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Posted by: Blupupher Nov 6 2012, 10:59 PM

edit: Ended up getting a new 2012 instead. (http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33318&st=0&p=373765&#entry373765)

My wife has been bugging me (not too bad, but dropping hints) that she wants a new car.
We had looked at the Soul last year and almost got one (long story). We decided to wait a bit and here we are. We have had a few minor issues with her van and I ran into an old friend that works at a Toyota dealer as a finance guy who said he would give me a deal. I was planning on getting something in June, but figured see what kind of deal he can get me.

She said she liked the Soul still, but wanted to look at the xB. They had a used 2011 (2 actually) on the lot so we drove one (a brownish colored one, my wife liked it). It had a few issues (nothing major but they just kept adding up), so I went back and got the other one (http://dealers.aultec.com/v/index.cfm?object=show&DealerID=7949&AutoId=28236886&lang=en).
She really likes it over the Soul, much roomier and drives well, also is a little less road noise.
I'm not really crazy about it. It is not super comfortable (but neither was the Soul). The back seat is really comfortable though, and does have more space in the back than the Soul. I drive my car a lot more, so not a huge issue, as they say, happy wife happy life .

They are asking $14,998, which is high IMO for the mileage, but KBB and Edmunds are around that (actually a little more for a Certified vehicle, which it is). I have not talked price yet with my friend, but hopefully they can knock a few hundred off that price and give me $4500 for my van (valued between $4400-4900) and he can get me a great finance (I have a loan approved from my bank for 2.5% right now). If so, I could have it paid off in 3 years.

Anybody have a xB or any real world experience with it? This will be a long term purchase, probably becoming my daughters first vehicle in 6 years. I know Scion is basically a Toyota, and their overall long term reliability is good (but has dropped some lately).

Posted by: RPW00Mirage Nov 6 2012, 11:06 PM

my 09 corolla was a horrible car it had no soul. that being said, it was reliable. the paint was crap, and the sunroof was rusting out, but it ran and drove well. it was also comfortable to sit in.... but it felt really big.

Posted by: Vinnie Nov 6 2012, 11:35 PM

I wouldn't ever drive a Toyota. While reliable I've seen to many needing work. Reliable shouldn't mean keep throwing parts at it and it'll run for life. My idea of reliable is you go out in a storm, turn the key and the engine starts with no MIL lights.

Warranty wise - hands down soul.

Anyways, the only scion I'd even sit in is the new sporty car they have. The scion reminds me of the GULP nissan cube.

The mileage is high although the price is in line with what it should be.

Posted by: slowgls Nov 6 2012, 11:36 PM

Fr-s, That the only scion that should be in your driveway.

Posted by: Vinnie Nov 6 2012, 11:37 PM

^^^^

YES thats the one!

Posted by: Alex2013GT Nov 7 2012, 12:41 AM

I haven't personally had any dealings with Scion, but my feeling is I wouldn't pay that much for a used car with 30k miles. Right at 30k miles is when a few things could start needing to be replaced (i.e. tires soon, air filters, possibly brakes, etc). Depending on what has been (or not been) done by the dealer you could quickly make up the savings over a new car with parts in the near future. Then you also don't have the new car warranty.

The tade in value on the XB per KBB is 12,300. I would start there assuming that is about what they gave to the customer trading the car in and work up a little. With used car prices staying high, it is much harder getting a good deal on a late model used car. What about a "new" leftover model. With rebates and better financing, not to mention a warranty you might get a better deal that way. Are you completely sold on the XB or are you still considering the Soul?

Now that I look at the pics, I don't like the dash at all. What is with having everything in the middle of the car? To me that would be confusing, especially when dealing with a 16 y/o. One of the reasons I bought the GT, instead of buying my Sonata off lease is because I figure I will pass it down to my son in 6 years when he turns 16. At that point with it being new, the powertrain warranty would still be in effect if there was a problem. Plus the car would be 3 years newer and have 35k less miles on it when I let my son drive it. Since I knew this car would be used for the long haul, I decided to go with the GT and get some of the features I was missing on my Sonata. Just something to keep in mind and part of what went into my thought process.

Posted by: Blupupher Nov 7 2012, 09:40 AM

My wife says she does not want the Soul any more. I could not care either way really. There were things I liked about the Soul, and things I did not like. The xB is just kind of "whatever". Nothing really excites me, but nothing really turns me off either.
I thought I would not like the center dash pod (I had initially said no to even looking at it because of that), but after driving it, it really is not too bad.
It takes less time to look down and right a little than to look down further where speedo's normally are, plus the speedo is numeric, so you instantly know, instead of having to find the needle and then find and figure out your speed.

As for warranty, it is a Certified Used, so has a 12 month 12,000 mile bumper to bumper and 7/70 powertrain. If I bought a used Soul, I would have the remainder of the 5/60 bumper to bumper, and that is it. Also, tires are in pretty good shape, not sure about brakes, air filter is new (checked it already) and had an oil change by the dealer when the got it (at least the sticker says it did and oil looks new), plus I get my first oil change free. I know several people with Toyota's and they have not had any issues with them over any other vehicle.

As for price, I was figuring they probably paid ~$12,000 for it, so I was going to use that as part of the bargaining. I know it costs a bit more with the Certified Vehicle check process, but not that much. I figure they may have a total of another $1000 into it (probably more like $500), and want to make a profit, so ~$14,000 is what I was going to start at. If they won't budge, then I will ask for more for my trade. If not, then I will walk.

Like I said, the only reason I am doing this now instead of 6-8 months from now is I ran into this old friend that said he could get me a deal. If I don't get a deal, then I will wait. The problems on the van are not immediately needed fixes and can be put off another 6 months till I am ready again (except for tires, I am needing some soon).

