Jeff Ritchie 
2003 Toyota Matrix Wagon XRS Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 6M)
practicality with zip
 It's been two years since I purchased my XRS and it still runs like the day I bought it, and seems to perform even better (though that's probably thanks to new Falken performance tires).  No mechanical defects, only regular maintenance.  It's fun around town and even better on a stretch of road where no one's watching.  For me, the benefit of the power switchover at 6000 rpm is great because it keeps me from being too road rage-ish around town, but rocks on back roads and highway passing.  Fantastic muffler sound at all revs if you're into that sort of thing.  Same avg mpg as my boyfriend's 1.8l '01 (125 hp) Corolla providing I don't rev the hell out of it at every stoplight.