Hey everyone...

Check out this Chicago Sun-Times article about the tC...

Best regards,
Paul
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http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/...s-scion30.html

Scion tC feels like a Lexus

August 30, 2004

BY DAN JEDLICKA Auto Reporter

The Scion tC sporty coupe is too big, refined and stylish to seem related to Toyota's other new youth-oriented models -- the smaller xA hatchback sedan and severely boxy xB sedan/station wagon.

Perhaps that's because the tC is the first vehicle developed exclusively for the Scion brand. While affordable and practical, the xA and xB are rebadged Toyota Japanese market cars.

The front-drive tC shares its platform with the Avensis sedan that Toyota sells in Europe and has a modified 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine from Toyota's American-market Camry. It produces 160 horsepower and lively acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds).

A short-throw five-speed manual gearbox is standard and works with a clutch that's light but has a long throw. Optional is a responsive four-speed automatic transmission, which adds $800 to the base price.

Fuel economy is an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with the manual and 23 and 30 with the automatic.

Like the other two oddly named Scion models, the $15,950 tC is well-equipped for the money. Standard items include a large "panorama'' sunroof with a power front glass panel, air conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with a security cover, cruise control, tilt wheel, split-folding rear seatbacks, rear defogger, large 17-inch wheels and power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry.

Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution for safer panic stops, outside mirrors with built-in turn signals and a driver-side knee air bag. Among safety options are $650 front side air bags and curtain side air bags for outboard occupants.

Also offered are an upgraded sound system and XM satellite radio.

Performance options include larger 18-inch wheels. A dealer-installed supercharger option from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) will be offered this fall and will boost horsepower to 200. Also to be offered by TRD are a lowered sport suspension with stiffer springs, a performance clutch and 19-inch wheels with higher-performance Pirelli P Zero tires. Dealer-installed accessories will be covered by the tC new-vehicle warranty.

The solidly built tC two-door hatchback sits low and wide, with a fairly long 106.3-inch wheelbase and short body overhangs. It feels bigger and heavier than it is and is very refined -- as if from Toyota's upscale Lexus division.

However, the tC is a little too soft and heavy to qualify as a serious sports coupe, at 2,905 pounds and a nose-heavy 61/39 front-rear weight distribution.

That's not to say it doesn't have good moves. The rather heavy power steering is very accurate, and a sophisticated all-independent suspension and wide track help provide above-average handling and a smooth ride that shrugs off bad bumps. The brake pedal has a linear action, and emergency stopping distances are short.

However, it's easy to induce front wheelspin even on dry roads when moving from a standing start.

The quiet, upscale interior is reached via long, heavy doors, which can be a problem in tight parking spots. The power windows go up and down quickly, but stopping them before they move all the way up or down calls for quick movements with their controls -- although the windows have "pinch protection'' to prevent injuries.

It's roomy up front, where sport bucket seats provide good support in fast turns. The tilt wheel and a height-adjustable driver's seat help provide a comfortable driving position. There's even a large rest area for a driver's left foot -- something especially appreciated on long drives. However, thick rear roof pillars partially block vision from the driver's seat.

The shrouded gauges are hard to read in some daylight conditions, and the overstyled audio controls are too small for easy use. The larger climate controls make more sense.

The rear bucket seats are deeply contoured, but can make occupants feel rather cramped. They recline 45 degrees and can be adjusted into 10 different positions, although rear head room still is tight for 6-footers.

Front seats slide forward, but athletic moves still are needed to get in and out of the rear-seat area.

Storage capacity includes numerous CD, bottle, cup and cell phone holders, four map pockets and a fairly roomy glove compartment. Front console cupholders are strategically located and deep. Even the front vanity mirrors have covers -- but aren't lighted.

The cargo opening is wide, but rather high. Cargo room beneath the large hatch is shallow, but the split-folding rear seatbacks easily flip forward and sit flat to enlarge the cargo area. Items can be hidden under a cargo cover.

Front seatbacks fully recline to allow a "sleeping function,'' if, for example, occupants need to pull to the side of the road for a nap.

The refined, comfortable Scion tC offers Toyota quality in a reasonably sporty, well-equipped car at a cut-rate price.



2005 SCION TC


PRICES
$15,950-$16,750

LIKES
Fast. Refined. Good handling. Nice ride. Fairly roomy. Very well equipped.

DISLIKES
Hard-to-read instruments. Long, heavy doors. Tight rear headroom. Shallow cargo area. Tricky power windows.

 

I guess somebody should have showed him how to work the windows.

The review is incredibly dry. I think he had an opinion on the car, but it's hard to tell.

 

i second that

 

I think the windows are tricky as well. It's not like like he's a retard.

 

hahaha sell your car.

 

hey one touch windows are easy lol

 

LOL.

 

To each his own. I like the door being long and heavy and closes with a solid "thump". Not like some cars, feel like an aluminum can when you close the door.

 

"Instruments are hard to read" ??? WTF, pretty simple to me.

I do agree on the doors. I like the looks from the outside but opening the doors in narorow spaces is rather difficult. Wish they had put some sort of a handle more to the left so when opening the door you were catching the door about midway with the handle. Rather minor but this is the most awesome car for the price. Even if this car was priced like a RSX, I would have a difficult time NOT picking the tC.

Kevin

 

Well no sh*t, but try just cracking them, like to smoke or vent hot air when you park.

 

You don't know how to work your windows.

 

Windows are perfect, he should go buy a car with manual windows. You just cant please everyone 100%.

Doors are also perfect, the solid feel and sound give me good confidence in the quality and strength of my doors. If you think the doors are too long, welcome to the world of coupe's, go back to a sedan.

This feels like yet another cut and paste review from his checklist. Its too bad that most car reviewers don't come up with truly original reviews anymore.

 

After opening my door in my garage while parked next to my other vehicle, I know never to park next to a tC in tight spaces. The doors are heavy and really like to swing out.
As for the instrument cluster. They are a little wide spread and I have to keep the steering wheel a little higher than what I would like to be able to read all the guages.
About the tC being a Lexus...not quite. It's quiet on smooth roads but noisy and bad surfaces. My IS in really quiet on smooth roads and still quiet on rough ones. Also interior materials are much better.
Still, can't complain about the value of the tC.

 

The switches have two distinct clicks - one for manual, two for auto. Not too hard.

 

i think the doors are fine... nothing compared to my old monte carlo

its all about perspective.

C

 

I'm well aware of how to work the windows, smartass. That's not the issue. The point is that multiple people have some trouble with them. There is no distinction (in my tC at least!) between the one touch and the regular power down. To crack my windows, I have to just barely jab the button, and then half of the time they power all the way down anyways. The controls are not conducive to rolling the windows down by only an inch or so.

 

Really? Hmm, your tC may be different. My button has two levels, one you press down and the window goes down, but stops when you let go. If I press it all the way down, there is a point where I feel more resistance from the button and the windows do the auto-down thing. Same with the up function.

 

Ditto, definitely two distinct clicks.

 

I love the power window auto.... Im thinking of getting an alarm that puts the windows up when i Activate the alarm

 

Oooh, that's a good idea. Let me know what kind of alarm you get.