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Scion xA
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Comments
They call the xA the ist in Japan.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I am currently smitten by the new 2007 Suzuki SX4. You can put this car in FWD(2WD) and with i-AWD you can select AWD-Auto(rainy weather mode)or AWD-Lock(ice, mud). When you're in AWD-Lock and you accelerate up to 36 mph your i-AWD automatically switches you into AWD-Auto. Saves wear on the system and you don't need it, either, if you're accelerating up to 36 mph+, eh?
Next step is the good 'ole test drive!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I've gotten a lot of great info on these forums over the past few months! Many thanks!
micweb & Mr. Shiftright, I have a few questions/concerns especially for you, (& all the other xA'ers out there).
I live in So. California, single, no kids, commute is a question mark right now as I'm between gigs, but I probably need a car that can handle a daily 25-30 mile stop-n-go L.A. freeway commute. I live on a hill and encounter them somewhat regularly, (nothing like S.F. though), and I do live in a particularly windy area, the Santa Anas can get quite bad.
I need to buy a new car soon and after my internet research the finalists are: corolla S, matrix, xA. I just added the xA to the list after I spotted a few on the road and fell in love! IMHO they are so much better-looking in real life than on the web.
I really like the look of hatchbacks, (never had one before though). I truly adore the exterior of the Yaris L.B. but inside it is so spartan it hurts. Plus, the speckled upholstery reminds me of motel furniture.
I still need to test-drive these cars. BTW, my first & last car was a 1989 Nissan Sentra.
Ideally, here's how the pricing should break down with advertised specials, (a couple of which are at dealerships my family's had luck with before.) However, I've got it in my head that buying a new car without side airbags is a major sin, so my insistence on them might make securing these deals much more difficult since they don't usually have these models with side airbags on the lot.
These are all automatics & these prices are pre-side airbags & (I believe) before destination charges.
corolla S ..... $13,577
matrix (incl. pwr w & d.l.) .....$13,295-$13,977
xA......................................$13,580
Questions:
-Am I complete moron for contemplating buying an xA, when,(if), I can get more power, more room and probably a higher resale value, with a Corolla S or Matrix for roughly the same money? I do think it is hands-down the cutest.
-Compared to the Corolla and Matrix, is the xA's ride significantly rougher?
-Will I survive in the xA trying to merge onto the freeway on-ramp? How about in the Matrix, which although it has the Corolla's 1.8 126HP engine, is hundreds of pounds heavier? (I'm pretty confident about the Corolla.)
-Will freeway driving be noticeably more strained in an xA vs. Corolla or Matrix?
-How about the xA on hills compared to the Corolla and the Matrix?
-Which is best in real-world MPG?
-Does the xA have Toyota's usually stellar reliability?
Your advice, insights etc. are much appreciated.
Thanks!
BUT FIRST -- I think some of those advertised prices are come-ons and you won't get a Corolla or Matrix at that price -- you should use Edmunds pricing. Go to edmunds.com, click on new cars, and build your own and price it out with any options you want. These are REAL numbers
Now to your Questions:
-Am I complete moron for contemplating buying an xA, when,(if), I can get more power, more room and probably a higher resale value, with a Corolla S or Matrix for roughly the same money? I do think it is hands-down the cutest.
ANS: I don't think these cars are the "same money" so you have to think of getting more BUT paying more. The Matrix is certainly bigger so has more room...as for more power, maybe a little. But you will pay probably $3,000--$3,500 more and you'll get less economy.
-Compared to the Corolla and Matrix, is the xA's ride significantly rougher?
It's not "rougher", it's different because I believe the wheelbase is shorter. But if you're asking if the Scion xA's ride is harsh and annoying, the answer is no.
-Will I survive in the xA trying to merge onto the freeway on-ramp? How about in the Matrix, which although it has the Corolla's 1.8 126HP engine, is hundreds of pounds heavier? (I'm pretty confident about the Corolla.)
ANSWER: Personally I don't understand this talk about a lack of power in an xA. I never ever feel a lack of power unless I"m in the wrong gear (I have a stickshift). I'd say if you have an automatic you are going to have to be ready and able to manually downshift it and now and then drive it like a stickshift rather than wait for the transmission to automatically downshift.
-Will freeway driving be noticeably more strained in an xA vs. Corolla or Matrix?
ANS: The automatic is better than the manual on "top end". On my 5-speed manual car, I'd say things get strained at about 85 mph.
