View Poll Results: Should Toyota market a Scion AND Toyota version of the xB?
Voters: 277. You may not vote on this poll
How about an xB for "grown-ups"?
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Originally Posted by Max2k
It, um, still is a funny looking little economy car made by toyota. All your bloviating about how older people are so much smarter and can see through the marketing is bull____. Generation Y is the most shamelessly marketed-to generation in history, we're a lot more media literate than you give us credit for.
When it comes down to it, the xB is the ideal car for teenagers for the same reasons it's a good one for older people. It's a toyota, which means there won't be many repair/upkeep costs. It's fuel-efficent, which means I can drive without breaking the bank or sending a ton of money to Saudi Arabia. It's got a great interior and awesome leg room. The motor isn't huge, but that's a good way to get parents on board for the purchase. The stereo has pretty much everything you could want from a car stereo. Oh yeah, and did I mention it looks cool?
When it comes down to it, the xB is the ideal car for teenagers for the same reasons it's a good one for older people. It's a toyota, which means there won't be many repair/upkeep costs. It's fuel-efficent, which means I can drive without breaking the bank or sending a ton of money to Saudi Arabia. It's got a great interior and awesome leg room. The motor isn't huge, but that's a good way to get parents on board for the purchase. The stereo has pretty much everything you could want from a car stereo. Oh yeah, and did I mention it looks cool?
The Toyota Bb was targeted at young city dwellers in Japan, nothing groundbreaking in it's segment except for it's more angular than usual styling----a roomy city car that meets the needs of someone who requires more room than the average subcompact car affords, but is unwilling or unable to sacrifice the low cost of owership and compact car manoverability.
It makes perfect sense that they would market this vehicle to the 18-25 year old segment. The Echo was originally intended to satisfy that group but fell far short of the mark. Toyota had an ready-made tried and true vehicle for the home market that would not only attract attention with it's unusual styling, but also nicely dovetailed into America's love of all things remotely truck or SUV-like in appearance.
Regardless of what Toyota's marketing inspirations may have been, I think we all agree that the merits of these little cars transcend demographics and appeal to just about anyone with an appreciation for intelligent, efficient design.
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Uh... I'll warn you.. Look Down 
This is a L O O O O O O N N N N G G G G G one!
:oops: Sorry! (Never have been a man of few words :D )
One of the obvious problems with overexplaining a point-of-view like I do is that the posts become so mecilessly long and include so many quotes that readers become confused about the details. I was not the one claiming that older people are so much smarter; an early reply made this claim and I strongly disagreed with that point of view. I even stated clearly that I think that Gen Y buyers are too smart to buy into a commercially marketed "kewl". Its like me trying to tell my 19 yr old son and 17 yr old daughter that they should buy something because I read that the manufacturer says it's supposed to be for young folks. When it comes down to it, I beleive that GenY buyers establish their own trends and Toyota trying to trick buyers into "joining" the "trend" is too thin to work.
For what it's worth, I stopped by my Scion dealer today. Almost the entire dealership came out to see my "Toyota" as word spread that I was out front. It attracted quite a crowd although there were several other xB's on-site. It was like a little carshow for about 20 minutes in front of the showroom! Unlike this thread, the browsing customers, salesmen, bodyshop techs, secretaries and other dealership employees had very favorable comments about the "conversion". Some of the most repeated questions were about the sources for the badges and red/amber OE style taillights and the amber front factory foglamps. Several salesmen in a small group at the rear were in agreement that they were equally amazed at how "convincingly" it could pass for a genuine factory Toyota set-up. Pretty much overall the same reaction I get from those that have seen my xB that were in on the joke as well.
The salesmen readily agree that the Scion marketing concept is not working overall for the xB; the tC and xA-YES but for the xB, a resounding NO!!. They and auto-reviewers insights and comments was were I got the idea to poll about the Toyota xB possibility to begin with! They see first-hand who is buying the xB and the overwhelming majority are older buyers who are buying it for all the anti-Scion, Toyota un-cool practical reasons that make all the special marketing hype unecessary. There are buyers within the market target-group (GenY), but these are in the minority and the dealers recognize that the "sell" is not working.
While the intent was obvious, trends are notoriously difficult to read. What makes a car a GenY fave is not something that a marketing strategy is necessarily going to have success putting a finger on. The sales figures that the dealers are turning in are saying the attempt to entice younger buyers is working with the xA and tC so far but is is not hitting the numbers with the xB.
