Scion car clubs can be really interesting.
At "ScionExposed" on Sept. 17th, I got to see some really great cars, got alot of free swag, and my wife and I had a great time. I also talked to alot of really nice and friendly people... but I also encountered some real jackholes.

I drive an '04 xB. So of course, I was most excited to see other 1st Gens. What I noticed is that when I asked alot of people things about their cars, or even gave them compliments, they wanted to know what club I was with. When I explained that I wasn't part of a club, alot of these people would just give a look and turn away. This happened 6 times!!
I kept getting indirect comments (as in said aloud to his group but not directly to me) about my xB from some guy I parked next to everytime I passed nearby or was at my box. Comments about how I wasn't even entered in the judging, but had parked there... how I wasn't even part of a "club" and wasn't "with them"...comments about me having hood pins on a CF hood (as though it was funny...? Hood pins on any CF hood are for safety reasons). Just to clarify for anyone who wasn't there- I came a bit later than others, so I took a spot that was open. I didn't prevent anyone from parking there, and all scions had to park in the same area. There was no separate parking for people being judged for show and those who were not. It seems that his "group" thought that everyone was supposed to park in sections according to who they were "with".
I was going to say something to them, but my wife warned me not to. Besides, it's not a fun event if you end up being an individual in a fight with a gang...er..I mean club.
I realize that I don't necessarily fit in with the average Scion gang member- I don't wear glasses, I weigh less than 300lbs, and I don't really think anything about a 1.5L engine is "badass".
I guess I can't hang with you guys. Boohoo. I am not worthy.



First off, I don't need to be part of a club. I don't need approval from anybody over what is good or not about my ride. I go to these things for the cars and not for people, although I think it's nice to meet others who have the same excitement over these cars. I don't need social reinforcement that it's okay to obsess over a 92HP box on wheels, and I have friends otherwise(and I don't mind that they don't get into Scion stuff). I enjoy my xB because it's different than anything else on the road, it's really fun to drive, and is extremely functional.

Secondly, Some of the 1st gen xB people need to get a grip on reality. There was alot of talk about how they were the first "scion people", as though they are hardcore or something. Give me a break. In reality, scion as a company probably hopes we all mod these xBs to the point of destruction- just so you'll go out and buy a new one. The tC, xB2, xD, and iQ are where all of the focus is now, because that's how a car company makes money...from selling new cars. Scion only gives us any focus because our obsessing and modding might be noticed by others and get them interested in the brand. The only "loyalty" Scion wants from you is that you go out and buy a new one when you need a new car. Scion is not your leader. And you are not a gang, army, or anything interesting to most people at all. If you lived in reality, you'd realize that most people hate the "toaster" and probably think you're ___ for driving one. You should be happy to see anyone who appreciates the same vehicle you have.
Not ripping the 1st gen xB- I own one, drive it every day, and I love it. It's just funny that all tC owners I met there were friendly and happy to see any interest in their cars. They didn't care that I didn't have the same vehicle. They were just people happy to be part of something with others that enjoy the same kind of vehicles.

I know that not all people in the scion car clubs are this way. I met some really nice people who were members of these clubs, and I'm sure that they have alot of fun getting together. I was kind of interested in meeting up with the local chapter of a Scion club, but seeing how ridiculous some of these car club people can be, the idea of joining any of these clubs just seems cheesy.

Sorry for this huge rant about all of this, but who knows... maybe others have had similar experiences, or maybe some people from these clubs will read this and be more concious of their own or other members behavior toward "non-members".

 

I like the scion gang member stats....

 

in the same boat as you are

too many scensters at the shows... and i only attend just scion exposed only (one show a year) and i must say they are getting to be pretty down right boring i miss when they held it at mid-ohio way better show over all with lot more variety in cars and not just some drift import cars...

all makes and models car shows are 1000000000000000000000000000000000000x's better in the end

 

Dont let a couple of douche's stray you away from what you enjoy. Usually tC owners are much cooler than the xb crowd, but thats to be expected.. lol.

 

hey man not really sure where your from but since you went to exposed in ohio I'm assuming your from ohio.
you should try checking out
scikotics.com

 

i believe his comments were directed towards members of that club as well....

 

lol well it was a Ohio event and we were all there and if you were bullied or felt un welcome from any of our scikotics members i would love to talk to you and get more information on the situation as this is HIGHLY frowned upon in our chapter and organization.

 

Come down to So Cal. LOL. Seriously clubs arent meant for everyone, but truthfully I got into the Scion scene based on a clubs invitation and got involved. Really involved. LOL

 

YEAH RIGHT! You guys tear each other apart because someone has the wrong air freshener. LMAO!

xB's rule!

 

Interesting read I must say. I am pretty sure some of my club members made the drive up and I really hope they were not the ones acting like this.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions and I applaud you for posting this up.

Good luck in the scene up there. I know its not much different here and I know what you mean about the "scion gangs" the "chapters" have gotten clique and have ruined the scene. As soon as we get back to what brought us together the better off the scene will be.

 

Definitely interesting read. I do agree with you, most of what you've said are things in which I've experienced of seen myself when I used to go to scion shows. It kind of reminds me of those high school cliques, hahaha

 

it is exactly that type of stupidity that made me leave the scion club scene all together. everywhere you go its a bunch of young punk kids thinking they are all that. it never changes, this week they're in this club, next week they're in that club and so on. As long as they think they can get something for free, this will continue to happen.

I have owned 4 customized gen 1's. no one out there has really brought anything new to the scene, its the same old crap done on everyones rides. i have been in the club scene for almost 20 years total. I've had my rides featured in 14 magazines, lowrider, minitruckin, truckin, street customs, siphon, performance auto and sound, etc. I am no better than anyone else. I dont get it when they install a car club sticker and all of a sudden think that they are something special.

 

there are definitely some douches out there, but it's about the cars and what you enjoy, not what they say. If you like something and do it to your car, that is your choice not theirs and I hate when people criticize someone based on their likes. I've owned a gen1 xB, xA and the tC. I love all the cars and have an appreciation for what is done to them on each level. Hopefully you meet better people in these clubs in the future.
Just remember, don't let what others say effect you, what they think doesn't matter

 

I was in a truck club before I had the scion. Once I left I realized how sad it really is. I refuse. REFUSE to join a Scion one. I work for Toyota and talk Toyota/Scion parts all day long I have no ambition to sit around and talk crap about others and talk more about toyota/scion. I did meet a lot of people through truck clubs. Some still are friends of mine to this day. I have no patience for that scene anymore. Most of the people in them are douche bags who think they're amazing and drink beer all day.

No thanks.

 

i'm in search of an archaic car so i can get back into the hobby of actually working on cars and getting grease and rust flakes all over and the search for parts in the junkyard