I am looking into ways to upgrade the handling of the xB2.
Many people seem to look to the springs as ways to make a large impact.

So, I looked at sponsor available stuff and I found:
Kotchkis Sport Coil Springs- http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=570&Part_cat=11&parts_id=2149
TRD Red Lowering Springs- http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=570&Part_cat=11&parts_id=1565
Tanabe DF210- http://newscionparts.com/product/?id=2607

The prices for all three are similar.

I am interested ONLY in the street handling difference.  If I could find some that improved handling and had only fraction of an inch drop, that would work great.

I don't want much drop, so the higher the better.  You see, I have already scratched up the underside of the nose on both front corners (the repaving of streets around here SUCKS and there is no tapering of adjustment for any entrance/exit points onto the roads.  So, there are rough/abrupt changes when entering or exiting a parking lot and lots of odd angles.
The stiffer nature of the springs should help some (less up and down/compression-related scraping).
1-1.5 inches is ideally all the drop I would want.

have you seen Eric's spring comparison list 


http://newscionxb.com/scion_xb_performance/2008_scion_xb_lowering_spring_comparison-t643.0.html


that should give you some options!!

no problemo

Thanks!
Now, what about handling difference?
How do the TRD, Hotchkis (the ones you sell), and the 2 Tanabe kits?

Alright, I've been watching threads similar to this for awhile, but never have read the answer I was looking for, so I am going to finally chime in with my frustration, and maybe add more confusion. 

Rockthebeef....good analysis...."So if you want a plush ride and a nicer stance, get the NF210's. If you don't want to lower the car as much, but want improved handling, get the Eibach Pro kit."

However, I still do not see a middle ground solution.

My concerns with the NF's are...what if you use your Xb for cargo transportation...for example, I do a lot of freelance work, so I frequently haul tools around with lighting instruments.  My worry with a near 2" rear drop is what will happen when you add weight in the back of the Xb?  Will the suspension bottom out? Especially in northern climates with late winter frost heaves. 

Ideally I would want the drop of the Eibach or a 1" drop with a better than stock ride in terms of comfort.  Body roll can be addressed with sway bars.

Has anyone simply kept stock front and changed the rear shocks/springs?

The town I live in has been replacing all the cement curbs with granite and have changed the road to curb height.  Even stock I have to watch when I open my door not to catch the door on the curb.

I agree with many of the criticisms of the look of the Xb's rear wheel well, excessive height make the stock 16's look even smaller.  But it is frustrating to plan mods (wheels and shocks) for those of us who want improved ride comfort but maintain, at the least, the stock sportiness of the ride.  Add the fact that if you put black wheels on an RS 5, the wheels look smaller and the body looks bigger and blockier.  Hello pregnant go-cart. OY!

When I lowered my car with trd springs I did the back on a Sunday and did the front on the next Saturday. I did like how the car sat level and it did reduce some of my body roll compared to stock. I liked having stiffer springs in the rear then the front, almost like having just a rear sway bar. It had no il effects and I did carry 4 large adults in the car no problem.  I almost decided not to do the front springs... But I had to go lower in the front cuz I like that look overall I do think the handling is a better with all of the trd springs installed but I could have been almost as fine with just the rear springs. Not sure how much that helps...     

The TRD springs are a little stiffer on the streets, not on large bumps but on smaller ones. On the highway it feels the same. I prefer the little stiffer ride though as it did reduce the body roll and I thought the stock springs swayed too much. Ride height is nice as its rare that I ever scrape