Scion xB - Hip to be square
"The xB starts at under $16,000, and will be available in California only starting this June; by June 2004, the vehicle will be available nationwide."
Read more from Edmunds' coverage of the 2003 LA Auto Show: 2004 Scion xB.
What do you think? ;-)
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
0
Comments
-Andrew L
1. Japanese teens like that style (for some odd reason)
2. Japanese teens like to have cars that blast music, like we do in the US
3. In Japan, you normally go about 40-80 kph (20-40mph?, correct me if I am wrong). Therefore, lots of horsepower or aerodynamic designs aren't needed often.
But this is America! If we are law-obeying citizens, we go around 65mph, and we prefer to use our own cars to go offroad or to haul things around. I wouldn't want to drive a car that will leave me thinking, "Should I switch lanes in front of that 18-wheeler and risk being tomorrow's front page on a newspaper?" "Should I haul this TV with the possibility that I might have to push this thing home?""Is it smart to go offroad and risk coming back with no bumpers and an overheated engine?"
If Toyota really wants to sell a car like this without being laughed at by a 7-year old for a design he could make, they could at least offer a V6 as an option and knock down the prices by $2000.
Personally, I like tall-roofed vehicles sold in Japan. When going to the Japanese Toyota website to look at the bB, I was disappointed in that the two engines offered were 1.2 and 1.5 liters. At this point I hoped that Toyota would up the engine size to at least 1.6 or 1.8 liters because 150 horsepower isnt too far off in being the econo-car standard. However, the pictures gave me hope that the bB was at least stylish. The four exterior pictures were all of the same black bB with funky wheels. Some more searching revealed a page with two "customized" versions of the bB. THIS is what Toyota NEEDS to bring to the states to appeal to their target.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/customize/bb/top/bbtop.html
I don't think that people looking at the xB even know about the bB Open Deck for sale in Japan. This vehicle with doors similar to the Element's and an open cargo area could generate some intrest in the states. Is Toyota even considering offering an open deck xB in the states? Probably not. Will it try to generate interest by showing it off at auto shows? Probably not. Often concept cars are chosen to be put into production by the intrest that people show towards them at auto shows, so why not display several Japanese domestic market vehicles at auto shows and decide which to import to the U.S. by the public's reactions? I wonder if Toyota really thought through this whole Gen-Y brand idea.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/bB_od/index.ht- ml
Gen-Yers like myself want customization. Someone who would buy a bB would be someone who would want to stand out. Custom wheels, grilles, lights, body-side graphics, and exhausts are what would appeal to a Gen-Y buyer. If Toyota is serious about selling the xB, they won't sell what I see in the photo posted at the top of this thread. Being apart from the crowd should be what Scion is all about.
Also, can someone please tell me what happened to the to the WiLL VS being a future Scion vehicle? Who doesn't like a 180 horsepower hatchback? Gen-Yers are the ones souping up Civics, Imprezas, Eclipses, aren't they? Wouldn't the WiLL VS be the vehicle that Gen-Yers would want? Its fast AND good-looking.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/willvs/index.h- tml
The point of Scion is that the cars come as a basic package and then you add the custom stuff as you please. The only problem is that if they make the base price too high, people will not be able to afford the accessories :-P
-Andrew L
Scion makes the "aftermarket" parts. There will be a catalog of port-installed accessories that you can buy. Look at www.scion.com for an explanation of this.
-Andrew L
Why not sell the Street Billet and Speed Tourer? The most expensive of the two, the 4-wheel drive Z edition Street Billet is 1,858,000 Japanese Yen, which is $15,628.18 Buyers in the states would surely pay this! What is Toyota thinking?!
Customized bB prices
If you read what the site says, it's clear that the accessories shown on the site are only a sample of what will be available. The reason for things like wheel covers rather than alloy wheels is to keep the base price down and make it so that you don't have to pay for equipment you don't want. I'm sure they will have plenty of alloy wheels, body kits, and such available as accessories at extra cost for those who want them, and this Toyota-built stuff will probably be of much better quality than aftermarket junk.
