I am intrested to know what the estimated depreciation rate is for the Scions. I'm currently unable to find any information to what the going used rate for a Scion is. Saddly, the only used Scions I find (on ebay and autotrader) have been molested to no end and the owners now want $17k+ for them.

Thanks,
Jack

there isn't much depreciation on them yet in most parts of the country because they are still so new. most used vehicles if you can find them "not molested" as you say are running maybe $2000-$3000 less than sticker. hardest part is actually finding them. your best bet is to just buy a new one

They just dont seem that safe. High center of gravity, low weight, small size.. :?

high center of gravity? I'd dbl check on that. . . we may have tall profile vehicles, but the roof is thin thin thin. . . the majority of the weight is lower in the vehicle, and although looks are deceiving, this thing is very stable. I drive like a maniac, and lowering spring are highly recommended, but you'd have to be driving like a retarded moron to tip this thing over.

check out crash rating... they did quite welll for an economy car. Have you driven one yet? I can tell you i've personally taken it HARD through tight corners and it has performed without any problems. I understand what you are saying, but I seriously think you should experience the car rather than thorize about it... but its your choice. Also consider the additional base features such as air bags, ABS, and (on the RS1) traction control and VSC...

http://www.automotive.com/2005/12/scion/xa/safety/index.html

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0407_hatch/index6.html

... just some of my thoughts... good luck
~jonathan

Agonizing decisions.
Currently driving a 1999.5 MkIV Golf 2.0 2dr.

Golf
Cons:
Soon to be worth nothing (MKV release will surely kill its value)
Crappy Gas-mileage, about 23mpg
Slow
Reliebility concerns
Black paint, and its not all it could be
Automatic
I get nothing but crap for this car, wheather is from fellow VW owners, Dealers just the schmucks at Autozone (ahh 2.slow have ya?)

Pros:
Handles like a champ
Awsome interior
SAFE! 5 Star, side airbags
Low payments (160)
Its a Golf, thier so cute!
SAFE!
Automatic

Scion xA

Cons:
New car... ewww depreciation
Small warrenty
Small car
Not so safe (4 stars)
Small tires, god only knows how it will handel in the winter
Its a Scion
Center Gauge pod
I'm sure a 2.0 owns this thing in acceleration
Poor Visability stock seats (I'm 6'5)
Automatic
Pros:
FOUR DOORS!
A warrenty
Potential Toyota Resale
Potential to actualy race
Better Gas-Mileage
The fear that the sound that I hear (and only I hear it) is the engine/rod starting to knock will be gone.
Automatic
White (I love white cars)

Corbic,

I feel your concerns. I too am a VW owner. I'm driving my 2000 VW Jetta VR6 for another week until my xA arrives at my dealership. Your pros and Cons lists are pretty much right on. I will miss the acceleration of my 174hp VR6, but the xA is a lighter car and infinitely mod-able to increase its performance. A big motivation for me is the fuel efficiency. As for a 4 star crash test rating being "not so safe" as you put it, that's being nit-picky don't you think? Reliability is a concern with any VW....my Jetta was always prone to electrical issues and minor (but frequent) engine problems. The center gauge pod didn't bother me during my test drive (you haven't actually driven one, have you?). As for listing the Scion brand name as a "con"....what's up with that??? Toyotas are known for their reliability! The fact that it's a Scion should make it a pro. If you want to know how the stock tires handle on snow, just do a search for the thread on this website; you'll find people are happy with the way they drive on snow.

Nit picky was my first thought.
$14,199 (with floor mats)
$1100 for 7 year 75,000 mile ext warr. treated like factory and then some.
$15,300 for a car that gets (35 to 38 mpg on the freeway) Still avrages 31 in the city. Is made by Toyota. As far as your fear of the guys at Autozone making fun of you? Lets see the only things you'll be buying for it for the next 7 years is brake pads and air filters. Hmm I'd just use the part numbers if it bothers you that much. xA's Xb's are so far selling for more than new used. Hence the Lava xB at my dealer for $22k (Yeah thats right it's #14) xA's used going for $2k more than new... No Kelly Blue book value yet though Scion will give you almost the paid price for your used one as trade. Got a est. pay price of $14.5k on our xA if it was traded in on the #14 Lava. I think I'm not the first to cross over to Scion. I'm a big HP guy (yeah with my v6 but still) and I looked at paying the same price for a used Integra or freakin Civic or even a Golf but realized $ for $ the xA could stack them and still cost less in the long run. Also saying "Scion' is a CON? Thats like people talking trash about Nissan Sentra's while they drive the Infinity rip off of it.
:The thoughts views and expressions in this post are solely the writers. The MPG is proven. Trolling is not allowed unless you have a Bass Boat,

See, now is 15,300 really worth it? (From my prosepective?)
Tax 6%, money down $1,000 amd trade in value $1,000
That would be around 267 a month for 60 months. $100 more then what I'm paying now, and for another 2 years.

