Let's suppose Scion hadn't brought the box car to America.

Acura TSX

another f-150

I think I would have gone with a used sports car

I was looking at the Element first, then got the box. Very happy I made the choice I did.

Maybe a Mazda, but I probably would have kept my old car.

Ferrari was taking too long to deliver my new Enzo, so I went with the xB.

i test drove the mini cooper s and loved it, stye won over speed though and got a box

Nissan Murano AWD, but the family wanted the xB cause it was "cute". i went along with them because it was 1/2 the $ of what I wanted

I was looking at the the Lexus LS400, RX300.......Who woulda thunk I'd be in a box....

mazda 3 5-door or a spec-v

I was die hard for the Element but now that I have my xB I don't think I would ever get one.

I do like the styling of the matrix but the Mazda 3 5-door is pretty sweet,
although if I had the money I would get an Rx-8.

wanted a 2 year old WRX...needed more space tho...better choice in the long run

Mini Cooper, though i still plan to buy a Classic Mini one day.

I would have been smoart and just not sold my old car :P

I would still be rollin in my FC vert

Sold my Evo IIIV. Really...

Mini Cooper. :clap:

I test drove a Mini weeks before I first drove the xB. The price of the Mini was a little too much... and the cargo space wasn't working for me either. :)

i'd be driving som,e torn down ol beater/drifter

I had my eye on the Mazda 3 and the Matrix, however both really wasn't my type of car ^_^

97 240sx

SRT-4 or Echo

At the time I bought my Box, I probably would've ended up driving a wrangler, If it were now, Mini Cooper Convertible...

71 Datsun 510. But I'm still looking 4 one to buy........

Mini cooper or an x-runner :P

I never would have traded my Matrix XRS.

That's a great car, I still miss it!

The xA still looks like a baby Matrix to me. That's what I thought when I first saw it. But nothing looks like the box!! Especially not the ugly plastic Elephant... I mean Element. :P

-THE DON

Subaru Baja (the wife wanted it) :no:

http://www.nordaffari.com/img/impreza05s.jpg

I know it's not even similar in any way to the xB, but this is what I would have purchased.

Let's just say I'm glad the xB came along...it's saving me a bundle in gas, insurance, and is half the price of the Suby!

Subaru Impreza. In fact I was in the dealer trying to talk them to the price I felt was reasonable for one, and the fact that they wouldn't budge is the major reason I now drive an xB.

mazda 3 (5-door)

If I didn't get an xB, I would've gotten one of these:
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/TBOX/image/line_rx_r.jpg

i would have gotten a SRT-4 or a used WRX....im glad i got the box though cause its saving me an ___ load

4-Door Tacoma

If I didn't get an xB, I would've gotten one of these:
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/TBOX/image/line_rx_r.jpg

:rofl:

-THE DON

Also a 71 Datsun 510, I want to make a BRE clone. I can't find one in Ga., HELP!!!!

I test drove a 2001 BMW 740 IL the same day I bought the XB. I almost bought that car. I had to have the box, it put a smile on my face right away and I knew that was the car for me.
I'll get the BMW later

i was going to get a ford mustang, not new, used.....then i saw the tc, wanted that, sat in it at a showroom, didnt like the smallness...walked over to xb, sat in it and fell in love

Mini Cooper, though i still plan to buy a Classic Mini one day.

Did you see the article in Car&Driver about the company that drops Honda engines into old style Minis? They're outrageously fast.

i would be sharing my grand am with my sister..now she has a free car..and now i have my xb..was it worth.. yes sir yes it was.

:yawn:

That's actually pretty awesome.

Pontiac Vibe GT, Impala SS (b-body of course), or a Mazda Protege5 would have been my choices.

Was going to use the money for a down payment on a new Mustang Mach I. Much better for insurance, gas and the kid to get the box.

id still be on my seafoam green Vespa ET2. gotta love 65 mpg

Mercedes ML class suv.

I'm feeling the 05 Pathfinders, very nice.

I most likely would have gone with a Mazda3 5 door, but I also seriously considered a Subaru Forester or a Honda CR-V or Element.

I'd still be driving the rare 03 Altima...

I'd still be driving the rare 03 Altima...

G35 or an RX8

http://www.nordaffari.com/img/impreza05s.jpg

I know it's not even similar in any way to the xB, but this is what I would have purchased.

Let's just say I'm glad the xB came along...it's saving me a bundle in gas, insurance, and is half the price of the Suby!

I actually saw an xB at the Subaru dealer after I test drove it. I was about to buy a black WRX, but I sat in the xB and fell in love... of course, my xB is black too. :P

Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe ( they're identicle)

I was seriously considering importing one of these from Europe. They are AWESOME and would have cost about the same (used AMG vs new Scion...)

http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/data/500/2415benzfront1.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/data/500/2415benzback.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/gallery/data/500/2415benzside.jpg

too bad it's a hideous mercedes crap , just wait till u can't get parts and you have to maintanence it. to each their own. must be nice to have money.

