Missouri Scion Car Dealers

I appreciate that this is not personal; it’s car buying, it never should be! I’m not going to dispute that the Scion is a good value at MSRP. It certainly is. For my needs though the incentives that are available right now and in this buying environment (one of the best ever for buyers), the Scion starts to lose some of that value. Let me give you some numbers comparing the Matrix and xB. (I used the Matrix base, because I wanted the better gas mileage of the 1.8; both are 5sp for my comparison.) This is what I’m looking for in a car, your mileage will vary: Price at dealer Matrix (base) (prices assume 4.8% over invoice, the same markup as the xB) With stability control & cruise: $17,260.56 add power package $18,090 add upgraded stereo to that $18,279.22 (included is all weather package, which is a required option on Matrix, which adds $269 to invoice) Scion (base): $16,420 At straight MSRP, it’s clear the xB is a better value, but here’s where things get interesting. Now factor in the incentives that Toyota is offering right now: $750 rebate or .9%/1.9% financing (36/48 mos.) (For my example, I used the financing, as it offered the best deal.) Total cost of the car only, including the financing (does not include sales tax, plates, tags or dealers fees; I’m looking at a straight apples to apples comparison) Matrix with stability control, cruise: $17,501.10 (36 mos. @.9%) $17,938.42 (48 mos. @ 1.9%) With power package added: $18,342.68 (36 mos. @ .9%) $18,801.04 (48 mos. @ 1.9%) With upgraded stereo added: $18,533.95 (36 mos. @ .9%) $18,997.09 (48 mos. @ 1.9%) Scion $17,849.40 (36 mos. @ 5.5%) $18,329.82 (48 mos. @ 5.5%) (I got my financing at AAA for 5.5%) For me, the base Matrix is a good deal, even in comparison to the xB. You can get one with stability control and cruise for cheaper than the xB. You also get better gas mileage (saving $114.72/year at 12,000 miles a year, $1.719 a gallon). What I lose with the Matrix is power windows/locks, no Ipod connector (but you have the aux. connector), no steering wheel audio control and no trip computer. I could certainly live without those conveniences. The Pontiac Vibe is also a contender. The red tag prices for a car with air conditioning are close to the xB ($16,681), but you don’t get cruise control. The Vibe does offer the better fuel economy (with the 1.8), satellite radio ($449 extra on the xB), 1 year of Onstar and a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. In normal times the Scion would offer your best deal. With the incentives being offered, it may not be such a clear cut choice, depending on your needs. I would agree though that for most people, that want the power accessories and the bigger engine, the xB, makes more sense.

I moved these posts to a new discussion, since we're focused on pricing in this one. Scion xB: Condenser Problems

Well, at worst that member is a year from finding out, but probably has a pretty good idea right about now, since you responded to a post made in 2004 ;) Let's try to focus on xB pricing in this particular discussion. kirstie_h Roving Host Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

A large newspaper reporter aims to interview someone who is on the waiting list for a Scion. Please respond to ctalati@edmunds.com before Sunday, March 4, 2006 with your daytime/weekend contact info and the model you’re on the waiting list for.

A comment about the door mouldings and ding issue. I drive a 2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 and before that was my first Kia, a 1999 Kia Sephia. Neither rig had door moulding, so I went to my dealer and they had some for the Sephia in Violet Mist color that matched perfectly. I put in on myself and it went well putting it on. With my Sportage 4x4 I went online and ordered some off the net. It was black in color, about 3/4" wide and I put it on the small SUV. It goes well because the door handles are black on my Pepper Red Sportage. Here's where I'm leading with this: on a car like a tC you would probably not want to bother the side with door moulding. You will have the same door swinging issues with inconsiderate people and shopping cart issues, etc. So it's up to you but everyone is sort of of the opinion that door moulding doesn't work on a coupe like the Scion tC, because it looks so hokey. Do keep us informed what you decide on this, though, OK? I sure do like that Azure Pearl. I saw a tC at a dealership in Jefferson City, MO, that was that color and it looked fantastic on this little coupe. Now I'm thinking tC again, along with xA RS 2.0 and new world order Kia Sportage for the future. The tC just looks so awesome! :D