I’ve never properly written up my xBox, so given that it’s Toyota Week—and it really is a Toyota—now might be a good time. It’s a bit odd that this is actually my first Toyota, given that I had a lot of relatively early exposure to and experiences with the breed, most always good. Those last three words pretty well sum up my experiences with it too.
Admittedly, the xBox’ design is not everyone’s cup of green tea. Many folks just plain hate it; my sister-in-law being one of the more vocal ones. I mostly love it, except the styling of the front end. There’s simply nothing roomier than a box, for a given amount real estate it occupies. I’ve always had a thing about packaging efficiency, and the xB is impossible to top.
It’s an incredibly practical car. And as cars increasingly get swoopier and more curvaceous and bigger and fatter and with ever smaller windows, my xB actually looks better and better to me as time goes by. My biggest fear is having to replace it. With what?
So how did the xB come about, given its rather odd design? No, it wasn’t designed so much for how I use mine, as a utility runabout or back roads bomber. It was never intended to come to the US originally; the 2000 Toyota bB (above) was specifically designed as a lifestyle vehicle for Japanese twenty-something males—something for them to just hang out in, away from their parents. Yes, the market niches in Japan can be amazingly narrow. So how did that dictate the shape and size?
Typically, urban Japanese live in very small apartments. So a category of roomy but compact “urban lounge” cars was created so that a young Japanese man and his buddies could putter around the crowded streets of Tokyo, with a maximum of interior space yet with the smallest footprint. To create it, Toyota took the Vitz/Yaris/Echo platform, lengthened it, and gave it a very tall and roomy box of a body. Another version of the bB origin myth is in the ad above.
In order to maximize comfort, whether for actual driving, or just lounging, either in traffic or just at the curb, the bB had nothing to impede sliding in and out from either side—the front seat is a split bench, and the shifter for the automatic transmission, the only one available on the bB, is on the column. Who would want a clutch and stick shift in an urban loungemobile?
Rather oddly, the bB offered optional AWD. Well, that was a very hot in thing in Tokyo at the time; one just had to have an AWD badge on a car to be cool, even if it never left the confines of the neighborhood, let alone the city.
For 2000-2001, there was even this Open Deck variant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pshEiYCX4No
Now why didn’t they import that to the US? I might have been very tempted.
During the 90s and early aughts, Toyota and the other Japanese automakers put a lot of effort in capturing the youth market. Nissan was the leader with its “Pikes Factory” small-volume retro cars, like the Pao and Figaro. Not to be left behind, Toyota jumped in, and not just with the bB, which was relatively mainstream compared to its WiLL Vi (above), also on the the same platform. WiLL was a actually sub brand in Japan, as Scion became here. I fact, shortly before Scion was announced, Toyota was actually planning to use the WiLL name here too, and for a while, there was a WiLL website for the US, showing this car, to gauge interest in the WiLL concept. So if you think the xB is odd, this is what could have come over instead.
Well, it may not be as practical as the bB/xB, but I like it, as a modern take on a mashup of the Citroen 2CV/Ami, two of my favorite cars. I admit—I’m a sucker for all of these Japanese retro-mobiles and odd balls. Sorry, brougham lovers…
Toyota had been working on attracting the younger demographic in the US since 1999, when it launched its Project Genesis that attempted to bundle and market the Toyota Celica, MR2 and Echo to that segment. It was a flop and ended in 2001, and led directly to the decision to create Scion, as a sub-brand. In March 2002, the first two products were previewed, the xxB, which became the xB, and the ccX, which became the tC. The production 2004 xB and xA were released in January 2003.
The changes made for the US version involved mostly the interior, with bucket seats replacing the bench, and a floor shifter for the standard five speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. AWD was not offered, and a small mini-spare was added to the rear cargo area, as the JDM version had no spare (who needs one when the car is designed more for lounging than actually driving?)
The xB was an instant minor hit, and Scion got off to a very good start on the strength of it. The xA hatch and tC sporty coupe both sold reasonably well too. Scions were sold in a separate area of those Toyota dealers that chose to carry it, with a non-commissioned staff (“Scion Specialists”) to facilitate sales with no-haggle pricing. A wide range of customizing options and accessories played an important part of the Scion experience, as the xBox was seen as a blank canvas to be personalized, which these ads make abundantly clear.
In addition to younger buyers, the xB quickly found a following with decidedly older buyers too, who valued it for its unparalleled ease of entry/exit, visibility, and practicality. I guess that’s where I come in.
So how exactly did I end up with an xB? After we bought the Forester in 2000, I inherited the ’92 Dodge Grand Caravan (shown here packed up with the truck and trailer for our move from Los Gatos to Eugene in 1993) that had been primarily Stephanie’s kiddie-mobile. The two oldest were out of the house by then, and she loved the Forester.
The GC was actually quite handy, as I was in the middle of renovating the eight old houses I had moved to be rentals, and with the seats out, it could haul anything and everything, including sheets of plywood and drywall. In the winter, a closed van is a lot more practical than an open-bed truck, which I used mainly for the really big and dirty loads. And the driving position and unrestricted leg-real estate appealed to my 6’4″ frame.
In January 2007, I was invited to become a regular (and paid) writer at ttac.com. I was getting tired of the big and long Caravan, and longed for something a bit more fun to drive. Then one day the idea of an xB popped into my head, and I realized that it was a perfect solution—a shorter and sportier micro-van. At that time, a new gen2 2008 xB was known to be coming any day, but I didn’t really know much of the details except that it was to be somewhat bigger and more powerful. I wondered if that might be worth waiting for.
I drove out to the local Toyota/Scion store, and got to know the Scion specialist, who read TTAC. He said he would call me as soon as the first one arrived, and let me drive it. That turned out to be just a few days later, and what a letdown that was. I rather hated it; not because it was a bad car per se, but because it had lost all the unique character and appeal of the original.
I banged out my review as soon as I got home, and it was just about the first real review of it on the web. It went viral, and created a bit of a shit-storm, and probably helped shape the quickly forming negative image of the gen2 xB. I re-posted it here.
in 2007
I sure didn’t want one of those, so I asked the guy about left-over 2006s. Well, there weren’t any, just about anywhere. There was no 2007 xB, and the 2006s were sold through the end of the year, and they had all been gobbled up. So I looked for a used one, and found a white 2005 in Portland, with only 14k miles on it, driven by a mommy who wanted a bigger SUV or such. She had it detailed, and it looked brand new, inside and out. And the price was almost like new too; I finally got her down to $12,500. These cars have always had some of the best resale values of any vehicle ever, and still do—more on that later.
also in 2007, with headroom to spare, thanks to short hair
So we drove up to Portland, looked it over (it was perfect) paid her husband the big bucks, and I drove it home. One the way, I noticed that the little 1.5 L four was spinning 4000 rpm at 80 mph. Not really a problem, as it’s smooth enough, but a sixth gear might have been welcome.
