First day impressions
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,735
First day impressions
I picked up my TCM MT xB on March 17 here in Louisville. When I ordered it 30 days ago, the dealer said it was on the ship. Then about two weeks ago he called to say it was in port and would arrive by March 16, which it did. The salesman said he could have sold it many times while it was sitting outside the showroom waiting for me to come. In the past day I put 50 miles on it and installed several accessories.
The car has plenty of pep for me, even during break-in driving. And at 60 mph it is almost as quiet as my wife's Buick. Compared to my old Mazda truck, the clutch and shifter are smooth and effortless. The gating is not strong and sometimes I move the shifter up to 5th instead of 3rd, but if you don't try to guide it, it will do better on its own. The suspension is tight, very firm for a car, and about the same as my Mazda truck which has new SUV SensaTracs all around. I cannot tell that the xB's rear KYBs are too stiff, because I cannot differentiate one end's stiffness from the other, but I have bought Echo rear SensaTracs and will put them on soon to see what effect they have.
I installed the OEM cabin air filter, and was surprised at how much force it took to pinch the glove box sides to remove it. The OEM filter was $20 from Precision Muffler <http://www.precisionmuffler.com>. The media is very low-density for max flow, and pleated for max area. I have read the filter DIYs and believe that most of the home-made filters provide more resistance to airflow and less area. The right filter was worth $20 to me.
I installed the Zeta storage armrest. It is a well-made, good-looking, sturdy and functional item. But I think it is better suited for the AT xB where you are not shifting all the time and can use Park. The armrest slightly interferes with the MT and greatly interferes with the hand brake. I spite of its cost, I am going to keep it, but it will be folded up except when I am cruising long enough to want an armrest.
I installed the Valor chrome exhaust tip. The instructions said to undo the hanger and drop the muffler and tailpipe, but that was not necessary at all.
I installed a black sheepskin driver's seat cover for $70 from Sheepskins.com, because I find they save the seat over time. The driver's seat fabric in my Mazda truck, at 16 years and 150K, is still like new, thanks to a series of cheap sheepskin covers.
The rear bumper applique requires that the bumper be cleaned with a Prep-Sol solvent. Though alcohol might do, I will look for the Prep-Sol. The adhesive is apparently activated by a solution of water with a few drops of detergent and then squeegeed. The pattern of holes is apparently to avoid trapping any air bubbles.
Installed OEM floor mats and WeatherTech rubber mats from online sources. Also a Sylvania Dot-It map light from amazon.com, mounted on the flat spot over the mirror. Ordered a $45 black ABS 2-opening JDM grille to tone down the "grin", as my wife calls it.
Two items I will be ordering for spares are the plastic dipstick and the plastic rear shock covers. They don't look very durable and may be hard to find them in 5 years when the xB is gone from these shores.
The car impresses me with its high-quality feel, good handling, and roominess. Every drive is fun. And at age 63 and 6"-2", it is great to be able to slide on in without bending and ducking under a low A-pillar. That is one of the main reasons I bought the car.
The car has plenty of pep for me, even during break-in driving. And at 60 mph it is almost as quiet as my wife's Buick. Compared to my old Mazda truck, the clutch and shifter are smooth and effortless. The gating is not strong and sometimes I move the shifter up to 5th instead of 3rd, but if you don't try to guide it, it will do better on its own. The suspension is tight, very firm for a car, and about the same as my Mazda truck which has new SUV SensaTracs all around. I cannot tell that the xB's rear KYBs are too stiff, because I cannot differentiate one end's stiffness from the other, but I have bought Echo rear SensaTracs and will put them on soon to see what effect they have.
I installed the OEM cabin air filter, and was surprised at how much force it took to pinch the glove box sides to remove it. The OEM filter was $20 from Precision Muffler <http://www.precisionmuffler.com>. The media is very low-density for max flow, and pleated for max area. I have read the filter DIYs and believe that most of the home-made filters provide more resistance to airflow and less area. The right filter was worth $20 to me.
I installed the Zeta storage armrest. It is a well-made, good-looking, sturdy and functional item. But I think it is better suited for the AT xB where you are not shifting all the time and can use Park. The armrest slightly interferes with the MT and greatly interferes with the hand brake. I spite of its cost, I am going to keep it, but it will be folded up except when I am cruising long enough to want an armrest.
I installed the Valor chrome exhaust tip. The instructions said to undo the hanger and drop the muffler and tailpipe, but that was not necessary at all.
I installed a black sheepskin driver's seat cover for $70 from Sheepskins.com, because I find they save the seat over time. The driver's seat fabric in my Mazda truck, at 16 years and 150K, is still like new, thanks to a series of cheap sheepskin covers.
The rear bumper applique requires that the bumper be cleaned with a Prep-Sol solvent. Though alcohol might do, I will look for the Prep-Sol. The adhesive is apparently activated by a solution of water with a few drops of detergent and then squeegeed. The pattern of holes is apparently to avoid trapping any air bubbles.
Installed OEM floor mats and WeatherTech rubber mats from online sources. Also a Sylvania Dot-It map light from amazon.com, mounted on the flat spot over the mirror. Ordered a $45 black ABS 2-opening JDM grille to tone down the "grin", as my wife calls it.
Two items I will be ordering for spares are the plastic dipstick and the plastic rear shock covers. They don't look very durable and may be hard to find them in 5 years when the xB is gone from these shores.
The car impresses me with its high-quality feel, good handling, and roominess. Every drive is fun. And at age 63 and 6"-2", it is great to be able to slide on in without bending and ducking under a low A-pillar. That is one of the main reasons I bought the car.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 410
From: Corinth, TX
welcome to the family..i am 54 years young..xb is one of the best rides i have own..i do miss my austin healey 3000 straight 6 2 su side drafts..real wire wheel knock offs..but hey that was 30 years ago..find one now ..30 grand or more ..enjoy your ride
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