..the xB needs to be replaced

 

My girlfriend's 2003 Mazda Protege.

 

People are proportioned differently. Some people have long legs, some a long torso. Going by height and saying you fit isn't going to really tell someone else much.

I'm 6'1", need the front seat all the way back, but when doing that I fit just fine. Someone else who's 6'1" might not need the seat all the way back, and a third person who's 6'1" might not be comfortable at all.

I fit in the xB a lot better than I do the tC... in the tC there is exactly one position that is comfortable (which gets old on really long drives) and in the xB there are many positions that all work for me.

 

my step dad is 6'7" we trade cars all the time and he is comfortable in it, 2 they cant give you everything you want and keep it reasonably priced, 3. you want all that stuff take it to your local customs shop and 'getter done' or do it urself, see problem solved

 

I think it should Be under lexus and have features like 220 watts of sound, leather seats that are auto comes with 17inch trd rims and be under 22,000

 

I could see it now. A lexus with a way different style, a MSRP of $20k & still has 105hp stock I just dont see this going on. Only 220 watts sound? I could upgrade a stock system for about $500 & have more then that. The wheels, I would go with something better then TRD. Leather, dont want it but could get it done for about $1k or less. Power seats, again dont want but have no clue why you realy want them. Adds way more weight, takes longer to adjust & is just a PITA if it breaks. So if they sold this thing for $20k, that would be about $6k diff from a xB. So with that xB I could build a better box & rice it out by putting Lexus badges on it if I wanted that bad enough.

 

It has stability control, traction control, 4 wheel ABS standard?

I don't think so...

Not to mention the Protege is a deathtrap (sorry)

Have you seen the crash tests on that thing?

 

Collapsable passenger compartment is one standard feature I'm glad the xB didn't come with.

 

A realistic add to to future xB's should be a six speed manual transmission or at the very least new gear ratios. Cruising the highways at 80mph, at 4K rpm is just not right.

These things drive well on the highway and now a days just to keep up with traffic 75 - 80 still gets you the highbeams in the passing lane ...

 

It was designed as a city car. It does quite well on the highway though, except for the high revs.

It would not be cost effective or practical to have added a 6 speed transmission.

I think it's a safe bet that the designed-for-America replacement for the xB will be much more highway friendly so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I wish the xB would have Seats that actually hold my butt in place everytime I took a corner with the car! I have a decent suspenstion and I have to reset my butt every time I take a corner! I also wish the xB had a telescoping wheel, And Powerfolding mirrors!

 

$14,000 car

 

^^^^

Yes, it is indeed a $14,000 car. Which is precisely 28 times more money than what I got for the car I traded in. And the funny thing is that it does not have 28 times fewer shortcomings...

 

Power Folding mirrors cost about $300-750 depending on weather its new or used. Some better seats would cost no more that $1,000.00 I'd gladly pay $1,500 more the the box if had these!

 

Right. Only problem is that 99% of people buying $14000 cars don't want to pay $15000 to have a useless feature like that. There are probably 10,000 other things ahead of *that* on the list.

Its puzzling to me why some people don't seem to understand the Scion business model and how it works. Maybe this will help:

1) Inexpensive cars have extremely slim profit margins

2) Scions are an especially good value because Toyota does alot of creative things to keep the cost of production down without compromising quality too much.

a) They build only ONE spec (save RS's) to simplify inventory and production
b) They include the most popular options as standard
c) They use as much exisiting hardware/platform as possible when possible


3) Adding trim levels and power folding mirrors, HIDs and LSD's and 6 speeds for the xB and all of the other unrealistic things people ask for would drive the cost of production through the roof to satisfy a tiny minority of people when the vast majority of the customers for a $14k car don't expect any of that or care about it. It would price Scions out of their entry level market defeating the whole purpose of the Scion brand.

Hope that helps some people understand how this thing works.

 

I for one understand the Scion business model and definately understand TPS (toyota production system) I build Sienna's for a living. I do agree that somethings would be nice as options for the Xb. Maybe TRD could develope a few things. But we need to be bugging the aftermarket parts manufacturers for this stuff. That is what they are here for. Besides, have you ever seen an automaker embrace aftermarket products like Scion???

On that note, I would love to see a 6 speed manual tranny out there for it. It would go well after adding a turbo. The reclining back seats would be nice since they have a similar setup in the Tc. I do wish the fog light switch at least had a light indicating they are on, but I can install that myself. Honestly, when it comes to lighting, I just wish you didnt have to reach in the back to turn the light on manually. Cruise would be nice, i found a shop locally that will put that in for $200 though.

Its nice to want different things on your car, thats what makes it a Scion, making it your own, but lets not expect Toyota to offer all the options, they gave you the car, its up to you to make it yours.