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Comments
You are correct sticker price on a Fit is about $1000 less. But most dealers are greedy.
But the 5-speed can....
The January 2006 issue of Car & Driver did a "comparo" called "Rebellious Boxes":
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=10524
The Scion xB article is at:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10528/2006-scion-xb.html
In that article it says "it was last in acceleration to 60 mph, 0.1 second behind the Element..."
The Element article is at:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10525/2006-honda-element-ex-p.html
And it says "The Element nips the Scion by 0.1 second in the sprint to 60 mph, arriving in 9.5 seconds."
So the Scion xB was tested at 0-60 in 9.6 seconds.
DrFill
~alpha
The manual should be about 1.6 seconds faster to 60, that is very significant.
DrFill
There is no more markup on fits in nc. Every dealer has 2 or 3 sitting on the lots. You still get the occasional 'this car has been detailed with 1st place finish so that ads 799 to msrp' kind of crap, but its easy to let the dealer now you are not there to bullcrap.
Now for all of you who are making comments without owning one this is one of the nicest cars I have owned. Smooth riding, quiet. great pickup and passing power. What more could you want for 18k?
Both the previous generation XB and the current generation Corolla performed poorly on the side impact crash test. The only time the Corolla performed fairly was when the side airbag equipped cars were tested. Good luck finding a Corolla with side airbags. By the time you find a Corolla with side airbags it will be optioned out and will cost more than my new XB cost.
My XB is a stick shift.
I tend to drive with a heavy foot and rarely go on the freeway. My XB usually is driven in town about 90% of the time.
Both dealers wanted $17000 for a base model and $19000 for the sport. The dealer even had a fit with leather, aftermarket sunroof and chrome factory alloys they wanted $25000 for this car. For that kind of money I could buy an Accord LX-V6
The dealers are acting like these cars are the only ones on the planet.
They say it is supply and demand. Well poor supply does not equal a $2000 mark for me.
Look how well the Yaris is selling.
I'm sorry about your dealer situation; that markup is out of control. I've seen fits for 17k, but they were sport autos with 16 inch wheels, and some interior appointments, so i understood why.
actually, you probably couldn't get an accord v-6 for that price...not if that dealer marks up car the way they do!
With higher fuel economy, a larger back seat, and a 2-door model, Yaris just hits the spot a little better that the Fit.
DrFill
and the backseat cushion isn't a rock.
having said that, i would love an uber cheap yaris 3 door as a newer alternative for an older car.
The Fit isn't some Sentra SE-R or something.
DrFill
I am perfectly happy with my 08 XB.
It may not get the same mileage as a Fit or a Yaris but, I am very happy anyways. I cannot think of a vehicle that offers the same amount of room versatility or power all while delivering 25mpg in mostly city driving.
The XB is the 1st car that I have ever owned where I did not regret buying it. It is also nice to know that you cannot buy a better car for the money.
i can see that toyota's philosophys are trickling down to their employees; because they to don't belive in amerians who enjoy or give extra points for handling, because they offer nothing along those lines in any of their cars.
Touche!
DrFill
Has anyone with an '08 who has taken it on a long drive AND has driven an '04 or '05 with the original seats noticed any fatigue or discomfort in comparison? Just curious. Keep or buy a new one?
Also what about the Scion security system accessory. Any good? Worth getting? Any comments appreciated.
I have driven a 2006 xB and found the seats somewhat uncomfortable, but I love the 208 seats. Then again, I am a man of considerable...width, so a more bony butt may find the 2006 seats a better home. It is so subjective, I would just recommend going to the dealer and trying it out.
The nav system does not work off of the base system, it is a completely seperate head unit. It is basically an Alpine nav unit that is Scion branded and has the connections to work with all of the stock controls and inputs.
The Scion security system is a fairly basic unit that ties into the factory harness. It is expensive considering it's lack of features, but will be more reliable and much easier to install than an aftermarket alarm.
In Central Florida the dealers have added an approximately $600.00 dealer fee for the Scions. My impression is the fee is simply additional dealer profit.
Does anyone have any more insight into this fee? What is the best negotiating tactic in your opinion?
With appreciation and kind regards.
They applaude the new power (0-60 in 7.8, top speed of 124), and the content, but want quirkier styling and more cubbie holes.
More or less, it is more Toyota than Scion, to their eyes, which isn't necessarily bad, but counter to the mission.
DrFill
But their stopwatch does come in handy. I figured a xB with a stick was 8 seconds.
The HHR lacks the features and style of the xB. :shades:
DrFill
However, I will still pass on it because I didn't like the driving position and many other attributes of the xB.
Seats too low and dash too high bathtub position, giant rear blind spots. Armrest is a joke. You have to try to balance your arm on the very narrow fold down armrest.
Factory radios look aftermarket, not integrated into the design of the dash and will attract theft. "I just bought this stereo from Best Buy. Please steal it and install in your 89 Camaro."
Gas mileage disappointing. 4-speed automatic disappointing on a car that is a new design.
