[TartanJack]

Good question . . .
Wonder which that would be.
According to State Farm:
A 90 2-door sedan and an 09 station wagon:

(Getting ready for Sanitarium 2013)

 

[xbowner?]

When I get the xB inspected here in NC it is considered an SUV. One place said the tint on the rear windows may be too dark to pass but then they said, "Nevermind, it is considered an SUV and SUV's are allowed to have darker tint on it's windows."

 

[TartanJack]

Inspection, what inspection?

hehehe-> South Carolina don't have those no more
"Inspection, we don't need no stinking inspections!"

 

[allaboutdabox]

sooo can make the window dark as you want beside the front and passenger window right?

 

[TartanJack]

The legal section of the Vehicle Code (Title 56) is:
South Carolina Legislature Mobile

SECTION 56-5-5015. Sunscreen devices.

(A) No person may operate a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this State on any public highway, road, or street that has a sunscreen device on the windshield, the front side wings, and side windows adjacent to the right and left of the driver and windows to the rear of the driver that do not meet the requirements of this section. If no after-factory installed sunscreen device has been added to the window surface, the provisions of this section regarding light transmittance do not apply.

(B) A sunscreening device must be nonreflective and may not be red, yellow, or amber in color. A sunscreening device may be used only along the top of the windshield and may not extend downward beyond the AS1 line. If the AS1 line is not visible, no sunscreening device may be applied to the windshield.

(C) A single sunscreening device may be installed on the side wings or side windows, or both, located at the immediate right and left of the driver and the side windows behind the driver. The sunscreening device must be nonreflective and the combined light transmission of the sunscreening device with the factory or manufacturer installed sunscreening material must not be less than twenty-seven percent.

(D)(1) A sunscreening device to be applied to the rear-most window must be nonreflective and have a light transmission of not less than twenty percent. If a sunscreening device is used on the rear-most window, one right and one left outside rearview mirror is required.

(2) Beginning January 1, 1993, a single sunscreening device to be applied to the rear-most window must be nonreflective and the combined light transmission of the sunscreening device with the factory or manufacturer installed sunscreening material must not be less than twenty-seven percent. If a sunscreening device is used on the rear-most window, one right and one left outside rearview mirror is required.

(3) A motor vehicle with a sunscreening device which complied with the requirements of item (1) at the time of installation is not considered to be in violation of this section on January 1, 1993, so long as the original sunscreen device is in place.

(E) Each vehicle equipped with an after-factory sunscreening device, whether installed by a consumer or professional window tinter, at all times must bear a certificate of compliance. The certificate of compliance must be of a size and form prescribed by the Department of Public Safety. Each certificate of compliance must be properly attached to the vehicle on the inside and lower right hand corner of each window containing an after-factory installed sunscreen device and must contain the following information:

(1) the percentage of light transmission allowed by the sunscreening device;

(2) the identity of the installer by name, address, and telephone number; and

(3) date of installation.

(F) Sunscreening devices offered for sale or use in South Carolina must include instructions with the product or material for proper installation. The manufacturer of the sunscreen device offered for sale or use in South Carolina must provide the certificate of compliance specified in subsection (E) and instructions for affixing it to the sunscreen device.

(G) No person may:

(1) offer for sale or for use any sunscreening product or material for motor vehicle use not in compliance with this section;

(2) install any sunscreening product or material on vehicles titled for use on public roads without permanently affixing the certificate of compliance specified in this section.

A professional window tinter who violates the provisions of subsections (E) or (G) is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both, for each offense. A consumer who violates the provisions of subsection (E) or (G) is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each offense.

(H) The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(1) a motor vehicle registered in this State in the name of a person, or the person's legal guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this State that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor vehicle with sunscreening material which would be of a light transmittance or luminous reflectance in violation of this section. The affidavit must be in the vehicle at all times during its operation and must be produced at the request of a law enforcement officer. The affidavit must be updated every two years; or

(2) a law enforcement vehicle used regularly to transport a canine trained for law enforcement purposes.

(I) The light transmittance requirement of this section applies to windows behind the driver on pickup trucks, but does not apply to windows behind the driver on other trucks, buses, trailers, mobile homes, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and recreational vehicles.

(J) As used in this section:

(1) "Sunscreening device" means a film material or device that is designed to be used in conjunction with motor vehicle safety glazing materials for reducing the effects of the sun.

(2) "Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total visible light to pass through a product or material to the amount of the total light falling on the product or material.

(3) "Luminous reflectant" means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of the total light falling on the product or materials.

(4) "Nonreflective" means a product or material primarily designed to absorb light rather than to reflect it.

(5) "Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a vehicle with motive power designed to carry ten persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(6) "Motor home" means a vehicular unit designed to provide temporary living quarters built into and an integral part of or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis.

(7) "Truck" means a vehicle with motive power designed primarily for the transportation of property or special purpose equipment.

(8) "Bus" means a vehicle with motive power designed for carrying more than ten persons.

(9) "Manufacturer" means a person engaged in the manufacturing or assembling of sunscreening products or materials designed to be used in conjunction with vehicle glazing materials for the purpose of reducing the effects of the sun.

(10) "Recreational vehicle" means a self-propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes, and is used solely as a family/personal conveyance.

(11) "AS1" means a glazing material position marking as defined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.205, Subsection S5.1.1.

(12) "Trailer" means every vehicle without motive power designed to carry persons or property, and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.

(13) "Professional window tinter" means a person who installs sunscreening devices for profit.

(K) A person who owns or operates a motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.

HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 484; 1981 Act No. 139, Section 1; 1983 Act No. 88; 1988 Act No. 532, Section 12; 1990 Act No. 411, Section 1; 1992 Act No. 462, Section 1; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 246A; 2002 Act No. 339, Section 40.

 

[TartanJack]

That said . . .
Enforcement is . . . um . . . inconsistent.

 

[allaboutdabox]

ok ummm

 

[Joshuasvt]

I call mine the Tank.

 

[WaggOn]

I call mine WaggOn. That was my first cars name, a 1981 corolla waggon that I really enjoyed and the xb reminds me of it. Wish I still had it.. Anyways I've been a wagon fan since. To me a wagon has a bigger hatch and the xb's is kinda small.
I would call it an SUW "sport utility wagon" not to sporty but can hold its own, not quite wagon but u get the idea

 

[guggan]

it's sex

 

[hikingmike]

It's an enigma!!!

I'm stuck in a silver box of emotion!!! (paraphrase of Anchor Man).

When I use it in a sentence I just say "my car". I'd say box, but then it wouldn't be as natural for someone else and there would be some kind of response. If I said "the Box" around my wife it would be natural enough though. She is partial to "the Toaster". After driving it in very windy conditions once that freaked her out a bit, she now also calls it "the Weightless Tank".

 

[TartanJack]

Hahaha
Compared to an 87 Vanagon, however, the xB2 seems right down stable. With the VW, I had it down to a quick wheel move when going into and out-of a semi's/lorry's windstream. In a steady crosswind, the VW would drive with the wheel at a steady off-angle to compensate for the wind. I had it down where no-one would know unless the looked at the sudden, severe wheel moves.
In my Miata, the crosswind isn't noticeable with the windows down, but slight with them (and top) up. Of course, it weighs only 2,000 pounds wet.
I guess compared to "normal" 3-4000 lb sedans, the B would be shocking. But, I haven't driven such much . . .

 

[BrickPig]

...my Miata...weighs only 2,000 pounds wet...

Our cars weigh slightly over 3,000 pounds, which to me seems like a lot for such a small car...

 

[TartanJack]

I meant side-area vs. weight. The more side-area/weight ratio, the more crosswind affects a vehicle. The xB's is high area for the weight. Most cars weigh more than many think, esp with all the modern crash and efficiency stuff on them. The B isn't bad.
The VW Bus (esp T1, T2, and T3) have a HUGE side area for the weight.
The inverse is lower weight, which means more crosswind impact for a given area.

My point was the xB is a typical weight for the size, but with a much might side area. Many sedans in the size-ballpark are similar or heavier, plus have a smaller side area for weight (the extra side area being directly related to the MUCH larger xB interior).
On balance, I'd much rather have the interior volume and a larger interior.

 

[hikingmike]

Yep, my last car, the Grand Prix GTP was 3,500 pounds so that was 500 pounds more, and much more aerodynamic, so big difference for me in the wind. I've driven bigger vans and SUVs quite a bit but I think the xB was most affected by the wind. We've had some crazy windy days too (almost continuous gusting) especially when my wife drove it. I know I've had to work the wheel pretty diligently before and it wasn't as bad as when she drove it.

That said it doesn't bother me because that doesn't usually happen and I can deal with it when it does. If I was an 80 year old granny, I might have pulled off the interstate once.

It was cool dropping 500 pounds and having more space. The xB seems like it's made simpler in comparison so is lighter just naturally. Plus of course the engine, drivetrain stuff, suspension etc are lighter.

 

[BrickPig]

I once owned a 1972 Toyota Corolla with a 4-speed manual, it weighed only 2000 pounds. Also my 1987 Toyota Camry (a 4 door sedan with a big trunk) with a 5-speed manual weighed only 2700 pounds. I'm still surprised our little xBs weigh slightly over 3000 pounds.

(BTW an automatic transmission adds about 50-100 pounds over a manual.)

 

[markio]

some things that I feel like I'm mythbusting:

1. "too slow, stay in the slow lane"
quick enough for all types of driving that i do

2. "loud road noise"
not worse than my old car, not bad enough to be an issue

3. "crosswinds will make it impossible to drive"
i think its really stable in general, but i haven't driven in bad crosswinds yet

i like to think of it as a little big car, it's very pragmatic and i think above all it shines for it's tremendous value

 

[TartanJack]

some things that I feel like I'm mythbusting:

1. "too slow, stay in the slow lane"
quick enough for all types of driving that i do

2. "loud road noise"
not worse than my old car, not bad enough to be an issue

3. "crosswinds will make it impossible to drive"
i think its really stable in general, but i haven't driven in bad crosswinds yet

i like to think of it as a little big car, it's very pragmatic and i think above all it shines for it's tremendous value

1, Agree! I've blown by MANY other "sports" and "sporty" cars, esp. on mountain twisties.
2. Not bad at all, unless your used to cacoon-cars (like many try to be today. It's MUCH quieter than others I've driven.
3. No problems for me. Again, I've driven FAR worse. The xB is stable in a strong wind. Been there, done that, no problems.

 

[TartanJack]

Oh, my, . . .
xB pirate ship!

Lower the rear sail, and it's like the spoiler.

 

[hikingmike]

You must have xB on the brain, lol.

2. Wind cavitation is the only thing that bothers me there, so I just set the windows so it doesn't happen. The box is definitely not too noisy for me. Though I think the stereo/speakers setup could be better for the somewhat higher highway noise level.

Really still loving my xB the same after 1 year as when I got it.