Scion Econobox

[mrtew]

I think the superboxy Scion is very cool looking... kinda the yin to the VX's yan. The other Scions are boring lookng though.

[Heraclid]

Good points, driven. They're definitely popular - I see them around a lot. But like the VX, they're not for everybody, and that's fine. Different strokes for different folks. I was just surprised by the performance numbers, and I'd still be careful towing much with it. But true to the typical VXer profile, you went out and got something different and unique. It is boxy, but like I said before, these days that's a new look and I applaud that. For the record, I don't think any of the Scions are ugly, and I kinda like the tC in particular.

Power isn't everything, to be sure. And let's face it, the VX isn't a particularly fast SUV anymore, but fortunately it has a whole lot more going for it than just that. The xB is a helluva lot more practical for most folks. I'd still like to see it run and hide from a VX in the twisties, though. I'm not saying it can't, but I'd love to see it. How hard have you pushed the VX in the twisties? You should see what Joe Black and I have done with one, and it doesn't get any twistier than that. My hard drive crashed recently and I lost the pics, but Joe should have pics and video of a WRX STi on the same course.

I used to drive a 1995 Dodge Avenger ES, and the knock against it was the power. Now I was never left wanting for power in that car - it was a blast to drive. Mine was faster than the published numbers and the auto was faster than the stick in this case. ES was an auto Mitsubishi V6 riding a Galant platform under Dodge sheetmetal, slightly heavier. Stick was a Chrysler manual I4 rated at 10 hp less. I always thought it was funny how they started putting the SPORT badging on the slower base version in later model years. But the fact was that other 2dr sport coupes would go faster for the same money or less and a lot of folks did because that was all they cared about. Dodge should have crammed the 214 hp Intrepid engine in there or something. However, the Avenger was also a better car than its competition in every other way. Gas mileage, safety, braking/handling (outslaloms a 95 Eclipse GS-T), looks, roominess, build quality, interior, great stock Infinity sound system. I'd kinda like to have it back so the VX could just be a weekend warrior.

[LittleBeast]

The Scion Econobox is definitely not attractive in my book at all, but it is by far not the ugliest ride on the road, in my opinion the Pontiac Aztec is by far the ugliest automobile ever made, and in close second anything that resembles it, and in third that Subaru four door El Camino wanna be what was it called a Baja? Oh and while on the subject of vomit enducing rides, I also cannot stand any wanna-be SUV that looks like a mini-van, because the only thing more likely to toss your cookies for you (besides the above listed rides) is an actual mini-van or even beyond that a real van. Just my two cents.

[SpaceTruck'n]

I was thinking, if you totaly blacked out the side and back windows, then painted one black it could be one BAD little SWAT Van.
Only really really small.
You could fill it with midgets, all dressed up in bulletproof vests, and police riot gear.
Like for, in the land of Oz, when the Lollypop Guild gets out of hand. Or the witch is in town. They could all pile out and WASTE that be-atch.
Kind of like "how many clowns could you fit in one" except serious.
Serious, angry, militant, midgets. All with little assault rifles.

Or paint one brown for a mini UPS van.

Or lock a Mime in one and push it off a cliff " Try and get out of THAT box! Heh, Heh.)

I got lots of ideas.

[johnnyapollo]

The Scion xB really doesn't bother me much - I think it's better lookin than the Element for sure. I haven't ridden in one but it sure has a lot of room. I could see myself driving one (not that I would go out and purchase one, but if I had a choice between one and a Focus as a rental, I would probably go for the Psion)..

-- John

[Heraclid]

The Scion Econobox is definitely not attractive in my book at all, but it is by far not the ugliest ride on the road, in my opinion the Pontiac Aztec is by far the ugliest automobile ever made

The Aztek is pretty bad, but there's got to be worse. I just can't think of it at the moment. LOL! I don't think the xB is ugly per se, but maybe... maybe the word I'm looking for is cartoonish? Personally, I tend to think a lot of the European cars look kinda ridiculous (and frankly, so are lots of Europeans). When I first saw the xB, I sort of took it for some sort of European fad that they decided to try to peddle here in the US, like the Mini Cooper. Except the Mini is actually not a new thing (originated in 1959 and still looks about the same), but it's funny how lots of people on this side of the pond think it's the new, hip thing to have. I happened to be behind a very boxy Mercedes G500 today, and the Scion xB kinda reminds me of a miniature one of those.

My personal opinion is that it is faulty logic to try to be all things to all people. It tends to water things down. I think maybe there's a little bit of that in the xB. When you try to go for roomy but economical, sacrifices will have to be made. What I love so much about the VX is that it is one of those rare vehicles that does a lot of things well. Usually off-road prowess means on-road handling leaves much to be desired. But the VX handles like a champ. Etcetera., etc.


and in third that Subaru four door El Camino wanna be what was it called a Baja?

I don't mind the looks of the Subaru Baja much at all. It's a good rally car that gets overlooked. I wish we had one running in our events in Ft. Meade.