Just picked up Thundercloud Metallic Manual...

We got a stick and it's my wife's daily driver. She loves driving it!

auto:)

Stick baby, Stick!

Auto. Since it gets ever-so-slightly better mileage, and revs lower at freeway speed, the stick didn't seem all that appealing.

stick

automatic, so when im done i can have a cruser besides i didnt find that the 5 speed was all that much more pep as the automatic besides its real nice especally when you in bumper to bumper traffic.

Manual

I just bought an '06 xB Polar White with the Automatic transmission. I love that car!

automatic

Manual- traffic stinks

I test drove both. I found the automatic uninspiring. The manual was a lot of fun, though. So there's my reason.

Automatic. I drove a stick for years and I hated it when I sat in traffic.

Manuals are fun but now I got kids, so it to hard to shift in traffic while loading and changing DVD’s, messing with iPod and other stuff while in motion.

Auto all the way for convenience

This is really impressive. I'd go with a manual in a second (in fact I wouldn't even consider buying a car with an automatic). However, automatics seem to sell overwhelmingly better in the US because Americans mainly want convenience. I'm impressed that the people on this forum are choosing manuals over automatics by a pretty good margin. I understand some people buy automatics for good reasons, but people who buy automatics just because they haven't learned to drive a manual are really missing out.

Automatic!

If this was a sporty car with a 300hp motor, I would get a stick shift. But for this one, I'm too lazy to shift in my daily driver.

manual. if you know the ins and outs of driving a manual car, you can push the gas mileage further than automatic. plus with a car that has only 103hp why would you pick an automatic? the acceleration (especially getting onto the highway) is horrible. or even going up a hill an automatic would feel like you are pulling a boat unless you slam the gas to force it into 2nd.
as for traffic, if i am stuck in it i just leave it in 2nd and start from there so i don't have to shift from 1st to 2nd every other 10 seconds.

manual. if you know the ins and outs of driving a manual car, you can push the gas mileage further than automatic.

There's nothing you can "know" that will change the fact that the stick revs higher than the auto at highway speeds. If you do a lot of highway driving, the lower-revving engine will get better mileage, all else being equal.

plus with a car that has only 103hp why would you pick an automatic? the acceleration (especially getting onto the highway) is horrible. or even going up a hill an automatic would feel like you are pulling a boat unless you slam the gas to force it into 2nd.

If you'd ever driven an xB automatic you'd know that it's designed to let you shift by modulating the gas pedal, so you can downshift just by the way you press down. You don't have to floor it to downshift. There's no denying that the xB is slow, but the difference in acceleration between the auto and the stick is meaningless in the real world. The stick would win in a race, but the the auto would still be on the stick's bumper, and all the other cars would be honking to get around their sorry asses.

as for traffic, if i am stuck in it i just leave it in 2nd and start from there so i don't have to shift from 1st to 2nd every other 10 seconds.

Lug the engine or over-rev it. Neither one will do much for mileage or wear'n'tear.

Sticks are fun, and that's a good enough reason to buy one. And $900 cheaper, that's another good reason. That should be enough.

RichC

i got an auto...daily driver, i hate sitting in traffic.

MANual FTW :P

automatic

Stick. #1 lower initial cost. #2 I'm a control freak. #3 wife said so. Maybe that should be #1... :lalala: and don't give me this slow crap. It's not a rocket, it's a car that costs only $15 K. I hit the rev limiter at 62mph shifting out of second (that's about 6400 rpm), and I know for sure the top speed is at least 105 with only one occupant. :crazy:

auto... cause i need my extra hand to feed my face while i drive... :rofl: :P j/k
anyways I had a bad experience once... I sprain my ankle really bad at a basketball game late at night and it wasn't a real emergency so I drove home in my 180sx (right side steering) with a os giken twin plate that feels like I'm doing a leg press... so I used my left arm to assist my wounded ankle to press in the clutch pedal everytime I shifted. My car was jerking and dieing out majority of the time. There weren't many cars or cops that night so i had no worries... :relief:

I went with the automatic. I've tried driving a manual a few times, and I never really liked it that much.

If this were a fun toy and not my daily driver, I think I would have gone with a manual. They seem fun, but not for me and not for everyday use.

manual

Auto... ATL traffic is a biatch.

Automatic... hands belong on juggling 6 Discs http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

Actually one hand should always be reserved for the ladies! :lalala:

Auto... but kinda wishing it was stick

(except for 1: traffic around here 2: hills around here 3: higher engine revving on highway... :doh: )

Auto - I am in the same boat as Andrewmham - Atlanta traffic sucks! I live in the burbs but work downtown.

Automatic for me. I like to have free hands and less foot movement down below.

Auto for me. It smoothes the car out alot! I've convered both of my previous cars from auto to manual but after testdriving xB with auto i knew i was going to be happy.

auto because that's what the wife wanted and it was to be her car but now i have it and think it'd be more fun to have a stick oh well....

Automatic

I LOVED driving the manual, but my xB is my everyday driver. I am on my 2nd automatic trans xB.

manual. if you know the ins and outs of driving a manual car, you can push the gas mileage further than automatic.

There's nothing you can "know" that will change the fact that the stick revs higher than the auto at highway speeds. If you do a lot of highway driving, the lower-revving engine will get better mileage, all else being equal.

plus with a car that has only 103hp why would you pick an automatic? the acceleration (especially getting onto the highway) is horrible. or even going up a hill an automatic would feel like you are pulling a boat unless you slam the gas to force it into 2nd.

If you'd ever driven an xB automatic you'd know that it's designed to let you shift by modulating the gas pedal, so you can downshift just by the way you press down. You don't have to floor it to downshift. There's no denying that the xB is slow, but the difference in acceleration between the auto and the stick is meaningless in the real world. The stick would win in a race, but the the auto would still be on the stick's bumper, and all the other cars would be honking to get around their sorry asses.

as for traffic, if i am stuck in it i just leave it in 2nd and start from there so i don't have to shift from 1st to 2nd every other 10 seconds.

Lug the engine or over-rev it. Neither one will do much for mileage or wear'n'tear.

Sticks are fun, and that's a good enough reason to buy one. And $900 cheaper, that's another good reason. That should be enough.

RichC

ya, funner AND cheaper! :clap:

Automatic. I like not having a tendency to walk circles.
0 to 60 mph in .9 or 1 mile, like it really matters.

Love the manual. You feel like u have so much more pick up and its kinda weird but i feel more connected 2 it.. If there was a 2.0 or 2.4 engine maybe i'd get an auto but all around manuals are more fun.

I've got a manny tranny. I'm surprised so many people have manual transmissions because most of the ones I see around here are automatic. In fact I don't think I've seen a single manual here aside from mine. But then again I don't looking in the window of every xB i see.

Auto

Automatic. I like not having a tendency to walk circles.
0 to 60 mph in .9 or 1 mile, like it really matters.

0 to 60mph times are overrated. Just because someone can do it in 5 seconds doesn't mean the bread truck in front of them can. All the same, I love the manual.

0 to 60mph times are overrated. Just because someone can do it in 5 seconds doesn't mean the bread truck in front of them can. All the same, I love the manual.

we are the bread truck sitting in front of them. haha :silly: :silly: :silly:

I'VE ALWAYS ROCKED A STICK BUT GROWING UP IN LOS ANGELES, THEN MOVING TO VEGAS KILLZ IT. I JUST GOT SO SICK OF STOP AND GO WITH A STICK SO I DESIDED TO TRY AN AUTO. I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL. THE AUTO IS VERY SMOOTH AND SUPRISINGLY RESPONSIVE. HAVING THE OVERDRIVE ON/OFF BUTTON IS COOL TOO BECAUSE YOU CAN GET THAT EXTRA KICK IF YOU'RE FEELING SAUCY. BYE THE WAY- DOES AY ONE EVER USE THEIR "TRACK" ON/OFF BUTTON. I FEEL A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BUT I HAVENT TRIED IT IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS YET.

I went with the manual...I've gotta have something to do while I'm waiting for my box to get up to highway speeeds.

I was looking for a commuter car. . . gotta drive to survive in so cal, so I went with the auto.

Sure I would love to squeez every bit of power out of the 103 ponies... (and by ponies I mean shetland ponies) however, commutting and 5sp + stop and go = Me being Mad.

I'VE ALWAYS ROCKED A STICK BUT GROWING UP IN LOS ANGELES, THEN MOVING TO VEGAS KILLZ IT. I JUST GOT SO SICK OF STOP AND GO WITH A STICK SO I DESIDED TO TRY AN AUTO. I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL. THE AUTO IS VERY SMOOTH AND SUPRISINGLY RESPONSIVE. HAVING THE OVERDRIVE ON/OFF BUTTON IS COOL TOO BECAUSE YOU CAN GET THAT EXTRA KICK IF YOU'RE FEELING SAUCY. BYE THE WAY- DOES AY ONE EVER USE THEIR "TRACK" ON/OFF BUTTON. I FEEL A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BUT I HAVENT TRIED IT IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS YET.

Trac off + O/D off can be fun for peelin around corners.

good idea. i've never tried the trac and o/d combination.

I have the automatic, but regrets that it's not a manual. Should have thought my wife to drive a stick!

I actually owned the stick for a year and a half, but wife never learned how to drive it and now a baby is coming. I traded it for an auto.

In any event, both have their pros and cons. The stick is a LOT more fun to drive than the auto (even though power wise, it's about the same). I guess unlike most people most people I enjoyed driving it in Philadelphia traffic.

I will say that on the highway, the auto is catherdral-like compared to the high whine of the manual. I didn't think the gearing would make THAT much of a difference (80mph @ 3k in the auto vs. 80mph at 4k with the manual).

Though the tradeoff is that the manual seemed to get a lot better gas mileage than the auto, though the website says the opposite. Go figure.

i have a manual and my dad has an auto.... oddly enough I still get better gas milage then him... depends on how you drive I guess (these do not include nights out with the club and at the trck)

To each thier own..... manual sucks in Downtown orlando traffic though.. at least there are no hills in florida!

has to be manual....that is the fun of driving.

manual, but its not a very fast car so its a little different

anyone put a supercharger on the auto? worth it? or would it have been better with the manual? Im goin manual, but if i gotta wait to much longer i might give in on the auto, blitz charger goin' on in january regardless...thanks!!

yeah so cal traffic....i love driving stick but when u drive hollywood to riverside and back it kills the fun so i went with auto

I would say that the manual is great for Hwy driving with little or no congested traffic. I great fun to drive most of the time. But for mostly city, stop and creep traffic, the auto would be the only way to go.

I have mostly Hwy driving, with some stop and creep driving at the military installation gates each morning. I usually can get through the gates withing 5 to 10 mins, so it is not a big deal for me. And first gear will creep up a slight incline at idle.......that is sweet!!

Stop 'N Go, you know its Auto...
plus you get a hair better mileage on auto xB's.

I like my auto.

Manual all my life.. manual now too! :)

With a 5-speed, sway bars, and sticky tires, its like a TALL boxy sportscar!
Yeeehaaaaaaa! 8)

im in so cal.. stop and go.. but i manage to put up with it.. i perfer manual all the way.. nothing better then being more then just a person pressing the pedal.. and go.. makes you an insturment to your own vehicle.. if you can understand that.. though i kinda wish, that it came with cruise control.. for those long drives on the highway

After having a 5-speed Hyundai Excel and driving in SF Bay traffic (try driving north on 101 into Marin County during rush hour) I decided I would never have a manual transmission again. Automatic for this guy!

...plus you get a hair better mileage on auto xB's.

Not if you work at it. Ignore the EPA sticker. You can get wayyyy better mileage with a stick just by adjusting your driving habits.
I've been averaging 34-35mpg, and a best of 39mpg commuting in Los Angeles stop-n-go traffic! (The EPA sticker lists 33mpg highway for the stick!)

Thats very good :)

Yeah, and at about 3,000 miles a month, I need it!

autos r borin.. :no:
manuals r for readin.. and racin... hooha

autos r borin... :no:

drive a manual.. more fun.. alot faster...
zoom zoom

both of mine were/are automatic, i broke my ankle when i was 16 and can't drive manual for more than 20 minutes without the ankle swelling up...

I don't like automatics. I feel like I don't have any control over the engine.

manual is $900 cheaper and more fun to drive. Only thing that sucks is that putting a remote start on a manual is ilegal.

Had stick, but the wife doesnt know stick... then sold the xb :(

went with the automatic i was going for ease of driving in city to many stop lights everywheere i go to truly enjoy the manual

manual is in the lead! my xB is manual and i find it okay for the everyday commute to work or school. automatic just gets too boring at times....makes me fall asleep at the wheel :no:

Had stick, but the wife doesnt know stick... then sold the xb :(

u shoulda taught her stick

i got an automatic so the wife can drive the box...

Just traded in my auto for a stick! So much more fun!

Manual for me even though I live in NYC and traffic is a killer. I don't drive very often, but when I do I want to enjoy it and have some control over the car.

Manual!! Manual!! Manual!! the only way to go!

i have a manuel. ive owned alot of cars and trucks, most of them have been autos. it just seems to me that ive had alot of problems with full electronis auto transmitions. the only thing ive ever had to do to my past manuel trans was small less expensive stuff. the caust is always higher when an automatic goes foul for one reason or another.

I have an auto.... This is one of the first cars i have owned that wasnt manual... its hard to get used to, next car is defintly going to be manual, i miss it

manual 100% till i die!

Got an auto... Got it as a christmas/graduation present as my first car, yeah I know, spoiled. Never learned how to drive a manual so I got stuck with this. next car will be a manual for sure

Auto = cell phone, eating, changing the music, road head ahhahah joking... sorta

although hxckid88 makes an auto sound very appealing... manuals are the way to go. its bad enough that riding in a car makes you feel that the vehicle is driving you. take the stick and you feel more connected.

i got an automatic so the wife can drive the box...

My wife insisted that we buy a stick! :)

Of course, as sticks go, the xB does not shift all that well. Those Toyota engineers should take a drive in an old aircooled VW to see how a stick should feel. With the VW shifting is instinctive and easy. With the xB you have to think about where you're moving the lever.

When I'm not driving manual, I have NO IDEA what to do with my left foot.

My fist xb was automatic and it was like a snail traped in peanut butter. Just got my second one and it is manual and it is a world of differance. much more fun to drive too. and my wife can't drive a manual so hopfully my new rims won't get tore up.

sorry! posted multiples so deleting extras!!

Hi Evander(Evan)!

is that the panorama or ragtop sunroof? Webasto or Inalfa (and which model exactly)?? noise/noisy (deflector help??) ? u feel car still feel solid with the biga$$ sunroof (both going over bumps..or smooth road)?

Cost to install (please give price breakdown roof..deflector)? turnaround? warranty how long?

and how u liking it so far??

thanks!!

sorry! posted multiples so deleting extras!!

When I'm not driving manual, I have NO IDEA what to do with my left foot.

Mine controls the braking. I use two feet to drive no matter if it's an manual or an auto.

When I'm not driving manual, I have NO IDEA what to do with my left foot.

Mine controls the braking. I use two feet to drive no matter if it's an manual or an auto.

See, I learned to drive (on an automatic) being scolded any time I used my left foot; both from my parents, and from the driver's ed instructor. The assumption was always that you have to keep your left foot free, because even if you're never going to own a manual, you should at least be able to drive one.

See, I learned to drive (on an automatic) being scolded any time I used my left foot; both from my parents, and from the driver's ed instructor. The assumption was always that you have to keep your left foot free, because even if you're never going to own a manual, you should at least be able to drive one.

Yeah I used to get yelled at to but I just ignored them. And I can drive a manual. Did for many many years. But when I drive an automatic my left foot gets bored so I let it do the braking so it doesn't feel "left" out. :silly: I know bad joke but hey what do you expect I have been awake for 24 hours now.

I bought a manual...but didnt know how to drive it :nails:
but Its been two weeks now and Im getting the hang of it.
But know when I drive an automatic my left foot gets confused.

I have a auto mainly due too, the wife drives it more however traffic is very bad in austin tx and imo more laid back of a ride, I do have a manual nissan 240sx for fun.

i'm never bored in my manual=]

When I'm not driving manual, I have NO IDEA what to do with my left foot.

Mine controls the braking. I use two feet to drive no matter if it's an manual or an auto.

Me too. I learned on an auto from parents who've always driven two-footed. My second car was a manual, so using both feet was not foreign to me. Since then it's been auto, but I still use both feet. My friends during the time I had the first and second cars asked me a few times if I didn't confuse my right and left feet--braking when I meant to accelerate and vice versa. I asked if they ever confused their right and left hands. :rofl:

This is coming from someone who has owned an xB in both stick and auto. I used to own a stick and loved it but when it was totalled I got an auto so my wife could drive it. Then a month later I buy her an auto xB so now I'm stuck with 2 auto's, I drive for a living so the auto is great and doesn't really have any power issues when you wanna get on it but I do miss driving a stick. I have even thought about doing a tranny swap down the road. All in all both are great and it just depends on the driver.

P.S. Droping gears is the s*** though!!!

Even when I grow into an old fart I don't know if I can drive an auto. Besides a stick is way safer and is also good for your diet. How is that possible do you ask? It's a pain in the a$$ shifting between 1st and 2nd in rush hour stop and go traffic while trying to eat something. Also, I just gave up talking on the cel phone while driving altogether. Who knows I could change my mind and get lazy with the shifting when I'm older but for now it's 5 stick shift all the way!

stick, always stick.

I like driving the car, not the car driving me...so mine will be manual http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif


That's Me! I have soo much fun with my five speed. It allows me to go really fast too.

You might even call mine a CIRCLE...cause it's that FAST! :rofl:

I had to order my 5 Speed took them 3 days to find a RS3 close enough 250miles away but I got my 5speed

i got a 5 speed and it is amazing. manual is always more enjoyable to drive for me. in my opinion auto is to boring and lazy driving, stick is more exciting.

automatic breezy!!! i live in SF nothing but hills

plus 1 for the manny

My first 5 speed.

+1 for the stick

I love driving manual! I pay better attention to what is going on on the road when I drive stick. When I have driven automatics, my mind wanders to other things.
What I'm getting at is I LOVE manuals!

My Chrysler 300M is auto. It has ungodly power compared to my xBox. But I carry musical equipment and wanted more direct control (considering the low power) with the xBox. It meets my needs just fine with the manual.

I gotta admit though, that when I hop in the 300 to get on the freeway I am amazed how much power I have. I use the manual shifter. I HATE it when an automatic, when you floor it, changes gears on you and slows you down.

Also, the only option I got was the floor mats. I bought it on the cheap. The auto bumped the price of the xB quite a bit.

Manual tranny, but of course.

I would like to have manual sometimes, but then again the auto is really nice for other things. It's really smooth, but the gear changes can be quite delayed when trying to speed up quickly. Also, the overdrive gear is better on the auto. (70mph - 3,000 rpms)
It's a great cruiser.

Auto... and I heard top gear cruising is a lot nicer. -shrug-

3,1xx @ 70.

Automatic is the only way to drive in the 21st century. Especially if the car is Japanese!:)

manuals kick @$$ yeah

manuals kick @$$ yeah

When you get on an elevator, wanting to go to the 5th floor, for ex., do you push the 2,3,4,5 buttons?:)

manuals kick @$$ yeah

When you get on an elevator, wanting to go to the 5th floor, for ex., do you push the 2,3,4,5 buttons?:)
In my Chrysler 300m, with 250 horses, I have, and prefer, an automatic. But even then, when I want to pass on the freeway, I go into manual mode, drop it down a gear and floor it. It is like a rocket compared to the xBox. Heck, it is like a rocket compared to itself in normal "auto" mode. In auto mode, the first thing it does is drop TWO gears. For that brief, but noticeable moment, I have NO acceleration at all. The car is busy changing gears.

With something as gutless as an xBox, that kind of gear selection control is critical. I can out-accelerate cars with more power by using the gears correctly. Automatics spend too much time in gear changing mode at the EXACT time I need the power.

Again, if you have power to spare, no problem. But when my xBox is loaded with musical equipment and three people, it makes a big difference. I test drove both. Automatic was not acceptable. But that is strictly for my needs.

FWIW, the last car I had with a manual transmission was an Opel GT. I thought I was done with manuals. I had forgotten how much fun they are.

manuals kick @$$ yeah

When you get on an elevator, wanting to go to the 5th floor, for ex., do you push the 2,3,4,5 buttons?:)
In my Chrysler 300m, with 250 horses, I have, and prefer, an automatic. But even then, when I want to pass on the freeway, I go into manual mode, drop it down a gear and floor it. It is like a rocket compared to the xBox. Heck, it is like a rocket compared to itself in normal "auto" mode. In auto mode, the first thing it does is drop TWO gears. For that brief, but noticeable moment, I have NO acceleration at all. The car is busy changing gears.

With something as gutless as an xBox, that kind of gear selection control is critical. I can out-accelerate cars with more power by using the gears correctly. Automatics spend too much time in gear changing mode at the EXACT time I need the power.

Again, if you have power to spare, no problem. But when my xBox is loaded with musical equipment and three people, it makes a big difference. I test drove both. Automatic was not acceptable. But that is strictly for my needs.

FWIW, the last car I had with a manual transmission was an Opel GT. I thought I was done with manuals. I had forgotten how much fun they are.

Sure. Quite understandable. I too have "shifted" the automatic manually on occasion for more power, but in general I prefer to use one foot and one hand. I find it a lot less tiring in city driving, especially with my long legs. Incidentally, in Japan automatic is always standard, and manual usually an option, no matter how small the car. BTW, how/where did you get an Opel in the US??

I live in LA and you have to have an automatic for stop and go traffic. I usually get a manual but LA DEMANDS an automatic. Anyone else have the this problem?
:nope: :blah:

I live in LA and you have to have an automatic for stop and go traffic. I usually get a manual but LA DEMANDS an automatic. Anyone else have the this problem?
:nope: :blah:

Everybody living in a city has this problem. When I drive a manual in city traffic, my left leg gets so tired I don't know what to do with it. This is why I would never even consider owning a manual, no matter how much fun it might otherwise be. Renting in Europe is a different story, though. And here is another point: using both hands. My friend broke his arm recently and could not drive for 6 weeks because his van has a manual. He would not have had this problem with an automatic.

I live in LA and you have to have an automatic for stop and go traffic. I usually get a manual but LA DEMANDS an automatic. Anyone else have the this problem?
:nope: :blah:

Everybody living in a city has this problem. When I drive a manual in city traffic, my left leg gets so tired I don't know what to do with it. This is why I would never even consider owning a manual, no matter how much fun it might otherwise be. Renting in Europe is a different story, though. And here is another point: using both hands. My friend broke his arm recently and could not drive for 6 weeks because his van has a manual. He would not have had this problem with an automatic.
I refuse to drive in such cirumstances. I live in Seattle and we have the kind of traffic LA does (I've driven in both places). I chose my place of employment because of the location. I drive 8.4 miles on nice twisties and make sure I get there early, before traffic picks up. I also bicycle commute. When I contracted downtown I took the bus. I hated it, but was well compensated, if you get my drift.

Because we are an airline family we used to go to LA a lot. We would fly into Burbank. There are some nice places there but my wife and I are pretty much done with the town. If you remember the movie The Jerk, you will know where I am coming from here: We were in traffic on our way to Disneyland and I looked at my wife, she looked at me, and I said, in my best East LA accent, "Do you really want to wait around for an oven mitt?".

We took the next exit, headed back to Burbank, caught the next plane to Seattle and decided that we've probably seen enough of LA for one lifetime.

My solution to traffic in Seattle is that I simply stay off the roads at certain times. If I feel like driving, I leave the megalopolis.

On the rare occasion that I do get caught in traffic in Seattle, I just put it in first, and crawl at idle. It's pretty rare though. I am seriously amazed that people do it on a daily basis. It is a choice people make. There are other options. Southern Kentucky, for instance. And it is a motocyclists paradise.

I would like to have manual sometimes, but then again the auto is really nice for other things. It's really smooth, but the gear changes can be quite delayed when trying to speed up quickly. Also, the overdrive gear is better on the auto. (70mph - 3,000 rpms)
It's a great cruiser.
Yeah, the auto gets better highway mileage than the stick. When I bought my Scion, I called it my 50 mile radius car.

That said, I have taken it on two trips over 200 miles for a few simple reasons - it is VERY quiet. It is VERY roomy and comfortable. It gets great mileage. The fishbowl windows give you a terriffic view of the terrain.

All of those attributes amazed me about the car when I originally test drove it. Sure wish it had cruise control though.

I have taken it on two trips over 200 miles for a few simple reasons - it is VERY quiet. It is VERY roomy and comfortable. It gets great mileage. The fishbowl windows give you a terriffic view of the terrain.

All of those attributes amazed me about the car when I originally test drove it. Sure wish it had cruise control though.

I would not say it is VERY quiet, but it's certainly quiet enough, especially for the money. When comparing it to "real" cars, the difference in noise level is apparent, but then none of them have xB's looks, personality, and overall efficiency and reliability. Guys in big Mercedes SUVs stare at my car with envy here. And they should!

I have taken it on two trips over 200 miles for a few simple reasons - it is VERY quiet. It is VERY roomy and comfortable. It gets great mileage. The fishbowl windows give you a terriffic view of the terrain.

All of those attributes amazed me about the car when I originally test drove it. Sure wish it had cruise control though.

I would not say it is VERY quiet, but it's certainly quiet enough, especially for the money. When comparing it to "real" cars, the difference in noise level is apparent, but then none of them have xB's looks, personality, and overall efficiency and reliability. Guys in big Mercedes SUVs stare at my car with envy here. And they should!
Yeah, regarding the noise, I should have said, "quiet for what it is". However, it IS very quiet compared to most cars I've ridden in. One of my friends actually has one of those new Mercedes SUV's. The road surface has a lot to do for how quiet their car AND my xBox are. Fact is, unless you are on very ruogh road surface, it is very easy to carry on a conversation in the xBox. It is so quiet I actually noticed it when I was talking to my wife.

On a side note, my wife and I took a trip with our friends that own the Mercedes. I decided to not brag about the room and just see what happened. When they got in the car they were dumfounded by the room - and said so! ;)

[quote="drviolin"][quote=RobWells]
On a side note, my wife and I took a trip with our friends that own the Mercedes. I decided to not brag about the room and just see what happened. When they got in the car they were dumfounded by the room - and said so! ;)

I know.:) Those big SUVs only LOOK big, but they are not very space-efficient. I have not yet seen a car that would compare favorably to the xB in that department (except my Yaris Verso that I had in Finland, which is a car based on the same platform - Toyota has discontinued this model, along with the first-generation BB/xB). And yes, road surface and tires have a lot to do with the noise level inside the car. The xB is very quiet on tar, not so quiet on rough alphalt and concrete, but certainly acceptable. Nothing beats the xBox!:)

I have a manual ( my first manual) and I love driving it! It's a lot funner than driving auto, but then again I don't drive in the city and I just got it so the fun might wear off...

The xB having manual is kind of like a school bus, you have a long shift lever, not a short quick throw shifter.


Mine, after installing the K&n intake, is pretty loud, but I consider that a positive, AND if you have the music up loud enough (the stock sound system is great, people compliment my bass) you can't hear the car at all.
I like revving it out because the engine sounds quite nice, and I've gotten compliments for that too. They couldn't believe it was a 1.5 liter. :clap:

My friend said I have the coolest car in town (there are a couple other xB's but not sweet black ones like mine. :) And fat old ladies drive them. Haha

Need advice on how best to handle the xB manual. I'm just not getting it.

I have been driving a manual transmission since my teens in the 80's - have owned two early 1970's VW Beetles, a 1981 manual Accord, and a 1974 manual Audi. I have also driven the more modern MT's (Opel Vectra, Golf TDI, Peugeot 207) , as my work takes me frequently to Europe.

So, I am no stranger to the stick.

My 2006 xB (bought new in May 2007) has been difficult. I stall out more than I should, especially when starting from 0 mph. My shifting is not smooth. It's like I have to give it more gas than usual when shifting to 1st and 2nd. I feel that I should get the idle adjusted upwards. Reverse is no problem at all from a dead stop - could anyone help explain why?

I rented a Peugeot just last week in Germany, and I was able to shift smooth as silk.
Does anyone else have difficulties getting into the groove with the xB?

Need advice on how best to handle the xB manual. I'm just not getting it.

I have been driving a manual transmission since my teens in the 80's - have owned two early 1970's VW Beetles, a 1981 manual Accord, and a 1974 manual Audi. I have also driven the more modern MT's (Opel Vectra, Golf TDI, Peugeot 207) , as my work takes me frequently to Europe.

So, I am no stranger to the stick.

My 2006 xB (bought new in May 2007) has been difficult. I stall out more than I should, especially when starting from 0 mph. My shifting is not smooth. It's like I have to give it more gas than usual when shifting to 1st and 2nd. I feel that I should get the idle adjusted upwards. Reverse is no problem at all from a dead stop - could anyone help explain why?

I rented a Peugeot just last week in Germany, and I was able to shift smooth as silk.
Does anyone else have difficulties getting into the groove with the xB?

I have a 2005 xB manual, I find starting from 0MPH to be quite jerky and going from 1st to 2nd to be jerky also. Once in awhile I get a perfectly smooth shift from 1st to 2nd but not often. All the other shifts are pretty easy going for me though.

Need advice on how best to handle the xB manual. I'm just not getting it.

I have been driving a manual transmission since my teens in the 80's - have owned two early 1970's VW Beetles, a 1981 manual Accord, and a 1974 manual Audi. I have also driven the more modern MT's (Opel Vectra, Golf TDI, Peugeot 207) , as my work takes me frequently to Europe.

So, I am no stranger to the stick.

My 2006 xB (bought new in May 2007) has been difficult. I stall out more than I should, especially when starting from 0 mph. My shifting is not smooth. It's like I have to give it more gas than usual when shifting to 1st and 2nd. I feel that I should get the idle adjusted upwards. Reverse is no problem at all from a dead stop - could anyone help explain why?

I rented a Peugeot just last week in Germany, and I was able to shift smooth as silk.
Does anyone else have difficulties getting into the groove with the xB?

I have a 2005 xB manual, I find starting from 0MPH to be quite jerky and going from 1st to 2nd to be jerky also. Once in awhile I get a perfectly smooth shift from 1st to 2nd but not often. All the other shifts are pretty easy going for me though.

That is why the automatic was invented. About 50 years ago.:)

i have an 2006 xB manual and never experienced any of these problems.. is your xB converted for right hand drive? if not.. maybe you are just used to driving a right handed vehicle..

i would perfer the 5-speed but this car kinda fell into my arms so im not complaining
besides with an auto u can "ghost ride ya whip"
like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hR2XDLRqGA

Manuals all the way....

I pick my nose like its going out of style so the auto is best for my hobby.

well if i can pick mine, and drive a manual.. does that make me a better driver?

Why talk about something as disgusting as picking your nose? Have a little decency, people. Please. It's not funny.

you dont do that? seriously i thought everyone had noses,, i guess picking them isnt a natural thing?

Depends on what you mean by picking your nose


http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb279/Just1nA/216.jpg


Ok...sorry ... back on topic

I believe resale is better for automatics. Supply and demand always plays a roll.

Auto, it was the only one available and I heard it got better gas mileage.

i just chose manual, cause i always liked driving them more than automatics.. i learned on an automatic, once i learned manual, never wanted to driving anything but that.. once you get it down.. its actually fun.. adds something to driving

Auto, it was the only one available and I heard it got better gas mileage.

the opposite is true

Auto, it was the only one available and I heard it got better gas mileage.

the opposite is true

actually depends on how you drive the vehicle.. i drive like an ___.. and my roommate doesnt.. hes got the auto, and i got the manual.. i get worse gas mileage then him.. but i enjoy driving.. he doesnt.. :lalala:

Auto, it was the only one available and I heard it got better gas mileage.

the opposite is true

actually depends on how you drive the vehicle.. i drive like an butt.. and my roommate doesnt.. hes got the auto, and i got the manual.. i get worse gas mileage then him.. but i enjoy driving.. he doesnt.. :lalala:

well if you have a manual vs auto and drive the same in both, manual will have better MPG

^x2 I agree. Manuals are a lot funner, but Auto is a pleasure to have when your sitting in traffic.

manuals are more fun, no?

its true.. manuals do suck in traffic.. but i dont spend all day in traffic.. for some it makes since.. for me manual makes since since its more fun for me..

manual to drive, auto to cruise.

once you go manual you cant go back. I had an Isuzu Rodeo since 98 and it was stick.. had a 68 VW, stick.. learned to drive in a VW bus.. stick. work trucks.. stick..

i agree with whoever above.. when i'm driving an auto find i dont pay attention as much to driving and tend to get bored.

also @"juggling 6 discs" its all about steering with your knees. in my Isuzu, which didnt have power steering, i would juggle a soda, a burger, and my phone while making a right turn and down shifting.

manual all the way.

I got an auto. Its all that was avaliable. Plus, its my first car so i wanted to learn on an automatic

Manual. Nothings better

Everything 5 speed, my Datsun 810 and Datsun 510 were 5 speeds and I don't plan on going back to automatic. I wne thtrough a lot of trouble to get a white 06 5 speed xB, and I drove the dealers in my area nuts trying to find in on a Sunday when their inventory system was not turned on... but I got it!

What are you manual drivers getting for MPG on the highway?!

Automatic

I got a standard but I don't know how to drive stick so I'm learning and I gotta say the xB is very easy to learn on. I only stalled on the main road like 3 times today where it was slightly embarrassing HAHA

manual

I wish the Auto had 5 gears or option to use manual like on the Fit Sport. Auto is nice when you want to multi task, but when you want to drive, the auto is very sluggish.

Automatic

I wish I had a manual. The auto gets very boring to drive at times.

manual ftmfw!

Bumping a thread, even though it's a sticky...

I got a standard but I don't know how to drive stick so I'm learning and I gotta say the xB is very easy to learn on. I only stalled on the main road like 3 times today where it was slightly embarrassing HAHA

Toyotas in general are easy.

When I was 16, I didn't even want to learn to drive, since my dad was a jerk about making me learn stick. So, I didn't get my license until I was almost 18, obviously.

However, when I was 20, I got a 5-speed '89 4Runner for free (it needed a clutch and brakes), so I ended up mostly teaching myself. Much like the xB, the clutch is light, and the tranny shifts smoothly, so it literally took me about two days to become competent with it.

I keep trying to convince my girlfriend that she needs to learn to drive non-lazy transmissions, because the xB would be about the best car to learn on, but she's not biting (yet).

Mines an Automatic, I like it tho, you can feel the torque in the bottom end too.
All in all for a small 1.6 liter, that motor and tranny works well.

Mines an Automatic, I like it tho, you can feel the torque in the bottom end too.
All in all for a small 1.6 liter, that motor and tranny works well.1.5L! even smaller!

Manual. why? check my sig...hahaha

Manual. why? check my sig...hahaha

Haha, that's what I tell people.

lol nice. I got auto just to cruise around and keep my hands free so i can eat plus I talk with my hands moving everywhere so I kinda need em freed up lol. And yea, Ive heard lots of people asking if the xB is the ugly box on wheels. Im always told DUDE your car looks like a box! WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT? What a break thru moment lol!!!!! DDDDUUUHHHH

i dont like to drive, i like to steer. thats why i got an automatic :P

Bought my xB used, everything I wanted except it's an auto, would have preferred a stick. But I'm sure a few more days of traffic on I-75 and I won't mind the auto so much!

I hate my auto! The first B was a manual and this one is an auto. Def. miss the manual!

After four years with the xB, I have to say that it has the clunkiest manual shifter I've ever driven. It's rubbery and vague. Unless I am very careful I miss shifts and grind gears, something I never do in other cars. A 40-year-old VW shifts much better. and it has a linkage six feet long!

The manual shifter was one of the only additions made to the xB for the US market. They obviously gave the job to a trainee engineer and the result shows it.

I'd buy the manual again in preference to the automatic, but only on the basis of reliability.

with intake headers and exhaust i want the RPMs where i want them so its stick for me

Auto all the way, Im way to lazy in Vegas traffic. Stop go stop go stop go.

When I was younger I wouldn't have imagined owning a small car with an automatic. Now I'm almost 50 and I love my automatic. Rowing the gears used to be fun, now I find it useless.

I love my automatic.

Manual here, but wish it was an auto. I do A LOT of traffic driving/freeway driving, neither are very bespoke for a manual.

Stop and go, auto easier. Freeway/high speed auto better. The auto does 500 rpm less than the stick. 80 mph is 3200 rpm in my '06 auto box. And no clutch to replace.

Robert

And no clutch to replace.

Sorry, but there are several clutches in an automatic, and they cost a heck of a lot more to replace when they go!

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automatic-transmission10.htm

auto, all the way mang

all my cars are manual, my wifes however is auto :)

manual for sure

Autostick

Are stick boxes still having clutch issues? Mines an auto and would not want to deal with stick issues. Auto FTW.

Auto, and add a B&M trans cooler. Trans should then last the life of the vehicle.

After four years with the xB, I have to say that it has the clunkiest manual shifter I've ever driven. It's rubbery and vague. Unless I am very careful I miss shifts and grind gears..
After my four years with the xB, I think it has one of the nicest manual transmissions that I have ever had.

And I have had two Beetles, two BMW 2002s, one Corolla, two Rabbits, and a Mazda truck. The xB transmission ties with the BMWs for being a pleasure to use.

I let my arm lay on the big arm rest, and dangle my fingers over the shifter knob. The xB transmission shifts effortlessly with fingertip pressure following the shifter as it slides gently into the next gear.

One day I put on a TRD short shifter. It required that I hold its little knob in my fist like pistol, and cram the shifter into each gear. It was mastering the domain, but was hard on my hand and the syncros. I eBayed it the next day.

Are stick boxes still having clutch issues? ... That must have been the burnout guys. My clutch is fine.

5 spd its the best auto for the girls

girls belong in the kitchen and not behind the wheel of any thing

Yea u rite i get scare when i see a girl driving behine me or next to me lol jk

manual all the way

Manual is the only kind of car I will ever buy

there is just to much traffic to drive a stick in so. cal.

I'm lazy so I have automatic. my opinion, if manual and speed is really that much an issue than you shouldn't waste your time driving a scion. :ponder:

there is just to much traffic to drive a stick in so. cal.

:no: 5-speed FTW. Sometimes I need a break though, so it's nice to have 1 auto in the stable.

manual... automatics are for people who don't care about cars... or who can't grasp the idea of pushing in a clutch, moving a shifter, and letting said clutch back out, while manipulating the accelerator pedal.
just kidding... although slushboxes are nice for commuting, they have no place in tuned cars (unless there's a physical handicap to deal with). or something like that.

06 XB AUTO

now, if the automatic had a Nissan GTR wrapped around it, i'd take it. heehee. i know they say it's an automated manual, but if it doesn't have a third pedal, it's an automatic.

Automatic. I have burned up clutches before. No joke.

Manual.....more fun to drive IMHO, nothing like coming up to a turn downshifting....and rallying out of it...Traffic sucks in NYC but keep your distance and leave it in second!!!

I've got an auto with Overdrive. If I want to be lazy I put it in Drive and putt-putt-putt. If I feel racy its, L, 2, D, (with OD OFF) then hit the button (like it was a NOS Kit) on the side of the shifter; OD! Wow feel that exhilirating speed of 65 mph ROFLMFAO

(chuckle ^ Woody)
Manual; and not very often below 4,000 rpm's. I've managed 146,000 miles without any problems - still motoring strong! :clap:

Automatic for the people... Automatic for the box...

i own a manual 06 xb, and i feel like the transimssion is low quality, stupid 2nd gear grind. therefore i think automatic might be higher quality on scions. just my dime.

Have to say manual, even though it's so frustrating. (learning to drive stick)

Just wished they had a 6th gear. I think it revs too high on highways at 3000 - 4000 RPM's.

I had both, manual all the way for the fun factor!

i own a manual 06 xb, and i feel like the transimssion is low quality, stupid 2nd gear grind. therefore i think automatic might be higher quality on scions. just my dime.
I am the original owner of a 2006 manual xB that has the best transmission I have felt in 50 years, with possible exception of two BMW 2002s that I had from 1972 to 1995. The xB clutch is feather-light, and the shifter moves smoothly between each gear. It is a daily pleasure to shift and is a standard that I hold other cars to.
http://aatherton06.home.insightbb.com/Scion_xB/Scion.html

Perhaps people with complaints about the xB transmission have damaged goods.

I like having an automatic but when trying to get on the freeway it sucks so much because the car barely moves.

for this car Manual!

A 9 year old, 30 day poll?

I have a manual. It shifts real nice though it can't compare to my Miata. I love them both.

i have to say to those that love the manual yes i can understand why, but if you are any type of a real car enthusiast then you have to get the idea that manuals are better and faster out of your head. dont get me wrong i love to drive manual as well but i am a car freak and do nothing but research and watch and read and the days of manuals being better then autos is a thing of the past. take a look at some true sports cars nowadays....for example Nissan GTR is an AUTOmated manual. fancy term for auto i mean cmon. Porsche 911 Turbo S automated manual as well. nissan 370z comes in both forms but the auto is rated and tested to be faster then the manual all day long by .2-.4 of a second 0-60. then also you have the new camaro zl1. again check the stats and test done the auto is faster then the manual 0-60 and the quarter mile. the list goes on and on nowadays. again dont get me wrong i for the time being prefer manual but with how things are being done and built now you have to give credit where it is due and automatics are becoming faster then manuals. probably has something to do with how this country continues to get more and more lazy as people but that is just my 2 cents. i used to bash on autos all the time but i have more of a respect for them with how things are being made with cars today

I have got the manual and I love it most of the time. My only complaint about the 5 speed in the xb is the 5th gear ratio. For one thing when you shift from 4th to 5th it seems like the engine rpms go down just a hair. It's like shifting from 4th into another 4th gear. Why could they not have made the gear ratio higher in 5th gear to help highway fuel economy and engine wear? I have read that the manual transmission is geared more towards performance hence the 4000 rpms at a mere 75 mph. OK then, how about gearing 1-4 low and putting a nice high gear ratio in for 5th for highway speeds? Doing this would make the 1st generation xb litterally a FLAWLESS BOX. I know the engine would be able to handel a higher 5th because the way it is now I can drive mine in 5th on flat terrane at speeds as low as 35mph. This engine runs so well it does not LUG SPUT SPIT and SPUTTER when it's in 5th doing 35 on a incline. When down shifting is needed you just notice that it will not accelerate when you press down on the gass. What the heck were they thinking? It's like they were thinking this engine was going to need to move a full size van around or something. I wonder what it would take to put a different manual transmission into this car. As it is I love my 1st gen XB more than I thought I would ever love any car in my life. I am not worried about selling this car years down the road, I hope to keep this baby the rest of my life and seeing I am only 34 some people think I am goign nuts when I say that. If anyone knows anything about swAPPing out transmissions in XB's or other cars I would love the INFO. 1st generation Scion XB (Toyota BB) FOR LIFE!!!!!!!! :)
'