Test-Drive: 2005 Scion tC w/ 5-speed manual

Yesterday, I went car shopping with my friend to help him find a new sporty hatchback. After weeks of researching, we already had it down to two models: the Honda Civic Si and the Toyota Scion tC, both with 5-speed manuals. I didn't get a chance to drive the Si, but I did drive the tC, to see if it would live up to the hype that it had been receiving.

First, the styling. While the tC looks a bit plain, it definitely has potential to be a decent show car, and the TRD body kit is quite good-looking on it. It's almost as if Toyota intentionally gave us a blank canvas, with plenty of space for whatever wacky mods the owner sees fit. The dual moonroof feature is also pretty cool. What I really like, though, is the inside of the car. Functional yet futuristic, ergonomical yet slightly eccentric, the tC's interior should attract plenty of attention from the younger crowd at which it is aimed. One of my favorite touches is the pull-out cover for the stereo's head unit. The cabin exemplies Toyota quality, while still having a lively, invigorating feel to it. My only styling gripe would have to be the rims - they're a bit too flashy and gaudy for my tastes.

Next, comfort and ride quality. I found the seats to be rather uncomfortable; they were a bit on the firm side, and didn't contour to my back very well. The roof seemed to be too low, as well - I'm 6 feet tall, and my head was nearly touching the ceiling. Leg room was generous for a car this size, though, especially in the back seats - one of the advantages of sharing platforms with a sedan (the European-market Toyota Avensis). The ride quality was unexpectedly smooth, and the cabin was pretty quiet. Cargo capacity seemed more than ample with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down, and there were plenty of little storage compartments up front.

Now for the engine and transmission. I'm glad that Toyota decided to go with the 2.4L engine from the Camry, and not the rev-happy 1.8L engine from the Celica. The tC's 2.4L DOHC engine with variable valve timing makes 160 horsepower at 6000 RPM and 163 ft-lbs of torque at 4200 RPM. There's plenty of power down low, and the car seems to pull pretty hard in the first few gears. The five-speed manual transmission is very slick, and quick shifts are not a problem in this car. The clutch is just the right length, and the firmness of it is perfect.

Handling is decent, although not quite as sporty as I expected. The four-wheel independent suspension is tuned for comfort, but the tC is still fairly agile, and understeer is minimal. Front and rear stabilizer bars help, as do the standard 17-inch tires (which are Z-rated, by the way).

The best thing about this car, though, is the price. Base MSRP on a 2005 Scion tC with a five-speed manual transmission is $16,465. When you consider all of the upscale features it has, such as external temperature display, two one-touch power windows (both up and down), and remote keyless entry, the Scion tC is a total bargain in the rapidly growing sport-compact market. Plus, you know you can expect a long, hassle-free life from the tC, thanks to Toyota's first-rate build quality and legendary reliability.

Overall, I am pretty impressed with Toyota's newest sport coupe. While the long-running Celica will be sorely missed when it dies (along with the MR2 Spyder) in 2005, the tC is a more-than-suitable replacement, and it's a lot cheaper, too. Than extra money could be spent on a TRD supercharger, which will be installed from the factory, thus keeping the warranty intact, and bring horsepower up to around 200. The TRD supercharger will be offered for the Scion tC sometime this fall.

In case anyone is wondering, I am 18 years old and live in Las Vegas, Nevada. The test-drive was conducted on flat, dry roads, with an outside temperature of about 105 degrees Fahrenheit.