I hope it doesn't snow much where you live. The xB has a serious shortage of ground clearance after Toyota decided to apply a nasty body kit as standard.

I also hope you don't drive outside of city limits too much. The tall, slab-sided styling and light weight could make the xB pretty lively in a crosswind.

Maybe Toyota made stability control standard for some very good reasons?

Pardon me, but 18" rims and rubber will give your xB the hardest ride this side of a bucking bronco.

The price is hardly reasonable when you consider that a new Focus ZX3 set you back something around $9-10K. If you really just have to have stability control, consider a Golf or Jetta - even the models with the ancient 2.0 liter are quicker than a Scion. My best guess is that a heavily incentivized GTI 1.8 Turbo would end up being cheaper than a xB loaded up with a wheel-'n- tire package. Heck, I'd even consider a normally aspirated Mini Cooper before I'd touch a Scion xB.

A phonebooth-on-wheels like the xB is best left to Evironmentally-Concious-Californians and Octogenarians.

Of course, I forgot to mention that an optioned-up xA is more expensive than a base Matrix. I fail to see the point of Scion at all

 

I actually was initially planning on getting a mini cooper But after some reflection I thought it would be a bad idea because I would end up modifying it big time, trying to make it as fast as it could be. I do not want to go down that road with my 2nd car. I have my Formula for that. I wanted a stylish, unique, economical car for city use. The xB fits my requirements perfectly. I have coworkers who have focuses and they have had recall after recall. I won't buy a Ford on principle anyway. The only GM vehicle I am considering buying in the next few years begins with a "C", ends with an "O" and in the middle is "AMAR"

I chose the xb because I really do like the styling and consider the price reasonable. The only "mods" I have planned for it are wheels and tires and some stereo upgrades. That's it. I priced out one with the options I want for just under 17K.

It snows pretty good in Chicago, but the streets are cleared very efficiently and salted to death, so ground clearance should not be a problem (just corrosion - but that's life in the midwest). We maybe have actual snow on the ground to drive on about two weeks total every winter. Even then, by the second day it will be cleared and salted.

Plus, I guarantee that the xB will have more ground clearance than my Bird does. Also, even with 18s, I guarantee the ride will be smoother (and quieter) than that of my bird. Crosswind problems? Please.

Anyway, i'm not trying to convince anyone that the xb is the car for them. I'm just saying that it is a car for me it works.

 

If you are going to use it for a winter car I would suggest not going with 18"s on that car.

1) The side wall will be too small, you’re going from 13/14" to 18" tires, that is a HUGE jump. Your ride will be terrible and since you will be driving it in the winter your going to have to deal with potholes which will destroy those rims since there will be hardly any tire to cushion them.

2) It is hard to find 18" tires with a winter or good all season tread pattern. Most extremely low.
pro tires of that size are high performance dry weather tread.

My personal pics for $17K or less winter car are Cobalt SS (non-s/c) and Chevy Colorado reg cab.

 

I'm 21 and I'd kill for an XLR.

Finally saw one on the road, looks as good as the pictures.

Though, I'd take the Cien if it were available.