Okay, here's my tC story. When I set out to get my first new car, I read lots of reviews, did a bunch of research and comparisons (mini/mazda3/corolla xrs/and everything else in my price range), and I finally decide on the tC. I choose my options (side-impact airbags, sports pedals), put down a deposit, and I wait for the car. It comes in a week early -- nice. I drive over to the dealership, meet the sales guy who hands me the keys and walks me to my car. It was beautiful -- the IIP paint has a sweet highlight effect when the sun hits it, which is quite stunning. The salesman is talking to me, but I'm not really listening. The car is sweet. I get in the car and breathe in some of that classic toyota new car smell (in my opinion, the best new car smell period). "Now remember," the sales guy says to me, "you don't want to use cruse control for the first 1000 miles or so."

"No way, this thing comes with cruse control?!"

So the sales guy forgot to tell me about the tC having cruse when I was shopping for a car, and somehow I overlooked it when I was doing my own research, but all I can say is, it may not be the fastest car out there, but for the money, good luck finding a better value. I really don't think it's possible to find this combination of value and quality... unless you know someone who works at an Acura dealership who can hook you up with a RSX-S for $20k (lucky friend of mine).

So the point of the story is, I thought the tC was a great deal before I knew what I was really getting with it, and it turned out to be even better.

 

I like the fabric on the seats, it might not stain as easy like my other car. And one big reason it was my pick, I got a lot of standard options for the price such as power windows, sunroof, aluminum rims and low profile tires, etc. I feel like I got a sportscar version of the Camry LE for less than$17k.

 

I seen a few long post, so didn't read all of them, but I thought I'd mention what I love most about it, and if anyone has mentioned them as well, then I am just reenforcing the love.

I love the style, I didn't even know they car existed when I first seen it on the street. I seen an Azure Pearl on the freeway and was blown away by the beautly. Imo, it is the best looking car under $40k.

I love the color I got, and the colors that were available. I think Scion has some of the nices colors to choose from.

I love the 17" rims, that are stock. You will have to pay extra for something like those on any other car.

I love the stock pioneer stereo that plays mp3's, really no need for the cd changer.

I love sunroof and moonroof, on a pretty day, you will love to cruise with them both open.

I love the fact that everything I was looking for in a car, came standard on this one, and price was still great.

Most importantly I love the price I paid for my car. I can't think of anyother car, half as nice for the same price. I see other cars on the street that might be nicer, but I think to myself, well at least I didn't have to pay as much as they did.


Other notes:
I have never riden in the back seat, but people always tell me how roomy it is.
The 2.4L engine is actually pretty big for a 4 banger, and gives plenty of power. Unless you trying to be speed racer, you would have any beef with the power.

Other tiny things you might like about it:
It has a sensor that tells you when your tires are low.
The windows will stop and go back down if they hit something, like a child's head. LOL.
The headlights are shine white, and not that ugly yellow.
The signal lights on the mirrors, are not visible from the inside, so they don't distract you.
Keyless doors and hatch are great when you carrying alot of stuff.
You can actually haul a lot of stuff when the rear seat are down (I just moved last weekend, and moved most of it in my TC)
The center console has two diffect compartments, and an extra power thingy in it as well.


All I can think of right now, but the list goes on and on. I would definetly recommend this car to anyone.

 

^^ Confused... the sunroof IS the moonroof and there is only one of them that open on the tC.

Another thing I forgot to mention above is that I wasnt even in the market for a car when I saw the tC last July. I saw another in sept and went in just to check them out, still no plan on buying another car. I was looking at one, the sales person came out and gave me keys, a plate, and half an hour before they closed to take it for a spin. I went home that night, looked up a bunch of other stuff about them and ordered mine the next day. They def. sell themselves.

 

all your tCs are belong to us!

 

Correct!
There is a Sunroof in the front and a Moonroof in the back. I usually keep them both closed, except for the pretty days, I will open the sunroof, and uncover the moonroof in the back.

 

that makes more sense now

 

You have to disregard quite a bit of posts on this forum...many of them are unfounded.

Coming out of a Special Service Package Caprice, you will find that the tC is an all-around better car (duh) in terms of styling, reliability, fuel-efficiency, etc... Yes, there have been issues relating to moonroof/hatch rattles, but c'mon...a car with glass running from the windshield to the rear hatch with a steel brace running across the center is subject to chassis flex and will rattle with time...even with that, the glass roof is damn sexy, open or closed (the ladies like it too)!

