Toyota Scion xA (Update)

[purplebelle]

Hi:
So I had a thread the other day asking for help when browsing for a used car. I was looking at the Ford Focus, Honda Civic/Accord, Chevy Prizm/Corolla...

But I fell in love with the look of the Toyota Matrix. A used, 2003, runs about $13,000. So, the car dealer showed me a 2005 Toyota Scion xA for the same price. I LOVE the look of this car as well. (Haven't test driven it yet, but I heard it's bumpier like a Jeep)

Anyone have this car? I love Toyotas...so reliable. I never thought I'd have my first car be brand new, but the price is excellent. I'm going back this weekend to actually buy a car and this one is my top choice at the moment. I love the look of the SUV/car combined. :)

I will be paying for it in full, so I won't need to negotiate a payment plan or anything. (Bye bye $)

I was using the Consumer Report when looking at cars (HIGHLY recommend it) and the Toyota Scion isn't rated in the magazine. Therefore, I need your help, DISers.

Thanks! :wave2:

[HayGan]

Have you tried Edmunds.com?

[angeleigh]

There is no negotiating with the Scion in any case - the price of the vehicle, all accesoories, and finance rate and terms are all set and must be posted at the dealership and the web site. This makes purchasing the Scion very easy and straghtforward with no hassles. They have not been rated yet by CR because they are still too new, not enough had been sold in time to include an accurate review in the April CR car buying guide.

Our customers have had pretty universally high customer satisfaction levels with the purchase of an XA and we have seen very very low incidence of repair / defect in the 10 months we have had them. They are a small engine, a little noiser than the matrix but in my opinion roughly the same ride quality. Resale value at auctions has been very very high (due in part to the limted availability in used market) which bodes well in the event you decide to trade in the next 2-3 years. Availability of the actual vehicles from the dealerships in the color that you want has been (contrary to Scion advertising) very limited due to higher than expected sales volume in the past couple months. With the low price, good gas milage, and Toyota reliability as well as full warranty and no concern about prior owner mistreatment it could be a very good choice for you. As I said - our customers have all been very satisfied with them. Three of our employess have purchased them (at full list price as per Scion rules) as opposed to a Corolla or Matrix at true dealership cost (which would get very close to the same price).

As a side note - if you do really like the Matrix look at the Pontiac Vibe as well - they are the exact same vehicle manufactured on the same assembly line but with GM's current woes/incentive craziness they tend to be a couple thousand cheaper than the Matrix.

By the way, I am the Business / Finance Manager at a Toyota/Scion Dealership , so take this endorsement with that in mind.

--"Mr" Angeleigh

[purplebelle]

Have you tried Edmunds.com?

I will check out this website. I had never heard of it before...

[purplebelle]

There is no negotiating with the Scion in any case - the price of the vehicle, all accesoories, and finance rate and terms are all set and must be posted at the dealership and the web site. This makes purchasing the Scion very easy and straghtforward with no hassles. They have not been rated yet by CR because they are still too new, not enough had been sold in time to include an accurate review in the April CR car buying guide.

Our customers have had pretty universally high customer satisfaction levels with the purchase of an XA and we have seen very very low incidence of repair / defect in the 10 months we have had them. They are a small engine, a little noiser than the matrix but in my opinion roughly the same ride quality. Resale value at auctions has been very very high (due in part to the limted availability in used market) which bodes well in the event you decide to trade in the next 2-3 years. Availability of the actual vehicles from the dealerships in the color that you want has been (contrary to Scion advertising) very limited due to higher than expected sales volume in the past couple months. With the low price, good gas milage, and Toyota reliability as well as full warranty and no concern about prior owner mistreatment it could be a very good choice for you. As I said - our customers have all been very satisfied with them. Three of our employess have purchased them (at full list price as per Scion rules) as opposed to a Corolla or Matrix at true dealership cost (which would get very close to the same price).

As a side note - if you do really like the Matrix look at the Pontiac Vibe as well - they are the exact same vehicle manufactured on the same assembly line but with GM's current woes/incentive craziness they tend to be a couple thousand cheaper than the Matrix.

