There is an outlet on the bottom of the shifter box, near the floor, on the passenger side of the facing towards the cupholders.
Pending '09 xB owner. Howdy!
Hi all,
My name is Bill. I'm recently 37 and live near Tampa, Florida. I'm going for a test drive of a new '09 xB in the morning at Courtesy Scion in East Tampa, FL. I currently drive a 2005 MINI Cooper S, which I dearly love, but is out of warranty (73k miles) & heavy on performance mods. Since I am still making payments, the thought of having to start replacing major components has me stressing a bit. (If/when I buy the xB, I see an extended warranty in my future.)
Besides all that, I also get the new car itch every 2-3 years. That's actually an improvement over 10-15 years ago, when I was buying a new car nearly every year. Honestly, if I had bought an extended warranty from the MINI dealer back in '05, I'd probably stand pat right now.
I nearly bought a new '08 VW GTI last week, and then I got an insurance quote on it. It was 70% more per year than my MCS, and I just couldn't justify that. For the xB, I got a quote ahead of time, and it's only about 10% more, which seems reasonable.
I wasn't too interested in the first gen xB, but I was on a 3k mile road trip at the end of August and saw several of the 2nd gen models on the highway. Even though the basic shape is the same, the cosmetics seem a little more beefy. There's something furture/retro about the bulky, boxy, yet smooth-edged design that I like. The short windows remind me of a lot of the old 1930's chop-top sedans you see in classic car shows & ZZ Top videos.
I know it won't hold up to my MCS for power or handling, but I suspect it will do just fine. And if I feel the need for more power or better handling in the future, there's always the aftermarket, I suppose.
I fully expected any Scion community to be full of "Fast & Furious" teenagers, but the "age" thread on this forum sure proved me wrong. Glad to see there is such a diverse group here! (Disclaimer: I owned a fully built 1990 Supra Turbo that ran 20+ lbs of boost & nearly 500bhp, so I mean no disrespect when I talk about "Fast & Furious" teens... I'm just not one of them any more)
I'd be curious to hear from 2nd gen xB owners what their most noticeable likes & dislikes are. Also, I like to do my own maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc.) so I would be curious to know if Toyota has made any of the common maintenance tasks a PITA by overengineering, etc.
Over the coming days & weeks, I'll be following things here to find out how the Scion/xB community handles itself. I have been extremely active in my local, statewide, and even national MINI clubs for the past 6 years (2nd MINI, and I also owned a classic 1973 Mini for a while). I'd love to help organize some local & maybe even regional events & activities as the community grows. But then, I am getting ahead of myself. Test drive tomorrow, then decide if I move forward.
Cheers all!
Bill
My name is Bill. I'm recently 37 and live near Tampa, Florida. I'm going for a test drive of a new '09 xB in the morning at Courtesy Scion in East Tampa, FL. I currently drive a 2005 MINI Cooper S, which I dearly love, but is out of warranty (73k miles) & heavy on performance mods. Since I am still making payments, the thought of having to start replacing major components has me stressing a bit. (If/when I buy the xB, I see an extended warranty in my future.)
Besides all that, I also get the new car itch every 2-3 years. That's actually an improvement over 10-15 years ago, when I was buying a new car nearly every year. Honestly, if I had bought an extended warranty from the MINI dealer back in '05, I'd probably stand pat right now.
I nearly bought a new '08 VW GTI last week, and then I got an insurance quote on it. It was 70% more per year than my MCS, and I just couldn't justify that. For the xB, I got a quote ahead of time, and it's only about 10% more, which seems reasonable.
I wasn't too interested in the first gen xB, but I was on a 3k mile road trip at the end of August and saw several of the 2nd gen models on the highway. Even though the basic shape is the same, the cosmetics seem a little more beefy. There's something furture/retro about the bulky, boxy, yet smooth-edged design that I like. The short windows remind me of a lot of the old 1930's chop-top sedans you see in classic car shows & ZZ Top videos.
I know it won't hold up to my MCS for power or handling, but I suspect it will do just fine. And if I feel the need for more power or better handling in the future, there's always the aftermarket, I suppose.
I fully expected any Scion community to be full of "Fast & Furious" teenagers, but the "age" thread on this forum sure proved me wrong. Glad to see there is such a diverse group here! (Disclaimer: I owned a fully built 1990 Supra Turbo that ran 20+ lbs of boost & nearly 500bhp, so I mean no disrespect when I talk about "Fast & Furious" teens... I'm just not one of them any more)
I'd be curious to hear from 2nd gen xB owners what their most noticeable likes & dislikes are. Also, I like to do my own maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc.) so I would be curious to know if Toyota has made any of the common maintenance tasks a PITA by overengineering, etc.
Over the coming days & weeks, I'll be following things here to find out how the Scion/xB community handles itself. I have been extremely active in my local, statewide, and even national MINI clubs for the past 6 years (2nd MINI, and I also owned a classic 1973 Mini for a while). I'd love to help organize some local & maybe even regional events & activities as the community grows. But then, I am getting ahead of myself. Test drive tomorrow, then decide if I move forward.
Cheers all!