Since we’ve touched on it, let’s get the biggest shortcoming of the xB over with: it’s not an ideal long-distance car. The body lacks good sound insulation, there’s some wind noise from the upright A pillar, and the engine noise is somewhat noticeable at higher speeds. And it rides hard.
Yes, that’s actually my biggest single gripe, since we don’t use it much for long trips, especially since buying the Acura TSX. I use it mainly for lots of very short errands very close to home; my rentals are just eight blocks away, there’s a hardware store nearby, and there’s errands to run. And for this kind of use, the xB is as close as perfect as possible.
It’s the easiest car possible to hop in and out of, because of its high seats, high roof, yet unlike a CUV, it has a low floor. Getting in and out of the low TSX really brings that home. I love the Acura for longer trips, but I rather dislike driving it around town. Compared to the very compact and narrow xB, it feels huge and wide.
The xB is a superb city car, especially for a rather aggressive driver like me. I don’t mean obnoxious; I’m just a bit speedy and impatient by nature. And the xB makes nipping and tucking in and out of any little hole in traffic (or parking spot) easy and fun. One sits like on a throne, and the view out the huge and almost vertical windshield is unbeatable, as well as the through any of the windows. The high-mounted instrument pod is not centrally-located, as often is claimed, but is almost perfectly positioned for minimal eye movement, because one sits so high. If the instruments were behind the small steering wheel, it would be awkward to find them. The rest of the controls are all simple and highly intuitive.
I “customized” my xB with three additions that were functional, not for show. I bought and installed an after-market cruise control, as this was a rather glaring omission from the otherwise high level of standard content on these. It took a couple of hours and works like a charm. I can’t fathom having a car without it, as I use it whenever possible, which means as soon as I get on a freeway or highway. I set it at ten over the limit, and that way I don’t have to worry about my innate tendencies to drive fast unless I make a deliberate choice to do so. And it’s just a better way to control a car, by telling it what speed to drive. If only everyone else did.
I also added a leather wrap for the steering wheel, and a center arm rest, which is perfect for keeping the arm and hand near the shifter. It does tend to get a lot of use.
The 108 (or 103, depending on the source) hp 1.5 L 1NZ-FE VVT-i (variable valve timing) four is a bit small for a vehicle this boxy, although the xB does only weigh about 2400 lbs. Scion wanted the US version to have sporty attributes, so the final gearing is low (high numerical), which means that shifts came fast and furious. Although the little mill makes peak power at 6000rpm and will happily spin to 6500 rpm, it’s actually a long-stroker and has a surprising amount of grunt at low rpm too. Fourth is the normal gear around town. Getting under way from anything less than a complete stop is done in second. And sixth is sadly missing.
My unfailing imagination lets me think I’m driving a vintage Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600—the power and gearing are rather similar. It accelerates with gusto—as opposed to actually quickly—as the valve timing shift around 4500 rpm on the way to its redline. And the joy of this car is that every turn into a highway can be a full-throttle run. The joy of driving a slow car fast is a perpetual reality in this car. On a good day, it might just break the ten second barrier in the sprint from 0-60.
The sporty suspension tuning of the xB means a firm ride, which is gobs of fun when whipping through tight back country roads, and at high speed. And the steering is excellent—old school hydraulic power assist with genuine feel, quite quick and very accurate. Better than the Acura’s electric system all the way around. The xB is a veritable sports car wrapped in a box—a Sport Box. If it had fatter tires on it, it would be a real demon through the curves, but as it is, it does pretty well. Speaking of, I actually put slightly taller tires on mine (185 65R15s instead of the stock 185 60R15s) in an effort to get a slightly less harsh ride. It made a slight difference, although that might have just been the effect of new Michelins replacing the stock Bridgestones.
All of this explains why I don’t have any desire for a real sports car. Why bother? And this is so much more practical.
The other primary use for the xB is to take us out in the woods for our regular hikes. That involves some highways and then miles of gravel Forest Service roads; sometime 15-20 miles to get to a remote trail head. After years of tossing the xB around these roads, I’ve come to know its limits very intimately, as I drive about as fast as I think I can get away with without landing us upside down in a ravine or creek. Tighter curves almost invariably involve a bit of drifting on the loose gravel, enough to get the ESC beeping and trying to keep me out of trouble. Thanks, but not thanks. This video is on one of these roads, although not a very curvy one, as I had to shoot with one hand and steer with the other. And I wasn’t exactly pushing the speed (40 mph), but it gives an idea of where I like to drive. Sure beats the freeways of LA and the Bay Area.
Due to budget cuts, the US Forest service has drastically curtailed maintenance on the thousands of miles of these roads that crisscross the wooded parts of the state. Some get quite rough, with very abrupt huge pot holes that can’t be missed because of their size and the speed. Crash; bang! There’s times I wondered if the xB’s suspension was going to handle it. But after all these years, there’s no sign of any deterioration; it’s as tight and solid as ever.
Out in the woods, every other vehicle is either a Subaru, some other AWD CUV or a 4×4 truck. But not having AWD hasn’t stopped me yet.
Interior dimensions are huge; comparable to a Tahoe, except in width and of course entry height, which is much lower and better. Interior space and lots of real estate for my legs and head are very high on the list of priorities, and the xB is simply unbeatable in either of them.
And then there’s the rear seat. Once again, it’s amazingly roomy. Between the huge leg room, tall seat and straight sides, three adults can ride surprisingly comfortable. Not many vehicles can actually make that claim. The TSX is a torture chamber in the back seat by comparison.
The rear cargo area is short but tall. It’s actually a good size for the dog, as it keeps him from sliding around too much, given my driving style. He’s gotten real good about leaning into turns.
The seats all fold, so there’s plenty of room for hauling appliances and such, as long as I can find enough room for me to drive. I keep some roof rack bars on it, and use the xB to haul lumber and other long items up there. I only use my truck if I really need to, especially in the winter. The F100 always starts, but it’s a bit cold-blooded; the xB puts out heat after 8-10 blocks.
After eleven years—nine in my hands—how’s it held up? Before we do that, I need to point out that it only has 76,000 miles on it now, which is well below average for its age. I work at home, and this sure wouldn’t be my first choice for a commuter pod. But then those miles have been hard ones: constant short errands without a full warm-up. And lots of driving in the boonies.
Except for one niggling issue, which I’ll get to in a minute, it’s been absolutely flawless, reliability wise. Absolutely nothing has broken or required repairs. And it doesn’t feel like that’s a bout to change anytime soon. We’ll see.
