Well, I drove 50 miles each way to test drive the only 2008 xB within a wide radius. I do not currently own a Scion and have only been in a 2004-2006 xB once or twice, including one test drive. I have a few concerns, and I will focus on those here. Anything I don't mention, assume I really liked it.

The steering wheel felt very cheap (the rim portion, the center felt great). It was not cushy and felt like it cost almost nothing. I know about the accessory wheel, and plan on picking it up if I get the xB.

The steering and all the controls felt very far away. I need a lot of legroom, so I did have the seat all the way back, but I felt like I was reaching for the steering wheel until I jacked up the seat. The steering wheel relationship improved, but I still felt far away from everything on the dash. I had to lean forward and reach to adjust the mirror. I am not sure if it will be possible to swap in a telescoping column; I doubt it.

The arm rests were useless. The one mounted to the seat was too close (I am a man of formidable width...aka, a fat ___) and too high to be comfortable. The console was way too low to reach, even with the seat all the way down. I am sure the aftermarket will be all over this as well.

The power was not all that impressive. It SMOKES the old B, no doubt, but the automatic, going up a steep hill, with the AC blasting, with me and a sales lady who was also heavy, it had to do a decent amount of downshifting to get up the hill. I think it seemed weird because I was in manual mode but not shifting. All other times it felt fine, especially on the highway. I have a black manual in reserve, anyway.

You sit high. Really high. Though, the car looked really low to the ground, especially from the front. Of course, I am used to my Fiero, which has an overall height of 45 inches (check it out, lower than almost anything on the road including most Ferraris and Lambos), but our family has always had sedans and coupes, and I almost felt like I was at SUV height. Of course, there are springs that will fix that...

Umm...the only other things I can think of are that the horn sounded whimpy (easily remedied), and the HVAC was louder than expected at max/recirculate (though it cooled off so quickly, I had it at 1/2 in about 2 miles)

Now that I have typed them out, my concerns don't seem too serious...only the seating position is something that will be tough to "fix". Maybe with some more fiddling with the controls, I might be able to get closer to perfect, but who knows.

I am definitely going to give the black manual an even more thorough run through, but I have to say, after so many months of thinking about it all the time, I was just a little disappointed.

The only other car I was seriously considering was the Mazda 3 5-door. I did not give it as serious of a once-over, so I may have missed things I would hate, but it had a telescoping column and no such ergonomic issues, plus it was much closer to the ground. It will also be slightly faster and bet 1-2 mpg better. Unfortunately, with identical equipment (except for 17" wheels and telescoping column), it costs a whopping $2790 more after destination ($19,020) and is basically a Ford product (chassis is 2nd gen/euro Focus, never released in USA), a company that I have numerous horror stories centering around.

I found a used one I am going to look at tomorrow, but a 37,000 mile 2004 is still $15,500 private party, just $730 less than a brand new xB w/warranty.

So help me out. I know this is a very personal decision, but can anyone offer any insight to the issues I mentioned?

 

Hmmmm, that's a pretty thorough notetaking there, but I'll see what I can do.. I haven't had the chance to test drive one yet, so I have no opinion on the whether or not the controls and wheel were within reach or not. I dunno why I think this, but maybe tilting the wheel lower might help you out, unless there's no tilt control. There are radio controls on the wheel, and I'm inclined to set the air before I start driving or if I'm at a light anyways, so the center console range won't bug me that much. I'm a big guy too, so yeah, the arm rest may come off as useless.

As for the engine, yeah, it's bigger and badder than the original xB, but it's not gonna cause nearby fire hydrants to explode. As for inclines, I don't think many cars in the same category have a better time handling them, and it'll be a bit more manageable with a manual tranny anyways.

I actually test drove a mazda3 5 door a while ago. I liked it, but I felt kinda cramped in the driver's seat, maybe because it was my first time in one. You know, this might be the wrong forum to suggest it in, but maybe you should look into a tC? It sits lower than the xB2, and it has a higher center console, which makes for a comfy armrest. That's what I'm driving now, and it ain't a shabby ride. The controls aren't really out of range, but it doesn't have a telescopic column. It shares its engine with the xB2 as well.

