I'm looking into getting an xB this month and wonder if anyone has some words of wisdom for the newbee. I'm selling my 00 Dodge Neon to get it. I don't live in California like some of you do and plan on making a trip out to buy mine. I've got family in Modesto, so I thought I'd make a trip out of it. Anyway, how is the handling, drivability, power, etc. Also, how much does that AEM intake do for it? My intake on my neon (it's an iceman) gives me about 12 hp is it about the same for the xB? I called a dealership there and asked them what they thought about it, they basically told me to go to my local toyota dealership and drive around a Echo. Is it as similar as he said it would be? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

best thing to do... Test drive one... I did and fell in love with it...

 

There's quite a few guys in/near modesto. I'm sure some of them could help you out if you let them know in advance. Take it for a test drive and talk to someone up there who's worked on his car already. We all love these babies and if you it takes more than just looking at a ca and saying you like it. I didn't like the car at all when I first saw it in the lot but after standing infront of it for 10 minutes, not even getting in, I started smiling and decided to buy it. I took a test drive but that had no influence on my decision at all. It grows on you real fast.

 

Thats funny!~ When I first saw the xb my husband pointed it out in a parking lot and was loving it and saying WHAT is this thing???LOL~ Well I looked at it and said some wierd Boxy thing!LOL~ I didn't think it was that cute infact I thought it was kinda ugly.~:0)~ We kept seeing a few of them about and than we decided it was time I got a new car!!~ well we went to go for some test drives and thats when we saw the xa's and the xb's. SO I took the xa for a test drive thinking it looked very cute while my husband figured I would never go for the xb. But I just kept looking at it and than I said what the hell lets take it for a test drive.~~ :0)~ I drove it and said I WANT THIS!!LOL~ my husband is still shocked but was happily agreeing to my choice!!hahahahah~~ I am picking my xb up on Friday . ~~ they said it will be there gauranteed.~~ I did say if it wasn't there they just lost a sale as I am gonna go to SF and get me one off the lot Saturday if they don't supply me with my blue xb Friday!~ :0)~ one way or another I am getting it!!:0)~

 

I want to drive one, but here's my predicament. I have to sell my neon before I can buy the xB. Since I'm going out to California the end of this month I would like to have it sold before then. Not sure it's possible, but worth a try. I don't really want to sell it if it's not worth selling and that's where you all come into play. Since I won't be able to drive one until after I've gotten rid of my old car, you have to build up the xB! I have seen one locally and I love it. They're very euro. I just want to make sure that it's a good ride that's all. My neon is the worst riding car I've ever been in. The Echo I took out today for the test drive makes my car seem like it's driving around with a bull horn in it. That Echo is MUCH quieter. If it drives around anything like that, then I'm completely sold. I just want to make sure it's a comfortable ride. One more question for all of you. Can you fit a car seat in the back of there pretty easily. It looks like you can, but does anyone have any first hand experience??

 

Trust me after driving it I was sold!!~ YOU want one!!LOL~ Oh and they have special attachment things on the backseats for the carseats~~ :0)~ should be a breeze!~ They have so much room in them its great!~ I WANT MINE NOW!!LOL~

 

If you thought the Echo was a good drive, wait till you do finally get to test drive the Scion; it is waaay better imo! I think that if you are ok with the xB's styling, then you will definitely be ok with the way it rides and drives. For most people who are not in California, I think the biggest hurdle is to overcome the looks of the xB, but once you do, there's really almost nothing negative to be said about it, especially considering the price!

 

you don't really need to drive the car before you get it. trust me you'll like it. when i bought mine, i never even saw it before in person.

 

Welcome, and I dont think you will be dissapointed. The xB is a great driving car, very comfortable, quiet, the stereo is great, just got back from a 7+ hour road trip to Vegas with 1 stop in the middle, and couldve driven another 4 hours easy!!! There is no fatigue in driving this car. I'll warn you that IMO there is no comparison between the 5 speed and automatic (5 speed much better) and the xA is much "zippier" than the xB. We live in Merced, bout 30 miles south of Modesto and I've been to Modesto Toyota/Scion when looking for both our xA and xB. Their staff is very knowlegable near as I can tell, Robert Koncewicz is my cousin and is a salesman there, and I have spoke with the Scion manager, Tom Davidson there. The usually have a pretty good selection on hand. But if all else fails, you can drive the 2 hours from Modesto to Piercey in San Jose, they are the greatest! Start calling now to see what the dealerships are expecting to have on their lots, when you will be in Cali, they should have a fair idea, or go to Scion.com and configure your car now using Modesto's zip code and get your financing done, and you may have your car waitin for you. I have to believe you wont be let down, I just love these cars.......now if they would just add an arm rest.....are you listening SCION GODS?! See Ya, Louie

 

I used to own a Neon. The ride in the xB is way better than the Neon ever was. You will not regret it if you decide to buy one. Toyota didn't skimp on quality when they made the Scion. Cheers!

