So I'm looking at the XA and XB... Went on my lunch break from work and took a very quick test drive on the XA. It handles nicely though I'm a little more interested in the XB after I sat in it, though its got an odd seat feel to it some what van like.

But none the less I'm still a little more on the XBs side even from the first time I saw it. So how does it handle? Modded/Unmodded I know it plays a role but I would be buying so I don't mind dumping a little money into it to make it perform better. But how does it feel on cornering? Does it hug or is it a little wide? Looks a little top heavy and could result in a wider turn compared to a tight turn. From what I thought in my quick test the XA seems like it could hug turns easily.

 

xB has superb handling, even better once you drop it. When I corner real fast, I'm more concerned about it sliding off course than it tipping over. It has a very rigid frame.

 

Not top-heavy what-so-ever. All the weight is on the bottom. It handles good.

I have a 1.6" drop (Hotchkis) And the Hotchkis strut bar. And now it handles like a go-kart. I've heard that with some sway bars, it's even better.

-THE DON

 

lol I like the license plate...

Yeah I figured that would be one of the first things to do to it was drop it. Outside of that I'm glad to hear it handles nicely. Now all I have to do is look into some engine upgrades to make it accel faster.

 

handles better than any other rectilinear vehicle i have driven

 

it handle good in stock, even my bro was impress. my bro said that the suspension is stiff like his '85 Corolla GT-S...

 

Yeah I have always had mixed feelings with stiff suspension.

Its very nice for cornering I like the feel, but the bumps in the road aren't so nice.

 

Handling is actually pretty decent even stock height. Toss on a set of decent, light weight rims and some grippy tires and you'll be good to go. If you lower it get the struts and springs, getting just springs can overload the stock struts... And if you can swing it, do the sway bars. The TRD suspension and Hotchkis bars can be financed in and installed with warranty, not such a bad deal for really decent handling.

 

I actually thought the handling was better in the xB than the xA. Could have my imagination, but it felt stiffer. It's quite responsive and about as good as I would expect any FWD car to be. The only things I don't like are the way high winds push it around and the fact that the seats don't have much side support. They look like they do, but when I hit the corners I still slide around a bit.

The seating position took a few weeks to get used to but it's completely natural to me now.

 

handled great stock, but even better once i put htechs under it. i love throwing this thing around turns and offramps.

it's never felt top heavy, even with stock suspension

 

moved...

 

Yeah that actually was a question of mine... The seating is a lot like a van and this is a pretty sporty compact, it's not down in a bucket seat like the TC so racing around looked to be a little odd at first. Just like anything I would get used to it but just looked a little different. Which is one BIG reason why I'm here, I just had to get away from the normal US bland big button look.

Still looking into some engine mods to make it jump off the line fast and handle nicely. So this is good that it handles nicely, just have to look through some engine mods now.

 

Its funny when people think the xb is top heavy, its not whatsoever. It handles better than my Civic I had previous to the box.

 

Dropping it helps the handling immensely. The Progress Anti-Sway bar really helps eliminate understeer. That and the Strut Tower bar have really made the handling and steering feel more precise. I keep kicking myself after I take a corner fast for letting off. It's been so long since I've had RWD, I forgot how much more enjoyable oversteer is. Now when I'm cornering, I must be aware of not pulling too tight and whipping the back end out instead of that nasty feeling that the front corner is going to just drift on its own towards the outside. I'm sure the VSC would kick in before any actual rear sliding, but it gives that feeling with the Progress Bar.

IMO, the stock shocks and struts are fine to start with. Most of the spring manufacturers design them to work with the stock stuff.

 

handles really good...our product specialist was PSYCHO (loved him!!! ) and for a while i thought he was gonna kill us cause he turned the steering wheel everywhere...but otehr than the window blowing it off course, its cool.

 

I was shocked at how well the box handled the curves when I test drove it.

My wife gets mad at me b/c I like to take all curves with a good bit of speed.

 

A tc can out corner ur box anyday

 

Don't hurt your shoulder patting yourself on the back...

 

I've got Hotchkis sway bars under the front and rear end,as well as the Hotchkis strut bar under teh hood, and my box handles like a champ...I drive a stretch of hilly road everyday to and from work and I take corners at over 50mph easily...Aside from the suspension improvements, my ride is bone stock with no wheel or spring mods...It's a bouncy ride at times with a lot of road vibration, but if you're like me your stereo is up loud enough to where you don't notice it :D

DAN

 

The xB's center of gravity is quite low, so no top-heaviness. I had a Focus previous to my xB, and I too was concerned about the handling, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well the box takes corners. Get one, you won't regret it.