I guess we are kind of arguing the same thing. When I refer to 'young buyers' I mean more 16-21. But Generation Y is more 22-32. To me the difference would be 'young buyers' have still not graduated college or something close to that.

It just seems that they are trying to further appeal to the tuner/personalized audience/demographic now. And while I understand that these cars are not as cheap as they used to be, there is, not only inflation to consider and the fact that it is an import, but also the fact that even though Scion is the "entry level" toyota brand, it is still a premium brand. And as such it will still be more than just another "cheap" econo box.

Either way I think it is still to early to pass judgment on the new models. Time, and the consumer, will tell whether or not the masses, and not just scion life members, accept these new cars.

 

Scion does not want the masses. They want young people but 16 to 21 is not even young. People in that age range are usually not purcahsing cars on their own except a few of theose in early 20s. Most teenagers could not finance a snickers bar on their own. The 2gen xBs are selling close to 20k where I live. Not a lot of kids can swing those payments so its up to the xD for Scion. Don't screw it up SCION.

 

You're right to say the 16-21 can't finance a snickers bar. That was my point that that group has their parents to buy the cars.

I think that its safe to say any manufacturer would love to sell their cars to the masses. With the exception of exotic brands who like to have some sort of exclusivity to their brand, most would want to sell their cars to anyone and everyone.

Man I haven't seen any xB's up to 20k yet. All the ones i've seen are around 17k, which is still more than the 14k everyone here seems to be looking for. I guess a lot really does have to do with the distributor. Dont forget that its the distributor, not the manufacturer, that equips cars with all the extra features that bump the price of cars up. I know that doesnt lower the 16349 base price of the xb, but theres a big difference between affording 17k and 20k when you're on a budget.

 

I am 90% sure getting a Xd, UNLESS it is priced too high...i get under invoice for all toyotas but still...Otherwise i'll get a yaris, or more likely a fit or civic...or even a corolla...Im 29 here. I should find out my pricing next month hopefully.

 

you know what, i'd really like it if scion continues to expand it's model line up and offer more expensive higher performance models.

i would love that when my time with my tc is over, to be able to replace it with a new scion with a more powerful engine and a sportier drivetrain like rear or all wheel drive, but still be a blank canvas for me to express my individually and unique taste on.

scion could make a mid-life crisis mobile for me when i'm forty, if i live that long and i'd be very happy!

 

I'll buy xD for $14K, I'll buy it for $15K, I might even buy it for $16K. It's still a way better deal than anything else around.

 

They do. They call them "toyotas."

People, Scion is the bottom of the barrel. Yes, it's the bottom of the TOYOTA barrel, but it's still the "entry-level" (read: cheap) end of the company. They're the cheap economobiles for twenty-somethings to buy before they trade up to the REAL meat of Toyota's business: Camrys and Highlanders.

If you can't tell from the ad campaigns, the Scion line is NOT directed at forty-somethings with two kids. And I don't know about you, but not many of my 23-year-old friends make $60,000 a year. So let's keep them nice and cheap, please, and if you want an expensive mid-life crisis-mobile I'm sure there'll be plenty of Mustangs around...at last until Ford goes bankrupt.

The xB2 was already a gigantic step in the wrong direction, and there's still people on that board clamoring for heated seats and adjustable intermittent / water-sensing wipers. It's already too expensive and too big - it's a great car, but already Scion has abandoned an entire segment of the market - kids who are too smart to buy Aveos. The xD will fill that gap in the meantime, but if the geniuses at Toyota keep supersizing these stupid cars, Scion will become the next Buick.

Bottom line: if you want a Lexus, kids...BUY A LEXUS.

 

If I would of known the xD's ere going to look like how they are...I would of hold on "Trading in the xA with negitve amount" process and went with the xD.

I hate to admit this...but I kind of enjoy seeing the 40+ aged women driving around in their tC's. It reminds me the VW Beetle era...Affordable, good on gas, and has everything that you could need except the VW didn't have heaters back then. Then of course, this is coming from a 23 year old girl who wants '69 Cherry Red Rag-top Beetle :D

 

the xD needs to be priced THE SAME as the Versa. if not slightly less...that’s the direct competitor. If I cant get a 5spd xD for less then 14,500 its going to fail.

Here is what I think…
xD $14,500
xB2 $16,500
tC2 $17,500

that gives potential buys a range in price and style of car. If your looking for an xD your likely very “cheap” and looking for good gas mileage rather then 0-60 times. You want a cheap car that gets the job done. xB2 buys are trying to be a more stylish, being stylish costs money. tC2 owners are looking for performance, and are likely enthusiasts. And as we all know…enthusiast are well known for spending a little extra for the type of car they want.

 

You have to remember to keep an objective mind. If the xD comes out at 15k that might be too much for you but just fine for other people. To say it will fail is a bit much. Even priced more expensive I don't see it doing worse than the xA. That was a cheap fuel efficient car but it didn't sell because the same demographic that wants that personalization didn't want the bottom line car... for the most part. I know that xA owners love their cars and they're great, but they didn't produce the way the tC and xB did. I think, price aside, that the styling and features that the xD has is more in line with what Scion is about.
I would not compare the versa to the xD. Though the car segment is the same each car attracts different types of buyers. It's like the way Hyundai compares their SUV's and cars to BMW and Land Rover. Sure the specs can be close to the same or better, and of course the price is cheaper, but there are people who would still rather have the more expensive car; most likely for the "status" it brings. That is also true for Scion. even though it is more expensive than the other "econo boxes" out there, there is something about being a Scion owner that attracts people to the brand. There's an emotional attachment to be considered, it's not all numbers.

