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I was on www.autoweek.com and I noticed that Scion's xB is the cover story this week. That got me to researching the xB and xA further.
I really like both cars (as many of you know). They're different, lots of stardard features yada yada yada. They're supposed to be fairly safe, get great milage, tons of space, and appeal to the Generation Y.
However, the xA and xB will only have a 1.5 liter, 108 hp engine (1NZ-FE from the ECHO). They're predicting 0-60 in the 9-second range. Based on this information alone, I tend to think that the cars will miss thier target audience of the twenty-something male.
Being a 20-something male, I want everything the xB (and xA) offer (including Toyota's reputation for reliability) However, I also don't want to get my ass handed to me by a Kia Rio performance wise.
I think the Scions could be sucessful, but I don't think they will be with 108 hp (which is why I'll most likely wait a couple of years to see if they bump up the power). I think the Scion's will need at least 120 hp to be competitive in the U.S. market.
These cars are huge in Japan (see www.club-bb2000.com), and the horsepower figures are probably less of a concern (less open space, speed limit of 50mph, urban congestion). But in the U.S., where Generation Y lusts after high-powered imports such as the Nissan Skyline and 350Z, Acura's NSX, or on a more realistic level, souped-up Civics, Protégés, Foci, WRXs, and the like, I think these cars, unless given aftermarket support (that won't cause dealership headaches) or at least a 20hp power increase will fail within five years.
What do you think?
I really like both cars (as many of you know). They're different, lots of stardard features yada yada yada. They're supposed to be fairly safe, get great milage, tons of space, and appeal to the Generation Y.
However, the xA and xB will only have a 1.5 liter, 108 hp engine (1NZ-FE from the ECHO). They're predicting 0-60 in the 9-second range. Based on this information alone, I tend to think that the cars will miss thier target audience of the twenty-something male.
Being a 20-something male, I want everything the xB (and xA) offer (including Toyota's reputation for reliability) However, I also don't want to get my ass handed to me by a Kia Rio performance wise.
I think the Scions could be sucessful, but I don't think they will be with 108 hp (which is why I'll most likely wait a couple of years to see if they bump up the power). I think the Scion's will need at least 120 hp to be competitive in the U.S. market.
These cars are huge in Japan (see www.club-bb2000.com), and the horsepower figures are probably less of a concern (less open space, speed limit of 50mph, urban congestion). But in the U.S., where Generation Y lusts after high-powered imports such as the Nissan Skyline and 350Z, Acura's NSX, or on a more realistic level, souped-up Civics, Protégés, Foci, WRXs, and the like, I think these cars, unless given aftermarket support (that won't cause dealership headaches) or at least a 20hp power increase will fail within five years.
What do you think?