I'm conisdering purchasing a 2008 Scion TC in the next 9-12 months (5 speed Spec Pacgage), does anyone own one (2005-2008) and how do you like it, especially the engine power? Thanks!
SCION TC
- Thread starter MADMIKE
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I had a 2006 for a couple of years and just under 25K miles. Fast enough, but the 5 speed revs too high on the highway for my tastes. I didn't have the Spec package.
I needed more room for family, so I traded it practically even up for a 2002 Sienna XLE or whatever the top of the line model is with 67K on the clock.
My only problem was room in the car. There isn't much, so it's really for one or two people, with weekend bags, not much more.
Good value for the money, they hold their value well. I suspect most used ones have been beaten upon if owned by someone under 40. Mine was babied, garaged for all but 5 months of it's life when I was between houses.
I needed more room for family, so I traded it practically even up for a 2002 Sienna XLE or whatever the top of the line model is with 67K on the clock.
My only problem was room in the car. There isn't much, so it's really for one or two people, with weekend bags, not much more.
Good value for the money, they hold their value well. I suspect most used ones have been beaten upon if owned by someone under 40. Mine was babied, garaged for all but 5 months of it's life when I was between houses.
Thanks Java--I want an inexpensive pocket rocket, not willing to pony up the cash for the quickest ones like the WRX, GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, etc. Was considering a Sentra SPEC-V 'cause that's a mid-6 second car but it's up to $20k now.
Good car for the price, at least for right now. The only thing I've heard to recommend against it is that Scions are designed for a much shorter usable lifetime than most cars (120k-130k as opposed to 200k+).
In my opinion, though: If you're looking for a cheap, fun, practical car, and if you have no quirky preferences with respect to style or brand, there is simply nothing else on the market besides the Civic Si. It's a little more expensive than a Scion tC but, dollar for dollar, it really makes everything else look like a good effort at best. I have enough to say about that car in relation to its peers to fill a screen or two, and I can discuss it at whatever level of detail you'd like. But for now, let me just say that if there is any possible way you can save up for it, that car is the way to go by a long shot.
In my opinion, though: If you're looking for a cheap, fun, practical car, and if you have no quirky preferences with respect to style or brand, there is simply nothing else on the market besides the Civic Si. It's a little more expensive than a Scion tC but, dollar for dollar, it really makes everything else look like a good effort at best. I have enough to say about that car in relation to its peers to fill a screen or two, and I can discuss it at whatever level of detail you'd like. But for now, let me just say that if there is any possible way you can save up for it, that car is the way to go by a long shot.
Mike, My son had one for awhile. Lots of torque. Poor fuel mileage. The best I ever saw was 27mpg. The rear end felt kind of unsettled on windy roads when pushed. The sunroof had an annoying rattle that the dealer couldn't fix and drove my son crazy. He went from that to a Hyundai Sonata V-6 that hauled [censored]. And now is in an '06 Honda Civic Si he got used with 16,000 miles on it for $17,000. My lord the most wonderful engine I have ever driven. Imagine a Honda that has torque. The engine note when you get on it sounds like a mini Ferrari and is pure music to my ears. Handles superbly and has a factory limited slip to make sure you get those 200 ponies to the ground!
My niece has an '07 tC and wants to get rid of it FWIW.
My niece has an '07 tC and wants to get rid of it FWIW.
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Originally Posted By: MADMIKE
Thanks Java--I want an inexpensive pocket rocket, not willing to pony up the cash for the quickest ones like the WRX, GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, etc. Was considering a Sentra SPEC-V 'cause that's a mid-6 second car but it's up to $20k now.
The TC is not a pocket rocket by any means. Look at the performance figures relative to other cars. Inexpensive yes, most likely reliable yes, but not fast and handling has not been lauded by many reviewers. Research it on the internet, lots of reviews out there. Why not get a midly used wrx, etc.? If your goal is performance I would look at another car (I suppose the supercharger that was once/still? available for the TC does help but that adds quite a bit of cash).
Thanks Java--I want an inexpensive pocket rocket, not willing to pony up the cash for the quickest ones like the WRX, GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, etc. Was considering a Sentra SPEC-V 'cause that's a mid-6 second car but it's up to $20k now.
The TC is not a pocket rocket by any means. Look at the performance figures relative to other cars. Inexpensive yes, most likely reliable yes, but not fast and handling has not been lauded by many reviewers. Research it on the internet, lots of reviews out there. Why not get a midly used wrx, etc.? If your goal is performance I would look at another car (I suppose the supercharger that was once/still? available for the TC does help but that adds quite a bit of cash).
It's a "mild" pocket rocket with mid-7 second 0-60 times, I'm not a fan of the Civic Si due to the lack of low end torque that everyone writes about in the road tests and the need to rev the [censored] out of it to get any performance. And it's not all that quick, usually in the low 7 second range 0-60. I'd rather have the Scion's low end torque and slightly slower acceleration, and the handling isn't a big issue for me as long as it's at least decent. The TC spec package can be had for $15,300 which makes it a great bargain.