It is only a matter of time if that trend continues that Toyota will recognize that, if the xB appeals to older buyers and not sufficient numbers of their current target, they will either need to retarget or shelve the model. For now it's all theory and conjecture; I'd be the first to admit that there is no crystal ball here. However, no corporation as successful as Toyota ignores sales figures or fails to track the effectiveness of their advertising/marketing against the actual buyer demographic that generates those sales.
There was a mild suggestion that there are rumors that a more aero xB-type like the Yaris (see early post with pictures) might arrive in the US shortly as part of the Toyota line-up. What would that mean for the future of "My Little Toaster"? Too early to tell.
AMEN!! I agree 1000%
What is it about us... I mean Americans.... that we seem to "attract" all these micro-brand divisions in our car companies? Too many years of Detroit brainwashing?
European and Japanese buyers have price-ranges and models from ultra-cheap to bucks-deluxe under the same Brand names without having to split them into specially-marketed cliques. Only here do we have to have the "luxury Toyota" as a Lexus and the "youngster Toyota" as a Scion; they are all just Toyota's in Japan. The youngsters know what's "young" and those looking for luxury understand that they are looking for a Soarer or a Harrier and not an Altis!
Even Benz has $30K models and $135K models under the same hood-star. (You have to cross $350K to go to the Maybach as a distinctive line.) Either the Japanese have completely misread us or... we really DO have a real thing for those brand-niche's. :?
The xB is called a 5dr wagon so you are correct that it is not an SUV.... BUT it is not a sedan with a DECKLID like the Corolla or Echo. The xB's sheer vertical hatch is more like the 4Runner, RAV4, or Sienna.
Besides... What? Are there rules for customizing badges? Look real hard and I'll bet real $$ you wont find any of my posts calling anybody elses modifications "silly" or "incorrect". What the hell is a Torneo? What took somebody so long to ask?
See below:
HA HA! I was wondering when somebody was finally going to say something about the Torneo. YEP it is a JDM Accord badge. I wanted to come up with a plausibly Toyota-sounding name for my rebadged xB and I was not satisfied with the JDM "bB" badges. They are okay (please don't anyone take offense) but I wanted a spelled-out name.
So far, everybody who has seen it has fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. They completely believe without reservation that this is a new model. The engine says "Toyota", the registration says "Toyota", and everything else on the xB (besides the OE badging) like the ID tag and all the glass says Toyota too. So why shouldn't they think it is a Toyota? Very very few people know of the Honda Torneo and even fewer have actually seen one. The "T" name sounds like it would follow a series of names like "Tacoma" or "Tundra". You can disagree all you want with that but I'm driving around in mine and I know it works.
Only you exceptionally savvy Scion folks and a very select few are not taken in.
:D
Good for you! Nobody generally is too concerned what anyone drives unless you are part of the Maybach/Rolls/Bentley crowd and park your xB in the "Reserved for CEO" slot. It might suggest that your stock is in trouble!
:o
I gave what I thought was one of a couple of plausible reasons for engaging in what has been a fun project for me; rebadging an xB to its corporate roots. I don't seriously think that what I drive would have any measurable effect on my ability to turn a buck; my customers call me because I have been there for them for 25 years and I take good care of them and make them happy. As long as I don't leave oil and rusted-off parts in the driveway, they are ok. However, you will have to give me credit for knowing MY customers, not simply by region or income-group, but individually in person. Conducting business often begins as I pull up in the drive and at the car when I leave, passing their cars en-route. A fair number of them are interested in what I drive and like to talk cars; theirs and mine. For those that do, my Toyota is unique among an already unusual group of current vehicles. Many of my customers are Honda and Toyota fans. Badging to Toyota gave me a creative outlet to personalize my xB and make it unique whereas a JDM body kit, 18" alloys, and heavy vinyl street-racer graphic's over wild color-changing pearl-paint would hardly go over as a serious businessman's serious vehicle. The Toyota on the otherhand comes across as a smart practical choice with very little explanation. I have had several customers that said they would have considered buying one of these but seeing only the Scion's and not knowing the Toyota-connection, assumed that these were not serious transportation but an unknown company's attempt at a trendy "kiddie-car".
