Hi guys!

I'm considering getting an xD some time soon. Right now, I'm debating between Honda Fit and Scion xD. I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to car. All I'm looking for is something reliable, fuel efficient and fun to drive.

Anyway, what I would like to know is if getting the optional stability control is worth the money spent on it. What does it actually do? I have a lot of highway driving in my daily commute. Is this something that I should opt for?

Thanks!

Cool Frood

is it an option on the xD? I thought it was stock...? I know it was on my xB... i havnt looked into it .. but i dont THINK its something you have to pay for.. maybe i should look.. I havnt messed with it on my xB .. i just leave it on.. I dont know what it does ..lol... Iv seen some tests though with the xB and the ESC and it handles great! heres the video if you care to take a look.

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/toyotaisme/video/?action=view&current=Scion2008xBValidation.flv

the reason i give you this video is because if im correct.. the xD and new xB are similar in a lot of way.. besides looks of course.. and the engine is alittle smaller.. but im guessing all the extras are going to be the same.. such a cruise control comes stock... the ESC comes stock.. all electric windows/mirrors... Ipod hook up along with Aux hook up... umm what else?

As a XB owner I think you should get it........My first pick was the XD :tap: But I got a really good trade-in price for my Rav4......

VSC is the (only) factory-installed option on the xD. Unfortunately, Scion.com erroneously lists it as standard. It adds $650 USD to the base price. Ask your dealer who can search for xDs with in installed (the list I was shown had VSC next to some).

Basically, it tries to 'right' the car when it senses a control loss (such as in adverse weather conditions). It looks at the driver's input versus what the car is actually doing and automatically adjusts engine power and braking. It also does the latter to the brakes individually to compensate for traction loss.

Look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Stability_Control

wow its not standard?... humm... Im glad i got the xB seems to have come with almost everything standard.

This is the link my scion manager gave me about the VSC http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=938fd0442e2deace992de3168e3ce105.689691

That being said good luck getting it. I am trying to order a Nautical Blue Manual with VSC and they are telling me it is going to be 4 months before I can get the car. I am not real pleased about that needless to say.

Oh and hit reload after you follow the link to get that video to show.

> This is the link my scion manager gave me about the VSC http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=938fd0442e2deace992de3168e3ce105.689691

That video is no longer on yahoo. Was it the same xB review as earlier in this thread?

Tim

thanks for the link just saw it, looks like I will recommend it for her, I know they have two coming in in the next two weeks and will tell her to take it...hopefully they will give her the same amount for her trade in so it will cover this feature

> This is the link my scion manager gave me about the VSC http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=938fd0442e2deace992de3168e3ce105.689691

That video is no longer on yahoo. Was it the same xB review as earlier in this thread?

Tim

Actually it is. When you hit the link it comes up and says video no longer available. When I hold down the shift key and hit reload 3 or 4 times in Firefox the video comes up. Not sure what the issue is at first, that is why I said you have to hit reload for it to work.

Actually it is. When you hit the link it comes up and says video no longer available. When I hold down the shift key and hit reload 3 or 4 times in Firefox the video comes up. Not sure what the issue is at first, that is why I said you have to hit reload for it to work.

You are correct - hit reload a few times and then it appeared. How weird. Thanks!

that kinda sucks. i really like the xd. why is scion skimping all of a sudden. now you have to pay extra for a feature that was standard on all previous scions :eyebrow:

that kinda sucks. i really like the xd. why is scion skimping all of a sudden. now you have to pay extra for a feature that was standard on all previous scions :eyebrow:

is it an option on the xD? I thought it was stock...? I know it was on my xB... i havnt looked into it .. but i dont THINK its something you have to pay for.. maybe i should look.. I havnt messed with it on my xB .. i just leave it on.. I dont know what it does ..lol... Iv seen some tests though with the xB and the ESC and it handles great! heres the video if you care to take a look.

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/toyotaisme/video/?action=view&current=Scion2008xBValidation.flv

the reason i give you this video is because if im correct.. the xD and new xB are similar in a lot of way.. besides looks of course.. and the engine is alittle smaller.. but im guessing all the extras are going to be the same.. such a cruise control comes stock... the ESC comes stock.. all electric windows/mirrors... Ipod hook up along with Aux hook up... umm what else?

Here's what the folks at Scion told me:
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is an option for the xD. We encourage you to contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Scion dealership for further assistance in locating an xD with VSC.

