http://www.fastscions.com/scion-xa-x...SB-SX03FU.aspx

It is the cheapest front strut tower brace on the site, wondering if it is a good buy...or should I invest in something more. Opinions welcomed with (hopefully) no flaming.

 

Skip it and save your money for something that is actually functional, like a Rear Sway Bar.

 

^^ QFT! The strut tower brace doesn't do much (functionally). It's a good show piece, that's about it.

 

A must have piece of equipment

 

x2... yup dont do much at all......wanna dress up so engine bay go right ahead,rear sway bar is what you want

 

The front strut bar doesn't really do much. Only in super hard turns did I ever realize it was there. I don't miss mine.

Get the rear sway bar though, that makes a solid difference.

 

Thanks for all the tips, I will definitely be going for the sway bars before the front strut bar based on your responses. There is a front and rear sway bar combo for $260. Seemed like a good deal. Any advice? Link: http://www.fastscions.com/scion-xa-x...ars-22414.aspx

 

I picked up the Megan strut bar off of ebay for $31. I know it doesn't really do anything and is mostly just a dress item, but the price was right. You might be able to catch another one that cheap. I was the only bidder on it, so I guess they're not that popular.

 

sweet, thanks for the info!

 

I don't even own a rear anti-roll bar, but I would recommend one. My box came (used) with a strut-tower brace, and I hate it. It exists mostly as a knuckle-skin-remover and clearance-reducer under the hood. I haven't removed it yet, because I figure I'll wait until I do something else with the suspension (if all goes well, I may be on air in a year or so, I hope) that requires disassembly.

 

I would only go with a rear anti-roll bar(aka sway bar). Here is why.

The xB is naturally prone to major understeer. Car manufacturers like understeer as it is "safer" for inexperienced drivers to deal with than oversteer.
If you add stiffer front & rear anti-roll bars (FYI there is a stock front bar) you will stiffen both ends of the car. Thus while it will handle better than stock, it will still be set up for major understeer because both ends stiffened up by the same amount.
Adding a rear anti-roll bar will stiffen the rear axle and reduce rear body lean. the will help make the handling more "neutral". With the reduced understeer the car will turn sharper, and the rear will come around easier.

I have a Progress rear bar, it is one of the thickest ones sold for the xB, and you can get one for under $150 easily.

 

The TRD rear sway bar is currently $99 from trdsparks with shipping being about $15.