I'm not saying that Scion is a guaranteed success, but give it a chance. Toyota may not quite understand what young people want and can afford, but they're not idiots. They'll figure it out eventually.
-Andrew L
Also, why do you think that Scion isn't bringing the 4WD bB here?
The xB in general is probably not something I would buy. But I do think it's an interesting idea that should be appealing to some people with different needs. I think the Open Deck and 4WD versions would probably sell here and may eventually come here if the first round of Scions meets sales targets. As for the customized versions, I am just not a big fan of the rims-and-body-kits style. If I had to buy an xB, a base model with an in-dash MP3 player (hopefully one will be available) and wheel cover style #1 would be my choice. But then, that is supposed to be the point of Scion...I pick what I want, you pick what you want, and Toyota makes both sales.
For what it's worth, I'm in Scion's target age group (I'm 19). The reason Scion wouldn't be first on my shopping list is that the vehicles have too much sport and not enough utility. If I had to buy a new car, I'd look at the Element and Aztek first, as I want the cargo capacity and higher ground clearance of those models.
I currently drive a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne 8-passenger wagon. Laugh if you will, but it's really an incredibly versatile car that gets decent mileage for its size, and has bumpers strong enough to knock down an aluminum light pole without sustaining a scratch (trust me on this one :-P). There's really nothing like it on the market right now. Anything that approaches it in size and versatility is loaded with stupid features and a high price.
It would be interesting if Toyota could take the 4-cyl Highlander, give it a more rugged/simple exterior and interior like the Element, and knock about $7000 off the base price. Now THAT's something I would be interested in.
-Andrew L
As for truly Japanese freak show toy type cars now available in the US, the Suzuki Aerio SX fits the bill. It's not a box, but it's tiny and tall.
I am not part of the Gen-Y target market. I wanted a small wagon with flat storage space with the seats folded down and adequate cargo room with the seats up. The Suzuki met my needs.
this car is crap. and for $20K, go buy a Dodge SRT-4. 0-60 in 5.6-5.9 seconds...yes, it can actually beat a 350Z, according to some tests.
I don't want to drive in a box like this. I'd rather buy a Cruiser...150 hp, RELIABLE, and good-looking....indeed, beautiful on the inside. And I am 16.5 years or age. Toyota's only gotten me to hate them, not to love them. I am NOT "getting the feeling."
Okay, so maybe the Scions aren't the cars for you, but I venture that you may be missing their point. Cross-shopping a Scion with a Neon SRT-4 is not realistic; for one thing, there is a $6000 price difference.
Also, I don't think the Scions are meant to be rubber-burning performance cars. 108 hp sounds wimpy, but remember that these cars are smaller than the Toyota Echo. They are not going to be outrunning any 350Z's, but I'm sure the power is adequate for their size.
Unless we have a severe fuel shortage, I don't think I'd look at a Scion either...they seem a little too small and not rugged enough for my needs. The Element and Aztek are closer to what I want, as far as oddball utility vehicles go. But I do recognize that from an objective standpoint the Scions will probably be a great deal for the money.
-Andrew L
Well, I mentioned the SRT because people were saying that the Scions were designed with the intention that customers could easily modify them afterwards. A few upgrades and improvements and you can easily spend the $20K on a Scion...or you could buy an SRT-4, with over twice the hp.
but okay, even forgetting the srt, the Neon R/T could be had for $16K. even if it lists higher, Chrysler dealers are always giving rebates---which isn't mentioned in all the online price charts.
and yes, even if you bar regular small cars and say you want a "microbus," you could still buy the HOnda Element, which, quirky though it is, still seems more appealing and useful to me than the xB. And the xA...I'd save my money to buy a Matrix. Or the PT....
Just my 2 cents...