-How about the xA on hills compared to the Corolla and the Matrix?
Ans: No problem
-Which is best in real-world MPG?
city 31-32
hwy 35-38
-Does the xA have Toyota's usually stellar reliability?
Approaching 15,000 miles, not a peep, rattle, burp, nothing, nada going wrong.
SUMMARY: The xA is a great short commute car, great city car, very agile, fun to drive. Matrix is more practical for hauling (more space behind rear seats) and a bit longer legs on the highway, but is pretty boring to drive. Ditto Corolla.
The engine, pickup, cruising speed etc. in the xA are all the same as in the Matrix or Corolla. It has a smaller engine but it is a slightly lighter car so it evens out.
The xA has plenty of rear seat room, but not as much trunk space. If you don't use both rear seats often, storage is never a problem.
The car will go as fast as you need it. I cruised all the time at 80 mph. The automatic has lower rpm than the stick shift, so you won't "feel" as though you need to upshift (passengers never noticed the motor, the car has good soundproofing).
The ride on the 2004 xA was a little harsh. I understand they softened it a little (they also reduced the size of the rear headrests and made the aircon more effective). It's a great car.
Try Longo Toyota in El Monte for a good selection. Absolutely, positively don't succumb to "extras" like an upgraded radio or wheels. Buy it stock, otherwise you'll give back on accessories the money you'll be saving on the car, and might as well shop for something else.
The only "option" worth getting is side air bags. The Scion Security System is overpriced.
jbrahms- Thanks for the candor. I'll definitely test-drive it on the freeway. I guess there is some subjectivity here.
Does anyone have the weight of these 3 cars w/AT? I've found very different numbers on various sites.
Will a cold air intake really increase horsepower and torque?
I'll check on the price of TRD's performance struts. Mr. Shiftright, are you recommending the front strut tie bar or the struts/shocks kit? What about installation?
If I get the struts and/or cold air intake, will my savings margin be eaten up?
About the pricing, I completely understand your skepticism. But at one of these dealerships in Dec. '03 we purchased an '04 Corolla CE for the ad price of $10,995. Before that my sister bought a new '03 Camry at the ad price of $14,500 or $15,500, (can't remember which.) And this past spring, my Mom got an '06 Corolla LE with 6-cd changer & side airbags for $14,250, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
Let's pretend for a moment that I don't have my head up my butt by believing I can actually get these deals. ;p
Which is the best value at the prices I listed?
Honda Fit Sport 2551 lbs
Scion xA 2380 lbs
Matrix 2778 lbs
I definitely recommend the rear sway bar on the xA...the front strut bar offers pretty subtle changes, maybe a bit quicker "turn in" when you are charging around a turn.
Cold Air Intake depends on the design and the quality of the product. If well engineered, it will give you a little boost, sure, but it will probably make more noise than horsepower. If it were a true "ram-effect" cold air intake and not just a simple intake that replaces the stock box, I'd guess maybe 2 to 10 HP.
I haven't done the struts and lowering springs yet, but TRD swears by their struts and I believe them. I'm not sure I want to lower the car however. It may hurt resale value.
I'm puzzled by your comment that "You can buy the TRD (or similar) performance struts and it will vastly improve your ride by making the struts more compliant."
In what way is the ride vastly improved? I called the Scion dealer to inquire about the TRD lowering spring set and the performance shock set and was told that they would make the car stiffer and therefore less comfortable. They are aimed at the sport driver rather than someone looking for an improved ride.
Lowering the car of course gives less compliance in the springs, which WOULD increase harshness to some degree.
This is why I advise people (and myself) to be careful not to ADD UP too many modifications that contribute to harshness....for instance, if you did lowering springs AND lower profile tires AND perhaps bought new alloy wheels that were sort of heavy (the cheaper kind)....well, you are going to deteriorate the ride somewhat.
But just installing more reactive shocks would, I think, probably improve the overall ride of the xA, since it wouldn't tend to say "skitter" over corduroy roads or "pogo-stick" on one hard bump or thump as much on road cracks.
Of course, this is my theory and my considered opinion. I haven't yet implemented this but I'm confident enough to buy these shocks myself in the near future.
The xA is a very nice little car and fun to drive, but I would like to soften its response to rough road so it would feel more comfortable on long trips. The occasional rough patches around town are to be expected and no problem, but riding on a washboard concrete highway makes you yearn for a stretch of smooth asphalt.
