Little things mean a lot in the Matiz

You may have seen in a previous Chevrolet Captiva post – versatility is important. 

In a small car like the Chevrolet Matiz it’s the small details that count. For example there are cup holders and a large box in the floor console both within easy reach. There’s a cardholder in the dashboard. Both front seats feature handy shopping bag hooks. 

 The Matiz SE model includes a handy ticket holder in the sun visor and pockets on the front seats for extra storage. The SE also has a driver’s sunglasses holder and a front passenger under seat storage tray. 

In addition to clever storage spaces you have a 60/40 foldable rear seat.  

 The Chevrolet Matiz has a generous 170 litre boot, which increases to 845 litres when the rear seats are folded. It all adds up to the new Chevrolet Matiz being both spacious and flexible. 

Ralph Spence

Comfort is important because it relaxes you making you at ease and happy

A main cause of disappointment with a car can be lack of comfort or discomfort. So it’s worth a closer look. Some think comfort comes with the type of car. But it’s not true. Small cars can be as comfortable as larger cars. So it’s worth checking out.

Here’s my checklist for passenger comfort in the Chevrolet Matiz: 
Check out the ease of entry and exit.
The Chevrolet Matiz has a high roofline and low step-in height.
The Matiz seats are all adult size.
There’s plenty of interior space with adequate leg, knee and foot room.
The Chevrolet Matiz has plenty of head, shoulder and hip room.
There’s a feeling of space and airiness. 

 So car comfort amounts to more than bouncing up and down on the driver’s seat in a showroom.  

 Ralph Spence

The importance of a comfortable driving position

While the Chevrolet Matiz’s space and comfort are important to all car occupants there are other aspects in driver comfort. A comfortable driving position helps drivers react faster and reduces tiredness, which helps prevent accidents.

In the Chevrolet Matiz you’ll find an elevated driving position with a good all-round view.  The steering wheel has a vertical angle, which is inline with the pedal unit and driver’s seat. You have ample legroom and foot-room around the pedals. The foot-pedals and steering are light without loss of feel. The switches and levers are all within reach and easy to understand.  

The level of standard equipment on the Matiz sets it apart from other budget cars. The following are standard: Power-assisted steering, Driver’s seat height adjustment on the SE, also Electrically operated front windows, Electrically adjustable passenger’s door mirror. 

Ralph Spence

What do the Chevrolet Matiz and Maserati have in common?

 The Chevrolet Matiz is no Maserati. The only thing a Matiz and a Maserati have in common is the acclaimed Giugiaro designed them both. The Chevrolet Matiz is fun to drive. Driving pleasure is a combination of driver comfort, engine performance and secure handling. Here we look at engine options and their performance. 

You only get a 0.8 or 1.0 litre petrol engine in a Matiz. Let’s compare it with the new Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 petrol engine. The Matiz 1.0 litre puts out 65 PS. The Captiva is 136 PS. So in terms of power per litre the 1.0 is more efficient than the 2.4 per litre. 

What about their power per weight ratio? The Chevrolet Matiz kerb weight is 850 kg. Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LS 5-speed manual 5-seat has a kerb weight of 1665. Nothing in it. The Captiva has twice the power but it’s near twice the weight of a Matiz.  

It’s no Maserati but the Chevrolet Matiz is efficient.

 The Chevrolet Matiz is available as:
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Automatic
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE and SE + 

The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 
The 0.8 is a 3-cylinder single overhead camshaft 6-valve engine displacing 796 cc. It’s fuelled by multi-point injection. Maximum torque of 71.5 Nm is produced at 4400 revs per minute. 51 PS is produced at 6000rpm. Top speed is 90 mph with 0-60 mph in 18.2 seconds for the 5-speed manual, 21.9 seconds for the 5-speed automatic. 

The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0
The 1.0 is a 4-cylinder single overhead camshaft 8-valve engine displacing 995 cc. It’s fuelled by multi-point injection. Maximum torque of 91  Nm is produced at 4200 revs per minute. 65 PS is produced at 5400 rpm. Top speed is 97 mph with 0-60 mph in 14.1 seconds. 

The performance figures remind me of a Morris Oxford I used to own. The driver experience is something different. The Chevrolet Matiz feels really nippy as you buzz about the city streets. You feel alive. You feel in control. Nipping by £50,000 cars is really satisfying. A test drive will demonstrate more. 

