WryGrass
01-02-2005, 05:47 AM
Don't know whether it's Kosher to announce one's entry to this distinguished list. I came to buy my Scion xB in a somewhat unusual way. I've been driving a 2000 Camaro SS, 6-speed manual trans, with most of the SLP perfomance doo-dads. On the way to visit with my family in Maryland for Christmas I spun on a patch of ice at 70+ about 60 miles South of Lexington. Spun several times, then rammed the rear into the guardrail. I sustained some broken or bent ribs; my German shepherd, riding in the back was unharmed. The SS, which I affectionately called the Batmobile, is totalled. Sad. What a great car.
A caution I learned the hard way--don't use cruise control when driving on icy roads.
Anyway, I'll spare the details of getting on to Western Maryland. Enjoyed a pretty nice Christmas, except for the pain of the bad ribs. Finally occured to me that I needed something to drive home. So my daughter took me car-shopping in Hagerstown, MD. After several hours I couldn't find anything I liked--maybe I still was woozy from the crash. Eventually we stepped into a Toyota dealership. Right there in front of me was this beautiful metalic blue xB, lowered, air dam cladding all around, special wheels, 5-speed trans. Super sound system. And I had to have it. I didn't want the harsh ride the 18", 35 series tires would provide, so I had the dealer put on a set of custom 15s, with 60 series tires. Good decision; it rides real nice. The 60 series tires fill up the wheel wells, so it looks pretty racey. Odometer showed two miles.
I couldn't give it a proper breakin, as the book calls for. If you drive on the freeway, you know that 60mph will get you run over. I discovered that the engine loves to run at 4000 rpm, which comes out to about 80mph. Sometimes, to get out of the way of the truckers I'd hit 90-95. BTW, I checked the speedometer and odometer--both are correct.
So I wound up back in Millbrook, AL showing 943 miles on the OD. No signs of damage; still full of oil, still wanting to run at 4000rpm.
Except for mine, I saw two other Scions in 943 miles. Every time I'd stop I'd get a load of questions and stares. Mostly positive comments.
I believe this is the best value around today. Except for cruise control, this baby has every thing, especiallly eye appeal. If it's like other Toyotas it should hold up well.
For the time being, all I'm looking for is an affordable cruise control. Can't imagine why it's not offered standard.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this group. I hope to learn a lot of neat stuff about my Scion here. I know I'll never feel the raw power or the high speed crusing that the SS gave me, but maybe at 67 I'm getting too long in the tooth to take such chances.
Thanks for hearing me out. Now I'll go in to succinct mode for subsequent posts.
A caution I learned the hard way--don't use cruise control when driving on icy roads.
Anyway, I'll spare the details of getting on to Western Maryland. Enjoyed a pretty nice Christmas, except for the pain of the bad ribs. Finally occured to me that I needed something to drive home. So my daughter took me car-shopping in Hagerstown, MD. After several hours I couldn't find anything I liked--maybe I still was woozy from the crash. Eventually we stepped into a Toyota dealership. Right there in front of me was this beautiful metalic blue xB, lowered, air dam cladding all around, special wheels, 5-speed trans. Super sound system. And I had to have it. I didn't want the harsh ride the 18", 35 series tires would provide, so I had the dealer put on a set of custom 15s, with 60 series tires. Good decision; it rides real nice. The 60 series tires fill up the wheel wells, so it looks pretty racey. Odometer showed two miles.
I couldn't give it a proper breakin, as the book calls for. If you drive on the freeway, you know that 60mph will get you run over. I discovered that the engine loves to run at 4000 rpm, which comes out to about 80mph. Sometimes, to get out of the way of the truckers I'd hit 90-95. BTW, I checked the speedometer and odometer--both are correct.
So I wound up back in Millbrook, AL showing 943 miles on the OD. No signs of damage; still full of oil, still wanting to run at 4000rpm.
Except for mine, I saw two other Scions in 943 miles. Every time I'd stop I'd get a load of questions and stares. Mostly positive comments.
I believe this is the best value around today. Except for cruise control, this baby has every thing, especiallly eye appeal. If it's like other Toyotas it should hold up well.
For the time being, all I'm looking for is an affordable cruise control. Can't imagine why it's not offered standard.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this group. I hope to learn a lot of neat stuff about my Scion here. I know I'll never feel the raw power or the high speed crusing that the SS gave me, but maybe at 67 I'm getting too long in the tooth to take such chances.
Thanks for hearing me out. Now I'll go in to succinct mode for subsequent posts.