I actually prefer the lower power (103 hp) and torque (101 ft-lb) of the xA because the response to the throttle is not abrupt, yet quite adequate. I consider my 06 RAV4 (V6) to be overpowered with 269 hp and torque of 246 ft-lb. Getting a smooth acceleration from a standing start in the RAV 4 takes some care. You have to squeeze the accelerator pedal very gently to avoid a jack rabbit start. Each time I switch from the xA to the RAV4, it takes a little time to recalibrate, and it is still hard to consistently get a smooth acceleration.
If you want the Lexus sensory deprivation chamber type of 80 mph, then sure, don't buy a Scion. But if you don't mind the pleasant sound of a nice hi-tech 4 cylinder, there's no problem...I go as fast as I dare to go on California highways and rarely get passed by anyone except sheer lunatics doing 100. And I'm only to glad to pull over for them.
What you DO have to keep in mind is that you have only 103 HP. The trick to driving an xA successfully, or ANY low HP car successfully, is ANTICIPATION...
If you enter a California freeway on ramp at 35 mph in 5th gear and suddenly expect to get 5th gear torque like a Z06 corvette, you deserve the performance anxiety you are about to receive from the semi behind you; but if you "keep 'er on the cam" and realize that with this little engine your power is at 3,000 rpm and above, you'll be in 3rd gear on the on-ramp, not 5th.
It's up to you. The car can deliver but you have to cooperate with what you got under the hood.
Another "negative" -- at 80 mph you aren't going to get 40 mph in a Scion. More like 33-34.
Worst case scenario is that the spark plugs foul and you have to replace them or at least clean them up. Also the catalytic converter might stress out and throw a code for the engine light, but this should clear up as you drive.
Be sure, of course, to check the oil level!!
I'm curious: did the air bags fire?
The xA shares a lot of parts with the Yaris. Probably the only parts that might be harder to find as the years progress (you may have to order them) would be large body panels.
Old models of Toyota generally don't depreciate abnormally, only when the entire make of car is discontinued would you see that (e.g., Oldsmobile).
-Cj
-Cj
new ones are about $400.00 for the part alone. any one had this problem????
sign: broke
16" wheels, side air bags, 128 horsepower, gauges in front of steering wheel, NO SIDE REAR WINDOWS which makes visibility even worse. Looks like a cross between the xB and a VW
and i personally think that they look the same.. i like my xA better..
Yesterday the front axel broke off??? the AXEL!!! I mean what kind of car throws an axel?? I am fed up. :lemon:
One other beef: poor fuel economy. I've had the dealer check the engine a few times, always nothing wrong, but my highway economy is around 33 MPG and in city traffic, in the 25 MPG range. I've never seen 40.
Oh, it also eats tires. I've had a couple of separated belt situations on the rear tires.
Never had problems with wheel bearings, and the tires? Well, it's an inexpensive car so I imagine the OEM tires they put on it were not the best. Mine lasted 40000 and were really worn out.
The only reason I didn't trade our 2001 Kia Sportage 4X4 in that day for the 2006 Polar White xA was the fact that my wife didn't know that I wanted to do that, nor did she come along for the test drive.
Now, when I did find one on the net I had to have, our 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS in Rally Red, automatic CVT tranny, foglights, Rockford Fosgate 650-watt 6-CD changer with 10" subwoofer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob, wrapround bodykit and spoiler, Lancer insignia'd floormats, etc., etc., etc., I just started towards the door(March 21, 2007) and mumbled out(just like Jim Carrey in 'Dumb and Dumber' when he told Harry Dunne that he sold his pet bird 'Petey' to a blind kid!!)"I'm going to buy a Mitsubishi."
I thought for sure my wife was gonna have a thrombo! Ya know what she retorted?
"I'm comin' with!"
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS in Rally Red CVT
And, as they say, the rest is history. It's been a great rig!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
We are looking for opinions on a) the need to worry about this, b) if we should worry then brand and model suggestions to at least start with regarding quality front and rear shocks and struts, and c) anything else we should consider. The rims are 15" stock factory pressed steel with original hubcaps.
Thank you for whatever you can say. :confuse:
Keep in mind that this was an entry-level car, and while very good indeed for the money, still the original components were built to a price.
I would think something like KYB shocks would be fine for this rig. Be sure that the shock mounts are also addressed.
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