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

Taking a DIM view of Matiz motoring costs

  In my posts about the cost of owning a Chevrolet Captiva I suggested taking a DIM view.  
D = depreciation
I  = interest
M = maintenance 

We can do the same for the Chevrolet Matiz. In recent posts I’ve looked at the Matiz in terms of interest and running costs. The Chevrolet Matiz is completely the opposite type of car to the Captiva. The Matiz is small city car with a low cost new. The Chevrolet Matiz:
0.8 S is 6245
0.8 SE Auto is 7315
1.0 SE is 6865
0.8 SE+ is 8277 

So there’s not too much money to lose in the first place. Residual values are quite good as the Matiz is popular secondhand. And the demand exceeds supply because most owners seem to keep their Matiz a long time, as they’ve proved good for the miles. It also helps most are well cared for. 

When you add it up – about 350 per year in interest or opportunity cost, 115 for road tax, not much more to insure, say 900 for fuel, a service deal at 66pa, its great value. 

Ralph Spence

http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

How the Chevrolet Matiz is a great opportunity

  In a previous Chevrolet Captiva post I wrote about the opportunity cost of buying a Captiva. Here we do the same with a Chevrolet Matiz.

Once you’ve spent your money on a car you’ve lost the opportunity to invest it elsewhere.

People who buy cars on finance pay interest. People who pay cash have lost the opportunity to earn interest. 

The great thing about a Chevrolet Matiz is it’s low cost. You can buy a new Matiz for 6 or 7 thousand. This means if you have any cash left over you have the opportunity to invest it.  

I guess the interest on borrowing 6k over four years would be about 1.5k. Equally if you invested 6k there are opportunities that yield the same amount after tax.  The low price of the Chevrolet Matiz doesn’t make this too much of a worry. One thing to consider is the 0% APR deals that come along now and again. You get the best of both worlds.  Makes you think about the cost of running a car at two, three, four times the price. This is not financial advice. I may have both experience and qualifications in the industry but I’m just talking, making you think.   

 

When you work it out the Chevrolet Matiz has got five seats, five doors, with a choice of engines, gearbox and trim levels. It’s stylish, easy to use with good equipment levels.  The best part is Matiz prices new are low, and as we see in previous posts the Chevrolet Matiz is cheap to insure, tax and economical on fuel. 

 

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

How much does it cost to run a Chevrolet Matiz?

Here we look at day to day running costs:
Insurance,
Road fund license/Vehicle Excise Duty,
Fuel and
Maintenance.  

The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S is car insurance group 1A
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Auto is car insurance group 1A
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE is car insurance group 2A
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE + is car insurance group 3A 

Vehicle Excise Duty is based on CO2 emissions measured by grams per kilometer.
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S is 127
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Auto is 136
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE and SE + are 139
All models fall in the CO2 emissions Band C 121-150g/km 2007 Vehicle Excise Duty £115.00 

Fuel Economy
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S Urban mpg 40.9, Extra-urban 67.3 mpg, Combined 54.3
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Automatic Urban mpg 37.2, Extra-urban 61.4, Combined 49.6
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE and SE+ Urban mpg 39.2, Extra-urban 60.1 mpg, Combined 50.4 

Fixed-price servicing is available on all Chevrolet models when bought new for a one-off payment dependent on your anticipated mileage. There are two Matiz Service cover packages:
3 years / 30,000 miles servicing £199.00
3 years / 60,000 miles servicing £399.00

Sometimes the 30,000 miles package is including in special offers. 

Insurance, Vehicle Excise Duty, fuel and servicing can cost a packet on some cars. When you look at style, low cost new, and low running costs then the Chevrolet Matiz is great value. 

You can find our more about CO2 and fuel consumption on the following governments sites  
1)     For regulations regarding giving car buyers information about the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new cars http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/environment/thepassengercarfuelconsumpti3850   
2)     Hints to reduce environmental damage http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/information/hints-for-less-environmental-damage.asp  
3)     cars with CO2 emissions under 120 g/km.http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/information/how-to-use-the-data-tables.asp#petrol    

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

Facts and figures about motorists and safety.

 I posted a more detailed account of this August 8, 2007 What 97% of buyers want from car dealers Filed under: Chevrolet Captiva. Here’s a condensed version for Chevrolet Matiz buyers. 

In 2005 NCAP commissioned MORI to conduct a Europe wide survey. MORI asked respondents what the most important aspects were influencing car-buying decisions. Obviously NCAP were interested in the part played by safety. It was given the right type of vehicle at the right price were most important aspects.

