Driver's Log.(News)

2004 Scion xB

Date in fleet: Aug. 13-20 As-tested price: $18,656 Powertrain: 1.5-liter I4; fwd, four-speed automatic Hp: 108 @ 6000 rpm Torque: 105 @ 4200 rpm Curb weight: 2469 pounds

HART: I'm way out of the demographic target for Scion, but I like it. I like it a lot, more than the xA. In some ways this thing took me back 20 years to my first new car. My VW Rabbit weighed around 2000 pounds and had a 1.8-liter four making about 105 hp. Similar numbers here, but this xB is fitted with an automatic. I'm sure a manual tranny would make better use of the horsepower (it did in my Rabbit). Having said that, I didn't mind the automatic. You need to plan ahead a bit more while on the freeway, but it's not scary.

GRITZINGER: Like the Element, I guess I feel out of place driving a box like this. That's not to say it isn't a decent little rig, yet another reasonably priced offering aimed at the reasonably priced buying set. It feels more powerful than 108 hp, drives okay and seems comfortable enough. Some of the tiny buttons for the audio system are clearly aimed at those with 20-something dexterity and visual acuity, but that could always be remedied by replacing the sound system. While you're at it, toss that subwoofer out of the rear cargo area as well (boy, is that ever a dumb use of space for minimal gain).

RAYNAL: Folks young and old seemed to like the Scion during my weekend drive. "Don't let anybody tell you different, that thing is really cute,'' said one woman in her 60s. When I took it to the Woodward Dream Cruise, reaction was mixed: Some liked it, some hated it, but everyone noticed it. It's not a bad driver, though. Acceleration is barely that, but the driving position is good, the ride smooth, handling predictable, and there's a ton of room to haul stuff. Two things I could live without are the fender graphics and the subwoofer. If you didn't order the subwoofer and swapped out the auto for a manual, the price would drop $1,500 to close to $17,000. That's a tough price to beat.

ROCA: This had more pep than the 108 hp led me to believe, and even with the automatic, it isn't bad. It's the kind of car that beckoned me to drive home with the window down, arm hanging out the side. The seat position feels upright like the Element, but overall, I like this strange car much better. The look of the dash and the interior materials are way better than the Honda, though I did hear some buzzing in the area of the speedo. Speaking of which, this is the second car in a week with the speedo in the center. I check my speed instinctively and having to search for it is a bother. And the radio operation here is the worst ever.

2004 Mazda RX-8