any recent air conditioning improvement with newer Matrix/Vibe?

I'm interested in maybe getting one of these models but I'm not sure if I can afford to buy new. I hear about the older models having very weak/not so cold AC. Has this been improved on the '06 and '07 models? Did/does the Corolla also have rather weak AC?

Jon

Reply to
mazeofliquidsmoke
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The A/C in my folks' '04 Corolla works very well.

Reply to
High Tech Misfit

So does the air conditioning in my daughter's '05 Matrix.

Why don't you give the car you're interested in a test drive and see if it fits the bill?

Reply to
mack

There is a technical service bulletin on improving the AC performance on certain Matrix models, IIRC, something to do with a temp sensor switch.

If the car you are interested in has had the new replacement part installed, AC performance should be OK.

Reply to
Ray O

So if a model has that problem it can be fixed? Or only certain models/years can be fixed? So far I'm having a hard time finding these cars used with more than 30K so I might as well buy new for what they are asking. I want to test drive a new one but don't know if I'm ready to get sucked into a sales person's web of stalking, lol. I'm not sure if I can afford a new one anyway. Also the selection of '06s seems limited, most have a lot of extras and a high sticker price.

Reply to
mazeofliquidsmoke

The TSB was for 2003 Corollas and Matrix where blower volume gradually decreases after 1 to 1-1/2 hours of driving in high humidity conditions due to icing of the evaporator. An in-line thermistor resistor harness is available to fix the condition so yes, if a model has that problem it can be fixed.

Good luck on whatever you decide to buy!

Reply to
Ray O

Some of the Vibe owners are insulating the AC line that comes out of the compressor to the fire wall.

Check out this post on the GenVibe fourms.

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If you are thinking of getting a Vibe, bet it. I bought one a year ago and it is the best car I've owned so far.

Reply to
john

Very cool. Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound like too big of a deal.

I have noticed that there was a change in the EPA mpg figure for the Vibe. I've read that the original base models got 30/36 manual and

27/32 auto but Pontiac now lists 30/36 and *29/34* for the '07s so it looks like they must have changed something with the tranny. Does anyone know what year that change happened? I am interested in an automatic. 2 mpg doesn't sound like that much but it does get the car a bit closer mileage wise to it's more aerodynamic and lighter Corolla brother.

Jon

Reply to
mazeofliquidsmoke

I previously reported that it was hard to find these cars for sale used with more than 30K miles... that was before I checked out

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Reply to
mazeofliquidsmoke

Government changed the way they measure millage. I don't often fill mine up, just put in $10.00 worth, so I can't tell you what kind if millage I'm getting.

John

Reply to
john

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