I'm about to purchase a new vehicle. I want a station wagon that is economical and can carry my stuff (I'm a bicyclist). There are only 2 station wagon's for sale in the USA that can fit my bike without removing a wheel and I still have a chance of getting 30mpg - the Scion Xb and the VW Passat and still fit in my budget - only other options are ever more expensive Euro-cars (Volvo, BMW, Saab). I'm still running a Ford Focus wagon and I'm pi$$ed at Ford for dropping the wagon version.

I kind of like the Xb - I'm an old phart, but still young at heart, so the funkyness of a Scion I can live with and its a lot cheaper than the VW. But, my only real concern is what is the future of the Xb? It seems to get bad reviews and it has really missed the Scion philosophy (I mean, if old pharts are buying it, then they've missed their mark, right?). Looks to me like Toyota will make a lot of changes in 2009. It is not selling well: if a new car is hot, you'll see lots of them on the road. In one week in San Francisco on holiday last week, I think I saw one (1) - but lots of XB gen 1's. I read on this forum a post by a dealer that Scion sales are down 35% from last year.

My biggest fear is that I'll be left holding an "orphan car" - the one that everybody laughs at. Please discuss.

I'm also hopeful that $3 - $4 gas will finally make the industry and the public realize that station wagons are the way to go. They can even call them "cross-overs"!

 

I only read the title, but you should.

 

Just do it
-NIKE-

 

I love my xb2. I never liked the first one. Sorry, it may be the original, but it doesn't fit my taste. The second gen I LOVE. I've owned many cars and this is by far my favorite. In addition I've driven many cars as well. My family has multiple BMW's, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Land Rover, and I think of all the car's that I've driven. I enjoy this the most as well. Now granted there's allot of factors in my decision. Gas, ease of parking, fun factor, etc... I have a horrible commute, so I get no joy driving a super fast car. I traded in my old car specifically because it wasn't comfortable driving longer than an hour stuck in traffic. But with my Xb2 it isn't nearly as tiring.

Anyways, everybody is going to have their own opinion, and you are going to get multiple different answers for your question. The bottom line is, go test drive it, and check it out for yourself.

As far as your "biggest fear" what's so wrong about driving a car that few own? To be honest with you, I HOPE that Toyota pulls this car off production soon (or replace it) because I WANT to drive a car that few own. It's a Toyota so I'm not too worried about reliability, and I'm not all into the aftermarket stuff. The uniqueness and rareness of the second gen is something that I think will add value and desire to a great car. I own a BMW 635CSI, a classic that few own. And every time I drive it, people are asking me if I want to sell it. While the xb2 will probably never get that kind of recognition, it would be nice to drive a commuter car that you don’t see everywhere.

 

a lot of changes for 2009? i don't think so. the bad reviews are based only on the larger size and the decreased gas mileage. (wow 27 mpg really sucks!) If the gen2 was a xD with a larger body, i for one would have kept my xA.

i agree 100%, i love this car!

 

I don't know of any professionally written poor reviews. Autoweek, Intellichoice.com, edmunds.com, etc have all given the xB2 great best in class type awards.

Mostly, the 1st Generation xB owners bad mouth the xB2. For me, I didn't buy the earlier version because it was like driving a tin can with harsh road & engine noise with No Curtain Airbags & no traction, stability control.

When the xB2 went to way to be more like a Camry, it was harshly criticized on SL but the stronger engine, quiet ride, & best in class safety features are just what I was looking for!

Gas Mileage, is better than the window sticker says for those that try to save gas. Highway, miles routinely average at just over 30 mpg for a lot of xB2 owners.

As far as abandoning the xB2 after only a couple of years, Toyota/Scion has never done that. It is produced & sold in other countries as the Corolla Rumion & the Corolla platform is being updated across the board throughout the world.

Because Gas IS increasing in price, small cars are in more demand & Scions hold their value better than most any other brand.

