What do you guys think of...

The Honda Jazz?

Nissan Micra?

Mazda Verisa?

Mistubishi Colt (new generation)?

These are all potential foes of the xA with the Honda Jazz leading the assault in late 2005... I think the Jazz is second best looking, but the most practical and utilitarian. The Micra is oddly appealing, like the Volkswagen Beetle. The interior is pretty interesting as well. The Mazda Verisa's design is awesome and is the best looking of the four... not quite as good looking as the xA or the Mini, though. The Mitsubishi Colt has a weird nose, but the rest of the front treatment is definately unique.

hmmmm. . . does the Vitz/Yaris count? Hahahaha! Nothing like good ol sibling rivalry!

Actually, dude... yes!! I saw an Echo hatchback in New York with Canadian plates and I'd seriously get one if Toyota were to sell it here... Echo gas mileage is a phenomenon. So much so that in a recent major auto mag (might be Automobile or Motor Trend), they included the Echo in a frugality comparo -- Jetta Diesel, Prius, Civic Hybrid, Insight and Echo. The Echo amazingly came up with +1 mile better than the EPA rating.

Actually when I bought my xA, I was strongly cross-shopping the Mazda3 as well. I like them both for aesthetic reasons.

Well, the Mazda 3 is hardly entry-level or sub-compact... and guess what?! The Mazda 3's dash FEELS and LOOKS more solid and refined... but it's even more delicate than the Scion dash. I sat in a 3 at a Mazda dealership and actually dug up a piece of the dash with my fingernail (shhhh!!!). It is THAT fragile.

Yeah. . . I've owned a lot of cars, and have been very happy with my xA. I didn't go for the Mazda because of the higher value with the xA. . . not to mention ownership costs (fuel, tires, insurance).

But there aren't many competitors here in the US. . . at least not yet.

One's to look out for now:
Kia Spectra5(pretty sweet, and yes it's a Kia, but wow)
Suzuki Aerio(150hp? Wow, but more $$$$)
Aveo. . . some things are nicer, but I still don't trust GM OR Daewoo. Hyundai/Kia yes, but not Daewoo. <--That's just my opinion.

Honda Jazz. . . yeah sure. It puts up a good fight in Japan. One of my relatives own one(in Thailand). She really wants an Ist. . . go figure. Similar cars to me, but different appeal

The rest. . . the styling of the other three listed do not appeal to me at all. . . maybe the Mazda Micro thing, but I'd have to see how high it sits off the ground. If a Mini didn't get such a huge mark up, and it had 4 doors, I'd really consider one. But theoretically the Mini is a competitor too. . . if you can actually find a stripped one selling for MSRP

The Honda Jazz is going to singlehandedly bring the subcompact segment back into the limelight... The Mini could have done that, but ultimately, it was a niche car and impractical for most people and it sold for way too much money. The Fit (what the Jazz is called in Japan), dethroned the mighty Corolla, which was the best selling car in Japan for the last 13 years, in sales. The Jazz has also won a ____load of awards and accolades (European Car of the Year in 2002) and most recently, highest satisfaction in a car.

Think about it this way... surging gas prices, an unstable economy and America's new obsession with all things European (Jude Law, all the EuroTrash brands of clothing, etc.)

Agreed. . .
it's what Scion has done here. It's basically jumped the gone on Honda, by introducing the line here first, and it's a huge success, relative to other similar attempts at introducing a new division/brand. The xB primarily, followed by the tC and xA have taken America by storm.

What the critics question, is how much can the envelope be pushed. Will American's accept 1.3L engines or? Scion already gets a heap of bad press from our 108 hp 1.5L, but they are definitely not slow compared to the average cars on the road today.

Like I said, I'm not much a fan for the Jazz styling, and it's relative from country to country. In Thailand, the Jazz is still completely stomped on by the Toyota Vios. And the Corolla still sees an advantage over the City/Civic. . . but the Ist is not available there either. Either way competition is always good for the consumer, so thumbs up to honda!!!!!

Man... the xA is such a beautiful little car... the exterior design--- everything is just brought together in perfect harmony. Can't stress how much I love the headlights... it just blows that I cannot get passed the dash material and guage layout.

You're right, though... Scion started it... but Honda will whore the segment into the limelight. Not sure where you are, but I am in Boston and its hatchback city. There's probably a 5:2 ratio of sedans to hatchbacks. Tons of Golfs, Elantra GTs, old Civic hatches. Maybe college kids love being practical?