That one issue is with the clutch release bearing. A brief recap: Not long after I bought it, the clutch release bearing started chirping when fully released. If I put just a bit of pressure on the clutch pedal, it went away. And it was accompanied with a bit of clutch shudder when pulling away from a start. I assumed it must just have been a very random bad release bearing.
I took it in to the Toyota dealer, and they agreed on that diagnosis, and replaced it under warranty. About 20,000 miles and some two years later, it started up again. Holy Toyota City! What are the odds of that? Two bad release bearings in a row? (none, as it turns out). I took it back, and they fixed it again, and threw in a new clutch as a good will gesture, but did charge me $293 for a partial share of the repair, seeing it was out of warranty.
Well, it came back again, in another 20,000 miles. Now I was totally stumped, as were all of you when I wrote it up here and asked for advice. Lots of well-meaning advice, but none of it really addressed the recurring issue. It wasn’t until six months later when someone came across that post and left a comment saying that he had the same issue. It turns out that almost certainly it’s a slight defect in the transmission input shaft that causes the release bearing to not ride on it properly.
Or not, given that an online search of Toyota release bearing issues brings up a number of others with similar issues, but not necessarily with that particular diagnosis as the cause. Whatever; I’m just living with it. It actually went mostly away for a couple of years, but now it’s usually to be heard. And the clutch is a bit jerky on take off, but I’ve long learned how to avoid that, with a slightly faster release.
So what’s the total tally, cost wise?
Repairs and maintenance: $1250 total:
($293 for the clutch repair, $340 for a set of Michelins at 33,000 miles, and $184 for another set at 70,00 miles, using the mileage warranty for a major adjustment; $53 for one set front brake pads installed by me; $48 for a set of spark plugs and an air filter at 62,000 miles; $71 for anew battery at 74,000 miles; and $261 for ten oil/filter changes, the first two being free from coupons that came with the car).
Fuel: $6,385 total
(based on average 30 mpg and average price over the nine years of $3.12/gallon) Fuel mileage is around 28 in town, and 32 on the highway.
Insurance: $2250 (I’ve been paying about $250/year for liability only coverage).
Registration: $360 (average $40 per year)
Depreciation: $6000 My younger brother just sold his identical 2005 xB with about the same mileage on it for a whopping $7000. I’ll use $6,500 as a current value for mine.
Total Costs: $16,245 divided by 61,400 miles = 26 cents per mile.
Interestingly, that’s actually a bit higher than what the Subaru Forester cost over 15 years and 170k miles (24 cents). And it had higher maintenance costs. But that because the mileage on the xB is low; the fixed costs are spread out over fewer miles. But that’s ok, as the total cost is lower; the xB has cost me $150 month in total. Not bad, really, for utterly reliable transportation.
Every car is a compromise, and the xB has its share. What would I like to change to make it perfect?
The suspension from a Peugeot, mostly. It’s not necessary to give up good handling with a properly sorted out compliant suspension. The xB’s can be brutal over old broken pavement and pot holes. What I’d give for a better ride. And a better sound-proofed body.
But that’s about it. yes, in my imagination I’ve built the perfect xB: the 1.8 L engine from the xD, a six speed manual, AWD, a slightly higher ride height, and of course a better suspension. And a longer rear end, for more cargo room. And different front end styling.
Maybe something like this? This “Eco Hummer” lived in Eugene a few years back, and son Ed shot it at the Country Fair.
Well, not exactly. But I like the thought and sense of humor that went into it. That second quality is a good one to keep handy with the xB, as it really is a rather goofy little thing, and doesn’t want to be taken too seriously.
The only question left to answer is the one I posed in the headline “My…Last Toyota?” It’s not that I’m unhappy with the the car or the company, it’s just that I can’t really see replacing it. With what? I’ve racked my brain, but for how I use it, it’s just about perfect, and there’s nothing really even close. So for the foreseeable future, it’s a keeper.
I never knew the JDM version had bench seats! I’d swap out the buckets for these if I bought one (though I’d have to find a way for the stick shift to fit)
Great write-up Paul.
I purchased the very first 2004 Scion xB sold by Santa Monica Toyota. Given its unconventional looks, and that it was a new model and brand that was only sold in CA initially, it was like driving an exotic vehicle during those first few months. It turned heads everywhere.
I loved the car for all the reasons you do (practicality, space, packaging, fun to drive with the manual, etc), but the ride quality, noise, and high freeway rpms really got to me over time. Like you, I up-sized the tires and also replaced the struts with the softer ones used in the Echo. It made little difference. I kept the xB for 6 years and 85k miles, with no mechanical repairs. I was once rear-ended pretty hard by the late Jeff Conaway on Coldwater Canyon, but the xB was fine after repairs.
I moved on to a 2009 Forester 5spd, which I love. Similar practicality, AWD, much better ride, GIANT sunroof, and only a small difference in mpg. The Subaru has been equally reliable and seems far more robust.
Yes, I’ve thought about the Yaris/Echo struts too. No longer…
Interesting about the Forester, since we had a 2000 until two years ago, that Stephanie mainly drove. And that we started using again for longer trips, since it was quieter and rode better.
Yes, the xB is a tin can on wheels. And some days I get sick of that aspect. But I run so many super-short errands, and it just really works great for that. But living in a big city, with lots of freeway mileage, I’d be over it too.
I keep getting tempted to go coil overs to drop the suspension 1-2″, just for the way it would look. And then maybe turbocharge the engine . . . .
I keep forgetting I’m 65.
As far as sound deadening, would you consider taking the interior out and “Lizard Skin” (no affiliation)
http://www.lizardskin.com/
or some other sound deadener product? You can also make your own, using exterior latex paint and “Micro Ceramic Air Balloons”
(examples here http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/alternative-lizard-skin-103610-14.html)
A guy I know with a Mazda 5 disliked how loud it was on the highway, and Dynamat-ted his, and it was way quieter, but there’s lots of cheaper ways to quiet down your car. And you seem to be a DIY kinda guy…
It’s a question of whether it’s worth the time and effort now that we don’t use it for long trips anymore.
I’ve owned two 2006 Xbs, the first of which i did a full Dynamat on, the second not. The first might have been just slightly quieter that the second and the pre-Dynamat car, but just slightly. I didnt bother putting the Dynamat in the second Xb, just wasnt worth it
As the other resident Toaster worshiper around here, my experiences have been rather closely aligned to yours. For the record, mine’s an ’05, five speed in black, and has what I can only assume is an aftermarket kit on it, because all the insignias on it say bB, not xB. Including the carbon fiber sill plates in the door.
Bought mine used at CarMax back in 2011 with about 25k on it, as of today it’s got a bit over 57k. And my reason for choosing the car over a Honda Fit was the kind of nightmare that Scion’s promotional department would never want to make public: It’s a wonderful car to ferry around a handicapped, terminally ill wife and her wheelchair.