By the way, I am the Business / Finance Manager at a Toyota/Scion Dealership , so take this endorsement with that in mind.

--"Mr" Angeleigh
[Mr] Angeleigh:

YOU ARE AMAZING!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!! :Pinkbounc

Oh my gosh, seriously, this is amazing advice. And your expertise is a complete bonus! Really, thank you for your time and advice. I am so much more convinced of the greatness of the Scion. I knew Toyota was awesome, but the new model somewhat worried me. Then again, Toyota is amazing...

I'm gonna sleep on it and keep dreaming about the Scion (haha) and buy it this weekend, most likely. But I will check out a used Pontiac Vibe as you've suggested. And, if I have any more ?s on the Scion, I will let you know. My family used to have a RAV4 so I as looking at those, but I'd have to buy a 2001...and i didn't wanna go older than 2003. But the Scion is so cool looking.


Again: THANK YOU!!!!! :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[iggbees]

my dad has a scion xB and he's absolutely in love with it. if i could sell my car i'd definitely get the scion xA (my car now is a beetle...) it's a great price for a good car! i love the fact that it comes with a cd/mp3 player built in. if you get an manual, make sure that on a hill the parking break is pulled all the way. we had a bit of an accident in our driveway, when ours wasn't up the whole way. needless to say, we had to get a new trunk put on the car!

i totally recommend the scion! :teeth:

[purplebelle]

iggbees~

Ah, so sorry to hear about that lil mishap. Sounds like you've got a good attitude about it. ;) Luckily there are zilch hills anywhere near me. Plus I'm manual-handicapped. Only "drove" a manual when is drivers ed on that computer game. (haha) I'll def be going with an automatic.

Glad to hear another likes the SCION :hyper:

[Donnask8pro]

Toyota's ROCK!! I have a Sequoia and DH has a Tundra. We Love them...Go for a toyota definitely.

[PlutoPony]

Angeleigh - thank you very much for the "full disclose"!! Seriously, I really appreciate you being up front like that in a public forum :flower: - and don't often see it. I suspect you run counter to the stereotype of car salesmen ;) !

[purplebelle]

Donnask8pro: Toyota's do rock! :cool1: My fam has had a minivan (back in the day), Corolla, and RAV4. All awesome!

I agree with PlutoPony. I read your paragraph-o-suggestions, Mr. Angeleigh, and it was extremely helpful. Then reading your lil dislcosure, it was even more pleasing, carrying even more weight.

I had to say... my experiences with the dealerships I've visited have all been very positive. No one is hounding me, yet they provide adequate info. I think it's safe to say the general opinion of car salesmen being somewhat on the shady side can be put to rest (not to say the lemons aren't out there). At least my experience so far has been very positive. But I have yet to completely follow thru with the process and buy.

[wright1baby]

My endorsement might be biased, but I will give it none the less. I have had toyotas ALL my life.
1981 tercel
1987 camry
1989 camry
2000 4 runner
2001 corolla
2004 sienna
NONE of these cars were traded or sold becaues there was something wrong with them, even the 2 of them that had well over 200,000 miles on them, Just changing needs. Now, the biased part. My husband works at TOYOTA in Georgetown, KY. We ge a bit of a discount, but only on the last 3 vehicles. I have always belived in the product and I proud that my husband works in a company that rates so I high in quality, customer service, and longevity. I can honestly say, whether my husband works there or not, my next car will be a toyota too!
That being said, if you want a toyota, BUY a toyota. Not a Pontiac, Geo, or anything else that is made on a toyota line. I have been told that Geo Prisms are made on a Corolla line, I have spoke to people that have Prisms. They are NOT anything close to Toyota quality!
Sorry so long, just my $.02

[purplebelle]

wright1baby:

Thank you for your biases. LOL But really, your opinion is still very helpful. Even if your husband did work for Toyota, if the products were poor, you wouldn't buy or promote. I see you had a 4runner -- my mom always wanted one.

My sister does have a Chevy Prizm. It may not exactly be a Toyota but she is very happy with it.

