I Love My Amana 5000

For the last couple of years, I have greatly enjoyed owning a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. It provided reliable transportation, with no mechanical breakdowns of any kind, and was kind to my wallet with outstanding gas mileage. It was with great sadness that I traded in my little red machine, for something that looks like an Amana refrigerator. This was an almost emotional experience, until I left the parking lot with my Black Sand Pearl Scion XB.

Scion is Toyota's approach, to obtaining the business of the younger generation. Although I'm balding, grey, and fat, I like to think of myself as a "mature teenager." The salesman who handled my purchase, told me "I could easily pimp it out." I'm past that point, as there's not much pimping to do with a wife and kids, but this car is a joy to drive around town. Every where I've gone in the last couple of weeks, I'm asked questions about this vehicle. There's just something about it, and the overwhelming response has been positive. I now see them everywhere, and this model accounts for over 40% of Scion's car sales. Their other models are the small hatchback XA and the TC coupe.

Its short in length, but appearances are deceiving with the XB. The room is unbelievable, in the front and rear seats. There are spaces for five individuals, and it would be possible to keep this arrangement for fairly long trips. The front seats have incredible legroom and space for my 6"2 215 lb frame, and the bucket seats are easy to adjust. There is plenty of "leaning room" available, and not difficult to find the perfect arrangement for your feet, to be perfectly aligned with the pedals. I still cannot get over how much room there is in the back seats, as this is the perfect arrangement for a family. Its a bench seat, so there's no adjustment other than them being able to be folded down, but it has plenty of cushioning. You can easily move around back here, and getting in and out of all seats is a breeze. If you have leg problems, this would be an outstanding vehicle to purchase.

The instrument panel is a bit strange as well, as the gauge is one big circle on the dashboard. It displays MPH, RPM's, and Fuel Level. It looks cool lit up at night, and the stereo has a easy on the eyes orange illumination. At first it took some adjustment to stop looking by the steering wheel for this information, but I like it now, as you don't have to take your eyes off the road. The turning signals are displayed near this gauge, in the top center of the dash, and that is where the "dummy lights" are located as well. Visibility is above average, as its almost like driving a VW Bus. The front window is huge, and there's just a slight bump for the hood engine compartment.

This is a car that is not going to win races, with its 1.5 liter engine that generates around 103 horsepower. However, this is what allows you to get 30 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the automatic transmission edition. It struggles a bit up hills, and in quick passing situations, but I've found it to be adequate around town and on the highway. The engine has a distinctive hum, that gives this car a lot of personality, and its a bit louder than one might expect from an engine of this small size. It handles all speeds properly, and its fastest between 35-60 mph. I've had my XB up to 75 mph, and it didn't seem to be hurting.

I love how this little van handles. Its a joy to take sharp turns in it, and I now look forward to taking U-Turns. The turning radius is above average, and this is a great car for city driving. If you want to parallel park in it, it takes minimal effort with the steering wheel, and visibility again will not be a problem. On the highway it handles nicely, but if its a bit windy, expect it to bounce a little bit due to these conditions. All around it has been outstanding, and all of my family members enjoy how it holds up. Braking is fantastic, as the ABS does its job.

The interior of the car, is a bit quirky as well. Its not going to win any awards for luxury, but at its price tag, that is to be expected. It is utilitarian, and looks a bit like a toy car. There is an auxillary connection, where you can hook up your IPOD to the stereo system, which is a neat option. I love the stereo, as it delivers 160 watts of power, and it can play CD's and MP3's. The Scion Sound Processing option delivers extra bass, and it allows for you to passionately enjoy music while driving. In addition to the capabilities of the stereo, this car has steering wheel controls for it. You can switch radio stations, or songs with the push of a button. Again, not letting your eyes leave the road, which might be why I saved money on my insurance bill with this car!

I truly love this car, and it has earned top reliability scores from a lot of major publications. It has a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and is covered for 5 years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. With the purchase of a new Scion, consumers are entitled to three complimentary oil changes. There are occasional maintenance specials offered as well, which makes it an even greater value. So far I have over 500 miles on my new ride, and I will continue to update at certain mileage intervals. I fully recommend it, and look forward to my next time behind the wheel.

Here is what the XB I purchased came with, and its total price tag was $15,370.:

1.5 Liter 4 cylinder 16 valve engine
4 speed automatic
Rack and pinion steering(Power assisted)
Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
MacPherson Strut Front and Rear Suspension
185/60/15 tires Goodyears
4 Wheel ABS/Traction Control
Dr/Fr Pass Dual Airbags
3 Point Dr and Passenger Seat Belts with Force Limiters
Side Impact Door Beams
First Aid Kit
Full Wheel Covers/Chrome Exhaust Tip
Halogen Headlights
Color Keyed Bumpers and Door Handles
Dual Color Keyed Power Mirrors
Front/Rear Window Wiper/Glass Antenna
Sport Fabric Seats
Pioneer AM/FM CD w/ 6 speakers sound system
A/C
Power Door Locks and Windows
Remote Keyless Entry
Rear Window Defogger
Auxillary Audio Input Jack
Cargo Area Under Floor Storage
Tilt Steering Wheel w/ Audio Controls
Cupholders/ Two front and one rear
**and most importantly a full tank of gas!

This is an outstanding deal for a bit over $15k, and I'm more than pleased. If you have a family, this is a great vehicle!