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USA Today Reviews the New xB

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Old Jun 15, 2007 | 03:02 PM
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Default USA Today Reviews the New xB

Bon
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http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...drive-xb_N.htm

It's fun. That's key. Who wants a car that's not?

The xB's rectangular body, now softened and rounded on the edges, still is a curiosity, if not as outrageous as The Box that preceded it. The bigger engine — the same as in the Scion tC. sports coupe and, oh irony, the base, bland Camry — really makes xB a scooter. It makes for a nice gain in zipability.

Even the automatic transmission, which should be a dud because it's a four-speed instead of a five, contributes to the joy. In auto mode it shifts up crisply and promptly, interrupting the flow of engine power almost not at all. It downshifts well, though sometimes after a pause you didn't request. And it has a manual-shift mode that lets you stab the gear lever forward or back to change ratios as if you were commanding a manual gearbox.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 03:51 PM
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Wow, this is the first time i saw the inside of the new xb, and i like it!
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 06:14 PM
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Manufactured in Japan. I was wondering about that.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 07:00 PM
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the review seems pretty honest. i hate when the writers bias is obvious...the onlything that scares me

"How thirsty? Rated 22 miles per gallon in town, 28 on the highway, 24 in combined driving, regardless of transmission. Test car's trip computer showed 19.6 mpg in 100 suburban miles, 28 mpg in 300 highway miles."

thats all they talked about for the MPG. thats the single biggest reason i didnt get an xB2. my 07 GTI is getting 28.5mpg right now and i only do 20% highway
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 07:34 PM
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new xB is a waste...it costs too much to attract young buyers and looks to weird for older buyers. Now it gets worse gas mileage, so they just alienated all those who bought or wanted to buy the original. I do not plan on buying any new Scion products unless they can make another decent vehicle, like the first gen xB.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 07:57 PM
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i like it...but does anyone else feel like the shifter looks out of place and photoshopped to be there?

i'd still choose the 1st gen xB over the 2nd gen though. it's a box that's why i like it.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 08:01 PM
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it does look fake

haha is that the same e-brake handel?!?
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 04:27 AM
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wouldn't be a gen2 thread without the haters
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 10:47 AM
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I was wondering about the road and wind noise...This review pretty much answers that question for me.
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 02:05 PM
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That article seems like it was written by a sophmore in high school...
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 08:23 PM
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As a sophomore in high school I would just like to point out you spelled it wrong...which brings much needed justice on your bashing of my generation.

Seriously though, that mileage sucks compared to the first gen.
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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Ooh snap. I thought that looked wrong as I was typing it

Man, I wish I had a car as cool as the xB when I was in H.S... my first car was a VW Scirocco, haha.
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 05:04 AM
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I guess I'll just have to drive it and see for myself. I still love the 1st gen much more!
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 05:34 AM
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to me it's the steering wheel that actually looks photochopped...

anyway, i love driving my 2nd gen...it's just as fun as driving my 1st gen that traded in...if i was in situation to keep both, i would, cause it's hard to let go of both...


JC
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 01:56 PM
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I sat in one yesterday and I have to admit it's nice. I like a lot better than I thought I would.
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Grateful11
I sat in one yesterday and I have to admit it's nice. I like a lot better than I thought I would.
just like the 1st gen xB...i remember the first time it came out, people were VERY skeptical about it...heck even Scion thought the xA would outsold the xB...then people started driving them and enjoyed the drive :D



JC
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by az_pinoy
just like the 1st gen xB...i remember the first time it came out, people were VERY skeptical about it...heck even Scion thought the xA would outsold the xB...then people started driving them and enjoyed the drive :D
Totally agree. My girlfriend was thinking of getting the xD when it came out, but she started seeing xB2's around town and wanted to sit in one. She was skeptical about it being too big for her (she's only 4'11") but when she actually got to sit in it, she really liked it. We're planning on taking one for a test drive this coming Saturday.
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 05:24 PM
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BIG reason why I wouldnt get the xb1:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=717
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 04:29 AM
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Keep in mind the xB1's low rating is due to the lack of side airbags, and any car without them will score lower than one with.
Old Jun 26, 2007 | 02:27 AM
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I would just challenge all the skeptics to go test drive one, then you will understand......It's a much better car.



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