Buying Options for 2008 XB

makeitsimple · Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

I am going to buy the 2008 XB Auto transmission. I don't understand all the optional add ons like special shocks, braces, stutts, air filtering....I want to know what I should get before I buy. I don't know what my options are and then why I should pay for them. I am one for convience so most likely will get what the dealership can install (exept for a sunroof...where can I get one of those? Ventura Co. Calif. area. Can this be installed by the dealer?)

If there is already a post coving this, please direct. I seem to mostly find people discussing different manufactures of these extra things. It's all greek to me.

Thank you for your help and advice. I am in Ventura Co. Ca.

SiZzOuRcE · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 160

Stick with everything stock for now. The whole fun in buying a car is modding it yourself or choosing what you want to put on it. My $.02.

jahfakin · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 61 Location: South Philly, PA

get it stock. so you can get a feel of the car and then decide what mods you feel will benefit you the most.

me? I'm all stock.....I think mods are not required on a daily commuter.

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2669 Location: Napa, CA

Get it stock, but I do suggest buying the floor mats and cargo mat when you buy the xB. They're only $25 more from the dealership than finding them on-line somewhere, and you'll have them protecting the carpet from day one. Plus they say "Scion" on them. :P

When it comes to the other Toyota and TRD dealer options, most (if not all) of these items can be purchased on-line from other Toyota dealership sources at a discount and you can install them yourself or pay less than dealership prices to have another professional shop install them.

When you're looking for referrals in your area, post those questions in the Pacific South regional forum since they know the SoCal area and shops.

When it comes to after market sunroofs, Webasto is the brand you want. Post up in the Pacific South forum and ask for anybody that has had one installed in your area, and I am sure you will get plenty of responses... southern California... sunroof... Yea!

makeitsimple · Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

CIONIDE wrote: Get it stock, but I do suggest buying the floor mats and cargo mat when you buy the xB. They're only $25 more from the dealership than finding them on-line somewhere, and you'll have them protecting the carpet from day one. Plus they say "Scion" on them. :P

When it comes to the other Toyota and TRD dealer options, most (if not all) of these items can be purchased on-line from other Toyota dealership sources at a discount and you can install them yourself or pay less than dealership prices to have another professional shop install them.

When you're looking for referrals in your area, post those questions in the Pacific South regional forum since they know the SoCal area and shops.

When it comes to after market sunroofs, Webasto is the brand you want. Post up in the Pacific South forum and ask for anybody that has had one installed in your area, and I am sure you will get plenty of responses... southern California... sunroof... Yea!

Thank you all for your responses. Here's what I really want to know.

1) When you say get it stock, do you mean with nothing added?
2) Why would I need wheel locks?
3) Why do I need a rear sway bar?
4) Why would I need the optional air filter? (sounds good but do I need it?)
5) What does a strut Tie Bar do?
6) Why would I want performance shocks?
7) What would a cold air intake do for me? Better gas mileage?

I am not one to shop around and then take the time to find someone to install. I just want to get what I need/want from the dealership when I purchase the car.

As you can tell I am not up on all these things and come to think of it all my car purchases have been pre-owned or lease buy out, so I am a little overwhelmed with all the decisions. Thanks for your help.

senormeany · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 36 Location: North Idaho

1) Yes, nothing added.
2) So you don't get your wheels jacked. Not needed for stock steelies.
3) Helps reduce roll in the car in wind and in cornering. Improves handling
4) Offers better value for air filter. 50/50 on need. Just keep a clean air filter. No problem.
5) Helps with roll but not as much as rear sway. More for people who love to crank on turns.
6) Help handling and create smoother ride.
7) CAI best to search. people argue over improvements in mpg. Will add hp (power) and makes a nice sound.

All above is my opinion.

If you like the ride of the car as it is, leave it alone and buy those accessories that make your life better/easier. IMO, if I were not wanting to screw with it, I would get the rear sway (I think this is the best money for improvement you can get easily) and any protective stuff such as the liners or cargo net, etc. It will be easier if you don't want to screw with it yourself. After that, maybe you'll get the bug. They just beg for small mods. It's a virus.

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2669 Location: Napa, CA

Toyota/Scion builds a very safe, reliable, well engineered car that does not NEED any options to be a very enjoyable vehicle. The optional items they offer are so that each individual may pick and choose items that they personally like and want to add for their own desires. Some are performance oriented (springs/rear sway bar/front strut tie bar/cold air intake/etc.), some are visual (such as special interior lighting), and some are more practical. Practical items would be things like the floor and cargo mats that protect the carpet, the cargo liner which is great if you put a dog in the back (dog hair sticks to carpet like dried snot on a wall), and the cargo net.

I would say that if you don't know what a particular option does, why it might be desired by some owners, or an obvious practical benefit for you, then you don't need it right now and don't buy it. As you learn more about your xB and what the various options do, you may decide to add some later, but you don't need to spend those $$ until you understand and want that particular benefit.

The Scion community is very friendly and helpful. I suggest that once you have purchased your xB, go to the Pacific South regional forum on this website and see when and where local people in your area meet up. Most areas have regularly scheduled "meets" where owners get together at a restaurant/pizza joint/etc. to share ideas, look at each others cars, and just enjoy each others company. These are great places to learn more about Scions and meet nice people. Also read as much as you can on this forum, there's a wealth of information.

makeitsimple · Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

[quote="CIONIDE" nice people. .[/quote]

Thank you for being one of the nice people! :clap:

CIONIDE · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 2669 Location: Napa, CA

makeitsimple wrote: CIONIDE wrote: nice people.
Thank you for being one of the nice people! :clap:
You're welcome. Keep asking questions, and we'll keep helping.

pinkysbox · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 35

I would probably do the spoiler, foglights, and maybe just maybe the rear cargo mat.
For my xB2 I only did the spoiler and foglights.

DREWxB08 · Posted: 7/28/08 8:45AM Post subject:

pinkysbox wrote: I would probably do the spoiler, foglights, and maybe just maybe the rear cargo mat.
For my xB2 I only did the spoiler and foglights.

I seconed that

srb219 · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 70 Location: Cleveland, Ohio

purchase it stock, I did while getting used to new ride. Drive 100/150 miles a day so MPG is a big concern. Mods I went for were dual exhaust , CAI, and sway bars. XB's understeer heavy (my opinion) and the new front/rear sways bars help that. Probably the best money I have spent on my XB. Intake/exhaust helped 2 or 3 MPG. Total investment under $1000