OK, here is something interesting I decided to do. I used the chat link on Scion.com to ask a rep about the control issue. Here is the conversation in its entirety...

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Sean:Hi, my name is Sean. How may I help you?

You: are steering wheel audio controls going to be standard on '06 xBs made after december '05?

Sean: it should be available midway through the model year, which should be Jan or Feb

You: is that definately going to be a standard feature though?

You: I heard it was just speculation

Sean: it will be standard with the iPod capable audio unit

You: so if I upgrade my stereo option they are going to install a new steering wheel center as well?

Sean: no, it would have to be installed at the port. Its not a dealer installed option.

You: so this will become the only port installed option on the xB with the exception of the alloy wheels?

Sean: there are other port installed options as well, but yes this will be one of them.

You: Im a Scion Sales Rep and we install all the options on the xB with the exception of the alloys here at the dealership

You: So the steering wheel controls will be included in the $260 cost of the iPod HU upgrade?

Sean: yes, just like the tC.

You: But the xA and the tC come from the port with the steering wheel controls regardless of HU option.

Sean: that may be something that we need to look into because as it was explained to us it was only available with the iPod upgrade.

You: Yeah every xA and tC that comes to the dealership has the controls standard even with the standard HU

Sean: well thanks for that info, I would assume then the xB will be exactly the same.

You: Thats what I was thinking

You: I would ask whoever your information provider is about the option. I know the steering wheel controls on the xB mid-year change is a hot topic in the Scion community.

Sean: let me ask so that we can get a definitive answer just a moment.

You: sure [Long A$$ Wait...]

Sean: I contacted our information source and they stated that at this point we don't have any additional information on the steering wheel audio controls. Hopefully we will have more info soon.
***** Sean Has Disconnected

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Yeah so I dont know what that answered besides the fact that Scion Reps dont have anymore answers than we do...

...I did decide from the conversation that the option will be available for sure. Its just a question of will you have to pay for it or not.

 

most of them? why on earth would they do that? the stock radio has no customizeable equilization

 

I have an 06 box and I'm glad there is not radio controls on the steering wheel. I ditched the factory setup in the first week of owning it. I was gonna keep it because it was supposedly a great factory stereo. My opinion is the **** volume control sucks. The volume just raises too slowly. Feel like i was cranking on it forever just to gain a little volume. I installed a sony head unit with a remote control. As for Salsa Red I dont care for it on the xA but I bet It would look sweet on the xB. Some colors to me just fit some cars better than others. Its only my thoughts and 2 cents though. So no the extra options sure doesn't upset me.

 

Richbuff,

Did you're salesman tell you when you will actually receive your sals red pearl 06 xB? I was thinking about getting a salsa red pearl xB. Maybe I should hold out a little longer...

 

Who said the box is going bye bye at the end of 06? I've heard some say it but never with any truth to it? So did you hear it or what? They would be fools to get rid of the xB because it's the BADDEST car out there! Style is near perfect! I just love the box!

 

No one is getting the shaft--the color changes were announced at least 4 months ago, and the bull**** about the steering controls has been whirling around Scion sites for at least that long. A member from LV even posted who knows how many times that her "friends" had just picked up a Salsa Red back in August, when I took delivery of my 05 BOP. Everyone who is paying attention knows Salsa Red and Flint Mica were announced as available end of year or beginning 2006.

Anyhoo, I'm amazed that people spend SO much time finding things wrong with their cars.

 

It wasn't the color changes I was talking about Everyone knew about those like you stated. The changes I was referring to are mainly to do with the steering wheel controls and the cooler looking steering wheel in general. It will suck for the early 06" xBers if they do come out with it and they were not given a chance to wait cuz they were not told about the upcoming additions.
jethro_b wrote:
The salsa red is sweet. I've seen it on the xA and I must say I was impressed. I also like the new fascia on the xA, what a difference.
I highly doubt the xB would get the wheel controls because it involves a different electric harness and steering column. Why would they make this change with the box going bye bye at the end of the 06" model year?
From everything said by everyone at Scion from the beginning of the 04' model year about the Scion models are only supposed to have a run of 3 years. They were also not to be redesigned. They were to be replaced by something totally different. If it happens it won't really matter to me I have my Box. It will suck for the ones that were hoping for an 07' model year run for the xB. I actually hope the xB production ends with the 06' model. I hate it when a certain model is made for a long time. There ends up being way too many of them on the road and they loose their uniqueness. Look at the PT Cruiser for example.

 

Which turned out to be fiction.

RichC

 

The Salsa XB did not show up on the inventory allocation last Tues. The salesman said he expects the Salsa to appear on the next one early next week. Then if I'm lucky enough to get one I will need to wait for it to be shipped over from Japan. I expect to wait at least 4 more weeks.

 

Steering wheel controls are no big deal for me. I love my N2. Just wished i had the salsa red color.

 

They are to me! Well I guess I got too used to them on my previous car. Hmmm, I wonder if I should hold out now till the first of the year to see if they will be coming with them or not. Argh!

 

so the salsa color is red i know that but what color will the mica be? and are there any pics of it?

 

Shadow mica is pretty much a dark metallic green. It almost looks black on the big swatch we have here but if you get the right angle you can see its green. I think its going to look great on the xB...

 

Yeah, but I upgraded to the Eclipse so the steering controls should work for that...no big deal though..would have been cool.

 

I also wonder this: if the steering wheel control rumor is true after all, how does it affect the announced features of the RS3.0, which offers optional Alpine audio? Is Scion going to adapt the wiring designed for the OEM Pioneer HU's to work on the Alpines on an individual basis, depending on whether you order the Alpine or not?

It would sure suck to have an RS3 with non-functional wheel controls.

RichC

 

Perhaps because that feature is only important to a small segment of the buyers?

I've had equalizers in previous cars, but the Scion unit seems to be pretty well balanced as is. If you want it simply to twiddle the controls, fine, but most folks just want to listen to the music.

George

 

The new colors and audio controls are not rumors. I have a poster in my showroom with these features listed, as well as new generation air bags. These things are all coming in the "December build" cars. I don't know if they will be allocated at the end of this month or the end of December. They are coming and I don't yet know if there will be a price increase. I suspect there will be.

 

Yeah the poster is real. I have one too...

 

So what do pre-December xB owners do to get the steering wheel controls?

 

Got an 05 xB with the Toyota Navi, so I would like to have the Steering wheel controls! So if any of you want to sell it, cause you may be getting a aftermarket radio , and don't want it, PM me, and lets talk details!

Big D, SE/LV

Holla!!!