BUT...I still want the TOYOTA!

[Chim Chiminy]

My DH had a Toyota Matrix for a year and loved it. He traded it in for an SUV before we moved here to Maine and it held its value.
We thought it was a pretty peppy little car and roomier than it looks. Gas mileage with it was really good also.

[becky7953]

I have the Pontiac Vibe (new) and my Father has a Vibe (older one) We love them! It gets good gas mileage, yet still has alot of room to pack things in it. My sister in law has the scion xb. She is happy with it. All of the above run great. The dealer said that "a toyota runs forever" (since that is basically what a vibe is).

Check a Pontiac dealer and have them price a new one for you, mention you will be paying cash.

Think it through and go to a couple of places. Have fun! Let us know what you decide.

[kjs1976]

My parents needed a new car this winter and wanted to down size from their conversion van now that everyone is out of the house....they ended up buying TWO Scions!!!! They bought the car version and the bigger boxier version! I think they are fairly comfortable...they have some interesting features. They are not bad if you can only afford a smaller compact car...but we came home in a storm yesterday and I was afraid we were going to blow off the road!

[christinou]

Now I am intrigued, I went to the Toyota web site to take a look at the scion, and I can't find it, what am I doing wrong??

[Mom2Ashli]

Scion has it's own website.
http://www.scion.com/

[christinou]

Thank you, boy come to the DIS to learn something, so is it s spin off from Toyota?

[lovetheparks]

Thank you, boy come to the DIS to learn something, so is it s spin off from Toyota?

That's what I was wondering, sounds as if it's not exactly a Toyota persay like a Corolla, Camry, Matrix, etc.

**Edited to answer my own question: in the FAQs on the Scion site they say it is a marque of Totoya Motors. The definition of a marque is : A model or brand of a manufactured product, especially an automobile.

[LorieR]

Absolutely LOVE my Toyota 2005 Solara SLE convertible we purchased in December (going through second childhood - kids are grown!!). This is my first Toyota and I would definitely buy another one!! (My last three vehicles were a 1995 Grand Cherokee, 1991 Cherokee Laredo, and a used 1983 Ford Van) and my husband did a lot of research on Toyota. Very safe, well-engineerd cars. My sister is on her second Camry (first one donated with 175,000 miles on it) and my brother is still driving his used 1994 Camry with over 165,000 miles on it.

Good luck & enjoy whatever you decide!

Lorie

[purplebelle]

Have you tried Edmunds.com?
:confused3 The Toyota Scion is not listed on edmunds.com

Oh well, thanks anyway!

[hilltopfamily]

I am the very proud owner of a blue 2005 Scion xA :goodvibes Absolutely love it!!! Got it back in November (traded in my Chevy Lumina 4 door). Used to own Toyota vehicles prior to the Chevy and I wanted to get back to the trustworthiness of a Toyota. Ended up going with Scion (hey, it's a Toyota by a "different" name :rotfl: ). I don't quite fit the profile/demographics of this unique-looking vehicle (early 40's, middle class, professional) but I love it and have had no regrets at all yet. I get stopped by people in parking lots all the time commenting positively on the looks of the car and asking ??'s about it. Only negative I have found so far is that it is a bit "rougher" of a ride for the kids in the backseat than my midsize car was (but duh, I knew that would be the case!). If you have any specific questions, let me know....I'll try to answer based on my experience. BTW: pricing on this line of vehicles is fixed which makes the whole process a lot easier/nicer, but our dealer did give us a bit more on our trade-in after a bit of "discussing" on our part.

