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Comments
axiomowner, "Scion Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers" #78, 11 Oct 2005 2:40 pm
I'm not disappointed with the numbers given the balance of performance & economy. I don't baby the car and enjoy exploring its capabilities. To have all that fun and get 28 MPG as well is good enough for me.
I can't imagine what people are doing (including car mag testers) to get 20-22 MPG. As for expectations, just because a car is small doesn't necessarily mean it is going to 35 MPG. Besides, the window sticker tells you what to expect, why would one be so shocked to actually get what the sticker says? I'm doing much better than the EPA figures, so I'm not complaining.
And to all of you with paint problems, that's also happening to mine. My side panels are covered with small scratches. I do not park near anyone (park with curb on one side and open road on passenger side). When we were shopping for the car, they told us that Toyota had a problem with all of the silver paints-some sort of defect. This included xBs. Mine is Black Cherry Pearl.
I'm not a whiner, just think I've gotten a lemon. Through it all I still like the car, just not the problems.
just polish the area with a good quality wax and those small scratches will vanish!
works for most metallics with clear coat, and some blacks with clear coat!
One thing about this car that amazed me is the RPMs the engine spins on the freeway -- it's something like 3200 RPM @ 60 MPH! That seems high to me -- if I had a 6th gear I bet I'd get better mileage.
What is your class action lawsuit going to be about? Who's eligible to join the class?
As for dealers, (excluding Lexus) I think the same can be said for the whole lot of them. I always wondered how such inefficient, inept, ill-informed "busnisses" can survive. Don't even get me started on the know-nothing lumps in sales!
Unfortunately, (apparently)the car makers have little control over the dealers. I would venture to guess that dealer dissatisfaction rather than product dissatisfaction drives more people away from any given brand.
I sympathize with your lot. It happens... better you than I. Good luck, but don't hold any high hopes that the next dealer is going to be any better should you have any problems.(Unless it's Lexus, but then again, I don't expect you to go back to anything Toyota).
Gas mileage depends on more than the sticker on the window.
It depends on tire sixe(like 15" wheels vs 18" wheels),tpye of gas used (87 gets the most mileage v 89 or 93 ,because its whats the cars are designed for 87).
Type of driving style etc.
Mine(06 scion xa auto) has under 1600 miles on it .1st tank 30mpg,2nd tank 34 mpg,third tank 38mpg,4th tank 39mpg so far.I just varied my driving styles.
I take off easy ,steady throttle,keep it at or under 70 on the highway.
Nice site for many to read info on gas mileage:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
http://yahoo.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-03-02-aaa-usat_x.htm?csp=1
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-08-17-fuel-econ-cover_x.htm
It's still a fun car though. Did need to get snow tires for it though-wouldn't move without them. The salesman told us it did great in the snow with the all-weathers-not! The tires have made a big difference. Still love getting the looks and questions about the car!
Best: 35.6
xB
Once you've defrosted the windshield, you should switch to floor or floor/bi-level right away.
Your AC light will NOT go on when you are on defrost, either, so there's no warning.
I get 30 mpg City, driving with my foot mostly mashed to the floor (manual trans.). Haven't really had a chance to do a long highway trip yet, as car only has 1,300 miles on it.
RE: Improvement over time -- fuel mileage should get better as engine breaks in, but really you can't hope for more than say 10% better.
I'm also running 35 lbs in front tires.
My opinion of the car, great if you add the cruise control and arm rest :-) Still would prefer to see side air bags before I buy.
Now today at over 1,000 miles, I tried for economy. Drove 25 miles on beltway, 75 miles on country roads, 25 miles on suburban lanes, and 25 miles in downtown = 150 miles. Started off easy, upshifted at minimum RPMs, and used the minumum throttle and RPMs to maintain the speed limits. In that mixed driving, the xB got 40.5 mpg!
