A good commute car: Scion xB?

Hi,

I need your help with the following:

1. Selecting a commuting car
2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB

Here is the detail:

I need to buy a second car for commuting to my work place (about 30
miles from home).

My selection criteria are (in descending order of importance):

1. Safety (at least as safe as my current vehicle: 2000 Lexus RX 300)
2. Fule Economy (must be greater than 30mpg highway)
3. Utility (should be able to use as an occational replacement for RX
300)
4. Price (should be around $12000)

I've considered the followings:
Scion xB
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
Mazda 3
Hyundai Elantra
Nissan Sentra

So far, it seems that a used Scion xB would fit the bill.

Is there any other vehicle that I should consider?

Also, regarding Scion xB: is it as safe as RX 300? I know neither have
side airbags.
Is xB well suited for occasional long drive (> 3 hrs) )with small
child(ren)?

TIA
Aunko

"aunko" <aunko@acm.org> wrote in message
news:1160384952.012012.73160@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I need your help with the following:
>
> 1. Selecting a commuting car
> 2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB[/color]

*snip*

Seek out Don Fearn - he'll tell you all you wanna know about it - and more!

Natalie

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:09:12 -0700, aunko wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I need your help with the following:
>
> 1. Selecting a commuting car
> 2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB
>
> Here is the detail:
>
> I need to buy a second car for commuting to my work place (about 30
> miles from home).
>
> My selection criteria are (in descending order of importance):
>
> 1. Safety (at least as safe as my current vehicle: 2000 Lexus RX 300)
> 2. Fule Economy (must be greater than 30mpg highway)
> 3. Utility (should be able to use as an occational replacement for RX
> 300)
> 4. Price (should be around $12000)
>
> I've considered the followings:
> Scion xB
> Toyota Matrix
> Toyota Corolla
> Honda Civic
> Mazda 3
> Hyundai Elantra
> Nissan Sentra
>
> So far, it seems that a used Scion xB would fit the bill.
>
> Is there any other vehicle that I should consider?
>
> Also, regarding Scion xB: is it as safe as RX 300? I know neither have
> side airbags.
> Is xB well suited for occasional long drive (> 3 hrs) )with small
> child(ren)?
>
> TIA
> Aunko[/color]


I was going to suggest the xA as a commuter car, but the "three small
children" kind of ended that!

Yeah, for what you want, the xBox (tip to Nat!) should be a good choice.
You'll get the mileage you're looking for, you'll have room for the kids,
and you'll be able to pack some bags or bring home the groceries no
problem with this...uh, THING.

You might want to look at the Matrix; about the same amenities, available
with AWD (if you live in a snowy areas) and the mileage you're looking
for. The drawback is it will be about $17K.

The Honda Fit might also be good, about $15K, similar in size to the
Matrix and in economy with the xA.

aunko wrote:
[color=blue]
> I've considered the followings:
> Scion xB
> Toyota Matrix
> Toyota Corolla
> Honda Civic
> Mazda 3
> Hyundai Elantra
> Nissan Sentra[/color]

Mazda3 and Elantra get gas mileage that's below par for their class. Sentra
has rock hard seats and isn't as reliable as the others, if that is a
concern.

I just purchased a 2004 Civic the other day. But for your needs (especially
the utility and children factors), I would recommend the Matrix.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:alrWg.5789$K11.1151@trndny07...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:09:12 -0700, aunko wrote:[color=green]
>> Hi,
>> I need your help with the following:
>>
>> 1. Selecting a commuting car
>> 2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB
>>
>> Here is the detail:
>>
>> I need to buy a second car for commuting to my work place (about 30
>> miles from home).
>>
>> My selection criteria are (in descending order of importance):
>>
>> 1. Safety (at least as safe as my current vehicle: 2000 Lexus RX 300)
>> 2. Fule Economy (must be greater than 30mpg highway)
>> 3. Utility (should be able to use as an occational replacement for RX
>> 300)
>> 4. Price (should be around $12000)
>>
>> I've considered the followings:
>> Scion xB
>> Toyota Matrix
>> Toyota Corolla
>> Honda Civic
>> Mazda 3
>> Hyundai Elantra
>> Nissan Sentra
>>
>> So far, it seems that a used Scion xB would fit the bill.
>>
>> Is there any other vehicle that I should consider?
>>
>> Also, regarding Scion xB: is it as safe as RX 300? I know neither have
>> side airbags.
>> Is xB well suited for occasional long drive (> 3 hrs) )with small
>> child(ren)?
>>
>> TIA
>> Aunko[/color][/color]

