Got my xB back in November 2004 (it's an 05) and it is a surprise. Mostly positive.

I'll start with a few downsides to the xB:

- Fog Light swith isn't illuminated.
- Road noise is amazingly loud with windows up or down.
- Stock radio is poor. Don't know whether it is the speakers but the only thing listenable is AM radio which is poor to start with.
- Workmanship is somewhat shoddy (windows rattle when paritally open, glove box pops open when hitting a bump)
- Lighting. None to speak of under the dash or in the cargo area. Would have purchased the neon lighting if I knew there was anything else.
- 108 hp is a bit anemic at times.
- Lack of an armrest and hidden storage (say for an ice scraper).

Upsides:

- Never received so many beeps, stops and questions for anything I've ever owned before.
- Different
- Zippy
- Plently of room
- Great gas mileage
- Overall, just a fun car.

Things I wished I ordered:

- Interior light kit
- Illuminated cup holders
- Struts/ Shock Kit (for better handling)
- Cold air-intake for a bit more "hamster" power

Part of my post-purchase problem is the dealer/ salesman didn't know enough about the xB and how to get the most out of it.

My questions:

- Anyone here went back to the dealer to purchase options, like those listed above and have'em installed?

- Anyone else experiencing the same problems I am?

Thanks!

NYCxB

I think you need some warranty work. Mine dose not rattle like that and my glove box has never popped open.

You did the right thing not ordering the lighting from the dealership. There are more economical (and brighter) interior lighting kits available. A search here for just about everything that you mentioned in your post will yield substantial amounts of good advice on everything from the air intake to ways to deal with the road noise to a bazillion options for substantially upgrading your sound system.

Good luck with your box, and welcome. If you pay attention to the forums here, you will learn more than you ever wanted to know about the car that you own, and meet some pretty solid people while you are at it. Have fun,

Matt

I've had my xb since around september and have/had many of the same problems. My glove box door has popped open a couple of times.(I make a good effort to make sure it is closed and latched when done, and it hasn't been an issue since.

The stock radio wasn't that great IMO, but it fetched $130 on ebay, so I upgraded.

The box also has/had a bit of road noise but any good sound deadening will make a difference(I upgraded speakers also so I went ahead and deadened the doors, back hatch, and floor. Makes a world of difference.

I also want to get some springs, but don't have the cash.

I have gone back to the dealer to order some stuff. I would suggets going elsewhere, though. The accessories are way overpriced, and much better deals can be found on exactly the same stuff online. The only reason to get stuff through your dealer would be to put it in your loan.

Get some CAI, it makes a big difference and sounds much better than stock.

What's CAI?

Cold Air Intake

Glove box has popped a few times here too. Guess the lock can be filmsy or doesn't hold as much weight as it looks like it can inside.

Either way, congrats on the xB!

Got my xB back in November 2004 (it's an 05) and it is a surprise. Mostly positive.

I'll start with a few downsides to the xB:

- Fog Light swith isn't illuminated.
Yeah, that is a small pain…but if you want, I'm sure Radio Shack has one that will fit right in.


- Road noise is amazingly loud with windows up or down.
Really? What did you drive before? I have a nBeetle, and frankly, it's quieter then that. And I have driven louder cars, that is for sure. In fact, one thing I like about the Box is how quiet it is…


- Stock radio is poor. Don't know whether it is the speakers but the only thing listenable is AM radio which is poor to start with.
Huh. Now that is odd. I happen to like the stock unit. I have XM and the six disc changer…and Bazooka Sub. Am pleased with the sound. But if you had a better system before, I could see how you might not like the Pioneer.


- Workmanship is somewhat shoddy (windows rattle when paritally open, glove box pops open when hitting a bump)
Again, that is odd. I don't have that problem None of those problems. I have a recent '05 as well (6300 miles on it…)

- Lighting. None to speak of under the dash or in the cargo area. Would have purchased the neon lighting if I knew there was anything else.

Agreed. The lighting stinks. The nBeetle, has much better lighting. I wish the Box came close to that.

- 108 hp is a bit anemic at times. Get the AEM CAI and the Borla Exhaust. You will see a big difference in the over all performance.

- Lack of an armrest and hidden storage (say for an ice scraper).
Agree on both counts. I wish the Box had both. Well, I don't need an ice scrapper, but I understand.


Upsides:

- Never received so many beeps, stops and questions for anything I've ever owned before.
- Different
- Zippy
- Plently of room
- Great gas mileage
- Overall, just a fun car.