[2angelsinheaven]

I bought my Scion XB in September due to my headaches with used cars. I was able to get mine for a reasonable payment and the insurance is reasonable as well. I LOVE IT! At first when I saw them on the road I thought, it was ok, but once I checked them out and really "got to know" the Scion XB I'm in love. It also has all sorts of really neat custom features you can add. But comes well equiped for around $14,000 for a automatic. We get GREAT gas milelage, we got close to 40 kid you not mpg on our recent road trip! We like the cool look and get constant stares and people asking us about our car. We also really like the dash design and that that cd player also plays MP3's. I can't tell you how many people has asked us about the car, wanted to see the inside or even gotten in to try out the roominess of it (thanks to my over nice grandmother who loves to show our car off). We plan on getting another around 2 years from now. I think the XA is pretty similar so I figured I'd share. Here are some pictures of our Scion XB 2005 Black Cherry.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p545e11be3cc30f7bcd8dcf5dcf7def7e/f441b2d5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p800e1e7dbe257b9cbfb7ee21cc41403e/f441b2c3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p3eb4224426193a4b98c5e7d3a4d0aa23/f441b05a.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/pdd875bfba41fcca55396061610e05b61/f441b051.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/pfe830870a71dd5c1d45344a1a873cef8/f441b048.jpg

[purplebelle]

I bought my Scion XB in September due to my headaches with used cars. I was able to get mine for a reasonable payment and the insurance is reasonable as well. I LOVE IT!...

2angelsinheaven: THANK YOU! I had never seen the xB before til I was introduced to it at the dealership. I don't pay much attn to cars, until Saturday when I understood more the importance of noticing these things. The dealership had the xB is black and yellow (ew, yellow). The dealer said Britney Spears has the xB. Thought that would convince me to buy? hee hee Still, very awesome, indeed, just too big for a 21 y/o. I don't want any excuse to be driving 6 people places. Haha. Thank you for the pictures, they are great. I hadn't seen the black cherry yet. I'm still trying to decide what color I want, but i think i want the black/silver/tan.

hilltopfamilyI am the very proud owner of a blue 2005 Scion xA :goodvibes Absolutely love it!!! Got it back in November (traded in my Chevy Lumina 4 door). Used to own Toyota vehicles prior to the Chevy and I wanted to get back to the trustworthiness of a Toyota. Ended up going with Scion (hey, it's a Toyota by a "different" name :rotfl: )..."

I don't get the "toyota by a different name"? There is the Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, etc. It's always ______Toyota, right?

Thank you for sharing, Hilltopfamily. I LOVE hearing more and more about the Scion. Seriously, I don't think I'll make it through the schoolweek before I can buy it. But it is exciting anticipating my first car! :love: I have a picture of the Scion hanging up at my desk, but maybe it's not a good idea--too much of a distraction to do hw. :hyper: Gotta love that senioritis.

Again, thank you ALL for responding to my request. I wasn't expecting such extensive feedback! This is so great. I feel so much better about the car, b/c i had known nothing before.

Keep it comin' if there's more. :teeth:

[Mom2Ashli]

I bought my Scion XB in September due to my headaches with used cars. I was able to get mine for a reasonable payment and the insurance is reasonable as well. I LOVE IT! At first when I saw them on the road I thought, it was ok, but once I checked them out and really "got to know" the Scion XB I'm in love. It also has all sorts of really neat custom features you can add. But comes well equiped for around $14,000 for a automatic. We get GREAT gas milelage, we got close to 40 kid you not mpg on our recent road trip! We like the cool look and get constant stares and people asking us about our car. We also really like the dash design and that that cd player also plays MP3's. I can't tell you how many people has asked us about the car, wanted to see the inside or even gotten in to try out the roominess of it (thanks to my over nice grandmother who loves to show our car off). We plan on getting another around 2 years from now. I think the XA is pretty similar so I figured I'd share. Here are some pictures of our Scion XB 2005 Black Cherry.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p545e11be3cc30f7bcd8dcf5dcf7def7e/f441b2d5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p800e1e7dbe257b9cbfb7ee21cc41403e/f441b2c3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/p3eb4224426193a4b98c5e7d3a4d0aa23/f441b05a.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/pdd875bfba41fcca55396061610e05b61/f441b051.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid167/pfe830870a71dd5c1d45344a1a873cef8/f441b048.jpg

How many people can fit in the Scion? From your pictures of the back it looks like it has seats that are folded down? :confused3

[HayGan]

:confused3 The Toyota Scion is not listed on edmunds.com

Oh well, thanks anyway!


