I need a 2nd car for Courier/Hot Shot Delivery duty.

After looking for a suitable used car for the job that gets good mileage, has some possible aftermarket support and doesn't cost an arm and leg, it looks like the xD is the car of choice.

I'm going to look at one tomorrow sometime and hope I can get one within the couple of days or so, depending on several factors.

Looks like you can hide a stereo system in the car which is important as I need access to all the cargo space I can generate and don't want to move around sub enclosures just to put some boxes in the car for delivery.

This also meets my goal of installing a CarPC since the Double DIN factory deck allows for a nice 7" Touchscreen.

As for options, I think I would like the TRD Springs and Struts, I was told if they are done at the dock in San Pedro it will cost less than having the dealer do it, I assume that is true?

For wheels, $2000 for TRD RH rims is WAY too high..... I have picked out some wheels that will look great and will fit (42mm offset).

I hope I can pick one up soon... Wish me luck

Yes I've been a member of this forum for awhile -

 

Dealerships should not be charging extra to put the TRD suspensions on. I have heard that some do, but mine did not. I was not charged any more than the Scion website listed for any options. I installed the rear sway bar myself because I could get it from TRD Sparks a lot cheaper and it just bolts right on... but the dealership did the springs, shocks, struts, short shift kit, and the 16" alloys with ZERO installation charge.

However, if you opt for dealer install, they will most likely have to order the parts at the time of the sale and you'll bring the car back to have everything installed.

Many people overlook the 16" alloys, which are only $795, since they use the same tires off the steel wheels. I think they look really nice, but if you are into bigger wheels, then aftermarket seems like the way to go.

Also, just as a personal note, I recommend getting VSC. VSC (stability control) is the most revolutionary safety feature since the seatbelt. It is not an "idiot" feature... it actually does things that the driver cannot possibly do (like braking one wheel at a time) no matter how good of a driver they are. Anyway, VSC is going to be standard on all cars, trucks and SUVs come 2012... but for now it is optional on the xD. Scion offers VSC cheaper than any other car I looked at. With almost all other compact cars, you have to add over $2,000 (and up to $4,600) worth of other options just to be able to get stability control. Scion offers it for just $650, but it NEEDS to be built into the car at the factory. It cannot be added at the dealership or the port.

 

Ai agree on the VSC! It made the car a little more difficult to locate, but I've already noticed a couple of times when it helped me get out of tight spots. With the requirement down the road, I think it will also help with resale value!

 

VSC is nice and I used to have Class A so I am a good driver, but I haven't seen a car with it.

I needed to bump this original post as I failed to get an xD last time as I got a nice lump of coal from title holder of my SRT-4 that sank my credit score some 100pts! Its BS but of course they will not claim responsiblity to it, the banking system needs a serious overhaul - Rant Over

In any event, I had to find a dealer that had his own bank/paper. I picked up a 2002 Protege 5, only to have that involved in an accident when a old man tried to beat a red light during rush hour.... Result is $8,000 in damage and value of $4500 on a car I paid $6000 for and the loan was $8560 for 22 months, you guess the interest rate... Car Totalled, loan paid, back to square one.

I spent much time online and far too much time and money on public transportation and I don't want to venture too far when cars are available locally and the xD is what I want...

I found a RS.20 at Longo but dayum it why can't it be more local! I might have to end up going to Hammer again where people were quite rude.

I'll keep you posted...

 

well, NOHO toyota/scion seems great. i recommend them. they also gave me a 15% off any service, for ANY toyota car after 2 weeks buying my xd.

 

Alot of sales people will have the car transfered for you free of charge if you buy it, or maybe even if you put down the 500 (refundable) retainer.

 

Well I am going to go through Cars Direct. I have to wait for finalization of payment of the car loan, which should happen in the next few days which is fine because it would take CD a few days to find the car, option it out, find a lender and deliver the car.

I have told my Cars Direct Rep I want TRD Springs and Struts installed on the car and have mentioned an interest in the RS2.0 even though again my time is valuable, the factory Navigation HU is $1800, while RS2.0 adds only $1270 to the overall price, a net saving of over $400 and you can do WAY more with the F700BT and has Bluetooth already which supports A2DP.

I wanna keep it under $16,000 to keep the payments down, I am still paying on my SRT-4

 

Don't forget VSC! You can add springs and shocks any time... you can't add VSC later.

 

I don't think I really need vsc, it hardly rains in socal, I know how to steer correctly.