|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193 |
Well... I have actually driven a Scion Tc. It was OK, but overall, I think the Mazda3 is a better choice for a small sporty car. With normal dealing, the 3 is similarly priced, if not less expensive, compared to the Tc.
The 2.4 litre engine from the Camry is nicely torquey, with low end pull. However, it runs out of breath in the higher rpms. Handling is also stable and secure without being nimble and fun. It's really a rather stolid little car in sporty clothing.
Room... well... don't be tall. I am 6'2" and I did not fit in the car. If the seat could have been moved lower, headroom could have been just adequate. Leg room was clearly inadequate to the pedals. The rear seat can fit two average size adults without too much discomfort. The interior is plain though well constructed. A $17,000 car needs to have something in the form of Ambience, though.
Build quality was less than I would have expected in a Toyota product. There was a rattle in the dask and a VERY annoying squeak somewhere I could not determine.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the Tc is in fact, a hatchback. However, think room like the RSX. The cargo area is shallow and narrow and the folding rear seat doesn't add much due to the hatch beginning further back due to the gimmicky sun port over the rear seat. Not a cargo hauler.
Keep in mind that Scion has a one-price philosophy where the car sells for list price. That makes the car relatively expensive to other cars in its class. They also have quite possibly the most annoying brochure I have ever encountered. It's almost ashamed to be informative about the cars, but rather is a lifestyle magazine.
Overall, I think the car has sporty looks that promise more than the driving experience can deliver, and limit the utility of the vehicle. There are better choices.
Besides, every time I see the name I think of that Maserati built LeBaron Convertible...
Brad "Diva": 2004 Mazda 6s 5-door, Volcanic Red
Rex: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Vert, Harbor Blue.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,395
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,395 |
Ill just stick with my type of cars, these obviously arnt made for someone like me
Former owner of a 1995 Ford Contour GL w/ 2.0L ATX
Proud owner of a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L V6 Vulcan 
--Looking for Commodore stuff (Drives, Units, Amiga, games, etc)If anyone has any of this laying around and wants it gone, lemme know  --
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944
Hard-core CEG'er
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,944 |
Phillip Jackson
`98 Mystique LS
262K+ and counting...
ATX rebuilt @ 151K
"This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,725
Hard-core CEG'er
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,725 |
out of curiousity, how many new cars with ~160 HP, CD player, and 17" wheels are available for less than $17?
For Sale:
- Sony PSP with a Baseball 2k6 and the movie Crash. $100
- 1973 Karmann Ghia Convertible w/ Auto-Stick. Needs Restoration. $1200 OBO
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 44
New CEG\'er
|
New CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 44 |
Scion TC really nice car compared to the 108hp xb xa. Big change for 160 hp. Kinda look like the acura rsx. I would get it if I was you. If you do let us know how it rides. Havent yet seen any out here in california but I'm sure in a few months they are going to be everywhere. Good Luck with buying your new car
99' Contour SVT Flowmaster exhaust
eibach springs
Nokya headlights bulbs
Kuhmo tires
Custom silver eyelids
Other Car 99' contour sport
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770
Veteran CEG\'er
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 770 |
Quite a few of them running around here in Houston; 4-5 dealers too. Looks good for the money. No rear disc brakes available. CU said they are a little underpowered unless you get the MTX and a little "buzzy." One model is just like the Toyota Matrix, but one version of them comes with 4 wheel discs. I prefer the Mazda 3. I liked it a lot better that the Toyota and the Scion. It just costs a little more, but may be worth it unless car payments are a big problem.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840 |
For an "all new design", especially for an "all new company branch", I find it curiously odd that the taillamps on the Scion tC almost exactly mimic those on the back of the Saturn Ion.
In actuality, I just learned that the tC is a rebadged Toyota sold in Japan, so it may not be entirely new to the world, just the North American market.
Last edited by SAV-ZX2; 06/26/04 08:13 PM.
Troll. 1997 VW Jetta MkIII GLS 5spd
All hail my appearance on CEG!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,667
Hard-core CEG'er
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,667 |
Originally posted by SAV-ZX2: For an "all new design", especially for an "all new company branch", I find it curiously odd that the taillamps on the Scion tC almost exactly mimic those on the back of the Saturn Ion.
Not at all, really...
Ion is flat across the top Scion arcs upwards across the top
Ion curves along the bottom Scion is flat along the bottom
Ion has a hard edge along the outside of the car Scion wraps around the edge and comes to a point on the outside
Furthermore, not only are the taillights nothing alike, the rest of the car is nothing like the Ion. It looks like an all new design to me? 
ps-- I really like it! They look great in person, i was blown away when I saw its debut at the NAIAS.
Diesel owns you
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,193 |
Originally posted by baco99: out of curiousity, how many new cars with ~160 HP, CD player, and 17" wheels are available for less than $17?
Actually with the stereo, it lands right around $17,000. The mazda3 might list $800 higher, but dealer negotiation will place the 3s lower than the Scion Tc. Keep in mind Scions are no-negotiation list price selling like Saturns.
Brad "Diva": 2004 Mazda 6s 5-door, Volcanic Red
Rex: 1988 Mazda RX-7 Vert, Harbor Blue.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,840 |
They look alike to me. Now that I look in really hard detail, such as you did yourself, I can see differences, but it's almost like the Ion lamps are flipped around for the tC. And check out where the clear lens for the reverse lights are: They're in the same place.  Nothing else on the tC looks anything like the Ion though, I'll give you that there. I wasn't comparing the two cars as a whole.
Troll. 1997 VW Jetta MkIII GLS 5spd
All hail my appearance on CEG!
|
|
|
|
|