And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's equipped a
little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might not.
It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix. Friends
get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base Vibe.[color=blue]
>
>
> I was going to suggest the xA as a commuter car, but the "three small
> children" kind of ended that!
>
> Yeah, for what you want, the xBox (tip to Nat!) should be a good choice.
> You'll get the mileage you're looking for, you'll have room for the kids,
> and you'll be able to pack some bags or bring home the groceries no
> problem with this...uh, THING.
>
> You might want to look at the Matrix; about the same amenities, available
> with AWD (if you live in a snowy areas) and the mileage you're looking
> for. The drawback is it will be about $17K.
>
> The Honda Fit might also be good, about $15K, similar in size to the
> Matrix and in economy with the xA.[/color]



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

[color=blue]
> Scion xB[color=green]
>> Toyota Matrix
>> Toyota Corolla
>> Honda Civic
>> Mazda 3
>> Hyundai Elantra
>> Nissan Sentra[/color][/color]

Which of the above is easiest to sleep in back of?

DH wrote:
[color=blue]
> And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's equipped a
> little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
> Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might not.
> It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix. Friends
> get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base Vibe.[/color]

The only downfall is that if the OP trades up every few years, a Vibe loses
much more of its value over time than a comparably equipped Matrix.

"aunko" <aunko@acm.org> wrote in message
news:1160384952.012012.73160@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I need your help with the following:
>
> 1. Selecting a commuting car
> 2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB
>
> Here is the detail:
>
> I need to buy a second car for commuting to my work place (about 30
> miles from home).
>
> My selection criteria are (in descending order of importance):
>
> 1. Safety (at least as safe as my current vehicle: 2000 Lexus RX 300)
> 2. Fule Economy (must be greater than 30mpg highway)
> 3. Utility (should be able to use as an occational replacement for RX
> 300)
> 4. Price (should be around $12000)
>
> I've considered the followings:
> Scion xB
> Toyota Matrix
> Toyota Corolla
> Honda Civic
> Mazda 3
> Hyundai Elantra
> Nissan Sentra
>
> So far, it seems that a used Scion xB would fit the bill.
>
> Is there any other vehicle that I should consider?
>
> Also, regarding Scion xB: is it as safe as RX 300? I know neither have
> side airbags.
> Is xB well suited for occasional long drive (> 3 hrs) )with small
> child(ren)?
>
> TIA
> Aunko
>[/color]

I'll let others post about fuel mileage, comfort, utility, etc. Regarding
safety, there are several factors that determine how "safe" a vehicle is. A
major factor is mass. All other things being equal, the heavier and larger
a vehicle is, the safer the occupants will be in a crash, and I believe the
RX weighs more and is larger than any of the vehicles you listed. A larger
vehicle will have more space to allow for a larger crumple zone, and weight
has the same advantages in a vehicle crash as it does when football players
clash. Of course, all other things being equal, the heavier a vehicle is,
the poorer the fuel mileage will be. Agility, horsepower, torque, stability
control, antilock brakes, and visibility will affect the driver's ability to
avoid accidents. Features like seat belt tensioners, multiple air bags, and
structural rigidity will affect the survivability of a crash.

I don't know that any of the vehicles you listed will be as safe as the RX,
given its greater mass, larger size, and availability of more advanced
safety features. A more reasonable criteria would be comparing the relative
safety of the candidate vehicles with each other, rather than with the RX.

