Hello all!

I've had my box for about three months now. 7500 miles on it and it runs like a champ. Loving it to death.

I've honestly not had much chance to put it through any handing tests or just plain ol screw around in it, so I'm here for suggestions on how to do so safely but also helping myself get a better knowledge of the limits of my box.

I want to do this for two reasons:
1) FUN
2) I feel I'll be a safer driver in dangerous situations if I know the limits and abilities of my vehicle

There is a large stadium parking lot here commonly used for people testing their cars and such, so I think I have room to play without many people getting upset. I just want to know what should and shouldn't i try? what is and isn't safe? I don't know much about these things since this is the first vehicle i've owned that is possibly capable of being fun to drive

 

Sounds like you want to Autocross.

 

SAFETY???? I gotta show this one click on

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...018&highlight=

Yeah They are safe!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

you should try fwd drifting...all the cool kids are doing it
lol. just don't do anything stupid and be careful.

 

SAFETY FIRST!!!!! man

 

Ok, so i've gotten lots of safety replies and one suggestion of forward drifting.

Can someone tell me technique here? other ideas? I'm new to driving in any way other than boring toot-into-town kind of stuff.

 

I would start taking turns quicker. Get the feeling for the lean in turns. Just keep building speed to find your threshold.

Also, if you want to spend some money; get a rear sway bar (about $150). I wasn't as confident in the handling until I got one.

 

lol that wasn't a suggestion. I wouldn't advise attempting to drift the box. Sure pulling the e-brake and sliding out of control is fun, but it's in no way "drifting"

 

Well just tell me how to do something. I dont know anything about this. I dont know what qualifies a drift or not, nor what the xB itself can really pull off.

I'm ready to learn!

 

what exactly do those do, sway bars and all these bars confuse me.

 

A rear sway bar dramatically decreases body roll in turns. It feels like a whole different car when you add it. It's about $150 for either the TRD or Progress and the install takes 10 minutes.

 

o so it makes the handling better? what else can I do to improve handling and the ride thats under $150? I already got better shocks

 

ummm
springs will do wonders once you lower the center of gravity. really, if you want to have good handling, do all the suspension parts that are worth it. this includes springs, front strut bar, mid frame brace, rear sway, bushings, and your shocks.
also, removal of weight is always a good thing. i personally run without the spare (i just leave it in my garage, kinda iffy but whatever) and i try to eliminate any possible loose things and weights in the car

oh and good, grippy tires will probably ... 50-75% of your handling upgrade. tires will give you the best response that you can immediately feel.

 

ooo i see thanks, if i had $200, what things would u say I should get above the others

 

Since you already have the shocks I say get the rear bar first then later figure out how low if at all you want the box to sit. It will handle great with the stock springs so that is not something you "need" right away. You can also upgrade the front sway bar end links with the polyurethane ones from Energy Suspension for another 20 bucks or so.

 

yeah i gotta say everyone swears by the rear sway bar. its next on my list of mods to do, because SO many peple say that it changes the handeling, for the better, like no ones busniess. as far as i know dont do a front sway bar, worthless. but yeah take turns harder, try some trac off slides to get to know your box, find an empty parking lot and go ***** to the walls (just not too fast). i dont know what autocross is so lets have someone explain.... could also take it to a track if one is nearby? aight im out......

 

^^^ autocross is an SCCA sanctioned event that is set up in parking lots. It's a legal racing series where they setup a course with cones and participants drive around the the course and try to post the best lap times. it involves more handling and driver skill than pure engine power.

 

the rear sway bar definitely is a good investment IMO. It really improves the handling...I can hit the 25 mph cloverleafs here at 45 now with very little body roll and just a bit of tire squeal

 

I guess i should have just asked this way when i made the OP:

Can someone give me some step by step instructions for some fun/challenging maneuvers to do in an auto xB utilizing a large empty parking lot. A little sliding, maybe? i dunno what it can do and how to do it.

Thanks!

 

^^^ watch for that tip-over/rollover point. it's a bit trickier because our cars are taller.

i say lay out some cones. go to your local sports store and pick up some. then lay out some points where you can practice driving the apex/cornering. just get a feel on how comfortable you are taking the box to the limit. you'll probably get beeping and flashing lights on some runs. practice braking too, going from speed to slowing down and then tapping the gas to get a good corner entry and exit. if you're really adventurous, use the e-brake to get a power slide in around a cone. watch for bumps/cracks in the pavement.
really, my suggestion is to find a park that has good winding roads. those are probably the best places outside of a track to hone your skills. or seriously just dish up some money and take it to a track for professional instruction. it'll be worth it.