Thats a sizable step up. And a good one. Glad your lovin it as we do.
Welcome!
Welcome!
New guy from Pittsburgh
New guy from Pittsburgh, PA. I have a 2012 black XB auto. If I knew how much I'd love this car, I would've got a 5 speed, oh well. Switching from an aveo to the XB, it feels like a racecar.
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Apparently the 5 speed is nothin special. But then again, neither is the auto. Lol
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Welcome to the forum, congrats on your purchase
welcome and congrats! I have a 12 as well and my girlfriend actually drives an aveo so I know first hand how big of a difference that is! Lol. I'm right next door in canton Ohio.
That is related in a recent discussion on how "performance" the xB2 is.Apparently the 5 speed is nothin special. But then again, neither is the auto. Lol
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Personally, I fall on it has far better handling than it should. With but a few "tweeks," is becomes quite respectable. That is rear sway (debated, as that depends on your specific needs), improved springs, and a quality strut bar, and performance tires (the key first ingredient in ANY handling-based performance system-which is personal preference, I've has good experience with BFG G-Force Sports)
Power-wise, it is respectable, esp. in mid-range torque. You won't beat a muscle car, but it seems like a lot more than 160hp.
If acceleration is your key in "performance," you'll be left wanting compared to other "performance" cars.
If handling and mountain-twisties (where balance, predictability, and cornering stability are key), then the B is pretty decent and can be made rather good with minor updates.
Still, I CHALLENGE you to find something, anything with the "performance" and practical interior space for the price (NEW). I am very happy with my choice and tweeks. My "B" has "converted" a number of sports-car fanatics into a respect.
Oh, and the "others" when I got my B were: 09 Mini Clubman (new), 06 RX-8 (used) and a few others in the price range that just didn't match-up. Plus, my "other" car is a corner-balanced 90 Miata that is set-up for mountain driving, which I've had as a main car for over a decade pre-B, has been in the family since "new" and still the "alternate" to the B.
So, my "handling" standards aren't exactly slack.
You'll love the B. For small exterior, big interior, and "fun to run," the B is very, very hard to beat.
I actually think my auto is pretty decent. I was originally disappointed in the thought a four speed, but the ratios are well placed and manual mode can be fun, it just takes a bit of getting used to the speeds each gear can do. I'm in stop and go Los Angeles traffic everyday and coming from a manual Mini Cooper S, I like not having to work out my left leg for 2 hours a day. I do miss the power/ handling of my Mini, but the Xb is totally better in a lot of other ways. (Need sway bar next!!!)
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It's amazing the difference between the Mini and Mini S with power. One is a rocket and one is a bit of a slug. The B is in between (My brother HAD a Mini Cooper and father has a Mini Clubman, bot non-S. But, I have driven an S.)
How do you think the handling compares? Stock and/or modified/upgraded?
How do you think the handling compares? Stock and/or modified/upgraded?
It's amazing the difference between the Mini and Mini S with power. One is a rocket and one is a bit of a slug. The B is in between (My brother HAD a Mini Cooper and father has a Mini Clubman, bot non-S. But, I have driven an S.)
How do you think the handling compares? Stock and/or modified/upgraded?
Well I just have trd springs and an eBay strut brace, but I think the xb handles pretty good for the size and weight. When I test drove it, I did some slalom and was surprised how unboat like it was. With the trd springs it was way better and when I added the strut brace it added more precision and stability to long sweeping bends. It's hard to get mini handling in anything other than mini, especially tight turns. I remember the first time I tried a quick u turn in the xb, It made me miss the mini...
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Welcome! I personally would've liked an automatic... the 5 speed is one of the "toughest" ive driven (I grew up with manuals) and my wife cant drive it, which sucks when we go out and I want to have a drink... lol
I really like the 5 speed. I don't find it difficult at all. Mines got 36000 miles and is smooth as butter. But I'm also coming from a 2002 forester 5 speed that was like driving a truck 5 spd. So much slop, tough and rough lol
When I test drove it, I knew anything would feel faster. The handling is what surprised me. The upgrade in cargo area is nice too. I play bass in a rock band, and couldn't believe how much room was left over after loading all my crap in the first time.
One "trick" on xBs is that the ECU is "smart" and learns your driving style. If you poke and hypermile, it will dial WAY back for good MPGs. Likewise, if you drive like a scalded cat or a squirrel on meth, it will tune for power and torque with quick throttle response.
Mine started sluggish, but will now chip tires from a stop (and sometimes trigger VSC/traction control) in full auto.
Mine started sluggish, but will now chip tires from a stop (and sometimes trigger VSC/traction control) in full auto.
hmm really? I didn't know that! I've only had mine a month and a half so I wonder if mine will change at all.... I have a weapon r intake and tsudo exhaust waiting for install when it warms up
I have a new Elusive Blue '12 5 speed I'm still in the new phase I only have it about a month. These posts have been an interesting read so far.
My last 2 cars have been a first gen WRX wagon 5spd and current gen Maxima which were both nice sporty performance cars. That being said, so far the xB has not disappointed at all. The performance is surprising (obviously it's not a Rex or max) and impressive, honestly I haven't missed the huge drop of hp from my last 2 and it can definitely put a smile on your face, I have less than 2k on it so I haven't "got on it" too often yet.
The clutch grabs too high, yet the manual has been fine even in horrible rush hour traffic.
I bought it for the price and cargo room if needed, I loved the performance and utility of my WRX and I'm really liking the xB overall so far more so than I thought.
Enjoy your ride.
My last 2 cars have been a first gen WRX wagon 5spd and current gen Maxima which were both nice sporty performance cars. That being said, so far the xB has not disappointed at all. The performance is surprising (obviously it's not a Rex or max) and impressive, honestly I haven't missed the huge drop of hp from my last 2 and it can definitely put a smile on your face, I have less than 2k on it so I haven't "got on it" too often yet.
The clutch grabs too high, yet the manual has been fine even in horrible rush hour traffic.
I bought it for the price and cargo room if needed, I loved the performance and utility of my WRX and I'm really liking the xB overall so far more so than I thought.
Enjoy your ride.
I had a '00 Tundra before the B, it was a 5 spd. also. It never really felt good when shifting thru the gears. The dealer said that there was nothing wrong. I read about some syncronizers could be cracked and causing binding during shifting especially from first to second. The B shifts like a knife thru soft butter.
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