I will be test driving one eventually. I'm not happy on a first impression basis with what I'm seeing and reading, It does seem that they tried to hard to "respond" to what critics called the shortcomings of the Gen1 xB. They responded right down to the center armrest and the cruise control

Oddly though, what I got from the owners was that they would have liked these things simply added to the old chassis without sacrificing everything we already likedabout the original car. Practically though, we had to know that this was inevitable; the Gen1 has been in production for about a decade despite the fact that it was only introduced here for 2004, it was going to be time to move on.

IMHO, it would not have been possible to improve/upgrade the existing xBox with everything on the Gen2 without sacrificing something anyway. Shoehorning a 2.4l into a Gen1 (or maybe a 1.8l?) would have added weight and altered the handling. You could not have improved the ride and upholstery without giving up some of the seat-of-the-___ connectivity.

Personally, I'm stuck in my Gen1 for around 150 miles a day. I like it the way it is just fine. It's peppy in traffic and thrifty on the highway. I have lower back issues but I'm never uncomfortable, even without the armrest (which I could have bought ages ago) and even on trips of 8 hours or so non-stop I only barely mis the cruise control.

But then I am fortunate. I have about 10 cars at my disposal. When I'm not engaged in business in my xB, I can drive my wife's xB or ...

...if I really want a comfy ride with all power-options, including an armrest and cruise, I can slide this [b]1966 Cadillac with 75,000 original 1-owner miles out under its cover .....


Damn the gas prices! (I actually get about 16mpg with this yacht..) It's about $86 to fill the tank, but then again, this car is not for the daily commute either!

In spite of its 4600 lb curbweight, the 7l (429CID) would outrun the xB from the light but if the old-school Detroit classic seems to slow and comfy, I have my choice of these 5.7second 0-60mph (145mph top-end) factory-built sleepers...




Yeah, there's faster and prettier out there but the green one is '69 and the brown one is a '70 and it got it done completely stock without blowers, turbos, nitrous, add-ons or electronics. These are on a 250 psi independent-valve regulated full airspring suspension and are an absolute rush to drive.

Besides being a shameless showoff, i guess my point was that I didn't need (or want) every ideal quality all in one car. If I need hauling/cargo space, I have 2x Ford Country Squire wagons. If I want to raise my pulse rate I take one of the Benzes. If I want a really comfy old-school cruise, I take the Caddy. When I want something I don't mind taking out in the rain, that is practical, economical, and yet downright fun to drive, I take a toaster!

So, that having been said I was really hoping they would keep the Gen1 at least one or two more years in our market as is. My '05 xB is just across the 70K mile mark and I hoped at a 150K or so to retire it from business-use and hand it down to my youngest daughter and go get another brand-new one just like it. Guess not and there is no way I would buy used for business purposes. (Downtime for maintenance or repairs is a huge problem, hence always a new Toyota and retire to private use at before 200K miles.)




My final take on the new xB is that I'm sure I will buy it in another year or two to replace my current one regardless of the differences.

I get the impression that there is probably as much to like as there is to dislike and they really are not truly comparable animals. Maybe not as much difference as between the classic Beetle and the new generation Bug, but just as much a completely new and differnt vehicle based on the original concept

There is no question that there are some really good things I will miss about my current xB, but they will surely be balanced out by listening to the same great sound in those comfy seats with one arm on the armrest and the cruise control on!

The one truly big difference that the new model will make: Toyota Scion will not be taking my original box as a trade in!!

 

OK here is a thought for you. According to Scion.com today there are 742 gen1's left. With your other cars you clearly have some storage space available. Probably have some cash. You could buy one of the last 06's and put it in storage a couple years until you are ready to give up the 05. :D

 

TorneoDude - agree 100%. Sweet rides too!

 

Hmmmm.... That's not a bad idea I actually gave it quite a bit of thought. Unfortunately as a business I have to be especially practical too. While the thought is mighty tempting, assuming there is still an available Polar White 5spd to be had, I can't justify $16K+* (plus insurance etc.) on something I won't get to use for another two years because of a personal preference. (My business requires about a $50K or so in reserve during the year for taxes and expenses.) *I could wait to add the Japanese cherry interior and dual-burner 6x-ballast 23KV HID upgrades (not shown in the old avatar picture under my nametag) or it would be over $18K sitting in storage! Oh and it has to be PW because of the company logo across the sides!

Sooo.... I dunno... I'm sorely tempted to look into it... maybe as a financed unit at under $350 a month; it would be very affordable... only I'm also kinda thin on parking an storage space. I'd have to rent a U-store it that allows for cars (not all do) and add that the monthly tab... My wife would probably think I've lost my mind...

<---Wife? Hmmm... maybe if I gave the '05 to my daughter to drive ahead of schedule... But I'm not ready to break a new one in yet... only 70K on this one.... wanted a switchover at 200K... Then I would want my "rural illumination package" (6x ballast HID's) and my upgraded interior too...

I'll get back to you on that one!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *


THX wibblywobbly ! *respect*


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

They aren't bashing, they're giving their opinions...Just like what you said about the tippy underpowered 1st gen, but going into every thread and doing it is called spam or trolling or w/e

Now that thats out of the way, I'm still trying to bring myself to like the 2nd gen, and i just cant do it. It looks off the wall, I understand that they want unique, but so are the BMWs, and they arent half as hard to love

 

So i drove the new xb, and i definatly have to agree with my man wibblywobbly, there is no way you can compare the responsiveness and drivability to the WRX or Si. Maybe the TC, but nothing compared to the two previously mentioned. The WRX and Si are factory tuned to be weekend racers right out of the box and there is no way you are taking the 2nd gen XB straight off the lot onto the track. The car was unresponsive and a little sloppy and i think you would have a hard time keeping it in line if you wanted to do some "spirited driving." I think with some major suspension parts it might be better, but coming from someone who has weekend raced a WRX and RX-7, this car is more geared towards young families that cant afford a large SUV but want something larger than a 4 door coupe with a smooth ride.

The styling of the car i really didnt like compared to the 1st gen. Right out of the box the 1st gen bone stock with some rims looked pretty good, but the 2nd gen seemed a little too plain for me. It seems like you would almost need a body kit like the 5 axis one to turn heads and not get lost in the crowed, but the 1st gen just seems to stand out even in stock clothing.

Now im not "bashing" the new xb im just giving my opinion. I think there is a lot of potential for this car but right now the aftermarket hasnt caught up with it, just like the early years of the 1st gen. I think once the aftermarket has caught up we will see some great things out of the new one. Who knows i might be persuaded to buy one one day but for right now...I'll pass!

 

I stopped at my dealer and it appears we East Coasters won't be able to test-drive an '08 here for about another month (June). According to them there are less than 21 of the '06 Gen1 version available for dealer-exchange in our region. (Apparently, there's a distance limit with Toyota/Scion on how far away they can go to source cars from other lots! )

You guys who are getting to test-drive the Gen2 are lucky indeed. I'm dying to settle the Gen1/Gen2 question at least in my own mind once and for all but will have to wait for now.

For now the dealership where we bought the last 2x has my test-drive request on file and I'm gonna keep scanning the lot everytime I pass to see if anything sneaks in unannounced!

 

I amin NC and we get Showrooom model next week. Mine is around the 21st of May so far.

 

It reminds me of the Chevy HHR now! There are 2 other xB's at the building I work at and a HHR. I like to think of it as the funky wagon club :D

 

UPDATE; OK, there it is, parked in the front of Yuba City Scion. And here I am in my box. First impression from down the street...I thought it was a SUV.

Looks much better in person. I like it. But it's not for me. It's just too mainstream for me. I like quirky, I like different. That's what attracted me to the first XB. That's just my opinion.

The salesmen saw my ride and came running. Middle aged guy with good credit alert!

I said I'd be back later for a test drive, but I decided against it. I'm sure it's smoother, better, etc. It's a Toyota, you can't go wrong. They will sell all they make.

But it's not a box. it's not my box. I love my box.

 

One more styling comment.

Is it me, or do I see a lot of Honda Ridgeline in the new XB styling. The curved truck-like front end and the short windows.

 

As one post noted, there are new EPA standards for 2008 models. The Tc numbers will go down, so will the Camry and probably 99.9% of the cars out there will go down under the new standards - this is their 2007 versus 2008 EPA with no other real changes to the vehicle.

Eventually you will see this when the majority of 2008's are out. I also sell Subaru's, so can compare the cars side by side to try and explain what is going on.

Bottom line, the new numbers are supposed to be more in line with the actual mileage that owners will be getting, so this is a good thing. Just confusing when you compare a 2008 to a 2007 or earlier.