So... You shouldn't try to read to much into it and try making comparisons. I'm not asking anyone on this BBS to agree or understand. I am very successful at what I do and being in tune with some of the subtler aspects of my own "marketing" strategies to tune in with customer perceptions and moods is a cashable asset that works for me. This hobbyist thread can disagree all it wants but its all immaterial anyway. I have no vested interest in changing any of the readers minds here and they are sure as anything not going say something illuminating that will contravene what personal experience in my own context has proven for me to be incontrovertable fact.
We could agree to disagree here and not bother to waste anymore of anyone's time slinging personal assaults about the merit (or lack of merit) behind my reasons for changing my badges.
I am likewise not seeking my customer's "approval" anymore than I am looking for "validation" from Scion owners on this website. I'm "secure" enough to tell you that I LIKE MY BADGES exactly the way they are. (I never advocated that anyone should remove theirs either, so I accept the same remarks from xB owners who like their OE emblems; to each his own.)
Unless something catastrophic happens to it
my xB will be adding a 100+ miles a day to its odometer as it cruises Southeastern Virginia roads and will be seen parked in front of mobile homes and 10,000 square feet Colonials in gated communities, Torneo badges... Toyota badges and all. And the great thing is, based on the general pulse of xB owners on this site, it will likely be completely exclusive as only a few seem to think my rebadging was a neat idea and it is unlikely to start a trend .....
Unless... Toyota decides to remarket the xB as a Toyota afterall! :twisted:
Not that it really matters to me. I already got my Toyota!
Now... I think the word is "peace out"
I've got $$ to make
This is a L O O O O O O N N N N G G G G G one!
:oops: Sorry! (Never have been a man of few words :D )
It, um, still is a funny looking little economy car made by toyota. All your bloviating about how older people are so much smarter and can see through the marketing is bull____. Generation Y is the most shamelessly marketed-to generation in history, we're a lot more media literate than you give us credit for.
For what it's worth, I stopped by my Scion dealer today. Almost the entire dealership came out to see my "Toyota" as word spread that I was out front. It attracted quite a crowd although there were several other xB's on-site. It was like a little carshow for about 20 minutes in front of the showroom! Unlike this thread, the browsing customers, salesmen, bodyshop techs, secretaries and other dealership employees had very favorable comments about the "conversion". Some of the most repeated questions were about the sources for the badges and red/amber OE style taillights and the amber front factory foglamps. Several salesmen in a small group at the rear were in agreement that they were equally amazed at how "convincingly" it could pass for a genuine factory Toyota set-up. Pretty much overall the same reaction I get from those that have seen my xB that were in on the joke as well.
The salesmen readily agree that the Scion marketing concept is not working overall for the xB; the tC and xA-YES but for the xB, a resounding NO!!. They and auto-reviewers insights and comments was were I got the idea to poll about the Toyota xB possibility to begin with! They see first-hand who is buying the xB and the overwhelming majority are older buyers who are buying it for all the anti-Scion, Toyota un-cool practical reasons that make all the special marketing hype unecessary. There are buyers within the market target-group (GenY), but these are in the minority and the dealers recognize that the "sell" is not working.
While the intent was obvious, trends are notoriously difficult to read. What makes a car a GenY fave is not something that a marketing strategy is necessarily going to have success putting a finger on. The sales figures that the dealers are turning in are saying the attempt to entice younger buyers is working with the xA and tC so far but is is not hitting the numbers with the xB.
It is only a matter of time if that trend continues that Toyota will recognize that, if the xB appeals to older buyers and not sufficient numbers of their current target, they will either need to retarget or shelve the model. For now it's all theory and conjecture; I'd be the first to admit that there is no crystal ball here. However, no corporation as successful as Toyota ignores sales figures or fails to track the effectiveness of their advertising/marketing against the actual buyer demographic that generates those sales.
