I wouldn't buy this car for more than the 15g's I paid! Not even with sound deadening or whatever that is. The noise doesn't even bother me and plus I usually have the radio on and a couple kids in the box! lol

 

The xB is being bought by lots of older people, and young people. The xB is just that kind of car. You reach a certin age and you really don't care about the badge on your car. Kids care about what they are driving, but even to them the badge doesn't mater. The car is selling all over the place in the demographics to spite the kids car marketing why ____ money away on marketing, rebadgeing and dual product lines for the same product? If people buy xB's and don't want the Scion name on them they can remove the logo themselves, I think that was the original point anyway.

 

firstly, they created Scion because Toyota doesn't appeal to anyone under 45, 'cept tree huggers. etc.

They hoped that this entry level would make the owners of Scions eventually into a Toyota owner.

Secondly, if a car is marketed directly to you, age 45, it attracts 55 year olds and up. You can cast a wide net advertising to 18-34 and grab some 35-44, etc. because everyone thinks of themselves as at least 10 years younger in mind...

Enjoy the toy, 'cos that all the xB is.

 

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but when first brought in it was expected by Toyota that the xA would outsell the xB...

What has happened instead is that for every xA sold there are about two xBs sold, and the Echo has been discontinued.

So three vehicles on the same platform have met different fates, and the one called Toyota and aimed at adults (Echo) has failed and the funny looking utility box has demand exceding supply...

 

Not sure one could say the Echo, even though a Toyota, was aimed at adults. In fact, it might be argued the Scion brand, based on that platform came about because that little car, and its predecessors failed to lure the youth market.
With its demise, just maybe there is room under the Toyota banner to put in a mid or upscale boxish product.

Toyota execs could consider the xA a dissappointment as well - unless it met number projections while the xB just flat out exceded its.

One problem with building a more expensive version is putting into a stronger market segment??? As a $15,000 car there is little competition. That is, for something unique. When you tack another, say $10,000 on top of that the choices are expanded.

 

The only way ppl know my car is a SCION, is by the SCION badge on the steering wheel + its sold as a scion. All the other markings on the car ie: every peice of glass says toyota, would make ppl thinks its a yota & it is. I have the JDM bB badge on the front, seeing thats the way its sold as a toyota (the bB does not have any Toyota badge on it, other then the door seal plate & other things like our xB). You do have way to many badges on the thing.

As for those options, not sure what dealer you went to, but mine will install sunroofs, leather, cruise & anything else you want. The most they have sold a optioned xB for, was right around $23k. So if the dealer is good, then you can get just about anything you want. If it was sold as a Toyota, I would see it costing more in fact ie: option groups with options you dont need, want etc. So its just a taste full thing.

As for making your Scion look like a toyota, I dont see older Honda drivers making there cars look like Acuras Oh, also if you want the real up class, why not just go with Lexus badges?

 

If you want the XB marketed as a Toyota to appeal to people like yourself, then the car you have is not a good example of what you're looking for. You say you're not into "fast and furious", but you modded your car like crazy. I can't think of a single person I know over 50 who would do a fraction of what you've done to their cars. I know it was said in an earlier comment, but senior citizens who buy the XB leave it exactly as/is. You've done more modding than most teenagers who own this thing.
You don't exactly talk about Toyota in a postitive light ... EVERY review I've read about the Scion brand says Toyota hit a home run. ANYWAY, WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH?
And I agree, the back is crazy busy. You definitely need to pull some of that stuff off.
-fineEGOmaniac.

 

The whole point in the Scion brand was to go after the younger market which toyota has not been able to attract. So no, you old people keep your camry's and rav4's and let us young people bask in the brand of the Scion. j/k about old people but you know what I mean. And just in case you didn't, the post said make an xB for "grownups" which is what I am....just a younger version. tee hee hee

 

Having been in both an Echo and my xB, it's amazing to think that they are based on the same platform. The Echo is so cramped compared to the Scion that it's no surprise that Echo sales tanked after the Scion came out. Yes, an adult will fit in an Echo, but it fits like a glove with one's body as the fingers. Not roomy by any criteria.

The funny little utility box sells because it is a very utilitarian vehicle. Most buyers could care less about the gen Y hype no matter what the marketers say. The xB would have sold well whether it was a Scion or a Toyota because it is has a great design. 90% of the xBs I see around my community are not blinged out. The drivers are perfectly happy with the vehicle as delivered.

George

 

man, this thread has more lives than Freddy Krueger, first it dies, then it comes back, then dies, and comes back...10 months later...man...hope it dies for good this time...

 

They have the same engine/transmission/suspension. Saying they have the same "platform" is misleading.

But yeah, this thread was started by an incredibly verbose, painfully stupid middle age person who doesn't want to be seen in a "teenager" car.

 

Yeah and he hasn't found his way back here either!!!




JK

 

I have no intention of misleading. Please explain, in detail, the difference between sharing the components you mention and sharing a platform.
I suspect the industry has some standard to go by when making these references. I'd be curious to know what that is.

 

it is platform sharing. just different sheetmetal and a lengthened chassis.

 

[quote="Max2k"]They have the same engine/transmission/suspension. Saying they have the same "platform" is misleading. [quote]

But that's what the word "platform" means, in car-speak. Not included in the platform are interior and exterior styling, and optional/ancillary features.

RichC

 

I love this discussion.

My 73 year old mother just bought an xB.

For all the reasons discussed above, there's no need to alter the car itself for the non-youth market.

What they DO need, however, are marketing materials aimed at my parents. Frankly, my parents were turned off by the youth-only brochures and DVD.

That's the only thing they need to do to accommodate the people buying the cars. Make marketing materials that are aimed at the different segments. That's how you sell--you market appropriately.

But with respect to owning one, it's just a car.

 

What initially attracted me to the xB was the vertical A pillar. The A pillar and windshield are similar to what's on my 1991 Mazda truck, which was much easier for my 6'-2" to slide into than any car made these days.

Then I realized the xB was almost identical to a Minicooper in engine, weight and handling, but with room for four, and only $15.5 K loaded.

 

I'm well over 50 and I needed a replacement for my 89 Bronco, which will be used when going to the mountains, camping etc. I don't think I would have bought it due to the acceleration, trans, engine noise, except that my golf buddy drives an Echo, with essentially the same drivetrain. My riding in his Echo convinced me of the soundness, decent performance, and value of his Echo and prepared me for the noise, quick revs and shifts of the auto trans. The Bronco prepped me for the harsh ride and wind noise.
So thus prepared, at 30 MPG , with room, and $18,000 out the door (cruise control and security sys, arm rest , carpets, and $67 exhaust tip!)- I was sold and haven't had any buyers remorse ( 1 Month).

P.S. I have owned and drive weekly a '71 VW Bus, so I know how to go slow...

Ditto, my salesman re the old farts buying the xB - He had an 80 something couple come in and buy "His and Her" xBs!

 

holy old thread!!!!.......still relevant though

 

I hate this thread with a violent passion.