I purchased my xB on August 17th 2005 (TCM 2006) and the main reason I purchased was because of its fuel efficiency, cargo space, and price. Well since then I've changed jobs and I can honestly say I'm not "into" my xB at all.

I figure by the time I correct the most annoying issues I have with the car, I'd be better off selling it. Bad part, due to my credit not being the greatest, I think I'm pretty much stuck with the xB.

Is anyone else sick of the loud interior, rough ride, and lack of torque to want to get rid of the xB? By the time I spend all the money on sound deadening and suspension, I might never really be completely happy with the xB and to make it any faster, will cost more then I'm willing to put into the car. It's a great little car but I really wish I would have been more aware of my career path before I purchased it.

I've been so sour about the xB for awhile but still love her. I can't stand to see her dirty but at the same time when I'm driving, I'm completely annoyed by having to crank the stereo to hear any music decently and feeling every bump in the road.

Just looking for other peoples feedback. I've already done my fair share of mod'ing on my old Civic Hatch so I know what the mod bug is like. I did all that while living with my mom and now am on my own, so I'm much more frugile about everything.

 

im fairley new to mine,i dont understand about it being noisey,mine rides very smooth and responsive,its not noisey at all.maybe you got a bad one or mine is just lucky,it could use a kick in the ___ though.not the best pick up in the world,i do agree with that,i guess ill have to pay attention to the noise issue,maybe im just too old,im 40,maybe my hearing is going,good luck

 

I will mention that I did not get the toyo guard so there is no ubndercarriage spray on my xB but the outside noise is completely unacceptable to me. Bad part of having to gone to college for over 3 yrs in music, my ears hear a lot.

Rides smooth??? I think I need to take people in a ride in mine or vice versa because I feel and hear every little bump in the road.

 

that may make a difference,your an audiophile,i dont think my under carraige was sprayed.

 

Depending on whether (and how far) you've dropped it, you can ease up the ride a whole lot for about $70 by replacing the rear shocks with Monroe 5987s. Tons of threads mention that - do a search.

Next time you need to replace the tires, shop around with an emphasis on getting quiet tires. My understanding is that "performance" tires tend to be noisier than other kinds, so depending on how you like to drive, you may have to make some compromises. Also, consider getting taller tires than the stockers (assuming your profile's current - it looks like you're running stock right now).

That'll help the ride, and a bit with the noise. To really help with the noise you'll need to bite the bullet and put in some sound deadening, which is either a fair amount of work and still not necessarily cheap, or no work at all and expensive because you're hiring someone else to do it for you.

Though you might make the work go more easily if you can find some sympathetic soul who'll give you a hand on the installation if you throw a few beers (or whatever) in their general direction.

But yeah - I'm sympathetic. The Monroes are on the to-do list; taller, quieter tires are on the to-do list; sound deadening is on the to-do list.

 

I'm just annoyed right now that any of it is necessary. I already know and have researched all of it. Know where'd I buy it all and everything.

 

Ah. Well, never mind then.

 

I must just be used to mine, I don't really notice. I had heard about getting the undercarriage sprayed that it would help wihthte noise..but it was recommend by the dealer and I never believe anything they say....especially since I knew more about the car than he did...if anyone knows about it let me know if it is really worth it I'm sure it's something I could so myself ...

I love my xb but hell, it's your money...get what you want and be happy with it!

 

I guess since I honestly think I'm stuck with the xB due to financial reasons, will just sound deaden the darn thing and see what happens.

EDIT: I've really be unsure of the entire xB Box thing for quite awhile. I dunno what the heck I should do anymore.

 

love the plate..to funny with your avatar pic

 

I would reccomend using Dynamat. Though it might be a little coslty, it does the work done. I rode on my freinds xB with dynamat, and dang it's so quite. You wouldn't believe hpw much of a difference in sound it makes. BTW, He had it all over the car (4-doors, trunk/cargo/ and floors).

 

I'll actually be picking up Raamat, its extremely popular and many people I know love the stuff.

Well since I doubt it's feasible to get rid of the xB, I'll start making the alterations I find necessary to it.

 

I'm going to check it out as well..thanks for the info

 

Several of my other past cars (and one current car) were Caddies. Talking about total opposites with xB!

If I compare it with any Caddy, then you're gripes are correct. Noisy and stiff ride.

But I knew that when I bought my xB and I'm happy with it so far. And I don't see myself getting sick of it anytime soon.

My xB is a daily driver. If I want to ride in plush style, I pull my Eldorado out. My 85 Eldo is like a living room on wheels. Seats alre like a comfy white leather couch. Handles like crap but the ride is so smooth it seems like you're floating above the road.

:D

 

You did take a test drive, right?

 

Very short one around the "block." Got my xB right off the truck.

Ordering the sound deadening today (Wednesday).

I was actually driving the other car in the stable, 2003 Taurus and realized that it's not all that quiet itself on the roads I travel home on.

Dropping the money on the insulation today - work on the springs (H Techs) and struts (Monroes) within the next few months.

Many pictures and etc along the way, I promise.

I'm going for more of a comfortable ride. Seriously thinking I'll do the washer trick on the seats since they will be pulled for the sound deadening installation.

 

well the only thing that erks me is the lack of power i dont know how the hondas w/ the same side motors run hard w/ a few mods... other than that im happy with my car and planing on keeping it for sometime... and have another car on the side... like an Audi S4 or a Ford f-250 diesel to make up what i feel is missing from the xB... i felt the same way you did i was going to trade in my car for an 06 mustang gt.. but my friend "Violent B" talked me out of it so the money that i was gonna use for a down payment and just put it to the box and i like the way it looks now... the thing is i didi like how it looked stock, w/ the stock wheels and the stock look. and how it looks like a show car and i love it. i got some stagger wheels, lowered, body kit, speakers and a bunch of other things and now i love it yeah it cost a bit of money but it is worth it to me...

 

WOOT! for JT!

 

;^( ;^( ;^( ;^( ;^( ;^(

I guess that's the good part of being 53 (almost) and having lost a lot of my hearing; my xB is QUIET. I think mine's pretty smooth also, but maybe that's only compared with the clunky Grand Voyager I sold to get it. It IS a bit noiser and rougher than the '05 Camry that shares its garage space, but the Camry was almost twice as expensive!

;^( ;^( ;^( ;^( ;^( ;^( for 06B0X 'cause it sux to be "stuck" with any vehicle.

 

The thing is that the features that make the box so cool are pretty unique... there's nothing else like it (yet). If you really want a car that sounds and rides like a Buick, then trade your xB in for one... but I can't imagine your plate on LeSabre

I'd also say just work on your box to make it what you want. at $14.5k they couldn't do alot to make the xB like a Lexus, but you can do alot on your own.

First is tires. Stockers suck IMO. Some high-performance tires are also quite noisy, but some are a great compromise between performance and ride/noise. I just got some Kuhmo 711's that are suprisingly quiet and handle great, with a supple ride on most surfaces. Plus they are DIRT cheap on tirerack.com.

I agree also about the Monroes... don't change the noise level but make the car alot smoother and less bothersome around town, and just feels more controlled and "european" in general. Also very cheap.

Sound deadening is the main difference between your car and a Lexus. Do the doors and the hatch, later when you are feeling adventurous take out the seats and do the floor as well. Even the roof if you're going full-on with it. From all accounts on this site dynamat and other products can totally transform the car. It's definitely on my to-do list.

And once you get all that done, you can always (eventually) get a ZPI turbo. Then there would be absolutely NO reason to ever sell the box.