Some of the nuances that you seek have already been addressed in this thread, but the "rice paper-esque" texture to the dash and door panels (you gotta feel it for yourself), the "waterfall-esque" shape of the center console, the two-tiered armrest/center console, the reclining AND folding rear seat, auto up AND down windows with pinch protection, the radio cover, the electric hatch lever, the all-inclusive key (no seperate key fob), the already-decent stock 17" rims, signal lights on the side mirrors, the cell phone/change holder in the center console, TWO 12v power outlets, semi-automatic HVAC controls with outside temperature display, tire pressure monitoring system, semi-auto-off headlights...need I say more? Add to that the steering wheel audio controls of the `06, and that rounds off MY list of nuances.

The overall shape of the car is reminiscent of numerous other vehicles that cost a lot more, and it's frankly...beautiful, and everything flows together smoothly. I share the same appreciation for fine automobiles, and brother, this is a beautiful vehicle. It's cheap to maintain, cheap to insure, easy on gas (well, at least better than your Caprice). Whether you want to keep it stock, or customize the crap out of it, the potential is always there, and is getting better with time. Mechanically, it's based on the Camry, but don't let that fool you...it's NOT a Camry, but Toyota knows that it has a winner with the Camry, so why not drop an already good powertrain into the tC. Power-wise, although it isn't a 5.7L V8, it's got more than adequate get up and-go, but that too is subject to debate on this forum.

Yes, you will sacrifice having a cavernous interior, but the tC's interior size may surprise you (it's also a hatchback with hatchback rear headroom...another thing that I find stupidly complained about on this forum). I can fit a fully-assembled mountain bike in the rear with seats folded down. This car was designed specifically for the American market.

Go forth and buy, my son.

 

I recently moved a couple of blocks away from my last place. I came home from work and spent evenings moving most stuff in my tC, and I was more than impressed at what I could fit in with the seats down!!! I am talking full height bookshelves, 4 drawer stack, tons of stuff I could never fit in my past cars. So when you think about moving or carrying things, you have more useful space than a larger car with starndard trunk.

 

a well thought and articulated post there.

 

thanks for all your comments.

so, garciaog, are those dual power outlets 12v AC or are they just cigar plugs? either way, it's a cool feature that i didn't know about.

hmmm... don't know if i get your meaning. this sounds intriguing, please someone explain...

 

The guages will bounce all the way to the top and back to zero (Pontiac-style) while switching the car to the on position.

 

They're just cigar plugs, but still very functional. Next time you're in a tC, there is a visible one just below the cubby hole in the center dash, and the other one is inside the center console.

There was something else that I forgot in my last rant...oh well, I covered everything that I thought was cool.

 

my fiance's uncle (works for fred anderson toyota) confirmed this... no deals, and they probably don't have any more m/t's anyway. looks like an '06 for me!

 

freakazoid... nice but yeah i gues we can stop talking now since you have already been sold on buying one

 

Yeah. The dealer by me can't even keep them on the lot. Only the tester (which is now an 06).

 

haha! i don't now if i'm totally sold yet...

well, i never really needed to be "sold" - that was just an eye-catching title... i just wanted to hear something about the car that couldn't be noticed in an online pic, article, or in a short test-drive.

so that said, i'm still interested in all the little things that you guys and gals love about this car!

(but i did just get approved for a loan last night...)

 

Honestly, I have only read this once before.. It corners like nothing I have ridden in..

Quit being a sissy, take a test drive..
I PROMISE YOU WILL LOVE IT!
If is that you are trying to avoid "buyer's remorse" I can promise you that you wont. I left my beloved I30 for my tC.. It is the decision i am most proud of, although most likely not the wisest..

If you really want to be convinced, providing the test drive still leaves you ambivalant, stare at a Flint Mica tC for about 5-10 minutes.. you will fall in love

 

A 5.4 V8, with 270 HP??

weak...

V8's should put out no less than 380...

 

well, maybe now-a-days with the magnums and the hemis, but in the 90's, they were still trying to get the engineering right to use the smog protection and get power out of those mills. a LOT better than the 80's, but still not all that spectacular. still, the car hauls with the power it's got... 260 was the stock hp rating, but most impala/caprice owners felt it was under-rated... probably almost 280. with a little work it can be brought up to at least the magic number: 350hp out of 350ci...

and it's a 5.7l, not a 5.4... the 5.4 is like a 327ci.