Test drove the Scion TC
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Car Info: 08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10
Test drove the Scion TC
Well as my car is out for a while, I went to look at some new cars. I heard lots of good reviews about the Scion TC so I went to the dealer to test drive one.
At first glance it looks good, kinda has a G35 look with some BMW 5 series eyebrow headlights and a big R34 Skyline looking center grill, 17" wheels, 100% manufactured in Japan, full glass roof (pretty cool actually), reclinable rear seats etc. The sales guy came out and we took the 5 speed one out for a test drive. At first I'm thinking .. 160hp with 165ft/lb torque should move pretty good. Normal driving mid range response is ok. But flooring it and going to redline the car feels really slow. I'm waiting for the power to come on but it never happens, the engine just revs but no kick. No VTEC rush, no boost, no nothing. Just redline, shift, redline shift... Also the car feels really heavy. Its over 3000 lbs! I threw it into a corner faster than normal and was rewarded with gross understeer and tires squealing. (the sales person was kinda unhappy about that)
Ok, so what's good? Interior quality is pretty top notch. Plastics don't feel cheap, very little noise and no squeaks or rattles at all. The car feels like a bank vault, really solid. The Pioneer MP3 CD player was ok. Very Euro feeling interior and some of the interior styling reminded me of VW. The glass roof is pretty cool. The front seats recline flat with the rear seats so you can make a big "social" space inside the car and stare out the glass roof. (haha, also good for "activities" on your date maybe...)
I dunno, car is worth the money but I feel its more a everyday driver/weekend touring car than anything sporty. I was looking for something with more power and better handling. But for the price $16.5K, its a good deal. Or maybe I'm just spoiled with boost.
At first glance it looks good, kinda has a G35 look with some BMW 5 series eyebrow headlights and a big R34 Skyline looking center grill, 17" wheels, 100% manufactured in Japan, full glass roof (pretty cool actually), reclinable rear seats etc. The sales guy came out and we took the 5 speed one out for a test drive. At first I'm thinking .. 160hp with 165ft/lb torque should move pretty good. Normal driving mid range response is ok. But flooring it and going to redline the car feels really slow. I'm waiting for the power to come on but it never happens, the engine just revs but no kick. No VTEC rush, no boost, no nothing. Just redline, shift, redline shift... Also the car feels really heavy. Its over 3000 lbs! I threw it into a corner faster than normal and was rewarded with gross understeer and tires squealing. (the sales person was kinda unhappy about that)
Ok, so what's good? Interior quality is pretty top notch. Plastics don't feel cheap, very little noise and no squeaks or rattles at all. The car feels like a bank vault, really solid. The Pioneer MP3 CD player was ok. Very Euro feeling interior and some of the interior styling reminded me of VW. The glass roof is pretty cool. The front seats recline flat with the rear seats so you can make a big "social" space inside the car and stare out the glass roof. (haha, also good for "activities" on your date maybe...)
I dunno, car is worth the money but I feel its more a everyday driver/weekend touring car than anything sporty. I was looking for something with more power and better handling. But for the price $16.5K, its a good deal. Or maybe I'm just spoiled with boost.
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Car Info: 2002 MBP WRX, 2012 OBP STi wagon
uhm... it takes very little to make that 160hp/165lb-ft torque car a monster... just for starters, TRD supercharger kit installed with warranty will net you a "few" hp/lb-ft 
The TC is a very nice car. Honestly, for what you pay for, you get a great car at that price range.
The TC is a very nice car. Honestly, for what you pay for, you get a great car at that price range.
I think of it as a more luxurious Civic. I like the TC's, a lot better than the xB's.. omg. LoL tha tthing is like a lunchbox on wheels. Anywho, I always thought the TC's were cool when they first came out. Maybe I should get it for the full glass roof top.
But yea, it's more a commute car, with some nice things on the inside. Power wise I don't think you'll be moving anywhere quick without a heavy mod such as a turbo or supercharger.