Here it is - it is listed under Scion not Toyota

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/scion/xb/index.html

[hilltopfamily]

sorry for the confusion over my statement that my Scion is a "toyota by a different name".

What I meant by that is that Scion is a new line of cars seperate from Toyota, thus not "called" a Toyota. Scion just has the 3 models of cars in their line (Scion xA, Scion xB, and Scion t-something). But.....Scion is made by Toyota. I understand that they made a different "line" of cars to attract a different demographic and gave the line a different name from Toyota. The term used for potential Scion owners was "city-movers", meaning young urban dwellers. I think it is something like the way Toyota was successful with Lexus---- Because Lexus is also a seperate line, but is made by Toyota and is targeted to a different demograpic set (ie wealthier people than myself!!!! LOL). So, I believe I bought a Toyota but just "by a different name".

In fact, my financing for my Scion is straight through Toyota----they get my monthly payment!!! Glad you're excited about getting your new car! And I hope you enjoy it as I do. Lots of fun driving around, and getting into those parking spaces is simply a breeze!!!! (PS, my teen daughters' girlfriend calls it my "Shaggy car" after the Austin Powers movies, and a lot of other people ask me if it's a Mini Cooper).

[purplebelle]

thank you, hilltopfamily!

Makes sense now. :flower: By the way, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know the Lexus had any association with Toyota! They are very "pretty" cars in my book.

Hi HayGan: thanks for clarifying...I've checked out your link. I then went back into the Consumer Report and looked under "Scion" instead of Toyota Scion and success! (it was that simple, whoops)

[jazstar87]

I love Scion!!! My dad has an xb. I want an XA. The new special edition one.
but only in my dreams :cloud9: :cloud9:

http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/1658877222244178.JPG?0.9834395041665418

[iggbees]

the xB is only a 4-5 seater. the back doesn't fold down for more seats, it's only the trunk. the roof is super high, which is awesome for tall people!

seriously thinking about trading in my beetle now... :)

[purplebelle]

I love Scion!!! My dad has an xb. I want an XA. The new special edition one.
but only in my dreams :cloud9: :cloud9:

http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/1658877222244178.JPG?0.9834395041665418

The xA is a special edition? Does that mean by Saturday, gulp, it could be gone?! :eek: I seriously need to calm down...but I won't until I have the scion.

(Yes, i will be taking both of my parents with me when purchasing the car so that my over-joyness doesn't cloud my head so that i'm not charged double and happy about it)

[2angelsinheaven]

Yup you can fit 4-5 people in the car, the seats fold which makes for a huge space in the back if you need more room for cargo, etc. We've moved so much in our XB since getting it and it's surprising how much it can fit. The roof is very tall, and like a pp stated good for tall people. I feel so chrunched now when I ride in anything else. My mom drives a 2005 Camry and I feel like I'm riding on the ground and the roof is caving in on me...lol! People think it's so small from the outside but it's really big and comfy inside, the seats and great because they are so tall your legs are smooshed. And once we put 4 carts of goceries in with three people so that may help tell how big it is. =o)

[2angelsinheaven]

I hope it's ok to post this, but wanted to give you a link to site that has tons of info on the Scion Line, a message board, gallery, etc... it's similar to the Dis but for Scion Owners.... http://www.scionlife.com/

[purplebelle]

I hope it's ok to post this, but wanted to give you a link to site that has tons of info on the Scion Line, a message board, gallery, etc... it's similar to the Dis but for Scion Owners.... http://www.scionlife.com/


Thank you, 2angelsinheaven... I'm checking out the boards now! I think the xB looks smaller from the front of the vehicle on theoutside b/c it's "nose" it lower to the ground.

[iggbees]

The xA is a special edition? Does that mean by Saturday, gulp, it could be gone?! :eek: I seriously need to calm down...but I won't until I have the scion.

(Yes, i will be taking both of my parents with me when purchasing the car so that my over-joyness doesn't cloud my head so that i'm not charged double and happy about it)

no no no, don't worry. :flower: my sister wants the blue one, which apparently is a special edition. the xA will be around for a while have no fear!

good luck with your scion!

