[bicepeak]

Just got this from a local dealer! A Blizzard Pearl and a Silver!


"I have two in allocation both are expected to arrive in San Pedro from Japan on 7/23/15. Estimated dealership arrival by 8/10/15. Pre-contracting is available on 7/23/15. Attached to this email are the specifications of each."


They are both CVT....was hoping a manual would be coming soon too.

 

[Briggs]

So which one of those is going to be yours? Are you going to put in your order soon?

 

[bicepeak]

So which one of those is going to be yours? Are you going to put in your order soon?

I would need to drive a manual before I can decide to buy. Unless I am completely blown away by the CVT. But still I do prefer manuals overall.

 

[Filmore]

So will they be offering test rides before the official on sale date of Spetember 1?

 

[SiM]

That's something which may vary from dealer to dealer and location to location. I bet high volume dealers will be doing just that. Best to contact them directly.

 

[bicepeak]

So will they be offering test rides before the official on sale date of Spetember 1?

That's something which may vary from dealer to dealer and location to location. I bet high volume dealers will be doing just that. Best to contact them directly.

I have written them back to ask.


Just for the heck of it, I contacted a dealer in Santa Monica, which is near where the press tested the cars. He had no word on cars even though he said California dealers would be the first to know.
I contacted him mainly to see if it were possible to test drive it in the same canyon the press did. If they get them before Arizona does, I may make a road trip there to test it.

 

[bicepeak]

I am becoming more more convinced that I will choose the manual. I think it will be too frustrating on mountain grades if I can't physically shift to a lower gear positively. CVT "manual" mode would not be as satisfying to me in that way
Of course I am anxious to see ANY iM at this point

 

[iMTaylor]

I may have to go check out this dealer on the 23rd. Keep us updated @bicepeak!

 

[ToddMS]

I just found out that the dealership I work at has one in the works. It will be built in 2 days and then shipped up here to Iowa. Can't wait to see it and find out if it will be a viable replacement for my 05 xB!

 

[Filmore]

I am becoming more more convinced that I will choose the manual. I think it will be too frustrating on mountain grades if I can't physically shift to a lower gear positively. CVT "manual" mode would not be as satisfying to me in that way
Of course I am anxious to see ANY iM at this point

Actually this is interesting. Anyone know how a CVT handles mountain grades? Theoretically they're always in the power...

 

[bicepeak]

I may have to go check out this dealer on the 23rd. Keep us updated @bicepeak !

Well, actually they only reach San Pedro on the 23rd. They are supposed to be at the dealer in Phoenix on August 10th. But even the dealers don't always know the exact day a car carrier will pull up.


Bell Road Toyota is the dealer . I emailed all the others and have not gotten any responses.

 

[bicepeak]

Here are the car ID's


Model: 6272A
Year: 2016
Interior Color: BLACK
Exterior Color: CLASSIC SILVER METALLIC
Number of Cylinders: 4
VIN: JTNKARJE7GJ501536 Stock

Model: 6272A
Year: 2016
Interior Color: BLACK
Exterior Color: BLIZZARD PEARL
Number of Cylinders: 4
VIN: JTNKARJE9GJ50062

 

[bicepeak]

I just found out that the dealership I work at has one in the works. It will be built in 2 days and then shipped up here to Iowa. Can't wait to see it and find out if it will be a viable replacement for my 05 xB!

Cool! Keep us informed....with pictures too!


We are on the same mission for replacement. 231,000 on my '04 xB.

 

[ToddMS]

Cool! Keep us informed....with pictures too!


We are on the same mission for replacement. 231,000 on my '04 xB.

Found out ours will be a white auto and be arriving 9/1.
You know I will be all over the pictures. might even take it for a test drive around the parking lot. My xB just rolled over 203k after going to a car show in Arkansas this past weekend.

 

[bicepeak]

One thing I am a bit disappointed in is the necessity of downshifting in mountain driving. I was always able to zoom up grades in top gear (5th), down to 4th in a pinch, but seldom did that. The original xB had such excellent gearing, the small engine didn't matter.


But then iM videos of road testing I have seen do seem to have tighter curves, requiring slowing down to safely make them. Maybe that is the difference. Sure wish I was closer to Topanga Canyon and drive my xB on it for comparison.


Anyway, he is some useful information I read in a review today. Think I will skip the rougher riding TRD options. Sounds like a manual drive since he talks about specific gears.