If not a tc, the new 04 Accord Coupe.

I'd be driving a CRV. I considered an Element but the CRV was a much better vehicle.

keep my crx if insurance wasn't an issue srt 4 neon.

Subaru WRX STI

I have a baby with limited budget. They are not many choices out there. The box won over Element by less $$$, better mpg, and VSC. For the next car, either the Element or Odyssey. I need roooooom.

This is actually an interesting topic for me, as I'm leaning towards a xB but haven't bought it yet. The other vehicles I want to look at include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, Ford Focus ZX5 or ZXW, and I might wait to see the upcoming Mazda5, as well as look at the Mazda6 i 5-door or Mazda3 5-door.

This will be a second car primarily for commuting to work (my wife's about to get a Sienna), but I need the ability to pick up my wife and kids: two toddlers five and three years old, and an upcoming new baby later this year. That's why the Element isn't on the list, as it only seats four and we're going to be five soon.

. . . I need the ability to pick up my wife and kids: two toddlers five and three years old, and an upcoming new baby later this year. That's why the Element isn't on the list, as it only seats four and we're going to be five soon.
That's about the way my wife and I look at it also. Our kids are growing up so we don't need a mini-van any more, but do need the easy-to-get-in factor and the space. By the way, I'm the one who started the thread, and voted for the PT Cruiser. The superior xB mileage was the nail in the coffin for our getting another Chrysler product.

What I learned from this thread -- not that it's anything bad -- is that more Americans may choose their car based on image than practicality.

I actually think that the xB would be a superb vehicle for the elderly. It's easy to get in and out of, not just in front but also for your friends in the wonderful back seat. You can get the same pluses in an SUV, but how many older people are going to be driving off road? Of course, the last thing Toyota would have wanted was to lose Camry/Avalon-type buyers to the xB, and it looks like their youth-oriented marketing has been reasonably successful in achieving this.

Toyota Matrix or Hyundai Elantra GT (5-door hatchback)

I would have held on to my 99 BMW Z3 Roadster.

Jeep Wrangler

If it hadn't been for the BOX, I think I would have gotten either an Aveo hatch or the Focus ZX5. Real glad I was able to get what I really wanted though.

im thinking toyota corolla-s, except they don't make really any performance parts for it (because of the new xrs series) so the performance parts available have to be custom, which is pricey

it has better gas mileage, fake body kit, and more horsepower with slightly more weight, which isn't a bad thing up in new england. and i can haggle the price, and i can get 1.9% financing on a 4 year loan so I can get it paid off quicker. the relatively high rates and non-existent specials on scions are kinda killer for me.

The xB has the style factor going for it, and the stock pioneer sound system with mp3 player, and 4-wheel ABS. I'm prolly gonna be upgrading the corolla-s, if thats what I decide on, to an mp3 headunit with a nice sub and some nicer component speakers.

we'll see.

Is the corolla not on anyone's list because it's at the same dealership?

It's prolly not on anyones list because the Corolla is more of an old persons car and has no potential to be modded.

We were deciding between a Dodge Magnum and the Xb...but economically we couldn't beat the Xb for the price and warranty.

We were deciding between a Dodge Magnum and the Xb...but economically we couldn't beat the Xb for the price and warranty.
Talk about apples and oranges :rofl:

mazda m3 stick shift.. :clap:

Chevy Silverado, that thing is big

s13

We were deciding between a Dodge Magnum and the Xb...but economically we couldn't beat the Xb for the price and warranty.
Talk about apples and oranges :rofl:

Sortof....we just really needed something with more room...and those were the two that the husband found appealing.

I was shoping around for a hard core old school chopper, but decided I needed to get a reliable backup care first.

Actually, it most likely would have been either a CR-V or a Subaru Forester X.

But I am much happier with the payments on the xB. :)

It would have actually been a Hummer H2 SUT. I know, opposite sides of the spectrum,. I wanted something for my business that was going to get attention and I've always wanted a Hummer. Once I saw the xb I changed my mind and decided to keep my Avalanche and get the xb as a second car to promote the business. It'll save me on gas too.

i would have got a PT Turbo 5 speed hehehe

This is actually an interesting topic for me, as I'm leaning towards a xB but haven't bought it yet. The other vehicles I want to look at include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, Ford Focus ZX5 or ZXW, and I might wait to see the upcoming Mazda5, as well as look at the Mazda6 i 5-door or Mazda3 5-door.