There was a mild suggestion that there are rumors that a more aero xB-type like the Yaris (see early post with pictures) might arrive in the US shortly as part of the Toyota line-up. What would that mean for the future of "My Little Toaster"? Too early to tell.
ok just had a thought
this would almost be like the GM thing posted earlier in this thread. the Aztec (ugliest thing in the world) shares the same stuff with the Buick Rendezouis (cant spell) it just wouldnt work out. how can you maks a xB be different for the Toyota side of things. my car is already registered in NY as a toyota so it becomes confusing already. what is your car regestered as. i tell everyonre its a toyota scion xB thats so i dont have to explain about toyota this and scion that and Lexus this. and since sales showed that Toyota customers arent as youns as the honda/acura croud or anything like that.
in my opinion i dont think there should be a lexus or an infiniti or a Acura brands. its just too confusing for everyone.
this would almost be like the GM thing posted earlier in this thread. the Aztec (ugliest thing in the world) shares the same stuff with the Buick Rendezouis (cant spell) it just wouldnt work out. how can you maks a xB be different for the Toyota side of things. my car is already registered in NY as a toyota so it becomes confusing already. what is your car regestered as. i tell everyonre its a toyota scion xB thats so i dont have to explain about toyota this and scion that and Lexus this. and since sales showed that Toyota customers arent as youns as the honda/acura croud or anything like that.
in my opinion i dont think there should be a lexus or an infiniti or a Acura brands. its just too confusing for everyone.
AMEN!! I agree 1000%
What is it about us... I mean Americans.... that we seem to "attract" all these micro-brand divisions in our car companies? Too many years of Detroit brainwashing?
European and Japanese buyers have price-ranges and models from ultra-cheap to bucks-deluxe under the same Brand names without having to split them into specially-marketed cliques. Only here do we have to have the "luxury Toyota" as a Lexus and the "youngster Toyota" as a Scion; they are all just Toyota's in Japan. The youngsters know what's "young" and those looking for luxury understand that they are looking for a Soarer or a Harrier and not an Altis! Even Benz has $30K models and $135K models under the same hood-star. (You have to cross $350K to go to the Maybach as a distinctive line.) Either the Japanese have completely misread us or... we really DO have a real thing for those brand-niche's. :?
bBlover wrote:
If you don't mind me asking WHAT THE HELL IS A TOYOTA TORNEO????!!!!!! The Toyota work emblem isn't in the right place look at a corolla or echo and see how the emblems are placed. THe xB is not an suv .
If you don't mind me asking WHAT THE HELL IS A TOYOTA TORNEO????!!!!!! The Toyota work emblem isn't in the right place look at a corolla or echo and see how the emblems are placed. THe xB is not an suv .
Besides... What? Are there rules for customizing badges? Look real hard and I'll bet real $$ you wont find any of my posts calling anybody elses modifications "silly" or "incorrect". What the hell is a Torneo? What took somebody so long to ask?
See below:
The Torneo is a HONDA!
HA HA! I was wondering when somebody was finally going to say something about the Torneo. YEP it is a JDM Accord badge. I wanted to come up with a plausibly Toyota-sounding name for my rebadged xB and I was not satisfied with the JDM "bB" badges. They are okay (please don't anyone take offense) but I wanted a spelled-out name. So far, everybody who has seen it has fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. They completely believe without reservation that this is a new model. The engine says "Toyota", the registration says "Toyota", and everything else on the xB (besides the OE badging) like the ID tag and all the glass says Toyota too. So why shouldn't they think it is a Toyota? Very very few people know of the Honda Torneo and even fewer have actually seen one. The "T" name sounds like it would follow a series of names like "Tacoma" or "Tundra". You can disagree all you want with that but I'm driving around in mine and I know it works.
Only you exceptionally savvy Scion folks and a very select few are not taken in.
:D
I'm 54 years old and have two grandchildren. I have 76 miles on my new xB, silver Scion.
I live in a nice neighborhood of San Diego and no body cares at all about what I drive if it isn't a 550 SL. I make calls on some of the most wealthy people in San Diego and I'll be happy to drive up Mt. Solodad in my Scion.
It just seems to me that you went to a lot of work to kiss the butt of people who you should ignore.
I live in a nice neighborhood of San Diego and no body cares at all about what I drive if it isn't a 550 SL. I make calls on some of the most wealthy people in San Diego and I'll be happy to drive up Mt. Solodad in my Scion.
It just seems to me that you went to a lot of work to kiss the butt of people who you should ignore.
Good for you! Nobody generally is too concerned what anyone drives unless you are part of the Maybach/Rolls/Bentley crowd and park your xB in the "Reserved for CEO" slot. It might suggest that your stock is in trouble!
