I feel ya... The SS truck is good for 10 mpg, and with the blower every light's a race. I love it but I wanted a new 'toy' to play with.
I couldn't use gas mileage for an excuse, my round-trip commute is 3 miles.
It got down to the xB is fun, I want it so I bought it. Now with gas as it is I drive the box almost fulltime.

WW

 

If you plan on doing a lot of highway driving, I suggest getting the automatic. The gearing on the auto is more conducive for higher speed/better gas mileage than the manual.

Also, acceleration (with the manual) is no where near as bad as people make it sound. Those who complain about acceleration are coming from large displacement V8 engines or souped up street racers.

I've had mine for 8+ months. It's an incredibly fun car to drive and very versatile. If you don't expect it to be some nitro-powered funny car, you'll be delighted.

 

If you do one thing on your test drive: drive both the auto and the manual versions. The test drive will feel different with each. It may be the altitude in Denver (we're at anywhere from 5000 to 9000 ft above sea level depending on your location but the auto at about 5200 was terrible response-wise. Trying to accelerate onto the freeway was much more slow and extremely noisy compared to the 5spd stick. At least in my experience with the test drive, you are at the mercy of the automatic when you need a quick down or upshift. And, the noise level (high-pitched whine) was horrendous when you pushed the pedal!

I'm sure someone who has an automatic will write something completely opposite to this. But most of you are not driving at high altitudes like us in Colorado! It does make a difference in engine response: up to 20% lesser effective horsepower than at sea level. Saying that my 5spd has been great fun to drive the first three weeks of owning it!

 

good point there buddy. and i love what you said about japanese and how they make their cars =P they last forever!

 

the xB is a terrific car, but i recommend paying off your lease while finding a dealer who can get you an xB with no options in the color you want. then, modify all you want. make your dealer throw in the "free oil changes" card and you're set.
two bad things:
the stock stereo produces poor sound and the a/c isn't very cold, which may not be a big issue in ohio.
good luck from the high plains of texas
steven
www.storybrain.com

 

stereo's sound quality and the A/C being cold enough are totally subjective per the user. The stereo could have better sound and the radio a better design. However, I'm in Denver which is basically a temperate/desert climate with low humidity and high temps in the summer. We had several days of 100+ weather, and my A/C was plenty cold. I think some Scion units got bad parts and there is the TSB addressing those particular VINs.

FYI

 

stereo's sound quality and the A/C being cold enough are totally subjective per the user. The stereo could have better sound and the radio a better design.

As for the A/C, I'm in Denver which has a temperate/desert climate with low humidity and high temps in the summer, and cold dry winters (we don't get nearly as much snow as people think.) We had several days of 100+ weather recently like so many parts of the country, and my A/C was plenty cold. I think some Scion units got bad parts and there is the TSB addressing those particular VINs.

FYI

 

It's kind of a loaded question.... If money is no object and you don't like doing stuff yourself load it up. If money is tight, get it plain and add stuff when the funds are available. Most of the stuff you can get from the dealer is available from other sources ie; ebay and some other places. The aftermarket is really coming out in force now with parts for these things. Happy shopping and good luck with whatever you choose to do!!!

 

buy it..nuff said.....

 

Important note on the bolded statement: Dealerships may tack-on a pure-profit fee for "dealer prep" on TOP of the sticker price.

At Kendall Scion this padding fee is $600. Do not pay it.

The dealer does not have to sell the car at Scion's suggested price. I know that this local dealer DOES do everything they can to protect their price pad and justify it. If you don't like it, walk out, if your local dealer pulls a similar stunt as a matter of policy.

Also: beware of financing through your dealer. They just might have a way of adding in paddings that you -were not aware off- and the rates are not necessarily perferred. Have a knowlegable friend along to listen to the finance manager's spiels so that you two can between you, separate out the nonsense, double-talk and "oh I guess I forgot you did not want that" kind of customer abuse.

Not all dealerships are like that... but some are! Eyes wide open, buyer. Eyes open!

good luck to you and you will enjoy your Scion.

BTW: installing tires taller than stock slow down a Scion. And the converse is true, too. The car has plenty of zip for me and even more since I installed shorter tires on the stock steelies. Brakes and handles even better, too!

Goodyear F1's and similar summer tires are great grippers for we who don't have snow in winter.