That's all I have for now, I'm gonna set out and test drive one tomorrow, and when I get back, I'll add some more input.

 

Possibly. My perspective is a bit skewed because I've been driving a 1st gen xB for the last year, and every one of your points is an improvement over the prior car.

1: While I don't know that I'd call the steering wheel "cheap", it's definitely no better than average.

2: Wheel position is a bit of an issue. I'm still figuring out my best position. I've always had to lean forward (at least slightly) for pretty much anything on the dash. My wife called me as she was driving up to Seattle last night, and she said her arms were tired from the much tighter steering than the prior car. After raising her seat, it improved.

3: The armrest/center console is an improvement, but it's not great. I'm built pretty square (wide shoulders for my height) and the armrest is barely functional. But I'm spoiled because the old version didn't have one at all. I really like the cubby in the center console that exactly fits my 80gb iPod w/ hard shell case. I don't have any trouble reaching the console. That I've noticed at least.

I miss the oven, however. A lot.

4: If you were in manual mode, but not shifting, I think you were locked in one gear (or, at least focusing the transmission around a single gear). I did this on my test drive, as well. Didn't realize 'til the return trip what I was doing. Haven't run the A/C while under stiff driving yet.

5: EVERYthing is going to feel high to you, given that experience. Well, maybe not an Atom.

Hope that helps - you're right in that most of your concerns are minor, but seat/wheel positioning is important. Particularly if you spend large blocks of time in the car. That said, it's gonna be pretty tough to find a car under $25K where you don't have somewhere around this number of similar complaints.

 

i didnt notice any of the above issues, but im also tall and skinny.
I love eveeything about the new xB. It makes my old xB feel and look like crap.

BTW, if you are interested in a Mazda, I have a fully loaded 6 Wagon w/ sports pkg. for sale.

 

Well, I have test driven tCs, and I really like them, but I need the space/utility of a 4/5 door. I am going to test drive a Mazda 3 tomorrow while the xB is fresh in my mind.

 

Oven? What?

I think you are right. I am going to spend a while in the xB next time and try to get the position right.

 

I'd be very disappointed if you didn't buy an xB2, Fiero...we'd lose our only expert.

Tom

 

I have similar issues, I am a big man, have had mine for 3 days and love it.


I found a few issues you haven.
1. ipod connector location - put it "in" the console or glove box, it is just awkward now
2. Door armrests too low
3. a little loud, but I am going to deaded soon

here is what I think
1. You will get used to seating position
2. They should have put the display button near the gearshift. I want to figure out a way to move it.
3. I saw an aftermarket center armrest for 1st gen, I am sure they will make one for 2nd
4. You will probably get used to driving in a different position. I am coming from a 2006 Honda ridgeline, so I am in the process of making the adjustment.
5. seats are nice, need just a touch more lumbar, going to get something at relax the back

hope some of that helps.

 

HA! You'd like that, wouldn't you, Tomas? Well guess what, Tomas is better at persuasion than all of you combined; 2008 xB it is! I will never relinquish the title!

(I was leaning towards it, but it still depends on a couple factors, plus some stability at work)

 

The xB1 auto crowd always complained about going up hills. Maybe with this auto shifter it will be different. The stock model I saw on the lot last night was 18k with the spoiler and Scion alarm. I would sure try out the stick to see how it feels. I agree totally on the armrest---seems like an after thought. I was going to buy a Fiero back in the day--but they only came automatic. I bought my first Toyota--an MR2. I have to say I got a lot more comments on the MR2 then I ever did on the xB. Both fun cars..........

 

The "oven" was a little storage area under the stereo with a flip-down door. I used to store a notepad, pen, and occasionally my iPod in there. It's been replaced by the storage in the center console, but it just isn't as useful. (And is likely smaller.)