:o I gave what I thought was one of a couple of plausible reasons for engaging in what has been a fun project for me; rebadging an xB to its corporate roots. I don't seriously think that what I drive would have any measurable effect on my ability to turn a buck; my customers call me because I have been there for them for 25 years and I take good care of them and make them happy. As long as I don't leave oil and rusted-off parts in the driveway, they are ok. However, you will have to give me credit for knowing MY customers, not simply by region or income-group, but individually in person. Conducting business often begins as I pull up in the drive and at the car when I leave, passing their cars en-route. A fair number of them are interested in what I drive and like to talk cars; theirs and mine. For those that do, my Toyota is unique among an already unusual group of current vehicles. Many of my customers are Honda and Toyota fans. Badging to Toyota gave me a creative outlet to personalize my xB and make it unique whereas a JDM body kit, 18" alloys, and heavy vinyl street-racer graphic's over wild color-changing pearl-paint would hardly go over as a serious businessman's serious vehicle. The Toyota on the otherhand comes across as a smart practical choice with very little explanation. I have had several customers that said they would have considered buying one of these but seeing only the Scion's and not knowing the Toyota-connection, assumed that these were not serious transportation but an unknown company's attempt at a trendy "kiddie-car".
So... You shouldn't try to read to much into it and try making comparisons. I'm not asking anyone on this BBS to agree or understand. I am very successful at what I do and being in tune with some of the subtler aspects of my own "marketing" strategies to tune in with customer perceptions and moods is a cashable asset that works for me. This hobbyist thread can disagree all it wants but its all immaterial anyway. I have no vested interest in changing any of the readers minds here and they are sure as anything not going say something illuminating that will contravene what personal experience in my own context has proven for me to be incontrovertable fact.
We could agree to disagree here and not bother to waste anymore of anyone's time slinging personal assaults about the merit (or lack of merit) behind my reasons for changing my badges.
I am likewise not seeking my customer's "approval" anymore than I am looking for "validation" from Scion owners on this website. I'm "secure" enough to tell you that I LIKE MY BADGES exactly the way they are. (I never advocated that anyone should remove theirs either, so I accept the same remarks from xB owners who like their OE emblems; to each his own.)
Unless something catastrophic happens to it
my xB will be adding a 100+ miles a day to its odometer as it cruises Southeastern Virginia roads and will be seen parked in front of mobile homes and 10,000 square feet Colonials in gated communities, Torneo badges... Toyota badges and all. And the great thing is, based on the general pulse of xB owners on this site, it will likely be completely exclusive as only a few seem to think my rebadging was a neat idea and it is unlikely to start a trend .....Unless... Toyota decides to remarket the xB as a Toyota afterall! :twisted:
Not that it really matters to me. I already got my Toyota!
Now... I think the word is "peace out"
I've got $$ to make
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i did not vote yet, because i don't really care about what i think matches up to what the others think on this post. But i did want to say...
i think they should remarket it with a left turn signal Constantly on, Heater in Full blast, Talk Radio (only), and it should be loud enough that you just can't make out what they're saying unless you squint and put your ear right next to the speaker.
Then they should rebadge it under the "Senior" badge. i think it might sell....he he he
i think they should remarket it with a left turn signal Constantly on, Heater in Full blast, Talk Radio (only), and it should be loud enough that you just can't make out what they're saying unless you squint and put your ear right next to the speaker.
Then they should rebadge it under the "Senior" badge. i think it might sell....he he he
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As funny as I find that only 7 people disagree out of the 91 people who voted, why oh why did you have to dig up an OLD post, Wesman. No pun intended, this thread is ancient. The last time anybody posted was almost a year ago. . . last December, in fact, which qualifies as LAST year. That's 2004!!!!
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i just search for a keyword, and this popped up, i didn't even notice how old the thread was when i posted in it. Didn't really care either. Some new scionlifer will probably find this interesting and continue to post here.
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From: Port Orchard, Washington
That is the XB.
A clean slate to mod as one sees fit. One is sporty lowered with engine
upgrades, one is stock with hub caps, and one is used as a sales billboard.
Unique diversity by design. One might think maturity can be told by the
type of mods you perform. As I have see, maturity makes no difference,
its the pleasure and style of the individual that makes the car.
Myself 43 years of age.
Xb used as a daily driver, lowered with rims, bolt on upgrades, and a nice
stereo. Its what you make out of it.
A clean slate to mod as one sees fit. One is sporty lowered with engine
upgrades, one is stock with hub caps, and one is used as a sales billboard.
