2006 Matrix or Scion xA?

Matrix due to size, but my daughter's xa has worked out well. Not much gas difference.

I believe the xA costs less than the Matrix, fuel economy and tire replacement costs should be lower as well.

The tire thing is something to consider. My Matrix has 16" wheels, making tire costs automatically higher.

There's a definite economy in buying something with 14" or 15" wheels.

Yup, our Sequoia is going to need new 17" shoes soon :-(

In the circumstance, ABS is far more important than MPG.

Actually, in a lot of cases, the 16's and 17's are getting LESS expensive, because they are being made in larger numbers than the 14's and 15's

I hope that's true when it's time to go shopping for tires!