Figured this out at CarMax when I mentioned my needs to the salesperson, and she promptly went into the back room and pulled out the wheelchair they keep for emergencies. I spent the next half hour loading and unloading the wheelchair in various cars before I decided which ones would get test drives. (Yes, that’s why some of us are willing to spend a few bucks more at CarMax than try to save every nickle going bare knuckles with the salesperson. The service is often worth it.)
Like Paul, I’ve come up with the same complaints about the car: It desperately needs cruise control and a sixth gear on the transmission. Without those two, its my last choice for hauling down the interstate. On the other hand, back road behavior is wonderful. I’ve had both a 924S and a Solstice during my tenure with this car, and at no time was I ever disappointed when switching between cars. Since the Solstice has gone, I’ve put my money back into motorcycles. The bB is handling what sports car desires I’ve got very well.
No throwout bearing problems, so far.
When I do use it on the work commute (my Yamaha Zuma 125 is my main commuter) I’m doing 28-31mpg, on a 22 mile round trip that’s half I-95 and half stop and go traffic lights on every block. It’s comfortable, roomy, and can haul up to four bicycles on the Yakima roof rack that’s up there pretty permanently. I adore the car, but yeah, it’s going to go in the next eighteen months because I just don’t keep cars permanently. Hell, if I could afford it, I’d change my main driver every six months, just to catch up on the list of all the cars I want to own.
But with what? Right now I’m torn between two paths: Another tiny, wonderfully handling car, or an plug-in electric or hybrid (yeah, they don’t handle – my Honda 996 Super Hawk will ensure I’m never hurting for something to corner carve). About the only thing I’ve seen that is a proper replacement is a Fiat 500 Sport. If I can afford to spend more when the time comes, maybe a Fiat 500 Abarth or a Fiesta ST.
But for the moment, I’m not in a rush. Mileage is low, and I’m enjoying that car way too much. Patti’s been gone three years next month, I’ve been remarried almost a year now, and that car ain’t going nowhere.
Just keep it. You can turn over the others often enough.
> ” …spend a few bucks more at CarMax than try to save every nickle going bare knuckles with the salesperson.”
As long as you didn’t bother with MaxCare for it. FWIU it’s a great idea if you’re buying a Land Rover…
Exactly like your XB originally, my ’12 Focus came with only two things I wanted to add: a leather wrapped steering wheel and cruise control. I do not understand why any non base model car would be missing that in this day and age. I’m also pretty surprised a vehicle like this would not have come with a center armrest of any kind, especially given that armrest compartments are a really common and efficient way to add storage space.
I suspect the cruise control was missing because in japan, it’s pretty irrelevant, for a city car. And I guess they couldn’t be bothered to add it at the factory. But the aftermarket one works great, and I know that a lot of them were installed by dealers. So it’s really not an issue.
The front seats are so close together, there’s really no room for one of those console boxes/arm rests.
I done a fair amount of driving in an ’03 CR-V, and can share similar sentiment. I doubt its as spacious as the xB, and has AWD thus raising the floor, but it’s still a tall box with a small footprint, really practical around town on the twice weekly paper route.
My neighbors have one, they have the same what-will-we-replace-it-with issue. Like a lot of the *intended* demographic, he (who bought it originally) grew into the car’s wagon capabilities acquiring a wife, a kid, and a big shaggy dog since buying the xB; that’s not an issue but wear and tear is, I suspect they put a lot more miles on it than you have on yours and we use road salt here.
Since the 1G Scion xB aka Toyota bB in Japan was based on a stretched Echo chassis, does it have the riding and handling characteristics of the Echo 4 Door Sedan? I just wanted to know since I have never rode nor driven a Scion xB before. I do know and remembered that the Southeast Asian Exclusive 2004-07 Toyota Vios shown on the left which I have rode on numerous occasions last year while I was in Manila does have the same riding and handling characteristics of the similar sized but a little shorter 2000-02 Toyota Echo 4 Door Sedan shown on the right since both cars used the same Echo chassis as well. If somebody from the U.S. visited Manila and then blindfolded so he would not be able to tell the difference between an Echo and a Vios then he would just claimed that he just rode the Echo.
Never compared them directly, but my understanding is that the xB rides firmer as its suspension was set up for sporty handling, unlike the Echo. But I get the impression that the whole Yaris family is not exactly famous for its ride quality.
Friend of mine owns an ’04 Honda Element and it really is similar to Paul’s xB. Her’s is a front wheel drive 5 speed stick version as well. It has good ground clearance and the car does well on fire roads as well.
When she was going to buy it she wondered if the more expensive 4wd automatic the salesman was trying to push on her was really necessary for the climate in the PDX area. I convinced her that the base 2wd stick, besides being cheaper would get better mileage, have more power and have less to go wrong, which has worked out great as nothing but tires, battery and brake pads and filters have been needed. It has only about 60k miles on it now.
She loves it, the less appealing features are it is only a four passenger with the 2 rear seats that fold up to the side instead of forward and flat like the Scion. And low 20’s around town and just under 30 mpg on the highway was a bit of a letdown.
It’s pretty heavy at about 3300 lbs, and the 2.4 160 hp engine runs good, but I would have never guessed the engine is rated at 160hp, it doesn’t feel all that powerful. The ride is quite smooth in the front seat, but I rode in the back seat once and was amazed how bouncy it rode in the back, it felt like a totally different (poor) riding car!
Paul, you should be set for life with the xB if after 11 years it only has 76k miles on it. That’s only around 7k a year. In twenty years it still will be in the low 200k miles, which is nothing for a Toyota. So it could well be your last car, because it should be good for the rest of your driving years. If a front end rebuild is eventually needed due to off roading, and eventually the transmission issue gets worse and needs to be repaired or replaced, it would be worth it to do so.
I plan to keep the old 300K miles ’86 Jetta as an around town driver with no plans to replace, barring an accident or theft. Who would want to steal it, even though it does still look almost new even today. As does your xB. But dammit, I replaced an outer CV joint a year ago and a couple of days ago the front end started clunking and making all kinds of scary sounds. I made it home, and the axle nut had somehow stripped out and come loose. Must have over torqued it, my own fault for being lazy and not getting out the torque wrench and just using “feel”. Luckily it did unscrew and the threads are good on the CV. I had a spare nut that I put on and tightened, but I knew the front wheel bearing had to be destroyed by driving with a loose nut. (2, if you count the driver). And yep, at 35 mph the bearing really gets to humming, although for now just at that speed.
Well, the bushings have been needing replacement for so time, so guess I’ll order new wishbones along with a new bearing and get to a front end refresh when the weather turns to spring.
The xB really was a hit when it came out, and from Paul’s write up I can see why they were so popular, being so big on the inside yet small on the outside. I vote you keep the old Gal for the duration, She will continue to serve you well for many years to come.