Unique diversity by design. One might think maturity can be told by the
type of mods you perform. As I have see, maturity makes no difference,
its the pleasure and style of the individual that makes the car.
Myself 43 years of age.
Xb used as a daily driver, lowered with rims, bolt on upgrades, and a nice
stereo. Its what you make out of it.
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Another 'more mature' driver here - 59 this year.
I thought about this and decided I don't mind the "Scion" tag at all. I don't need it to be called a Toyota here, even though it is in the rest of the world.
Since there is an apreciable 'older' buyer segment interested in this vehicle simply because it's not 'mainstream' and it's extremely practical.
I would be quite satisfied if Toyota/Scion would come out with some 'more practical' options (cruise control, serious interior lighting, etc.) rather that the primarily "flash" options (multicolor cup-holder lighting, slippery pedal trim, etc.)
I don't need to be separated from the 'youth culture' buyers, I bought my odd little box 'cause I like it, but I'd also like to buy some options that make sense.
I find it faintly ridulous that I can by fancy underdash/underseat/cupholder lighting in 'fashion' colors, but that I can't buy a decent overhead light for the cargo area or a set of decent maplights for the front.
Don't discontinue the 'flash' and 'bling', just add some 'practical' for those (of ANY age) who want it...
I thought about this and decided I don't mind the "Scion" tag at all. I don't need it to be called a Toyota here, even though it is in the rest of the world.
Since there is an apreciable 'older' buyer segment interested in this vehicle simply because it's not 'mainstream' and it's extremely practical.
I would be quite satisfied if Toyota/Scion would come out with some 'more practical' options (cruise control, serious interior lighting, etc.) rather that the primarily "flash" options (multicolor cup-holder lighting, slippery pedal trim, etc.)
I don't need to be separated from the 'youth culture' buyers, I bought my odd little box 'cause I like it, but I'd also like to buy some options that make sense.
I find it faintly ridulous that I can by fancy underdash/underseat/cupholder lighting in 'fashion' colors, but that I can't buy a decent overhead light for the cargo area or a set of decent maplights for the front.
Don't discontinue the 'flash' and 'bling', just add some 'practical' for those (of ANY age) who want it...
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Originally Posted by WeeMan
i just search for a keyword, and this popped up, i didn't even notice how old the thread was when i posted in it. Didn't really care either. Some new scionlifer will probably find this interesting and continue to post here.
I just figured that after 4 pages of heated debate, it had come to decent conclusion. . . it just sucks to light the flame to old arguments debates. . . . . . one thing I always wonder about old threads, is whether or not people actually read through all the posts, or just read the first one and post their opinion (which may or may not have been stated 8 kagillion fofillion times in previous posts). I have no idea. . .
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I think we just all have to calm down and realize that we have a fuel-efficient, economy car that looks like a box. If you are not mature enough to deal with it, than don't buy one, but if you do...why all this silly angst over trying to "impress" somebody with a $15,000 econo-box!! Good grief. The kids can play with it and add things to it and drop it and tint it and paint it and stick doo-dads all over it. The grown ups drive it because it is inexpensive, reliable, great mileage, lots of room! And that's that. Deal with it.
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I bought my xB because it was ideal for our needs, as it stood there, and because it was a Toyota.
I don't care if it *says* Toyota or Scion on it. Labels don't matter. The only reason I'm happy about the Scion brand is the no-haggle policy. If it were a Toyota I'd have had to dicker over the price, and I hate that. And these days, it's entirely possible the dealer would be charging more than sticker price.
I agree with Tomas that the emphasis on fashion over functionality in the available mods is a weakness. Fortunately, none of the missing stuff is critical; a stock xB is a fully functional and highly desirable car just as it is.
RichC
I don't care if it *says* Toyota or Scion on it. Labels don't matter. The only reason I'm happy about the Scion brand is the no-haggle policy. If it were a Toyota I'd have had to dicker over the price, and I hate that. And these days, it's entirely possible the dealer would be charging more than sticker price.
I agree with Tomas that the emphasis on fashion over functionality in the available mods is a weakness. Fortunately, none of the missing stuff is critical; a stock xB is a fully functional and highly desirable car just as it is.
RichC
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OMG!
I didn't even realize this was an old thread, I don't look at the dates.
