G_Body_Man's Murder Mysteries: The Death Of Scion

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/04/2016 at 16:14 • Filed to: Murder Mysteries, Scion, Toyota, xB, XB, Prius

While everyone is hating on the new Prius, I have two statements to make about it. The first one is that I actually like it. The second one makes more sense.

Think fast: What does the new Prius and the first xB have in common? Well, in their time they were radically styled and didn’t look like anything else on the road. Many people called both the new Prius and the original xB ugly when they launched. Now, what if I told you that the new Prius was a big reason as to why Toyota killed Scion?

You see, Scion’s whole idea came from the time when Toyota was safe and boring. It was designed as a platform to experiment on, without potentially harming the Toyota brand. However, things didn’t go as according to plan.

In 2007, for the 2008 model year, the headlines all proclaimed Beige Bites Back and Bloats the Box. Indeed, old-fashioned inflating and finessing without radical change happened to Scion’s most memorable car. Not a lot happened through the Great Recession, but afterwards, Toyota re-badged an extremely niche-market car as a Scion, and made the tC bigger, heavier, and less exciting. Then, in 2014, something changed. Toyotas started to become less boring.

Take the current Corolla S for example. It doesn’t look boring anymore, with its machined-face wheels, angular headlights, and aggressive gloss-black lower grille, it looks a lot more interesting than the old one. And to top it off, Toyota started to add more features into their cars again. LED low-beam headlights come standard, as do 8 airbags, bluetooth, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. For under $25k, you can get a fully loaded S model with sport seats, navigation, automatic climate control, a moonroof, leatherette, and 8 way power seat, and push-button start with smart key, among other features. And this all came wrapped in the Toyota name that parents trusted. Even though it is mostly similar to the old one underneath, you could never tell by just looking at it. Then, the Yaris gained the giant X grille, the Camry SE and XSE looked a lot less boring, and now even the Prius no longer looks boring. Suddenly, Scion was no longer needed. In fact, that showed with their two latest models. The iM is a corolla hatchback, and the iA is a Mazda 2 Sedan, and sold in Canada as a Yaris sedan. The writing has been on the wall for a while, but Toyota is finally getting its mojo back. So what killed Scion? Well, as Michael Ballaban pointed out, sheer neglect was a big part of it. But at the same time, part of it had to do with Toyota realizing that it couldn’t rest on its laurels. In the end, Scion became a sacrifice made so that Toyota could thrive another day. It represented what was wrong in Toyotas in recent history, and it needed to be killed for Toyota to really live. So don’t mourn the death of Scion. The writing was on the walls long ago. Instead, celebrate not only some of the cars Scion put out, but also for the fact that without Scion, we’d probably still have nondescript Corollas and Camrys everywhere. And after all, a world with fewer boring-looking cars is a better place.

DISCUSSION (15)

Bytemite > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/04/2016 at 16:25

It’s still the same Corolla with a slight facelift. I think Toyota might actually be the only manufacturer to still get away with selling those 4-speed auto shitboxes.

Everyone else has given their Corolla competitors 6-8 speed DCTs, and 6 speed manuals. Who else in hell is using 4-speed torque converters in 2016 other than Toyota? Before they fix that, it’s still the same old boring to drive car with a slightly less boring face.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 16:30

4AT is only on the base model. You can also have a 6MT or a CVT.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 16:30

Toyota is riding the HELL out of their reputation. Sooner or later it bites back. Ask GM how they know.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 16:31

FCA in the Journey.

Bytemite > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/04/2016 at 16:31

Oh yeah a 6MT Corolla, when you see that in person, take a picture. It’s collectible.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 16:36

My local dealer has at least two in stock right now, and apparently, they don’t sell too badly either.

Bytemite > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/04/2016 at 16:42

I think Toyota can easily liven up their lineup. I love Toyotas for what they were before beigedom and haven’t lost faith.

1. Stop fucking selling 4speed autos.

2. Get rid of all FWD Lexus models, get serious. Keep doing that amazing interior and exterior styling work on the RWD models.

3. Update the god damn chassis for the entire car lineup. Those things are from 2006-2007? My god, no other manufacturer keeps a car that long, milking out sheeple buyers with a facelifted 15 year old car.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/04/2016 at 16:45

I’ve been out of touch, so Scion is going away? The FT-86 will be badged Toyota?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
02/04/2016 at 16:58

Yup.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 17:03

There are only two FWD Lexus models, and neither would work as well as if they were RWD. Also, almost all new Toyota models will be based on the TNGA architecture from now on, so that’s not really a worry for the future. As for the 4-speed autos? I agree with you on that.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Bytemite
02/04/2016 at 17:03

I would only agree with your first request, as it is a real detractor from what could have been competitive fuel economy.

How do you classify a chassis as “new”? Modify the mounting points, adjust the suspension linkages, declare it an all-new platform? Unless it fixes a clear weakness in the current car, there is no reason to change a particular section of internal structure that nobody sees anyway.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/04/2016 at 17:06

Appreciate the fresh perspective. It’s entirely possible that Scion gave Toyota the confidence to try some new styling themes and give their cars some real competitive equipment. I hate the new styling, but I agree, it’s better than being boring.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
02/04/2016 at 17:17

Thanks!

Bytemite > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
02/04/2016 at 17:27

There are clear weaknesses compared to the competitors.

They can reduce the weight of the frame. Redesign the front suspension for more caster angle for better handling. Elongate the distance between the hood to cabin ratio, distancing the driver from the front strut suspension’s bumps and shock transmitted to the cabin while also getting a bit better f/r balance. Redesign the rear suspension with a space saving independent setup like ford and mazda. Trim down the A-pillar do that drivers can actually see.

These are some things that can be addressed through using a modern platform. Not an archaic early 2000s one.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
02/04/2016 at 18:05

try like 2003-2004