"ethan drives dumb cars" (helloroad)
08/14/2020 at 14:35 • Filed to: Scion xB
5
19|
"ethan drives dumb cars" (helloroad)
08/14/2020 at 14:35 • Filed to: Scion xB | 5
| 19 |
Is this a photo of the ultra-rare Scion xB Superleggera? An obscure and elusive one-off custom built by Toyota in the mid-2000s to demonstrate their ability to make a lightweight yet stylish commuter car?
Oops, I removed a few things.
It could be that. It’s also possible I just ripped a bunch of crap off my old 2005 Scion box on wheels. I might have just started restoring it!
This first gen xB is only one of two cars I purchased new. Having owned this econobox for over 15 years, it has witnessed my life change drastically. It’s seen countless highways. It’s seen family dogs come and go. It’s been with us through thick and thin. Accompanying us for nearly 225k miles, it has been our chariot for many road trips, traversing the continental United States several times. Throughout its life, this xB served its role as family commuter car with great honor—easily becoming the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned.
My Scion xB way back in 2006.
Even though we love this little toaster, traveling 225k mostly commuter miles means things were bound to happen to it. Both the front and rear bumper covers have been crunched. Fifteen years baking in the hot Southern California sun has left the paint badly faded. The black steelies looked cool when the car was new, but over the years the color of rust took over.
Restoration started!
A quick search on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace shows values of the first gen Scion xB have hit rock bottom. Putting any money into this car doesn’t make sense from a financial standpoint—it’s unlikely I’ll ever get any of that money back. But this car has been so good to us that I can’t let it languish any longer. It’s time to restore this thing!
The revival process has started by removing broken bits, and prepping the car for paint. It’s unclear where this xB project is going—I just know that the car needs to look nice again. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, check out my video below and feel free to offer suggestions for what you think this xB should look like when I’m done!
When you’ve owned a car for as long as I’ve owned this xB, it can transform into a moving storybook of remembrances. While this hunk of metal is simply a machine, it has provided me with vivid reminders of moments in my life. Every car has a story to tell, and I hope this restoration can continue that story well into the future.
CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 14:38 |
|
That looks dope and I can’t explain why lol
Darkbrador
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:02 |
|
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:14 |
|
Oh, awesome! I really loved your ‘memory’ Scion video....it struck a cord with the way I feel with my bare-bones, basic Korean crapbox...i.e. my 2009 Hyundai Accent hatch with no options, affectionately
known as ‘Humdrum’ :)
Looking forward to this one! :)
I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:17 |
|
A quick search on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace shows values of the first gen Scion xB have hit rock bottom. Putting any money into this car doesn’t make sense from a financial standpoint—it’s unlikely I’ll ever get any of that money back.
Unless you’re doing the work explicitly to flip a car, budgeting out work, especially DIY work, is pointless. Spend as much money as you want (within reason, don’t go broke modifying or restoring an economy car). The entire exercise of working on a project car is one of catharsis, and done to make the vehicle in your own image. Doing anything less than exactly what you want will only lead you into later thinking “what if?” and yearning to be back at the budgeting stage, so you could adjust the budget to allow for that special purchase.
That’s just my philosophy though. This is a cool project!
Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:26 |
|
I enjoy your videos on the YouTubes, and as an owner of three cars over 15+/- years old, I can share your joy and misery of trying to keep older vehicles running. Right now, my son and I are delving into his newly purchased 1995 Nissan 200SX. A leaky sun-roof and horrible headliner are the two main issues right now, and I hope we can get to it this weekend. Then, brakes on my wife’s Explorer. And sway bar links, etc. etc.
CobraJoe
> I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
08/14/2020 at 15:34 |
|
Spend as much money as you want (within reason, don’t go broke modifying or restoring an economy car).
The way I see it, you’re making payments on a car you’re excited to own.
Perhaps not the most financially sound advice, but few things are as soul crushing as making payments on a boring but “sensible” that you’re not that fond of.
jminer
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:37 |
|
This is definitely a place that understands your irrational love of an old econobox and the extraordinary lengths you’re going to put more love in it.
(‘one of us’ chanting begins)
WilliamsSW
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 15:40 |
|
I think you should just keep taking more stuff off of it. Simplify and add lightness. Because race car or something.
Basically, what I’m saying is xB-based Exocet.
benn454
> Darkbrador
08/14/2020 at 15:43 |
|
I hate myself for how much I love this.
|
Darkbrador
> benn454
08/14/2020 at 15:44 |
|
it kinda looks like your profile picture, too.
|
benn454
> Darkbrador
08/14/2020 at 15:48 |
|
Don't tempt me, Frodo!
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/14/2020 at 16:03 |
|
Because no bumpers giver it better approach and departure angles.
|
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> WilliamsSW
08/14/2020 at 16:07 |
|
Shedding weight is also the cheapest way to lift a car. Lol.
I took as much as we could off my old Civic field car, including chopping off the roof behind the B puller, and it was probably an inch taller afterwards
|
ethan drives dumb cars
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/14/2020 at 17:03 |
|
|
ethan drives dumb cars
> Darkbrador
08/14/2020 at 17:04 |
|
This Hummer xB is very dumb. But I like dumb shit. Gimme!
MiniGTI - now with XJ6
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/14/2020 at 17:36 |
|
Well done, I’ve always kinda liked these. Somewhere I have a pic of my sitting in one at the Chicago auto show when they first came out. I remember being quite impressed with the massive leg and head room in the back seat.
They completely ruined the styling on the second generation and clean 1st gen ones are getting rare so bravo to you.
|
ethan drives dumb cars
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
08/14/2020 at 19:23 |
|
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I often love cars that were never intended to be loved.
|
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/15/2020 at 09:02 |
|
I 100% do NOT hate the teal color with pink swoosh! Maybe not 100% on the swoosh....but more cars need bright colors these days, the teal would look awesome! I mean....I am not a fan of Toyota’s CH-R....but it looks very cool in teal with a white roof!
|
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> ethan drives dumb cars
08/15/2020 at 15:07 |
|
A
men! :D