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Scion xA
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Comments
HOWEVER I believe 0-60 times are very misleading. O-60 pretty much assumes you drop the clutch at some pretty hefty rpm and run it up to 60 with only a single shift - simply because shifting takes a LOT of time.
In fact, with a "responsive" automatic transmission, I think an automatic is much quicker than a stick shift. For example, I don't like to over-rev, I short shift, I am easy on the clutch, and in routine driving, the grannies in their auto tranny cars beat me every time (but never around the curves!).
Same on the freeway. The automatic in the xA can run a much more civilized rpm, because the automatic can un-lock the torque converter for more pep in a flash, or throw a downshift to 3rd a lot fast than I can shift a stick. In short, in real world driving, the automatic is almost always quicker.
Where it falls down, is in fuel economy (in my experience, stick shifts always make their highway EPA rating, while automatics always seem to lose 3-5 mpg or more) and responsiveness in mountain driving (I'd rather lock a stick shift in third or 4th than have an automatic "hunt").
But the new automatics are getting really good. We have a CR-V with a 5 speed that drops to 4th with only minor prodding on the accelerator (not a flat floor push) and upshifts again just as willingly and quickly once you hit your speed.
If I had it too do over again, I would have gotten an automatic on the xA.
But, if I had it to do over again, I would have gotten the xB.
(Not all automatics are good; I have a Dodge Caravan minivan with a 4 cylinder right now, and the 4 speed automatic is slushy - shifts aren't crisp like they are on the CR-V.)
As for handling, I ordered a rear sway bar and a shock tower brace and pumped the tires up to 38 psi. If that doesn't do it, I'm going to lower the car 20mm.
Actually, I agree with CR - at least if they drove the same year model as the 2004 I drove (for 10,000 miles). It's quite possible Toyota retuned the shocks due to the many complaints about the ride (Toyota is good like that, responsive to "new owner survey" complaints, for example).
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I'll be in the market for a new car and I'm looking at the xA and the Honda Fit. I'm not sure whether either is capable of carrying two kayaks. Yes, I can install a roof rack but will I get blown over if a stiff wind comes up? Will there be too much drag in the vehicle and tax the engine beyond what is prudent?
Ok, just got the answer that the total load capacity of the vehicle is 825lbs (p. 139 in the owner's manual). Two people plus two kayaks and gear is not likely to exceed that rating. Is that all I need to consider?
Thx/Cq
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I did opt for Satellite radio and I'm very pleased with that option. You don't need to buy the MP3 upgrade to get satellite radio.
I ran some numbers at home, and for a vehicle that gets around 30 MPG (a lowball estimate of real world xA mileage on the highway), getting 3 MPG better with an automatic still made the automatic more expensive than the manual at 100,000 miles, even factoring in a few hundred dollars to install a new clutch pad. I used a gas price of $2.50/gal.
I'm wondering if this is the situation with the xA. Past posters have said that the manual transmissions are geared very low. Are automatics geared any higher and would this, plus the supposedly "finer" tuning in the transmission, save gas on the highway?
My daily commute is short (about 15 miles) without stop and go traffic. A weekend highway trip for me might be about 250 miles. Generally I drive cars into the ground rather than trade them in. The automatic transmission in my current car fried itself a few years ago, and the repair bill was $2400. I'm leery of claims that automatic transmissions are so much better now than years ago, especially once they pass the 150,000 mile mark.
I'm pretty confident that the xA fuel mileage will look like this, with a 5 speed manual:
Hard city driving only, up and down hills, idling, etc. (the worst case scenario) 28 mpg
Combo city and FAST highway driving 31-33 mpg
80 mph highway driving only 34 mpg
65 mph highway driving only: 36 mpg
55 mph highwar driving only: 37-38 mpg
The only advantage I really see to a 5 speed manual is "fun" and the ability to dart around in traffic....
Back to my original MPG question. If the automatic only gets 1 MPG better than the manual at, say, 70 mph on highways, paying $800 more for the automatic doesn't save me any money. Using 36 MPG for the automatic and 35 for the manual, the difference is only $300 at $2.50 a gallon at 150,000 miles. This leaves $500 for clutch repairs when needed.