[purplebelle]

iggbees~

phew! i was gettin' worried.

[BigDave]

We bought an XA almost one year ago this month. It replaced a Jetta which had nothing but problems. It gets great gas mileage even with automatic transmission and you can't beat the price. Our salesperson told us it has toyota and lexus parts so in terms of quality, it is right up there with those 2 companies. We loved the car and the fact that it has abs and a cd player included in the basic version.Our daughter drives it and her only "complaint" is lack of power going up hills. We had a 99 Honda CRV which also could not handle hills very well so that isn't much of a deterrent to me.
Have fun.

Bigdave

[purplebelle]

Thanks much BigDave!

My family has a Jetta which I drive often. Luckily it has given us no problems. But, I'm so glad to hear you too had a Jetta and then went for the Scion. Hills are not a problem around here. :)

By the way, do all Scions hold 6 CDs at a time? Or only upgraded ones?

2 days til I buy my Scion... :cool1:

[angeleigh]

The standard stereo is a Pioneer AM/FM CD. Itis included in the base price of the vehicle at no additional charge. The price for an xA (automatic) is $13,845 (no matter where you go it will be the same price - any dealership, any city) and that stereo is included at that price. To upgrade to the factory 6 disc the cost is $395. This is aso a set price , the same everywhere, and you will be offered several other options as well (Bazooka sub woofer and xm satellite radio as an example) - each of these options are a little over $400.
With the Scion pure price concept shopping around is not really of any use when it comes to factory options - they will be the same price everywhere and everybody pays that same price (if you have a trade in of course that is up to the dealership to establish a value for so that could vary from one dealership to another). The price of the basic car is an outstanding value - it comes well equipped with a decent stereo and a good number of comfort features at a really reasonable price.
Now for the word of caution- you will also be presented with an amazing array of options and accessories to customize your vehicle to your specific tastes. Under the Scion pure price concept the dealership must post the price for all options and accessories and there is no negotiating of the posted price HOWEVER - the dealership gets to decide what price will be posted for the accessories. this is directly from the scion website-
Here's how it's done: Scion's Pure Price purchase experience means no haggle, no hassle. The price you pay for all products and services offered equals the dealership's posted and advertised price. Price menus are clearly posted in the dealership showroom for all products and services. Dealers are free to set their own prices.
Notice the last line in the above quote- So if you go to the dealership and purchase the car with the standard features or just with factory options from the website you have no need at all to worry about what you are paying for them - it is a standardized price (I might suggest some of the options from the factory are a little undervalued ie. bazooka subwoofer and 6 disc changer - total cost of $824 - I think you could get an awfully nice aftermarket sound system for substantialy less than that).
Your shopping ability will be tested by the accessories the dealership offers you - custom wheels, aftermarket stereos, aftermarket cruise control, etc.. Each dealership is allowed to set its own pricing on these options and in general will subtly steer you toward these aftermarket options (which have substantially more margin than the factory options). That is not to say that you should not consider them if you want them - but be aware of it. We offer an aftermarket alternative to the above mentioned subwoofer/6 disc changer for that is a better system for $550 - we make more on that system than on the factory system and the customer gets a better stereo at a lower price - but a stereo that is not covered under the factory warranty so if they move 200 miles from us and have a problem with it than it is a much bigger problem than if they had the factory system. In my opinion the only reason to consider these accessories at initial purchase is if you are financing the vehicle and need to have them included in your monthly payment for budget reasons (I will spare the fatherly advice of why you definately should not consider them if that is the case... lol) but since you said you are paying cash for the car - just buy the car with standard options and take your time and do your shopping for any extras later. You will be encouraged to look at all the extras - I could tell you all exactly how much a dealership gets in total profit from the sale of a Scion xA with no extras but nobody would believe me (it is that small of an amount) and with Scion there is no holdback or other factory to dealer cash after the sale- so a dealership really only makes any real profit on the "extras" - not on the basic vehicle.
After you select your car you will be introduced to the business manager (in some Scion stores the the sales person does this job as well) where you will be shown a menu of other options - likely to include warranties (don't even consider it if it is not the factory plan IMO) , Maintenace plans (real real hard to come out ahead on this one but the convenience has some value - remember though you already have 3 free services from factory with a Scion purchase so don't get a plan that starts before your 3 free services) , window etching (never) , LoJack (depends where you live and if it helps with insurance or not), paint and fabric protection (expensive for what you get) , and whatever else the dealership you visit offers. Once again - on all of these items the dealership sets the price - not Scion so even though you will be assured that it is "pure pricing - everybody pays the same price" what that really means is everybody at that dealership pays that price- and you can get these items from any place you want so if something interests you decline at the time of purchase and make some phone calls to other places next week and check prices on those items. In general at any Scion store this all should be very casual and low pressure in any case - the only thing working against you is your excitement at buying a new car - you will not face the pressure tactics found in regular car negotiating/selling. Scion routinely sends "secret shoppers" to dealerships to ensure none of this goes on at the Scion stores. Also understand that a dealership has to sell these items for the listed price - so it is more or less futile to ask them to discount the items (and I would even suggest that if they were willing to discount them then I would not do business with them as that defeats the purpose of the selling model and simply means they have chosen not to list the lowest price they have available as the selling price and I would follow up the visit by contacting Scion directly to complain).

