Car Stereos: Matrix Poor Reception, lexus dealer, stock stereo

Question
I just bought a 2006 Matrix XR and it has the worst radio reception in any car I have owned.  It has the stock stereo system. I took it to the dealer who said that everything is in working order and that is as good as it gets.  They suggested getting an aftermarket stereo.  Will that even work? I took the antenna off and got no reception, so the antenna does something, but not enough.  The reception is about 25 miles shorter than the 2001 Corolla I had previously.

Answer
Hi Dean,

Being the owner of a Matrix myself, I can tell you that stubby amplified antenna does result in slightly less reception than other cars.  Not a lot worse, but noticeable.

What I would suggest, actually, is visiting your local Toyota or Lexus dealer, and seeing if they can import you the antenna of the Toyota Altezza.  It's a Japanese car, but its antenna is both shorter, and gets WAY better reception.  So you can make your car look beter, as well as get better reception.

They're around $30.  I ordered mine from a lexus dealer in California (I'm Canadian aswell).  Once it arrives, you simply unscrew your oem antenna, and screw in this one, and your reception gets noticeably better.

An aftermarket FM booster helps too.  I picked up a $10 cheapie on eBay figuring it wouldn't work, but it was only 10 bucks.  Much to my pleasure, it works quite nicely.

Justin