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DevanTheDude · 03-27-08, 02:09 PM

Here's a review I found online for the top-of-the-line 176hp Matrix:

On the Road
This is where things start to fall apart. The XRS' engine is a high-revving motor; to get maximum power, you need to work it right up to the redline. The problem is that the engine starts to buzz annoyingly at 2500 rpm. By 5000 RPM, it sounds as if parts are going to start breaking off and flying up through the hood. 7600 RPM, the point at which power starts to trail off, is an aural assault. I found myself shifting early--very early--just to keep the noise down. To its credit, the engine pulls nicely at low RPMs no matter what gear you're in, even if you're not getting all the horsepower you paid for. With with six closely-spaced gears, I had to do a lot of shifting, not a particularly pleasant task thanks to the odd, clunky feel of the shifter. The clutch gives almost no feedback, making it easy to rev too high or stall and difficult to upshift smoothly. In stop-and-go traffic, driving the XRS borders on misery. Girlfriend Robin put it best: "Fast cars should be smooth. This one isn't." To add insult to injury, the XRS requires premium fuel. As much as I like stick-shifts, I'd skip the high-powered XRS and go for the all-wheel-drive automatic version.

Pretty much a joke..

03-27-08, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
DevanTheDude AKA Nicco Bellic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: seattle, WA Posts: 432 Car 1: 91LS Coupe w/ typeII swap Car 2: 1966 Mustang Car 3: 06 GTI 2.0 turbo iTrader: (3)	Here's a review I found online for the top-of-the-line 176hp Matrix: On the Road This is where things start to fall apart. The XRS' engine is a high-revving motor; to get maximum power, you need to work it right up to the redline. The problem is that the engine starts to buzz annoyingly at 2500 rpm. By 5000 RPM, it sounds as if parts are going to start breaking off and flying up through the hood. 7600 RPM, the point at which power starts to trail off, is an aural assault. I found myself shifting early--very early--just to keep the noise down. To its credit, the engine pulls nicely at low RPMs no matter what gear you're in, even if you're not getting all the horsepower you paid for. With with six closely-spaced gears, I had to do a lot of shifting, not a particularly pleasant task thanks to the odd, clunky feel of the shifter. The clutch gives almost no feedback, making it easy to rev too high or stall and difficult to upshift smoothly. In stop-and-go traffic, driving the XRS borders on misery. Girlfriend Robin put it best: "Fast cars should be smooth. This one isn't." To add insult to injury, the XRS requires premium fuel. As much as I like stick-shifts, I'd skip the high-powered XRS and go for the all-wheel-drive automatic version. Pretty much a joke..