I see.

I guess I just judged by instinct and I did not see 3 people sitting comfortably in the back of the xA. In my experience the legroom is the factor that counts, not a 1/10 of an inch of "shoulder room" whatever that is. I also couldn't imagine two mountain bikes fitting in the back. I suppose anything is possible though. I just prefer not to have to take my bike apart to fit it in. I figured barely an extra $1000 for the higher roof, longer wheelbase, traction control and other standard features was worth it for me.

I still like the way the xA looks better, but I needed to think practically for my own needs. I think the practicality factor probably has something to do with the huge difference in sales between the xA and xB.

 

traction control would have been alot nicer for winter use. its not so much for driving more aggressive or technical. most people who do that kind of driving turn those so called features off because they don't like them.

 

Honestly, I had originally wanted a tC (but now it seems like everyone and their mom is getting one--probably because it is becoming the "poor" man's rich car just like the Galant was a few years ago, and the Altima is now). I myself, am not rich (at least not yet anyway...lol) and so to get where I wanted to be payment wise I had to go with something a little less costly, but where i could still get some of the options I wanted. The xB still didn't put me where I wanted to be payment wise...plus it is ugly and too boxy...my fiancee HATED IT!! She thought it was ugly and said if I got it she would refuse to ride in it with me (her family on the other hand has lotssss of $$$). She liked the xA though, and after a while it began to grow on me too.
I don't know what a lot of ppl are talking about on here, but the 2005 xA is nasty compared to the 2006 and the new features that the car has, and the styling is a hell of a lot better too. Honestly, the dealership I went to (Smithtown Scion) has one side with the older models (Pre-Owned), and the other side features the brand new Scions...and the 2006's look sooooooooooooo much better. Because when I first saw the xA it was on the other side (the pre-owned...2005) and I didn't like it at all. The NEW xA is AWESOME!!! Better than the Box, and more practical than the tC!

 

because my fiance already had the xb and we figured it would be nice to not have the same car twice!

 

The 2006 xA looks different than the 2005?

 

Well, there are what I would call subtle differences here and there which I believe make the 2006 look a little more aggressive looking. The 2006's also feature turn signal indicators on the side mirrors, just things like that. The body style is also slightly changed to look, as I stated a little more aggessive. I believe there is a post going on about this though in the xA Owners Lounge where you can find out more about it. A lot of the ppl in that post seem to favor the 05's look, but not me...lol.

 

Fate...

 

We needed a 4-door but loved our Mini Cooper. The xA fell more in line with what we were looking for so we just traded the Mini on our '06 xA.

Looked briefly at the xB but we already have a Volvo wagon so that's my "brick"...one is enough!

I do miss the low ride and crisp handling of the Mini but that can be fixed

 

That's true, and you know what, I was noticeing when I saw the 2006 Flint Mica xA at my dealership (which helped me to make my decision to buy one) that it looked remarkably similar to the Mini Cooper!!! You are probably right about the ride height/handeling etc, but that's true it can be fixed. In fact, I have similar views in regards to the ride height and handeling, and that is what I intend on fixing soon.

-Mike

 

My wife's mom has a Yaris, so the xA was a natural choice. Plus the xB looks like wide open ___. No offense. Cheers!