If you're going to go by the reviews, you have to consider each car's competitors.
The road tests you cited compare the Civic Si to the GTI and Mini Cooper S, both of which have turbos and are specifically designed to make lots of torque. (Accordingly, they also have lag and run out of breath on the top end.)
Similarly, the tC is "pretty torquey" compared to its competitors, the Tiburon and base Mini Cooper. Not a surprise given that its engine is bigger by a substantial margin.
These are two entirely different strata, so the reviewers' remarks should be considered accordingly.
The road tests you cited compare the Civic Si to the GTI and Mini Cooper S, both of which have turbos and are specifically designed to make lots of torque. (Accordingly, they also have lag and run out of breath on the top end.)
Similarly, the tC is "pretty torquey" compared to its competitors, the Tiburon and base Mini Cooper. Not a surprise given that its engine is bigger by a substantial margin.
These are two entirely different strata, so the reviewers' remarks should be considered accordingly.
See if you can find a tC that's had the TRD superchager package installed. It's good for 200hp with good low-end torque.
Why not a Mazda 3s if you want a little more room?
I was considering a Mazda3s with the 2.3L but it starts at $18k with virtually identical performance to the Scion starting at $15.3k--I realize the Mazda handles better an may be more fun to drive but that almost $3k difference is too big--cost is a big driver in my decision, I want the most bank for my limited bucks and that's why I settled on the Scion. It has a torquey and refined 4 cyl with mid-7 second 0-60 times and will likely also have excellent reliability. It's a quick little car at a bargain price.
Problem is they still cost more than a brand new TC and I don't want to risk buying someone else's problem, especially with performance cars that are much more likely to have been abused.
if reliability, durability and longevity is of concern, maybe you're looking at the wrong types of cars...
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Originally Posted By: Stanley Rockafeller
if reliability, durability and longevity is of concern, maybe you're looking at the wrong types of cars...
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When I drove my 07 tC - I liked it. Nice engine, good acceleration. Typical "teenager" car, although in my area, there are bunch of seniors driving this car
Automatic transmission has higher 4th gear - provides better fuel economy over MT. About 31-32 MPG in 95% highway usage.
My wify has a lead foot, her MPG is about 27ish (can't really track it accurately).
If the car is not abused, there is no reason for it not to last 200K. The engine is stock from Camry.
if reliability, durability and longevity is of concern, maybe you're looking at the wrong types of cars...
++
When I drove my 07 tC - I liked it. Nice engine, good acceleration. Typical "teenager" car, although in my area, there are bunch of seniors driving this car
Automatic transmission has higher 4th gear - provides better fuel economy over MT. About 31-32 MPG in 95% highway usage.
My wify has a lead foot, her MPG is about 27ish (can't really track it accurately).
If the car is not abused, there is no reason for it not to last 200K. The engine is stock from Camry.
Originally Posted By: odessit
there are bunch of seniors driving this car
Actually, around here I only see female asian teenagers driving it.
there are bunch of seniors driving this car
Actually, around here I only see female asian teenagers driving it.
The GTI is a very nice car for the money but reliability is poor. The Civic SI has excellent handling and is made fun to drive with its rev it up factor.
I would also look at the Mazda 3S that comes with the 2.3L engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. it's assembled in Japan and appears to have excellent quality workmanship.
I would also look at the Mazda 3S that comes with the 2.3L engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. it's assembled in Japan and appears to have excellent quality workmanship.
The Mazda 3s was a contender as it has very similar performance to the tc but it's starting price is almost $3k more than the TC Spec Package. ($18,070 vs. $15,300)
yes, but a Mazda can be purchased for under invoice with frequent factory incentives added onto that, you have a very comparable price to the TC.
You might want to grab one before they end up looking like this:
Scion has further fueled rumors that it will debut a replacement for the tC coupe later this month at the 2008 New York Auto by releasing a teaser shot today of what it's calling the Hako Coupe Concept. Being a teaser, it doesn't reveal much of anything about the coupe except that it's orange and appears to have a blocky front end design. Scion has been known to make big news at the New York Auto Show, having unveiled the well regarded Fuse concept there two years ago. What we're likely to see is a concept that takes cues from the Fuse and incorporates them into a more production feasible body shape. We'll no for sure is a couple of weeks when we hit the Big Apple.
Scion has further fueled rumors that it will debut a replacement for the tC coupe later this month at the 2008 New York Auto by releasing a teaser shot today of what it's calling the Hako Coupe Concept. Being a teaser, it doesn't reveal much of anything about the coupe except that it's orange and appears to have a blocky front end design. Scion has been known to make big news at the New York Auto Show, having unveiled the well regarded Fuse concept there two years ago. What we're likely to see is a concept that takes cues from the Fuse and incorporates them into a more production feasible body shape. We'll no for sure is a couple of weeks when we hit the Big Apple.
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