I currently drive a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX 'sport' wagon and I've racked up 42k miles on it already. I have a 80 mile round trip commute all expressway. I think I get low 20s MPG in my Suby and visit the pump almost every 4 days. I'll admit that I drive with a heavy foot but that's because the Subaru is so much fun to drive (all-wheel-drive and turbo).
But I'm trying to do the right thing (for me) without giving up too much fun or functionality. I have test driven the xB both auto and manual and while the handling and suspension are responsive and brakes are good, it will take some time getting use to 108 hp.
My main dilema is if it's worth it to trade vehicles especially if people are getting under 25 MPG? I realize that it has alot to do with how you drive and maybe a little with where you drive. I live in the flat midwest so I'm hoping for at least 30 MPG under 'normal' driving.
Lastly, I can't decide between auto and manual. I have test driven both. My current car is a manual which is a perfect match for the kind of vehicle it is. However, some people recommend to get the manual to milk that 108 hp for all it's worth. While others suggest the car was designed for cruising plus it has lower rpms at highway speeds.
Even though I am in stop-and-go traffic, the clutch is so light it seems hardly an issue to row my own gears. Although the auto seemed peppy and responsive. Anyone else go through this dilema care to share some insight?
Lastly it looks like you can find a used xBs for $12,500 - $13,900. I was thinking about picking one up from Carmax. What do you think?
Thanks for reading!
If you can live with an xA, they are much peppier in performance than an xB, especially with the manual transmission.
Another thing, 108 hp is plenty of hp. I have had 6 cars less than that. In the hp wars of today, every car gets plenty of HP.
Examples:
77 Corolla DX - 69 HP
85 Corolla SR5 - 70 HP
83 Camry LE - 92 HP
78 & 79 Celica GT & ST - 95 HP
95 Corolla DX - 105 HP
With the exception of the 85, all of these had plenty of power for its size.
I should also mention that my Subaru requires premium grade fuel (92) being a higher performing engine with a turbo. So the thought of getting near 30 MPG on regular (87) makes me giddy.
When traffic is light I find myself cruising between 65 - 80 mph. The roads are pretty much flat and straight. I understand that aerodynamics plays a big part in fuel efficiency.
As for auto vs. manual xB, I didn't notice a huge difference in performance but it's very difficult to tell on the limited (short) local test drive the dealer allows you. Around town, the auto felt peppy enough from a stop. But I'm concerned about merging and passing on the highway.
I did test drive an xA but I prefer the roominess of the xB. I figure if I'm giving up the performance of my Subaru, I might as well gain more functionality and some unique 'style'
I drove an automatic xB and a stickshift xA back to back and the xA was noticeably quicker to me.
However, I doubt you'll be happy with the gas mileage in any car unless you change your personal driving habits. Your gas mileage will always be much worse than what you see posted here if your driving style doesn't change.
I, too, live in the midwest. I regularly drive on flat Ohio interstates, in my 1992 Acura Integra, and consistently average 34-35 MPG on 87 octane. The EPA rating for my car is 29 MPG highway.
However, I bet if you were behind the wheel of my car, you'd probably get mid/high 20's.
Also I should mention the EPA Mileage Estimates for my Subaru with manual tranny is 20 /27 MPG so you're right, I should be getting closer to 27 MPG. I think if I behave myself I can get closer to mid-20s.
Thanks for the comments.
if i drive @65 mph, it will get 30mpg. either way, i love the car!
77 Corolla DX - 69 HP
85 Corolla SR5 - 70 HP
83 Camry LE - 92 HP
78 & 79 Celica GT & ST - 95 HP
95 Corolla DX - 105 HP
Toyota should hire you for PR!
I agree about the horsepower wars, and will add the cubic feet wars. I bought a new Dodge Caravan (base unit) in 92. I bought a new Mazda MPV in 2000. Lots of comments on the Mazda forum at that time about underpowered the MPV was at 170 hp and also how the van was too small. When I got it home and parked it next to the Caravan, the Mazda was longer!
Everything is relative I guess.