If anything the Scion I got would need to be

xA White, Automatic
13,795
Scion.com says that would be $219 a mont, 60 months, however does that include tax?
If not, that is $235.50 a month. Also does that included side impact airbags, antilock breaks or traction control? Is it still possible to get an RS? What does an RS costs? (I'm sure they will have good resale being limited and all).

a lot of dealers still have the RS but you then can't get the factory installed side air bags. however you do get VSC and traction control, plus some kick ___ features, like a moonroof, fat lookin 17" enkei's and yokohama tires, the spoiler and special grill. Oh yeah, and we get the cool lookin seats that regular xA's don't get...

the center gauge pod took me all of about 2 miles to get used to. like i said earlier i believe after a trip from LA to SF and back I've never been more comfortable in a car. little to no drivers fatigue, some lumbar support would have been nice but a bit nit-picky.

Automatic is on both your pro and con lists, a manual is available you know. It being a Scion is a definite plus, great group of fun owners always willing to help, tuning capabilities, sponsorships are easier to get because we drive something new and different, than a civic, golf, or integra. The guys here in LA at autozone, kragen, and pep boys all love my car. they love when I come in to buy all the fun things I want for my car.

Dude, go to the dealership drive a Scion and if your height is an issue, try the xB but i don't think it will be.

Corbic, Scion.com allows you to make the car to your own specs. The price you have listed is, so far as I know, the base price for an automatic xA. I belive the RS is an extra 2k or so, which includes VSC and traction control, as well as Enkei rims and Yokohama tires, plus grille, plus rear spoiler. The airbags, by which I assume you mean side, are not included in said price. In my book, the xA doesn't have anybody to compete with. It is a unique car, it gets GREAT gas mileage and it is fun to drive. If you can't break yourself away from you VW, then don't sweat it, but generally everyone I have spoken to that has any kind of Scion other than myself has "known" that the Scion was what they wanted after just a short time. The xA is a great car and the Scion community is more than willing to help someone when they need it, so just go out on a test drive and see what you think of the xA as compared to your Golf. As my grandmother used to say, "Do it, you'll grow into the payment" This is a tough thing to do at first, but I "grew" into the extra 60 a month after my poopoo neon got totalled.

The automatic is on both pros and cons because it’s a necessary evil. I know how to drive manual; however I have never had a manual as a daily. I fear, while I'll enjoy it for the test drive, 3 weeks latter I'll be kicking my ___. I would describe my self as lazy, and while I'll often go "god I wish I had a five spd", all too often I'm just completely oblivious to the fact the car has shifted.

I drive 500 miles a week and I think I'd end up hating a manual. I have driven an xA, back in March, IIRC it just didn’t live up to the hype I kept hearing about it. I had also just purchased the Golf in January and wasn’t really in a purchasing mood. The xB is out of the question, ugly little Chevy Astro Van if you ask me. Also while a 4 start safety rating is commendable, I'm just uneasy thanks to the 8,000lb SUVs and 4,000 sedans roaming these parts at 60mph with completely oblivious drivers behind the wheels.

As for the AutoZone remark, I wasn’t thinking of the Scion, more over the comment was about the 2.0 Golf, where even there the guys know the 2.Slow joke. It’s annoying. As for the "Scion" badge being a con, its just my opinion (and many others) that Scion is a "rich kids" car, something akin to wise-___ teenagers or old farts looking for something economical and "hip". My father loves the cars, and thinks the Scion SUV is great (xB) :roll: (To him it’s Scion Sport Ka* (xA), Scion Truckster (xB) and Scion Celica (tC) )

*Sport Ka is the Ford Puma's replacement sold in England. It’s also known for its commercials in which the car kills cute animals "Ka's Evil Twin", he rented one a few months back and loved it.

The xA is a great car and the Scion community is more than willing to help someone when they need it, so just go out on a test drive and see what you think of the xA as compared to your Golf. As my grandmother used to say, "Do it, you'll grow into the payment" This is a tough thing to do at first, but I "grew" into the extra 60 a month after my poopoo neon got totalled.

I understand what you’re saying. An extra 60, even 100 will not bust the bank. In my experience, from going from no payment (Escort) to payment of $97 (97 Golf) to 165 (99 Golf), I actually have become more aware of my spending and have done a much better job budgeting and saving.

we've talked and decided that you may not have a scion.


j/k, but it made you want it a little more, huh?