VW makes a pretty decent car but remember that with the Euro at record highs against the Dollar, it will cost you like owning an Audi to keep it serviced correctly!!

 

Why dont you bring your bike down to the dealership and stuff it into the back of station wagon and then go for a ride, you might like it.. $16k is not bad at all for what the xB is.

Please do not refer to the xB as a station wagon, as an owner of 2 xB2's I find that as a rather dissapointing description.

 

Thanks for all your comments, good to see so many satisfied and loyal Scion owners.

Sorry Daarken - its a station wagon to me. I like station wagons, not having been raised in this country and therefore not stigmatized by my grandfather's Oldsmobile Wagon, or other land-yacht type vehicle. In Europe, you see almost as many Wagons (Estate Cars) as Sedans (Saloons) - same fuel consumption, much more space for stuff.

And I did take my bike to the dealership to make sure it fit!

 

You also see quite a few of hatchbacks.

It is a wagon, when i owned my gen1 it was classified by nationwide insurance as a 5dr wagon. But there will be those that argue it.

If you like it, buy it. Personally i'd go with the vw.

 

I traded my Focus in for an XB and I love the XB so far. Have you considered a Chevy HHR? How about a Mazda 5? Subarus? There are a ton of cars to consider. How about a Honda Fit?

 

Oh, forgot those - HHR is too funky and doesn't rate well, Mazda 5 - nice wagon, but a bit sluggish. There's also the PT Cruiser, but that's too funky and I wouldn't go near anything from Chrysler these days. Subarus are a good choice if you live in the snow-belt, but all wheel drive is ballast for me in Houston. I used to have a 2WD Legacy and loved it. I like the Honda Fit, but its just a bit too small - have to break the bike down to fit the bike inside.

What I really want is a Ford Mondeo wagon. Ford really suck - they have really nice Euro-cars ready for the taking but won't sell them here.

 

Have you driven the Mazda 5? It has the same 2.3 liter engine that my Focus had and it boogied. I drove the Mazda 5 and it had plenty of power. It has just about the same specs as the engine in the xb and it has more room inside then the xb. I bought the XB strictly because it was $3000.00 cheaper. What about a Mazda 6 wagon? How about the Suzuki Verona wagon?

 

the XB2 eats my road bike alive in the back LOVE it!!!! I had an 06 Xb and had to take the wheels off to fit.

the back made for a great changing room at a rainout out 1st race of of the season.

 

Here's what I've done with my bike(s)...


https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=193404

Besides you worring about people laughing at you..... didnt seem to bother ya while driving that taurus wagon???.. hahhah ahahhaha
good luck with your decision....... jh

 

Ah, that's more like it - advice from a fellow cyclist! I've got a Bianchi Cyclocross bike - I race mtb, cx and just getting into some road racing. I like to be able to travel with a friend, so I take off the front wheels and seat posts, then we can fit 2 or more bikes inside the back.

And for the earlier poster, yes, Mazda 6 is a good choice - though I think that model is due for renewal soon, although Mazda do have some interesting offers. Did I mention I'm also looking for Manual Transmission? Hard to find! Nice little tranny on the XB.

 

Honda Element?

 

Xb2 or Honda Element. I don't particularly care for the xb2 because Scion strayed from the original philosophy, but you won't find another vehicle giving you so much for the money. Motorweek on PBS had much to praise concerning the xb2. As far as what anyone else thinks of your choice of vehicle....................they DON'T matter, unless they are buying it FOR you

 

Touche! Yes, my self-confidence is complete - I can drive anything!

The rear bike rack is a good option for traveling with friends, but the most important thing for me is the convenience of throwing the bike inside the vehicle where its safe while I'm at work or overnight stops.

 

When you look for parts online, after typing in year/make/model it comes up as "Sport Wagon"

 

Flip down the large section of the rear seat, remove the front wheels and you can stack 3 bikes on each other with a blanket between each. So you + 2 other friends rolling in style. I ride MTbs and Road, no CX yet...someday maybe