I considered 1 of these off an on during the last few years, but as small as they looked when they passed on the street, they somehow looked impossibly tiny for someone…..6 foot 4. The other “negative” was a lack of optional cruise control….but as was pointed out, it would have been “out of character”.
About a year ago, one of the British small car magazines had a good write up on the xb. Britain got all 3 generations of the xb and there is/was a fair amount of aftermarket support that included retailers for JDM parts for the 1st and 2nd generation versions of this car.
Maybe I need to go back and find one of these and give it a good test drive.
they somehow looked impossibly tiny for someone…..6 foot 4.
Seriously? Good luck finding any vehicle that offers more room (I’m 6’4″ too), except maybe a full sized van. How can a tall box look “impossibly tiny”?
On the outside, these things are TINY. Theyre dwarfed by most anything else on the road except a Mini…but its some kind of illusion because inside they are deceptively spacious. My buddy and his wife have two, a first gen and a 2nd gen. First time I rode in the first gen, I was shocked at how roomy it is inside.
Tiny on the outside? Here’s mine next to a ’59 Cadillac. It’s short, yes, but a whole lot taller.
Tiny? Where? Don’t confuse short with tiny…
This is the xB greenhouse lifted straight over to the Caddy. Both cars are in scale. Looks like popmobile-proportions, if you ask me?
My legs might be longer than yours as I wear pants with a 36 inseam and now wear size 15 shoes.
I once owned a 80 Ford Fiesta which wasn’t too bad. That’s why I figured the xb wouldn’t be too small for me.
We never had the Toyota bB or the Scion-editions.
But the second gen bB was sold here as the Daihatsu Materia; 91 hp 1.3 liter engine, 5 speed manual. Built by Daihatsu from 2005 (according to Wikipedia).
What happened was that automakers also built an MPV-version of their compact panel vans, like the Fiat below. Compact on the outside, very roomy inside.
That’s right Johannes the North American Scion xB which was sold both in U.S. and Canada were actually re-badged Toyota Corolla Rumion back in Japan. The Toyota bB when it was redesigned as a 2G model also were rebadged Daihatsu Materia imported from one of the Indonesian countries. I made a photo montage compilation here starting with the original Scion xB aka Toyota bB and the accompanying models were the aforementioned Toyota Corolla Rumion based Scion xB and the Daihatsu Materia based Toyota bB. It was also ironic that the North American 2G xB was also far larger in size than the model it replaced which was based from the Toyota Echo. The other market’s 2G bB was only a bit larger than the original bB/xB.
Try as I might, I’ve never been impressed with the Scion xB. I don’t mind boxy styling, but there are some boxes on wheels that just look hideous. Unfortunately, I’ve always found the Scion xB to be hideous from every angle.
You sound just like my SIL.
Still, had it never been offered here, we can surely all agree that would have been an unforgivable shame.
Agreed!
I’m ashamed to admit that I have never driven one of these and don’t believe I have even ridden in one. I did look at and drive a second generation one several times over the years as well as riding in several taxi versions and liked it. I wonder if the near universal disdain of the second generation is diminished if one has not been exposed to the first generation version?
Nice pic of the minivan BTW, I don’t think you have ever graced us with images of it prior to this. Red is a great color for a minivan.
To answer your question, almost undoubtedly yes. The gen2 isn’t a bad car; it’s just lacking in many of the qualities that make the original so endearing.
+1. Its just not as unique, and I really, REALLY like the dash layout on the first gen. The separate pod with the speedo reminds me of several really cool things: The dash layout in old school Jeep CJs, the add-on tachometers you see on built up vehicles that never offered them, and it REALLY reminds me of the look inside the cockpit of Slave-1…Jango/Boba Fett’s ship.
The dash on the gen2 is lame.
Jim: I’ve ridden in exactly one, and it was Paul’s. I dug it, even though it was a short trip around Eugene. It would make a great band rig. Someday…
Agree with Paul on all counts re the gen-1 xB; fun to drive around town & very capacious for its size (putting the Corolla to shame), but we feared it wasn’t the best for anticipated long I-10 trips & got a Sienna instead, as we also needed the extra capacity for 3 kids + baggage. But a very good choice otherwise, a shame they Camry-ized the next version.
“The suspension from a Peugeot, mostly. It’s not necessary to give up good handling with a properly sorted out compliant suspension. The xB’s can be brutal over old broken pavement and pot holes. What I’d give for a better ride. And a better sound-proofed body.”
Of course I have to chime in with my Pontiac Vibe pet peeves. They echo exactly your sentences above.
I added cheapskate sound insulation in form of Peel and Seal rubber material to the door skins and a layer of carpet padding under the interior door panels. I also insulated the floor and trunk area in the same manner. This improved the sound quality of the stereo in excellent ways. I care more for clarity than volume.
I did not find a proper way of improving the ride of the Vibe. But I learned that much of the harshness comes from the KYB struts and people who lowered their Vibes using Tokico Blue struts and Tein S Tech springs report that the ride comfort has improved as well. I think Monroe Quick Struts have slightly softer springs too. Either way they won’t even come close to Peugeot.
The Vibe/Matrix is very similar to the xB in versatility. And their owners ask the same question: what to replace it with when the time comes?
I thought about doing some soundproofing, but wonder if it’s worth all the work since I don’t use it for long distance drives anymore.
Interesting about the struts. When the time comes, I’ll have to look into the options. But I’m certainly not going to lower it; I’d prefer to raise it, if possible.
2010 Yaris owner here. Looked for but couldn’t find a used xB when I was buying, had liked my bro-in-law’s Yaris that he had bought to replace his Echo (that got hit and totaled) and we like Toyotas that last over 200,000 miles. Pretty much the same basic mechanicals, so similar experience-easy entry, surprisingly flexible motor, good vision, doesn’t break. Drive it like you stole it for the best fun, it doesn’t seem to mind. Yaris has a lower final drive ratio, so we are going over 3 mph faster for each 1000 rpm in fifth, that would make a big difference-not sure I could stand the increased buzz at speed, more like my son’s Fit I would expect. Yaris is also suspended more softly-too much so for good handling, as it comes without a rear sway bar and it likes to roll oversteer. But a TRD rear sway bar is inexpensive and easy to install, that took care of that problem, now I can go twice the posted limit on Interstate on-ramps and that is fast enough for me. Not sure what you can do to make yours ride more softly, most aftermarket suspensions I see (including TRD) are designed to lower the car and make it ride more harshly. There are many models based on this design, maybe there is a spring/strut set from another with enough capacity that might work. (xD? It has the bigger motor.) Picking your tires carefully is probably your best continuing bet-though hard to go wrong with Michelin. I am looking into making mine quieter, from what I read the butyl- and foam-based sound deadeners (e,g., Dynamat) do make a significant difference if you just do the inside of the doors and the rear hatch, might consider that first and see if it helps. Lots of on-line tutorials for this sort of thing as many other people have the same concern. Wish I had your seats and seating configuration, American Yaris of this generation comes with tiny seats and without telescoping steering, and with my short arms I have to sit close enough that my legs get cramped. 70,000 is just barely broken in with this car, you will tire of it or someone will run into you long before it wears out. Zoom!