 

I bought my 05 xB in part because I read that it had been around since '99 or so as the bB...I ain't buyin any car in it's first year of production!

 

I ain't buyin any car in it's first year of production!

We took that chance with the '05 tC. Haven't been disappointed yet! Luckily all the parts came together okay.

 

Gary and yesti - is it my imagination, or haven't one or both of you posted the exact same negative respsone on multiple threads? Kind if overkill, isn't it?

 

Gary and yesti - is it my imagination, or haven't one or both of you posted the exact same negative respsone on multiple threads? Kind if overkill, isn't it?

The response in this thread isn't negative, is it? I commented on the other 'first drive' thread about the xB's curb weight which may seem negative in that I pointed out it weighs more than the tC.

 

I typed a whole bunch of stuff then decided to change gears. I am not trying to be combative.

I love the 1968 - 1970 Dodge Charger. In 1971 they changed the body, a lot. It is not the same car, no one can tell me it is the same car. But I never thought to argue that Dodge went the wrong way. The array of Chargers over the last 20 years has also been anything but retro. The 2.2 Turismo based car was a joke - but I actually owned one for a few years as it fit my needs at the time. The current 4-door Charger is another example of using a name incorrectly - again in my opinion.

So, the Gen 2 xB is doing nothing different than other manufacturers have done with their nameplates since they have been producing cars. Current Gen 1 owners have a piece of history

 

Do the rear windows roll down all the way?

I sat in one today (no keys though) and the rear seat legroom is noticebly less. Although the xB1 had a comical amount of rear legroom, really. The dash seems higher and more imposing even with the seat cranked all the way up and visibility is definitely not as good (compared to the xB1). I do like the placement of the shifter though, and the car was clearly less economical both in terms of interior material and overall solid-ness.

It does look better in person too.

Chris

 

Well, after owning (still owning) 2x '05 xB's and fretting whether I would like the new Gen2, I got a call from my local dealer on Wed (5/23) evening. They got 1x xB in white with a 5-speed. (Another nearby dealer also got a mere 2x on the same day.) I went out on Thurs and took it for a spirited test-drive.

As I suspected, it is a completely different vehicle! I think Toyota/Scion would have done better to call it an xE than to suggest it is an evolution of the Gen1 xB. Still, judged on it's own merits without attempting to compare it with its "predecessor" it comes off as a really great little car.

Signed the paperwork Friday at 3:30 and it's in the driveway with the other two Gen1's!

I have only started to push it as I have only put 100 miles on it so far and it's still running on the break-in oil, but the take-off is amazing. The gearing on the 5-spd is very generous to a leadfoot like mine. It's noticeably faster than my son's new '07 tC with the A/T. The Gen1 5spd was already nimble in traffic with the economical 1.5l VVT-i, but the 2.4 is scorchingly faster. The 5spd Gen1 rated at 9.0 sec 0-60, I wonder what this Gen2 is rated at? In any case, it leaves traffic behind at the light and pulls nicely for passing/lane-change maneuvers.

We will see how the fuel economy goes. This thing comes with a fuel computer as part of the instrument pack, but I sat in traffic on the way home Friday and registered a mere 30 mph avg trip speed at 24.7 mpg. (over approx. 100+ mile trip).

The Scion badges have already been shaved and replaced with OEM 3x5 chrome Toyota ovals at the rear hatch and hood lip. (I installed a custom all-metal billet grille and the emblem IMHO looks better on the hood on the Gen2 than the grille because of the 'thicker' looking hood.) VVT-i , and TRD badges are ordered for the horn-pad and roof quarters, and the xB is being replaced by a JDM "ARISTO" badge. 16" 6-spoke '07 Camry wheel covers will complete the conversion. (I converted all of my xB's to Toyota badging to personalize them and confuse the uninitiated ) I have ordered 5000K 50watt new-gen HO 24KV HID's for the 9005 HI-beam reflectors and 6000K 35watt H11 HID's for the projectors. I found a set of 2.5" dia tube/ring-mount Hella lamps in black ABS that I can mount through the outside corners of the lower grille and still maintain a flush/OEM look with yellow halogen bulbs (893). It will connect to Hella's remote control so that I won't need to wire through the firewall.

Anyway, I have BOTH now. I'll be happy to answer questions as I have time if anyone has any about the new Gen2.

... Guess I need to see if they have a 2008 xB thingy to add to my profile/avatar now!