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Wagons Scion xB 2008 Scion xB - new design... love it or hate it?
63 messages, Last post on May 24, 2009 at 6:44 AM
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| We have owned our 08 Scion xb 5 speed for 4 days which now has 350 miles on the odometer. The trip computer shows 29.2 mpg and by me measuring fuel used comes out to 29.1 mpg by driving secondary highways at 55-60 mph and incity light traffic. My wife and I really like this 08 xb much better than our 05 xb which we have enjoyed very much. You must drive the o8 xb to appreciate how good it is. A good 5 or 6 speed with proper shift points would make the automatic better than by using the 4 speed now being used. This shows what a young team of engineers and designers can do when not dictated to by stale management. | |
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The tiny gun turret windows/high beltline and huge C-pillars are a big mistake. Sensible design, practicality and safety lost out to Toyota's styling department's decision to copy GM's and Chrysler's mistakes. Unbelievable. Then again, they'll probably sell a ton of these to the 50-70 year olds, secretaries, grannies, and college girls etc. that seem to love that nasty PT Cruiser. No doubt Toyota conducted multiple styling clinics that told them that this styling would be popular with consumers. I'm betting more than 80% of the new xB sold will be automatics. Of course, this all raises the question of exactly what market segment is Toyota trying to reach with its Scion brand. Funky, bold, unique, practical, inexpensive vehicles like the xB were supposed to be Toyota's way of bringing new, younger buyers into the Toyota family. The changes seen with the 2008 xB are what I would have expected from Chrysler or GM - not Scion. All the car needed was a few minor upgrades: 1.8 L engine, standard cruise control, a traditional Honda-simlple dash, slight freshening of the front end and revised tail lights. If they wanted to get adventurous they could have added a diesel engine and brought in a bunch of sales from the tree hugger and commuter segments. Since last Fall, I was holding out on buying an xB since I knew the new model was coming. As soon as I saw the 2008 xB, I went out and bought my 2006 xB. What the he11 was Toyota thinking? I suppose the redesigned tC will come with tail fins, a big spoiler, whitewall tires, fake wood side panels, 19 inch chrome wheels (with spinners), fake carbon fiber interior and pinstriping? Can't wait. The 2004 - 2006 xB was cool because it looked like it did and seemed to be designed without a care whether or not people would like it. You either "got" the xB or you didn't - most people seemed to either love or hate the design. If I remember correctly, when Scion first came to California in 2004, Toyota actually expected the xA to outsell the xB by around a 2:1 margin. The style and practicality of the xB resulted in the xB trouncing the (practical-but-bland) xA in sales. Now fast forward to 2007 where we have a new xB introduced that seems to be trying hard to look cool. Sorry I'm seriously considering buying another 2006 xB and putting it in storage... |
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My wife and I both had the same feelings about the 08 xb as poster #32 until we drove it on a 110 mile test drive. We also felt that the 06 xb could be slightly upgraded with side airbags, the 1.8 engine,better aerodynamics etc. Our new 08 xb is averaging 29+ mpg in normal driving which is better than the 23 mph that we expected. The new standard ammenities/driveability are so nice. It seems to us that the 08 xb is actually a new different model and the 08 xd is the replacement for the old xb. We have and love both xbs.
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Replying to: subjective (May 29, 2007 8:54 am) I see Toyota also jumped on the silly gun turret window/high beltline styling bandwagon with the xA's replacement, the xD. Despite this, the xD seems to be more in keeping with the design philosophy of the old xB. For years, manufacturers have "dumbed down" their vehicles for the American market, typically selling vesions of their vehicles that have poorer handling, softer ride, more options and are bigger than the versions sold in Europe and Japan. (Examples include the VW Golf, Honda Accord and Ford Focus, which often seem like completely different vehicles compared to the versions sold to "Fat Americans". Car companies seem to believe Americans only want bigger, plush-riding, numb-steering vehicles.) The 2008 xB continues that patronizing attitude: Fatten it up, try to overcome the weight with a bigger engine, jump on the latest styling fads and then try to market it as "cool" or "hip". I'm not biting. The 2008 "xB" may be a good vehicle, but it sure as he11 isn't a real xB. Fisrt Honda butchers the CRV and now Scion butchers the xB. Great. All I need now is for Honda to kill off the S2000 this Fall and the year will "perfect". If I was in the market for a practical vehicle now that the new xB has had its base price jacked up by $1,600 this year, I would look at the Honda Fit (hate the geeky styling + lack of a dead pedal), Honda Element (hate the geeky styling) and Scion xA (amazing price for what you get) instead of the xB and would probably go with a manual transmission base Fit. |
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A reporter would like to get consumer feedback on the redesigned Scion xB. You do not have to be an owner to respond. Please respond to ctalati edmunds.com no later than June 1, 2007 with your daytime contact information.
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Hello everyone and some of you have stong opinions regarding the new design. Let me say that I think the design is a massive improvement over the prior Xb. The Xb still has the box shape with more functionality, comfort, performance, and a broader market appeal. You know at one time not to long ago all inexpensive economy cars were non descript and unattractive. In the last ten years the masses can now afford a fun design such as the VW Bug, Mini Cooper, PT Cruiser, Chev. HHR, Scions, Element, and others. At one time only the weathly could afford a distictive design. Weather you hate or love these designs, it is amazing how much design character you get for your money these days. I really like the new Xb and cant wait to test drive it. For the clone poster the PT Cruiser has been a massive success for Chrysler and still sells well after 7 years. |
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| Our previous 2005 xB was a base model with Automatic as the only option. We took delivery of a 2008 xB yesterday, and the only thing I really do not like is the single low mounted back-up light. Being in the Chicago area, the light in the daytime, is ignored by most parking lot space-racers. I am looking forward to an aftermarket set of tail light assemblies containing back-up lights for better notice to oncoming drivers. | |
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| We now have 840 miles on our new 5 speed 08 XB. Combined driving on interstate(75-80 mph), secondary hwy(55-60 mph) and city light traffic, the XB is giving a steady 29.1 mpg. Both trip computer and fuel used return this mpg figure. Tire pressure used is 35 psi cold. Our silver 05 XB 5 speed has been offered for 7 days at $12,850. with no takers. It is mint and yet we notice that they are offering the same model 05 XBs in California at 15 to $18k. Perhaps someone would like to come to Florida to visit Disney and save some money on our 05 XB. | |
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I haven't driven the '08 or the previous gen either, but have checked them out and sat in them a few times. I am pretty excited with the changes on the new one. But, something popped into my head and won't go away... I remembered two things I thought were outstanding, even fantastic, in the original xB, and seem to have been lost; the comfortable front seats and the view looking out from inside the car. Seats as comfortable as a $35,000 car, and a 360 view as good, or better, than an interstate bus. A coworker just purchased an '06 Automatic, low miles, with fancy wheels, lowered one inch, and also a few of the options people ordered, for $15,000. She loves it, and did check out the '08 first. I recommended the '08, but her boyfriend has a first gen, and checked out the new one real good. Now they got a matching set! Both of them disliked the 2008. Just a story, not trying to make any point, I guess. The new engine, bigger & better brakes, wider stance, longer wheelbase, and a slightly chopped look make the new one my favorite. Again, haven't driven either, or been in either when they were under power. |
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I test drove a base 08 Xb auto today. The car drove great and has good power. The AC actually cooled the car down(the 06 I test drove over a year ago was pathetic, no power and the AC was poor). The price is decent considering all the standard equipment that was not on the 06(side and curtain airbags, cruise, and traction control). I thought the car look decent and has lots of room inside. For those of you who does not like the way this car looks, don't buy it or buy an 07 Xb. I think this car is a good value with good gas mileage compare to most SUV, including car based SUV. 
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