 

Don't get me wrong, there was a LOT about it that I LOVED. These are just the things that I didn't love off the bat. I didn't list the things I liked because the post would have been 5-8X longer than my original post.

Basically, the only thing I didn't like that cannot be easily fixed is the driving position.

 

Just got back from test driving a used Mazda 3.

It was nice, it comes with 18" wheels+stockers, a custom 10" sub/box and all speakers amped.

It is a 2004 5-speed with 37,500 on it and seems to be in excellent shape. The guy was kinda young, , not sure how well he treated it.

He is asking 15,000...+ tax and fees ~$16,000. My bottom line on the xB is $17k after everything.

It had a rougher ride and way more road noise inside than the B; but it could have been a function of the tires/wheels. Definately noticed road grain ALOT more.

I was able to find a comfortable position pretty quickly. The telescoping steering wheel made things much easier. Seat was not as comfortable as the xB, but everything seemed to be within reach. Steering wheel was nice and leather wrapped. The dash was much more normal looking, though a custom head unit would be very tough. The only ergonomic issue was the shifter...it was very low and almost touched my leg in 1st and 2nd. It also was vague and stuck a bit before going into gear.

It was MUCH smaller behind the front seats. No contest, no question. It looked like a penalty box compared with the palatial xB. With the front seat all the way back, the bottom of the rear seat was about 4" from the back of the front seat. The rear cargo area was probably deeper, but was definitely shorter than the xB, probably a wash.

In a general comparison, it will probably handle better than the B, brake better, and be a bit faster. It also weighs 200 lbs less. This specific one has a nice custom stereo and will cost ~$1000+ less than a new xB.

It is much smaller, will probably be less reliable and depreciate more, gets 1 mpg less and did kinda crappily in crash tests. This specific one has almost 40k on it, needs tires for both sets of rims, and was kind of dirty. It is also very close to the xB in terms of price, it almost seems silly to buy such a similar used car for a similar price to a new car.

I don't know, I am going to have to try the xB again and see how comfortable I can get it. Black manual is still coming on the 23rd ish.

 

I can't compare since I have not seen a 2008 xB yet but I have to say the 2004 MZ3 deal sounds crazy.

I have a spotless Winning Blue 2005 MZ3s 5 dr auto with only 16,700 miles on it. It has pwr moonroof, in dash 6 disc CD changer with aftermarket aux input for my iPod, tinted windows all around, extra set of aluminum wheel with Bridgestone REVO1 winter tires, auto dim mirror and a few other things.
I would be very very surprised if I could get $16,000 out of it. I think that 2004 with over 2 times the mileage (and not adult driven miles btw) sounds like a ridiculously high price IMHO.

Some of the space issues you mention are why I am looking to replace it. When I bought it my wife was driving a Highlander. She grew tired of the gas mileage and replaced it with a Prius last year. Unwilling to go back to a huge gas hog (got rid of a 2002 Honda Odyssey for the MZ3) I like the idea of a little more space and being back in the land of Toyota which has led to my interest in the 2008 xB.

That brings up an interesting question. Anybody compared space in the 2008 xB to a Prius? Seems it would be similar in seating. Cargo might be about the same too with the huge under floor space in the Prius.

 

(Remember, though, that the "load limit" in the Prius is under 500 pounds, and that includes the driver, etc. Two people and luggage will often be at limit. I don't know any four adults who combined wouldn't put a Prius over limit.)

 

Good point Tom. I don't recall seeing a payload number for the 2008 xB for a good comparison on this parameter. Anybody know what the rated payload is for the new xB?

 

What we need is for someone to look at the federal sticker on the "B" pillar of one of the new xB2s and give us the figures...

 

850 lbs max payload. Just checked.

 

Thanks! :D

Tom

 

BTW this just did not sound right. I checked our 2006 Prius and the label says 379kg (which is 833 pounds).
So evidently about 17 pounds less than the xB.