i went by antioch scion today and test drove an Xa for the first time. the lack of power is a major disappointment. i tested a 5 speed shifting at about 75%. should i have rev'ed it harder to feel the power the car possesses? or is that wut 108 hp feels like?

my current car is a 95 mitsu mirage. it has, i think, 93 hp and 92 lbs of tq at 3000 rpm. and, it feels faster than the scion.

the sad thing is that im still gonna buy it because the car is so damn cheap. and, i need a replacement. going down to melody toyota on sat to order. :(

If you got the 1.5 it puts out 92 hp and 93 torgue
the 1.8 113 hp and 116 torque

the xA has a 1.5 and puts out 108 hp and 105 lbs torque

but the Mitsu only weighs 2085 if its the 2 door, the xA weighs 2340...

hmmm... your gonna have to take it to the track to find out...

get an xb not xa

i haven't driven the xb. but, wouldn't it be slower because it's heavier?

back to the original question. do i need to be shifting at higher than 75% to actually feel the power? i'll prolly go test drive it again before i buy it.

What RPM were you shifting it....that tends to work better than telling us what percentage u were shifting at.

75% of 6500: about 5000. it just doesn't feel fast..

Hay ... 105 or whatever HP ... is just not fast.

It will get up around 100 MPH (or so I'm told (nudge nudge wink wink)) ... just takes a while to get there.

It's NOT a sport car OK.

I too was disappointed with the Scion's performance. (I drove an xB) I'd still like to test drive an xA sometime, though. And yes, and xB will be slower than an xA.

Another thought: Buy something that you're going to be happy with. Don't unload $13,000 for a car you aren't going to like – you'll regret it every time you set foot into the car!!! The Scions might not be for you – which is fine – but I'd hate to see someone waste their money on something they don't like because I've done it!!!

yes it will be quicker if you shift at redline.

but not profoundly so.

for $12k you can get a whole slew of used cars that will be quick if thats what interests you. Slightly used camaros, mustangs, an RX7.

I think it's largely a question of what you're used to.....I test drove an xA automatic, and found it to be surprisingly peppy---but then, I was used to my 1.6 liter Corolla, that was 1000 lbs heavier.

I ordered my xA with the 5-speed manual and cold-air. I've been driving it for a week, and feel like I ought to have a pilot's license....

C.F.

I have an Xa and have done some minor mods to it. It is up to about 116 Hp. It is not a lot but it sure is fun. I can tak ethe heavier mor horse power cars in the same class like the Ford Focus. I like it and am waiting for a S/C. I heard that the front pulley is plastic though so I will have to check that first.

I like the car's pickup...yeah it's not throw you back in your seat power but you also are getting great MPG plus...as you said it's cheap...It's a new car not used car....and look what you get for your money...as far as looks....if any of you guys have seen some kits for the Xa....pretty strong that's all I sayin

man xB all the wawy....who cares if you dont like it buy it anyway it make everyone else happy :lol: lol jp, just go with your heart :D

Read through the other posts on this forum to see more comments... As I have said before-I drove them both and bought the Xa because it's NOTICABLY quicker than the Xb. Never let anyone convice you the Xb is better, unless you want to haul a bunch of stuff- It's NOT...

Everyone thinks the Xb is so "fresh" and new but to me it's just a rework of the '60s VW Fridolin (do a google search).

Yes, 108hp isn't much but you do need to rev it up to make it go-after all the 108hp is at 6000rpm!! The aftermarket performance industry will catch up in about a year when the cars have been nationwide for a while. From what I've seen the performance parts aren't that well thought out yet.
ken

i think the cars are equally as fast. We need to have an xa vs. xb race! But alot of it has to do with the driver :wink:

I test drove them both a couple of times and could easily tell the difference. Maybe my "butt dyno" is more sensitive than yours....
ken

I am coming off of a 5.0 mustang, and while the xA doesn't compare directly, it is definitely a really peppy car… I don't know if you were driving it in a way I'm used to, just WOT and riding on it up to 4k or so… granted I don't drive like that at every light, but when I want to go, it goes without a question… I dunno, maybe you need to take a ride with me and tell me if it feels different...

75% of 6500: about 5000. it just doesn't feel fast..

What gear were you in, and/or what speed were you trying to hit?

at 75% I think that you're not trying to go fast.

From a stoplight, if you wanted to go fast, you'd hit the accelerator hard (or fast) to get a good jump (although not dragracing) - then you'd want to rev as close to the limiter if you can, as quick as you can (my guess is, it gets there quick) - then shift into 2nd as fast as possible, hitting the accelerator again... to hit your target speed of say... 39mph :D then let up and hold. (I'd shift into 4th probably to hold my speed with low revs).

I don't know the gearing of the xA (I'll get my blue one soon) but I bet it won't go to 60mph in 2nd, and in 1st, I don't know how fast it will go. I don't think I've been in a car that'll go 60 in 2nd.

...all this from an amateur.

When passing, I'd want (guessing still) to be at 4000 or less (there is VVT-i remember) so I have room to rev... Hit the accelerator for that initial increase in speed, but not all the way (wait for any delay) - then go for the quick burst, rev to max for the pass, then shift. Revving from 4000 to 6500 is a quick increase of how-many-mph ??

You can't sustain a pull because there's no hp, but all I want is the quick burst - timed properly.

I drive safe, and observe break-in period.

yea, yu guys are right. i like every aspect of the car but the power. it's not a race car.

my z06 corvette went 70mph in 2nd gear

=)

hehe

i think the cars are equally as fast. We need to have an xa vs. xb race! But alot of it has to do with the driver :wink:

Autoweek tested both cars and said the xA bested the xB in every performance aspect. 0-60, 1/4 mile, slolom, and skidpad. The xA is a better performer.

I will add this. I have a 1998 Civic EX Coupe. By no means is it "fast." I'd estimate a 16-second flat car (intake,header,exhaust, short shifter). However, it feels a lot faster than 90% of the cars I've test driven lately because it sounds fast. I really want to test drive a Scion with the cold-air intake to see if it makes a difference, both realistically and mentally.

BTW, cars that i've test-driven in the past six months include:

xB
ECHO
Suzuki Aerio SX
New Civic Si (felt faster than my current car)
Protege 5

None of these cars felt faste than my car, excpt the Si. However, I'd bet that most of them aren't much slower than my car, either, meaning my car just feels faster because of the performance add-ons.

my z06 corvette went 70mph in 2nd gear

=)

hehe

Heh, bet that helps 0-60 times. You're supposed to lose a second everytime you shift. (I read).

Can the xA match the corvette in 0-15mph? I'm kidding... :lol: -or am I? ...heh.

my z06 corvette went 70mph in 2nd gear

=)

hehe

Heh, bet that helps 0-60 times. You're supposed to lose a second everytime you shift. (I read).

Can the xA match the corvette in 0-15mph? I'm kidding... :lol: -or am I? ...heh.

no, it cannot =)

the scion is $120 a month cheaper to insure though

=)

In my opinion, "fast" starts at 225hp and equal torque. "Quick" starts at 180hp and equal torque. If you are below that, you're slow.

We all know that we can get a decent used car with a WHOLE lot more power for the same price, but it doesn't have the same style, freshness, and warranty. If you're really worried about being slower than others you need to look at another car. A Scion will do just fine in traffic and up hills, but it's not made for speed. It's made for gas mileage. It's funny to me to hear about SC/Turbo-ing a Scion. It's redicilous, and a waste of $$. If I drop anything into my RS 1.0 it may be a CAI and possibly exhaust, but that's it, and that's more for aesthetics than power. I can spend a few grand and get another motorcycle if I wanna go fast. Comparing the xA and xB in speed is like comparing a turtle to a turtle...they're about the same.

Woohoo! I'm at 130hp :roll:



p.s. Don't buy a car if you don't like it a lot. Driving should be fun, not a chore.

no, it cannot =)

Aw c'mon, how about 0 - 5?

Heh he, okay I give... :lol:

Heh,
Woohoo! I'm at 130hp

Don't forget we're talking about the Scion xA here. I don't plan to drag race. I don't think I have any illusions about the car. I like it as it is.

Your "serious" response should go toward the tC or something :wink: .

In my opinion, "fast" starts at 225hp and equal torque. "Quick" starts at 180hp and equal torque. If you are below that, you're slow.

p.s. Don't buy a car if you don't like it a lot. Driving should be fun, not a chore.

ain't that the truth...I love my xa..for real....I don't hate on xB either I think there cool too. But I love the style of my little car, for some weird odd reason people look at it and think it's beautiful, modern, and smart....I feel the "box" is kinda retro and not too forward in design. The xA is the future and when people see it they know it's like what is expected to come..."is it electric?" is a common comment. So I know it's the best 13K I ever spent and maybe you will too,,,,take another look at it and decide, it's about style not ground shaking performance...I love the pep of the 108hp..especially with the stick....I use to have a V10 ford E350 van, yeah it'sa big difference but now... I have style.... 8)

by that reasoning a shoolbus is fast and a lotus elise is slow


In my opinion, "fast" starts at 225hp and equal torque. "Quick" starts at 180hp and equal torque. If you are below that, you're slow.

We all know that we can get a decent used car with a WHOLE lot more power for the same price, but it doesn't have the same style, freshness, and warranty. If you're really worried about being slower than others you need to look at another car. A Scion will do just fine in traffic and up hills, but it's not made for speed. It's made for gas mileage. It's funny to me to hear about SC/Turbo-ing a Scion. It's redicilous, and a waste of $$. If I drop anything into my RS 1.0 it may be a CAI and possibly exhaust, but that's it, and that's more for aesthetics than power. I can spend a few grand and get another motorcycle if I wanna go fast. Comparing the xA and xB in speed is like comparing a turtle to a turtle...they're about the same.

Woohoo! I'm at 130hp :roll:



p.s. Don't buy a car if you don't like it a lot. Driving should be fun, not a chore.

[quote="jackmott"]by that reasoning a shoolbus is fast and a lotus elise is slow[quote]

Let's not get carried away here. I'm talking normal cars, that don't haul 40 people or have the power-weight ratio of a motorcycle.

[quote="jackmott"]by that reasoning a shoolbus is fast and a lotus elise is slow[quote]

Let's not get carried away here. I'm talking normal cars, that don't haul 40 people or have the power-weight ratio of a motorcycle.

even normal ars vary from 2100pounds to 4000 pounds so using horsepower alone as a rule of thumb would be crazy.

Ah, Scion Grasshopper, you need to take break-in to account for performance. Most engines need time to loosen up. (Like girls on dates.)

More importantly, you need to respect and enjoy the Zen of an efficient four-cylinder engine pulling the vehicle around with some amount of economy and response. It's too easy to get performance with big displacement yet it's MORE fun to wring performance out of of a smaller engine that works harder. That's why I have always owned four-bangers with manuals. I appreciate the Zen of what's going on.

I'm new here. I own a 2000 Echo.

Are the 2 on the same platform. If so mine is only 2080lbs with 108 hp and I had mine up to 170km/hr in a blink of an eye. 0-100km/hr in around 9.5 sec and 1/4 in 16.5secs. I was most impressed. Now handling is another matter. I'm sure a shockless '75 Caddy handles better than my Echo.

Cheers
GTBaker :mrgreen: