Hey there everybody. I've been reading around these forums for the last few weeks since I first saw the Scion xA. I was originally looking at the Toyota Matrix but it just wasn't in my price range. The Scion is $6k cheaper and a much more interesting and unique car. I got hooked. I'm looking at picking up an IIP xA with Side Curtain airbags. I'll be ordering as soon as I can save up $2.5k (parents will loan me another 2.5k) for a down payment to keep my monthly payment down to around $200/mo. (4.99% Interest through my credit union)

I just had a couple questions before I rush out and buy my Scion. First of all I was wondering if the dealership can include GAP in my financing and if so about how much extra am I looking at? I'm pretty sure that my insurance company doesn't offer it so I'm willing to pay the premium to get it from the dealer. (My insurance is a small company, Mutual of Enumclaw) If it helps, my dealer is Tom Scott Toyota here in Nampa/Boise, Idaho.

What options should I get from the dealer when I order my car. I want to save as much money as I can by doing all of the work on it by buying aftermarket parts. However, what is the biggest pain to do yourself? Or rather, what is actually worth having the dealer install or include?

Are there any specific things that I should talk to my dealer about or look for when I'm buying my car or going to get it? Perhaps certain problems that I should look for that are common to point out to my dealer when I pick up my car?

Slightly off topic, but I'm also looking to get a GPS Navigator since I plan on doing a lot of cross state trips. Are there any models that you folks have used and enjoy?

Wow, a lot of questions now that I look at it. I'm just an inquisitive kind of person So thanks for putting up with me and I can't wait to get my hands on my nice new Scion.

 

1st of all congrats on choosing the xA! You should get no parts from the dealer because they are incredibly overpriced...instead check out www.scionpartspeople.com . That will save you a lot of money. If your state requires front licence plates be sure to tell your dealer to NOT DRILL HOLES IN THE FRONT BUMPER. You can get a licence plate bracket off ebay for less than $20. Hope this helps, post pics when you get it!

 

congrats on the choice of an xa man. i was lookin at a matrix at first too but the xa fits my budget much better. good luck on the purchase

 

wow tons of questions, I'm sorry I cannot help on the finanacing ones. I used to live in McCall ID, and I think you might wish to consider getting some sort of protection for the front of your car as there is always rocks on the roads. As for GPS, there's a greta pioneer model out there for $1000 and is also a cool TV screen. There should not be any difficult parts to put on, go ahead and check out the Tech section here for tons of how-tos. And most of all, Welcome to the xA proud owners club.

 

Thanks! I hadn't read about the no drilling thing before, thanks for the advice. I don't want holes in my car if I don't have to.

 

BTW, here's the plate breacket:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Scion...spagenameZWDVW

 

Thank you! I'll save that page for when I order. Though, shouldn't they provide it to me if I decide not to have the holes drilled?

 

No, they don't provide it cuz most people just have holes drilled and don't really care, if you want to opt out of the holes and for somthing a bit better, you have to pay money... If that auction ends, they have a lot more from the same seller, just search "scion plate bracket" on ebay and you'll find it.

 

Just wondering, but how effective are the fog lights? I've never driven anything with them so I'm kind of curious if it's really worth it. Sure, they look pretty cool - but are they that functional?

 

They're not overly effective, as you can't turn them on without the headlights, but they do help to illuminate the road directly in front of the car.

Worth the cost... not really. Do they look better, I'd say so.

 

That's strange, I always thought they where connected to a switch so you could turn them on and off whenever you want...that's what the dealer I went to said. I'd say they aren't worth what they cost.

 

Yeah, there's a switch. However, you can't run your parking lights and the foglights, or the foglights alone.

I'll eventually get around to rewiring it.

 

I am also in the market for a new commuter. After having several Saturns, the SL2, L100 and a VUE I do like the products. I currently have a 97SL2 & 03 VUE. The SL2 will be replaced.

My first car was a 1980 Toyota Tercel which was my first car in 1986. I then received a new 1987 Toyota Tercel for my college years. After 180,000 miles I sold it. The car was rock solid for reliability. The only weak spots were the exhaust system and a hatch that started to rust. I had the car with an aftermarket ASC "inny" sliding sunroof.

After driving small cars, the Imprezza, ION, Suzuki Aero and the Kia Rio, I decided to wait for the 07 Yaris 3dr. When the local dealer received one, I went to look at in and drive it. I did not have to drive it as once I found out that here in the Northeast power windows are not available I was not interested.

Since this Toyota facility sold Scion, I decided to look at the Xa. Originally I dismissed Scion as I thought they were not well equiped and were expensive. Boy was I wrong!! The Xa has the most features for the money and was a better deal than the Rio/Accent sedan.

Before I have the dealer located a white one for me I do want to drive the 07 Hyundai Accent 3dr first. That is looking like it may not happen as none of the dealers have any or they can not seem to find out when they are being delivered. I would like to purchase a new vehicle by June 30th.

My requirement for the Xa is the base model in automatic in white. It seems silver is the easy to get color. The only aftermarket option will be a power sunroof. I am thinking about going with an "inny" by Webasto. The dealership here would have an ASC one installed. I have heard many positive things about the Webasto products. The ASC one in my Tercel did have motor problems and the drain tubes would freeze and I have had it leak. That was almost 20yrs ago and I am sure technology has changed.

 

^love my white auto xA. Sometimes wish I had gone manual but all in all, love my car and I'm glad I held out for white over the black I could have walked out with that day.

 

Aye, I love my white manual.

My family tried to pressure me into getting the auto, but I think the stick is more fun, personally. But, the white is super easy to keep after, especially compared to the IIP and black.

 

Almost 1 year ago to the day I posted here about car shopping. One year later I took delivery of a 2006 Scion Xa - automatic - Silver Streak Micha in color.

I put 28 miles since last night and so far and love it. It is well equiped with the fog lights, the pillar graphics, rear wing, security system and the upgraded Pioneer head unit.

I am not going to put a sunroof in it as originally planned. I am going to hook up my Scan Gauage II to the OBD port to monitor gas mileage.

 

Congrats on making the plunge..from another CT Scion xA driver.

It's a very cool car. Enjoy!