But in that case it should have the Toyota badge. As a Scion, the new xB is very ordinary and conventional. Autoweek had an unflattering review with which I agree on most points. They took an avant garde JDM Toyota and evolved it into a porky, gas-thirsty car whose styling causes it to disappear in the crowd of crossovers out there. :-(
As such, it should have a Toyota badge. Leave the Scion name for interesting and different cars.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
And a stiff wind would've blown the '06 over. The '06 was cheap, but roomy. Like a draft of a future car.
If that is what Scion's mission is, than I don't want any part of it.
The xB and xD will be more substantial, safer, better driving cars. If that makes them too Toyota-like, so be it. Scions can be better without losing their style. I thiunk the xB did that. :confuse:
C&D said the car is light-years better, but gets off the Scion mission.
You can get a great Toyota vehicle, a great value, for $17k. And it looks cool. :shades:
DrFill
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Come on now. Thirsty? It gets roughly 11% less gas mileage. (for 2008 ratings, new car=22/28, old car = 26/30 (manual), using the combined mileage yields (1-(25/28))x100=10.7% less) In the 2007 ratings, it would have been 25/31...is that thirsty? In fact, I regularly beat that. I get about 26 around suburban streets (no faster than 40 mph, lots of stops and hills) and 32 on my commute which is an equal mix of suburban driving and 50 mph highway with some stoplights. I would probably get about 3 mpg more with the old xB, at most.
The new xB is hardly porky. Although it is 600 lbs heavier than the old one, it is still considerably lighter than a Caliber, a PT-Cruiser, or an HHR. In fact, it is only about 100 lbs heavier than a Mazda 3 wagon.
It bears no resemblence to a crossover either, at least no more than the old xB. It is shorter (height) than the old one, is closer to the ground, all while being wider and longer. You make it sound like it offers AWD and an offroad package.
I do agree, it is not as funky or different as the orignial, but to many of us, that is a good thing. I like and almost bought an old xB, but the over-the-top styling, lack of cruise control, and 4000+ RPM on the highway (manual) scared me off.
This vehicle is the Silver metallic model. We added leather interior, sport steering wheel, Scion Navigation and XM radio and 16" Corolla 5 spoke alloy wheels (Scion emblem). I had low profile tires on previous vehicle and they were constant problems plus rougher ride.
The vehicle handles better than most I have owned in a long time. That includes Accura MDX, Accura 3.5RL and 06 VW Jetta TDI (Which I traded in on the xB at $1500 difference. VW service HORRIBLE and excessive long wait for parts.
I averaged 27.6MPG @75MPH and lots of hills, passing and jackrabbit starts. We get 24 MPG city driving. At age of 70, this vehicle is delightful for entering and exiting. Seats are comfortable and visibility is excellent.
My complaints are:
No daylight running lights
Clock and outside temperature are hidden in display menu and not visible at all times
4 speed automatic instead of 5 speed. Downshifting on grades is annoying RPM change. RPM at 70 is approx 3000 and downshift goes over 4000.
Daylight running light problem is soon to be cured with Fog lamp accessory and a little electronic knowledge. I will add two $.99 cent diodes in the wiring and ignition will turn on lights automatically. The fog lamps are like driving lamps and they cosmetically enhance the bottom grill at each side. I will do the installation as my dealer has never done one. The installation requires good mechanical knowledge and braveness due to cutting the grill. The instructions are great. I sent the modification to Scion Headquarters site.
I suggest buying one of these. It is a head turning vehicle especially the way we have this one "dolled" up.
Hopefully the 34 and under crowd is just as impressed.
I just fit in thur! :shades:
DrFill
The colors exactly match the xB headliner and xB side panels. The side panels have the Ash color also which set off the Charcoal interior. The sport steering wheel reflects the same two colors. The leather makes the seats very comfortable.
The upgrade was excellent. You can contact Toyota dealer in Boerne, Tx for name of installer. He orders the kits from another source and just installs them.
Be prepared to pack a lunch and a 6 pack of drinks and sit in the vehicle with the instruction manual. It is thick and full of pictures and procedures. Don't get frustrated.
The VW TDI Jetta Nav system was over $2000 and did not have anything to compare to this one. That is why I chose Magellan plug and play unit for it instead of factory.
Fuel economy: Avg is 27.5 mpg if you can trust the computer. When I was tracking it manually, I was getting about the same so I'm relying on the machine now.
Drive: pleasant, considering how inexpensive the vehicle is. Sure it gets buzzy when you pedal to the metal, but that is rare for me. I'm often ahead of everyone taking off from a traffic light and I'm barely touching the gas. I will say that some of the funniest wind noise I get is from the roof when its windy (and up here in Minneapolis it can get that way often.) Overall, I love my xB much more than my 2005 Mustang (ugh, I hated how that thing handled in traffic -- no more American makes for me!)
I did not put much in the way of options on the vehicle, as I'm not big on bling or dvds or nav systems (its called a map!) Still, I love my wagon meets SUV love child of a car.
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/xB%20Leather%20Seats/