hey guys, im new to the site. im a 21 year old male from south jersey. i am a full time college student and i work full time at circuit city. i have a daughter that will be 2 in october and i recently found out that my fiance is pregnant again and we will have another little one in april. i think it is time that my 03 vw gti gets traded in for somthing bigger. i was on edmunds website and the reviews for the xb is rated extremely high!

i always kind of had a thing for the "toaster" but i want to know a little more about it. i have been reading and people have commented on replacing the windshield once and even twice. what is the issue with the windsheild? i found a topic on mileage and it seemed that all the xb's with high mileage had the automatic trans. is this true? do the clutches really go by 40,000 miles? i understand a clutch is a wear item, so do those people just have an aggressive driving style? also, for those who have driven both the auto and the manual, did you notice any performace differences? (i know its not a fast car, but any little bit will help when i am giving up a high 13 second car, haha) another question i have is about the suspension. i do not plan on lowering the car to keep the best ride quality as possible. quite a few reviews said that the ride quality was pretty bad. how true is this? i currently have a sport suspension on my car with a 1.5" drop, and the ride is horrible. i really hope i can get some assurance that it is better then what i have now.

other then that, overall reliability seems very good. just normal oil changes. any recomendations for oil? and oil filter? tranny fluid or gear oil changes how often?

is there any other known issues? interior? exterior? powertrain?

also, how is the car when it comes to kids? car seats? etc?


thanks guys. i am lookin foward to what you have to say!

 

Dude--mega questions. Do some searching.

Autos---no power
Manuals--a weak clutch--but not a disaster
Windshields--they are big and vertical--thus rock magnets
Dropped--it is a little stiffer, but not bad at all--muck better cornering after the drop and front strut bar
Speed--TheyBSlow
Fun Value--off the charts

 

my response to your query will fall into 2 categories: family vs. fun.

the xB as a family wagon is unbeatable for the size and price. it has crazy cargo room and the auto transmission is actually VERY GOOD and smooth. the manual is pretty smooth too, but nothing to get all giddy about. kids love the box. reliability is unbeatable, and as a family wagon, that is one of the biggest issues.

the fun factor of the car is also unbeatable, as it is a kart-like setup and very responsive due to lightness. the suspension on the xB is not bad either. it does have stiffer spring rates than many other cars out there, but that can be changed to your liking. also, there are bushing and shock options in the aftermarket to make the ride very plush. just look around the forums for Energy Suspension and Monroe Shocks. the reviews that said the ride was pretty bad was most likely because the reviewers aren't used to such a unique car setup.

 

IMO, the xB for a family of four (with 2 toddlers) will be too small for you. If you're planning to haul strollers and all the baby stuffs, it will be to tight in the box. I myself have one child and find the box just right. There are times that I fold down half of the back seat just to accomodate more stuffs.

 

welcome to the boards! I use my xB for work driving 500 to 750 miles per week. Mine is dropped 1.5" and has 18" tires, it is also an automatic.
I enjoy my box very much. It is dependable and gets me where I going at about 30mpg. Storage space is top notch! Hope this helps.

 

I dont think you can beat the xB for the amount of internal space and great mileage. This is an economy car in every sense, but an extremely functional one.
People saying that the xB wont work with two kids is silly. What other options do they recommend? a big old 12 gallon per mile SUV? With gas at $3 a gallon, and a dude with 2 kids working at circuit city?!! He's just starting out! As far as a new car, this is probably the most affordable DECENT car out there. This thing has way more internal space than any sedan you're going to find...and as far as the clutch: 69,000 miles on stock clutch with no failings.

Also, this is a Toyota product. 100% made in Japan.
When American companies make a crappy product- they shrug their shoulders and go out for a beer.
When Japanese companies make a crappy product- they feel ashamed and go home and kill themselves.
(^^^This part is kind of a joke, but the rest of my post is serious)

 

Plus it would be a whole lot cheaper to get a roof rack with a basket for the strollers than pay 2.50/ gallon for the poor mileage SUV's

 

My wife and I have 6 kids. We gave up the 12 passenger van 1.5 months ago because the amount we were paying for gas made no sense.