Anyways....if you wanted a Toyota brand name you should have bought a Toyota branded car. Who cares how old you are? Making excuses for why you bought a cheap different looking car? Then over doing the emblems why? To make sure ppl know its a Toyota brand? All ppl have to do it "look it up" Im sure they have internet if they're so high and mighty! lol
We bought ours, well wait we wanted ours before we even knew it was a Toyota! We loved it ON SIGHT!! Then found it was a Toyota and that made is seem even better!! I dont care what name is on it we would have bought it with Toyota emblems! I think most ppl would have but I also think the name Scion is used for orginiality and maybe to be unique like the car looks! It fits why change that!!
Age ain't nothing but a number!!!
I didn't even realize this was an old thread, I don't look at the dates.
Anyways....if you wanted a Toyota brand name you should have bought a Toyota branded car. Who cares how old you are? Making excuses for why you bought a cheap different looking car? Then over doing the emblems why? To make sure ppl know its a Toyota brand? All ppl have to do it "look it up" Im sure they have internet if they're so high and mighty! lol
We bought ours, well wait we wanted ours before we even knew it was a Toyota! We loved it ON SIGHT!! Then found it was a Toyota and that made is seem even better!! I dont care what name is on it we would have bought it with Toyota emblems! I think most ppl would have but I also think the name Scion is used for orginiality and maybe to be unique like the car looks! It fits why change that!!
Age ain't nothing but a number!!!
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 307
From: TwinTiers -- NY/PA
Re: How about an xB for "grown-ups"?
Originally Posted by TorneoDude
:D Hello All.
Not to start off knocking Toyota's marketing
Not to start off knocking Toyota's marketing
They've certainly attracted a younger demographic to Toyota - with the ultimate goal of keeping them around - stepping through the brands via Scion - Toyota - and ultimately Lexus.
By creating this 'kids brand' they lured a financially challenged adult to Toyota. I really can't see myself in a compact car other than the xB. Maybe an ego thing. I started my shopping for used midsize wagons before being sucked in by the xB.
I believe the local dealer here is dissapointed by the low sales of the Scion brand here. At the same time they do not 'market' it much more than hanging the shingle out. That's OK by me. I've driven enough nondiscript cars through the years it is nice to have something a bit different.
That said - an all wheel drive, up-powered, reskinned, luxury version - for say $25,000 plus might interest some. I'd look at it after it had a couple years and a few miles on it. Someone has to buy other's used up vehicles. I was real close to testing a 'clean' Volvo wagon before Consumer's Report talked me out of it.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 575
From: Las Vegas & Norwalk
I believe they can not make they're demand! Just "try" to get any Scion here in LV and you will see! They are sold before they hit the dock in Long Beach!! I've been trying to get one for over two months. For "some" reason they aren't sending the one I want to any dealerships here!!!
I've given up I think and just decided to keep mine and go from here. Funny thing is tho I dont really see that many Scions on any given day. A lot of tC's mostly too.
I've given up I think and just decided to keep mine and go from here. Funny thing is tho I dont really see that many Scions on any given day. A lot of tC's mostly too.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 307
From: TwinTiers -- NY/PA
Wow! Just looked at the poll numbers. Certainly am in the minority again.
Seems odd, so many show such a distinct defense of the Scion xB.
Sharing 'platforms' is a common, and 'parts bin technology' is WISE.
Does anyone have the sales numbers for the Echo, the xA, and the xB. One platform - Two brands - Three Models. All very distinct on the surface.
One more (read Lexus) wouldn't be that expensive an experiment for Toyota to try.
As long as it showed different lines, improved suspension, more power, more luxurious interior (Replace the hard plastic with something more supple), and sound deadening materials.
Again, I wouldn't buy it NEW - but would certainly look at the USED lot a couple-3 years down the road. Who knows - TheWife might even be interested.
Seems odd, so many show such a distinct defense of the Scion xB.
Sharing 'platforms' is a common, and 'parts bin technology' is WISE.
Does anyone have the sales numbers for the Echo, the xA, and the xB. One platform - Two brands - Three Models. All very distinct on the surface.
One more (read Lexus) wouldn't be that expensive an experiment for Toyota to try.
As long as it showed different lines, improved suspension, more power, more luxurious interior (Replace the hard plastic with something more supple), and sound deadening materials.
Again, I wouldn't buy it NEW - but would certainly look at the USED lot a couple-3 years down the road. Who knows - TheWife might even be interested.