If you are looking at used vehicles, a 4 cylinder Camry can get over 30 mpg
on the highway, is well suited for the occasional long drive, and is larger
and heavier than the vehicles you listed.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 11:18:48 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:
[color=blue]
> DH wrote:
>[color=green]
>> And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's equipped a
>> little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
>> Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might not.
>> It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix. Friends
>> get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base Vibe.[/color]
>
> The only downfall is that if the OP trades up every few years, a Vibe loses
> much more of its value over time than a comparably equipped Matrix.[/color]


LOL! Why is that? It's the SAME car!
They're built on the same line!!!

It just doesn't *SAY* Toyota!

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:o5uWg.1566$Gp4.1265@trnddc08...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 11:18:48 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:
>[color=green]
>> DH wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's
>>> equipped a
>>> little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
>>> Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might
>>> not.
>>> It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix.
>>> Friends
>>> get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base
>>> Vibe.[/color]
>>
>> The only downfall is that if the OP trades up every few years, a Vibe
>> loses
>> much more of its value over time than a comparably equipped Matrix.[/color]
>
>
> LOL! Why is that? It's the SAME car!
> They're built on the same line!!!
>
> It just doesn't *SAY* Toyota![/color]

But that is the point. No matter what the truth, people believe Toyotas are
better. And this is in spite of the fact that recent reliability surveys
don't support this belief and that Toyota dealer are considered bottom
feeders by most Customers.

Ed

"C. E. White" <cewhite3@removemindspring.com> wrote in message
news:452a6f25$1@kcnews01...[color=blue]
>
> But that is the point. No matter what the truth, people believe Toyotas
> are better. And this is in spite of the fact that recent reliability
> surveys don't support this belief and that Toyota dealer are considered
> bottom feeders by most Customers.
>
> Ed[/color]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my limited experience, I can't say that Toyota dealers are any better or
any worse than other new car dealers.....to me, they're all engaged in shell
games and other nefarious activities.

"Just sign the paper work....we'll fill it in later......"
:"One only at this price"
"We'll buy your car, paid for or not"
(On returning from a test drive) "Gee, I don't know what happened to your
car keys....but let's talk about this deal while we look for 'em..."
"The doc fee is only $45".
(what other business makes you pay the wages of their employees for filling
out a sales slip?"
etc
etc
etc

And the pity is that the few dealers who really do care about their
customers and are honest businessmen are swept in with the rest of the
thieves. The auto business is possibly one of the few in the modern world
who retain the atmosphere of a Persian market, where scamming is the usual
way of conducting business. Sad.
If I were a young person going into the business life, I'd just as soon
tell my parents that I was working for an "escort" service as I would
telling them that I got a job as a new car salesman.

"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:1qxldl5300v2i.dlg@hightech.misfit...[color=blue]
> DH wrote:
>[color=green]
>> And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's
>> equipped a
>> little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
>> Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might
>> not.
>> It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix.
>> Friends
>> get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base
>> Vibe.[/color]
>
> The only downfall is that if the OP trades up every few years, a Vibe
> loses
> much more of its value over time than a comparably equipped Matrix.[/color]

Good point. '99 and '00 Prizm owners seem to be asking $3K less than '99
and '00 Corolla owners around here (source: quick look at CarSoup). The
Prizm was a little different but that's quite a price differential for cars
that are pretty close to clones.

Maybe a winning strategy is to buy a used Vibe. Someone else has taken the
big hit for you.

I'd check CR, though, for an estimate of whether or not they both hold up
equally well. Could be the GM model has different parts (starter,
alternator, etc) and that could make a difference.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

They are not built on the same line. The Matrix is assembled in
Canada, the Vibe in California.