There's a RS1 xA still on the lot at the local dealer here. They come with a sunroof too.

how are you paying 165 a month for a 1999.5 veedub? those things cost like 17k or so. lease? or did u down like 5k on it?

Oh the package on the RS 1.0 is $2200 more bringing the sticker price which is the price you pay before taxes and tags to $16,115.

I certainly don't understand the "rich kids" car comment. I go to a rich kid school and take out about $25,000 a year in loans to pay for my schooling. However, none of the kids here drive a Scion, they drive Beemers, benzes, audis, mini's, and the like. The only two people and possibly will be a third who drive a Scion are those of us who needed reliable, gas-efficient, inexpensive vehicles, that will last for 10 years or so.

I needed a reliable inexpensive car. After doing all of the research on the other cars in the entry level class, the sentra, the aveo, the civic, the mini, the neon, the focus, etc., the Scion rated higher than all of the other cars in the majority of categories.

In the end the RS was the best deal I could have gotten. The moonroof aftermarket is at least $1200-$1500, the wheels are $1000, tires are $150 a piece, the spoiler is $500, the grill $100, and then add the traction control, vehicle stability control, and the ABS. All for $2200. Totally worth it in my opinion. Only thing I added from the dealer were my floormats. Always a good idea in a new car. Wanted the ones that fit perfect without trimming them or whatever, and they are covered under my extended warranty.

Buy the Scion, you won't be sorry. I certainly wasn't.

I certainly don't understand the "rich kids" car comment. I go to a rich kid school and take out about $25,000 a year in loans to pay for my schooling. However, none of the kids here drive a Scion, they drive Beemers, benzes, audis, mini's, and the like. The only two people and possibly will be a third who drive a Scion are those of us who needed reliable, gas-efficient, inexpensive vehicles, that will last for 10 years or so.


I was literally referring to kids, they type whose parents purchase them a brand new car at age 16 when I said that, not yuppies or what not, I can "deal" with them.

As for the Golf, I didn’t buy it new, nor would I ever spend the $17,500+ for a new Volkswagen, given how ____ty they are about warranty claims (coil packs, regulators, et al.) and just how plain out obnoxious the dealers are.


Also, is it just me or does the price of the Scion's options seem VERY expensive (RS excluded) but the $700 rims, $250 sway bar to the $300 cup light all seem, well obscene from my thrifty perspective. Wouldn’t I be better off to go with aftermarket rims, sway-kits, floor mats and cargo-nets (o_O?) then to purchase them from a dealer? (Never bought a NEW car, goes against my religion in many respects.

never had a manual as a daily driver, and I'm totally 100% happy, if not more. . . I hate driving auto now, even on SF hills.

And on power. . . I came from a friggin V8 Lexus (no joke) and the xA 5spd has kept me very happy. . . but I've driven the auto, and I can't say the same. I need good highway passing power (two lane highways) and the 5spd easily hits triple digits when I ask it to.

just an idea but contact your local dealer and ask about a lease on the scion that you are looking for. Then ask what the residual value would be after a 24 month lease. That should give you an idea of what the depreciation would be on the XA. The residual value is actually what Scion is anticipating the depreciation will be. If you have any problems getting that contact me I will have my finance guy look it up for you!!! I sell Scions in ST. Louis MO. Good Luck!!!


Jen
Tom Pappas Scion

yes the dealer installed options are pretty expensive, but they are not so expensive if placed into the payment and provide some creative outlet for people who aren't even a little bit mechanically inclined. these cars are made to be played with so modifying them is really easy if you have a little tool and mechanical know how.

Not to come off like an ___ but as far as payments go I'm on my 14th car/truck in 12 years. It was only lately that I got into to payments and didn't just buy the car outright for cash.

84 SVO 'Stang (still kicking myself for selling) $2500 +3 replacement turbo's and a tranny totaling $3100 in repairs on a $2500 car Payment: None Cost of owning for 2 years $233 a month

76 260Z ($2000) Blew the motor in a month, 428 Hemi replaced it ($3000 total labor had motor needed rebuiild) Payment: None cost of owning for a year $415

89 300zx ($5000) dad blew the overdrive on the freeway at 130 after throttle stuck ($2100 repairs) Payment: None Cost of owning for a year in reapirs $591 a month

89 Mitsubishi truck ($2400) Totaly rebuilt and customized about $10k worth of stuff done to it. It was stolen INS gave me $2100 for it Payment: None Cost of owning for 2 years in reapirs and additions about $516 a month

93 300z TT ($32k) Tranny issues and intercooler issues, if it wasn't under warr it would have been about $4500 in repairs Payment: $485

01 s-10 ($12k) Tranny and brakes constantly about $2200 in repairs covered by the dealer in 13 months Payment:$225

