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Isn't this really an older design that has already been selling in Japan for several years?
The thing I like about the xB is the interior room. I'm 6'-7" tall and can fit with plenty of room to spare in any seating location in the car. Cargo volume is pretty spartan with 5 passengers but when you fold down the rear seats it really opens up a pretty big space.
It would be nice if Toyota offered the 1.8L cylinder engine from the Matrix in the xB since a little more oomph under the hood would be welcome. I would also like to see a larger fuel tank to extend the range of the car. Other than that it has a lot going for it; the small exterior size, nimble handling, good fuel economy, standard features you don't see in an economy car, and a low price tag. Sure it looks like a milk carton on wheels but it has character.
Besides more power for decent acceleration with the automatic transmission and the weight of a couple passengers onboard, the xB could use the latest crash protection advances that only a newer design would have as well as side curtain head and torso airbags.
I wonder which will be here first --the new Nissan Cube, the redesigned Element, or the redesigned xB?
Maybe even Chrysler will have something competitive to replace their PT Cruiser in a year or so.
For reference I have a 2004 Orange Scion xB RS1 w/ 5spd tranny and about 17,500 miles racked up. I have had my car a full yr, and was one of/if not the first 5spd RS1 taken delevery of in TX. Any question folks have feel free to e-mail me dixiedude18@yahoo.com or I strongly suggest checking out forum sites like scionlife.com ... lots of smart folks out there ready to ansewer anything.
Here's a link to my ride: http://www.scionlife.com/?Radiodude
GoodLuck!
-will
The problem is that not all toyotas come from the same port or distributer. Here in Texas we have GST (Gulf States Toyota) and alot do some in through the port of houston. GST does not or has ever offered cruise for an xB (at least to my knowledge). However folks in the southeast (i.e. Georgia) can order cruise as an option because their ditributer offers it. AS with anything prices vary. Check this for yourself when you go to the "build your own scion" page... eneter a Georgia zip code, then try a TX one (like 77002)
-will
So I would be replacing a 94 prizm with high miles with the xb. Since the price is not negotiable on the xb can I get dealers to compete on trade in value for the prizm? Will be paying cash.
however, I am not sure how they compare on interior specs, has anyone ever seen the specs compared on any sites?, I am curious if the fit, would be roomier than the xA as it is just too cramped feeling.
Also for the long time owners, how good is real world fuel economy on average on your Xb
and on a side note any recomendations on a good COMFORTABLE arm rest for the xb (storage is a plus, but comfort is the bottom line ie padded)
And for that armrest, see link.
http://allscion.com/armrest.html
I have a 95 Corolla, and I never plan on selling it until the day it dies.
And I was wondering if their was more than one type of cruise available for the xb vthe one they had was an additional stalk added to the steering column, are the standard toyota cruise controlls where it is integrated into the steering wheel available for the xb?
also I looked at a tc and noticed they integrated the keyless entry into the actual vehicle key, are they doing that with the xb at all ?
I wish Toyota put a fuel cap holder on the fuel door. An armrest could have been std. You also have to be careful when having the back door raised if you have a garage door. Finally, the xB does get noiser in a rainstorm.
On the plus side, the room is immense. It attracts lots of smiles. I also really like the comfortable seats. Plus the shifter action is just abut perfect (manual).
In time, I believe some alloy wheels would be nice. The tire shop has a nice set of Enkeis for 450 that will fit nicely on it.
I also have a mixed bag on the radio. The actual head unit is fine. The volume button gets annoying, but overall its fine. I love the mute button. The standard speakers are just different in the vehicle. Two speakers are on top of the dash, two in the front doors, and two in the rear panel. I never never hear the rear speakers, but the front four are not bad. I have checked out upgrading them by getting some boston acoustics. Although, the factory speakers are very tolerable.
Overall, I am happy with my purchase.
When you get a xB, you receive 3 keys and 2 keyless entrys.
and hor far can you drive on a tank?
oh one more question
I am currently driving a crv, and thoroughly enjoy the height above the ground, as scrubbing is non existant
so I was wondering how is entry and exit height on the Xb, is it about average on a small car, I know i used to scrub all the time in my old civic, but it was almost 20 yrs old
I have't had a problem with scrubbing.
The entry / exit is just basically open the door and get in or out. This does not require bending or jumping. It reminds me a lot of my first 93 Toyota Truck. I am 6 feet, but anyone should have no issues. Actually, I was riding in my 95 Corolla the other day, and I forget it wasn't the Scion and I hit my head as I got out. You get used to it pretty quick.
I have also noticed, that my Tundra requires much less driving than the xB does.
Many of us have complained about the low 5th speed gearing on the xA. No one seems to want to make it less close to 4th, they would just like to see a 6th speed.
:-)
Also, I have seen on posts, car mag reviews and even an Edmund's review that the seats come out of the xb, but my local dealer said they do not, and I can't see a way to make that happen? Anyone know?
You should test drive one at highway speeds and decide if it's too noisy.
The xB is quieter than that car, and it is find in terms of noise at highway speeds. I have noticed though that gas mileage just suffer a little (1-2 mpg) and at higher speeds, the car requires more driving input. I see no reason that this engine is just as good as the one above (just not as fun).
When I think of aftermarket armrests I think of those trashy ones that walmart sells. If Scion has one aftermarket perhaps it will work if they designed it specically for that xb, and if it has the proper height and feel. I have a camry and a sienna and can tell you Toyotas are not known for their comfort.
I was thinking overall the lack of an armrest (just for support, could care less about storage), the pickup, and noise could overwhelm me in city traffic.
As far as the pickup I don't mind slow pickup as long as it's not dangerously slow, I'd rather have the MPG which this has. It's more of an issue with me I guess. It could be fine for others. 110 miles is a lot of driving hope it works out. Love the price. I would not worry about quality on the Scions.
I also looked at the Focus in 2001 nice car.
What accessories did you get crazedcommuter?
The present day Corolla gets the best gas mileage per packaging and its sister car, the Matrix gets almost as good. I drove a 03 Corolla LE with an auto half across the country and back doing 42 mpg once, but the car was uncomfortable (DP). I have had four Corolla from the past and still own one (95 DX). I just wish when Toyota redesigns these cars that they correct their driving postion for us taller folks. I never considered the Matrix when i got the xB, but I did consider the Corolla. The Corolla XRS was interesting, but not very comfortable. Same goes for the S, but with less goodies.
I also have noticed that the xB is just getting more popular in the short time I have had it. On vacation last week, I saw one tC, no xA's, and about 15 xB's. I could be wrong, but I don't see xB's ever becoming too common like a Corolla or even a Celica.
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You can take out the rear seats, as long as you use a wrench:)
Thanks-
Let me know which you choose - it may help me in my decision.