Paul: I spent about a day on the doors, another on the trunk area and 2 days on the floor. That included thorough cleaning of the panels and carpet. You could choose to do just part of that but likely you have better things to do. I drive where ever. The longest trip so far was to North Carolina. To me it was really worth it. It’s not Cadillac quiet but a big improvement over the factory job.
The Monroe quick struts will keep the ride height. A picture I found shows that the spring has an extra loop in the coil compared to OEM.
The lowering springs help with small bumps because they are the progressive type. Large bumps will hit you as hard as before.
I was even toying with the idea of using the rear struts of a different car altogether. The Vibe’s rear strut travel is less than 7″, my wife’s Contour provides about 9″ of travel at the rear. The Cobalt has a twist beam rear suspension like the Vibe and the struts have more travel. I never heard complains about a harsh ride with the Cobalt. If I can get those struts cheaply I might try to put them in just to see if it helps and what the downsides may be.
Peugeot’s, Citroen’s and Renault’s trick was to provide a lot of negative travel. That allows the wheel to drop deep into a pothole while the body stays almost even. Our suspensions are not designed for that. For example the 2CV has telescoping drive shafts so they can extend as the wheel drops into a pot hole.
An interesting read. My 07 Honda Fit is probably the closest thing that Honda ever offered to one of these. I looked it up, and the much swoopier Fit gives up only 1.5 cubic feet of cargo space to your white box. However, I think that the tradeoff is my car’s much lower seating position and much less legroom for the driver and front passenger. I would suggest a CC event where the Xbox and the Fit square off against each other. But then both of us would have to drive vast distances in our least comfy cars in order to get them in the same place. 🙂
Also, add my Fit (and my Miata) to cars that could use a taller gear on the highway. The road noise thing is present in my case, too. Like one of the posters above, I have considered ripping out the interior and either laying down some sound insulation mats or spraying some insulation coating. That old spray-on asphalt-based undercoating did wonders to quiet my 71 Scamp many moons ago.
Definite on the Fit’s lower seating position – it’s one of the big reasons I went for the toaster. Trying to get my late wife in and out would have been more difficult in the Fit, and the toaster handled the folded wheelchair very well even without having the Fit’s magic back seat and incredible load area.
One of the most inexplicable things I’ve seen a car manufacturer do is when Honda went from a 5- to a 6-speed manual for the gen3 Fit but kept the OTGR the same as in the old 5-speed. NO ONE had complained about a “missing” intermediate gear!
Honda’s current entries into this odd little niche are in the smaller kei class — the N-BOX and its siblings. There was a JDM-only Fit-based thing called the Mobilio, which was basically a box-shaped Fit — conceptually a lot like the xB, although I don’t know how it compared to the xB dynamically or space-wise.
A co-worker had a duplicate of Paul’s machine, also in refrigerator white. Never drove it but rode in it a few times. Wasn’t in love with the styling, but enjoyed the cheekiness of it (I’m a much bigger fan of the Kia Soul). Regarding the front-end styling, I always mentally see a ‘VW’ roundel in the center of the grille.
On the other hand, the harshness and crashiness of the ride was shocking, and a sure deal-breaker. No way could I have ever considered something like that for a daily driver.
With that said, there was a clear market niche that it apparently filled successfully. Two bad the gen2 version missed the mark.
FWIW, lots of xBs have 16 or 17″ aftermarket wheels with very low aspect ratio wide tires, which really exacerbates the issue. It’s not that bad, except when it is.
Fascinating read. I didn’t really know much about these until I started teading CC. It’s original market demographic makes sense, but again, had no idea. Never been near one, but experiences with my mother’s Corolla sound similar. Base model which loves nipping around the suburbs with a bit of gusto – I’d own it ahead of almost any new car on the road.
Hang the expense and make it a (driving) project. Makes the changes you want and most certainly hummerize it. I mean, how expensive would it be to replace against how much it would cost to improve this one specifically to your tastes?
Actually, don’t answer that. One of the most appealing things about the Corolla is that it’s a generic appliance.
Long term car ownership from new or near new really puts man and machine together in a different way.
My Dodge Durango has been with me 14 years. I know everyone of its idiocracies, issues that have come up and seem to defy both mechanics and dollars spent, I’ve been in various parts of its innards and actually have some thoughts about even its trip down the assembly line. Parts of the car are pure genius, some are very competent, and some parts elicit thoughts of what were they thinking?
I don’t particularly love the car, and I can tire of some of its worn nature, but having new cars around tempers any resentments.
It sure has seen a lot of my life. My kids mostly drive it now, but occasionally I’ll clean it up and make it my daily driver for a few days, partly to check its health, and partly to just recall what it was like 14 years ago to buy a brand new car that I really wanted and didn’t represent any compromises – it was good times and I even paid cash for it.
Was the original xB available in Canada? The only one I remember seeing was owned by a native Chicagoan that he imported.
Not a pretty vehicle for sure, but most of it you can’t see from the drivers seat so just keep going as long as it does the job.
Did the clutch bearing ever get worse with more miles? Our Focus has always had a rattle in neutral with the clutch released. When we had the clutch done the noise didn’t go away, so I haven’t worried about it these 13 years…
I doubt it. There aren’t any Scions in Canada; or?
It’s just sort of there, most of time, when the clutch isn’t depressed, but I don’t usually hear it. One benefit of damaged ears. 🙂
Scion wasn’t introduced to Canada until 2010. I’m not sure what the point is – the tC and the new iM could both be marketed as Corollas, and the new iA is in fact being sold here as the Yaris sedan.
A lot of pundits (including me) are still wondering what the point of Scion is in general. I understand what it’s supposed to do, but given the results, I’m surprised they haven’t thrown in the towel yet.
“the 1.8 L engine from the xD, a six speed manual, AWD, a slightly higher ride height, and of course a better suspension. And a longer rear end, for more cargo room. And different front end styling.”
Soooo… A Forester!
In my role as friends’ “car consultant,” I’ve put several of them in Foresters (and often with stick shifts!). All of them continue to love their cars. It’s probably 10% bigger than what Paul would prefer, but it’s still pretty darn close to his list of specs. And depreciation is excellent.
Great article Paul! I’ve never driven or ridden one but I always liked it’s “cheekyness”. I love boxes on wheels because of the utility factor.
