Scion : Thoughts on the Scion TC?

[gsferrari]

I keep seeing these little pricks running around Austin TX and they just look so cool. I like the "underdog" look and Scion seems to have got it's design right. Havent sat inside one of these cars yet but it looks like the view must be pretty good with the slim pillars.

Has anyone tested one of these cars? Any opinions? Would this car be worth the money for a fart-around-the-city ride with an occasional Interstate blat?

I was planning on testing one out this week but now I have to pack and move again

 

[Jasper994]

I think the TC is damn sexy... I want one!

 

[soundboy]

You know Scions are Toyotas, right?

I like the look of TC.....nope, never sat in one before though. I certainly wouldn't mind trading in my 2001 Camry LE for one....but I need 4 doors

Of course, there's the Corolla XRS.

 

[Elec]

My opinion is that they're nothing real special BUT certainly a lot of value for the low asking price. You get a lot of bling, decent looks, and "standard options". The philosophy was that young car buyers don't always want to buy a stripped down econobox. They'd LIKE to have a good stereo and climate control and big wheels and whatever else. It's just that they can't afford a 3 series or Acura, so the idea was to make a line of cars that offers things they want at a price they can afford.

The review or two I read suggested that the suspension is pretty soft and the car could use more power. I know there's also a focus on customization and I think one of the dealer options is a supercharger, so you may be able to dial one up in a few ways without voiding your warranty, which would be cool.

 

[jjcapurro]

A buddy of mine has an Xb & I went with him when he test drove all 3 models. All three of them are severely underpowered. They feel fine initially off the line but once the initial torque is tapped it's time to keep it floored for the rest of the trip. The interiors are also extremely noisy. My buddy is looking into damping paints so he can actually have a conversation on the freeway.

Other than that the cars are decent all things considered. The fit and finish is at the expected level for a sub 18k car, but not bad by any stretch. They come with traction control as standard (which works well i might add

...hehehe J-turning is fun... hehehe), and this helps a little to offset what an above post mentioned about the suspension being very soft. They track pretty well.

None of the Scions are cars I'd ever buy. For the same price I'd get a used car that was more upscale. For $18-20k-ish you should be able to get a 3-4 year old 3 Series BMW, C-Class MBZ, a nice Acura, Mini Cooper S (hell you can almost get a new one at this price), etc.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[EyeAmEye]

Don't know about their performance, but they are some of the ugliest vehicles on the road.

 

[jjcapurro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye Don't know about their performance, but they are some of the ugliest vehicles on the road.

LOL also agreed. I keep threatening to mount a white sheet on top of my buddy's Xb and paint 'Kleenex' on the sides.

 

[headchange4u]

I happen to work at a Toyota/Scion dealership.

The TC's are really nice.They actually have the Camry 4 cylinder engine in them. The are also coming out with a stage 1, 2, and 3 super-charger for the TC.

 

[gsferrari]

Nevamind - I just found a nice BMW 325i 2001 model for $17000.00

Getting a meccie to check it out tomorrow. Brake dust all over the wheels...dont know how hard it will be to get it off

gs

 

[jjcapurro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari Nevamind - I just found a nice BMW 325i 2001 model for $17000.00 Getting a meccie to check it out tomorrow. Brake dust all over the wheels...dont know how hard it will be to get it off gs

Brake dust is really easy to clean off. Just means the brake pads they used are soft... Good choice Guru. BMW's are tres-chic! We expect pics if the mech-check comes out clean.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[TWIFOSP]

I think they suck and are just a marketing ploy. My buddy's, a fellow car nerd, little brother just got one. He wants to be like big brother, who is heavy into modifying his MKIII and MKIV Supras. But he doesn't want an "old car" despite the fact that they are better. So he goes out and gets a new Scion TC and thinks he's the cats meow because he got the factory ground effects and shifter knob.

So he gets it, and now comes the test drive. Well, I'm not exactly sure how a corrola drives, because I haven't really spent much time in them. That said, this thing drives like a Corolla looks like it would drive. The suspension is sloppy leaving to all kinds of wheel hop during acceleration, which isn't even that great. We did some parking lot cornering and it understeers fairly badly.

The neon srt4 drove way better. But I don't really like either, honestly.

3 series? What is your goal in a car guru? A fun to drive car? Or a car you want to be "seen" in?

 

[Kassem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundboy You know Scions are Toyotas, right?

Thats the only reason I even like them! Toyota makes such a great vehicle. I drive a 98 Limited 4Runner and I love it.

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcapurro We expect pics if the mech-check comes out clean

You'll get pics this week. I am buying a car off my boss. He expects $19000 for it on the market because of the extras (sound system and DVD Video by Alpine). He is selling to me for $17,000 in exchange for an amplifier and a DAC that I had for sale. Pretty nice chap - but that wont stop me from getting the meccie check

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWIFOSP 3 series? What is your goal in a car guru? A fun to drive car? Or a car you want to be "seen" in?

All budget caps are off - my pay just took a HUGE hike and I have cash-flow.

I want a BMW because this will be a 5-6 year car. But I want a BMW for less money because I also want the bike.

Either case - I really like my bosses ride. Ive taken it out a few times before and it was simply fab. Dead silent inside - tracks like a train and the quality is amazing overall.

I dont think I will be "seen" in this car and that really isnt priority - I want to have a good time - couldnt care less about outside appearances.

gs

 

[soundboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by headchange4u I happen to work at a Toyota/Scion dealership. The TC's are really nice.They actually have the Camry 4 cylinder engine in them. The are also coming out with a stage 1, 2, and 3 super-charger for the TC.

OT....TRD (Toyota Racing Development) really need to get on the ball with parts for Camrys.