Matrix XRS engine drop into Vibe GT?

[yooper_bob]

Will a full engine (long block) from a Matrix XRS drop in w/o modifications into a Vibe GT of the same year? My engine had just blown up this morning and the dealer had said it would be about $6k for a brand new short block and about $5200 for a used engine w/ 70k miles. I had found a few used engines (long blocks) on ebay for about $2500 and was curious if there were any anomalies that would make the two different engines incompatible... i.e. different different diagnostic software. I'd look at finding a local mechanic to do the swap for me.I did have 148,000 trouble free miles up till now. My thought that it was a connecting rod bearing that went and basically fried everything on my way to get to a dealer as it would barely run when I had parked it. The other question.... is it even worth trying to resurrect the vehicle at it did have a bit of body damage too... Thanks for the help, Bob

[SeattleJeremy]

The engines from an XRS and a GT of the same year are identical. The only thing that might be different is the type of Coolant used, and that doesn't matter. Use what you want. As for fixing the rest of the car, that's up to you. You've got to weigh the pro's and cons. Cost's and returns.How much would it cost to fix the body?

[joatmon]

Thats a bunch of miles, but legendary Toyota reliability should have given you more than that.You might try calling around to some big junkyards in your area, most are tied in to the network of auto recylclers and they can probably find you an engine, and also put it in for a decent price. hard to know if it is worth fixing, but if it needs much body work and has a blown engine, then you probably won't get much money for it if you sell it as is. A lot depends on your individual financial position, and what priority you put on having a car that doesn't look perfect, what other maintenance/repair the car is going to need in order to be reliable.

[yooper_bob]

Yep the big dilemna... whether it is worth to fix or basically give up for dead. Looks like if I get a new engine online, a local mechanic will put it in for about $1200. So talking about $4k. I still owe about $2k on it as well. (that's what hurts). Thanks for the feedback!Bob

[AKLGT]

you only owe $2K or you're upside down $2K? i wish we only owed that much for our Vibe! lol. oh well... problem is if you do trade it in, they may not even give you that on the car. I'd keep checking around. Sounds kinda spendy for the 2zz motor, but I could be wrong.

[MailGuy!]

Buy a cheap junker of a car for $500 to get you around until you fix the trix. Find a used motor and do the work yourself if you have the space. You can rent all the tools you need at really low costs, you'll have fun and you'll learn alot. At Autozone you borrow a tool by paying them what it's worth, when you bring it back in the same condish you get back your money. I rebuilt the engine on my Cavalier and it was the first time I had done anything like that. The internet is a beautiful thing. With a lot of time and a little money you can do it yourself.