I'm looking at buying a new small car and am currently considering the Scion xA, Toyota Yaris LB, Honda FIT, and Toyota Matrix.

Fuel economy is very important, as I commute 50 miles a day, and I think the classic 2-door hatchback design is quite possibly the most ingenious and versatile design ever. Unfortunately, aside from the Yaris and the Ford Focus ZX3, all the mfr.s seem to favor the 5-door compact wagon configuration, so I am also considering the smaller examples of these.

Like the 1992 Dodge Colt I currently drive (202,000 miles!), I plan to keep whatever new car I settle on for many years. I do all of my own preventative maintenance and all but the most major of repairs on my cars, so I want something fairly easy to work on and get parts for.

Word is the Scion xA will cease production this month, to be replaced by something larger, more SUV-like, and less appealing to me. I can still find a handful on dealers' lots, but worry about parts support and service for a car that was only produced for three years.

Does the Scion xA share its engine with anything other than the defunct Echo and the also-discontinued xB?

I'd really like to get in on something that has been or will be produced for several years, so parts managers and mechanics don't roll their eyes when I wheel in for service.

Geez, I hope I don't have to buy a Focus ...

 

The Yaris uses the 1NZ. I feel like parts won't be an issue for us xA owners in the future...though that's just my opinion. But if you're worried, get the Yaris. It's geared better for highway use anyway....and if you're communting 50 miles per day, I assume at least some of that will be spent on the highway.

 

Forgive my ignorance (I've just started researching), but are you saying the Yaris and the Scion xA share the same engine (1NZ)?

If so, given the apparent popularity of the Yaris, that should bode well for continued support for the the xA too.

Nearly all my commuting is indeed on the freeway, so the gearing and MPG are important, as is the reportedly smoother ride of the Yaris, especially on concrete interstates.

Besides the meager availability problem (shared with the xA), the only thing holding me back on the Yaris is the lack of aftermarket roof racks from Yakima and Thule. With Toyota's continued support for the Yaris, I can only assume the rack makers will eventually make clips for it.

But I hate to be left hangin' ...

 

I honestly believe that Toyota will continue to support the XA's and the Yaris for many years to come.

My advice: Test drive them both. Then decide what is most important to you.

The one thing about Scion is "Pure Price", most other Toyota products have lots of room for negotiation. My insurance company rate the Yaris as a very good vehicle to drive. But they also rate my xB the same. If you want mileage, go with the Yaris.

Either way you go, it is a Toyota and it will last you for at least 200,000 miles provided you take care of the maintenance.

 

Yes the Yaris and xA/xB share the 1NZ engine.

As cool as the xA is, it sounds like the Yaris might suit your needs better. The Liftback is a cool car......I could rock one.

But, if you do have your heart set on an xA, think about an automatic. It will turn about 500 rpm less on the highway than the 5 speed. That may net slightly better fuel economy and will, if nothing else, make for a quieter ride at speed.

 

Go with the xA automatic. The difference between the Yaris and xA is the design. Engine and frame are the same. If you look at all the accessories for xA and Yaris, they are almost identical. The price for the Yaris is also a bit deceptive because they quote the base price with no accessories. Once you add in all the accessories like radio, power windows etc, the price is very similar to a base xA.

My only one gripe is that I bought my car used and it came with aftermarket wheels which has lowered my mpg to about 27-29 in combined highway and city driving. Other than that, i love my xA.

 

An xA or a Yaris LB, hum… I agree that this is a tough choice. I came REALLY close to buying a Yaris LB. The Yaris does get better gas mileage and if you go with a base model it is cheaper too. I had a deposit down on an automatic silver Yaris LB with the power package and that put mine in the same ballpark as the xA. I did want good gas mileage but I really don’t have to drive very far each day. I live in a small town. I do however have to make a monthly 400 mile trip, but I trade off with two other people so I only drive it 4 times a year. In the end I chose the sportier look and the added convenience of 4 doors.
They are both great cars and it is of course your decision but it sounds like a Yaris LB just might be a better choice for you. You did say that fuel economy was very important AND you stressed your preference for a 2 door hatchback!

The xA, Yaris, AND the Echo all have the same engine. I wouldn’t worry about Toyota not supporting whichever you decide to buy.

LCL

 

Cool, thanks for all the info and advice!

Nice to chat with people who know so much about both cars.

I just cruised thru the local Toyota dealer on Sunday and saw they'd recently gotten a handful of Yaris, probably in preparation of Toyotathon, so I may have to go in for a test drive ...

Thanks again!

 

My xA is already over the 200,000 mile mark. It serisouly still runs fine. Even though I should, I don't baby it enough either. Still rev to 5000 at times.
Regular maintainence like oil changes and all the fun fluids.
The only thing i havnt done is taken it in to get it check by a mechanic. The last time I took it in was when the warranty was still valid back in '04.

 

wow... go boy go! that's good news!

 

Sweet baby moses!!! I hope my Marshmallow makes it that far!

 

Holy cow - you really put the miles on her! Glad to hear it has held up. I plan
to drive mine until it rusts apart underneath me. My last vehicle was 16 years
old when I finally sold it - I’m shooting for 20 on this one.

LCL

 

The family loves the xA