I think I am going to buy a Scion.

I have been looking at the xA for a little while now, and I think that's the route I am going to go, though I might go to Longo tomorrow and test drive both and see which one I like better.

So I wanted to ask, how does everyone like their Scion. I've read around the board, and the general concensus is that they are great for the price. But give me the real deal. The good, the bad and the ugly. I want to know what everyone REALLY thinks about the Scion.

Now I know that it isn't a performance car, so I don't care how they stack up against a corvette. And I know they aren't a luxury car so no need to tell me that compared to an S500 they are crap.

What I want to know is, if I paid a little more, could I beat the Scion, value wise?


Just to let you all know my situation, up until about 3 weeks ago, I was hot on the trail of a new Nissan 350Z. But things happened, and the Z will have to wait. But I still need a car to get around in. I've been looking at the Scion because 1) It's seems to be a great car for under 15k. 2) It's covered by warranty. 3) Because it's new, there shouldn't be the reliability issues and 4) I like new stuff.

So, this is going to be a car that will get me from point xA to point xB (sorry stupid pun) until I can get the Z. I figure I'll mod the Scion up a bit, and have some fun with it.

Which brings me to another question: Is Longo a mod friendly dealership? I know I was talking to Performance Nissan of Duarte and they are very mod friendly. They told me they didn't care if the car had a blower on it, as long as the blower wasn't the problem. If Longo is like that, I am stoked.

Anyway, sorry for my mad ramblings. But I look forward to becoming part of the Scion family.

-Carlos

I've had my Xa for nearly 2 months and 4000 mi. They are a good deal for the $$, I think they would be a good deal if they started at $15,000. My only complaint is they lack power, 125hp would make a world of difference. They aren't as slow as a lot of other, larger, more powerfull new cars out there but they won't set the world on fire. They handle great and with springs and better tires/wheels they handle very well.

I have had no problems with mine at all. I am thinking of getting another Xa this spring.

ken

there is no other car that gives more for the money. so many things are standard on the car. there are some rattles in the car, but other then that i have no real bad things to say about it. you can't expect a luxury car for the price these are selling at, but they are great.

there is no other car that gives more for the money. so many things are standard on the car. there are some rattles in the car, but other then that i have no real bad things to say about it. you can't expect a luxury car for the price these are selling at, but they are great.


It's so true. The XA is not a 350z, it's a sub-compact. I am getting used to the rattles, and yes the HP is on the low side, you have to keep it all in perspective. It's a first year, new model, and there are bound to be some kinks, and a hell of a lot of feedback with forums, such as these.

And, you can bet that the folks at SCION Customer Care, read these posts. So, our input does matter.

just my .02

I you are not sure yet, then do not go to Longo until you are sure, you will walk in to see Verone, and walk away with two xA's, he is that good!


Doc

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I hope no one miss understood me. I don't expect the Scion to be a 350Z. As a matter of fact it annoys me to no end when someone says "I test drove a scion and it's nothing like my [insert 30K+ car here]"

I really think the Scion is a cool car. My only worry is that another car (in the same price range) might be better. I have been researching and hadn't found anything better. I just wanted to check with everyone here and see if there was anything better.

Looks like no. :)

So tomorrow I go to see the Longo Crew, and test drive the Scions!


Doc, The only way thay can get me to drive away a Scion tomorrow is if they can do the payments I want with no downpayment. I have to wait a couple weeks until I have my downpayment ready.

But hey, if Verone and the crew can do that, I guess I'll just have to drive off in a new xA tomorrow. What a bummer that would be :D.

both cars are good all around cars... well here are my opinions... all my opinions are more toward the xB since i have one and not an xA
good: everything (except for the things i stated in bad and ugly)
style (but its not for everyone)
gas mileage
roomy (for the xB not sure about the xA)
bad: power
no damn armrest
no cruise control
ugly: power
but over all its a good damn car im not trying to push you away from the scion but keep your opytions open a little to see what else you find theres also the new madza3 not sure on the price but i believ its under 16K and i would think it has a little more power then the scion but yeah i hope you get the car thats right for you good luck in your venture for a new car and also WELCOME to the boards

Good luck on your purchase los.

