Steve Cooper

My 951 was on the ropes. At least my ownership of it...

I needed another car. One that fit four and could provide reliable transport from Santa Cruz to San Francisco a few days a week.

My first choice? A new Chrysler 300C. Hemi engined, 340HP, rear wheel drive; classy, comfortable, capable. But 38K out the door. My wife said yes to the 300C, but only if one of my other cars went away.

I was sad. And I was anitcipating taking a bath on my investment cause the 951 was the sacrificial lamb.

A few weeks pass and we're getting my wife's 4-runner serviced at the dealer. I see this funny looking box on wheels, a Scion xB with nice 17" rims, z-rated yokohama rubber, leather interior and some really goofy graphics and neon. Just the kind of ride that both turns my head and turns me off. I have a thing for wierd *** quirky looking cars. I mean I own a 951 afterall

So I do some research and spend a lot of time deliberating the choices. Cheap, efficient, sporty (sorta), four door versus, expensive, lux four door. Hmmm.... Then my wife throws a curve ball.

If I go for the cheap choice, she's willing to let the 951 stay. Huh?!?

After getting that confirmed, I go to the bank, work out the details, then traipse on over to our local Scion delaer and score the kickingest deal on a demo xB.

So that's my story. I'll be sticking around here I guess. A good thing, and joining up with a a new community of Scion owners.

I'm glad to have that option!

Here's what the bento box looks like:

pete944

Well, you nailed it with that one.

ELLSSUU

Oh yeah, black paint is so hard to get fingerprints off of no matter how much you wax it...................

I kind of like it in a quirky way.

ELLSSUU

Looks like a silicone breast implant. What is it?

Steve Cooper

Luckily, it was replaced with a stock shifter before I drove it off the lot!

I might peel that off, but if it evokes those kinds of comments perhaps it should stay.

triscadek

Those are cool in a funky sort of way. I'd like a white one.

Techno Duck

Ive seen them around my area, i agree they are cool in a very weird way. Sort of the same feeling i get when i see the BMW M-Roadster. Hows the ride of them. How about build quality? They are built by Toyota (right?) so i would assume its a fairly good quality machine. Handling good, acceleration?

joseph mitro

looks like autozone came to the rescue with the accessories. congrats on the new purchase (and saving the 951!)

bloodraven

i want a scion...my friend has one, great on gas, not much power, but kinda stylish in a weird way...nice little cars

Steve Cooper

Yeah, they're a toyota brand, lots of parts in common with my wife's 4-runner. Build quality is fine, well above what I'd expect in an 18K car (it was 18K out the door with aftermarket wheels and tires and an aftermarket leather interior). The funny thing, when you close the rear hatch, it makes the same hollow steel resonating sound that a track stripped 911 makes.

It weighs 2400 lbs. With 108 hp it's not as slow as I expected. It came with a sweet little engine bay brace, and a front/rear sway bar kit is on order for 189 plus tax. The thing handles really flat, even without the sway bars, it FWD though- ick! I'm laughing as i say this, but I think it might be fun to set it up for autocross. I could pack sashimi for everyone and probably run pretty good times. It is a bento box afterall.

Back to the Bonny Doon wine and honey do list for now!

Steve Cooper

autozone - you should see it at night with the goofy red neon lights under the seats on and the cup holders in "ILL" full glow. The only missing element? a mirror ball...

RI951

The only thing I can say about those Xb's is that they make the Honda Element look good. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, so if it means the P-car stays, well...

Get the windows tinted. Dark.

Steve Cooper

I'm comfy enough in my manhood to leave the stock tint.

josephsc

Um..... sure.....

Steve Cooper

That sounds a little tightly wound for someone listing that both Boston and California in their profile.