Test drive the Scion tC...

[ski]

... that's a command.

My folks just signed the papers for a brand new Camry, so I asked for a test drive in the Scion tC. I took one for a spin that had stock everything and only upgrade was side curtain airbags. Now stock includes 17" wheels, 6 disc CD player, and all the sweet sweet goodies that most people pay extra to get in a "package".

My dad was in the passenger's seat and my mom was sitting behind me. Plenty of legroom for the rear passengers, and getting in and out was easier than most coupes.

+ AWESOME balance of HP/Torque.
+ Responsive acceleration and control
+ All the goodies that come standard -- moonroofS were impressive!
+ Price: $16,000 base, no haggle. Side airbags were $615 more.
+ Intuitive interior design, comfy seats (my 50 year old parents agreed)

* Mediocre/good gas mileage (it's a Camry engine in this smaller car)
* Mediocre ride and noise level

- Trunk space, especially height, leaves a lot to be desired
- Head space was jujst about perfect for me, but anyone over 6' will have a hard time being comfortable (Yoss and Canta included :P )

http://www.discountpartcenter.com/photos/06-08-04-02-Scion-tC.jpg

Figured I'd start up a thread for anyone that has been looking at one or has driven one. :)

[Bires]

Sounds like Toyota is doing what Nissan did with the Sentra SER (Altima/Maxima's insides in a Sentra).

It was fun for a little while (and I bought it) but in the long run, the noisey engine without extra sound insulation, the rough ride, stiff suspension, and heavy tranny irritated me so much I traded it.

Just food for thought.

Hmm...Tails look like Civic coupe rips.

[g222leav]

yea i test drove it on saturday, it's a fun little car...plus the back seats are adjustable! :naughty:

[yippiekiyeh]

I've test driven one of these... it is a cool looking car on the outside, but there's just something missing while I was driving it around. I guess the way I felt while driving it. The seat wasn't very comfortable.

But I have to say it is a great car for the money.

[ski]

I think I might be biased from the "performance" standpoint because I've driven a 1989 Integra and a 1996 V6 Grand Caravan, not your quickest cars out there :heh:


Hmm...Tails look like Civic coupe rips.
http://www.auto-sfondi-desktop.com/Wallpapers_Honda_/Honda-Civic-Coupe/Honda-Civic-Coupe-04/Honda-Civic-Coupe-04_640.jpg

I don't see it too much <shrug>

[mcs328]

It's more of a 99 civic butt or the accord.

[ski]

It's more of a 99 civic butt or the accord.

99 Civic:
http://www.modacar.com/cars/car14/main2.jpg

99 Accord: (and I should know, I drove one to the dealership :heh: )
http://www.yamafscars.com/images/Accord-2.jpg

99 Accord Coupe:
http://www.hondaofcasper.com/New_Hondas/Accord%20C.%20Rearc.jpg

Honda has always had triangular lights... just don't see how they're similar.

[ShawnLee]

My friend bought one for his sister and I was there when they picked it up. It's a nice car. I don't think it's the best looking thing, but it's a good combination of performance and comfort, and a great value relative to the price.

[Yossarian]

if anyone finds a car that will fit a 6'8 person comfortably in the drivers seat, lemme know. my knees get so cramped when they are even with the steering column....

[SecretIkon]

my girlfriends sister recent (3 days ago) just bought a TC. Yeah its nice and everything IMO. But if your 6 feet or taller good luck. I'm 5'10-5'11 and it fits me perfectly.

i wouldn't mind purchasing this car if I was on a budget. But since the 06 civic SI is coming out I might just wait.

[rasetsu]

My dad bought one recently for his 100 mile per day commute and he's happy with it. My friend's sister just got one too. It's really the best value in it's price range right now. BTW, the 6 disc changer is an option. It has standard XM-ready Pioneer single disc player. I don't see how the back looks anything like a Honda.

[Grubbie]

Hmm I have been interested in the car for when I graduate. But my damn heigh might be a problem(6'2). It has some nice features on it(panaramoic moonroof, floor lights :D). I might give it a test drive for fun to see what it is like. That or an Evo

[g222leav]

if anyone finds a car that will fit a 6'8 person comfortably in the drivers seat, lemme know. my knees get so cramped when they are even with the steering column....


preludes *were* great for that!

[Bires]

I don't see it too much <shrug>

The 04 and 05 civic coupes have a circular reverse on the tails. A tC parks a few cars down from mine in the projects where I live-the cars look nothing alike, but the lenses are similar (to me).

[BrewMaster]

I test drove tC last year when they first came out. for the price they are not bad at all. but i thought it didn't have enough pep to it. i ended up buying my Martix XRS that same day. I don't know what the tC gets more gas mileage, but my 180 HP Matrix gets about 29 in real life driving.