Bill
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
Thanks! Much obliged!
And there is an awsome DIY on how to install one in the rear on these boards as well.TartanJack said:There is an outlet on the bottom of the shifter box, near the floor, on the passenger side of the facing towards the cupholders.
Ran across that, and was impressed. I think I'm going to try & add one either to the center console area, or on the driver's side of the dash. if I do, I'll try & remember to go slowly & take pics. (I get impatient)eviljack said:And there is an awsome DIY on how to install one in the rear on these boards as well.TartanJack said:There is an outlet on the bottom of the shifter box, near the floor, on the passenger side of the facing towards the cupholders.
Well, today is supposed to be the big day. But as recently as Saturday, my salesman wasn't able to confirm anything. It always amazes me that they can have trucks loaded with $100k or more in cars roaming the highways & not know which cars will be delivered when.
My local Tire Kingdom is supposed to get my new wheels & tires on Monday or Tuesday, and I'm lined up for window tint on Wednesday. After that, who knows?
My local Tire Kingdom is supposed to get my new wheels & tires on Monday or Tuesday, and I'm lined up for window tint on Wednesday. After that, who knows?
Well, xBill, I sure hope today IS the day! Let us know!!!
Yeah, so the salesman failed to follow thru today. Well, at least not hw I asked him to. Short story is "maybe Tuesday."
Longer story is that I e-mailed him during work last night (I work 110-7a) & asked him to CALL ME to discuss delivery details. I re-emphasized that since I work nights, I need to nail down appointment times with wheel & window tint shops, etc. and asked that he call me without regard to my sleep habits. Instead, I got a one sentence e-mail response stating that "no trucks showed up today, so maybe tomorrow."
Man, the Mazdaspeed 3's sitting in the lot across the street are looking so tempting, I swear. I say that not because I am impatient, but because I hate this dealership & should not have gone to them in the first place. "Annoying" is actually one of their better qualities...
"Serenity now!!!"
Longer story is that I e-mailed him during work last night (I work 110-7a) & asked him to CALL ME to discuss delivery details. I re-emphasized that since I work nights, I need to nail down appointment times with wheel & window tint shops, etc. and asked that he call me without regard to my sleep habits. Instead, I got a one sentence e-mail response stating that "no trucks showed up today, so maybe tomorrow."
Man, the Mazdaspeed 3's sitting in the lot across the street are looking so tempting, I swear. I say that not because I am impatient, but because I hate this dealership & should not have gone to them in the first place. "Annoying" is actually one of their better qualities...
"Serenity now!!!"
That sucks Bill 
. I hope today is your day.
. I hope today is your day.And, today was not the day, either. This is NOT the way I envisioned my xB ownership experience starting.
Apparently not happening today. And apparently, Scion has the slowest car carrier trucks around. Salesman told me the car was shipped on a carrier today, but could arrive any time from now until Friday. The logic problem there is that the port is only 4 hours away by car. Maybe 5-6 by truck, with traffic.
Must be using American-made (GM, Ford, or Chrysler) tractors . . .xBillTheCat said:Apparently not happening today. And apparently, Scion has the slowest car carrier trucks around. Salesman told me the car was shipped on a carrier today, but could arrive any time from now until Friday. The logic problem there is that the port is only 4 hours away by car. Maybe 5-6 by truck, with traffic.
And, this may be my last post here, since I took delivery of an '09 Mazdaspeed3 at around 9pm tonight.
Boy, is the Scion salesman gonna be pissed in the morning when he reads his e-mail.
Thanks to everyone here for answering all of my questions & being a supportive bunch. I do appreciate it. But now I need to go find me a MS3 forum to invade...
Boy, is the Scion salesman gonna be pissed in the morning when he reads his e-mail.
Thanks to everyone here for answering all of my questions & being a supportive bunch. I do appreciate it. But now I need to go find me a MS3 forum to invade...
Sorry to hear that.
Though . . .
The Mazda is a GREAT car too, just rather different than the xB.
Though . . .
The Mazda is a GREAT car too, just rather different than the xB.
Insanity later!!! LOLxBillTheCat said:"Serenity now!!!"
Hate to see ya go! Enjoy your new ride!!xBillTheCat said:And, this may be my last post here, since I took delivery of an '09 Mazdaspeed3 at around 9pm tonight.
Boy, is the Scion salesman gonna be pissed in the morning when he reads his e-mail.
Thanks to everyone here for answering all of my questions & being a supportive bunch. I do appreciate it. But now I need to go find me a MS3 forum to invade...
Am I following this tale correctly..... the XB was two days late so you bought a Mazda? Doesn't sound like you wanted the XB very badly at all. The Mazdaspeed3 is okay, but it's no toaster!!!!! :nono:
They are both great cars, just rather different.
My preference is for the xB, which is why I got one.
My preference is for the xB, which is why I got one.
Agree. Just seems odd that once you made up your mind you'd let a 2 day delay change your decision. Eviljack went through a bunch of hoops before finally getting his..... just sayin..TartanJack said:They are both great cars, just rather different.
My preference is for the xB, which is why I got one.
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
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