 

Its been said a million times here and I'll say it again. Its a great car! I got rid of my 2000 Honda Accord for the box. The seats in the xB are way more comfy then my accord was and it drives very nice. Mines stock right now and it corners really well, and from what others have said its even better with rims and springs. If you ask me the scion is a great car and nothing was left out well except a sunroof, armrest and cruise control, but its got everything else. When you think of Toyota quality in a camery think of that quality in a box.

James

 

everyone mention the pros but the cons are just as BLKTOYBOX said no armrest no crusie control.. sunroof can be installed but would be better if it was optional from factory

 

Cruise control isn't a big deal with me and from what I understand a generic one could be put in, and I'm used to using my foot, my last car didn't have it either. I definately don't like that there's no center armrest. Not a reason to not buy the car though. Sunroof I can also do without. Never had one, so I wouldn't miss it. Any other cons, besides low horsepower and torque? Handling seems really good. I found somewhere on Edmunds.com (could be from this site, or scion.com) a comparison between the xB and the Mazda Protege5. Well this is an important comparison because I own a 2003 Protege5... or rather my wife does. Anyhow, it made some very good points. When I bought her car I researched it and found out all the strong points about it, but it seems that the xB dwarfs them. We'll see if I get it anytime soon though. I'm having problems selling my old car... so if anyone is interested in a 2000 Dodge Neon with 29,000 miles give me a PM!! :twisted:

 

One more question. How strict are the Scion dealerships with price. Is it pretty much set in stone or is there room for a little bit of haggling? The reason I ask is that when I bought that Protege5 they told me that there was no haggling. YA RIGHT!! I brought them down like $500 in price. Can the same be held true here, or is it not even worth it???

 

the xb is geared different than the echo, so the xb is actually much quicker.

 

Greetings all. I am new here, and currently do not have the Scion, yet. We have not had the chance to purchase them here on the East Coast.

I cant get over how many of you on this post are trying to get rid of your NEONs. LOL I too own a NEON, and i can take it or leave it. For those of you trying to unload your NEONs, try using neons.org, there you can post what you are trying to sell ( even the whole car! ).

Can i just tell you that i cant wait till Feb. That is how long it will take for the xB to make it here. I think im gonna place an order for one with in the next few weeks. Im really happy to see that everyone is happy with their purchase of the xB, it only makes it that much easier to buy one ( well, order one i should say ). Look to hear from me soon on my newiest addition.

CB

 

hey obz i was like a week away from getting a protege5 but the insurance shock (way more than a wrx!) slowed me down a bit and i wen't oh hey the're making scions now! In many ways simmilarities exist between the two such as power and versatility and fun to drive factor. But the xb gets better gas milage though and insurance (at least for me) is way less. but when you get into the car its very odd beacuse its so big feeling! Very tall people can sit comfortably in front or back and the view is enjoyable out the windshield. Its almost the best off all car worlds really (well except the exotic sports car one)

In an xbless world i would be a P5 owner though so if your anything like me and you like your wives car you'll like the xB!

 

Believe me, they're NO HAGGLE. My dad's neighbor owns a Toyota dealership, and even he couldn't knock it down a dime. The only way he was able to hook me up at all was to give me an insane deal on financing, which I won't mention here because I don't think he'd like it advertised. Apparently even Scion EMPLOYEES can't get a discount on the price for themselves!

Maybe on the accessories you can bargain, but I got the basic version. I would assume the accessories are still cheaper aftermarket if you're into that stuff. Also if you got a slightly used one you might have more room to negotiate.

 

obz,
try and do as much home work on the car where you are as you can. then call some local dealerships and check their stock to see if they have the color/options you want. i live 30 min away from modesto and have heard very little about their dealership. its important to know what you want, and check a few dealerships to see if they have it in stock. be a shame for you to waste a trip out here and they not have what you want. Piercy Toyota in San Jose has proven to be a very favorable place to go (thats where i got mine) due to they usually carry a pretty good size inventory on hand. san jose is about 1 1/2 from modesto.

good luck!!!

 

Well, on the up side, there's a TON of Scion dealerships around Modesto. There's the one in San Jose that everyone recommends, not to mention one in Stockton, Fresno, Merced, Sacramento, Dublin. That's the beauty about Modesto, there's big towns EVERYWHERE!!! Anyone have any specific preferences? Like I said, I hear San Jose is a good dealership. How about anywhere a little closer??