mr_curmudgeon

Hello all,

This is my first post here.

I created this post to share some of my thoughts and concerns regarding the new aesthetic changes made to the 2006's exterior. I made these images to compare, but mind you, I couldn't get the same exact angles, so keep that in mind. The added features are cool (side rearview signals, stereo), as a visual artist however, the outward appearance of the vehicle is a very high concern for me. Even though some of you may have a "who cares" approach, I think the changes are distinct enough that they detract, for me at least, from the overall character of the xA; the very thing that appealed to me in the first place.


Front:


Changes: 2005 has more grille bars and a more aggressive look, rounder floodlights, more oval appearance on lower front bumper. I think it has an overall more "softer" or "bubbly" unique look. The 2006 frontend has lost a lot of it's character, for me. The matching rocker panels on the '06 also seem to take away from the character. The grey '05 rockers added more detail and visual identity to the profile of the vehicle.


Rear:


Changes: The 2005 rear has, again, a more rounded, stylish appearance. It seems more aggressive to me. The 2006 changes are moving into "cheapy" territory. It's reminding me of an early ford escort, and the like. The rear bumper lower "cutout" on the '05 adds visual lift to the rear end, encouraging a more sporty angled look, while the '06 solid bumper looks more clunky and "elegant", not exactly what the xA seem to be all about. The tailight on the '05 is bolder, being all red it has a more solid appearance. The white reverse lights on top for the '06 detract from the lines of the car, especially when seen from the sides, the sort of stop the flow.

Conclusion: I'd say, if I had to boil it down, the 2006 design makes the xA appear as if it's "growing up", getting less risky in it's age, more "elegant." Seems counter to the whole nature of the Scion line, which is supposed to have a more youthful essence at heart.

All said, I just put a deposit down on a 2005 Black Cherry xA yesterday and I was debating whether to have the dealer wait and go with the 2006 (Salsa Red). After viewing the available pics of the 2006, I am moving more toward the conclusion that the new changes to the front/rear seem to take away from the uniqueness of the xA's appearance. While I'd like to have the turn signals on the side rearviews, that alone just doesn't outweigh the other changes.

If I could get the dealer to drop a 2006 stereo and 2006 steering wheel (w/ controls) in a new 2005, that would be ideal, since those are the only changes I really want.

That said, what do y'all think? Exterior changes good or bad?


mrC

Jessman360

new grille--better
new rear--worst

mikochu

ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

I only like the side skirts...the bumpers and grill are blah.

iyzmi

New bumper/bottom grille = Looks alot better than 05.

New grille = Also an Improvment.

New headlights = I dont like the way the car looks like it's smiling but I guess I could get over it...

New rear bumper = Scion, PLEASE don't put that on the new 06's. It also looks like it's smiling and that takes away from it looking aggresive and instead makes it look "cute".

New taillights = Not sure if I like those yet, they're definately different and will take some getting used to.

Are there gonna be any other interior differences besides the steering wheel audio controls?

Squishy

Glad I got an 05, because I think both bumpers look worse. The body colored sides are just okay in my book as well. I'd like the ipod control though.

katt

Yeah at first I was bummed when hearing about the new 06s coming out when I just got the 05 a month ago but with the viewing of the 06s, i decided I'm pretty happy that I got 05 while I could. I like the grill and backside of the 05 more, one of my favorite parts of the xA was the taillight which they totally axed and made look kind of cheap now. I hate the 06's tail light, it really messes up the flow of the car. Also the grill, it looks like it's missing a row of teeth or something

The more I think of it, the happier I am I went with 05. I'm a bit bummed about the iPod, turn signals and wheel controls but I can live fine without all of those (and not pay the extra $500+ for all that). Get an iTrip, manually change the volume and turn signals don't really effect people in the car anyways (just the people behind and to my side, not like you can really see it)

jwa276

i contend, the 05 looks more stylish overall. i definitely agree with the comment about it looking more cheapish and regular... that car wont get nearly as many looks as the 05!

i dont so much mind the horizontal type taillights, but i think the black euro ones you can get from the dealer are still the hottest...

i like the grille better on the 06 but i know id never trade that for my rs1! :D

definitely glad i got the 05!

-jon

lalagimp

I am so glad I got my 05 in April before I was even tempted to hold back while waiting for these 'changes' to surface.
I love my 05.
I think the changes look like a focus humped an aveo

bBlover

Wonder what the RS 3.0 or 1.0 will look like. Hmm maybe a wierd color.

hnefrdo

thank god i bought the 04-05

djct_watt

I LOVE how the new FRONT bumper and how everything is painted, and there is no exposed black plastic.

I HATE the new grill and the new rear bumper. The RS 1.0 Grill was much better

oldmanatee

I like the new grille, not a big fan of the lower front.

If the rear in real life is as bad as it looks in the pics, I am soooo glad I got my '05! Bring back the blacked out panel!

The mirror signals are nice, however.

uber-xA-RS2

I'm not a big fan of what they have done to the front and rear bumpers. Don't get me wrong they look good, but they make the car look more like all the other Toyota vehicles and less unique.

I think the new tail lights look really nice and add a nice "European" touch to the styling.

Overall not that bad, but it could use a few minor improvements to make it just right.

ecandlcubed

i don't like the double blinkers on the fender and the mirror. go with one or the other. it makes it too ricey and conveys "cheapness." people would think you just install the mirror blinkers and don't have enough dough to get rid of the one on the fenders.

otherwise i like the painted skirt and the rear light housings. the painted skirts make the car seems to sit lower and the light housings emphasize width. good job.

the old round fogs make the car looks more rounded overall while the new lower bumper (no more fog?) emphasizes speed and sportiness.

iyzmi

So basically these are the new features:

New front bumper
New rear bumper
New taillights
New sideskirts
New mirror turn signals
New design for the guages (mph, rpm)

The gauges I read about in the ist thread. Anything else I'm missing?
How much more will this new 06 cost?

iyzmi

I like the double blinkers....Cheap cars don't have double blinkers, expensive ones do, ie. Caddilac, Benz, etc.

I agree that it makes it look sportyer and yes there will still be foglights, they just won't be round (I assume). I wish the bumper didn't curve at the top to make it look like it was smiling as I've said before.

jwa276

agreed. that is a good way to put it. do you think these taillights will fit on our gen xA's? it looks like the contour of the headlights/taillights is exactly the same- just the insides that look changed.

what i really cant wait to see is what toyota does for the "euro" style taillights... if they are as sweet as the ones they have now with the added european touch to start out with- they might look pretty hott

-jon

eXActly

the only thing I like about the new exterior changes is the lower front bumper. I'm very happy I have the '05 based on the exterior.

However, I definitely like the interior changes for the '06.

komik

I like the new taillights. I'm not really feelin' the new bumpers.

mikochu

a slight drop...