I'd tell you I dig the room in my xB, and I don't mind the power issue. After driving it around for the last 6-7 months I've learned the way it drives very well. I can do 80 comfortably even uphill, and I won't go pass 85 for the most part. I still get enough passing power and since I have to deal with the 110 fwy, where you start from a dead stop then get spit out on the highway, it can do it just fine.

i doubt there is any car that will match all the standard options for the price.

when I was originally shopping around for a car everything else I was looking at had a starting price of about $5k over the xA. I was looking at used VW GTIs, Ford Focus SVT, Acura Integra 4 door... all kinds of stuff. But for the price, if you can accept how it performs CAN NOT be beat... I love my xA, going on 6 months as of the 29th and it'll be close to 13k miles, and up until two weeks ago I lived within 3 miles from work... so yeah I love to drive my car. KDanie, myself and other xA owners will attest, a good set of springs and some wheels to match your personal style and you'll have a rocking little ride (and what's to complain about "little", I amaze myself sometimes how I'm able to slip through traffic, unlike my monster sized mustang) trying to think of downsides... only ones I can think about are what have been mentioned, no arm rest, no cruise control (those can be amended if you're willing to pay) and my g/f would throw in no passenger side vanity mirror....

It's an awesome car...it doesn't have the most HP in the world, but it is more than enough for a daily driver. And it's fun to drive.

I thought I'd miss having an armrest and cruise, my VW had both, but I don't. In terms of value for dollar, it can't be beat.


Longo is awesome! Verone is the man, and he can help you out with aftermarket mod choices too.

I am in love with my XA. If it had a more powerful engine, you would not hear me complain, but I will never add a turbo to it (have heard too many horror stories about other cars).

One of the things I am considering changing is the suspension. I installed TRD 1" lowering springs, and the suspension is stiff as a buckboard being pulled by a horse, lol. It causes a lot of the rattles. Might switch to a coilover shocks/springs setup. Unfortunately, I spent $440 for the springs and installation at the dealer, so it hurts to think of forking out more cash on it.

I would strongly suggest you read as many posts on these boards as you can before doing any mods. The guys are very experienced (and opinionated), and will help you figure out the best way to go with things. My mods were being installed at the time I joined the boards, so it was too late for me on some of the stuff.

The XB is the only other car on the street that I look at and think, "Hmmmm... should I have bought one of those instead?" But since it's such a "rugged and manly" car (as my salesman, DibujoB, likes to say), I think my friends would have been shocked as heck to see me drive up in one, lol.

and don't forget your buying Toyota quality... I had a Focus and it fell apart...

are focuses really that bad?

YES ! And I know I was shouting... http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

Id like a multilink rear suspension on the scion xa and xb please

thx

I agree, the rear suspension gets a little wierd near the limit...
ken

Well I am 99% positive I am going to buy an xA now. The only thing I am waiting on is my down payment (got to finish a contract first).

I went to Longo, but it was super busy, and I didn't get to test drive an xA. Also, if anyone is going to Longo, make sure you talk to one of the Scion crew. Verone was busy when we got there, so I had to talk to one of the Toyota salesmen, who was less than thrilled to answer my questions. We spoke to Verone briefly before we left, very nice, very helpful.

Hopefully I'll be posting pics of my new xA here in the next few weeks. Until then, I guess I'll go back to lurking, maybe asking the occasional question about mods and such!

[new madza3 not sure on the price but i believ its under 16K and i would think it has a little more power then the scion

actually it's the mazda 3 is at 145 hp, i was looking at them too cause they are in the same price range, but when i went to the dealer he made me an offer on an overstocked 2003 mazda 6 for the same price as a new mazda 3, and those have like 160hp.

damn im having typos everywhere

ok the suspenson no matter what you do will be sporty at best....if you want a softer more comfortable car in the same price range it would be a Echo...but my girl drives a echo and even though it shares the same chassis and engine it rides real smooth compare to an xA. The power is decent for the curb weight, if you get a stick, 3rd gear is a blast.

The look of the xA is sporty and for the price you will be smiling. My only complaint is the suspension. I doubt this will be my last car so for now it's cool until I test drive the TC this summer... :)

Okay. Test drove the xA tonight, and I like it. Now all I need to do is get my downpayment ready, and I join the family!

w00t!

welcome... and enjoy