The results were:
1^st safety
2^nd reliability
3^rd performance
4^th running costs
5t prestige
6^th appearance 

Comfort wasn’t mentioned. Here are more interesting figures from Bosch and NCAP:
47% of car buyers sought safety information. The main sources buyers searched were magazines, newspapers, TV and friends. Today it’s probably the Internet.
97% of respondents thought car manufacturers and car dealers should advise them on car safety.
89% of car buyers are aware of airbags
80% of car accidents involve human error
76% are aware of seatbelts
70% of drivers have experienced an emergency braking situation
66% of rear end collisions are caused by inattention
60% of fatal accidents are caused by side impacts due to skidding
50% car owners do not know what ABS does
38% of drivers have been involved in a skid
33% of car accidents are caused by lane changes or unintentional lane departures
30% of accidents happen at night  - as I remember they account for
50% of fatal accidents
25% of all injuries are due to skidding
9% of accidents are caused by tailgating
Only 1% of motorists know of ESP   

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

The Chevrolet Matiz and anticipation

 Car accidents can be prevented if the driver anticipates the danger. It’s important for you to be aware and perceptive.  For example in the Chevrolet Matiz you are made aware of certain limits with visual and audible reminders and warnings in most cars.

 Importantly the Chevrolet Matiz gives you an elevated view of the road ahead. This visibility is a vital safety factor in anticipating accidents. The sooner you notice a hazard the sooner you can take action. Good lights, mirrors and windscreen wipers are important.  

Being comfortably seated in a suitable driving position helps Matiz drivers react faster.  

Here’s a list of features sometimes dismissed as sales gimmicks or associated with comfort. Try thinking of them as increasing your awareness because they take little of your attention which you can concentrate on the road ahead. 

Power steering – standard on the Chevrolet Matiz
Internally adjustable door mirrors
The Chevrolet Matiz SE models are fitted with:Driver’s seat height adjustment,Electrically operated front windows,
The Chevrolet Matiz SE + has air conditioning with pollen which helps keep the driver alert. 

All little things that can make the difference.  

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

Chevrolet Matiz and accident avoidance

 Good braking is vital for active car safety and accident avoidance. Chevrolet use ABS in the new Chevrolet Matiz to improve braking. I explained ABS in a Chevrolet Captiva post. July 27, 2007 ABS – anti-lock braking system – explained. Filed under: Chevrolet Captiva 

It’s unfortunate that research shows some car buyers dismiss car safety features as sales gimmicks. Research in 2005 revealed ABS was only understood by 50% of motorists. 100% need to know. 

I wanted to talk about car safety in terms of correction. In other words when you become aware of a potential accident you have to avoid it. In past years the problem has been when a car was in an emergency braking situation you lost the ability steer. You lost control because you could not go where you wanted it to go.  

Then there was ABS. Wonderful. 

I’ve attempted a proper description of ABS in my posts about the Chevrolet Captiva. ABS is standard on the Chevrolet Matiz. ABS is standard on all cars manufactured post January 2006 in the UK by mutual agreement between car manufacturers. I’m given to understand one manufacturer opted out for their own reasons.  

So ABS is nothing unique. It’s standard.  

But do we know what it is, what ABS does, how it does it, why does ABS do it? I can describe it to you. You can read my Chevrolet Captiva post. But this is a Chevrolet Matiz post. Should I describe it again and again or is it a car manufacturer’s responsibility to make ABS known. Chevrolet is big like Coke, Disney, and who’s that Mac bloke? They can afford it. Wasn’t GM the biggest most profitable business in history and isn’t Chevrolet their leading brand?  

We can talk about ABS. But doing it makes it memorable.  Let’s get together. We buy Chevrolets. We don’t really understand ABS. We can’t physically find out on our crowded roads. Let’s have a fun day out at Brands Hatch. Chevrolet could demonstrate ABS and ESP there. We’ve got the time. We could go.

You could feedback comments here.  

Who’s the young person we have to bother to get this done. Probably the marketing manager. Or someone responsible for brand awareness. Let’s have a fun day out. Email this guy. You need to know about ABS and ESP. You need to experience ABS and ESP. You need a free day out. 

Email this young person. Get them out of their office. Experience ABS. Then give them the benefit of your experience by later commenting here. 

Please read my Chevrolet Captiva post. July 27, 2007 ABS – anti-lock braking system – explained. It’s filed under: Chevrolet Captiva, click the category button in the right hand column.  

Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/