So I have been waiting for several months for a new Tacoma. After a recent fuel cost forecast and price breakdown I have been strongly considering a new xB2 instead. When the price of fuel goes to $10/gal the fuel cost for the Taco will be almost 25k/yr vs. 18k/yr for the xB only driving 1000 miles/month.

Plans for my white Stormtrooper xB2:
Rear spoiler, anti-sway, strut brace, stock fogs/hella blackmagic/PIAA behind or in a cut grill, black fender overlay, smoked headlamp overlays, smoked turn indicators, and cargo cover.

Wheels-16" black or gunmetal, i.e. Enkei RS7's with a somewhat offroad tire pattern.

Thule/Yakima racks with upper light mount, wind deflector, and possible basket up top.

I don't want to drop the xB. My tC is on TRD's and handles well but if I ever did venture off road it would turn into a dirtplow and bottom out on everything. I know the xB isnt made for offroad so no need for any flaming. I'm thinking along the lines of a rally car in the sense that they do go off-road. What suspension would be best suited for occasional off-road journeys? I do not want to lift the xB in any sense. I like to camp and go places for photography so the racks/basket would need to bear some weight for gear or myself as an elevated photo platform.

I'd like some thoughts if this sounds feasible. Would the rack on top with a basket look utterly horrible? It woldn't be there all the time.
I can't believe there isn't more interior storage in the new xB's or intermittent wipers but those are topics covered vastly in other threads. I'm weighing the pros/cons of each vehicle.

 

I think your best bet is leave the stock springs if you dont want to go lower and bottom out. Add the sway/strut bars and it should help tighten things up... Maybe add the Tanabe under brace too...

As for the racks i dont think they would look too bad, but dont leave them on all the time. Also i am not sure what the weight limit on the roof is, so be careful when climbing up there...

 

Cool finally a response. I would only be climbing up on the racks and/or basket on the racks.

 

For the money i dont think the xB can be beat... and i think it will handle light off-road conditions fine... Best of Luck!

 

I think the Honda Element with real time 4WD is the car for you.

I wouldn't take an xB2 anywhere close to "off-road". And if you're just going for the adventure/biking/camping experience, ect. the Element is better inside and out for that kind of stuff.

-THE DON

 

i agree with the above^^^

 

If I were considering an Element there would be no decision since I would go with the Tacoma, mileage is too close. Thanks though.

 

what about a subaru impreza outback wagon? AWD, boxer engine, plenty of space. the xB is not an off-roader, they are urban people movers.

 

xB2 rally version..? why not..
Go fer it!

 

The xB with Mud/Snow tires would probably do alright on light trails/fire roads and such. Its got pretty decent ground clearance. Just don't get her on too steep gravel and you should be alright. If you do start slipping on gravel, try reversing up the gravel.

 

I thought the XB2 had variable speed wipers like the tC.

 

Nope. Three settings to choose from: single speed intermittent, slow and fast; that's it.

 

agreed. if you buy some used STI suspension you could have a really good handler on the street too. albeit you lose some ground clearance..

 

Had the xB at the beach today. The ground was sand with rocks embedded in it. The xB did fine even on the short pitted incline onto the highway provided I took it easy with the throttle. It is a bit bumpy on the rough roads though. Not too much stiffer from a '90 Ford Ranger 4x4 that I drive occasionally off road.

 

If you just go with the wrx wagon, you get power, AWD and rally heritage. There are tons of offroad parts for these cars. And you can get one used, low miles for 15-19K. I know, I just sold mine

http://images.google.com/images?q=su...=1&sa=N&tab=wi

 

I've totally gone off roading in mine. I was a little scared when i got to a steep gravel hill covered in pot holes, and the front tires started losing traction, I'm just glad i didnt get any paint chips.
The xB is totally fine for the occasional light trail to a campsite or photo shoot.

It could look pretty sweet.

 

HAH. That does look interesting though.

 

Just be careful, the chassis isn't designed for much off road driving, meaning anything that makes it flex. Just remember to go slow, that's the key. You don’t want any broken motor mounts, etc, from playing rough.

 

That pic looks sick though.

 

You mean like this? lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOPxfnT9Vr8

I also agree that the Honda Element would be for you. The entire vehicle is based around light offroading and outdoors use, waterproof seats and all. The xB wouldn't be good for what you want from it. It comes stock with very low ground clearance (only 5") and wouldn't be any better suited to offroad than any FWD car out there like a Mazda 3.