Shut up Scion, the XB is F- Ugly!

[H3Knuckles]

I don't care what people say, this thing is the biggest case of "Emperor's New Clothes" I've ever seen. Have you seen these things? I'm talking about that real boxy-looking (Station Wagon? SUV? what would you classify this thing as?) by the company whose whole pitch is how "customizable" their cars are. It's supposed to be the new Rob Zombie/Linkin Park/Hip-Hop ride for the future.

Yeah right, it looks more like they retrofitted something from an eastern European country's Communist era.

Here's What I'm talking about (http://www.scion.com/showroom/xb/gallery/) . Check out the Photos, especially from the rear.

It amazes me how many college kids are being duped into buying these shitfests by all the hype in the TV ads. Honestly, the other Scion cars aren't bad, but I nearly crack up laughing every time I see one of these trendies actually driving in their Bold Yellow or Olive Green Soviet rejects.

Am I alone in thinking it's almost farcical that people actually want these monstrosities?

[RickJay]

That thing is so ugly it hurts my feelings.

[fushj00mang]

Its a LEGO car! :)

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2005/March/05.html

[Harmonix]

The car is so FUGLY that I actually kind of like it. Sorry.

You can nuke my commie ass at will.

[Stuffy]

Like the Scion xb, but I'm a bit a bit of a square.

[UnwrittenNocturne]

I like it. There are so many carbon-copy cookie-cutter cars out there this thing looks like a breath of fresh air.

Is this really worth a pitting?

[fushj00mang]

I like it. There are so many carbon-copy cookie-cutter cars out there this thing looks like a breath of fresh air.

Is this really worth a pitting?

But would you really want to breathe it? The xB is what I emagine a depression era Volkswagon engineer would do to save on manufacturing costs. Now the xA and tC aren't too shabby.

[fushj00mang]

? The xB is what I emagine a depression era Volkswagon engineer would do to save on manufacturing costs.

Perhaps it's also what I'd imagine they'd do as well.

[Ferret Herder]

I like it. There are so many carbon-copy cookie-cutter cars out there this thing looks like a breath of fresh air.
Looks like a copy of the Honda Element (http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Element&bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True) to me - just add 2 doors in back and change the side window configuration, and presto, an "omg kewl customizable" SUV-thing.

[Mr. Miskatonic]

How to destroy Scion's marketing campaign to college students:

1: "Hey kids, nice mini-van!"

Lesson ends.

[Biggirl]

I agree. It's the ugliest car ever! (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326367)

[E-Sabbath]

It's a mid 80s Chevy Astro. Except smaller.

[Pushkin]

F-ugly? Plain old ugly? Um.... no, not really.

From the Ugliest Car thread;

All of the above are ugly, but the Scion, Element, and Hummer are just kind of a boxy, unfinished, we-can't-be-bothered-to-take-the-time-to-design-this ugly.

The Aztek, to me, takes the cake because it's a carefully crafted ugliness.

I have four categories of car, ugly, inoffensive, nice and beautiful. Beautiful being something from a design house like Bertone, something made by Ferrari and Lamborghini, in fact a Lamborghini Muira being a perfect example.

Nice looking cars are small hatchbacks or family cars, neat design, look good on your driveway, not bad at all. Sort of like the new Focus, the original Golf etc

Now, inoffensive cars are those that, as quoted, look like they were given a shell to get them on the market and keep the rain off. This Scion, many Japanese hatchbacks from the 80s and the like. You walk past these cars without them without noticing them at all.

Ugly, properly ugly cars are those that were deliberately designed to look a certain way, usually with the promise that these are actually great looking cars, we're just not educated enough to know it. Cars like the Austin Allegro (http://www.bltin.com/pix/austin_allegro_06.jpg) or the Nissan Primera (http://www.grafickytuning.cz/img/souteze/primera_zari04.jpg). In fact, the Primera is an example of a car that went from being merely inoffensive (http://www.kauhajoenauto.fi/vaihto/KGM-201.JPG) , to quite ugly in one step :)

[elmwood]

Dude! It's X-TREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMM!!!!!!11!!!1

[QuickSilver]

It amazes me how many college kids are being duped into buying these shitfests by all the hype in the TV ads. Honestly, the other Scion cars aren't bad, but I nearly crack up laughing every time I see one of these trendies actually driving in their Bold Yellow or Olive Green Soviet rejects.