This will be a second car primarily for commuting to work (my wife's about to get a Sienna), but I need the ability to pick up my wife and kids: two toddlers five and three years old, and an upcoming new baby later this year. That's why the Element isn't on the list, as it only seats four and we're going to be five soon.
Regarding the Matrix, you might as well look at the Pontiac Vibe. Same sister plant and platform, so same reliability even though one is GM. The Pontiac just gets more SUV like exterior styling. The interiors are different, but pontiac styled both. The GT version has a peppy although torqueless engine. Its "ok". Nothing too impressive.

I think you'll like the Focus ZX5, but IMO I would look at a used one for the cost savings. In particular I would try to find one with the optional 2.3 liter Duratec. This is a very relaible and quite powerful (and mod friendly) powerplant. Fuel economy is pretty good. Its much nicer than the older 2.0 liter Zetec seen in previous and base models. The ZX5 also has a great suspension design thanks to Ford Europe. Although front heavy like all FFs, it is well balanced (no terminal understeer) and the rear uses a sweet independent 5-link "control-blade" suspension. Used SVT dampers/springs are inexpensive and a direct swap. This is top on my list next to a more practical box xB. The "new" 2005 Focus is not new. It looks a bit different and the interior has changed, but its more of the same.

The Mazda 3 is actually on the chassis designed for the "real" second generation Ford Focus now available in Europe. I have only heard good things about this car, although I'm not a huge fan of the styling. Definitely give it a look over .

The PT Cruiser is a joke. Its extremly overweight for its size (the biggest problem affecting the general performance of the whole car), and while the GT specs aren't bad, it doesn't get a much needed LSD, fuel economy isn't that great, ergonomics are poor, and its overpriced for what you get IMO.

If you like the GTs engine, have you taken a look at the turbo neon? The SRT-4 for 2004 does get a LSD, its a sedan and seats 5 comfortably, and there is even a limited production ACR version that you should be able to order shortly. I'm just not sold on the styling and interior quality. The speed is sweet though and they CAN turn.

Toyota Corola

It's prolly not on anyones list because the Corolla is more of an old persons car and has no potential to be modded.

Not true. A corolla has more mod potential than the xB.

Unlike the xB, Toyota makes a TRD factory supercharger for the Corolla.

I seriously considered a Corolla myself and supercharging it, but I really wanted a wagon and the mushy, zero support marshmellow seats in the Corolla ruled it out for me. Of course that was before the Corolla XRS came out.

Had the same problem with the Matrix, unsupportive seats. I also found the interior styling of the Matrix somewhat objectionable.

In reality though, the Corolla is best suited as a rental car or economical people mover. It has NO character, too bland. It would prolly be more popular among young people if it weren't for that. Being able to put a supercharger on it is nice, but it still looks like a turd. :cry:

I don't know, I kind of like the Corolla. I think its a handsome car.
I think "rental car or economical people mover" could just as easily apply to the xB and xA. The soft seats and suspension are what made me not want one.

If Toyota offered a Corolla wagon, not a Matrix, but a roomy wagon with Corolla styling and included the firmer seats from the XRS, I would have been smitten.

Seeing how much you like the Corolla, sounds like you should have gotten one instead of the xB. I mean, a "true" xB lover never even thinks about what they could have gotten. Only how utterly happy they are with their choice. :ponder:

If not for the box, I probably would not have bought another car. The box is a third car, and not really needed. My wife and I work in the same area, and can technically make due with one vehicle if we need to.

Having the box frees the SR S13 from daily driving duties and adds a whole lot of utility to the fleet (Civic can't haul crap - S13 has a roll bar blocking the rear seats).

-Justin

Seeing how much you like the Corolla, sounds like you should have gotten one instead of the xB. I mean, a "true" xB lover never even thinks about what they could have gotten. Only how utterly happy they are with their choice. :ponder:


Meh... I don't have any regrets. I love my car. I'm just not brand loyal or model loyal to a fault. There are lots of great cars out there. The room, the price, fun to drive factor and the fuel economy won me over to the xB, not its appearance. I don't car about driving a unique looking car, I'd just assume not get all the attention it brings, honestly. I don't think the xB is some magical amazing thing. It's an Echo wagon with a high roof. I like the Echo and I like wagons. I would have just as easily chosen it if it looked like it's Echo wagon counterpart because the same qualities I was looking for are there, and although its probably less "hip" its more sensible because of the aerodynamics. Don't care so much about looks, this looks OK to me too:

Yaris Verso

http://toyota20032004.free.fr/images/japon/toyota/2003_yaris_verso_4.jpg
http://toyota20032004.free.fr/images/japon/toyota/2003_yaris_verso_9.jpg

Matrix, xA or Echo

i would of waited till the mini converable came out..but im 6'2 and i dont know how weird that would look

The wife and I would have kept our 03 Mazda Protege 5 & 04 Toyota Corolla S.....

nothing....I wasn't even in the market for a new car. I just accidently saw the xb at the toyota dealer while I was getting getting my 1994 pickup fixed, and just had to have it. I bought it the next morning.