Scion tC Midsize | Compact

Scion tC Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The Scion tC is powered by a 161-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic transmission. It is offered in one well-equipped trim level, with features that include a panorama sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and cruise control, as well as power windows, mirrors and door locks; a standard 160-watt Pioneer audio system includes a subwoofer, MP3 capability and direct iPod connectivity.

Basically, the Scion tC is a well-equipped, affordable coupe that benefits from Toyota's attention to quality, durability and reliability. It is marketed towards the young first-time buyer looking for a sporty and hip urban vehicle.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 16  
[May 17, 2011]
Jennifer
Model Reviewed: TC

I will NEVER purchase a Toyota again. This car is total garbage. After owning the car for 2 years the passenger light would turn off and on and I thought it was a light bulb issue. After taking it in, I was told the issue was that the Day Time Running Light module was mounted in a poor location and rotted out (installed BY TOYOTA!); this cost me $250 to fix. I also had to replace the Yokohama tires that came on it with in the 2nd year. In the third year my gas flap/door blew off my can while driving on the expressway - this was not covered by the warranty and will cost me approx $500 to fix. Most recently I went to open my trunk and the 12 inch piece with the latch attached to it fell off into my hand. I took it into the dealership who referred me to a body shop to get a quote and after speaking to the shop they explained that Toyota uses a hard plastic and this piece may not be fixable and if it is it will never be strong enough and will most likely break again. To fix this it will cost approximately $500 for parts plus paint and labor. I called Toyota/Scion with regards to my quality concerns and they explained to me that "At some point the vehicle becomes the responsibility of the owner" and that they were not going to cover the cost of any of these issues. After owning the vehicle for 4 years I don’t expect for pieces of it to fall off! I didn’t go out and buy a $10,000 Kia. I bought a Toyota. If I had bought the $10,000 Kia I would have had a better warranty and the $10 000!!!

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jan 14, 2011]
Jason
Model Reviewed: Scion tC

Strength:

A lot of standard features other cars in the price range can't compare too. Toyota quality.

Weakness:

Not as good on gas as I would expect, I never average close to 29MPG. Engine should have a lot more potential since it's a 2.4 liter, but the midrange TQ really makes this car an easy daily driver.

The top summary up top about the 2011 Scion tc is wrong. The new 2011 Scion tc's now come with a 2.5 liter engine with Dual VVTI (intake and exhaust), not a 2.4 liter with just VVTI on the intake side.

Similar Products Used:

Test drove Mazda 3, Corolla, Civic EX, VW Jetta before purchase.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 13, 2008]
altemir
Model Reviewed: tC

Strength:

styling, horsepower, interior amenities, good gas mileage, affordable

Weakness:

none I can think of

I have had my 2008 tC for about 8 months and have put about 8700 miles on it. This has been a great car! I replaced my Land Rover (piece of crap) with this car and have not regreted it. I am amazed by how much car I got for the amount I paid ... and after a Land Rover, I really appreciate the Toyota quality. No problems whatsoever to date. The stereo rocks! Very peppy engine! I love the styling! Lots of neat options available (footwell lighting, dual sun roofs, reclining back seats). I highly recommend this car.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 29, 2006]
Kylene
Model Reviewed: Scion tC

Strength:

Good handling, heat, AC, suspension, adequate head room, attractive interior, the 60/40 split folding rear seat is a great amenity. The "outside temperture" button is pretty cool. I've got an automatic transmission, and I've gotten between 26 and 29 MPG every time. The leather seats are totally worth it, if your dealership has the option.

Weakness:

Don't spend 400 dollars for the bazooka sub upgrade. I'm very disappointed... absolutly NO "boom." Instead, but a decent amp and speakers.

When it was time to trade in my Monte Carlo, I knew I wanted something with sufficient power AND decent gas milage. I researched the tC, test drove it, and within a few months decided to purchase it.
I absolutely love this car. I think it has great handling and suspension. Both the AC and heat work wonderfully, and it has tons of cool "gadgets" normally found in luxury cars.
I opted for the iPod upgrade, bazooka sub, pedestal spoiler, and heated leather seats.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 22, 2006]
jakehole35
Model Reviewed: Scion Tc

Strength:

The 160 HP, and 163 ft lbs of torque were more than adequate for more drivers, but TRD introduced the Supercharger, and I had it dealer installed. Don't believe the reviews that give this car a 6.7-7.4 type zero to 60 or a 13+ 1/4 mile. Not true. I can chirp the tires on this car upshifting to 3rd gear, and hit 111 in the 1/4 mile. The only thing that stopped this car was the governor @ 127. I have owned a Farrari Dino, a Corvette, and just blew away a Mustang GT last week. Maybe he didn't know how to drive, but my timer a day later says the Tc supercharged does a 5.5 0-60, and the GT claim of 4.9 is a lie.

Weakness:

The 127 top speed governor. While this car is not the best handling vehicle I have ever driven, that can be fixed with a tighter suspension system and some tweaking. There is also a redline governor that kicks in at 6200 rpm, which is inconvenient, but I wouldn't call it a weakness. It'll end up saving the ngine because the car will jump from 15 (squealing tires in the processs) to 50 faster than you can keep an eye on your rpm's....

After months of research, I settled on this car. It was worth the wait. I drove every comparable car in this category, and this was the best, especially considering it has the Camry engine, and I suspect the Toyota quality.

Similar Products Used:

None for this kind of money. Its more affordable than anything in its class Unless you want a piece of crap Dodge). However, I have driven plenty of large engine cars, and lots of speedy 2.4 or recent larger Nissans, and this car compares very favorably to all.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 19, 2006]
marinejag
Model Reviewed: Scion tC

Strength:

Price

Leg Room

Options included in base price

Style

Handling

Total sex appeal :-)

Weakness:

Tires that come on the car from the dealership are $220+ apiece. I didn't realize that til it came time to replace them! Needs a back windshield wiper. They could coax a little more hp out of an engine with that big of a displacement. But it almost beats the Mini's 168 hp turbo.