Am I alone in thinking it's almost farcical that people actually want these monstrosities?

What's worse, I hear Scion dealers are kidnapping college students from competition's car lots where they are shopping for much prettier cars and holding a gun to their head until they join the Scion xB cult.

:rolleyes:

[Wile E]

It's sort of like a bulldog puppy, ugly but cute. I kind of like it, especially after talking with someone who owns one and sitting in the car. It's actually quite roomy and comfortable. The Scion owner I spoke to said that he liked the fact that it didn't look like every other car on the road. It's also more affordable than a lot of other cars and it gets really good gas mileage. I was actually considering getting an xA if I am able to afford a new car but after talking with the xB owner I might consider one of them.

If someone wants to drive one, how does that cause you harm? If you just don't like looking at ugly cars, there are far worse looking things out there. I'd rather not look at some of the banged up, poorly painted rustbuckets I see roaming the streets but as long as they don't crash into me it does me no harm. I agree that this really doesn't seem pit worthy.

[Fear Itself]

I like it. There are so many carbon-copy cookie-cutter cars out there this thing looks like a breath of fresh air.Yeah, if fresh air was designed by the Politburo and manufactured in Stalingrad. It's The People's SUV!Is this really worth a pitting?If H3Knuckles hadn't done it, I was going to.

[Hampshire]

I think the demographic for that vehicle was Cling & Clang from H.R.Pufnstuf.

[fluiddruid]

I bought an Element just last month. Most people I know (especially women) seem to like it and think that it's cute. There are some very adamant individuals who hate it and think it's ugly as sin. I love the way it looks, myself. I don't really like the look of, say, a Corvette. Different strokes for different folks.

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

The xB looks like Voltron's feet.

[Homebrew]

Pushkin and Biggirl's son (it's Zoltarb innit?) are right. The Aztec is so ugly it makes the VW Thing look good by comparison.

[astro]

I don't care what people say, this thing is the biggest case of "Emperor's New Clothes" I've ever seen. Have you seen these things? I'm talking about that real boxy-looking (Station Wagon? SUV? what would you classify this thing as?) by the company whose whole pitch is how "customizable" their cars are. It's supposed to be the new Rob Zombie/Linkin Park/Hip-Hop ride for the future.

Yeah right, it looks more like they retrofitted something from an eastern European country's Communist era.


Out of curiosity, what do you personally consider to be some truly attractive cars under $ 15,000?

[Gangster Octopus]

This is pretty much what I was going to write. It is roomy, looks ok in my book and others as well, gets good gas mileage. But it is nice that the OP can be so judgemental of folks who buy them.

[Airman Doors, USAF]

If you hate that you'll hate the Nissan Cube (http://www.cardesignnews.com/news/2002/021012tokyo-nissan/). Note the rear window glass that wraps around... on only one side.

Frankly, I think these vehicles are all good looking and pretty unique compared to other models out there right now, but to each his/her own.

[Bippy the Beardless]

It is extremely ugly, but at least it is also extremely practical. Lots of internal space for a fairly small footprint. At least it isn't an SUV sized vehicle.

[Jurhael]

The Scion owner I spoke to said that he liked the fact that it didn't look like every other car on the road.

That'll change quickly as more and more people buy them. Inexpensive? Good gas milage? Roomy? You can bet people will be stampeding to get them.

Personally, I can't stand the look. Much like I can't stand certain cars in Europe. However, both sorts of automobiles said to be practical and for many people, substance is more important than style.

I drive a teal green Toytoa Tercel. Some people considered it beautiful, but I think they were talking about the color. I don't see very many cars like mine either, but I certainly wouldn't get a car for that reason alone.