Posted by: sarge Nov 7 2012, 10:44 AM

TBH - I haven't read all the replies...

It's not the same car, but pretty darn close. If you take a look through here you could see Winc's thoughts on the xD he picked up back in 08. Though he only put 7000miles on it, had an alignment concern and seatbelt clip issue.
http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=21153
Personal looks of the xB are mixed... and having not sat in one can't comment further.

Posted by: silet Nov 7 2012, 01:45 PM

And that is a Subaru...

Posted by: Blupupher Nov 7 2012, 02:03 PM

Well, got back from the dealer with my van.

Never got to the point of discussing price. My wife and I sat in the car for 10 minutes deciding what to do. We both felt their was nothing special about this car, and were both worried that in a year or so we would be bored with it.
We just decided to keep the van for a bit longer and then this summer look again. Not sure at what though. The xB is just does not have any wow to it, the Soul is still a possibility, but not likely. My wife said she wanted a Wrangler, but she got in one at the dealer and decided she did not want to be climbing in and out like that all the time. She does not want any car at all, and no larger vehicles (she said she does not want any vehicle that can carry more than 5 people, so no vans or larger SUV's or crossovers) and she does not want a truck. So I have no idea. She kind of likes the Honda Element, but not the door setup on it (and I don't care for Honda). Nissan Cube is just too small and ugly. Not sure what else to look at now, but have a few months till I need to worry about it.

Posted by: Swee's Coupe Nov 26 2012, 05:50 PM

The Subaru version is the called the BRZ and baseline comes with more features than the Scion.

I've owned 2 Scions and a Corolla S.
Take a magnet. Check all fenders for bondo. When wrecked, throw the car away and keep the oil. They were designed to be cheap to buy/operate and maintain. And they are.
Neither of mine held their value what-so-ever. For your youngin', great. For your wife.....does she take good care of her toys? Decent on gas (2.4 litre) roomy and TONS of aftermarket companies (Killerglass, Borla, Fujita...etc....).

Just my experienced two cents. Maybe someone could throw in a buck.

Posted by: rehpupulB Dec 28 2012, 10:12 PM

well, just got back with a NEW 2012 xB.

[attachment=4552:2012_12_...__Large_.jpg]

Decided I did not want to mess with the van anymore. I did get some new tires (got a good deal though) and just replaced the front brakes, but the radiator needs to be replaced again and the steering rack is starting to leak. Also had a clunk in the front end (sway bar bushings) and I am getting tired of filling up with 18 gallons of gas every week for my wife.

Sticker was $18,662 and Scion's normally don't get discounts, but got $1000 off that price and $4000 for my trade.

The color is called Army Rock Metallic, but is a kind of tanish with a light hint of green in it. Wife really likes it, so thats what matters. Only "options" were the auto (wife can't drive a stick) the floor mats (wanted) and a rear spoiler (did not want).

Posted by: Red Elantra Dec 28 2012, 10:49 PM

hey-I like the color. Hyundai offers a variation of that color on foreign market Elantras.

Posted by: afob3 Dec 29 2012, 10:18 AM

I usually don't like green but that shade looks good on the scion

The fuel savings should be significant.

Posted by: Blupupher Oct 24 2014, 07:21 PM

Well, I paid it off today. I am back to no car payments again.

So far it has been a good vehicle. Gas mileage is not what I was hoping (~22mpg), but better than the van was getting. Wife still loves it and aside from gas, window tint, sound deadening in the rear and some LED headlights, I really have not spent much on it (has 2 years free maintenance which ends next month).
I am OK with driving it, it is a little small for me, I like the size of my full size truck much more (but was comfortable in my Elantra).

Now to start saving for my daughters car (in 4 more years).

Posted by: trololololo Oct 24 2014, 07:44 PM

man i cant wait to have that feeling again...ford edge gonna be paid off in february... funny, my 94 altima has 149k... Edge has 199k and its an '08... lol

any new models u got your eyes on? or seriously gonna save for 4 yrs?

Posted by: Blupupher Oct 24 2014, 08:04 PM

It is a nice feeling. We had almost 3 years with no car payment before we got the Scion. I wish we had saved more from that time frame.
I have no plans to buy anything for quite a while. I am happy with my truck, and really can see myself driving it for another 10 years.
In 4 years when my daughter gets her license, she will either get the xB and my wife will get a new car, if not, we will use some of what we saved to get my daughter something used.

As it sits right now, I really would like an electric car. My wife is a perfect canidate for it. She drives 24 miles a day for work (6 miles each way twice a day) with a garage to park in with 240v access for chargine. She does occasional trips to her moms/sisters, around 50 miles away, where she could charge it with an extension cord on 120v (she usually goes overnight too). So even with a 100 mile range, she would be fine for 95% of her current driving needs.
Problem is they cost too much and none really interest me. But in 4 years, who knows what will be out and the cost hopefully goes down a lot.

Posted by: trololololo Oct 25 2014, 01:46 AM

so if there was an affordable electric f-150e you'd totally be down? XD

Posted by: Blupupher Oct 25 2014, 06:04 AM

Nope, my driving does not work with an electric only vehicle. I park outside and don't want to run a 120v extension cord outside and I drive 100+ mile trips all the time.

Posted by: afob3 Oct 27 2014, 06:59 AM

She really does sound like a good candidate. The new Volt & Prius plug in are to be revealed sometime in the next few months. In your time frame, they may be close to the end of the product cycle again and have some good deals. There are good deals floating around now on the Volts that are just off of their first owner's leases.

I never thought I would like the Prius as much as I do but it fits my needs perfectly. 450+ miles for under $25 last week was nice.