Hi,

I have been queitly reading these forums for a few weeks (research purposes ), but today I'm officialy joining after getting my 2006 Scion xA!

I just picked it up yesterday after waiting for it to ship from Japan, for what it seemed like eternity. This is my first new car and I'm a college student, so xA was the only way to go . I love it so far, except the stock steel wheels that really hurt the looks of the car. They're sooo small and they leave this huge gap above them. Also part of my underbody seems to be painted with some ugly silver paint and this makes it even worse.

I didn't plan on customizing this car, because it comes with a very nice stereo, etc, BUT once I got it, it just feels like a right thing to do . I can't resist it .

Keep in mind this comes from someone that tunes computers, not cars lol, so I think that Scion has some kind of mind-changing power over people.

Any more xA's from around Elgin, IL area?

 

Welcome! Looks like we picked up our xA's on the same day. Whee!

I kind of want to do some small things to mine too... me boy would not be a fan though so I must resist. We have enough expensive hobbies already. Hehe.

 

Get some springs and rims and you're in business! Welcome to tha club! Any questions, please ask.

 

I'm thinking about it right now . Since I'm on the budget, I was considering getting 15" rims and using my existing tires. This + lowering springs should make it look more acceptable IMHO. Can anyone confirm that?

Also do I need to buy springs AND schocks or just springs? If I buy them online (to save $$$) could I possibly install them myself or is it better to ask someone more knowledgable. I really don't want to sacrifice my safety .

 

my girlfriend got an xa (month ago) but it's basically mine since it's in my name. I live in Hanover Park, not to far, but not too close either.

 

I also think you'd be better off with just bigger rims and skip the springs till later on, at least 16" rims.

 

Another 19 yr. old college student with an xA?! Wohoo! It does seem like it's a college vehicle.

 

First, welcome to the best part of SL, the xA section!!!

You can drop around an inch to an inch and a half and not damage your factory shocks. any lower will put them in a bind and cause them to blow.
There are some nice 15's on the market, but, if you are wanting larger rims later, it is cheaper in the long run to get them and the tires now. You won't have to get rid of the old ones later.....Besides, Tire Rack sometimes has packages....

 

if i could only afford spring OR rims, I'd do the springs first. I drove mine with 18's for about a week with the stock springs and it looked retarded. but they look pretty decent with a 2" drop and stock wheels *remove hubcaps*

also, whoever posted above me, a 2 " (or even 3") drop will not hurt your shocks if you get a spring like eibach that has a variable spring rate. if you're running really stiff springs, then yes the springrate will blow the seals in the shocks due to the rapid bouncy movement.

with a 2" drop, you don't even need to re-align it. mine's still 100% perfect after the addition of the springs.

laterz!