There's many other ways to be "unique". Heh.

[Mr. Goob]

A guy I work with has a purple one with flames on it. One of the other guys said when he first saw it that it looks like a toaster.

We threatened to cut out some big foam rubber panels, paint them a nice toasty goldish brown and glue them to the roof!

[Fear Itself]

If you hate that you'll hate the Nissan Cube (http://www.cardesignnews.com/news/2002/021012tokyo-nissan/). Note the rear window glass that wraps around... on only one side.Yikes! That window looks oddly unsettling, like Leela's eye, from Futuramic.

[Mint Julep]

I think the toaster mobile is ugly too.

[Fear Itself]

Futura-ma !

[missbunny]

I bought an Element just last month. Most people I know (especially women) seem to like it and think that it's cute. There are some very adamant individuals who hate it and think it's ugly as sin. I love the way it looks, myself. I don't really like the look of, say, a Corvette. Different strokes for different folks.

I think the Element is WAY cuter than that hideous Scion box. The Element has a slightly more rounded edges and somehow that makes it much better-looking.

There is another model of Scion, however, that is extremely cute. It's a little hatchback thing - looks nothing like the Giant Washing Machine model.

[missbunny]

The cute Scion is the xA. The pictures don't do it justice - it's much cuter in person.

[Beware of Doug]

I kinda like 'em. There'd be room for all my saxophones in the back (even the bass, which is as tall as a 9-year-old boy and almost as unmanageable).

I'd have it painted à la Mondrian (http://www.petersen.org/images/Exhibitimages/Mondrian%20Car_2.jpg). Sure it's boxy. Why fight it?

[furt]

You haters just need to see one that's properly tricked out. I saw one the other day with a spoiler, ground-effect lights and wicked tight rims.

The stereo was kickin' out some beat rhymes with da mega bass, and Chad and Brett was stylin' off to class at the community college.

[Bippy the Beardless]

You haters just need to see one that's properly tricked out. I saw one the other day with a spoiler, ground-effect lights and wicked tight rims.

The stereo was kickin' out some beat rhymes with da mega bass, and Chad and Brett was stylin' off to class at the community college.
I've seen one well tricked out, it is the saddest thing ever. I like tricked out cars, but this is like tricking out a 70's volvo estate a complete waste of time.

[Jpeg Jones]

Am I the only official Scion xB owner in this thread?

Just get right off it, mmkay? It gets damn good mileage, has lots of room, virtually no maintenance, and it's totally reliable and cheap.

I'm not a fanboi!!!1!! either. I'm 31 years old, married, kid, mortgage, etc.

STFU.

[Fear Itself]

It gets damn good mileage, has lots of room, virtually no maintenance, and it's totally reliable and cheap.And it's a girl's car. Ouch!

[World Eater]

The xB looks like Voltron's feet.

Oh man, I needed that laugh, thanks.

/wiping away tears

[MacTech]

You haters just need to see one that's properly tricked out. I saw one the other day with a spoiler, ground-effect lights and wicked tight rims.

The stereo was kickin' out some beat rhymes with da mega bass, and Chad and Brett was stylin' off to class at the community college.
Great, another poor, defenseless car line falling victim to the "Riceboy Disease" :rolleyes:

let me guess, Chad and Brett's mommy and daddy bought them that vehicle and let them abuse it with a load of useless cosmetic crap, no wait, apparently that was Toyota that allowed them to do it...

gaah, if there's one thing worse than Ricing out a car, it's "Factory Rice", how much more HP/TQ does that ground-effects lighting/spoiler/rims/etc give you, anyway

wait, come back, you forgot to put on your "Type R" sticker, fart tip exhaust and 200 metric tons of stickers for products your vehicle *does not have*

but at least it "looks unique", just like every other ricer out there....

*note, in this context "Rice" does not refer to the vehicle's country of origin, ethnicity of the driver, or the current National Security advisor, it refers to the *STUPID* and *ANNOYING* practice of putting a bunch of useless cosmetic affectations on the vehicle to make it *look fast*, but not doing anything to *actually* make it fast....

you know, "all show, no go...."

give me a good, decent sleeper, any day

[OrangeJumpsuit]

Dude! It's X-TREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMM!!!!!!11!!!1That car is TEH PWN!!!111!!11one11!!