Got this car over Christmas break of 2004, so I was pretty much the first one on the road in my town. I test drove the Mazda RX8, Ford Mustang (2005), Honda Civic, Scion xB, Toyota Celica, Toyota MR2, and Toyota Corolla XRS before settling on this car. And I have no regrets, whatsoever.

I added the rear lip spoiler and OBX aluminum shift knob. A few weeks ago, because there are so many tC's on the road now, I installed the TYC Euro-style taillights. I get lots of envious looks from other tC owners now :-) They are a definite plus as far as style. Within a few months I hope to get the cold air intake and/or supercharger (well, honestly, I haven't decided whether to get the super- or turbocharger).

The car handles like a dream, and all of my 6'+ passengers comment on how much leg room there is, especially in the back.

I finally figured out (after reading the manual-duh) that the stereo has different modes. When set on the bass-enhancement mode, it's quite powerful. But if you don't change the mode (by hitting the big SSP button) the stereo may sound a little weak.

I can't recommend this car highly enough. 3 people in my family now own Scions. It's a great investment.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota Celica, Toyota Corolla, Toyota MR2, Honda Civic, Mazda RX8, Ford Mustang, Scion xB.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 14, 2006]
sheetz08
Model Reviewed: Scion TC

Strength:

The stereo system, the moonroof, gas mileage, style, lots of room for passengers in the backseat, reclining backseats, fold-down backseats so you can move almost anything

Weakness:

the temperature gauge (to tell the OUTSIDE temperature) never seems to be 100% correct, blind spots in the back (but, it's about the same as other coupes)

I absolutely love this car!!!!

Similar Products Used:

best car I've ever driven v. jeep, durango, sunbird, corsica, escort

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 01, 2006]
Dan
Model Reviewed: tC

Strength:

Nice Lines, Forward View, Directionals on Mirrors, Big wide open glass roof, Just take the damn thing for a drive and you'll love it.

Good engine-trans combo once your out of first, I usually just use second and up...The thing can keep up with cars a lot bigger...Very fast on the track as well if you really lay into it...I was thinking about a 14 second time and was shocked by the 12.2ET @ 113 STOCK...

Handeling - for the price it corners like it's on rails...get the brace strusts and get a little bit more stifness up front, make your own and get a lot more...

Weakness:

FIRST GEAR IN THE STD...Blind spots to rear...AC could be cooler...radio sounds anemic to me, I'll be fixing that soon though...

Perfect vehicle for all ages...I bought mine as a Christmas present to myself and it's the best present I ever got...my mother has since bought an AUTO and loves it as well...

The price starts at 16 and change but goes up quick with the addons (Sirius Radio, Fog Lamps, Lip Spoiler (needed for a little down force on the rear end)...

The tire grip stock is great at first but abuse them and that goes away
quick...also replacement Z rated tires is a must, a friend didn't heed this advice and now drives a used Dodge Neon...

All tC's come with the stock set up of options and custumize to your own personality...Lots of after market items to go around if you look...Don't get the dealer muffler upgrade it's only 5hp gain and sounds dumb...

Gas Milieage, I hear lots of stuff about this, I have the STD and get just under 40 when I drive normal but get on the wheel and that drops to high 20's My mother has the AUTO and gets straight sticker...

Engine/Trans is stong right out of the box, it's a Camry with 2/3rds the weight...could uses a taller 1st in the STD, I don't even bother with it unless there's snow or racing.

The interior is not bad I expected to get bored with it but with the fold flat seats and rear seat laying back yes it can be a comfortable bed in a pinch...

Exterior - I wish the fog lamps worked with only the parking lights on...I don't like that the Headlights have to be on as well...Stock rims get comments,somehow, people think there an upgrade...the upgrade wheels actually weigh more then stock I'm told...

Sunroof - makes for fun ride...wide as the car and opens all the way up...the rear glass is also nice...

Paint and Finish - Haven't had an issue as of yet but who knows tomorrow is another day...

Similar Products Used:

Price range: Dodge Neon R/T, Dodge Caliber, Chevy Cavilier, Ford Focus, Hyundai Tiburon, Honda Civic, VW Golf, Pontiac Vibe, Pontiac Sunfire, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla...

When I went out to look for a new car I looked a lot drove just about everything you can think of bit the tC won out...

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 03, 2006]
Dennis
Model Reviewed: Scion TC

Strength:

The no cost options. To get this and built by Toyota - you can not go wrong

Weakness:

The gas mileage could be better for the size car.

I own an SUV and a BMW Z4 convertible. I decided to buy a small car and bought a Civic. Then I stumbled across the TC. What a value for the money. The key remote, sunroof, ABS, all power. I dumped the Civic within 9 months and bought the Scion. I have not regretted the move one bit.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 11, 2006]
Elizabeth
Model Reviewed: tc

Strength:

Theres a great stereo system. The Sunroofs are awesome and its just a fast car in general.

Weakness:

After about a year to year and a half of owning the car things seemed to go downhill quickly. It seems i could flick my bumper and it would dent. The driver seat either wont slide or recline or if it does sometimes it wont lock in place and im sliding around while im driving. My visors stopped flipping back up and just hang there. My rear brakes have had many problems and my axels are shot. Also the paint job started looking pretty bad... well thats not all but hopefully you get the point.

I was one of the first to get this car so there werent many reviews to research before purchasing it. Its a great looking car but has its flaws.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
Showing 1-10 of 16  

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