:::UPDATE:::

I took the test drive today. In all, I had the xB for about 3.5 hours. It was really hard to take it back!

All in all, I was more pleased with it than I had imagined I would be. The interior is cavernous (especially compared to my T-Bird), and though my V8 T-Bird can blow it's doors off, the xB is certainly capable of getting from Point A to Point B reasonably fast. I don't have any complaints about the engine, suspension, or build quality. There were a few ergonomic items I could nitpick, but that's with anycar.

Now, to finalize on a color and order one!


:::END UPDATE:::
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The next step in my acquiring of an xB is to actually drive one! I've arranged an "extended" test drive with the local dealership. I pick it up tomorrow at noon and keep it for a few hours.

Is there anything I should look for/notice/pay attention to during my time with the xB? This is NOT the one I will possibly be buying, as that one will be custom-made with the options I want on it (and also will be a different color). This is just a "demo" model they have.

Thought I'd ask some owners first!

 

Drive it like you stole it. Make sure you can live with the pick up. To me, the acceleratino is just fine. Also, hit a lot of bumps and pot holes, so you can get a true feelig on the stock suspension. Most of the owners here have replaced their stock with after market.

On ordering with options. Dont. Buy stock, and then get your options here, sponsors, and Ebay for a lot cheeper. Or go with the RS2 and work from there.

Enjoy your ride tomorrow. Drive it everywhere.

 

Pretty much sums it up. i'd second him with the aftermarket parts issue: don't buy dealership items. Only thing in my opinion that would be worth purchasing from the dealer is the spoiler, since installation fees can be a little high.

 

Take it some hills, test the power, all the options that it ias ( a/c, power windows etc) make sure there up to your liking

 

Yeah, I live on the other side of a mountain from the dealership. Should be interesting driving up it... arrrrgh... I plan on driving my daily commute tomorrow in the xB just to see how it will behave on the roads I normally take. After that 25 minute trip I'll have plenty of time to "test" it some more.

As far as options, the only factory option I'm getting is a set of wheels, and only because I want them factory-installed and warrantied (I've had bad luck with wheels in the past). Everything else I'll be getting and installing myself. Looks like the dealer/factory markup is somewhere around 110% on most parts, which is outrageous IMHO.