2006 Toyota Matrix?

[Xan]

My wife drove a similar-vintage Pontiac Vibe, which I understand is the same car. We had it until about 3 years ago. Never any serious mechanical problems. It was a fun little car. The big downsides for us were:
* size (we were starting a family)
* weight (we got run off the road once [with the baby] by a Murano, which is a word that could be used to describe the driver)
* poor traction on wet roads - would often slip and slide trying to get started. It was as though the car didn't weigh enough to have good purchase. We usually started in second gear in that circumstance (this was a stick btw).

[stuper1]

I don't have any personal experience with that model, but I can definitely endorse the idea of buying an older Toyota. Just yesterday I finally replaced my 2000 Chevy Prizm, which is basically a Toyota Corolla rebadged as a Chevy. When I looked back in my records to see how long I had owned it, I was surprised to see that it was 9.5 years ago. I was thinking it was only about 6 years ago. Here's the really good part. I paid $4,000 for it in 2008, drove it with very few problems for 9.5 years and 70,000 miles, and now should be able to sell it for about $1,500. My net cost of $2,500 over 9.5 years seems pretty good to me.

[bedraggled]

Tenn,

My Accord has 328,000. I'm getting a Mobil 1 oil change in December at 329,500.

Honda original replacement parts ONLY and synthetic oil allows Honda, Toyota and other similar cars to run to 330,000. I'm going to 400,000 and then think about it.

On the Original parts issue (EOM?), I have used others' front axles, struts, and exhaust systems. The important stuff is all EOM [?].

Oh, someone who owns a Prius in snow country said the Prius doesn't handle as well as a Civic or a Carolla. Any thoughts?

[Mountaineer]

I had a Pontiac Vibe rental (same car as the Matrix) in 2008 or so and drove it around a thousand miles with two to four adults inside - flatland of CA and mountains of OR. Fun little car, I had no issues. I have no idea about their longevity.