Tim

that kinda sucks. i really like the xd. why is scion skimping all of a sudden. now you have to pay extra for a feature that was standard on all previous scions :eyebrow:


I could be wrong, but I don't think it was standard on the xA. It was deemed necessary on the xB due to its boxy nature.

I'm going for the automatic and wanted VSC. The dealer told me the nearest one is at another dealer about 430 miles away. He said he may have one closer but its loaded with extras that boost the price over $22,000. I've only been approved for $20,000 and don't want to go any higher than $18,900. I've been told VSC is hard to find in SoCal and is more readily available in cold-climate areas.

I'll take my chances and nix the VSC. Save me $650.

that kinda sucks. i really like the xd. why is scion skimping all of a sudden. now you have to pay extra for a feature that was standard on all previous scions :eyebrow:


I could be wrong, but I don't think it was standard on the xA. It was deemed necessary on the xB due to its boxy nature.

The tC doesn't have VSC standard or as an option. The VCS on the xD and xB2 can be turned off whereas I believe the xB1 is always on.

I'm going for the automatic and wanted VSC. The dealer told me the nearest one is at another dealer about 430 miles away. He said he may have one closer but its loaded with extras that boost the price over $22,000. I've only been approved for $20,000 and don't want to go any higher than $18,900. I've been told VSC is hard to find in SoCal and is more readily available in cold-climate areas.

VSC is also difficult to get in Texas. I think it is more readily available in Automatics though. I ordered a Manual Nautical Blue with VSC and they told me they should be able to get it by December. That is what the distributor is telling them. They have VSC in other colors in Manual, but not blue in our area, and Toyota told them like 4 months.

Is VSC all that necessary to have when you live in an area with little climate change? For instance SoCal. I didn't get that option on my xD because of the price and then I figured I wouldn't need it. Too late now to get it installed anyways :)

coolfrood: My sister bought a Fit last year with the Sport Package, and I just bought my xD. From what I remember about her fit it was pretty nice, however, it felt cheap inside (I've noticed that with new Hondas, more plastics). The xD looks very nice inside and feels inside inside. If space is an issue for you then the Fit would be a good choice (seats fold flat without needing to remove headrests). Though if it doesn't matter and you want a better bodystyle, go for the xD.

The body is not as boring as the Fit :)




This is the link my scion manager gave me about the VSC http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=938fd0442e2deace992de3168e3ce105.689691

Haha they did the testing by Wild Rivers. Looks awfully cold for those clothes, was probably early this year. I used to work at that park like 6yrs ago too. Ah memories.

Is VSC all that necessary to have when you live in an area with little climate change? For instance SoCal. I didn't get that option on my xD because of the price and then I figured I wouldn't need it. Too late now to get it installed anyways :)


Maybe not, but on the otherhand I am originally from MN and will probably drive the car up there at least once a year during the winter, so it seems like it would be nice to have.

Is VSC all that necessary to have when you live in an area with little climate change? For instance SoCal. I didn't get that option on my xD because of the price and then I figured I wouldn't need it. Too late now to get it installed anyways :)

coolfrood: My sister bought a Fit last year with the Sport Package, and I just bought my xD. From what I remember about her fit it was pretty nice, however, it felt cheap inside (I've noticed that with new Hondas, more plastics). The xD looks very nice inside and feels inside inside. If space is an issue for you then the Fit would be a good choice (seats fold flat without needing to remove headrests). Though if it doesn't matter and you want a better bodystyle, go for the xD.

The body is not as boring as the Fit :)



Thanks for the info, ChelDS. I am leaning towards xD very heavily now. I haven't even bothered test driving a Fit yet. I'm still waiting for the dealers here in NJ to have a car available to test drive though -- every dealer just wants you to put money down without even trying the car. I have a 90 miles a day commute in total so I definitely want to get something that I enjoy but at the same time is fuel efficient. xD isn't as great at fuel efficiency as the Fit, but I have a lot of highway driving and I think the Fit might groan too much at 80 mph.

What I remember from riding in my sis's Fit is that it was pretty bouncy from how close the wheels where to each other (front and back wheels). I don't remember how much road noise there was so I can't say anything on that part. On the xD I just filled up today with 10gal which isn't bad seeing as how I've been running the air the whole freakin week and did about 250mi. The xD is supposed to get about 300mi (or around there I think) which is about the same for the Fit.

I dunno, choosing a car is a big thing lol. I hope you get to test drive both cars and make a decision on which one you like more. =)


*hypnotizes you* get an xD... join the club... */hypnotizes*