The salesman was kind of a dope. Didn't know much about the car.

First the handling, more body roll than I'd hoped for. I hear the strut bar upgrade is a big help. Is it safe to assume that I was driving an xB without the strut bar? I'd hate to imagine a car that rolls more than that. :p

The back seat leg room is unholy. I felt like I'd sold my soul to get that much space, and I haven't even decided for certain that I'm buying it. I think the space behind the seats is the stereo compartment. You know, where you put your huge subs and amps...

The stock radio was not very impressive. The dealer kept telling me the six disc is more powerful than the 1 disc, but now I'm thinking I'd have to build my own system from scratch. What affect would it have on the warranty if I pulled the factory stereo and put my own in? Anyone know?

Armrest?!? I noticed it was a big complaint in the 'worst thing about xB' thread. Is it an available option now?

Gas cap is on the driver side? Small quibble here. If you run out of gas on the highway, would you rather be standing on the side with the cars or the side with the grass while filling your tank? Drawback of getting a direct import I guess...

Finally, coming from an 86 corvette into an auto scion xB, I couldn't help but wonder if the car was broken when I pinned the throttle.

I hope no one takes these complaints TOO seriously. I really want a stylish, roomy, fuel efficient vehicle that is safer for snow duty and doesn't cost too much money. xB looks like it's a pretty good car overall.

 

Ok...body roll doesn't seem too bad to me, compared to a vette maybe/ armrests are available at many different afternarket companies, small issue/ stock radio isn't great, and no your warranty shouldn't be affected unless there's something that get's screwed up directly by the stereo install/ and finally for the love of God, get a stick shift!

 

I thought the body roll was non-existent coming from my previous car, but then again, it wasn't a Vette.

Scion has a sufficient armrest, ask your salesman.

I'd put money your xB did not have a strut tower brace. It does help the roll a lot, as do lowering springs.

I wouldn't be too concerned with a warranty issue over getting a new deck. With the new steering wheel controls on the factory deck, I wouldn't want to lose them by getting a new head unit. You can always add an amp and sub to the stock unit.

 

thanks guys. Nothing I posted about is a deal killer... I'm just trying to be informed about possible fixes for the small problems.

The strut tower brace and an aftermarket stereo look like essential items to me.

The dealer I talked to said no armrest, but maybe I need to talk to a different salesman.


As for power.... well hopefully I won't need to sell my other car.

Overall I liked the scion better than a rental Corolla I'd had about 3 years ago. Liked it a lot better actually. Also think there's more to like about it than any other car in the price range. Very good value I would say. I just need to make sure I'm not comparing it to A4s and Passats. :D

 

Keep the 'vette around for when you have that "Need for Speed". I'm doing the same with my 1.6L turbo civic =P.

--Dennis

 

Arm rests are available all over the internet and dealers in Texas have them. It is a 10 min. install. The strut bar is actually more cometic than effective, lowering springs would be better and you can install a bigger rear swar bar.

 

get another salesman. someone who dosen't know much about the vehicle shouldn't be selling it to you.

 

The 6 disc is no longer available.

 

This little guy is no speed demon, but it will hold it's own if you keep the gearing right. Even with the auto just turn of the OverDrive and keep the revs up and it goes quite well in traffic. Read the Box shoot-out in this month's Car and Driver where the xB finished first and averaged 6mpg more than the group. Quite impressive!

I came from a C32AMG Mercedes and the body roll of that car was about the same as the xB! I think the xB's cornering with the stock suspension is actually very good, but certainly this car can be tuned to act just about any way you want which is why I really like the box. There is a modded box in there that will fit just about anyone.

I'm 6'-3" and have had Porsches, Corvettes, MB...you name it and I have finally found a car that fits me and affords me the luxury of not having to move my seat forward when someone climbs in the back! In fact, when someone gets in the back I always say, "I'm sorry but my seat is as far back as it will go", which always gets a chuckle.

This is a great car and if they discontinue this particular model I am buying two more that I will mothball as replacements!

 

The armrest is/was definitely a dealer option. I bought mine from the dealer when I bought the car. I wish I would've waited a little longer and bought an aftermarket one as they are much cheaper, but armrests are available as an option from the dealer (or were when I bought my 2006 xB.)

 

>The salesman was kind of a dope. Didn't know much about the car.

Come to Toyota of Rochester (MN) and talk to Arlyn Ness -- he KNOWS his stuff!