The Element may start at $16,100, but that doesn't include A/C or a radio of any kind. The PT Cruiser is a good car, but also starts at $3000. So both are around $3000 more dollars than a xB
You have to realize that the xB is not intended to be a performance car. In Japan they are insanely popular because they are stylish, roomy, reliable, gas efficient and inexpensive. And the opportunities for customization are out of this world. You can't go a full day without seeing an xB on 18" chrome wheels, and a club style laser light show going on inside.
It's a dress up car, not a performer. But I have to admit, I didn't learn to appreciate that type of car until I had lived in Japan a while.
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And now, back to the subject of the 2004 Scion xb. Thanks for your participation! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
"One thing is certain, Scion is the real deal and, based on product alone, it should be a runaway success. Scion cars will go on sale June of 2003."
Read it here:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/96284/article- .html?tid=edmunds.h..reviews..18.*
The Sentra and the Elantra are two of the blandest cars available. And if either car is faster, it's marginal - not that it is the point of any of those cars. I'd rather take the Scion's engine, which has reasonable torque and outstanding gas mileage.
But I think the point of the Scion is the unique look. If you don't like it, don't bother, if you do, it's the only game in town.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
let's see: WRX, Lancer Evo, supra, celica, prelude, BMW3, Mazda protege, p5, M6, any german roadster, civic, accord (yes even accords)the matrix and corolla...I'll stop now the list is long....
in all honestly this brand was created because of the pricing of this vehicle. Just as VW's prices will be going up thanks to the W8 and whatever else they got cooking, or as Hyundai wil have to do if their reliabilty holds water, the lowering of prices negatively affects the brand image.
Also I believe that with all its options, these two newcomers will find themselves among the list of "cars stolen and stripped" very quicly. Its just too tempting to do it to a car with "disco lights" on the inside.
Its a shame that all these companies are trying to keep it real when keeping it real requires no effort or intent....
just my 2 centz
Scion is not a brand aiming for older drivers, it is specifically aiming at younger ones, hoping that a hopped up echo will attract their target market.
Then again, it does depend on what you value most in a car, but I wouldn't be expecting to see very many Generation-Y ers buying a Scion.
A lot of people (kids included) buy cars for looks. Maybe the bX can be one of those cars. (or maybe not)
But I think it will sell, because if nothing else, it is unique. And it's nice to finally see some cars with personality.
Read the complete story here: Full Test: 2004 Scion xB, by Caroline Pardilla.
Thanks for your comments! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
(Hi Revka!)
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The key here is price, wow, $14k for a 5 speed, with ABS and CD? Unbeatable.
However, I saw one in NY, sat in it. You can feel the Echo DNA, it's obvious to me where they cut costs. But to a college grad looking for roomy cheap wheels, that's just fine. I would have considered it in that phase of my life.
Cons: speedo in center, cheap materials, no cruise
Pros: price, passenger room, did I say price?
Element is the closest competitor, sort of. xB is FWD and has less cargo space, but seats 5 not 4. It is much lighter to despite less power acceleration should be about even.
I dunno, fix the speedo locale and it's a winner.
-juice
I've seen several articles claiming that the vehicle has higher grade materials than competing vehicles. Those who say the plastics are cheap, to what do you compare them? Obviously they aren't going to be Lexus-like but as long as they are durable and not ugly, they should be fine for an economical car. Hopefully they aren't hard...crossing fingers...
Scion was smart and priced it like a wagon, not an SUV, so it should sell well.
I sat in the xA and xB back-to-back. The xA is cuter, I like the style better, but it has a tighter back seat by far and much less cargo room. If space is a concern at all, for the money the xB offers a lot more cubes-for-the-dollar, no doubt.
I have a family and always moved myself from dorm to apartment, apartment to house, plus the space would help move things like a big screen TV.
Materials? Hard? Mostly yes. Ugly? No, I didn't think so. Not as nice as the Element or Matrix, and about par with an Echo or Aerio. Except for the carpeting it all looked durable.
-juice
-juice