YUP. Those are all true, I agree.

Things I wished I ordered:

- Interior light kit
- Illuminated cup holders
- Struts/ Shock Kit (for better handling)
- Cold air-intake for a bit more "hamster" power


I got the first, second, and fourth things on your list. Have thought about the struts/shock kit.

My question:

- Anyone here went back to the dealer to purchase options, like those listed above and have'em installed?

Thanks! NYCxB

I have done all my mods through the dealer. And I am happy I did them through my dealer. Of course, I am pleased with my dealer overall, and they treat me right.

Let me know if I can help.

8)

i'm getting my box this week- this is a really helpful post!!!!
I'm going to probably be getting the bazooka sub (with my parents co-signing, they aren't going to let me get an aftermarket one because they're just like that- gotta have it dealer serviced and warrantied), and then ordering the injen short ram from ptuning (with 5% scionlife discount, prolly without telling my parents haha). I'm also getting cold cathodes from newegg.com to put under the dash. 2 for $20 bucks ain't a bad deal.

Thanks for the post, it's a good one to read!

Got my xB back in November 2004 (it's an 05) and it is a surprise. Mostly positive.

I'll start with a few downsides to the xB:

- Fog Light swith isn't illuminated.
- Road noise is amazingly loud with windows up or down.
- Stock radio is poor. Don't know whether it is the speakers but the only thing listenable is AM radio which is poor to start with.
- Workmanship is somewhat shoddy (windows rattle when paritally open, glove box pops open when hitting a bump)
- Lighting. None to speak of under the dash or in the cargo area. Would have purchased the neon lighting if I knew there was anything else.
- 108 hp is a bit anemic at times.
- Lack of an armrest and hidden storage (say for an ice scraper).

Upsides:

- Never received so many beeps, stops and questions for anything I've ever owned before.
- Different
- Zippy
- Plently of room
- Great gas mileage
- Overall, just a fun car.

Things I wished I ordered:

- Interior light kit
- Illuminated cup holders
- Struts/ Shock Kit (for better handling)
- Cold air-intake for a bit more "hamster" power

Part of my post-purchase problem is the dealer/ salesman didn't know enough about the xB and how to get the most out of it.

My questions:

- Anyone here went back to the dealer to purchase options, like those listed above and have'em installed?

- Anyone else experiencing the same problems I am?

Thanks!

NYCxB

1. I put a couple of orange LED's next to the fog light switch, this gives me plenty of light.
2. I put a bang'n system to take care of the road noise problem.(added dynomat)
3. The in dash 6-disc changer does o.k w/ everything else upgraded(components&subs/amplified).
4. My glovebox has never opened on it's own, don't know if it can be ajusted or not. Damn those flimsy windows :doh:
5. Hot Lava came w/ under-dash lights & rear seat lights.
6. HP does suck, the 5-speed helps get it moving, & adding an intake & exhaust doesn't help much...i installed both just for the hell of it!
7. I purchased a custom armrest...it might hold an ice scraper.

...

- Stock radio is poor. Don't know whether it is the speakers but the only thing listenable is AM radio which is poor to start with.
...



Hold the SSP button down and scroll through xA, xB and tC till you find one you like. It came set to something other than xB when I got it. I think the radio is really great for FM and MP3 but AM is muddy.

- Road noise is amazingly loud with windows up or down.
- Workmanship is somewhat shoddy (windows rattle when paritally open, glove box pops open when hitting a bump)


I don't experience the road noise or window rattle you're talking of. Try asking the dealer if they can check it out. I had a rattle in my undercarriage, but I found some rubber plugs in my glove compartment. Turns out they forgot to install em, and the noise disappeared when they did.


- Lack of an armrest and hidden storage (say for an ice scraper)


http://secure.crisp.net/ecommerce/zetaproducts/product_info.php?products_id=88

Planning on getting one myself...

Zeta is the shiznit! :clap:

- Road noise is amazingly loud with windows up or down.
- Workmanship is somewhat shoddy (windows rattle when paritally open, glove box pops open when hitting a bump)


I don't experience the road noise or window rattle you're talking of. Try asking the dealer if they can check it out. I had a rattle in my undercarriage, but I found some rubber plugs in my glove compartment. Turns out they forgot to install em, and the noise disappeared when they did.


- Lack of an armrest and hidden storage (say for an ice scraper)


http://secure.crisp.net/ecommerce/zetaproducts/product_info.php?products_id=88

Planning on getting one myself...

I got the Scion one for $79.00.

Fits the bill nicely

Yeah!