Parking Lot Chronicles: Scion xB

 

Done up in a glorious shade similar to Grabber Blue, this 1st generation Scion xB was found outside of a pet supplies shop.

The first generation Scion xB is from a time when Toyota created an entire sub-brand to cater to first-time car buyers. Scion was Toyota's cooler step-brother with totally dope vehicle names like xB, xA, xC and tC, for a while.

Yep. Wicked. So wicked, in fact, that Toyota woke up in 2016 and thought, "Wait, this is stupid. Why do we have an entire youth brand when they just want an iPhone and a Corolla?" and dissolved the brand. 

The GR86 survived the purge, but the xB, and even the tC, are missed.

Of them all, the xB stood out as the most unique with its stylish, boxy shape hiding a practical, space-efficient car within. 

Nowadays, they are a rare sight on the road, and this example painted up in that rich shade of sky blue, with a white contrasting roof, is just gorgeous.

When I was younger, I wanted this car so badly and I still do. 

I bet the owner is 20-something with a tiny dog. They probably have sick as hell tats and piercings. They probably smell of Little Tree Black Ice and cigarettes, and they clearly know that $5k can get you a cool, unique, and useful ride or a clapped out, spray-painted Civic in lime-green and black.

Those are the two choices, there is no in-between.

They made the right choice.