Yes yes yes, almost forgot the grandparents of the micro hatches!

man. . . if only they still made Civic HB's!
I used to hate em. . . now I love em!

Heh... the UK has a Civic 5 door hatchback... picture the Civic Si, but with FOUR doors. The doors actually bring the car together really well and that was always what was wrong with the look of the 2 door Si. The United Kingdom gets all the cool ____!

Not to mention Opel, Pegeout, Ford of Europe, including the NEW Focus, and so much more. . .

Yes, yes, very true. I take it you are a "hatchback fiend" yourself? That's the only thing I will drive... I own a 1997 Volkswagen Golf. It's been super problematic since the start, but man, the Germans know ride quality. I throw my Golf into the turns and it feels like it's on rails.

What did you have before your xA?

hahaha, I'm part of the recently converted. I used to have a Lexus LS400. . . but my area of study is Economics. . . and I'm making a buttload of money saving the money I would have spend on maintainence, or an expensive car, and I'm investing that money. I plan on having enough money to buy FerrariS, plural, one day.

I really like hatchbacks now. So practical, good style, and they aren't SUV's. I never really liked em until I tried one. The first time I saw an xA, it drew me into hatchbacks. . . because I had never seen an xA before and it looked cool. Now that I've owned one for a bit of time, I've gained a HUGE appreciate for all hatchbacks. . . especially the xB as well, but not just limited to Scion's, or even Japanese makes for that matter. Cool stuff man

That's awesome. FerrariS, eh? That might be a tad bit ambitious... However, according to the new issue of Forbes, this year has had the most and biggest increase of billionaires in the United States. Up something like 30%. So maybe.

How are you doing for gas mileage with your xA? You should get the rear garnish... it's on the ScionLife store... it's the silver applique that goes across and is situated right above your license plate. It adds a surprising degree of luxury methinks.

Read "the Millionaire Next Door" . . . it's my Bible. They do a lot of statistical analysisesesese on successes.

A vast majority of successful millionaires were ones who were cheap bastards, saved money, invested, and repeated. The vast majority of them have relatively small incomes.

A growing percentage of high income workers have no equity, no assets, and no wealth. They have income, but actually owe money. . . not a good system. Perceived wealth is high, but in fact they are so unstable, they could easily become homeless if anything were to upset the unstable balance.

Everybody wants to be like Bill Gates. . . no education, not much time invested, filthy rich. Newsflash, there is only ONE Bill Gates.

There are tons of millionaires. The people who start right, usually succeed. It's all about building wealth. . . I will do it. There's almost no failing. I strongly recommend you read the book. It changed my life.

Hmmm... they say that if you put aside just 2.00 a day for the rest of your life, you will be a millionaire many times over.

How's your xA mileage?

Also... I don't trust those self-help/get-rich books. Are the authors self-made millionaires themselves? Also... it kinda contradicts you because you bought an xA, which is a car, which is one of the worst investments one can make... if you adhered to that code of living, you'd either be riding a bike to work and school or driving a total ____box. Hehehe. 8)

I havn't calculated gas mileage yet. . . but what used to cost me $50/week, now costs $18

Also... I don't trust those self-help/get-rich books. Are the authors self-made millionaires themselves? Also... it kinda contradicts you because you bought an xA, which is a car, which is one of the worst investments one can make... if you adhered to that code of living, you'd either be riding a bike to work and school or driving a total ____box. Hehehe. 8)

It's not a get rich book, it's a compilation of statistics. . . and this car is an investment. You see I will be taking this oversees with me (within 90 days you can import foreign possesions tax free). If I were to obtain a vehicle in the country I'm going to, it would cost about .5 times more. I come up with a profit, even if I sell the vehicle there.

Secondly I require a vehicle for what I do. Plus I draw the line at a certain point. . . I need reliable transportation. . . I don't need a Ferrari right now, or a sports car, just something that works 100%. But that's not even the bottom line, like I said.

Hmmm... they say that if you put aside just 2.00 a day for the rest of your life, you will be a millionaire many times over.

How's your xA mileage?

No but I am working my ___ off right now, saving a lot of money, and am earning about 10% on my investments. In about 10 years I will be ready to buy some property, or at least make a huge downpayment. . . I'm also calculating increased wages due to the degree I will have complete by the end of next June, using the mean income of those in my profession, off my country's economic statistics(which is a pessimistic guess). I'm 22 right now, and have almost 20k in liquid assets(lost 3k from my downpayment, and also did a trade in). At 10% I can double my assets in less than 10 years, and that's not even accounting new income/wage. . . that's just ROI.