Good luck and happy car shopping!!!

[purplebelle]

Wow, angeleigh:

To the rescue, again! :shamrock: Lucky me! Really, thank you for your post. I know info like this may be common and dull to you since you're such an expert. But I can really appreciate it since I'm new to all this!

I'm definitely going to skip the "extras." I don't need them. A brand new car is enough 'extra' for me! I'm printing out this entire thread and bringing it with me tomorrow. Everyone's posts are so very helpful. I printed out tons of info from Edmunds.com as well as scionlife.com, etc. You're all so GREAT! THANK you!!!

I'll keep everyone posted. :flower:

Katie

[purplebelle]

I know you all have (not) been waiting... :blush:

I went today to buy a Scion and, whoops, none in stock. I guess I took for granted that there would be some in stock. (I'm a newbie!) Very disappointed to know that there were none at the #1 Scion dealer in IL. :sad: Argh. But they checked to see if some would be coming in and my preferred color, black sand, would be coming in within the next few days. They could call me when it came in and I could race here to beat anyone else possibly look at the same car (not at all feasible with my schedule), or I could put down $500 holding the car as mine and when it comes in, no one can test drive it or anything b/c it's all mine. :earboy2: I'd then get a phone call and come in at my convenience to pay the other $14,500 (around that) to cover the rest of the car.

At first I was worried about this $500 deal b/c for one thing, I haven't even test driven the automobile yet! :earseek: And second, what happens if I don't want the car when it comes in b/c I find something else? No problem they say, completely refundable since they won't cash check until I come in to pay the rest. If I don't like the Scion, the check is ripped up.

I don't plan by any means to not pay for the rest of the car unless it is absolutely not Katie-friendly when I drive it.

Argh...how many days is a "couple" anyway? Will have to patiently wait for a phone call. :rolleyes:

But I gotta say, it was very exciting putting down a bit of money and securing my first car...even if I didn't actually see it. Haha

[hilltopfamily]

Darn! Rats!! Double Darn!!! Must be a tad anti-climatic for you, but "a couple days" sounds fairly soon to me. Hope they give you a call next week and say your car is in....and that you end up falling in love with it after test driving it.

BTW: One thing I thought of today that I haven't seen mentioned before~~~I found it difficult to see behind me (as in when backing up) because of the high position of the 2 head rests in the back seat. After a month of complaining about poor visibility there, I simply removed the visibility-impairing head rests and viola~~~problem solved. (They can easily be removed/installed back in at will with a simple push button on the underside of the headrests themselves). My kids certainly didn't need them, and they're the most frequent back-seat guests in my xA, so in my case this was the perfect answer.

Good Luck in getting your xA soon. :sunny:

[purplebelle]

Thank you, hilltopfamily, for sharing the frustration with me. ;) Yes, it was very anti-climatic! But I'm very excited about it being on the way!

