Tag Archives | Scion xD

What Exactly Does That TPMS Light Mean?

By on November 27, 2012 in Features

Thanksgiving is a special time of year, during which some friends and extended families gather to share a meal as well as each others’ company. I’m fortunate to have seen some friends who live a state away, as well as family who live in town but I don’t get to see very often. Being known as a “car guy”, friends and family often ask me car-related questions when we happen to see each other. This holiday weekend, I had that experience again.

While I was able to happily answer relatives’ questions about many different automotive topics (the Chevy Volt and its promotional $199/month lease was a favorite for conversation this year), I got two questions from late model hatchback owners about the same topic: the “tire warning light”, or TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) indicator lamp. Continue Reading →

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Afternoon Commute for 4/24/2012

By on April 24, 2012 in News, Video

Today we talk about Cadillac cobbling together a pile of technologies in an effort to make a self-driving car. Then we review the 2013 Ram 1500, which did not receive enough coverage at the New York Auto Show. What would a week be without an update on Fisker? We hope we never find out, but it is looking more and more likely. Also in the death news, Scion is killing off the xB and xD. Finally, we talk about the new compact sedan from Nissan. Click the link to see the video.

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Scion’s Pure Price Scheme Extends Beyond Vehicles

By on March 23, 2009 in Features

By Kevin Miller

03.23.2009

2008_04_09scion_xd_55-prvMy sister in law, Jill, recently needed to replace her worn-out, decade-old Mazda. She wanted a small, fuel efficient five door hatchback. Knowing I’m a “car guy” (and being fairly un-interested in cars herself), she asked me to help her figure out what cars should be on her shopping list and to go shopping with her. I did some research for her, which led to us test-driving the Honda Fit, Scion xD, and Nissan Versa. She had also wanted to drive the Suzuki SX4 Crossover, but the fact that Suzuki’s nearest dealer was 40 minutes away resulted in the Suzuki being crossed off of the list. After driving and deliberating, she decided on a Scion xD with automatic transmission.

We had originally been planning on a month-end shopping trip in an attempt to get a better deal, but Scion’s Pure Price scheme made doing so a non-issue. While we had test-driven the xD at a suburban Toyota/Scion dealership, we didn’t end up returning there because the sales reps were high-pressure and condescending, and the whole place had a dishonest feel to it. We ended up finding the Nautical Blue Metallic xD she wanted at a downtown Seattle Toyota/Scion store (which is known for its no-commission sales force) using the store’s online inventory tool. We tried on a Saturday morning to make an appointment at the dealership for that afternoon, but only got to leave voicemail messages, and also got no response from an emailed request. So we simply showed up at the store to buy the car.

Fortunately, we were greeted promptly and introduced to the dealership’s Scion specialist, a knowledgeable and friendly woman who confirmed that the blue xD was in inventory and led us out for a test drive to confirm that Jill still wanted to buy the xD. There was never any pressure, and none of the people at the store had the slimy aura we had experienced at the first Toyota dealership.

Because of Scion’s Pure Price policy, we went in essentially knowing how much the transaction would cost: $16120 for the car, plus around 9 percent state sales tax and a couple hundred dollars for licensing fees. Jill had saved up money for the car, so there was no financing to worry about. On the typically-dreaded trip to the F&I office, I figured we were in for a sign-and-drive, in-and-out experience. While we were in the F&I office longer than I had anticipated, it was actually not a bad thing. Continue Reading →

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Reflections On A Non-Major Auto Show

By on November 7, 2008 in Features

By Kevin Miller

11.07.2008

Every November, the Puget Sound Auto Dealers Association puts on the Seattle Auto Show. The show is largely a retail event, with mostly dealer-showroom vehicles on display, mostly dealer sales staff on hand to answer questions, and very little that a high-falootin’ auto writer like me hasn’t already seen. All the same, that many cars in one place is certain to draw me in. So I found myself driving through heavy Seattle rain on a Thursday afternoon to get to the show.

Happily the Volvo stand was just inside the front door. And among the handful of Volvo vehicles on display was an XC60 T6. The XC60 won’t hit showrooms until sometime in late winter or early spring of 2009, but when it does it should be a serious contender in its class of mid-sized, 5-seat crossovers. The XC60 on display had very soft two-tone leather upholstery, class-leading interior plastics, and a real oak “floating console” which was incredibly artful. The 281 HP T6 should move the XC60 nicely. It was a pleasant surprise to see that vehicle on Volvo’s stand in Seattle, but Volvo needs to drum up customer excitement however they can. The XC60 is a good way to do that. Continue Reading →

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2008 Scion xB Review

By on October 29, 2008 in Reviews

By Chris Haak

10.29.2008

The Scion xB in its first generation had been a lovable little box, underpowered but charming, and a nearly undiluted lift-off of the Japanese domestic market Toyota bB, modified only with a switch from right-hand to left-hand drive and a few other modifications necessary to make the vehicle more palatable to US consumers.

The old xB was hardly a sales hit (Toyota claims this was intentional), but did do a good job as an image leader for Toyota’s Scion sub-brand.  Its boxy shape allowed for a small, yet versatile interior space, but its wimpy 1.5 liter, 108-horsepower four cylinder meant that it sometimes had trouble merging onto high-speed expressways.  Also, the first-generation xB, while it was a fairly lightweight vehicle that got good fuel economy (EPA rated at 26 city/31 highway when adjusted for the 2008 figures), it also didn’t do particularly well in crash test results (four stars front impact, and just three stars for front side impact).

So, Toyota used the same playbook that so many other manufacturers have used over the past two decades:  to make an existing product “better,” just add size and horsepower.  In the xB’s case, the 2008 model’s curb weight jumped to about 3,000 pounds from about 2,400 pounds.  The engine displacement jumped from 1.5 liters to 2.4 liters, and horsepower leapt from 108 to 158.  Even the crash test scores jumped, with the front side impact rating going to five stars rather than just three (it’s still rated four stars in the front impact test by the NHTSA, however).   Unsurprisingly, with no six-speed transaxles or hybrid drivetrains, the fuel economy suffered, dropping to 22 city/28 highway, or a combined loss of about 4 mpg. Continue Reading →

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