Okay, I'm trying to get my mother-in-law one of the new xD's and she's telling me that they keep pushing the VSC on her (an extra $650)...

..how important is this? she lives in the Catskills of New York and sees a lot of snow in the winter...

.....anyone know the skinny on this stuff, and why it's not standard on the car like it was on my Box? if she doens't want it or need it can they take it out? or does she have to wait for a new car to come in without it?

any help would be appreaciated

The need depends on a driver - I've driven a 350Z on summer tires in snow and did not feel the need for stability/traction control. For some people it's a must, though.

Stability control on xD is the only real factory option - so it can't be removed or installed at the port/dealer.

I've driven my xA in Alaska for the last three years without the benefit of traction control. My company cars are often equipped with it, however, and the only time it activates is when I'm doing something that I shouldn't. In those cases, it's helpful, but I do not consider it a necessity. Safe winter driving can always be attributed to the driver more than the car.

It will be standard equipment on all cars in a couple of years. They did a really good explanation of how it works at the Backstage event I attended earlier this year. To me it would be worth the extra dough..........

I am a fan of the Stability Control and actually waiting for my order to come in with it.

Here is what Scion has to say about it:
VSC applies braking force to individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine torque sent to the front wheels to help correct front-end push or a rear-wheel spin-out tendency, and bring the vehicle back to the driver's intended line through a corner. VSC combines several systems and controls:
Anti-Lock Brakes
Steering angle sensor
Traction control
Yaw control

VSC is not only beneficial in wet, snowy, or icy conditions, but can also offer handling benefits during emergency maneuvers on dry pavement.

That is almost word for word what Scion has to say about that. Hope that helps.

I'd spend the extra money for it. Resale with the VSC should be slightly higher than the xD without VSC.

Ditto what emptystreets130 said, plus I'm hoping there is a possible insurance reduction with it. Hoping anyway.

Check out this thread, there is a link to a video explaining VSC:

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=188708

I opted for it on my xD, wasn't going to but then thought differently. Icy roads here in the Northeast can sometimes be treacherous.

I would definately get it. My last car had it and really helped me a few times in the ice. I told my sales rep I had to have it on my xD. I was fortunate they had one coming with both VSC and it being a 5 speed.