Hey all,
I'm looking into purchasing a new Scion xB, but I've got one basic main question, that I could use some help answering. My old car, a 1985 Isuzu trooper II has basicly give out, and after 233,335 miles its time for something new. I'm a musician, so my top requirement for a new vehicle is the ability to haul all of my gear around. I know the xB has a pretty small engine... and while I believe that my gear would fit in the xB with the rear seats down, I have more of a concern of the extra weight causing the xB to experience a "power loss". I am a bassist, so, I think out of any one in a band, my gear weighs the most; But a ball part figure would be 175-280lbs of gear. *maybe* more if I have to haul drum equipment, etc. The bulk of that weight would be my bass cabinet, which as you guessed, is not the lighest of things on the earth. So do you think the xB would be to under powered for my intended application a smooth looking main ride/gig vehicle? I Love the way the xB drives, I love the way it looks, and I think it suits me. Let me know guys, I could really use the input! Thanks!


PS: The only other vehichle I'm considering right now is the Honda Element, but I believe thats a completely different class vehicle, and I know for a fact it'd have no problem handling moving gear (My girlfriend owns a 05' element and I've used it to haul my entire bands gear around before).

 

Don't buy a xB .It just won't haul all that stuff easily.Get a van.

 

Is your bass cabinet a 4x10 or 8x10? Either way, moving bass gear and a standard drumset is pushing it. You could probably do it with the seats laid out which means no passengers (definitely with an 8x10). You should be fine with the weight. I believe the xB can handle 800lbs including your own weight.

I've moved my guitar gear (4x12 and 6-space rack) and drumset separately, but never together. I'm not sure if both will fit, but they may.

 

Thanks for the fast responses guys!

Majorbeau: I'd get a Van, BUT... I'm looking at something new, and vans are just outright out of my price range, while the xB is way within it. Just checking all my options... But I may just have to go with something bigger, you're right.

I'd rather burn you: Oh, and my bass cab is a 4x10, a pretty big one (a kustom groovebass 410H to be exact) but the thing is, I plan on buying an ampeg 8x10 eventually, and I know those are freakin' HUGE, so, I figure I need to plan ahead. Yeah, I think you're right about trying to move both my rig and a set at once, but thats okay, I'll let the drummer fend for himself lol.

Oh yeah, and how much weight do you think it would take the actually lower the suspension to 'unsafe' levels? Don't want to get the thing and then just screw it up... thanks again guys, I appreciate it!

 

It's the repetition thats going to be the problem.Laying down the seats ,pushing ,and shoving.Sooner or later something will get broke,torn,or screwed up.Then you will be driving a trashed out xB. Measure just the cargo area on a new xB and if your gear won't fit in it forget it. The cargo area can be protected the rest of the 'Toaster' can't.

 

Jayarr, I think it would be a great rig for you. Yes, pushing a big cabinet in and out the back is bound to rough up a few spots, but that will happen in any vehicle. The access to the back is great with the high lifting door and relatively square entrance. The xb has plenty of power. I recently went up skiing, with passanger and gear. We cruised right up the pass at 75....and never had to take it out of fifth gear....not even on the steepest parts. The xb is not "fast", but it is stable and nible and has decent excelleration to 70mph. And I am a musician/bass player too. I told my folks that if I had bought this car 20 years ago, I might still be driving it. It is the perfect rig for my lifestyle....music equipment, golf clubs, ski's......and i'm getting 35 mpg!!

 

OK, here's the deal. I'm a drummer. My stuff doesn't weigh as much as a huge bass rig... probably 275lbbs all together. However the xB has a max cargo weight of like 850 pounds. So if you weigh 200 lbs, then you've got 650 to play with. With a 5-speed stick you shouldn't have any power problems. I dunno about the automatic. Also, I orderd a FULL cargo mat, goes all the way over the folded down seats and headrests and I have NO damage whatsover. The other day I had to get gas for the mowers and take the garbage to the dump. I put a sheet of thick plastic down just in case for that.
The guitarist I play with has a pretty good sized Fender rig, pedal rig, anmd travels with 4 guitars..NO problems. maybe 600 lbs worth. He's got a 2005, 5 speed and has had zero problems. .
PM me if you want. Unless your using a huge John Entwistle rig you should have no problems.
Matt

 

Ive sold a few xBs to muscians in your exact situation. They all love their cars and wouldnt drive anything else. I suggest going with the xB for sure. Ive never heard any complaints about cargo killing power. I've had 4 passengers plus myself in the car and I still didnt think the power was an issue. I love my xB to death...

 

Not sure about hauling bass equipment, but bB is the perfect local gigging ride for a drummer.

 

The weight is not an issue. I have a family of 5 that we haul around regulary. We have about 700lbs of family members and we still load up the trunk area. The Xb handles it great.
Jeff

 

200 or so pounds is just like havign an extra passenger. if the vehicle remains stock it'll be slow. just upgrade the power and no problem.


oh and the element is not fast i've beaten many , many of them.

 

you have to keep in mind that the xb is not a powerfull thing to begin with... if it's power you want, xb is probobly not good. If's it's style and features that you are after, XB all the way. I haul my turntables, mixers and speakers all over the place with about 6 crates of records, but i know it slows me down and i am ok with it, because my XB is so Fking cool! I get looks everywhere, and have never had a problem cramming gear in there, but we'd all hate to hear that you got stuck with an xb and are not 100% satidfied with it. do your homework! load up all your gear in one, and take a test drive with it fully loaded. drive up hills, park it, get it on the highway, etc... see how it performs for you then make a call.

 

Some of us are not into racing. Slow? I've got a stock 06 xB. It ain't my old Mustang GT but it has plentry of get up and go. I'm not doing the quarter-mile against anyone modded out with air intakes or whatever. I have no problem going up highway ramps and getting to 60 or 70 as I'm getting on the highway. I have no problems with passing. All the mods for extra speed and power are great, but for the working musician or family vehicle they are not necessary, IMO of course.
Matt

 

i'll tell you what if I had to go back to driving a stock xa or xb i'd shoot myself.

 

Yeah... I'm not looking at modding it or street racing it or anything like that. It's not my thing. The times I've test driven the xB it had enough power for me. I'd love to mod it, but all of my money goes to musical equipment anyway

But anyway, I'm no longer concerned about the power/cargo issue, and am looking at picking one up next weekend, hopefully!

Thanks for your help all!

 

Don't wait - go get it and start having fun!
Jeff