We fell in love with a Scion xB last week and put our deposit down. We won't get it until July 23, so it gives us a lot of time to second guess ourselves. Part of the problem is we can't seem to get any printed info about the warranty or the security system from the dealer. Shouldn't they have something on paper for us? I've read that the security system is not so great for the price, but we are worried about getting something on our own as we know nothing about it. I would appreciate any recommendations.

Another big concern is the poor results in the J.D. Power initial quality survey, which I read about here. We looked at several vehicles with better ratings today, but we just didn't like their design as well. We don't want to be stuck with a junk heap in a few years though. Any thoughts on the mechanical quality and durability of the xB?

Finally, we fell in love with the Scion xB before seeing any of the advertising. The advertising in the showroom seems aimed at a much younger demographic than us. We're in our 30's with two kids. Does this mean we're buying the wrong car?

 

Don't second guess yourself. It's an awesome car for an awesome price, and I don't really care what JD Powers says it's a Toyota and it's made with the highest standards in quality.

I wouldn't trade my xB in for anything. I've had it since last September and we're still in the honeymoon period!

 

Alittle off topic, but kinda related....

I just bought my Xb almost 2 months ago (now having 7k miles on it ) But shortly after my friend bought a brand new Mazda 3; HIDs, sunroof, the works. Not today my other friend just signed the papers for his new Focus SVT. Both told me i shoulda bought this car or that car and only for a few more thousand i coulda got this car... Ok yes the xB is not in the same class as those cars (well it kinda is but not) but anyways, yes for a few more thou. i coulda got a car w/ 160HP or a turbo or whatever. But my responce to them was "Look i just turned 20, and money is always a issue. I bought the xB bc it's cheap, it's practical, and i like it."

When i bought my scion some of my friends we all went for a ride in it, all 5 of us. We were all comfy and had a blast. a week later my friend rolls up in his new Mazda 3 and all the same ppl were in the car and we couldnt move, couldnt breath, it sucked @$$ but hey it had 160HP and HIDs so it was so much better! Well when it comes down to it, i feel the xB is the perfect cross between practicality, reliability, and cost.

 

You also forgot insurance :D Finally a car that reduces my insurance premium. :D

 

Hey Kids.....
Not exactly in the same "box" as yourselves but a "box' none the less.....
I am 47, my wife is 36 we have no chidren (except our four legged one) but would guess it will do nicely "hauling" around your family. I am a photoghapher by trade and the xB is a wonderful way to haul my equipment to all my location shooting, as well as being a GREAT way to advertise (it does attract attention as you probably have read!!). I assume you've taken a test drive with the whole family.... if not it's a great way to decide!! Good Luck!! Our 2 pennys.....
Cal, Lin & Boo

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm sure if I had the car, I would be enjoying it instead of worrying about it. A couple of other things that concern me are:

1. A dealer who was trying to steer us to a Matrix said the engine is too small for the size of the xB. I looked it up and it is roughly 400 lbs heavier than the Echo. Any comments?

2. We ordered manual transmission, but I just read that the bB in Japan didn't have manual as an option. I've also read about some problems with the manual tranny in the maintenance forum. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has the manual tranny and likes it. Also, we ordered a week ago for an xB coming July 23. Is it too late for any changes like transmission/color?

 

look i just ordered my ex..and it should be here in the early part of this week...i fell in love with the car when i stumbled onto it online..i checked it for 3 months ever single day over and over, i am 25 female who is a hairdresser with a 2 and a half year old..i know nothing about cars, but from researching so much...i could prolly now do my own oil change and add most of my own accessories with tools
trust me, when it comes to cars i used to know nothing,but how to make it look cute and stylin it....i kid you not, if you get this car you will have the most fun you have ever had driving a vehicle in your life,and also be in style. your kids will also love it...My Jazi calls it the orange box she asks every day "Mommy when are we getting our arange box?" go for it i did!!!

 

The engine could be larger but it wasn't designed to be a rocket. It issupposed to be fuel efficient. Even with only 108 claimed HP it is peppy and will easily, although I haven't tried any major burnouts, break traction in 1st gear and when in a rush to get into traffic they broke loose in 2nd gear. I never have any problems getting up to highway speeds with traffic.

I have the manual and love it. My first test drive was in an automatic and it felt sluggish. The manual doesn't have that feeling at all. Plus most of the power this car has is above 3800 RPM so if you need quick access to that, the manual is the best way to go.

As far as age, I know it's been covered already, I'm 33 and never thought twice about who the car was designed for. Of the people that ask me about it, most of them look like they are 35+. So the older generations really like this car too. It's not just a toy for kids, adults can play too.

 

A very mature statement......good to see that some of the youth have thought of the praticality of things vice the "What's the new thing on the market image" that cost $XX.XXX.XX amount of money.

Good on ya!

 

I'm in my 30's with 2 kids and love my Box. The kids love it too, especially cuz they can roll down the windows in back. With the kids, I've still been able to make a Costco run and stack it with all kinds of stuff. I have the auto tranny and LOVE it. It's got plenty of zip and it's just so much easier not having to worry about shifting. I drive pretty fast all over the Bay Area and rarely ever wish for more power. Don't need more, just sometimes want more. The intake and exhaust should help that out, but its not necessary.

