Torn...

[Bitter Jeweler]

Scion XB or Kia Soul SS?

I am torn. I can get a loaded Soul for less than a semi loaded XB.
The Soul has heated seats and sun roof.

The XB gets poorer mileage, supposedly handles better, and is more spacious/cargo. The instrument panel is oddly centered to the right of the driver.

The Soul has a little funkier exterior styling, and very cool (to me) red and black interior trim (favourite color combo, and not boring beige or charcoal). Did I mention the subwoofer? the car is described as zippy, but not powerful. Power doesn't concern me much. The older I get, the safer (less aggressive) I drive Oh, heated side mirrors too!


Hmmmm...

[Ziggy Stardust]

Have you test driven them?

And although posted a million times, I can't resist

[Lor]

Sounds like you've already made a choice: Kia Soul SS. You've mentioned more things about the car than the other!

[Ominous Gamer]

My Saturn Ion has the instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel, took a little bit to get used to but I love it now, and I'm afraid of switching away from it.

Personally I think the soul looks a little too funky, but my sister test drove the 1st generation and complained about how the car felt extremely cheap, and how the seats didn't provide any sense of support.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Just image googled the Scion. Yikes, that is one oogly car.

If I have to judge by the looks, it's gotta be the Kia, although it's not what I'd like to see in a car, at least you won't have to walk up to it with your eyes closed.

[littlelolligagged]

Heated seats are almost as sexy as you are.

[']['ear]

Aw, I read "porn"

Kia has the cool ads with the hamsters!

Me, I'd go by a combination of consumer reports evaluation and the test drive.

[wiggin]

I have a 2006 xB, which is obviously a very different car than the redesign, but I like it a lot. The instrument panel thing is really not a big issue - you get used to it very quickly. Mileage might be more of an issue - mine gets 31-33 mpg, which was near the top for cheap cars when I was shopping, but I'm told the newer design is significantly less efficient. I also really liked their no bargaining policy, and the fact that most basics came standard.

I haven't seen the inside of a Soul so I can't tell you about comfort/room, but one of the other big reasons I got the xB was space - it's more or less a compact/subcompact car with more leg room, head room, and cargo space, but similar footprint and mileage. I'm 6'2" and I couldn't even imagine driving a Fit or a Yaris or whatever because of the discomfort, and transporting basic stuff like furniture or musical instruments is a lot easier in the xB. I don't know how different that is from the Soul, though.

The car is a bit underpowered and doesn't handle great in high winds, but I'm told that's been partially fixed in the newer versions.

[Bitter Jeweler]

Consumer reports will be a factor, as well as the test drive.

I don't think the XB is ugly. The Cube is ugly.

I am throwing the HHR back into the mix, to test drive. I can get heated seats in it.

All three cars have such differences, that there maybe something I really want that one doesn't have, but other things about the car put it above the others, if that makes sense.
I read that the HHR has sloppy handling, and mushy braking. But compaired to what? Maybe I am already used to that in my PT? But heated seats!!!
I read the XB has the better ride and decent handling, has the most interior space, but no heated seats.
The Soul, is super cute to me, and looks like a "fun" car. The interior really stands out. But as OG said it is reported to be kinda cheap. But it IS a cheap car. I could get this car, and not trade in the PT (if Stephen wants it). The other two, I'll want to trade in the PT.

I've looked at the Honda Element, it has 4WD. But I have read it is kinda lacking all around, for the price point.

While it sounds like I am in love with the Soul, it is the smallest of the cars I am looking at, has the best mileage though. But I am getting rid of my pick-up truck, and I just keep thinking of all the stuff I won't be able to haul.

[wiggin]

You really seem to like heated seats.

[Lor]

Heated seats are wonderful, when i took my fathers Merc CLK out for a spin in autumn they came in rather handy.

Bitter, what do you usual take in the pick up then?

[Bitter Jeweler]

Wiggin, we love heated seats. Never had them till the PT. The seats warm faster than the blown heat, So the short ride to work is much comfier.

Lor, you never know what you need a truck for till you don't have one.

My biggest concern will be hauling lumber, and building materials. Well, till we sell the house.
The PT barely has enough room for all my Kite gear, and in the summer I just tend to leave it in there.

Thanks for the feedback. I know, I was just kinda thinking aloud here.

After xmas, I hope to be able to get out and do some test drivin'.
I think I am leaning to the Soul SS.