Ummm...I have a 2006 and with the manual trans. the power is more than adequate...I just put it in the left lane and go as fast as I dare....80-85....
I think that with the automatic say going uphill at higher altitudes, you could be pressed for power, definitely....but on the flats at sea level, I don't see an issue with the automatic. You might on occasion have to shift it manual but this is good advice for any automatic car....newer automatics seem very lazy at times to downshift properly, especially if they are in OD.
The xA feels as fast as my Alfa Romeo was (the Spider, not the 164 sedan).
I'm thinking of how my ex-wife's manual Subaru Forester was geared -- I remember it being geared very low with high rpms on the highway. Fifth gear was basically overdrive. I had no objections to that.
I call it my mid-life crisis car. My wife thinks I'm crazy.
I haven't test drove the 2006 Kia Rio's yet but did test drive a 2006 Polar White Scion xA with a 5-speed tranny. Good little cruise and a very "solid" feel to the little car, really. Let me put it this way: the cars on my list get me excited about driving. That's it!
You're right, one does not feel "down low" in a Scion xA. Rather, you're up and seeing out very well. A nice, nice rig that I remain interested in buying. It's a real battle between Kia and Scion for my next rig. For now, my 2001 Kia Sportage is plowing through eastern Idaho's winter so well that we can't see need to part with it.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The manual is confusing, but I've heard that as long as I get the service done, the warranty is in effect. The manual says that too, but also says elsewhere that getting the services done outside Scion dealership "doesn't necessarily void warranty"...talk about confusing. :confuse:
Any thoughts?
The warranty rap is giving them some wiggle room. Basically Scion would have to prove that the outside service you got caused a mechanical failure....like if your oil filter fell off in the middle of the highway or they put your brakes on backwards....
If your driving is "severe"..i.e. short trips, lots of sandy, dusty trips, lots of uphill straining on your engine then I would change every 3,000 miles, actually.
My Kia Sportage service manual direct from Kia says every 7,500 miles to change and I think my '99 Kia Sephia manual said the same.
I change every 3,000-5,000 miles no matter what and my Sportage's motor is running like a top.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Can you let us know what rpm the car is turning on the freeway? As I recollect, my xA manual turned 3,800 at 80 mph (not that I drove that fast).
Also, since you have a 2004 too, will you let us know if the ride/handling of the '06 is the same or different - the '04 I owned had a VERY stiff suspension. Handled great, ride was hard (please let us know before you start modding your ride!).
Finally, the hard plastic on the dash and doors picked up fingernail marks easily - it sort of abraded the fingernails and got streaked. It didn't get scratched, of course, it was too sturdy for that.
Happy riding.
It does need a rear sway bar and better tires though. At least I'd like that.
I've found that fabric on the driver's seat seems to be wearing prematurely. The wear is evident on the side bolster of the driver's seat (which you rub when you get in and out of the car? I've owned 5 Toyotas with fabric seats over the past 26 years, and this is the only one showing wear on the seat.
Has anyone experienced this problem?
We have had my wife's new 2006 Scion xA for a few days now and I really like driving it. It is a total blast to rip around in...I mean drive in (*cough, cough). Anyway, the ride feels more civil than my daughter's 2004 yet it takes the corners rather well. It has some roll in tight turns but it seems to be more lateral tire roll than suspension. I will purchase the rims and tires before dropping it so in about 1000 miles (break in) I'll let you know how the tires change the ride. In regards to the highway ride...the engine is buzzy as it hits about 70 which turns about 3400 and 80 is around 3800 - 3900. I was very impressed with the stock shifter as it shifts smoothly and the throw isn't really that long for such an inexpensive car. It's also nice that this is the first car that we paid cash for in over 20 years of marriage.
Has anyone tried an aftermarket muffler yet? Please report in!
i think you ran into is something they have no fix for. if your air conditioner is the same unit that is in the echo, it's just a weak unit.
many people living in hot and humid climates complain about how inadequate the air conditioner is.
TRD sells a muffler that they claim improves the horsepower. I never tried it, but I'd start there - if TRD makes a claim, it is more likely to be true than with other makers. But it might be louder than stock. :mad:
Thanks for the reassurance. I have a Toyota pickup with 150K with no prob yet except a clutch replacement, so I'm hoping for same quality.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?