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2008 Scion xB - new design... love it or hate it?

63 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2009 at 7:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Scion xB, Automotive News, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 7

#34 of 63 Re: we like both our 05 xb and our new 08 xb [subjective] by cloned_2_death

May 30, 2007 (2:45 am)

Replying to: subjective (May 29, 2007 9:54 am)
I feel the new xB is actually a fairly solid vehicle. The only problem is it is no longer an xB in spirit. Instead, it seems to have morphed into yet another competent-yet-vanilla, cynical, design-by-committee-for-fat-Americans vehicle. The quirky, lean, mean xB attitude was a casualty of this redesign. Toyota might as well have called it the xD, but no doubt wanted to leech off the goodwill built up by the original ("real") xB.
 
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.

#35 of 63 Press Request by Karen@Edmunds HOST

May 31, 2007 (10:17 am)

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 ctalatiedmunds.com no later than June 1, 2007 with your daytime contact information.

#36 of 63 Response to Negativity re: Xb design by bpraxis

May 31, 2007 (1:39 pm)

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.

#37 of 63 2nd xB by tonyklo

May 31, 2007 (5:47 pm)

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.

#38 of 63 MPG on New XB by subjective

Jun 02, 2007 (8:13 am)

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.

#39 of 63 Likes - Dislikes by bearcrkrd

Jun 03, 2007 (1:18 am)

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.

#40 of 63 08 Xb Auto by vu2000

Jun 04, 2007 (7:48 pm)

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.

#41 of 63 2008 XB by babbajo

Jun 05, 2007 (1:02 pm)

I bought the 2008 XB and I love everything about it. I traded in a 2006 Scion TC to get it. I loved the tc but needed more room, and the XB has given it to me.I am 62 years old and on my TC I put a big dragon on each side of my car. It was a silver car and I put a black dragon on it. I also added red pin striping to the dragon. Everyone in my town loved my car from 8 to 80 years old.

#42 of 63 Re: 2008 XB [babbajo] by tonyklo

Jun 05, 2007 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: babbajo (Jun 05, 2007 1:02 pm)
Hi!! Glad to see it is not only 20-somethings buying the great xB's! I'm 57 and as I said in an earlier post, I had a 2005 white xB we used to call our "little white milk truck" because it reminded us of the old '50s home delivery trucks. We got our white 2008 xB automatic last week and enjoy every drive in it. I'm in the Chicago area, and it would be fun to see (nearest major city) where the posts are from.

#43 of 63 Re: 08 Xb Auto [vu2000] by aatherton

Jun 06, 2007 (7:27 am)

Replying to: vu2000 (Jun 04, 2007 7:48 pm)
"... For those of you who does not like the way this car looks, don't buy it or buy an 07 Xb.
 
I did not buy my xB1 for its looks, and would not buy the xB2 for its looks. I buy for function, utility, and and how it fits my body. I like a high car that is easy to enter and has lots of headroom. A car with tall windows to see out of all around, with a low belt line so I can rest my arm on the window sill.
Scion could have kept us all in the fold, if only they had made incremental improvements to the xB1, like the normal progression of a model. But the xB2 is a new design that does not do what I want. While I don't mind the extra size and power and cost, I don't like the chopping of the headroom, the raising of the belt line, the resulting slit windows, and no place to rest the left arm. Scion has introduced styling to the xB, but with loss of those things that mattered to me.

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