View Full Version : A year with the Scion - likes, dislikes, and the sort.


rbloedow
01-13-2005, 03:07 AM
It's been a year to the DAY since I signed the dotted line and bought my xB. Seeing it over the internet, I couldn't understand why anyone would want one - initially I thought it was hideous. Seeing it in the showroom, I was sold the instant I sat behind the wheel - I liked everything about it - the price, the features, the ingenuity of the interior, I even warmed up to the quirky exterior. I decided I wanted a TCM xB, with just floor mats, spoiler, and cruise control as my options - I dug into my savings, and bought the heffer - February 4th it arrived :P

Nearly one year, 16k miles, and over two thousand pizza deliveries later, I can honestly say that I still love the car. I still get great gas mileage (averaging around 30mpg still), and I can haul around just about anything :) The engine is small, but it has done everything I've ever asked it to do, so no real complaints there. Cruising @ 90mph on the highway has never been a problem. Still runs like new, even after the flogging I give it on a daily basis.

My only complaints would be for Toyota to use a little thicker paint, attach the clip on skirts with something a little stronger, and maybe some more durable plastics around the entrance of the doors. After my first road trip, the front bumper is covered in small knicks. A few weeks after I got the car, I was the victim of an egging - the egg made impact on one of my rear door handles and the paint is chipped and cracked at the impact region. The only real problem I've had has been the rear bumper skirt - it decided to rip off as I was driving through a puddle. A quick trip to my dealer and it was fixed under warranty - w00t! :) The interior has held up surprisingly well, the only battle scars so far are on the el cheapo kickpanels, but I do get in and out of my car more than the usual driver, so it's not so bad :thumbup:

I spent the day detailing the car, and tomorrow I'll be dropping it off at the dealer to get my final free oil change. I plan on keeping the box as long as possible, hopefully for many more years, many more miles, and surely many more pizza deliveries (at least, until I finish college). 8)

# of mods - 1 (in cabin filter) I did the writeup, check it out ;) :lol:

my stocker:

http://www.ryanbloedow.com/home/Dscf0073.jpg

bumble996
01-13-2005, 03:49 AM
Nice writeup, I definitely agree with you in regards to the paint quality. Glad to hear the box is doing well!

Max
01-13-2005, 04:08 AM
I used to deliver pizzas, and it killed my car, but it was a POS. Glad to hear you are still doing well in yours. Good luck in college, your hard work is worth it.

TJandBOXCARWILLIE
01-13-2005, 07:37 AM
Great write up. Yeah, and the paint is something that is begining to bug me about the front end...

dollar5
01-13-2005, 07:46 AM
dude im all over my area delivering pizzas in my stock tcm xb, ive only had it for 12 days now and im totally in love, i hope my holds up as good as yours, i drive it easy. i thouhgt i was the only fool to deliever in my xb...

wyldkard
01-13-2005, 03:31 PM
I'm sick of the thin paint as well. Over this coming summer, I will be having mine repainted in a new color with a thicker application of paint. I will also be investing in some form of front end protection. Good write up.

-Z

Davestoaster
01-14-2005, 01:26 AM
I'm sick of the thin paint as well. Over this coming summer, I will be having mine repainted in a new color with a thicker application of paint. I will also be investing in some form of front end protection. Good write up.

-Z

Try the Colgen Bra. At around $100, it the best. And the paint.......it's the worst. I was going to start a thread on that, but didn't want to be accused of _____ing. It seem s like if you look at the paint wrong, it scratches. The bra keep the front end looking perfect, especially in this rocky road dumpy area.

bryan
01-14-2005, 01:35 AM
Great review!

A few weeks after I got the car, I was the victim of an egging - the egg made impact on one of my rear door handles and the paint is chipped and cracked at the impact region.

A friend of mind had the same thing happen to a Mazda Protege 5, there are deep scratches where the egg hit the car. So Scion owners aren't the only ones who have this problem; it's surprising how much damage a couple eggs can do.

B2FiNiTY
01-14-2005, 02:32 AM
Thanks for the great review. I'm looking foward to getting mine pretty soon.

pileofmonkeycrap
01-14-2005, 07:21 PM
I had paint protection film installed on my front end. Covers the bumper, partial hood, fenders and side mirrors. Well worth the $400 for the protection against chips and is nearly invisible. Sure as hell more invisible than ugly chips and dings!

superjeer
01-14-2005, 07:33 PM
SPOCK! Dude, where you been? Nice to hear from you. A whole buch of us none left coasters are coming up on our anniversary. :)

rbloedow
01-24-2005, 07:29 AM
SPOCK! Dude, where you been? Nice to hear from you. A whole buch of us none left coasters are coming up on our anniversary. :)

Spock? SPOCK?!?! S_P_O_C_K?!?!?!?!?!?! It's DATA!!!!! :P

firesquare
01-24-2005, 01:16 PM
thats toooo funny :rolling: