Well, I finally test drove a Scion xB and was rather let down. I am just writing opinions and don't want to start a flame war, as I generally enjoyed the xB.

On the upside, the amount of interior space is simply amazing! It definately offers a great panoramic view of the road. Although the interior is somewhat barren and the passenger-side glove-compartment a little strange, overall the interior looks great compared to other vehicles in the class. It is clean and simple, which I enjoy.

However, after driving the Scion a must admit that I agree with articles that have stated that buying a Scion involves "buying into Scion".

There is little beyond image that seperates the xB from a fully loaded toyota echo. Both offer good headroom, although the xB is obviousely more spacious. Basically, i always felt like I was driving an Echo that had 400+ lbs of weight, $4,000 dollars worth of options, much worse fuel economy, and was not quite as peppy (aero-dynamics and weight contribute adversely to the 1.5).

Anyways, the Toyota marketing machine is beginning to bother me as well-

"The xB is all about attitude. The question is, how much can you handle? Cruise with your friends and chill. "

Yuck.

No one forces you into 4k worth of options--and I don't understand how an xB has "much worse fuel economy" than an echo.

Thanks for your opinion on the car!

Just like an old wise man once said "Opinions are like a55holes.. everyone has one." The bottom line is, it's a vehicle that is NOT for the masses. It is only for the select few that appreciate its uniqueness. Just like there's some poor schmucks out there who bought the Pontiac Aztek (just can't understand that one). Note everyone wants an Accord, a Camry, or a Corolla. I would bet that most xB owners if they really thought about it prey that it doesn't become popular like the aforementioned because then they would be "normal" not stand out in the crowd like they do now.

I'll get off my soapbox now...

hahaha thats funny... the echo has no get up and go, especially in auto, but the xB feels good in auto, especially when broken in.
Marketing is usually set to appeal to a common denominator, or focus group. Just like I don't like the billboard of the twin guys in front of an xA and xB. But just because Quizno's used those stupid Spongmonkeys doesn't mean their sandwiches arent any better...

no one i have shown the xb to has liked it except my girlfriend. and she could care less. you have to see the xb for what it is. its a boxy wagon with potential. the key word POTENTIAL. thats the way i look at it. i have a hotlava canvas that i can do anything with. and in a way i hope alota people don't get the xb that'll just make that more unique.

that is funny. echo are a dying comodity in california. WE appreciate your opinion. Thanks

All I am getting at is that the xB (IMO) feels like a heavy Echo. Beyond style and image it has the soul of the toyota Echo with 400 lbs. I still like the xB and am not trying to dissuade any one from purchasing it. However...


2004 Echo, 2 door, 5 speed manual: MSRP $10,145
2004 xB 5 speed manual: 13,680

Add $3500 dollars to that and you got the price of an xB, not including that invoice is MUCH lower at 9,625. That's why I state it is like buying an Echo with 4k worth of options.

Echo:
Curb weight:2035 lbs
Fuel Economy: 35/43

xB:
Curb Weight: 2425 lbs
Fuel Economy 31/35

Simply put there is a disparity in fuel economy and performance. Echos can snap off 8.7 to sixty, which is respectable. I am of course referring to a 5 speed manual comparo.

As for the xB not being for the masses... it is a mass produced vehicle that Toyota has cleverly marketed as "not for the masses" because their market demographic attaches intrinsic identity to the style of their ride. What does it matter how many people own an xB? They are afterall a mass produced commodity.

Basically at the core of my opinion is a deep rooted disgust with the marketing techniques of Toyota, not necesarrily with the xB.

Understood--I too hate the snazzy "oh gen y" market choice that they went by...but I honestly could care less about that stuff--buy the car if you like the CAR--not because of how it's marketed!

Toyota's attempt is lame and they shouldn't have "urbanized" their strategy--but it's something different--buy it if you like it, who cares how it's marketed.

I don't remember one time in my life when marketing and adverstising has actually led me to buy anything. What advertising HAS done on certain occasions is convince me NOT to buy something.

KiL

Good luck finding a stock base priced echo.... sure that's the msrp .. but then add the "options packages" that the factory slaps on b4 it gets delivered to the dealer ... you're looking at a price tag somewhere near 14K ...

If you want to compare the echo to a scion .. compare it to the xA... that is a bit closer. I mean whoever said the xB was aerodynamic. :lol:

^^ agreed


I bought mine becuz I wanted one period 8)

Its ok to test drive the xB, and not like it. Better you buy something you like, or tickles your fancy. Like the Azteck that was mentioned above, that car is nothing short of butt ugly, but there are some people out there who loooovvveeee their Aztecks, and if thats what floats their boats .....

I would agree with the majority though, Scion is something you have to have a feeling for, like it or lump it.

Good luck finding a stock base priced echo.... sure that's the msrp .. but then add the "options packages" that the factory slaps on b4 it gets delivered to the dealer ... you're looking at a price tag somewhere near 14K ...

If you want to compare the echo to a scion .. compare it to the xA... that is a bit closer. I mean whoever said the xB was aerodynamic. :lol:

Well stated. I went to test drive an ECHO this past summer and they had four of them on the lot. Three were autos, one was a manual. For $13K, you didn't get power windows, locks, or a tach. You also don't get traction or stability control.

I found it hard to find a base-model, stripped-down ECHO anywhere.

Performance wise, Scions might not be the quickest car for the money, but Scions also aren't supposed to be racecars. They are supposed to be well-equipped, versitle cars that get good gas milage and are enjoyable to drive.

One final note: Yes, the Scions are based on the ECHO chassis. However, the ECHO is going the way of the dodo next year in the U.S. Why? Poor sales. If Toyota can use the ECHO chassis with different sheet metal and options and turn a profit – more power to them.

And as far as marketing goes – Toyota is a business and businesses are out to make money which is why they adverstise the way they do. So far, it seems to be working.

i agree wit most on this subject. you either HATE the xB, or you simply love em! i think its funny when people compare the xB to the Echo...i know they got a lot of the same hardware..but LOOK at it! who wants an echo!? the xB is waaay cooler, and not to mention has a way better personallity than most other cars. thats one reason why im gettin gthe xB hot lava instead of the tC, cuz the tC looks just like all other cars...the xB definitly floats my boat.

as far as the advertising is concerned... Its much more entertaining than 99% of the advertising for other car companies, and it must be pretty hard to get a new offshoot brand name off the ground...

Look at how many people on this board alone have purchased xBs outside of CA (including me). It isn't the advertising or the marketing that has sold them to a majority of the people who have bought them, if it were the average owners age would be lower than 36.

Why did I fly out to CA and drive back to CO to get an "econobox"? I wanted a car that was versitile, dependable, functional as well as unique and entertaining. I would love a Mini, but it's too small for my needs and the dependability isn't where I need it to be (look at the owners boards for transmission issues).

The xB filled the practicality needs and goes way beyond the call of duty in the personality game. I never saw an ad, I read reviews from individuals and journalists. I did my homework and found out that this was the perfect fit for my daily life and that it really hit a chord with me emotionally.

I bought my xb, because simply im a car enthusiast.. so generally I love anything diffrent.. The echo IMO is too diffrent.. its the ugly duckling of the car world...

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/bB/

this is why you get a xb

goto option under "NEW" 2003/8/21 next to big Bb logo

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/bB/

this is why you get a xb

goto option under "NEW" 2003/8/21 next to big Bb logo

the hot lava?

I don't remember one time in my life when marketing and adverstising has actually led me to buy anything. What advertising HAS done on certain occasions is convince me NOT to buy something.

KiL

You gotta be kidding me? Because of the mutant hampsters, I now eat nothing but quiznos!!!!!! :lol:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/bB/

this is why you get a xb

goto option under "NEW" 2003/8/21 next to big Bb logo

the hot lava?

no not just the hot lava, this from the website:




"bB embodies
what you imagine.
bB meets your desire
to make your life
full of satisfaction.
bB emphasizes
the importance
of you being who you are.
bB expects
you keep on believing
in your potential.
bB creates a space
where your character shines.
-it's bBism. "

Uhhhhh........can i say, uh ................virgin?

The marketing thing is funny, because even with all the "hip hoppers" and graffiti artists in Toyota's ads, there's still a Scion billboard on the way home from work on which someone has kindly reminded us:
"Toyota ain't hip hop!"
I agree the car isn't for everyone, but neither Vicki nor myself would have EVER considered an Echo. We have to own cars that are unique and stand out, and this is definitely it.

-Phil and Vicki

That is why you have to love this country. You have options, and you have the ability to drive a car that represents you.

For me, I can buy almost any kind of vehicle up to $70,000. But in my business we drive them to hell and there is no point in make a big purchase, it's about a smart purchase. You have to figure out your utility for it. Want to be unique, buy a 4x4 and jack-it-up, or by a Dawoo and slab-it. Want to be conservative, buy a Camery or Tauras. Want to show you are rich, you know what to get. Yea! the xb is out of my market range, but it's my office on wheels and it fits my needs.

So, that is what is all about. when you own vehicles over a periord of time, you tend to know what you comfort level is, and what you social structure demands of you.

Yea, it has an echo engine, but it is not an echo. So what do you call a Hummer, it's build on a Tahoe chassis.

So what do you call a Hummer, it's build on a Tahoe chassis.

Holy cr@p, I assumed a Hummer was a Hummer, not a glorified Tahoe. That's lame. Not that there's anything wrong with a Tahoe, just wouldn't want to spend an extra 20k on a Hummer.

In this case, your opinion is well documented and thank you, but if you have not yet purchased a Scion, (even dealers/salesperson [thinking they are part of the SCION community]) EITHER BUY! or just service our (buyers) needs. Our money, our say.

Isnt America great. - Buy what you want (as long as its legal) and you dont go to prison. I am the only one within my family that likes the xb. I am getting on because for 14,000 I can afford to do some crazy custom stuff and thats what I want. A toy that I can play with. I was looking a new Mini, but the XB is about half the price. As for advertising, arnt commercials great? http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/

I totally agree with you when it comes to the marketing of the vehicle-- the sales brochure booklet at the dealership is a perfect example- half way through it- it goes from scion to looks at future robots, a bunch of pictures of dj's and some crappy art work- then the dvd has all these hip hop references but the music on it is all techno, and its just agrivating to look at. grrrrr. with that said I still love them xB's and thanks for letting me vent :D

Look at how many people on this board alone have purchased xBs outside of CA (including me). It isn't the advertising or the marketing that has sold them to a majority of the people who have bought them, if it were the average owners age would be lower than 36.



Same for me. Never saw an ad, but after reading about it on Edmunds, and test driving one in Oregon (dealers are buying them from California and bringing them up to sell) I drove down to Calf to buy one.

Only AFTER buying one did i see an ad (2 days ago)

Isnt America great. - Buy what you want (as long as its legal) and you dont go to prison. I am the only one within my family that likes the xb. I am getting on because for 14,000 I can afford to do some crazy custom stuff and thats what I want. A toy that I can play with. I was looking a new Mini, but the XB is about half the price. As for advertising, arnt commercials great? http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/

I completely agree... I actually hated the Xb when I first saw it... I have been looking for a new car at a decent price. And my boyfriend brought the Xa and Xb to my attention, but I wasn't thrilled. That is until we went to the dealer & I saw it first hand... then I test drove it. I was sold on it... and now I am WAITING for my Xb to get here!!! March 15 can't come soon enough!

**Most people don't like the Xb because it looks "different" than anything in the States, personally I feel thats a very good thing!**

I don't know about anyone here, but I dont wear clothes that are captured on the print ads from Scion Mag. I'm 22/23, I head to my local May Company store (Hechts) and buy my stuff and not from some sweat shop made $45 T-shirts/Pants. What's the deal with the hairstyle too? Get a haircut!! :lol:

Reason for getting the Box:
something like this, with a second floor patio/deck and bigger windows
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/more_than_cars/housing/image/house_02.jpg

If Toyota build houses in the US, I'll buy one.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/more_than_cars/housing/index.html

heh he.....i was looking for the xB in the driveway too :shock: