Took a TC for a drive

Definitely a neat car....Has spunk and looks...Our first one is white and has a suggested list of $17,177. Not bad for the price range. Quality is typical Toyota and should do well. By the way the sunroofs are cool

Excuse my ignorance...but where is Delray Beach?

(I'm guessing Cali...but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it's somewhere on the East Coast....so I know they're getting closer......)



:rolleyes:



::This waiting around for the car is killing me....I'm almost contemplating grabbing a flight to Cali next weekend just so I can finally see one and make a decision...lol...that's sad::

the first tCs hit the dealerships on the east coast this afternoon :)

WOOT!

Ok, Fridays are great but you just SERIOUSLY made my day......

:D

Wow Loopy Lady you're definitely addicted to that car.

Dealerships want customer just like you. :)

delray beach is located in South Florida. West Palm Beach to be exact. the TC we have is white. I know they make plenty of TRD parts for it already. Supercharger, Suspension, Brakes, Etc.
Should sell very well. You will all be happy with the car

I got to test drive a tC today. Flint Mica automatic with exhau$t package and side air bags. The exterior looks about like I expected--restrained sportiness. The fit and finish are great. The ride and handling is very nice--this feels like a quality car. The design of the 17" wheels are very cool.

I took it on a stretch of freeway that is heavily traveled by semis and even though the roadway is rough--and I was going 80 with 3 people in the car--the ride was fairly smooth and quiet. The (pleasant) sounding exhau$t system was only really noticeable under accelleration. No comparison to the Mazda 3 I drove an hour later on a quieter road. Even while coasting, the road noise in the Mazda was always apparent.

I didn't really try to adjust the sound system to my taste but my impression was the Mazda has a better sounding radio. I was prepared not to like the interior of the tC based on what I saw in the ad photos but it is actually quite nice. I don't like the little door over the radio--what's that for? I don't like the silver finish on the center console either because it extends up the dash and reflects glare into the driver's eyes. I think there is an optional finish kit for this though, so the glare problem could be easily rectified. The front seat backs really do fold down flat and the rear seats recline so you and your friend can enjoy a "conversation".

My biggest disappointment was the roof. There is nothing but a thin piece of vinyl between the glass and the interior of the car. The roof acts as a huge solar collector and the flimsy vinyl gets scorching hot and radiates heat into the interior. Does anyone in this forum have experience with such a set up? I'd love to know how you live with this because this one design flaw would be a deal breaker for me--it might be fine for someone up in Seattle though.

Wow Loopy Lady you're definitely addicted to that car. Dealerships want customer just like you.

Actually, they must not because I called 4 SCION dealerships (even one that is 4 hours away from me), and they don't have a thing available. They have all pre-sold every freaking car............................................... ............

Best case scenario, I was told one dealership will have ONE available in three weeks (if THAT one doesn't pre-sell too).

Funny thing is, I'd probably be willing to put money down for the car if they had one I could at least LOOK and and SIT in....I wouldn't even need to test drive it. But I'm not promising out about $17/18K, sight unseen.

If this car really looks as sweet as I've heard, you'd think the dealers would realize that having JUST ONE on the lot that they DON'T sell (I know, I know...their whole LIFE is about selling)....then they'd possibly get even MORE buyers b/c people will see and love the car. Who am I to question though, right?!? LOL.

Anyways, it seems like it'll be another month or so before I get my shot at one of these (and even longer if they don't get a 5spd in that doesn't have every option imaginable).

Until then, I'll just have to get my tC fix on the boards here, so keep the stories coming...PLEASE!!! :p:

Originally posted by Sick of Martyrs
My biggest disappointment was the roof. There is nothing but a thin piece of vinyl between the glass and the interior of the car. The roof acts as a huge solar collector and the flimsy vinyl gets scorching hot and radiates heat into the interior. Does anyone in this forum have experience with such a set up? I'd love to know how you live with this because this one design flaw would be a deal breaker for me--it might be fine for someone up in Seattle though.

I know what you mean..for TX, this is a definate NO NO....man, i know those roof's are pre tinted not to allow UV rays, but if i owned a tc, i'd get it LIMO tinted on the top to reduce any greenhouse effect.

I don't know why the Scion dealers are making it so difficult to order the tCs. My boyfriend and I went into a dealer to test drive a demo car (black sand pearl / 5-speed) about two weeks ago. We both really liked the car and wanted to buy one but the dealers said they were only taking deposits on the car. They couldn't even specify when they think we will get the cars... maybe July... maybe August... maybe later. :(

When I asked whether we could order a customized (w/accessories, options, etc.) car, they said they couldn't do that. I was kinda bummed. Anyways... we did put a deposit down (refundable)... so now we are playing the waiting game. We are waiting for an automatic in black sand pearl or flint mica. Luckily for me... they said that the shipments from Scion are made up of about 65% automatics and 35% manuals.

Hopefully we will get one before the summer is over.

This whole waiting thing could be a sale tactic.

Like that saying goes.

"People always want something that they can't have."

I would like to see a no sunroof option.

Less weight, and I HATE the sun (hey, my room has tinted windows, blinds, and black curtains, like a crypt)

They have a few here in Ann Arbor (Detroit Mi area) and they are just dying to get rid of them. They wish more people would come in and order them. I don't know what the issue is with the deaerships in your areas.

yeah.. i agree. a no-sunroof option would be nice.. but scion/toyota is bent on the idea of only havin 2 factory options- tranny and color. and expect that for every scion.

Imasaf, I hope your numbers are off a bit....I just put a deposit down on Tuesday for a manual, Flint Mica tC. They said they'd have a better idea next week on when their next allotment will be. I'm hoping they can order within two weeks and I'll have it by Mid or Late-August. ::Fingers Crossed::

Also, I don't know exactly what you were looking for in options, but my dealer sat down and went through the "build your scion" feature at www.scion.com. He printed out what I wanted, including the auto-dimming mirror (we didn't see the cupholder illumination option on it, though) and when my name comes up on the list he's gonna' call me, verify it's still what I want, and get it ordered.

Maybe that is just a sales pitch? ::Shrug::

...Hopefully they're not gonna' screw around with people on the waiting list and pass other cars onto people who step on the lot, if you know what I mean.

LoopyLady_1

So are you going to drive by the dealership lot every other day to make sure the first Flint Mica tC get on the lot is yours? :D

Nope... the figures are correct 65/35. The Scion guy actually showed us the # of cars Scion will ship to California (or maybe the west coast... don't remember). Silver was the highest produced color, black, etc.... (I don't remember the rest).

Anyways... maybe things are different in other parts of the US. I guess maybe Scions are more popular in California because we have so many dealerships. More recognition = more demand

I think what's gonna suck is that if my black automatic comes in... but has other options added to it... I would have to buy it unless I was willing to wait again.

Anyways... I don't think any of the dealers can control what they get. Mine seems to think that the higher selling dealerships will have priority. If thats the case... I'm not in too bad of shape. My dealer is #1 in San Diego and #5 in California. I almost went with Longo Scion (Los Angeles) because they were #1 Scion dealer in the Nation. :) Anyways... I didn't feel like driving 2 hours to pick up my car or take it into service.

Oh... I forgot... I found this website from another string. You can buy the accessories (including the cupholder) for your tC here. I have not done business with them yet so I don't know what their reputation is. :)

http://www.partznet.com/toyota/scion/accessories/tchomepage.html

LoopyLady_1

So are you going to drive by the dealership lot every other day to make sure the first Flint Mica tC get on the lot is yours?

Nah...I might really want the car, but I'm not THAT psychotic about it. At least...not yet. :p:

Originally posted by imasaf
Oh... I forgot... I found this website from another string. You can buy the accessories (including the cupholder) for your tC here. I have not done business with them yet so I don't know what their reputation is. :)

http://www.partznet.com/toyota/scion/accessories/tchomepage.html

Seems to be a lot cheaper than getting them installed at the dealer :nutkick:

I just wish they had the XM radio, because I'd like to keep the factory look and functionality of the built-in system, but I don't want to shell out $700 for it when I can get a full setup for $150.

Edit: I've got another link to add. They have the TRD strut/springs and other TRD parts available!

http://toyotaparts4u.com/e_catalog/
-Joel

Originally posted by joel_musicman
Seems to be a lot cheaper than getting them installed at the dealer :nutkick:

I just wish they had the XM radio, because I'd like to keep the factory look and functionality of the built-in system, but I don't want to shell out $700 for it when I can get a full setup for $150.

Edit: I've got another link to add. They have the TRD strut/springs and other TRD parts available!

http://toyotaparts4u.com/e_catalog/
-Joel

---------------------
The stock pioneer radio comes XM capable. The $700 is only for the antenna and installation. You can probably buy the antenna elsewhere and get it installed for cheaper. Check with your local car stero shops.

Just test drove an automatic tC today... felt pretty good. Now I'm just waiting for the black sand pearl or flint mica color. Still don't know when I will get one. :( The dealer said he will get about 7-9 automatics late this month... but no guarantee on color.

Anyways... I asked the salesperson about the antenna and he said that the xm radio will work with an universal antenna you could get at a local car stereo shop. You can probably save $$$ by doing so. :)

honda had it for the time with civic n integra, toyota finally got it!

VVT-i with timing chain, and we all know how high RPMs sweeten the ride. 17s and room to drop. 163 torque and 160 horses soon to be 200,
as smooth a gear box as can be, firm steering wheel, and it doesnt bounce like an RSX on a bumpy road.

i'm sold even if it's not supercharged but i have 40 reasons to wait... then pull up to an RSX type S on a red light.

ps. pls dont anyone buy an automatic. u'll defeat the whole purpose of tC. i kno where to get plenty of 5SPDs

#1
Get into any locked car on a hot day.The steel roof turns it into an oven!
Glass absorbs less heat than metal plus the uv/ir filters in the glass mirror most of the suns rays away from the roof.
Remember, this little brainchild was developed by Lexus engineers(they think of everything)
The heat you felt from the glass may have been psycosematic.

Originally posted by tC200hpstock
VVT-i with timing chain, and we all know how high RPMs sweeten the ride.

I dunno what you're talking about. I've heard the rev limiter was set at 6500 RPM. I've also heard from other test drivers that the final gear (manual) is still pretty high, meaning that the engine is already doing 3500 at hiway speed....

Then it occurred to me... I'm beginning to think that maybe the manual tranny was DESIGNED for the TRD supercharger!!

-Joel

I just left my local Lexus dealer after getting my Lexus serviced. The dealer is also a Toyota, as well as the new Scion dealer. They already have the sign up. While the Lexus was back- I thought I would go look at one and there was only one in front- which was pulling out with a younger couple test driving it by themselves. :eek: Looks like they pulled out pretty fast out onto the highway was well. :eek: The only other Scion there was the SUV Scion inside the showrooms- which I dislike personally. I went back over to the Lexus building to get my car and I seen the Scion car (TC?) going out again. Strange that they only had one and it was being test driven to death. I am in east Tennessee, so maybe they have not fully made it here yet and they are just starting to get them in- at any rate the one they have probably already has 50K miles on it. :D It sounded like it was an automatic, but from what I have been able to gather before, they are all 5-speeds- which is why I had about decided not to get one, because I have a bum knee that keeps me from comfortably driving a manual shift car. Hopefully automatic is available. I am really considering one of these cars. I am judging by the exterior, as I have not even seen the inside of one yet.

the beauty of VTEC was that it sounded like a F1 car.
i red lined my civic SI at 8000 and it bent the tensioners, needed a whole new timing belt and 2000$ worth of work. thank god for warranty.

this thing can rev up at 5000 all day and it wont mind one bit. the chain will never need to be replaced, so toyota promises.
i've abused some camry 2.4s and they took it just fine. tC is the same engine so it should be fun.

anyone have pricing for supercharged tC? i heard it was about 3000 more at around 19600

Maybe if the system is a Pioneer, it'll work with the Pioneer head unit from Crutchfield???

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-z47MYsQaIxj/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=18&g=176850&I=130P910XM&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=

-Joel

Redlining= :( Sure way to destroy an engine in a hurry. Engines are not designed to run like that all of the time. I am suprised they fixed it under warranty. They usually state on new car warranty that they will not cover damages from abuse..... :confused:


Originally posted by tC200hpstock
the beauty of VTEC was that it sounded like a F1 car.
i red lined my civic SI at 8000 and it bent the tensioners, needed a whole new timing belt and 2000$ worth of work. thank god for warranty.

this thing can rev up at 5000 all day and it wont mind one bit. the chain will never need to be replaced, so toyota promises.
i've abused some camry 2.4s and they took it just fine. tC is the same engine so it should be fun.

anyone have pricing for supercharged tC? i heard it was about 3000 more at around 19600

Originally posted by tC200hpstock
honda had it for the time with civic n integra, toyota finally got it!

VVT-i with timing chain, and we all know how high RPMs sweeten the ride. 17s and room to drop. 163 torque and 160 horses soon to be 200,
as smooth a gear box as can be, firm steering wheel, and it doesnt bounce like an RSX on a bumpy road.

i'm sold even if it's not supercharged but i have 40 reasons to wait... then pull up to an RSX type S on a red light.

ps. pls dont anyone buy an automatic. u'll defeat the whole purpose of tC. i kno where to get plenty of 5SPDs

The rev limiter on the tC stops you from having any high rpm fun. This car is not a screamer. It's powerband is down low, not up high. Also the car may not bounce on bumps but it downright sucks, The first thing people who buy this car should do is get a new suspension for it if theyc are to haev a car that is actually "sporty" and not a poseur.

Originally posted by tC200hpstock
honda had it for the time with civic n integra, toyota finally got it!

VVT-i with timing chain, and we all know how high RPMs sweeten the ride. 17s and room to drop. 163 torque and 160 horses soon to be 200,
as smooth a gear box as can be, firm steering wheel, and it doesnt bounce like an RSX on a bumpy road.

i'm sold even if it's not supercharged but i have 40 reasons to wait... then pull up to an RSX type S on a red light.

...

you sure you could take on a base rsx with the non-sc tc?
my rsx goes right to the tip of the redline ... and pulls ok.
The rsx is much lighter too.

My lady and I test drove a tc today. I was in the passenger seat while she punched the car ... it seemed ok to me ... but i expected more. I like the seats though ... not hard like my rsx leather seats ... and it's sporty enough to hold your body during turns. It's definitely smoother ... quieter in road noise ... and less bumpy than the rsx. The engine is kinda loud at mid to high rpm ... The doors are heavy ... and the hood is heavy. I didn't really like the fabric top covering the sunroof ... it seems cheap and flimsy ....

I do like the styling ... the tires are decent and the rims are better than what i've seen stock on toyotas. I don't like the radio cover either. The trunk is a lot smaller than the rsx. 30mpg isn't bad ... but i've driven many toyotas... and if it says 30 you'll be hitting 231 - 26 average.

I feel like my head is going to hit the ceiling... but it doesn't :)
Too bad no telescoping steering wheel ...
The passenger leg room is decent (not like hondas)
The driver leg room could use an extra inch.

I'm still thinking of trading my rsx for the tC ... i'm not a honda person ... but i do love the tranny on the rsx ... it's just smooth

I like the shift box on the tC ... much smoother than the rsx (autos)

sup with that big circle on the front bumper ... slightly toward the driver side ...

The head unit seems ok ... but the speakers ... slightly muffled ... the tweaters aren't really doing their job ... not very clears sounding ... like a lot of toyotas .... but it's definitely better ....

going to test drive it again .... i haven't seen the car at night and how it looks ... lights are important to me ... my 03 corolla has dim lights .... and the white dash lights with green center console .... makes me wonder what toyota was doing ...


if i think of more i'll add to it ...

good luck with your scion buying! (we have to order ours if we decide to get it ... with a waiting period unknown.)

sup with that big circle on the front bumper ... slightly toward the driver side ...

I wondered about that too when I saw it on the Silver (I hadn't noticed it in pictures I saw of the Flint Mica).

Apparently, from what I've heard, you pop out that hole and behind it is a rig you use when towing the car. Someone said it was smart to put it on the car (keeps from running the risk of pulling off the bumper or something during towing), and that other cars have used the same design.

I just think it's weird, and sorta' glad I didn't get the Silver now since it was so noticable on the car I've seen.

Oh well... :rolleyes:

yes, the circle is for towing the car but only while it is on the assembly line .. i don't think it can really used to tow the car otherwise it would have been in the user manual .. only toyotas made in Japan have them .. if you look at the camry's, some have them and some don't .. the ones that have them are japan made and the ones that don't are made in USA.

Well, ESPECIALLY if it's only for the assembly line, (and only for the cars made in Japan...) I think it's crazy they have it there. Why don't they try to do it "the American way" and save the poor lil' bumper?!

I mean, a car company spends tons of time (and money) to come up with a car design that is attractive and then it goes and puts a hole in the bumper...

Anyone else think that's a tad stupid? If it is a cost-saving strategy for the line, then maybe that's ok....but in that case, the cars with "normal bumpers" should have a higher sticker price. ;)

Originally posted by switchex
yes, the circle is for towing the car but only while it is on the assembly line .. i don't think it can really used to tow the car otherwise it would have been in the user manual .. only toyotas made in Japan have them .. if you look at the camry's, some have them and some don't .. the ones that have them are japan made and the ones that don't are made in USA.

It is in the manual, but they say you should only use it in an emergency situation (i.e. stuck and need to be pulled out of the mud). There is even a screw in attachment in the spare tire compartment that allows things to be easily hooked on for towing. IMO this is a great feature that may save my bumper one day. :D

There is a nice scion available in Hanover,Pa that is silver, HANOVER TOYOTA- 717-633-1818