I remember reading about these cars that were going to be sold in California first, then the rest of the country. Sold like Saturns - no price haggling. I was one of the first members to register from outside of California (NJxB) and was definitely the first person to register one of these cars in NJ. The car was shipped to me from San Francisco Toyota in September of 2003 and I met the truck driver at the Vince Lombardi rest stop on the NJ Turnpike. That was exactly 20 years ago today. And the car just keeps on going.

I briefly looked into selling the car in 2019 (Vroom offered me $350 - I was offended and never looked back), as it was taking up space in the driveway of my folk's house (bless them) and they wanted it gone (some people think the car is ugly). It needed some work, as it was a little neglected in the 8 years prior. In the last 4 years, I've put in a lot of love into it. Beyond just the basic maintenance items, two new sets of tires, all new suspension - everything, brakes all around, two wheel bearings, new exhaust, EVAP canister, alternator, starter, all the motor mounts, every bushing. The car feels as good as it did the day it came off the truck. I know I'm not alone when I say this - this car is legendary.

Just passed NJ inspection too! 197K



Here's to 20 more!

 

Oh Damnnnnnnnnnn!!! That's great! I'm pulling up on year 18 soon and unfortunately I am guilty as well on the period of neglect as I didn't have a driveway to work on it. I did what everyone else in NYC does, work on it on the street so it's really limited to what can be done. I've started replacing parts as well and it drives well (although I let it sit for 3-4 weeks and for the first time ever it had trouble starting, even though the battery is a new Champion AGM). Seems I may need to do sparks and ignition coils which I have the OEM. I do have to put an alignment shim in the rear because I think something is bent, although I've never been in an accident or banged it on a curb but I agree on these cars being absolute diamonds! Here's to another 20 with your darling!

 

Have you ever jacked the car up on the rear trailing arm? That can cause deformation.

 

I never did jack it up on the trailing arm but I have a few times on the axle. It's been like that since the ConEd truck backed into my car but that was only a tap and I never did any of my own work on the car during that time. I have a set of quick jacks now so no more jacking up on the subframe or jack points. I just did an oil change and took a look down there and it doesn't seem anything is bent but I'll take it in and have them put the shims in with an alignment to fix it once and for all. Afterwards, it's going to be a new exhaust going in which I'm glad to do. Can't believe how much doing your own work saves! Thanks!

 

Happy anniversary!

 

beautiful story and i am so happy to see someone taking such good care of their box when others really abused these to hell like you see on marketplace. i wish you many more years of happiness! we should have a gen1 xb meetup in manhattan or something

 

I agree with you folks,this is as much an icon as the vw vans,and bugs were.Great job armygreen xb,i treat great cars great too.
Im lucky to have just acquired a 2006 1 owner with 156k,our stories are going to be very similar,GREAT cars!!

 

Thanks guys! The car keeps going, 200K is right around the corner. I have to replace my valve stem seals and hope to do some rustproofing this summer, but besides that, it's a little beast.

 

It just makes me smile knowing others out there have such a reverent relationship to the coolest ride ever! I am on my second gen1 and couldn't be happier with it. Kudos on your ride and keep loving it! I imagine some day in the future, our cared for rides will be a highlight of car shows, a testament to cool and import ingenuity.

 

I just love these stories! I feel the same way....