I read on edmunds.com about the high head rests in the back. I didn't get to drive the car, but I can see what you mean. I bet I'll take mine down too and store them in the car to take them out if I have back-seat riders. Other complaints I heard were: the radio is difficult to use (yet it is still said to be 'awesome'), there's no arm rest in the front, lack of cup holders in the rear, no floor mats, etc. All nice little minor things. Still seems pretty awesome for its price.

What's with the little oven/box thingie? It's kind of cute. I thought it was a mini-microwave (okay, not really :p) but I guess it's just for storage and looks?

Also, does the car come with a spare tire? I opened up the show model's trunk and saw a place for it under that mat thing, but I couldnt tell if it was below that or if one was missing. (Thinking about having to change a tire scares me!)

Thanks again!

[BigDave]

We took the headrests out as well as they block vision. Not sure if it is because we are all on the short side or if it is a design flaw. We just put them in the house and if we need them we can always put them back. We stuck with the one cd player-- we really wanted the basic cheap price. As for floor mats we went to walmart and bought a set-- certainly less than what the dealer would sell them for.

I think the box you refer to is for storage.

Purplebelle-- our scion dealer always had a car on the lot for people to test drive so even if there wasn't a car to purchase, there was one to drive. The scion concept is to order what you want (or so we were told) so although you couldn't necessarily buy one off the lot, you could try one out and order what you wanted Are you sure your dealership didn't have one for test drives? That way you could try it out before "yours" comes in. We test drove one a month before we went back to buy one. We were fortunate in that our dealership actually had a few cars in stock (not sure why, maybe someone ordered and backed out) so we were able to buy it the day we went back although we were prepared to order one.

There is a spare, but it is the little spare which is a temporary fix. It it ok to drive on, but it is not meant for a permanent use.

We love the no pressure sales and the fact that what we paid for the car was what everyone paid.

BigDave

[purplebelle]

BigDave~

Yes, there was a car to drive, except it was a manual, which I can't drive. The weekend before there were 2 cars, 1 manual and 1 automatic but both were waiting for their owners so we couldn't test drive those either. The dealership is having "issues" with whoever sells them the Scions b/c they are the #1 Scion sellers in IL (maybe just chicagoland area?) but they run out as soon as they are in. The salesman was telling me they sell about 15 Scions a week but the manager is requesting more to sell so it gives more people a chance to buy. (I can see how frustrating it is to get these cars now, but with almost having one, I like how rare they are on the road)

Like I've said, I've driven Toyotas: RAV4, Corolla, Minivans, so I'm thinking the xA won't be too different. I've also driven Blazers, a corvette, Jettas etc., and every car is different, yet I've never had issues driving any of them. But still, if for some odd reason I hate the way it drives, I get my $500 back and start from scratch again.

I'm definitely going to go out and buy some floor mats (Murray's Auto/Kmart/etc) and I want to get one of those windshield sun protectors b/c I won't be able to park my car in the garage/under a tree and it is all black. Hot Hot Hot! :firefight

Okay, great, there is a spare! (even if it is a temp, it's still good for that little bit)

Thank you!!!

[purplebelle]

Woo hoo! I got the phone call! My Scion is in! :cool1: It has to go thru some checks to make sure it's perfecto.

I'm going home today after 4pm to get it! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

(This is almost exiciting as leaving for WDW...)

5/11/05 Last update, I promise...

So I drove the car back to school and I absolutely love it! It was great on the city streets and the expressway too. I've parked it on the street which makes me so nervous! I'm being all paranoid b/c it's brand new (but really, who ever wants their car to be damaged?). There's a massive sotrm going on here right now so so much for the nice shinyness of the car. Ahh...but thinking about things more clearly...I have to walk to work in the rain.

But anyway, the Scion is awesome! All of your advice was SO helpful and MUCH appreciated. :flower: You really helped me buy an outstanding car that I knew so little about. Already I've been getting questions about my "so cute" car and where I got it.

Take care all! Thanks for the awesomeness of the DIS once again.