Seriously, Scion, Honda Element, Aztec. Ugliest cars I've ever seen.

[Beware of Doug]

And it's a girl's car. Ouch!(Doug emits a high-pitched piercing scream and runs out of the room, wildly flailing his arms.)

[Bippy the Beardless]

That car is TEH PWN!!!111!!11one11!!

Seriously, Scion, Honda Element, Aztec. Ugliest cars I've ever seen.
Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)

[OrangeJumpsuit]

Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)Holy BALLS, Batman, what is that thing?! :eek:

[Bippy the Beardless]

Holy BALLS, Batman, what is that thing?! :eek:
I think it was designed so that it looks better after the front impact crash tests are carried out. See what I mean (http://www.euroncap.com/images/mediadownloads/phase%209a/FIAT%20Multipla.JPG)

[faithfool]

I'm in the so-ugly-it's-cute camp. Of course, I wouldn't be able to afford one unless it was several years old and gone through multiple owners.

That said, why do I like it? Well, it's because it would be similar to having your own mini hearse, ala' Harold and Maude (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067185/). I gots to love that!

[OrangeJumpsuit]

I think it was designed so that it looks better after the front impact crash tests are carried out. See what I mean (http://www.euroncap.com/images/mediadownloads/phase%209a/FIAT%20Multipla.JPG)HA HA! I actually laughed out loud when I saw this. It really does look better post-crash.

[elfkin477]

When my brother and cousin were little boys they had this thing called Vacuform, and it let you melt plastic (probably the products guts were cousins to the easy-bake oven) and form cars! That were as hideous looking as the Scion. And the Element. And the Aztec. They consider these "Girls' cars"? I find that surprising since I've yet to meet a gal who didn't find all three butt ugly.

[Homebrew]

Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a NEW Champion!

[Bippy the Beardless]

When my brother and cousin were little boys they had this thing called Vacuform, and it let you melt plastic (probably the products guts were cousins to the easy-bake oven) and form cars! That were as hideous looking as the Scion. And the Element. And the Aztec. They consider these "Girls' cars"? I find that surprising since I've yet to meet a gal who didn't find all three butt ugly.
They deffinately seem to attract female drivers. I think it is like going out with your ugly best friend, just being near makes you look sexier.

[Scissorjack]

Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)

It looks like a fat girl in a tube top.

[Ichini Sanshigo]

Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)


My eyes!

Seriously, when the PT Cruiser first came out, I thought it was ugly as hell. Eventually, I came to like it. I think the same thing is happenening with the Scion line. I used to make fun of the commercials ("Ooh, hear the techno music? That means this car is cool! You want this car! Chicks will totally dig it, dawg!"). Continued exposure combined with pity for its unmitigated ugliness has me thinking that I wouldn't mind owning one. Scary. :(

[furt]

Just get right off it, mmkay? It gets damn good mileage, has lots of room, virtually no maintenance, and it's totally reliable and cheap.Nobody doubts that. It just looks lame.

Sorry.

[OrangeJumpsuit]

My eyes!

Seriously, when the PT Cruiser first came out, I thought it was ugly as hell. Eventually, I came to like it. I think the same thing is happenening with the Scion line. I used to make fun of the commercials ("Ooh, hear the techno music? That means this car is cool! You want this car! Chicks will totally dig it, dawg!"). Continued exposure combined with pity for its unmitigated ugliness has me thinking that I wouldn't mind owning one. Scary. :(The PT Cruiser, aka, the Baby Hearse.

[Biggirl]

Someone else has never seen the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg)

That looks like a car sandwich. You could put wheels on the roof and drive it upside down.

[zweisamkeit]

I like the Scion xB, but only from the sides and back. It looks like a big boxy safe, and for some reason I like it.