[rasetsu]

I test drove tC last year when they first came out. for the price they are not bad at all. but i thought it didn't have enough pep to it. i ended up buying my Martix XRS that same day. I don't know what the tC gets more gas mileage, but my 180 HP Matrix gets about 29 in real life driving.


But the Matrix XRS requires 91+ octane.

[SnowSurfer]

the tc is too heavy....weighing in at 3,000+ (with passengers) im happy with my civic that is around 2,0XX lb's

but thats just my opinion :)


i think the best "compact" car right now is the dodge srt-4, supposedly its a kick in the pants

[ski]

i think the best "compact" car right now is the dodge srt-4, supposedly its a kick in the pants
The specs are good, but I'm not touching another Dodge after my Caravan dies!

[rasetsu]

the tc is too heavy....weighing in at 3,000+ (with passengers) im happy with my civic that is around 2,0XX lb's

but thats just my opinion :)


i think the best "compact" car right now is the dodge srt-4, supposedly its a kick in the pants


But it doesn't have power rear windows.

[g222leav]

The specs are good, but I'm not touching another Dodge after my Caravan dies!
:stupid:

i personally don't like dodges (sorry DF)...but after working at chevrolet (as a porter) and talking to most of the dealers...they have a horrible resale value...

but i suppose if you take good car of your car my issues with dodge wouldn't be an issue

[BrewMaster]

But the Matrix XRS requires 91+ octane.
that doesn't mean I use 91+ octane. I have not noticed any loss in power or torque since I've switched to 87.

[rasetsu]

that doesn't mean I use 91+ octane. I have not noticed any loss in power or torque since I've switched to 87.


I think you're still supposed to use 91+ if that's what the manual says. It doesn't only have to do with power.

[SnowSurfer]

does the matrix xrs have a turbo? for turbo cars you are supposed to use high octane...subaru wrx runs ...not exactly bad but its kinda crappy on 87 octane

[palayah8ta]

does the matrix xrs have a turbo? for turbo cars you are supposed to use high octane...subaru wrx runs ...not exactly bad but its kinda crappy on 87 octane

It doesnt have a turbo, but its got the Celica GTS engine.. so its quick

The interior of the tC bugz me. im picky. i do like the sunroof though,..

[BrewMaster]

does the matrix xrs have a turbo? for turbo cars you are supposed to use high octane...subaru wrx runs ...not exactly bad but its kinda crappy on 87 octane
nope, no turbo. but it does have LIFT!

[InfiniteNothing]

does the matrix xrs have a turbo? for turbo cars you are supposed to use high octane...subaru wrx runs ...not exactly bad but its kinda crappy on 87 octane

Who runs their WRX in 87? Knock sensors are reactionary... if you have engine problems the dealer WILL check the octane in the tank.

[BrewMaster]

I think you're still supposed to use 91+ if that's what the manual says. It doesn't only have to do with power.
I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but I don't care what the manual says. It is basically the same engine as the regular Matrix 1ZZ engine with a slightly different angle on the valves.

[rasetsu]

Who runs their WRX in 87? Knock sensors are reactionary... if you have engine problems the dealer WILL check the octane in the tank.


Someone who's a major cheapskate and doesn't care about their new $27K purchase. In the long run of things, 91+ octane isn't THAT much more than 87. A lot of people argue that it's throwing money away, but so is that drink you order everytime you go out. On my STi, 91 is the bare minimum according to the manual.

[InfiniteNothing]

I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but I don't care what the manual says. It is basically the same engine as the regular Matrix 1ZZ engine with a slightly different angle on the valves.

The compression ratio is too high. It revs farther too. There will be knock with 87. It's a simple $2/tank insurance policy.

[rasetsu]

My uncle put 87 in his RX-7 and killed his engine. Twice.

[BrewMaster]

The compression ratio is too high. It revs farther too. There will be knock with 87. It's a simple $2/tank insurance policy.
it's a manual tranny. it revs as high as I let it. I keep my RPMs down around 2-4K for the most part. Rarely do I use the lift. I mean, how often do you need to go 80 mph in 3rd gear? I've done it, it's fun, but it's not a freakin' race car so I don't care.

[InfiniteNothing]

it's a manual tranny. it revs as high as I let it. I keep my RPMs down around 2-4K for the most part. Rarely do I use the lift. I mean, how often do you need to go 80 mph in 3rd gear? I've done it, it's fun, but it's not a freakin' race car so I don't care.

Uhm, then why put down the money ($5000 will buy you alot of premium gas) for the faster engine? If you're not reving it to 8K at least once a day you might as well be driving the 1ZZ because the output is about the same in the lower range. It's in the higher range that the 2ZZ starts making a good amount of power over the 1ZZ. Lastly, you're still ignoring the very high compression ratio.