I still am in the honeymoon period too, bought it two weeks before xMas. I used to drive an Echo, which these are based on and never had a problem with it mechanically. The JD Power initial quality survey doesn't take into account the severity of problems, just the total number. That means the engine falling out of an Aveo is equal to fixing a squeaky seat in an xB The Edmunds Total Cost of Ownership is a better indicator and both Scions are on the top of the heap there.

I still haven't seen anything out there that can match the Box for value especially with all the standard features. (It even has some you CAN'T add to the competitors) Sure, it has a few shortcomings but nothing that is a deal breaker or that won't eventually be handled in the after-market, such as an armrest.

 

Don't second guess yourself. The car is an exceptional deal for the money! My wife and I are 53 and find the car to be extremely practical, comfortable, handles quite well and very ,,, "peppy", for a small 4 cycl. We have the automatic and are very pleased with the pick up. As was already stated, this car wasn't made to be a racer.

 

My wife and I were shooping around for a new car since we had a new member of the family on the way. Two performance cras wouldn't cut it. We were looking to spend close to $30,000. We looked at everything from the new Bonneveile GXP through the mazda line up and even the vibe/matrix. We finally saw the xB's at an autoshow before they were released here. eedless to say, we left the autoshow, went straight to our dealer, and put a downpayment down for two xB's. They are great cars. The JD powers results are skewed due to the fact a lot of people have bought these and expect BMW quality workmanship. Remember this is a $14,000 dollar car and is an excellent car for the price you pay. Scion could easily be selling these for $18,000 and still have no trouble moving them. We absolutely love ours. We waited a month for my wifes and two months for mine. Mine is a 5 speed and I enjoy it so much better than the auto. The problems we state are because most of us here love our cars and are extremly **** about them The problems we do post are mostly trivial things also. I've yet to see anything major come across.

 

[quote="Saguaro"] A dealer who was trying to steer us to a Matrix said the engine is too small for the size of the xB. I looked it up and it is roughly 400 lbs heavier than the Echo. Any comments?

The Matrix isn't going to be much better, I'm sure. I subscribe to several car magazines, and all reviews of the Matrix (with the base engine from the Corolla) have commented on modest performance with 0-60 acceleration times hardly, if at all, quicker than the xB. The upgraded Matrix engine has better acceleration, but every single review states it's basically unpleasant in all-around use and they prefer the base engine.

 

My girl and I were looking at matrix's last year, drove the xR, auto didnt seem fast at all, we dorve the (and Own) our Hot lava Auto, an dI test drove a 5Sp White one, You will be happy with the 5 sp, more peppy and you can control the revs. The auto is good and peppey but its still a slush box. We also were looking at getting rid of our Eclipse converable. We looked at the Mada 3i 4 door. To get the same amount of stuff as the xB has stock the cost of the bottom of the line was like $17,500. Thats not the 5 door wagon with any options. Wer alos looked at a ZX-5 focus, less room more money. This was the best deal for us. I am big boned (6'4" 350 lbs) and I wanted something that I can fit in and be comfortable. Just got back from our 11 hour round trip to Carlisle PA and it was a nice ride! We also wanted ot get it cause we are planning a family and this is perfect, plenty of room for the car seats and groceries!

 

1. Yes, you'd be better off buying your own alarm. Go down to a car audio or alarm place and ask them about it and do some research online about them, you'll save money and get more features.

2. You won't be left with a junk heap in a couple years. This car is a toyota, remember that.

3. So what if the advertising isn't geared at you? It's always been cool to buck the trend. All the hip young people today are dressing like old men at country clubs!

 

Saguaro, don't second guess yourself at all. Putting a down payment on the XB is a start to a great investment. Who cares if the XB appeals more to the young crowd?!?! It's a fabulous car with plenty of room for the children. Also, don't be concerned with having a piece of junk in a few years. This is a TOYOTA and they are dependable cars. It's a wonderful ride and be happy that it will be a part of your family soon. If you're worried about power, put in an Injen Intake on it. I put one on last weekend and it gave the XB more pick up and better power going up hills. Good luck on July 23rd. I don't think you'll regret it! :D

 

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to stick with the xB. We got ours this week! It wasn't supposed to be here until July 23, but someone who had a June delivery date backed out of the sale. We love the xB!!!

There have been a couple of funny drawbacks though.

1) Our old car had a bad habit of stalling. The xB is so quiet that we are always looking to see if it has stalled when we come to a stop. No stalls so far though, and I'm sure that we'll get used to it eventually.

2) We are quiet types who aren't really comfortable striking up conversations with strangers, but people want to know where we got it, etc. A young, hip-hop guy was making some hand signs that seemed to indicate he thought it was cool, and my husband had no idea how to respond. I'm hoping that more people around here get xBs, so we won't be such a spectacle.

 

Congrats! It's a lot better when the wait is over huh?We get approached all the time. Especially when we are following eac other around in both of ours.