The front, however, I don't like much at all. It tries to look too tough and modern, which doesn't quite jibe with the rest of it.

[UnwrittenNocturne]

Worse cars: Ford Taurus, any year
Almost anything built from around 1982-1992 (esp by Chevrolet)

[Rick]

wait, come back, you forgot to put on your "Type R" sticker, fart tip exhaust and 200 metric tons of stickers for products your vehicle *does not have*

but at least it "looks unique", just like every other ricer out there....

*note, in this context "Rice" does not refer to the vehicle's country of origin, ethnicity of the driver, or the current National Security advisor, it refers to the *STUPID* and *ANNOYING* practice of putting a bunch of useless cosmetic affectations on the vehicle to make it *look fast*, but not doing anything to *actually* make it fast....

you know, "all show, no go...."

give me a good, decent sleeper, any day

But dude that K&N sticker give me an additional 15 show-power. Combined with the type R sticker I have over 300 show-power.


To bad I still only have 98 horepower

[E-Sabbath]

Nocturne, the 1986 Taurus saved Ford. It was, literally, the world's best car, at that moment. The second generation has the face of a devil, but the original model was groundbreaking, in style and form.

And a SHO will eat a lot of cars alive.

[Priam]

I should just like to point out, as a Scion xA owner, that I officially disown my baby's deformed sister.

The Scion xA: all the economy with a little less of the suck.

:d&r:

[Bippy the Beardless]

I should just like to point out, as a Scion xA owner, that I officially disown my baby's deformed sister.

The Scion xA: all the economy with a little less of the suck.

:d&r:
The new Scion tC looks quite good as well http://www.powersys.com/auto_show2004/Scion%20tC%20Pic%202-pt.jpg they know how to design for looks as well as practicality.

[E-Sabbath]

Never get a tC in white. Looks like a uncarved bar of soap. And it's a much lesser car than the Celica it replaced.
C'est la vie.
I do like the xA. It's like a little baby version of my car.

[Oy!]

Well, I love my bright yellow Scion xB, and as a staid middle-aged (49) female, I don't think it was because of its appeal to the teen types (if it has any). It is the most practical car I've ever owned - lots of room (I have two Great Danes and an Eskimo mix), low sticker price, good gas mileage, outstanding reliability, and I like the fact that it's funny looking; I've had it almost six months and I still get a giggle out of it every time I see it. Plus, between the shape and the color, I never have trouble finding my car in a parking lot!

If you don't like it, don't buy it. I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

[Dragonblink]

Worse cars: Ford Taurus, any year
Almost anything built from around 1982-1992 (esp by Chevrolet)

My 1989 Honda Accord (The Ivory Destrier, Slayer of Tires and Master of Chaotic Alignment) wants me to tell you that people your age smell funny and can't dress themselves.

(It agrees, however, about my parents' 1989 Taurus.)

[Ethilrist]

Whenever I see an Element, I think, "ah, yes: Fuglium."

[E-Sabbath]

http://www.bigdude.freehosting.net/TIM010.jpg

Early xB

[DiosaBellissima]

Aztek (it has a "k," right?) has an ugly ass. It looks terrible. My mom wanted one because apparently it somehow turns into a tent? Or has a tent? I don't know. I calmly explained to her that we don't camp. Hell, we never, ever, ever camped.

Element would look ok if it didn't have that stupid, plastic bumper (http://world.honda.com/news/2002/image/4021105_1d.jpg). Even if it was plastic, but looked like metal, we'd be fine. My dad stayed behind at the Honda dealership while I was test driving an Accord. I come back and he comes out yelling, "Diosa, you need to see this car. :: drags me in the show room :: Look! YOU CAN HOSE OUT THE INTERIOR!!!!" Me: "Uh. Dad, why do I need to hose out the interior of my car? I can't really think of any times I've wished I could hose out the interior of my car." Can you can tell I have real practical parents? :smack:

But the Scion. Oh, she is ugly. Not PT Cruiser ugly, but ugly (interestingly enough, my friends and I decided that the only thing that would make the Cruiser cool was if it had a button that turned it into a submarine. That probably isn't happening any time, though.)

