Well, I'm committed.
My damaged 07 Vibe is still my daily driver, but not for much longer. Today I finished signing paperwork and driving home a 2007 Toyota Matrix.
It's not the highest end version, while it has automatic windows and locks, it does not have automatic mirrors, and has steel wheels instead of alloy.
(edit - it's apparently the XR, not the base, according to the VIN and CARFAX. For a funny, it supposedly has a 5 speed manual with overdrive. It's an automatic.)
I'll definitely still be around, however. The Toyota sites are a PITA to navigate, and always suggest information on vehicles that aren't even related to the Matrix.
My intent is to perform a full maintenance on the Matrix, such as my Vibe would need if I kept it (210k miles). Then I'll be seeing what I can transplant from the Matrix to the Vibe, and what I shouldn't bother trying. Suggestions welcome, even if it's "I did that, and it was an absolute mess. Stay away from it".
I'll put photos up once I've gotten it put together better - it's in fantastic shape, especially considering it was bought in Virginia. More corrosion than my Vibe, but no signs of crap in the crevices.
Current thoughts.
1) Fog light transplant (which would require moving relay, dismantling steering column, and swapping the stick(s)) I'd buy new lights, just move the wiring.
2) Moon and Tunes - can this be done with the Toyota head unit at all? Anyone know if the wiring looms are the same between all the vehicles, just missing the actual devices?
3) Inverter - the dash has a pop open mini-glove box that isn't big enough to hold anything useful, and yet deep enough to make it a pain to try to dig out your change.
4) mirror controls/motors. I guess this depends on if the motor is behind the speaker, or if it's behind the actual mirror itself
5) wheel swaps between the cars. (I need to make sure they're still straight. The last tire rotation, I got shuddering)
6) if no Moon/Tunes transplant, perhaps new speakers and head unit (maybe get digital radio!)
7) Repair the dash clock.
8) Move the 03 double arm-rest console to the Matrix that I moved to the 07 Vibe when I stopped driving the 03.
9) No roof rails. Just plain channel gasket. Need to find out if rails can be added, and if so, what kind. Or moved from the Vibe. (Maybe just Thule?)
Plus the usual - brakes, fluids, spark plugs, pcv, maybe valve cover gasket and chain tensioner for "just in case" - since the tensioner will be MUCH easier to reach with the valve cover removed.
So, I guess I'll become an 'ex-viber', while still having a 1ZZFE.
The old car will become available, cheap, for anyone that wants to come get it to use for parts. It _is_ fully drivable. Just timing chain seal oil leak, and the driver fender is torqued into the engine compartment. it does pass inspections