Howdy all,

I just rented a 2013 xB and for the most part, really enjoyed it. I think it's a pretty terrific bargain too, especially considering the torquy 2.4L.

I rented an xB a couple times a few years ago but wasn't quite ready to buy. I really like the small improvements they have made (telescoping wheel and seats, especially). But did not notice the following quirks, previously, that I think are going to bug the hell out of me if I purchase:

1 -- When slowing down from a higher speed, to a stop (45mph or higher) the transmission causes the car to lurch forward as it upshifs. This makes trying to slowdown smoothly impossible and totally sucks.
2 -- Also, sometimes the transmission gets confused at low speeds and low throttle, around 10mph. Usually it does fine, but sometimes it would lurch/jerk kind of hard. This probably wouldn't prevent me from buying though.
3 -- The last thing was the steering: It seems to require a LOT of effort, especially to drive semi-sporty (make fast turns), or to make tight turns (culda-sack or u-turns). The steering I could probably get use to, but it's not so great. However, I don't remember the earlier xBs I've rented requiring nearly as much steering effort, so I think they've changed something here.

So, back to point #1 on the transmission: Is this normal? I'm wondering if they've tweaked the ECM for better fuel savings and as a result is shifts strange now, when slowing down from higher speeds. I know this is apples to oranges, but the 4 speed auto in my 12 year old Hyundai shifts way smoother, especially slowing down, and it's not exactly the world's best transmission. I would think Toyota could do better in 2013.

Can anyone chime in if you've had similar experiences with the transmission lurching when slowing down?

Do you think there was something "wrong" with this particular vehicle that I rented? It only had 800 miles on it, when I got it.

Thanks all,

-Nate

 

Think I found the answer to my question:
As I suspected, Toyota altered the mapping for fuel savings: http://www.newscionxb.com/123-2nd-ge...ift-clunk.html

This blows.

The solution appears to be "live with it" or drive with the lights on all the time.

Come to think of it, I don't recall experiencing the problem at night when the lights were on.

I love the xB -- but will have to consider this. However, at the moment, I think this would be too frustrating of an experience and would cause me to regret the purchase, as I don't wan't to drive around with the lights on all the time. Although, admittedly, I suppose it is safer. Still... why Toyota would tune a car to behave like that, for the minuscule amount of better gas mileage, is unimaginable to me.

 

Hmm I have a 2012 and I have never really noticed it to do this. I have noticed though If I use the tiptronic manual shift then after when I go back to automatic it starts shifting poorly for a while after.

 

get a 5 speed and problem solved

 

I have a 2011 RS8 auto

1) True. Its not bad if you ease your foot. If you apply lets say more than 25% of throttle it will jerk. Never thought of testing with the lights on.

2) Same as #1

3) It does require a bit of effort at slower speeds. U-turns not so much but coulda-sack turns requires more effort. Its the way Toyota calibrated the steering ecu.

I think you will find most Toyotas will do the same with drive by wire. My previous 2010 Camry SE did quite a bit of the same things.

 

A rental car with only 800 miles is not going to know what to do with each new driver- we all have different habits after all. I drove a slushbox and a stick when I was testing cars, and I thought then (and my opinion hasn't changed any) that most of them suck until you get into relatively fancy (read expensive) brands. If you see a car as more than just an easier way to get from A to B than walking or the bus, buy a stick.

 

If you're seriously considering buying an xB2 I suggest you rent another one for at least a weekend and drive the heck out of it, at least this way you'd know for sure.

The xB2 is a polarizing car, great for its enormous room/cargo space/reliability and horrible for gas mileage and the fact it's not nearly as good as the xB1.

For perspective here's what I would do if I totaled my car today.
1. Look hard to find a decent used xB1.
2. Look hard to find a decent used xB2.
3. Give up and buy a new xB2.

 

Thanks guys,

I'm renting again this weekend to re-evaluate. As for the steering, I was a little worn out too, from shoveling gravel at my parents house for half a day. So maybe it's not as bad as it felt at first. We'll see.

Yes, I've owned sticks before. Nothing wrong with them, especially when you want to have fun. But for just chill'in around town, or especially after an exhausting day's work, I want an auto.

As for gas mileage... I've had mixed results. One xB I rented a few years ago, I was lucky to get 26 mpg -- even on the highway.

This weekend I got 29 on the highway and running a few errands in town, and 27 in all town driving. Some of that was using the A/C too. The xB from this weekend also seemed to have more power on the freeway, but that could just be my imagination.

For the amount of power and torque the xB has, I think the gas mileage is acceptable, although not great.

If you use fuelly.com to get some real-world averages, the reality is, you're looking at spending maybe a $200-300 more on gas a year, compared to what -- a hatch back, with a small engine, that gets bogged down when the A/C is on, and doesn't have as much utility? Some of the newer SUVs get good gas mileage, but we're talking maybe 2-3 more mpg -- AND they costs thousands more. If you really do the math, it would take ten years to get that back in gas costs. Most people are lucky if they own their cars half that time.

 

You can probably get used to the quirks of the transmission. I rented that Mazda microvan (forget the name, Mazda 5?) and I hated it the first day due to its extremely loud road noise. I almost took it back for another car but after a couple of days driving it around I grew to like it..then to almost love it. It was a smoother ride than my xB1 and the power was also so smooth and quick.

You probably can't lose with an xB2 anyway. It's cheaper than an SUV, has outstanding reliability and resale value. Keep us posted on what you decide, tks.

 

Yup, 5spd no issues like this. Easy to drive too. Shifters by the steering wheel, and as a short guy, pedals can be reached with ease, and my arm can rest on the shift **** and center console at the same time. (couldn't do that in my tc!)

 

Also want to add, I had the tc1 (as kinda stated before) with the same engine and transmission (just slightly different gear ratio's). Before doing a catback exhaust I was averaging 25-30mpg on the interstate. I did a catback, and K&N air filter, the MPG's went up to about 32-36mpg.

Reasons why: More air moving faster = less need for fuel under normal load/driving conditions. The Catback on the tc1 replaced the 2nd cat so it freed up a lot of exhaust. I am going to eventually have Cody at Endurance Motorsports weld up a test pipe for the "scuba tank" (2nd cat) in the xb2 to look for sound and mpg improvements. I think I am gonna keep the xb2 quiet a little longer and stay away from aftermarket exhaust systems, but I do want to free up a few ponies and get a little better MPG. Worse case I drop a few pounds by shedding that monster of a tank under the car! lol