"iM: There was one example with the TRD suspension kit. We got out early and there it was. Opportunity knocks, so answer. Lowered suspension, stiffer springs and shocks and stabilizer bars. Just the thing for for weekend fun in the autocross parking lot. Route back was even simpler than down, north on 1 to 280 to downtown San Francisco. With a time out for road construction just north of Santa Cruz and a driver swap further up the road. Again, interior design and appoint far above what is expected in the class and not a hint of cheap plastics. Toyota sure learned that lesson…
If you're a performance fanatic, you'll love the TRD suspension. If you live where "deferred maintenance" is the order of the day for the highway department, maybe not. The iM is noticeably quicker than the iA, no surprise, and has all the myriad advantages of a four-door hatchback. Since it's likely to be its owner's only car, perfect. I spent that part of my life with a hand-me-down VW Bug, two doors and no hatch. Kids these days don't know how good they have it (he says in a properly geezerly voice)… The iM is a fun car to drive, has a good amount of useful interior space for its small size, and we got around 26 mpg on the trip back, 4th and 5th gear mostly except for a bit of freeway. Results should be better, especially with a properly broken-in engine. The Bug? 20 city, 30 highway, and 0-60 in, um, what's the hurry? No nostalgia here, thank you very much. If its lower height, compared to the xB, means technically less interior space, when was the last time you filled the back of a hatchback or even SUV all the way to the top? The small hatch class has plenty of competition, but I expect the Scion iM to make a mark there."


2016 Scion iA and iM Preview by Carey Russ

 

[bicepeak]

So will they be offering test rides before the official on sale date of Spetember 1?

Heard back from Bell Road Toyota.


"These first two will be available for sale. Yes you will be able to test drive either one."


Hope they make it here by the 10th of August as suggested by this dealer!

 

[bicepeak]

I will be contacting Bell Road Scion tomorrow to see if they know it arrived in San Pedro as predicted.


I visited another dealer yesterday. They are saying November for getting cars. I really doubt that is true for a car that has been announced for sale on September 1st.


Bell Road could be mistaken. But when they have cars identified by VIN on the way, I am likely to believe that is accurate. May not be the exact dates I was given, of course, but sooner than September 1st.


I am kind of wondering if they won't be allowed to actually sell them before September 1st even if they are on site.


Second thought.....I think I will drive over to the dealer tomorrow and talk face to face with my contact instead of relying on e-mail. Who knows , I may even order a manual in Blizzard Pearl while I am there. But I think only if it is a refundable deposit.

 

[ToddMS]

The dates they have been given may just be the day they arrive at the local hub. For example, we are told when the car should be here in Iowa. However the hub is in KC so sometimes it takes an extra day or two depending on the amount of cars taken in and different locations to deliver to. Most times we will get a full truck (9 or 10 vehicles) at once, but sometimes only 2 or 3 get dropped here and the rest go to other dealers in the area.

I doubt the one dealer will see their first cars in November. I'm guessing the didn't get their orders in quick enough and just put a time out far enough that if they get there sooner, you feel better. Under Promise, Over Deliver.

 

[bicepeak]

The dates they have been given may just be the day they arrive at the local hub. For example, we are told when the car should be here in Iowa. However the hub is in KC so sometimes it takes an extra day or two depending on the amount of cars taken in and different locations to deliver to. Most times we will get a full truck (9 or 10 vehicles) at once, but sometimes only 2 or 3 get dropped here and the rest go to other dealers in the area.

I doubt the one dealer will see their first cars in November. I'm guessing the didn't get their orders in quick enough and just put a time out far enough that if they get there sooner, you feel better. Under Promise, Over Deliver.

Yes, that makes sense. Just from my contacts with dealers, they almost always put far off dates out to cover themselves. This is the only dealer that gave me a close date for arrival.


When the Honda HR-V came out, they actually held cars until sale date at the ports (or hubs?).


I am guessing they will they will follow the couple of cars at each dealer scenario to make sure everyone gets cars people can look at.


Thanks for your input from actual dealer experience.

 

[SiM]

Yes, that makes sense. Just from my contacts with dealers, they almost always put far off dates out to cover themselves. This is the only dealer that gave me a close date for arrival.


When the Honda HR-V came out, they actually held cars until sale date at the ports (or hubs?).


I am guessing they will they will follow the couple of cars at each dealer scenario to make sure everyone gets cars people can look at.


Thanks for your input from actual dealer experience.

Some snooping around might reveal some lots where they are kept

I have come across lots that take some effort getting into, some only visible from the view you'd get from in a train.