[GGT]

Hey Bitter, have you ever driven a Subaru? They have a nice cross-over sporty type wagon. Great handling and AWD, fun cars to drive. Not sure about heated seats, though.

[Bitter Jeweler]

I looked at Subarus. They are nothin' special.

[Ominous Gamer]

I looked at Subarus. They are nothin' special.

Maybe not for kite fliers

Have you checked out a Honda Fit? They aren't truckish, but to be honest none of your suggested rides are. The rear seats in a Fit fold flat which makes for some very large and box shaped cargo space. 57 cubic feet, compared to the Souls' 53 (and the seats don't go completely flat).

[']['ear]

What pisses me off is that there are so few good hatchbacks these days.

Hey Bitter, have you ever driven a Subaru? They have a nice cross-over sporty type wagon. Great handling and AWD, fun cars to drive. Not sure about heated seats, though.

Many Subarus are faux environmentalist though: they Outbacks and Forresters got terrible gas mileage because of their heavy suspensions and big engines. They are basically low-riding SUVs.

[Bitter Jeweler]

I decided on the XB.

I got to test drive it to the Kia dealer, which was great to be able to do! I dunno how the Kia sales guy felt about it.

I felt immediately comfortable behind the wheel of the XB. Nice braking, better acceleration than my PT Cruiser. The car felt solid, decent ride, decently quiet. The interior felt like a larger car. The biggest thing I didn't like was side to side knee room. I'll get used to it though.

The Soul was god damned cute and I just loved getting into that red and black interior. I was prepared to fall in love. It had a little more side to side knee room. I quickly realized the tilt steering was pointless because it blocked the most used range of the speedometer. Over the course of the test drive, including on the highway, I just wasn't happy. The braking was lacking, the acceleration was mediocre, and on the highway the car was "rough". That's not the right word though. It had a rough vibration? So much so that you still felt it after you got out of the car, if that makes sense. While I still love the interior, even the materials used felt better, cute wasn't going to win on this one. Oh but it had heated seats!

Driving the XB back cinched it though. Again, getting in and driving back, it already felt like it was mine.
I was sad to lose the red and black inside, and the heated seats. My Puerto Rican sales guy was awesome. I mention his ethnicity, because he joked about it, and tricking out cars. He talked me out of the sun roof, and we spent that money on heated, leather, custom red and black seats, and I think I peed a little when he showed me some red and black rims! The guy was good.

The only thing I need to work out now is some fire. I have ALWAYS wanted a black car with fire on it. But it has to be just the right fire for me.

I'll get my car tomorrow, but I'll have to take it back when the custom stuff is ready for install. Which is cool.


Yay!

Thanks everyone and I think Minous in particular for pointing me at other cars. I did a lot of looking and thinking.

[littlelolligagged]

My very own flaming fag!

That's just so cute.

*giggle*

[Ominous Gamer]

heh. my first car had flames down the sides, but the base paint was yellow.

3M vinyls are getting very popular for car graphics. Very thin, yet very long lasting, and last time I checked they go about 3 years without damaging the paint. There are companies out there that specialize in them, going as far as advertising entire car wraps as better than repainting. Finding something for a Scion shouldn't be to hard for you.

[Bitter Jeweler]

They are looking into the fire I liked. The car will get tricked out next week with the other stuff.
But for now....Wheeeee!

[littlelolligagged]

Sexy!

[']['ear]

Glad you were able to test drive. No amount of abstract knowledge can replace the test drive; one has to be happy with the feel of the car.

[Catgrrl]

You need a pic of you in it; it's hard for me to imagine you driving it.

Congratulations on the purchase!

[Bitter Jeweler]

Cat, it goes in Monday for rims, rear spoiler, and leather seats. I should have it back Thursday. But with all the snow/salt it may be a bit for a " proper " picture.


I think I understand mid life crisis stuff now. It's being able to afford what you couldn't when you were young.

This is what I want!

[littlelolligagged]

That's more flame than I thought you wanted, honey.

But whatever makes you happy!

[Bitter Jeweler]

It is more, but I can't find what was pictured in the showroom, and on one other website, which is actually the same photo. But I love that one up there too! It's better than anything else I have found.

[Catgrrl]

Man I really want to see a picture soon!

[Ominous Gamer]

that wrap looks sweet!

[Bitter Jeweler]

I knew you would approve.

I am waiting for a quote. I hope I can do it.