I'm most annoyed by the dumb colors they are coming out with (and yes, I know it is up to the individual what they like, but...). Yellow, that ugly burnt orange that Honda and Acura love, that puke green that Aztek comes in. Sheesh. They are all offensive to my eyes!

[Madd Maxx]

The new Scion tC looks quite good as well http://www.powersys.com/auto_show2004/Scion%20tC%20Pic%202-pt.jpg they know how to design for looks as well as practicality.
And I'll have mine (in black) in 2-3 weeks. Sweeet!

[flight]

From the Scion XB site:
It's what thinking outside the box looks like.
Does anyone else find this rolling on the ground funny?

Oh, and I saw my first Scion about 2 months ago and had no idea what it was. All the Scion markings were off of it. As the driver had a handicapped license plate I assumed it was a special hadicapped vehicle... because there was not way anyone who didn't absolutley need it would buy one, right?

Apparently the driver agreed as it was pumpkin orange and the license plate, I kid you not, was FUGLY.

[H3Knuckles]

Just some quick responses;

UnwrittenNocturne It's worth a pitting because I anticipated cursing a lot more than I actually did, otherwise I would have put it in IMHO. In any case I just wanted to bitch about it because I find the whole xB situation funny. As for your "originality" comment, as you can see from others in this thread, it ain't original, there's a number of other attempts at a boxy-yet-modern car (honestly, if you want to make a boxy car, I really think it would be better to go whole-hog with the wonky look, kinda like zweisamkeit said, it makes it worse looking when the front end almost looks like a normal car).
Frankly, it kinda sounds like you've been bitten by the Indie Music bug. Repeat after me; "Being popular doesn't make things suck." ;) The reason most cars look so much alike is because they all want to look good, and copying others is an easy way to make such a car without having to put the kind of emphasis into visual design that companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini do.

Biggirl Ooops, I'm pretty sure I did a search before creating this thread, but I probably only searched for it in the Pit! :smack: Sorry to steal some of your thunder.

Quicksilver I dunno if you're criticizing me or not, but I'm just joking around that it's weird to see these kids buy this ugly-ass car, because it "looks cool." I'm not angry about it or saying it should be taken off the road, just laughing because it's so incongruous to the entire Scion marketing scheme and design style. Though I do find the advertisements kind of annoying...

Wile E Please refer to my response for Quicksilver

astro Honestly, it seems pretty easy nowadays to buy good-condition used models of nice cars, if you need to budget carefully. I haven't had to buy a car yet though (I've inherited cars from dead relatives twice now); currently I'm driving a '98 Subaru station wagon that I've really enjoyed.

Airman Doors, USAF Shit, that's pretty bad too, but I think Bippy the Beardless has you beat though. Yikes, that thing should definitely win Biggirl's thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326367)! For some reason, every time I look at the Fiat Multipla (http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/especiales/2002/03/ginebra2002/imagenes/novedades/fiat_multipla_g.jpg) , I keep thinking of Homer's car in that Simpsons episode where his long-lost half-brother is the millionaire CEO of an automobile manufacturer.

Ichini Sanshigo While I do think that the PT Cruiser is dumb looking, on account of how much it looks like a playmobile toy or something from a children's cartoon, I honestly have to admit; it isn't very ugly, really. These boxcars on the other hand...

To people who want to respond like Gangster Octopus and Jpeg Jones; hey, don't take it personally or anything. I'm not casting aspersions on the drivers, but sometimes people like to use biting language to help drive home a point. I just feel that the car is ugly, and it's ridiculous that they are marketing a practical, economical car as a "phat ride" that you can "trick out" however you like. I appreciate the whole customization thing (though I wish they didn't have to play it off as an "X-Treme Feature" in the marketing), and I actually like Scion's other cars, I just wanted to joke around about Scion's lame-ass attempt at making a hip minivan.

flight That quote positivley made my day! Oh man, that has to be an intentional joke, it's too ironic to be meant seriously. :D