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xA to xD trade...anyone else?
Thread Starter
Member
SL Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
From: Sandusky,Oh
xA to xD trade...anyone else?
I just bought an '09 xD with 45k on it and sold my '06 xA to my son for his first car. Both automatics.
Drove it from northern Ohio to Carey NC for a 1200mi round trip so I got a pretty good idea of the differences so far:
-The bigger engine is nice since the car is 300# heavier but it actually gets better mileage (according to the on board computer).
-The ride is smoother but it takes some effort to keep it in a long turn (W.Va. mountains). It's not as sporty and seems a bit top heavier than the xA probably due to softer suspension.
-The xD has a large blind spot aft of the rear windows that interferes with backing.
-The xA has the straight line shifting and the xD has the "Shifting for Dummies" pattern. I tend to hang onto the shifter and in right turns on the xD it knocks it out of OD. I'm planning on turning a taller shift **** out of wood too, this one is about 4" too short and the hard plastic gets COLD.
-The arm rest is a nice addition but would be better 1" higher and about 4" forward. Hmm...maybe an adjustable sliding modification.
-I dislike the "premium" radio, there's way too much crap on it and the glare off the face in BAD. I checked into swapping with the old one and the sound shop wants $50 to do it.
-The metallic brake pads still squeak and make a mess on the front wheel. Need to install the ceramics I just bought.
-And last but not least...the dealer had Armour All'ed the dash and the glare is horrible! I made them clean most of it off. Not the greatest design.
Overall a maturing of the design. Like most cars they get fatter and softer like the rest of us...:?
Drove it from northern Ohio to Carey NC for a 1200mi round trip so I got a pretty good idea of the differences so far:
-The bigger engine is nice since the car is 300# heavier but it actually gets better mileage (according to the on board computer).
-The ride is smoother but it takes some effort to keep it in a long turn (W.Va. mountains). It's not as sporty and seems a bit top heavier than the xA probably due to softer suspension.
-The xD has a large blind spot aft of the rear windows that interferes with backing.
-The xA has the straight line shifting and the xD has the "Shifting for Dummies" pattern. I tend to hang onto the shifter and in right turns on the xD it knocks it out of OD. I'm planning on turning a taller shift **** out of wood too, this one is about 4" too short and the hard plastic gets COLD.
-The arm rest is a nice addition but would be better 1" higher and about 4" forward. Hmm...maybe an adjustable sliding modification.
-I dislike the "premium" radio, there's way too much crap on it and the glare off the face in BAD. I checked into swapping with the old one and the sound shop wants $50 to do it.
-The metallic brake pads still squeak and make a mess on the front wheel. Need to install the ceramics I just bought.
-And last but not least...the dealer had Armour All'ed the dash and the glare is horrible! I made them clean most of it off. Not the greatest design.
Overall a maturing of the design. Like most cars they get fatter and softer like the rest of us...:?
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 117
From: Denton
congrats on the xD, I never had an xA, but I do like them. Thing I like most about the xD, is it has the same bolt pattern as the tC, which makes looking for wheels a little easier. If you weren't in Ohio, I would offer to swap my standard stereo +cash for your premium unit. Enjoy the car, I know I have so far.