Chevy Express van. Turned 100,000 miles about 6 weeks ago. In the first 800 miles after 100,000 I put in a transmission, $1810.00, a starter, $375.00, oxygen sensor, $300, fuel injector, $530.00, and the most recent Evaporator canister on the emissions system because I was only able to put 1/10 of a gallon at a time into the vehicle because the valve was stuck shut and wasn't letting air into the tank as you filled up. Was like that for about 5 weeks...was taking about 30 minutes to fill the tank...what a pain...you want to talk about annoying.

I guess I'm the opposite of you...won't by another Chevy

 

The problem is american manufacturers do a piss poor job at getting those facts out to the american people

 

The blame lies solely in the lap of American manufacturers. They made the exact wrong decisions in the past years that put themselves in this tough spot.

Instead of quality and efficiency they went with size and are paying for it.

 

Exactly

 

At least Toyota would have replaced it had it been within warranty. 4 years ago my clutch went on my Jetta TDI at 34 K. They told me it was normal wear and tear and wasn't covered under my 50,000 mile warranty. Needless to say I will never buy another VW again.

 

care to elaborate