I may have found an RS1 in my area for sale, and I'll be going to take a look at it tomorrow afternoon. I'm not a Scion guru, and looking at the pictures I really don't know if its a real RS1 or one that is trying really hard to look like it. Where is the badge located that has the run number? I can see a little metal oval disc by the left driver sides knee in one of the pictures, is this it? It does have a sunroof, but i'm not sure if that was an RS only option.

Also, a question about the traction control with the RS1. Was this standard for this model, or was it just an option? We have a lot of snow out here, so it having this would probably sell me regardless of any doubts I might have otherwise.

Great little forum here, hope to be an owner soon if this car really is what it appears to be.

 

xA RS1 is an '04 actually.. absolute red (3P0)

has a sports grille exculsive to the series along with numbered badging... there's only 1550 that they made. the badge should be oval, yes.

traction control always standard.

i would still recommend good tires for snow and/or chains as well.

 

Yes, I've been swapping in Blizzaks on my current car for the winters here. Tirerack seems to have a wheel/tire set with WS-50s for $430, so I'll put that into the cost.

All the RS1's ive been looking at all say 2005, so was the production late in 2004 or something?

Edit: I guess I should put it out here anyways, is there any reason to NOT buy an RS1? Were there any known issues or problems that would make someone think twice over just getting a newish 2006?

 

no known issues.. but yeah.. released very late 2004... so might be considered an '05...

but the RS2 was released as an '05 as well.. which is why i there's a little confusion.. maybe, maybe not..

they're good cars and with it being a RS.. i'm sure the resale value of it will stay strong for quite a long while.

the newer '06s have new features as well.. nothing too extravagant.. new side mirrors, radio controls... taillights.. etc... simple to research the differences if you are really concerned about it.

 

the one thing the rs1 has that none of the xa's have is a moon roof.

 

Yea, I see two reasons someone might want the RS1. It is true red (no other Scion xAs were ever that color). If you love red, it is your only choice. It is also the only Scion xA with a moonroof. If you love sunroofs/moonroofs, your only option is the RS1 or aftermarket.

IMO, it is the only really special RS xA. Nothing against the RS2 or RS3 (they are fine), but they don't have anything I would really love (like the moonroof).

I didn't realize the RS1 had traction control.

The advantages of a 2006 (IMO) are:
- Steering wheel mounted radio controls.
- Nicer steering wheel (IMO).
- Better controls on the stereo (IMO).
- Different front fascia, rear bumper, and sideskirts (you may like them better or you may not).
- AUX input for an MP3 player (I don't think the 2004 or 2005's had that).
- Optional iPOD ready stereo w/ iPod input (I don't think the 2004 or 2005's had that).

Scion also changed the rear headrests at some point (don't know if it was initially for the 2005's or 2006's) to make them smaller for better rear visibility. I don't know if the RS1 had that or not.

 

2006
-more aerodynamic side mirrors.
-Body colored side skirts.
-No black plastic on bottom of front bumper and rear bumper.
-signal blinker in side mirror

 

2006 in addition....

-Different taillamps
-No bumper mounted rear side makers
-Projector foglamps
-No front splash gaurds available....unless you're creative.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll be taking it for a drive in a few hours or so. I took a look last night when the lot was closed, and the wheels were standard, and the photos showed the premium ones on it. Looking at Scions site, this is a $2000 addition, so I'm not quite sure how to go about letting them know the picture for the price is missing $2k of the car. The steering wheel was also not red/grey. Was this optional? The seats are two toned still however. I ran the VIN through CarFAX and it comes back as being a 2005 Scion xA. Only one owner in 2/05. Nothing mentioned about it being an RS1. But it does have the moonroof, it does have the two toned seats, and it does have the oval metal badge (Couldn't read it in the dark), it has the sport grille.

The wheels wont be a deal breaker, driving it will, but its kind of miffing me if the dealership might have been salvaging some of the parts for whatever reasons. Perhaps they put on normal wheels since its winter and dont want people to test drive them with the premium wheels on, who knows. The paint had a few little chips in them, would a Scion dealership be able to touch these up for me? Since the color is pretty unique is this going to be a pain?

Also, it is still under factory warranty for 12 months or 20k miles. Whichever comes first. Is there a way to extend this? What were the options back then, did they have any 10/100k options? I'd love to be able to get a warranty like that.

 

the RS1 had the enkei rims come with it so make sure if you dont get those, they are not charging you a price that would include them.

the sterring wheel was an option if i'm not mistaken but someone here double check me.

warranty can be extended and your dealership will have all the information about that. original warranty was 56k miles

paint chips on that color will be easy fixes because that color was used on other toyotas so no big deal there.

 

Well, I'm now the owner of an RS1. I liked how it drove, it warmed up quick for being covered in ice for the past week, and handled better than I expected. It's #0701/1550. I asked about the wheels and they said they someone else wanted to buy it, but he wanted regular wheels for it and he'd buy it, so they put regular wheels on it. I told them I wanted the original wheels that came with it, and they said that would be fine, but they'd toss the normal ones in for $880. Mentioned I already had a set in mind from Tirerack for winter wheels for $420. In the end he just ended up tossing the normal wheels in the deal for free, saving me an extra $420 since they had no other Scions to use them with. . Got more than I wanted for my trade in. 15k miles on the xA, still has a year of normal warranty left, or 20k miles. $8800 after 4k trade in. I'm a happy camper!

Thanks for everyone who helped out with infos!

 

damn very nice find congrats on your new xA.... I'm sure you'll love it just like everyone else loves theirs

 

Congratulations!!!!!

I will now tell you the only issue with the RS1... Most of us other xA owners are now jealous of you.....

 

Congrats and welcome to the elite RS1.0 club!

 

Thanks! We just got about half a foot of snow here the other night and I got to take it for a spin before the plows hit the streets. It handled great with the standard 15" wheels that I have on there now. The traction control kicked in when I needed it to, and she handled really nice up and down hills.

I really love this car so far. Can't wait for spring so I can get her lowered and put the premium wheels on.

 

I love my RS1. I nabbed one when the RS2.0 was on an impending release in 05. To this day, it still turns heads.

 

Had to say welcome to the club!

 

congrats. if i were to get an xA, the RS1 would be the ONLY one I would get.