I wouldn't agree that the new bar is "improved"; they simply added flexible links to a slightly updated design to prevent it from breaking. TRD has a history of making questionable parts and then trying to bandaid them later (the supercharger disaster is a good example of this). The Hotchkis bar is the way it
should have been designed in the first place, and it doesn't break. That being said, the new TRD bar is the way to go if you want to stick with TRD. I think it's totally worth it if you're comfortable with the price.
If you look at how our body is designed, the top strut mounts are right against the firewall, so flex is little to none. This is a topic that has been hashed out many times before; the bar
looks good, but it's just cosmetic at the end of the day. Just like cold air intakes, fart cans, magic vortex gas saving tornado spacers, etc., there's always someone who claims it turned their car into a Ferrari, but it's just not the case. These bars make a real difference on cars where the towers are far from the firewall and can have a lot of flex. I personally went with a Tanabe bar because it looks a bit better and it's adjustable (though it's still just cosmetic, and I'm cool with that), but the TRD bar has it's merits; it's technically a Toyota part, so it might add a little value (where aftermarket parts generally add none).
The sub frame braces look pretty cool, but as with most chasis and suspension upgrades, you need to know what you're getting into. You have a few choices:
- SSD Performance front chassis brace for $91.95 shipped. I don't think these are still being manufactured (the company doesn't list Scion products anymore) but there are still a few listed on eBay. There isn't much flex up front to speak of, so I don't know how effective it would be, but the design looks solid. The bolt "cups" are pretty low so I would highly recommend grinding them down, and exercising a lot of caution if you're lowered (snagging something on that bar could be catastrophic).
- Tanabe "under brace" (front chasis brace) for around $100-120; it's just a hollow bar with holes on the end... the geometry would suggest that it doesn't do a **** thing (lots of discussion on it elsewhere), and if I'm going to risk snagging and ripping things apart under my car, the SSD option seems a lot better.
- TB Performance has a whole series of braces for our car. The rear strut bar may have some value; I've absolutely seen and felt flex from the rear mounts. The traction bar seems a bit nuts; not sure how it's supposed to do anything at all. Not sure about the mid chasis brace; I don't think anyone else offers one. I believe Greg S runs some or all of these parts, so he may have a lot more info.
