2005 Scion xA: In The Autoblog Garage Day 3
One of the huge factors that makes the Scion xA so attractive to car buyers is the low price. Our testers MSRP before options was $13,280. That includes a lot of standard equipment like ABS, CD player, power windows and locks and even A/C. But the test vehicle was also loaded with those infamous tuner influenced options that ballooned the final price to a whopping $17,454.
There are some options in the mix that I shouldnt discount like the side curtain airbags at $650. You also really cant go without the floor and cargo mats at $120. But thats where Id stop. Why anyone would add a 6-disc CD changer to the stock set-up is beyond me. For $395 there are countless aftermarket head units to be had.
Some of the options I wouldnt mind adding. The rear spoiler is pretty nice and adds to the look of the car as a whole without it feeling lame. That rang up at $385. While the $189 carbon fiber B pillar appliqu?seemed like a waste since you couldnt tell what it was from far away anyway.
The neon underneath the foot wells I actually like but would have a hard time forking over $280 for it. I also like the red sport pedal covers for $79. Thats not much more than a nice set anyway and these are professionally installed.
Lit cup holders definitely would not be on my must have list at $299. Ouch. They only worked well at night too. But the aluminum sills on all four doors were definitely classy at $139.
Both the 10 spoke rims, $665, and foglights, $350, were nice touches but you could probably get
a nicer 15 inch rim and tire combination at one of the big retailers for around the same price. Check out
Day 1 and
Day 2 in the Scion xA.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Whydrive 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
The one thing Toyota has learned from this is offering lots of "accessories" is a win-win for both the consumer and the dealerships. This is something Porsche has known for quite some time (if you look at their options catalog, you can easily double the price of the car). I'm curious whether Honda will get into the act or whether they'll leave it to the aftermarket suppliers.
Reply
kap0w 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I would like to comment on the lighting - I'm pretty sure it's the same as the tC and you're somewhat misleading. The interior lighting is one package - it includes the under-dash stuff as well as the cupholders. It's a ripoff either way, but it's one ripoff, not two. Oh... the LEDs in the cupholders evidentally look pretty good when you throw a water bottle in there (at night of course) - it lights up the whole thing.
Reply
David Thomas 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
sorry I am actually correct here. the xA does not include the cupholders. they are separate items. there are two different buttons controlling each one and they are listed as separate accessories with two different, additional prices. plus the cup holder lights change colors, the under lighting does not.
Reply
Travis 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
thankfully Scion left it all as individual options so you don't have to buy the 6-disc cd changer just to get the sunroof b/c it's all one package (cough cough, mazda, cough cough). plus if you're so inclined you can walk into the dealership and pick up something with zero options (except floor mats) as I did (for my tC).
What gets me are that these "test vehicles" are loaded with crap like carbon b-pillar apliques and colored pedals, but lack the real performance options like lowering springs, TRD shocks, rear sway bar, performance muffler (ok, it's just louder than stock w/ no performance gains), etc. I think that whoever sends you the car is trying to push all of these overpriced accessories so that the dealers end up making more $$ than just the $700 (or whatever) on each scion that they sell.
Reply
Seth L 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Hey David, I know your an audiophile, where would you go for recommendations on a good replacement head unit, with sound quality being the major concern?
I had a heck of a time trying to replace my Matrix's 6-CD delco unit when it went out, and Toyota refused to replace it (they eventually did).
Reply
Adam 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I test drove a Matrix before and boy it felt far too American, especially some of the electronics like the stereo which you mentioned Seth. I really liked the whole idea of it but after a couple minutes in it you could easily tell what was GM sourced and what was Toyota sourced.
I think platform sharing is a good thing between companies but sometimes it can go to far and often one of the two companies takes a hit for it.
Reply
David Thomas 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Almost any aftermarket deck is going to be superior to what the automakers put in. I personally like JVC and AIWA. Pioneer isn't bad either. But the biggest change will be new speakers. With a decent aftermarket head unit and new speakers you'll be shocked at the difference in quality. obviously you can go nuts and add amps and subwoofers etc. but for most of us that isn't life or death.
Reply
Seth L 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Thanks for the feedback.
I had a hard time finding nonOEM indash changers, and was told by a couple dealers that they are almost impossible to find. True?
Reply
David Thomas 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Seth.
Yeah they're not many. anyone have a link to one? Most aftermarket folks prefer the single disk. I hope removeable hard drives become more popular. If you could just pop em out and pop it into your usb port at home, download a set list and then you're good to go. There are a few on the market as readers here pointed out a while back. Of course many are using the iPod integration instead. 1000 songs instead of 6 discs is hard to compete with.
Reply
Whydrive 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Seth,
If you can afford it, look at the Eclipse head units. The sound quality is great. If Eclipse is out of the price range, Alpine or Clarion makes some good head units.
ike David said, replacing the speakers will really improve the sound. That's almost a requirement if you're going to replace the head unit as most factory speakers are made of cheap paper. I'd recommend starting there. Whether you need an amp or not depends on how much power the head unit can drive (if it has a built in amp).
I would wait to have the rest of the pieces before you decide to get a sub.
Reply
Geoff 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I'll second Whydrive's Eclipse recommendation. I love mine except for the fact that there's no aux in.
Reply
Pip 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
For the $395 that the 6-cd changer costs, you can buy a iPod (let's say a mini to keep it cheap) at ~$240, get some kind of connection kit (ICE-link claims compatibility), and come out ahead. Best of all, you can just take the iPod with you, instead of having to fumble with CDs.
Reply
Seth L 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Thanks for all the recommendations!
This site is such a great resource.
Reply
tech222 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
$280 for the little footwell lights? Are they CCFL or LEDs? They carry both at Pep Boys for $10. I guess if you can't figure out which wire leads to the dome light you can pay the dealer $270 to install it...
Reply
Robert 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
Honda will get in the game this Oct.with the new Jaz/Fit. It will slow the sale of the XA with the spedo behind the wheel where it belongs. Also in 2006 Honda will have the NEW Civic line. I drove the XA its a good small car I just wish the spedo was in the right place. Also no one is putting a gun to your head to get the options.
Reply
Claudio Monti 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I bought a new Infiniti FX 35 to my partner at Detroit and export to my private use in Spain.
To obtain de European Technical approval, I must modify or change the back lights because the turn lights must be orange or yellow.
Did you think that change some led I can obtain it with out addition any non-esthetical lights? If yes, you can supply me this led?
Thanks in advance. Regards,
Claudio Monti
Reply
Alan 11:00PM (12/18/2005)
I bought an Xa about two weeks ago. Why you may ask. When the cost of fuel went over 300 dollars a month for my 3/4 ton V10 truck, I had to say no more.
It has been a fun little car so far. The ride is a bit stiff but the feel of the road is good. The room for 4 adults is a bit tight. It has nice storage for items in diffrent areas of the car. One of the more nicer ones is that Scion made a nice cover for the spare tire to make that normally dead space inside and around the tire into storage also.
Options I put on were the bass tube, it is mounted in the back and takes up alot of the cargo space, but the sound quality is good and can be removed somewhat easly if needed. Also I added a set of after market plus size wheels and tires, just to personalize the car to me.
Now when I stop to get fuel and only put in 9 gallons to top it off from a quarter tank it makes me and my pocket book smile.
I do have to laugh looking at it next to my parked truck. One day I need to see if I can get it in the bed of the truck.
Reply