So now I drive a 2007 SRP xB with manual transmission, and my wife drives a 2001 silver Camry. It means we are always taking 2 cars, but it was either that or find another 8 passenger vehicle. It is actually cheaper to own and run the two cars than any 8 passenger worth having.

So, to answer your questions:
1. Windshield. The windshield on this car is very thin. Moreover, it is upright. When a rock hits it, the chances of the windshield breaking are higher than with most other cars. There are aftermarket windshields which are thicker and not prone to this.
2. Mileage. With my manual transmission, I average 29.5 mpg with city driving - nothing over 45, lots of lights, etc. Highway driving I average 36 - i keep it between 65 and 80. The amount of cargo you are carrying will affect your mpg, as this car is very light. I generally drive very conservatively, but I do enjoy some aggressive night time driving with the windows open, etc.
3. Clutch Life. So far so good, but only 2k miles.
4. Automatic / Manual Performance Differences. I test drove both. I was unimpressed with the automatic. If it is a commuter car, maybe. But coming from a gti, I think you will be unhappy with it. The best word for the manual transmission is probably "peppy". The car is not a powerhouse, but the gearing on the manual is designed to do as much as can be done with it. For some reason the transmission / behavior remind me a lot of the 1985 VW Rabbit.
5. Suspension / Ride. The suspension is stiffer than a sedan, but not bad. I feel the roads much more in the xB than in the Camry. For me this is a good thing. It is not uncomfortable, but it is not smooth either. There are many products to both stiffen and soften the ride if it becomes an issue. While I've never ridden in your car, I'd bet that the stock ride is noticeably smoother than what you are used to.
6. There are many known issues (do a search on wiper). The nice thing is that most of them are documented here. Moreover, I haven't really found any truly serious issues (unless you count the incompetence of some of the dealers - others, such as many of those on this board, are better).
7. Kids and Car Seats. I have 2 children in carseats right now. Is it tight? Not unless you have to sit between them. As far as carrying all the gear, the cargo compartment is relatively small if you can't put down the seat, such as when using 2 car seats. I'll admit I've never tried to put 2 car seats on the 60 part of the folding seat, and then to fold down the 40 part, but I'd guess this wouldn't work well - atleast not with full sized carseats. With even the 60 part of the seat folded down, cargo room is wonderful. The thing I have found with carseats, however, is that the children who need them almost never use any of the footwell. As such, i usually end up putting strollers, diaper bag, etc there. I routinely have one carseat in there with both a 220 lb teen ager and a 180 lb teenager. With a carseat, this is not comfortable, but doable. Putting kids into carseats is normally a headache, given the low ceiling of most vehicles. The xBs higher ceiling makes this much nicer, with much less contorting required.

I think that is most of what you asked.

I am fairly biased. I love Toyotas in general, and my xB in particular. Family trips aren't bad, with each car holding a parent, a large teen ager, a younger child, and a toddler/infant. There is ample space. I will say, however, that long road trips with two in carseats will require that you pack the cargo area and the rear footwells to capacity. That said, I really don't think you will regret it. It's like a family wagon that's fun to drive.

 

my box is the first import i have ever owned and we got it because of high safety ratings/features, great mileage and new(generally=reliable). we have one and twins enroute and i did a test fit with 3 cars seats across the back no real issue. bags will fit in the foot wells behind front seats and stroller will fit in the back(even easier now because i removed the spare/cargo gimmick)

also as someone above pointed out you could always get the rack.

if you are lookin for a racy little wagon then this isn't the car for you unless you're looking to turbo it and even then i wouldn't hold my breath.

i've had over 1000#'s of people in the car and noticed the weight but wasn't the end of the world.

mine is an auto which i don't find esp anemic but then again i wasn't looking for performance when i bought this thing either(if i want performance i hope in the s-10 with 400HP)

bottom line i think you'll be fine

 

Hello all, I did a few searches for ride height and entry/exit, but found nothing relevant. I figured I could just piggyback on this post.

