I remember when the xB came out - when the Scion brand was introduced. I wasn't a bleeding edge car industry news fiend - I just remember. And I remember loving the unapologetic, boxy presence of the xB.
Here I am, with my hard edges and corners. The sh*ts I have to give about what you think ran out before I even got on a boat. So now I'm here. WTF are you waiting for? Drive me!
Twenty years later, I found myself on the heels of saying I want a first gen xB. Out loud. For like the 3rd time in a single month. That was when it hit me: I can say it all I want, but if I don't go find one and buy it, it'll never happen. So my mission began. In earnest. With urgency!
I was looking for the fastest path to an xB in our driveway. I set a low bar: it had to be driveable, with a manual transmission, and look somewhat presentable. I found many automatics on Craigslist, Ebay, etc., but very few in close-ish proximity that were first generation (2004-2006), in stick.
I finally found mine at a used car dealership. I went on a dark, rainy day to test drive it, which led me to miss a handful of concerning details - notable rust underneath, some curious windshield seal repair, a hole in the exhaust, and other defects. I could have paid a lot less for a better xB if I was patient and willing to pick one up hundreds of miles away. But I wasn't patient, or willing to drive far - remember? Fastest path to an xb in our driveway and all that.
When I discovered some of those misses at home, I had a few moments of buyer's remorse. But in the eight months that have passed, including the muffler falling off, we've loved every minute of driving this thing. The whole family digs "the box"; the kids prefer it to our other cars, and it's just a total blast to drive.
My take-aways? If a car is old enough and cheap enough, getting a great deal might not be so necessary. And most importantly, if it's within your means, driving that dream machine now might be more necessary than you think!