That money cannot be touched. . . money saved is money that cannot be spent, no matter what. I will stave before I spend that money.

I'm happy for you, man. I got 8 grand saved up and that's gonna go towards the Honda Jazz... My Volkswagen, fun as it is to drive, has crazy ___ problems. My tail lights have no functioned properly since day one, so now I don't even use turn signals. Just wait till it's safe and do it. I need the Honda Jazz!!!

yeah. . . a big reason I went new. . . went used once and it was a nightmare.

I used to have a debate with a friend, Honda vs. Toyota. One year of debating, we both came to a conclusion that with either one, you'll be pretty damn happy, as they are both close competitors.

He owns a Toyota Corolla now, but only because his Uncle works with Toyota (he got the car at Invoice Price, $15k FULLY loaded).

I saw an Echo hatchback in New York with Canadian plates and I'd seriously get one if Toyota were to sell it here...

Says it all right? I saw 'em all over Sydney and really wondered why they weren't sold in stateside, they look MUCH better than the Echo's we have here.

I havn't calculated gas mileage yet. . . but what used to cost me $50/week, now costs $18

What a great feeling isn't it? Cause I'm in the same boat as you :)

Cosmetics aside, I think the Honda Jazz looks like a great car. 40 - 60 MPG, versatile and roomy. I wonder how much it costs? It looks like we can expect better cars to come. After I pay off my Scion xA, it's nice to know that there willl be even more choices of small economical utilitarian vehicles.

In the mean time I am going to continue to enjoy driving my simple xA. It handles nicely, is economical and is roomy enough for 90% of my needs. The only things I can't do with it is sleep in it (camping), or haul lumber. I might be able to sleep in the Honda Jazz though.

Just a side note. To increase the interiior cargo space on my xA and make it more dog-friendly, I've removed the rear seat and backrests. Soon, I will build a simple carpet- covered plywood floor to cover the bare metal floor. An additional advantage is that it will make it easier for my dog to get into and out of the rear doors. Even more cargo space could be created if one could figure out what to do with the spare tire - but I decided against the idea because it would make the windows too high for my dog to see out of.

My aunt in Thailand has a HondaJazz... those things R pretty dope. I especially like the lil windows in front of the side view mirrors. I even saw a bunch with some aftermarket work done... looked pretty clean. Especially the TINT jobs in Thailand.... theyR sick! Talk about 5% metallic tint all around (including windshield)... badass...

err, back on topic; I wouldnt trade my xA for one tho! :P

dont forget about the honda stream its coming as well and the suzuki swift.

I LOVE the Honda Jazz! They offer so many different colors too. Maybe Scion will start picking up on that. How much do you think they will cost in the US? When will they be coming here?
The Nissan is nice too. Looks a little like a vw bug.

The Honda Jazz is going to cost somewhere around 10K to about 15K for a fully loaded... Honda has to be careful not to make the Civic look like a bad deal compared to the Jazz (this is their biggest fear). I declare that they should just import the UK five door Civic hatcback (looks like an Si, but with 5 doors).

On a side note, the colors that Scion offers suck. So generic. They should have made the xA available in the light blue that the Matrix comes in. That'd be hot.

I just saw a picture of the FIT - which is the JAZZ ? It looks similar to the xA, but isn't it bigger? In which case, it would be more like a Toyota Matrix wouldn't it?

Here's an odd one from UK. I think this Corolla Verso hatchback (w/tiny 3rd row seat?) from the photo looks Jazz size.
http://www.caranddriving.com/pix/UToyCorollaVerso.jpg V.S. http://www.automotriz.net/images/modelos/honda-fit/03.jpgFit or Jazz
Note the length of the roof is about the same.

while we're on this topic of rivals. isn't it interesting that any car can have named rivals, but civics can make it's way into so many classes of speed and handling?

My aunt in Thailand has a HondaJazz... those things R pretty dope. I especially like the lil windows in front of the side view mirrors. I even saw a bunch with some aftermarket work done... looked pretty clean. Especially the TINT jobs in Thailand.... theyR sick! Talk about 5% metallic tint all around (including windshield)... badass...

err, back on topic; I wouldnt trade my xA for one tho! :P

That's funny. . . one of my cousins was fitting from Thailand a few weeks ago. . . she has a Jazz and really liked my xA. She wants one, but they aren't available there. I guess it's true. . . we always want what we can't/don't have.