I've done about all the research I could think of on the xB, short of actually going in and sitting in one. I've found most of my other answers here, but I was wondering about one thing specifically... How easy is it to get into and out of the xB? Is it more similar to a car, like a Corolla, or is it more of a slide in feel like from a small pickup?

Just for reference, I have a Crown Vic, so there is lots of room to get in, but you practically have to limbo to get down that far. My Aerio was the same way, except a tighter fit. I know my own experience may be different, but I'd just like to hear what other people think. I'm 6'2" and weigh 240.

Thank you.

 

We have a 50 pound 3 year old and 30 pound 11 month old both large boys. They are expected to be mid 6 and half foot and will fit fine in the back seat through the years. The back seat is awesome tons of room and very easy access. We have more room for them than in the middle seat of our suburban--not width but leg room. The 3 year old doesn't kick my seat as much in the xB he can't always reach it.

I couldn't get our double stroller in the trunk so. 2 or 3 more inches of storage and I could have. I have to settle for the single and carry the 3 year old--I used to lift weights before kids. Since they are in car seats. There is a ton of space on the floor in the back and under the front seats. So, luggage space all over the place rather than just the "trunk" which is quite roomy when I realize all the kid toys, clothes, tools et all I carry back there most of the time. I did take out the spare and things so I have more room. I put sound deadening on the metal floor (quieter and gives a flat floor).

I debated auto and manual and after highway driving decided on auto. I am not dissapointed. It isn't a powerhouse but it will climb passes in 3rd gear at 4200 rpms (peak torque) with no problem. I don't like the idea of burning more fuel but the car is very efficent at that speed.

Also, the auto is very intuitive. I had a 5 speed auto in the accord and I much prefer the shift points and the layout a lot better in the xB. In the accord I was always wishing I could play with the computer it would shift too soon, not shift soon enough et al. The xB I never notice that problem that except the first few minutes of driving when the blue light (cold) stays on and it won't shift into high or into 3rd until 3800 RPMS. That is irritating! The tranny isn't quite as smooth as the accord though.

I did raamat for sound deadening and it is a whole lot quieter than the 2003 accord I traded in on the xB.

I still have my windshield at 7500 but know I will loose it sometime. Did a bunch of highway driving yesterday 75-80 MPH and got 34 +MPG and watched to stay away from trucks. Normally I get 31-32. I was amazed how I had to watch it as it had no problems at those speeds. I hit 85 by accident once and found that that is probably a little two fast for all the air you are moving.

I put the sensatrack shocks in the rear (have the front but haven't done them yet) and it made all the difference in ride.
I have debated on lowering it but it rides well enough now and with kids there's not a lot of extra money. Maybe later when these wear out.

I plan on driving it for 20+ years. Just like we did our 1981 Civic four door.

To me these are the perfect commuter car. They get good mileage, tons of room, the driving position is awesome, the "presence" of a lot of headroom is very spirit lifting while driving, the reliability, the low cost. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it has the ones you need (except cruise--which I found I wouldn't have used yesterday as traffic flow is so unpredictable).

So, I am very pleased with mine. It is not a perfect car, but I don't expect it to be at 15k. But it is not like I am driving a car that I regret or wish I could afford more. If I had the money I can't think of a car I would prefer when I take all into consideration.

 

13edge wrote:
I just went out and checked. I have a 2001 Camry and 1987 Toyota stock 2wd pickup to compare with. I'm 6'.

With the xB, if you step in and start to sit, you will clear the door frame without any problem. If I sit upright on the door edge of the seat, just under the door frame, my head hits the frame, but I don't have to bend my neck at all. I have never even brushed my hair against the door when climbing in. When you sit in the xB, your hips and knees can rest at almost 90 degree angles. The position is extremely comfortable.

So in answer, it is easier to get in and out than either the Camry or the 87 pickup. It is more of a slide in feel like the pickup than the fall in feel of a small sedan or coupe, but with less bending and more clearance than the pickup.

 

Thank you Night. You at least encouraged me to go to the dealer, which is a little haul. It was well worth it. I can't believe how smooth the manual is. When I have time later, I'll post in the 'OMG I bought a Scion and am excited' thread. Right now I'm going driving Thundercloud Metallic xB. It's very comfortable.