Ive always liked these, its one of the few Toyotas in some time with any real personality or appeal. Theyre like a meld of Chevy Astro van and the original Mini. Useful, fun to drive, and lends itself to customizing…whats not to like? Ever since discovering the open deck model, I really, REALLY like that one. As a trucklet, its near useless but it looks cool…that makes up for a lot!
What to replace it with? Well with only 76K on the clock in 11 years and the probable longevity of this car…why even bother? If you must, why not just hold out for an unmolested low mileage example?
Paul, one thing you never touched on…whats the story with the red steelies? Is that how you found it, or did you give it your own little touch? You mentioned that with wider tires it would carve corners even better…I see a lot of these on 15″ XXR wheels that look a lot like Minilites. I think theyre 7 to 8″ wide and really give these cars an aggressive stance. A bit more rubber on the road (without shortening the sidewall) might help with the ride AND the cornering. This one is dumped a few inches, but you get the idea:
When I got it, the first thing I did was pull off the very cheesy plastic wheel covers. Then i bought two cans of red spray paint, masked the tires, and shot.
Since I mounted the new winter tires on those wheels, I am thinking about some 15″ alloys for the summer tires. I bet I could find some for quite cheap on ebay or such.
I doubt I’ll go with wider tires; there’s just no way a wider tire is going to ride any better than a narrower one; probably worse.
Since I drive on such rough back roads a lot, I’d rather just keep the tire size I have. It’s fast enough in the corners as is.
If you want a cushier ride, go -1 on the rim diameter and higher on the tire profile (and will likely be lighter weight to boot). That gives you more rubber and air between you and the road. I did this for my snow tires/wheels (look up Central Illinois in the dictionary and there’s a picture of a big pothole).
Yeah I suspect you can find some OE wheels, whether XBox specific or other Toyota products in good shape for significantly less than new. Be sure to check Craigslist too. Fact is OE are of better quality than the cheap-o aftermarket wheels and they are the exact right offset, center bore size unlike the universal fit of many aftermarket options, even the steelies. .
Long time reader, but do not comment often. Owned a 2006 xB from new. Kept it till last year. Has 210K miles on it, when I gifted it to a family in need. Miss the roominess and quick handling in town. Did a lot of highway driving in it, and it is not the best highway cruiser. Best car I ever owned with no problems till over 200K miles. First major problem was a failed fuel injector, which took a while to figure out. Replaced with a Nissan Rouge. Better riding, but much less practical to haul things in.
“I’ve always had a thing about packaging efficiency, and the xB is impossible to top.”
well…it could be topped. If the xB had been designed with more of a cab-over style front end it would be a little more efficient
While these are neat looking the rough roads of Central New York really wreck havoc with the front bumper cover and the stiff ride punishes drivers. Also, I think they have issues with snow.
and the back bumper covers, I have not seen one without one of the bottom segments of the back bumper missing or about to fall off.
My 2011 Scion XB is the last Toyota I will ever own due to the Toyota Dealers in my state and lack of help on resolving my issues by Toyota USA. Talk about arrogance.
Now the sad thing is the 2011 Scion XB was not a bad car. In fact though people on the interwebs bitch about how it strayed from the original XB, the 2nd gen XB did however address a lot of the things the original XB had lacking. All 2nd Gen XBs had cruise control, more power (due to it having the 2.4l Camry engine) and feeling more substantial over all. Number 2 and 3 are the two things that led me to it over the original. The 2 2005 XB that I test drove had not had any suspension adjustments(i.e. lowered etc) and yet it still felt like I was dragging my ass on the ground due to the seat. It also was a bit underpowered both with the manual and the auto(I tested both) which made for a bare knuckled experience coming off the off ramp on to 495 near Greenbelt MD. Plus the noise was horrible on the highway.
By contrast the 2011 XB I had was good keeping up with traffic with its 158 HP 2.4l engine. I had regular 16 steel rims with Kelly Charger tires on the XB and it was good on long trips with minimum road noise above 50 mph. It had plenty of room in it for people and cargo.
I chose the auto transmission because I did not like the way the manual shifter was mounted to the console. It made shifting feel odd.
The big drawback in the 2011 XB I had was that the auto trans was only a 4 speed(come on Toyota, it was 2011 and not 1985, 4 speed auto transmissions are not the new thing anymore)
Both my brothers have 2009 Scion XBs and love them
In the end I got rid of it because I was tired of fighting the Toyota Dealership on warranty issues. I got rid of it for a Ford Ranger(which I loved)
Here is a pic of my old XB
Toyota BBs werent sold here new but you’d never know by looking at the streets many have turned up ex JDM and all the badgemates though Scion is one Ive not seen that seems to be a US only.
For some reason there I sometimes see Nissan Cubes, but I don’t remember seeing a first-gen bB/xB. Toyota sold the second-gen here as the Rogue, but it didn’t sell well, just 3900 in five years. Apart from the polarising design apparently they were too expensive compared to the Corolla hatch.
I’ve driven on quite a few roads here like the one in your video, including in a Corolla, and it looks like oncoming traffic at blind corners would be a bigger hazard than the road surface. The suspension on the Corolla isn’t hard to bottom out either, but the weirdest case was on a soft sand road the stability control was going bananas, beeping and grabbing brakes, just driving in a straight line at a steady speed (maybe 20 mph?) to the point that I had to make steering corrections so that the ESP didn’t throw it off the road.
I bought my ’05 xB new and loved its roomy back seat, tall front seats, cargo capacity, looks, handling and gas mileage. BUT, after 4 years, I grew tired of its harsh ride, noisy interior, rattle in the tail gate from new, and high service prices at the local Toyota dealer. Its windshield did crack (a common flaw), the liftgate outside electric release was tempranental, traction in snow was the worst of any car or truck I’d ever owned and if you put down your driver’s window with dew or water on the car, you would get soaked within 30 seconds of leaving your driveway.
Great review Paul, absolutely spot on. I’m on my second Xb and although I use it as a commuter car for an 80 mile per day Bay Area commute, I also love it. I would only add:
1. the visibility is unparalleled. Although the car is not a good cruiser, the great visibility saves me lots of worry when changing lanes on my commute.
2. its a great city car. Its always been popular in San Francisco with its tiny square garages and lanes clogged with city buses and trucks. No car is more maneuverable
3. ride position is perfect for tall people and/or people with back problems that need to sit very upright (me). No car is more comfortable for me
4. I had 18″ rims and low profile tires on my first 2006 Xb RS4. If you think the ride is bad on 16″ rims try it on the 18″ inchers!