[BrewMaster]

Uhm, then why put down the money ($5000 will buy you alot of premium gas) for the faster engine? If you're not reving it to 8K at least once a day you might as well be driving the 1ZZ because the output is about the same in the lower range. It's in the higher range that the 2ZZ starts making a good amount of power over the 1ZZ. Lastly, you're still ignoring the very high compression ratio.
6 speed manual transmission is only available in the XRS. Also, came standard with 6-cd changer, moonroof, alloy wheels, etc. also, we have a good family friend that sells us Toyotas very cheap. There was not a $5000 difference between the two.

As for the compression ratio, I don't believe it is that different from the 1ZZ to the 2ZZ, but I honestly don't have the numbers to say for sure.

i've seen the dyno curves and you are absolutely right that the higher power in the 2ZZ only comes at the higher RPMs. Up to about 5k or 6k RPMs the curves look about the same. But refering back to my original post, I found the tC to be lacking pep, as in feeling slower off the line. But it's just an opinion. I also liked the Matrix XRS more because of the cargo room.

[InfiniteNothing]

6 speed manual transmission is only available in the XRS. Also, came standard with 6-cd changer, moonroof, alloy wheels, etc. also, we have a good family friend that sells us Toyotas very cheap. There was not a $5000 difference between the two.

As for the compression ratio, I don't believe it is that different from the 1ZZ to the 2ZZ, but I honestly don't have the numbers to say for sure.

i've seen the dyno curves and you are absolutely right that the higher power in the 2ZZ only comes at the higher RPMs. Up to about 5k or 6k RPMs the curves look about the same. But refering back to my original post, I found the tC to be lacking pep, as in feeling slower off the line. But it's just an opinion. I also liked the Matrix XRS more because of the cargo room.
Comparing the XR to the XRS using yahoo data:

I'm not sure what year yours is but for 2005 the moonroof, CD changer are options. Your friendly dealer might not be so friendly. Though, I'm just naturally distrusting of car people because my brother used to be one and I've heard lots of storys about "friendly" dealers from him.

6 speeds isn't that useful if you're not reving it out there.

You are correct that the difference is less than 5K. The difference in price is $2200. I was assuming the price would follow the same trend as the Celica. But the only difference in features are the alloy rims and the engine... still quite a bit of money for the engine upgrade you aren't using.

Compression ratio of the Matrix XR: 10:1 (pretty high but probably relaxed timing to accomodate it)

CR of Matrix XRS: 11.5:1 (very high, almost S2000 high)

[BrewMaster]

I'm not sure what year yours is but for 2005 the moonroof, CD changer are options. Your friendly dealer might not be so friendly. I'm just naturally distrusting of car people though because my brother used to be one.

You are correct that the difference is less than 5K. The difference in price is $2200. I was assuming the price would follow the same trend as the Celica. But the only difference in features are the alloy rims and the engine... still quite a bit of money for the engine upgrade you aren't using.

Compression ratio of the Matrix XR: 10:1 (pretty high but probably relaxed timing to accomodate it)

CR of Matrix XRS: 11.5:1 (very high, almost S2000 high)
mine is a 2004 model. I'm not worried about the price. I shopped around and there was nothing better than what I got under invoice. And you seem to be forgetting the 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. That was actually the biggest factor that drew me to the XRS. That and the cargo room.

Thanks for the numbers on the compression ratios. Indeed there is a difference. Is it significant? I dunno. :shrug:

[bachviet]

mine is a 2004 model. I'm not worried about the price. I shopped around and there was nothing better than what I got under invoice. And you seem to be forgetting the 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. That was actually the biggest factor that drew me to the XRS. That and the cargo room.

Thanks for the numbers on the compression ratios. Indeed there is a difference. Is it significant? I dunno. :shrug:
Just wait until your engine knocks and you find out how much it costs.

[BrewMaster]

Just wait until your engine knocks and you find out how much it costs.
Engines knock all the time, even with super premium fuel. that costs nothing.

[bachviet]

Engines knock all the time, even with super premium fuel. that costs nothing.
You decrease the engine life plus you sacrify performance. :shrug:

[InfiniteNothing]

You decrease the engine life plus you sacrify performance. :shrug:

Meh, not like you have to pay for his pitted pistons. Enjoy your $2/tank insurance/peace of mind and let live.

[bachviet]

Meh, not like you have to pay for his pitted pistons. Enjoy your $2/tank insurance/peace of mind and let live.
My cars take 87 so no problem for me.

[rasetsu]

Note to self: Do not buy a used car from BrewMaster. Haha!

[Apex]

I see them on the road a lot. The tC is an amazingly good looking car, especially for the money.