But yea, it's more a commute car, with some nice things on the inside. Power wise I don't think you'll be moving anywhere quick without a heavy mod such as a turbo or supercharger.
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Yeah, I think it'd make a great daily driver and I guess for that price there really isn't much out there in terms of fun new cars. The thing with Scion too is that they hae fixed pricing so you pay the sticker price, no bargaining, no wiggle room. After tax and fees, its almost 19K!
TRD supercharger sounds nice, there's a couple of companies making turbo kits for it but that's at least 3K to take the car up to 200hp...
The thing is, if I get this car it'd be a 2nd car/daily driver so I would probably drive it as is. No way would I want this as my only car. I'd be bored to death!
TRD supercharger sounds nice, there's a couple of companies making turbo kits for it but that's at least 3K to take the car up to 200hp...
The thing is, if I get this car it'd be a 2nd car/daily driver so I would probably drive it as is. No way would I want this as my only car. I'd be bored to death!
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I think the tC is OK too as a daily commuter car. Compared to a Civic with the same loads, that Civic would go pass the 20K and it would still have 15 inch rims. Wait for the new Civic and see what it offers. I think that would be a better comparison. Maybe the new hatch Nissan is coming out with will have more power.
Hey ZK, you posted this on zilvia too. Ok, I like the car. Too bad it's not a rwd...
I'm wondering if it has more pull than my s13. I agree with you, it's a great commuter car with the size engine and torquie that it has.
I'm wondering if it has more pull than my s13. I agree with you, it's a great commuter car with the size engine and torquie that it has.
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Originally Posted by drew935
Hey ZK, you posted this on zilvia too. Ok, I like the car. Too bad it's not a rwd... I'm wondering if it has more pull than my s13. I agree with you, it's a great commuter car with the size engine and torquie that it has.
I'm wondering if it has more pull than my s13. I agree with you, it's a great commuter car with the size engine and torquie that it has.Do you have a KA24DE? I'd say its similar in terms of power and torque but the S13 is faster because its lighter and RWD is just very different to drive. But then its apples to oranges comparision, two cars made for different purposes. The only people who can fit into the back seat of a 240SX are people with no legs and if you're over 5'8" you're going to have to sit sideways or bang your head on the rear window.
Actually the more i think about it, the more I don't want this car. Why should I make a monthly payment on a car I'd not have fun driving? Not having a car for a month makes you wonder about the practicality of modified cars...
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I also recently took out a tC - I liked the looks a lot better than a Civic or the Toyota Corolla S or the Celica GT-S.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
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Originally Posted by AntiochCali
I also recently took out a tC - I liked the looks a lot better than a Civic or the Toyota Corolla S or the Celica GT-S.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
). I test drove the tC a month ago as well. The looks- looks pretty nice. Not a fan of the 'plain' rear quarter panel section however, but it's still nice. The rear looks too much like one of those Saturn coupes though. Performance wise, it wasn't good, it wasn't bad either. Interior felt classy. Panorama sun-roof was a nice touch. I think this car is a great value if someone was in the market for these type of cars.
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From: Leg Humper
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Originally Posted by dSpec
It's actually a 2.4 I-4...
After looking it does appear it has the Camary 2.4 four cylinder not the six, sorry.
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Originally Posted by AntiochCali
I also recently took out a tC - I liked the looks a lot better than a Civic or the Toyota Corolla S or the Celica GT-S.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
It has the 2.4 six from the camary so I thought it would haul pretty well....It's not even close to the four cylinder 1.8 liter GT-S. The looks beat the GT-S and the interior is at least as good, but handling and acceleration and the fun factor are all way lower. It drove like a heavy sedan, even though it's small. I was very disappointed in handling/power. It does look good, much better than a Civic or Corolla.
I agree with that, the TC drove like a big sedan which it wasn't.
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Originally Posted by -j-
Hey ZK,
We also drove those Corolla XRS. They were actually trying to give those away I guess no one really knows about them.
We also drove those Corolla XRS. They were actually trying to give those away
I guess no one really knows about them.