Hachiroku wrote:[color=blue]
> On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 11:18:48 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:
>[color=green]
> > DH wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> And if you like the Matrix, consider its brother, the Vibe. It's equipped a
> >> little differently, perhaps better for your purposes, maybe not, and the
> >> Pontiac dealer might be willing to cut you a better deal - or he might not.
> >> It's probably worth a look. Same fuel economy, etc, as the Matrix. Friends
> >> get 36mpg in mostly highway driving with the manual transmission base Vibe.[/color]
> >
> > The only downfall is that if the OP trades up every few years, a Vibe loses
> > much more of its value over time than a comparably equipped Matrix.[/color]
>
>
> LOL! Why is that? It's the SAME car!
> They're built on the same line!!!
>
> It just doesn't *SAY* Toyota![/color]

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonak-a@t-hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jWzWg.843$P92.840@trndny02...[color=blue]
> mack wrote:[color=green]
>> The auto business is possibly one of the few in the modern world who
>> retain the atmosphere of a Persian market, where scamming is the usual
>> way of conducting business.[/color]
>
> Well .. as a Persian I take offense .. they much much worse![/color]

You GO, dude! :-)[color=blue]
>
> I am in the process of buying a car, the Subaru dealer would have
> had a sale if they just had treated me with a minimum amount of
> respect and courtesy .. I ended up walking out of the dealership
> determined never to spend any $$ on a Subaru. The jury on the
> Toyota dealer is still out, but I have to tell you that I detest
> the whole car buying process and what is involved.
>
> Esmail[/color]

*snip*

It's a den of vipers, yes, but a necessary evil.

Natalie

I think it was "aunko" <aunko@acm.org> who stated:
[color=blue]
>I need your help with the following:
>2. Answering a few questions about Scion xB[/color]

I can help with that, from firsthand experience; I got my '06 xB
almost exactly a year ago and its main mission is commuting.
[color=blue]
>1. Safety (at least as safe as my current vehicle: 2000 Lexus RX 300)[/color]

Except for the safety aspect. I haven't crashed so I don't know that
firsthand. I do know that it doesn't have side-curtain airbags.
[color=blue]
>2. Fule Economy (must be greater than 30mpg highway)[/color]

My typical mileage is 33-35 mpg for my daily commute. About 20 miles
roundtrip with mostly county roads at 55-60 mph and a few miles of
stop-and-go traffic at the work end. On longer trips the mileage isn't
as good 'cause I opted for the five-speed transmission; the automatic
does better 'cause it's geared for lower revs at speed.
[color=blue]
>3. Utility (should be able to use as an occational replacement for RX
>300)[/color]

If it weren't a good utility vehicle (Scion's Utility Vehicle ;^) I
wouldn't have bought it, 'cause it replaced a '94 Grand Voyager. So
far, it's been able to handle everything I've wanted to haul with it,
except for 4x8 sheets of plywood. I'm thinking of a Yakima rackima
that would extend its hauling capability.
[color=blue]
>4. Price (should be around $12000)[/color]

Mine was just under 15k-bux new, with a spoiler and foglights as
options. Typically they hold their value pretty well, so 12k-bux might
be a tad optimistic . . . .
[color=blue]
>Is xB well suited for occasional long drive (> 3 hrs) )with small child(ren)?[/color]

That depends on the children, I guess. ;^) When my kids were little,
they went all over the country as passengers in a '76 VW Rabbit
without any problems, and the xB is much better appointed, quieter,
and more spacious than the Rabbit was. I've driven a few long drives
with the xB, sometimes with my wife as a passenger, and we've found it
to be quite adequate. It has a large back seat area, but somewhat
limited luggage space behind the back seats if they aren't folded
down.

Hop over to [url]http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=3[/url] and ask
your questions and you'll get a LOT of answers from folks who drive
everywhere with and without kids in their xBoxen. Of course, they're
not going to be UNBIASED answers . . . ! (Not any more than my answers
are unbiased, come to think of it ;^)

-Don (with a BIG xB bias!)
--
Pooder approved this post . . . .