> I'd hate to imagine a car that rolls more than that. :p

It hasn't been an issue with me; and I've been known to drive curves agressively!

>The back seat leg room is unholy. I felt like I'd sold my soul to get that much space,

You've sold hatch space for the leg room. Once in a while I'd still like the space my old clunky Grand Voyager had. But rarely.

>What affect would it have on the warranty if I pulled the factory stereo and put my own in? Anyone know?

No effect whatsoever unless you do something stupid. Then you're on your own, of course, but merely changing to non-factory anything can't void your warranty, as long as you didn't damage something in the process.

>Armrest?!? I noticed it was a big complaint in the 'worst thing about xB' thread. Is it an available option now?

I don't think so, but the aftermarket ones are really good -- and have no effect on the warranty either!

>Gas cap is on the driver side? Small quibble here. If you run out of gas on the highway, would you rather be standing on the side with the cars or the side with the grass while filling your tank?

Don't do that!

All of my cars have had a driver's side gas cap, and that's the correct side at the pump . . . .

>Finally, coming from an 86 corvette into an auto scion xB, I couldn't help but wonder if the car was broken when I pinned the throttle. :)

Keep the 'Vette! And get a xB with a stick. If you keep the revs up it can get out of its way quite well. I've driven in fast heavy city traffic and as long as I shifted pretty often I had no trouble keeping up.

>I hope no one takes these complaints TOO seriously. I really want a stylish, roomy, fuel efficient vehicle that is safer for snow duty and doesn't cost too much money. xB looks like it's a pretty good car overall.

Yup. I had my first experience with driving my xB in significant snow and I'm most impressed. It handles very well, stopping (ABS) and starting (traction control) and everything inbetween. The only thing I miss is the seat heaters that the Camry has, but I put in some sheepskin seat covers that are just about as nice until the heater starts putting out heat . . .

Enjoy your new xB!

 

You were driving without a strut bar. The strut bar connects the tops of the strut mounts under the hood. This adds a structural member across the upper part of the body where the suspension loads are tryng to flex it. It makes the body more rigid and less prone to twisting and shaking under bumps and cornering, which helps the handling feel.

Bu the strut bar has no effect on body roll. For that you want a rear sway bar. This bar connects the rear suspension arms, and is twisted when the body tries to roll. The torsional resistance of the bar to twisting prevents the car from leaning.

 

unless u were doing autocross, the strut bar will not help. compared to a vette, everything has more body roll. as far as the radio upgrade, unless they can prove that any problems came from the new radio, ur covered. my dad has had vettes since the 70's and he primarily keeps one around for those sunny days he can drop the top and go cruising. he is thinking of getting an xb since i got mine. don't expect a $16k car to compete with a vette cause it aint gonna happen. luv the xb for what it is. fun, economical, and a blast to fix up.

 

You're right, the "correct" side would be the passenger side of the car so that you would fill off the road. Typically, Japanese cars have the gas door on the left side because they are originally right hand drive. Most German cars have the gas door on the right. For some reason, US cars jump from left to right :?

The radio may not have been coded for the correct car. When I bought mine, it was coded for the tC. It seems to sound the best when coded for the xA though.

To get rid of body roll without really affecting the ride, add a rear sway bar. Springs will make more of a difference overall. Check the sticky threads at the top of the suspension forum for a comparison of stock vs aftermarket spring rates.

 

thanks all.

few suggestions about lowering springs... not an option that I'm keen on. My other car is more than low enough, I want something with a little bit more ground clearance. stiffer springs without lowering it? I'm new to suspension ideas since my current car is really actually sportier than I like. too stiff.

thanks for correcting me on strut bar vs sway bar. definately willing to try it.

automatic for me. i get tired of rowing the gears in my girlfriends' car, and it sounds like the gearbox isn't all that great anyways...
also i am anticipating massive highway driving therefore 600 less rpms = good.

radio. pre-amp outs? I would definately consider adding an amp and swapping out the speakers if the stock hu is capable. Need at least two to make it work.


Prefer the factory interior glow to the site listed. I don't like it bright. I prefer a very subtle glow.


thanks again guys...

 

No pre-amp outs, atleast not on the 05 but you can get an adapter that hooks up to the stock unit and adds the outs for $40-$60 off ebay. Ive never used it so im not sure how well it works.