Thanks, Lonestar. I quoted you in my blog. Hope that's OK.

Tom

 

I think most of the complaints about the gen 1 xB could have been solved with an option for a bigger engine. I do not need a larger xB. 99% of the people I see on the road are alone in their vehicle. I have plenty of room for four people if I desire. I get over 30 MPG. I am not saying that they should have made the same box forever, but they could have still made a small very utilitarian and unique car. Bigger is not always better.

 

more votes!

 

If they changed the name of the xA, they should change the xB. That was what everyone on here always believed that "Scion will change the names with their redesigns".

Personally, I like the new "whatever they wanna call it". I do not like it better than my original 05'.

I would never trade my 05' for it, but would maybe consider purchasing a new one to go with my classic and have both.

But it really should be re-named ......TxB or T2B

 

how bout xtC?

 

But we are talking about a scion, they fuel off of innovation. what is more innovative? Doing it the way it was done, or completely dropping the xB and xA and and bringing in a new line with new names and different designs. I think thats why people have such an issue with the name xB on the new car. We took so much pride in our cars from the outside to the inside. Regardless of the things it has been called we embraced the innovation. When you design a new car and put the same name on it, we as scion xB drivers say, " That is not the car that I have been driving. That is not the car that I have to defend. That is not the car that I have reinvented. It says Scion on the front but xB on the back..."

Where is the innovation???

 

That's the point I was trying to make, but you did a much better job with your words.

 

one of the original names for the tC was xTC, but they scratched it.

i think toyota specifically said that they are keeping the xB tag, because that is the car everyone associates with scion.

with that said, i agree with wanting a bB more and that the new xB isn't a new xB. but, we'll see when it gets here, and i sit in it and whatnot. maybe it won't be as bad as i think.

 

i agree they shouldnt use the xb name on the new xb2, it kills the resale value of the current xb's cause there is a new model out. and i do remember scion stating that they will not remake any of there current vechiles once they bring new models out they would retire the old models! thats one of the reasons i bought my xb, cause i figured once it was retired i would have a collectors car.

 

Well stated....but even Volvo has finally left behind their beloved "boxy" appearances. I love the look and functionality of the xB Classic but vehicles evolve. Take Camrys for example; early incarnations look nothing like later models, yet Toyota tries to maintain what makes a Camry a Camry in each incarnation, even though they often do not remotely appear like their predecessor.

An attachment to the form and function of the xB such that there is no room for an entirely different "appearing" vehicle carrying on the name is an "attachment", imo. Changing the moniker does not make it smell any sweeter. "A rose by any other name...."

I think of it this way. They are retiring the xB and a new Phoenix rises from the ashes.
;)

 

how come everyone is useing the defense that toyota remakes the camry, and still uses the camry name. the xb is different, and i dont remember toyota ever stating that they would retire the camry name once they make a new model! they did say that about the scion models

 

Okay, on a personal level....why is it important to you that this new vehicle not be identified as an "xB"? I sense an allegiance to the original xB. Is there a vehicle that you would have given a nod to carrying on the xB name plate that was differently esthetically.? If so, what difference would you have endorsed? Just for my own edification, because I have seen vehicle namesakes morph on a regular basis....the whole planned obsolescence thing. ;)

 

In reality we are being no different than other folks who have formed strong attachments to rather unique vehicles in the past. It is actually a common reaction.

People have mentioned all the "other" vehicles that have morphed into different classes while retaining the same name. One that stands out in my mind is the Ford Thunderbird, which started out as a tiny two seater roadster in direct competition with the early Corvette, but grew into a massive chrome barge actually built on a Lincoln chassis over the years. Trust me, the folks who lost that little sports car when it became a fat road hog with the same name were loudly complaining.

Of course Ford had made no promise to the Thunderbird people that the name would be retired when the product changed to something else - Scion definitely implied that in their earlier live presentations when they discussed their "3 years per model" goals.

The Camry name is attached to a particular 'niche' in the Toyota lineup. No matter what shape the current holder of that position/name wears, it is still a vehicle in exactly the same position in the Toyota lineup.

The old xB and the new xB are two different classes of car. Both are good, viable, well defined, clearly stated, representatives of their class. The new xB will likely be even more popular than the old xB because it fits into the 'average' American lifestyle better, and has the kind of lines the US market is more used to seeing. It is the small, suburban "2.3 kids and a dog" car.

The "old xB" folks who are not liking the new xB are for the most part not saying it is a bad car, but saying that no matter how good it is, it lost some of the reasons for them buying an xB.

Myself, I LIKE the nextgen xB, I just don't intend to buy one because it does not meet my personal needs or desires. I've strongly recommended the nextgen xB to two people now (not yet Scion owners) who will be looking for new vehicles shortly, because it would fit their needs very, very well.

My objection is not to the new vehicle, but (1) to the dropping of an entire class of vehicle with no alternative choices, and (2) the retaining of the name, counter to earlier implied promises.

Why is it important to me on a personal level that they are calling the tC station wagon an "xB?" Because when someone asks what Scion I own, I will say "an xA and an xB." When they then start in with "Wow! How do you like the xB? Is it pretty quick with the 2.4? Isn't that [whatever} on it great!?!!" and other comments that only apply to the nextgen xB, I'll have to patiently explain that no, I don't have one of the new big ones, but one of the original City Cars - the box.

Considering that many folks only have the attention span and memory of an immature gnat, I expect to get many blank looks.

I guess I really just don't want to be mistaken for being the owner of the new Scion mothership, no matter how fine it may be. I own a box.

Tom

 

As always, well stated. This quote may be the way to sum it up in future inquiries.

btw, Scion has another offering in the chute ;)

 

Well on a similar note: the Toyota Cressida was the prototype/inspiration for the Lexus sedans, and the Lexus' essentially became "luxury" Cressidas. So still Toyotas, just a new brand name. And our "Scions" here are just Toyotas overseas...
The xB overall is Still an xB; I think a name change couldn't hurt.

Some SL'rs were calling the new ones "B2s"
I like that a Lot
Weren't some old war aiplanes called B2s?

 

Tomas if they are differfent classes of vehicles what will that do to insurance rates? My company has a hard enough time categorizing my xB. I believe they call it a "micro van". Now with a completely different vehicle with the same name but a bigger engine and body, their heads will explode. Will i be lumped in to the SUV category?

 

Like Tomas, I am among the one 99% happy with my current xB. The new xB looks nice, but is NOT the "city commuter", quirky "Box" I flipped over at first glance last year. I have already been trying to decide what to look for in my next vehicle since my category is gone now. Maybe Scion will surprise us with their xB3...

 

The new xB has a two foot smaller turning circle (curb to curb) 36.1' in the Gen 1, 34.1' in the gen 2.

I think it's still a UUV.

 

anyone else?

 

How many of the following common comments about the original xB will apply to the future xB? Not as many as I would have liked.

"Hey! You forgot to take your car outta the box!"

micro-van
urban utility vehicle
mini-wagon
trucklet
sport cube
sport box
xBox
the box
city cube
utility box
toaster
sport box
ice cube
fox box
milk truck
post office truck
lunch truck
roach coach
rocket toaster
cement block
clown car
rat-powered boxcar
mini SUV
refrigerator
micro Hummer
lunchbox
dumpster
happy meal toy
washing machine
Maytag
Frigidaire
KitchenAid
short bus
cellular phone booth
shoe box
mail truck
box racer
Lego car
popemobile
boombox on wheels
ammo box
moon rover
Mini shipping crate
Spongebob Squarepants' car