Right now, I have a 2000 Celica GT. The car is OK, it has decent power, handles great, but, it was modified before I bought it, and the reliability is questionable at best. So, on that note, I have decided to trade it for something else.

I want to get something brand spanking new. On my list are the xB, Fit, Versa, Civic, and a few others. I drove an xB when they first came out and like it quite a lot. A few questions...

1) Since it has been 2 1/2 years, how do these handle? I don't expect them to be like the celica, but around turns, is body roll an issue? I know ride can be changed later, but I plan on doing minimal upgrades for now.

2) Im going to get a 5-spd, how easy is it to mis-shift with the stock set-up. Mis-shifting is a pretty common problem on the celica.

I think that is all for now, Im sure I will have more. Right now, the xB is at the top of the list, and the Fit is right under (Still need to test drive one).

 

the Fit seems to be a sportier car (if you can be sporty with 110hp) but not as comfortable. Alot of Fit owners complain about the lack of adjustablity with the seats. they cant find a comfortable position. While the xB is much nicer for along trip and you can make the xB handle better and go faster but you cant make the Fit comfortable (without spending serious $)

 

xB all the way baby.

1) handling is go-kart like on these. since they are city cars, they have very tight and sensitive steering. body roll is an issue, especially at stock height, as the xB has been rated with one of the highest rollover rates out of any car in the US. however, that can all be eliminated with moderate suspension tuning and such. it's not something to get overly concerned with. i love the handling, as it is a very involved driver.

2) i have auto. however, i hear mixed reviews on the manual. some love the way it works, some say it sucks. it's your call.

3) the '07s will never get there unless they release the RS 4.0 . either get one now or be prepared to get the MKII version of the xB, which won't be an xB anymore (though will carry over the box idea)

 

Mis-shifting is not an issue, I've never done that since I've had my xB.

 

Well,

From what I have been researching since I made this thread. The new one should be out soon. I was looking on toyota.jp and the bB seems nice. If it is going to be based around that or the new Corolla platform, I think i would be moreso interested in that.

 

we WONT be getting the new bB from Japan. We have no idea wahts its going to look like. The new models will be shown at Hot Import Nights in Miami in Jan.

 

"techgeekwill" sez:

1) is body roll an issue?

NO. It's a SWEET handling little car!

2) how easy is it to mis-shift with the stock set-up.

Never missed a shift with my 5-speed xB except a couple of downshifts from 5th to 4th. (Those attempts to go from 5th to 6th don't count! ;^)

3) When are the '07 models going to hit the dealers, since it is MY end, I won't buy a 2006 at full price.

'06 is your last chance. GO for it!

 

Im hesitant to buy a car at full market value when it is soon to be replaced. If they would offer a discount on '06's then I might be a little more inclined.

 

^ highly doubtful.

Even Used xBs sell for more than new. Once they stop making them, demand is gonna be nuts.
Get the 06 while you can.

 

Suuure. I highly doubt that an econobox appreciates.

 

Discount? On an xB when they can't keep enuf of on the lots for test drives?? Dreamer.

 

You can't beat the car for the money, and you can "play" with it a lot.

 

Depends where you are. A dealer 10 miles from me has had the same 5 cars for almost 2 months. They aren't flying off the lots like they used to.

 

"Suuure. I highly doubt that an econobox appreciates."
-well go look it up. they do.
I was car shopping with a friend of mine this weekend and there was an 06 xA with 5,000 mile son it and they wanted nearly 16,000 for it and it was stock!

 

This much is true. How are they reliability wise? My trust in "Toyota Quality" has pretty much disappeared when it comes to newer cars. I know that these share the same engine as a lot of JDM models, Euro, Yaris and Echo stateside, so I would imagine it should be pretty good.

Even though 2006 is the last year, I still want one. Just need to talk the other half into it.

 

I see a lot of them selling for that much, but it is the same as all other cars on dealer lots, they markup the price. I did look, They don't appreciate, but they sure as hell aren't selling cheaply.

 

I have almost 50k on mine with no problems. I have always been a fan of Toyota, my Celica had 275k on it before it died.

 

You must have had a 5th or 6th gen. 7th gen's are horrible. 50k is all I care to get to, when I get that far, it is getting sold.

 

It was a 3rd gen hatchback, I loved that car (sunroof, 5 speed) It was perfect when I got it, needed a new motor but still ran when I sold it.

 

Aren't you just a little ray of bitter sunshine!