 

With the prices for gas being high though Xa have been flying out the door.

 

but here is the problem...toyota and lexus don't make many cars that i want. i want a sports car. as in rear or all wheel drive, and a manual transmission, a real manual transmission, complete with a clutch pedal. with those requirments, the only vehicles that toyota/lexus make that qualify are the toyota x-runner that i don't think is made anymore, and the lexus is250.

i am serious in that toyota/lexus/scion need to take notice that ALOT of scion owners move from their economical scions to true sports cars like nissan 350z, subaru impreza wrx sti, mitsubishi lancer evolution, and the honda s2000. toyota has nothing that competes with those cars. nothing even close. and also, i would love to stay in the scion family for a long time. but if they can't make a model that keeps me captivated, i'm not going to stay around.

also, remember, companies do grow and expand. toyota used to be nothing but cheap, fuel efficient, and reliable cars. now they have grown with luxurious models with bigger chasis and more powerful engines.

scion starts small and has the potential to go really big.

 

i'm pretty sure scion has a more vested interest in maintaining a constant stream of teens and twentysomethings than accommodating one driver who's already planning his mid-life crisis at 21

i totally respect that you want to stay in the family, but if you want a high-powered sports car, you're definitely buying cars from the wrong people. i absolutely agree - it'd be nice to buy scions that were appropriate for every stage of our lives.

however, scion came along and saved an entire generation from having to buy Aveos and Kias, and frankly I'd rather they not abandon the entire young-buyer market than stick with us - and our tastes - until we're in our fifties. what happens to the next generation, then? no good affordable cars

and they can't really do both. branding for a company that would produce a range of cars from expensive high-powered sports to ultra-cheap econoboxes for kids would be nearly impossible - americans simply don't have the brainpower to process that kind of dichotomy. the entire brand would suffer.

i wouldn't put any kid i know through the crap i went through trying to afford a non-crap car up until scion came along. i think we can take one for the team and suck it up for our next purchase.

in short: THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

 

Toyota needs to stop loading up the Scions. I mean sure all the features are nice and what not but not only does it bring up the price it takes the fun out of modifying the vehicle which most youths want to do themselves.

I think it would be a smart idea to make a barebone version of all their vehicles kinda like the yaris.

 

^^^ Don't agree. Like at all.

Power windows/locks/keyless/SABs, cruise control, MP3 HU are STANDARD car amenities these days. Selling a frame and then charging $500 for each standard option is the retarded approach. Not like Scion vehicles are overpriced with all these "extras" anyway. Build a "barebone" yaris with a CD player - it will cost more than xA with everything on it.

 

The xD is on my wish list and I AM OVER 50! Now that I know your
point of view let me share mine.
Yes I come from the baby boomer generation, but who do you
think started the trend of customizing their car?
That happened before I was born.

Being a child of the 60's/70's I am use to having things trendy.
That is why I will not purchase a trational "old peoples" car.
Our son who is 23yr hates our xB. He likes the other rice burner
Honda, but not the newer stuff as much as the older CRX models.

I have attended Scion's Corp forums talking about some of the upgrades
and the cost. People of all ages where there not just us "old folks".
I heard the 20 / 30 yr olds saying the same thing to Corp that I would
have said. Age had nothing to do with it.

So were is it written that just because your under 30yr you need to drive
a new car?. My husbands first car at the age of 20yr was a 67 Super Sport
(By the way new car's were out of our price range so it was used but new
to us.) Good used cars are still budget friendly. With the new models coming
out this year there will be plenty of Scions on the lot that the previous
owner's gave lot's of TLC to.

And yes our Envy Green xB is being customized. My husband attends as
many Scion events/shows as he can. He loves meeting the people who
share his interest in having a really nice ride. So if you are ever in Arizona
and see "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" driving by, I will be the crazy "old lady"
behind the wheel or my husband "old Sckool" who claims it on weekends.

PEACE --- or if you prefer " Have a Nice Day"

 

the xD needs to compete DIRECTLY price/performance/everything with the Versa and Honda Fit. The Scion brand is not prestigious enough to demand a premium (IE: Ferrari, BMW, ect) Scion cant sell less car for more money. they will fail. They need to make it a bargain. they need to make ppl that are shopping in this price segment go "wow, it has all that and its only how much?" the price is whats going to sell this car. people can mod anything they want. And 99% of the ppl that are buying a car don’t care about mods anyway.

 

I'd also like to throw in the Suzuki SX-4 as competition...

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116341

...merely to round out what the xD is up against.

 

i was checking that out the other day....its a pretty cool car. hard to argue with AWDi

 

I'll agree with some other posters here:

If xD debuts in the:

14k range: I'll buy it immediately.
15k range: I'll be weighing my options.
16k range: I'll feel that Toyota has gotten greedy, and I'll go buy an Aveo or a Rio... or an sx4 or a Mazda 3, or a Fit.

Just my 2 cents...