I agree I have a AT with AEM intake and Borla exhaust. I think it has awusome takeoff and would put it to a manual anytime...

 

the xB isn't that much slower than the fastest CRX made (gen 2 Si). SUre there are more options for more power, but stock for stock, xb holds it's own.

91 CRX Si 0-60: 8.7 1/4 Mi: 16.5
04 xB 0-60: 9.0 1/4 Mi: 16.7 (although I've heard faster from some on this forum)
2.0L jetta 0-60: 9.7 1/4 Mi: 17.3
I think the xB does just fine as is.

 

i agree w/ some of the above comments. the xB is a cruiser. I came from a 285 whp WRX and traded down to the xB, and I'm content to cruise along, watching all the kooks racing at every light. auto is for me for now, just my perspective

jim

 

http://tms.ecol.net/newcars/ss111998.htm

That's right, there's little room in this modern world for stick-shift automobiles. In reality they are not more efficient, they don't get better gas mileage, they don't give you more control on ice and snow and (here it comes, folks!) they are not faster! Believe it or not, they are not as reliable as automatics.

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Any debate? Basically every advantage of getting a manual is thrown out here. If that's the case, we should all get automatics.

 

http://tms.ecol.net/newcars/ss111998.htm

That's right, there's little room in this modern world for stick-shift automobiles. In reality they are not more efficient, they don't get better gas mileage, they don't give you more control on ice and snow and (here it comes, folks!) they are not faster! Believe it or not, they are not as reliable as automatics.

----------

Any debate? Basically every advantage of getting a manual is thrown out here. If that's the case, we should all get automatics.

 

I have the auto and it suits my commuting needs (especially in traffic). The xB is definitely a cruiser and I think the auto works better for me. I went from a 375HP WRX STi to an auto xB and it is fine If you get the manual, don't expect super box performance from it...your 0-60 time may decrease from 10.8 secs to 9.8 secs

 

Look at the numbers. 1.5 seconds faster in a 1/4 mile with the 5 speed

If you are looking for every little bit of speed you can get, go with the 5 speed.

 

My thoughts exactly.

I don't even understand the point of upgrading the i/h/e :?

 

i want facts they say a stick is faster than an auto
who really knows i think a stick just feels faster but not really in a straight line shoot
most drag cars are autos because it shiffts faster and more reliable than a stick

 

Check Edmunds road test of the manual xB.

They got an 8.99 sec 0-60

Every other test of an xB I have seen has been an automatic and it's clocked no faster than 10.5 seconds. Do a little research. Edmunds.com is one of the few that have tested a manual xB.

No xB is fast and sure, perhaps they are better "cruisers". To me, if a car isn't that fast to begin with and has a pint sized engine, the LAST thing I'm going to do is neuter it with an automatic tranny that soak up even more torque before it gets to the wheels.

I can understand the positives of having an auto though. I'd only want one on a big SUV of something. IMO it seems totally opposite everything that makes small, frenetic little cars like this fun to drive.

For me it's all about heel-toe shifting through the corners and clipping the apex. Sure, it's just a boxy Echo, but with a snappy manual transmission and an empty windy back road, I get to play rally driver.

What would I do with an automatic? Sit there and steer? I just like a more involved driving experience, but again, it's not right or wrong. Just opinion.

What isn't opinion is the fact that a manual transmission gets the power to the wheels directly without the lag of a torque converter and it gives you a level of control that you just don't get by shifting your automatic shift lever from "D" to "3" like a riceboy borrowing his mom's automatic Accord sedan. LOL.

Shifting your automatic into "3" does not an SMG make.

Manual is faster. Look it up. It's not even an argument. The manual version of ANY car is faster. Period

 

Originally posted by Orataro
No kidding the hills on the 14 freeway suck big time I almost always have to take it outa over drive to maintain speed going up the hills! But one out of overdrive my box has absolutly no problume with speed! Not to mention somone on another thred asked iff the box would go 100 and I can honestly say I have taken it up to 100 going up hill in the box on the 14 freeway. Just ask Orataro hell tell you the hills on the 14 are pretty good!! any way I can t beat the fuel milage with the box when im not driving crazy!!! [/i]

 

That's hilarious.

Automatics are better than ever, I agree. If you're goal is to get from A to B and remove yourself from the driving experience as much as possible, then by all means get an automatic. Make sure and install cruise control too so you don't even need to use the gas pedal. That should make it easier to talk on the phone and drink your latte while you are slowing the rest of us down with your passive driving behavior. LOL

Manual transmissions last longer. You can replace a clutch for a tiny fraction of what it costs for an automatic to be rebuilt and the clutch is the only real wear item. When was the last time you saw an orginal automatic transmission with over 100,000 miles on it that had never been rebuilt? You see them, but not often. This isn't even open for debate. It's a known fact. Automatics are complex as hell and there is much more to go wrong with them, plain and simple.

It's a non-issue though, IMO, since a Toyota transmission auto or manual will last longer than you'll probably want to keep an xB or xA anyway.

 

My family has:

1980 Chevy El Camino - Original 3spd auto tranny no rebuild 112,xxx miles.
1989 Buick Le Sabre - Original 4spd auto tranny no rebuild 119,xxx miles.
1996 Chevy Corsica - original 4spd auto tranny no rebuild 120,xxx miles.

 

Awesome. Made it just over the 100k mark. Well done.

Automatics with beefy V6 or V8 torque are great (if you like automatics) Automatics with 105 lbft of torque are another story.