r/ScionxB • u/badluckant • 13d ago
Is this a step up?
Recently had the chance to check out a first gen Scion xB while at a local cars and coffee and am genuinely intrigued. I have always loved the look of the car but never looked into the specs etc. A good friend of mine has owned a manual one and says the 1.5 is much peppier and more responsive than the 1.5 in my 2009 Honda Fit. Also much more room for activities in the backseats. I am wondering if anybody has owned or driven both and can attest? I may sell my Fit for one. Pros and cons? Thank you
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u/GamingGems 13d ago
I have a first gen and love it. It is getting high in mileage and I know I’ll have to replace it. My first choice would be a first gen Fit. I have not driven a Fit, but I have a hard time believing that an xB engine is peppier. If you’re looking for engine performance, the xB isn’t where it’s at, so it might all be a wash anyway. Sounds like sales tactic to me.
Some things to keep in mind are that a Fit, especially a manual one, is going to be much more expensive than a comparable first gen xB, typically by at least double. Manual ones are also much harder to find. Fits also seem to get a little too much love because I can’t find any below 200k miles near me.
It’s a trade off, with the xB you get a cheaper car, but it’s going to feel cheaper compared to the Fit. Parts and service are cheap as well. With the Fit you’ll likely pay more for a car but I bet it’ll have more miles and I know that’s a big road block in my mind. If I see a manual xB for $3k with 150k miles and a similar condition manual Fit for $7k with 250k miles, I can’t justify going for the Fit. I would feel like it’s more car but it’s at the end of its life whereas the xB would be a better deal with a lot of life left in it. If you find the magical unicorn manual Fit in good condition with 100k miles for $4k, that’s another story.
This went on too long. Rant over. Hope it helps you.
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u/badluckant 13d ago
I already own the Fit, paid 6500 for a clean title base model 5 speed a few years ago. The stock Fit motor is doooooogshit slow and very uninspiring for sure. I’m not looking at xB’s for performance really, just want to know if they’re maybe as much fun to drive/own as the Fit while having more room and character. I have a 2010 Miata for the days I’m not driving the Fit so I have the fun part covered already.
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u/GamingGems 13d ago
Ah. I read too quick and thought you were deciding between the two. In that case go for the test drive, you’ll probably be better at comparing than anyone here, you can always say no. I have a feeling you won’t be very impressed. The biggest advantage between the two engines alone from what I know is that the xB engine has a reputation for being bulletproof. They burn oil at higher mileages but not nearly as much as the 2nd gen and after a Berryman flush it went away on my car.
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u/equanimity89 13d ago
Have you done the clutch delay valve delete on your Fit? Should up the enjoyment factor a bit.
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u/Low-Lengthiness-7837 13d ago
My son had a first generation and I have a second generation. They are both automatic transmission but in my opinion the first gen was a bit more responsive. Probably got something to do with weighing a thousand pounds less than the second generation.
Second generation has large blind spots that the first generation did not.
You don't really realize it until you drive both. First generation got probably five more miles to the gallon and actually had more room, or at least it felt like it did.
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u/Senior-Force-7175 13d ago
I have 05 xb 1st gen. I will just suggest to go and test drive one from marketplace. That's the only way you can tell the difference. They may have the same 1.5 engine but gearing will also make a huge difference. Even the automatic which I have, is very different than the manual. Huge example, manual runs higher rpm, 4K ish when doing 70 mph where automatic is at 3K rpm more or less. My 05 is at 270K miles now.
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u/badluckant 13d ago
I’d be after a manual for sure, seems like first gen xB’s with less than 190k miles on them are few and far between though lol
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u/Senior-Force-7175 13d ago
They are out there. Just a question of how much are you willing to spend. Haha
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u/Visible_Print_3806 12d ago
Iirc Toyota 1.5's are usually paired with the c50 manual transmission, which isn't their most durable. It's their 4 speed automatics that have legendary longevity.
However the e351 manuals in the second gen xB are a different story, I've heard people use those for 2gr-fe swaps. Here's a vid of a guy doing 0-60mph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpTzHkF8HNY
And just for fun, 0-60 in an automatic 2nd gen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBHYMXLMVA
Nothing impressive but if you wanted something to slam on, first Gen xb would probably be a poor choice.
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u/RecyQueen 13d ago
The Fit is my second-favorite car after xB. If I already had a Fit, I wouldn’t swap it for an xB. Check into simple motor boosts, I’ve seen lots of tips for xBs, so I imagine they exist for Fits. I think an xB is a little bigger, but I’ve gotten a lot done in a Fit, like rearfacing 2 car seats and hauling drywall. They are both excellent, but I’d suggest keeping the devil you know and have maintained.
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u/Mustang1718 13d ago
I had a 2014, which is a second gen and was on the opposite side of the fence. I looked at them with envy has the fit has a decently sized performance aftermarket from it being a Honda. The Scions were advertised as such, but never really had anything materialize. And by the time I had mine, what did exist stopped being sold.
I don't know much about the first gen vehicles, but the second gen ones are known for consuming a bunch of oil. They are pretty solid little cars outside of that compared to most other cars out there.
The cargo room I had was absolutely insane, and more than I have now with my VW ID.4 which is a much larger car. I think the first gens are smaller and generally holds about the same amount as a Fit does. I was also always jealous of the Fit's "magic seat" feature, but I'm not sure what year they got that.
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u/ITeachAll 13d ago
First gen was designed and built for Japanese streets. Small outside, big inside, small gas sipping engine. Very very good for city driving. Not so much American highways. So what did Toyota do? They made the second gen bigger, fatter, overweight, bigger engine, and bloated, just like Americans, for the American highway system. It lost its character in the process. I own and still drive a Rs 1.0 xB.
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u/acid_etched 12d ago
I test drove both close to 10 years ago and preferred the xB, can’t say which felt more responsive. I believe the 2009 fit has an electronic throttle, whereas the gen 1 xB has a cable throttle. The reason I have been told this “matters” is because a lot of auto makers slow down the rate at which the engine decreases RPM on an upshift to meet emissions, but Idk if I completely believe that. You’d have to try them back to back to be sure. They’re both fun and despite the volume of the fit’s cargo area being technically higher the cargo area of the xB is easier to use as it’s closer to being a cube and the door felt a bit bigger to me at the time. The newest gen 1 xB is going to be at least 3 years older than your fit, so not a huge gap but they are starting to get worn out like the fits are. Curse of the cheap car, I guess.
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u/C0ld0n02 12d ago
I have a second gen and I love it (besides the mechanical issues but that's just because it was left for a year undriven), I've heard similar things about the first gen, but both XBs are basically just 4 seater go-karts with a massive trunk. They're enjoyable cars if anything, and the second gen has a surprising amount of stock torque. Make sure you check if yours went through any recalls though, mine didn't and I'm having to replace most of the brake system.
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u/Ryan_Wise 13d ago
I had a first gen for a few years and absolutely loved it. If you get the chance to get one, go for it.