02 s-10 ($21k) Electrical issues whole new harness covered by the dealer Payment: $330

03 Sport Trac ($31k) 1 rear window didn't roll up once, never messed up again Payment: $415

01 S-10 (3rd)($11k +$1600 for 100k mile ext warranty) So far $3k in repairs covered by ext warr. Friday goes in for about $1600 in reapirs covered by ext warranty. Payment: $211

05 xA ($15,200 with 7 year ext warr) No problems or repairs so far if something does come up it's covered Payment: $320

If there is one thing I've learned you end up paying a set amount for a vehicle no matter what. Used cars/trucks I paid cash for ended up costing me more than a new car with a warranty with in a year or 2. The Mitsubishi was a show truck but that was put in to show had bad I got screwed even with receipts. If a $300 a month payment is too much for you maybe a extended warranty on your current car would be the way to go. Warrantyditrect.com is usually about $1600 for 100k miles on almost all 'normal' cars. Perhaps it would save you the headache and worry of switching to Toyota product. They have financing options as well. On friday i'm dropping my truck off for about $350 worth of repairs not covered by the warranty, the 30k mile service junk. Pretty much any way you look at it you end up paying about the same on an old car as you would for a new Scion or other $15k car. My payments rocketed twice on the 300z and my Sport Trac I sold both of them purely to lowr my payments. though I've come to realize had I just bought a new car 10 years ago I would have saved myself a lot of money in repairs.
If an xB wasn't going to cost me about $20k out the door by the time I'm through with it my S-10 would be sitting at a Toyota dealer right now.

hey just noticed your sig. . . how did you manage to fit a 12? Did you build a custom enclosure or use a really tiny box?

custom box it's 1.15 cu sealed. Took about 12 hours to build. Lots of wood and bondo cutting more bondo more wood more cutting. I'll get pics of the box now that I can host them here.

oh yeah dj a 12 will have plenty of air in a spare shaped box.

but his sig says "with the spare tire," which suggests that the spare is still there. I know that you can remove it and gain space, but I was under the impression that he still has his spare. I've had about 4 flats within the last 2 years (driving through construction zones and houses under construction, well not the houses themselves, but you get my point). I kinda want my spare there as insurance, and although a "inflate-a-flat" can may work for a few miles, I drive long distance in the middle of nowhere, so I don't exactly want to rely on them.

btw, sorry for jackin the thread

I am intrested to know what the estimated depreciation rate is for the Scions. I'm currently unable to find any information to what the going used rate for a Scion is. Saddly, the only used Scions I find (on ebay and autotrader) have been molested to no end and the owners now want $17k+ for them.

Thanks,
Jack

try kelly blue book. com, they have the trade in, private and retail values of the 2004 scions.

Engine: 4-Cyl. 1.5 Liter
Trans: Automatic
Drive: Front Wheel Drive
Mileage: 13,000

Equipment
Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt Wheel
AM/FM Stereo, Single Compact Disc, Dual Front Air Bags. ABS (4-Wheel)

Value $14,300

The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer. This Suggested Retail Value assumes that the vehicle has been fully reconditioned and has a clean title history . This value also takes into account the dealers' profit, costs for advertising, sales commissions and other costs of doing business. The final sale price will likely be less depending on the vehicle's actual condition, popularity, type of warranty offered and local market cnditions.

What the F#%k. That is almost over a grand what it COSTS NEW!! Damn things are sounding like Mini Coopers. Are deales, A. marking them up that much, or B is supply really that restriced?

That is for the xA. No information yet on the xB. (Not enough for sale second hand).

That is with the sapre tire still there. The box is molded over the tire. It's my wifes daily driver and we use it for road trips so I've got to have a spare. My truck? Screw it! The Jack spare and all other tools come out as soon as I get it home. Stereo/computer is more important than the spare tire on my truck. I'll get pics of the xA's box. I was going to do 2 8's but couldn't get them intime so I switched it to 1 12. The magnet sits inside the Spare tire with the woofer centered. I could have got more space but wanted it to match the factory so car wash guys didn't start casing it. My truck I wash myself so it's not biggie that I've got a monitor in the dash, but her car looks like a stock scion with a Rockford MP3 player. Never mind the odd XTant looking amp under the seat!

Corbin, I said earlier that when I was offered MSRP on our xA for trade that Scions are more than holding thier value. Kinda funny that $21k s-10 I had, I traded in 7 months later... they gave me $12k for it. xA's are still going for MSRP or higher used. I was thinking of picking up a used B but then figured out it would be the same price for one new. Not to mention the tags for the xA in AZ brand new were only $220. oddly the Crapilier we scrapped for the xA's tags where $300 new.