5. super reliable. 75K on my first before being rear-ended and totaled, 219K and counting on my second 2006 Xb, replaced the belts once on the second and other than tires, filters, and oil thats it. Not even my 98 Civic could beat this
6. the vertical windshield worried me at first but I’ve had no cracked windshields
7. no idea what could replace it but its coming soon. I’ve thought about buying a third low miler but life is short and i think i need to try something else
Oregon looks like Austria, to judge from the vid you posted. If you said this was shot at the Wienerwald or somewhere in Tirol I would not have suspected for one second…
Why do you think we moved here? 🙂
There are some similarities, but only in certain places. Oregon is a fairly large state (more then 3 times bigger than Austria), and has a highly varied geography, geology, climate and flora. The area we live in, on the western slopes of the Cascade mountains, resembles Austria the most. But 2/3 of Oregon is high desert, and is more like Northern Nevada. Not like Austria at all! And then there’s the whole coast.
That’s what I like about it; the great variety. And the relative low population, which is less than half of Austria. Once you get out of the Willamette Valley, it’s very sparsely populated.
When we take these drives into the woods, typically we don’t see another car or person the whole day. Which is why I drive a reliable car! It would be a long hike back out.
“The gen2 isn’t a bad car; it’s just lacking in many of the qualities that make the original so endearing” from Paul’s comment earlier…the list of cars this could be applied to is quite long!
Ford Ka
Ford Focus
VW Golf
Fiat 500
Mini
Mazda MX-5, possibly
Lancia Delta
Renault 5
Renault Twingo
VW Scirocco
Datsun 240Z/260ZX
Range Rover
…subject to personal preference of course
Hi Paul,
thanks for an interesting read…..a compact, low geared car can be very usable and great fun in town. Just ask any MINI driver, or preferably a Mini driver.
When you wrote about changes you’d like, I wondered if you were going to add an hybrid drivetrain, which would seem to be suited to the car’s mostly urban use, or even (perhaps unlikely) a turbo-diesel with a six-speed box. Suspension from a Peugeot is usually a good call, assuming comfort has priority over handling.
I wasn’t actually aware that the UK got the xB (as the Toyota bb) but we did get the similar Daihatsu Materia and the Nissan Cube (both generations, the second of which also suffers from the “not as appealing as the first generation” syndrome)
I’ve always thought these were neat little cars, but haven’t ever driven or ridden in one. It’s rather unfortunate that they got the formula so close to the mark out of the gate and it’s declined since… Perhaps part of Toyota’s singleminded desire to remove any appeal from their entire product line by 2010. At least that’s the way it seemed. Thankfully the situation seems to be reversing…
Beautiful victorian in the first photo, also. One of yours?
I wish! 🙂
That’s a historic mansion overlooking downtown Eugene, and it was beautifully restored a few years back on the outside. One can tour the inside.
My rentals are all modest little bungalows.
A little late to this post, but I wanted to share the xB love as well. I bought my ’04 in ’07 for just over $6500 with 92K miles. After just over 8 year I’m at 229K and love it just as much as the day I bought it. I’ve made lots of modifications over the years(the mosti visible being the removed side skirts, Jetta front & rear skirts, and green bumpers) and it has overall served me well.
It is starting to finally show it’s age, with a few recent problems that have cropped up, both of which are proving difficult to fix.
– It has become difficult to fill the tank at anything but a slow dribble, and has been sometimes throwing the P0441 code. I haven’t found a definitive fix and I don’t want to throw parts at it as the charcoal canister(most likely culprit) is $200. If I can find a local shop with the proper equipment to diag the evaproative emission system I may let them deal with it.
– There is a clunk in the left rear suspension. It showed up in the summer last year and in August went from occasional to constant. I poked around and found play in the lower shock bushing, so I put two new shocks in, which seemed to work. But by December it was back and just as bad. The same bushing on the new shock seems to be showing excess play as well, so I don’t know if I got a defective shock or if there is another issue.
Despite those things and a few other minor wear/age related issues, it has been a real trooper and I still can’t think of anything I’d want more for a daily driver.
Very late to the party here, a very good read about the one car always mentioned but never really discussed till now!
A question though: does the upright A pillar actually make the car more practical/give better oversight, or is it really just for design uniformity?
It gives the feeling of a lot more space inside the car. I had been shopping for cheap high-mpg cars for commuting the time when I ended up with my xB. For most of those(and in a lot of cars) the steeply raked windshiled made me feel like the top of the windshiled & sun visiors were right at my forhead. With the xB’s windshield the glass seems far away, which makes the entire front cabin area much roomier feeling,
Paul, the description of your clutch problem reminds me of my sister’s 1977 Celica clutch pedal squeak. My father bought the car for her in 1979, and neither one of them bothered to fix it for the 6 years she owned it. Of course, no amount of WD-40 I sprayed up underneath the dashboard would fix it. A very annoying sound.
It’s not the pedal that’s squeaking. It’s the release bearing.
The current JDM Toyota bB
http://toyota.jp/bb/
Scroll down for photos
Still equipped with bench seats
http://toyota.jp/bb/interior/seat/
That Eco-Hummer is beyond cool!
I just picked up a used 180k sample with loose bumpers and a rippled fender for a few thousand, for as little as possible. Why? I need to fit a 160 inch space in the city because everyone keeps parking a larger car there blocking my driveway. After looking for weeks, only this and a Mini Cooper could fit in this space (well, a brand new Honda Fit). The Mini Cooper will never fit my budget for repairs, so it was out. Agree with you about everything. The xB is so useful and reliable that I only needed to fill the coolant expansion tank. A couple of fixes to the interior rattles: electric tape on edges of front pass speaker grill on dash. Glove compartment rattle also needs bumpers, rear hatch and hood needs proper height rubber stoppers. I am about to replace the fender and put several screws to plastic plates to secure all the bumpers. Newer, more expensive cars are better, quieter and faster- I have a Lexus, but trips to Costco, Home Depot, leaving the car outside, grocery runs, bike runs, parking in the city- you cannot beat this car. I heard you can decrease tire pressure in the rear to smoothen the ride. A new Honda Fit, Civic or any Honda is still just as noisy. Also, my version has a dealer installed sunroof with tilt- never seen that before and feels awesome driving through a forest. Right now, it has no interior rattles, starts every time, and totally reminds me how a car can be so simple, but so right. The gen 1 xB was ahead of its time and now seems like some automobile anomoly. If it won’t sell for much, just keep it. Just admit that it fits into your lifestyle and personality.
Great review! I just recently picked up a 2005 Scion xB up here in Vancouver, Canada. As you may or may not know, Canadians never got the 1st gen xB sadly. Always loved it’s quirky styling. Like yours, mine came from Portland, a previous owner imported it into Canada. Of course, a lack of accessories up here for it, but at least the border isn’t too far away from me. Currently has 115,000 miles on it, but I plan to keep it forever. very practical for the city!