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Scion tC Problems and Solutions
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Comments
The models I bought had all possible options and has been an incredibly reliable and well performing car with no weird noises...ever. It has a moon/sun roof that has never made a peep. Same goes for the hatch area. I have waited over a DECADE to find/see a comparable car be made...I thought Scion might be it but I guess not.
Will keep reading though and hope for the best. It's not just Scion, seems ALL new cars are cr*p quality these days...and with Scion since it is so cheap, I think the manufacturing issues show where that money savings came from...NOW I see why Toyota went with a separate line name...to protect Toyata rep in case things didn't work out so good LOL.
I still think it has the potential to be a GREAT car but right now there are far too many design flaws and manufacturing problems not yet resolved. Maybe 2007.
All tire help and advice is greatly appreciated!
Is it true there is no buzzer working with the security on Scion tC?
I have security installed, but I don't hear any sound when I lock or unlock my tC.
Thanks a lot for any reply.
If I were to purchase a tC, I would ask the dealer/factory to install either the Yokohama or the Goodyear Eagle which I have read have come standard on some tC's...or I would not buy the car.
I'm curious, did you buy the tC? If so, how are the tires doing?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
But a lot better choices than the RE92's.. they were bad when introduced on the 94 Integra and they are still bad today.. in my opinon :shades:
Tires: Still have original Bridgestone Potenzas-good handling on dry roads, will hydroplane at speeds over 45 mgh in heavy rain. Ride is a little rough on cracked roads, but not jarring. I live in Florida, so no experience with snow, but based on experience with wet roads, would not trust them in the snow. However, treadware has been great. I expect to get 70,000 miles out of these tires.
Pops, squeaks, rattles: No unusual sounds from moonroof when closed. When open, lots of wind noise, but what do you expect? No sounds from dash, glovebox, under or between seat as some have reported. I turned off the radio to listen for squeaks in the rear, and did hear some little rattle occassionally, but not sure whether that was from some cargo or what, really had to listen hard to hear it. Because it is a hatchback, you are more likely to hear noises in the rear than in a sedan.
radio cover: Design seems bad, looks cheap, but mine still works fine.
Moonroof shades: Look cheap, but again both front and rear still work fine.
Transmission: (automatic): zero problems.
Engine: zero problems, don't think I have read of any, either.
Mileage: about what was posted on the sticker, and I drive aggressively. If you want better mileage, buy a corrolla.
Heat retention: Interior gets very hot when sitting in the sun in Florida. It helps a little to keep the shades closed, but still very hot and the black interior makes the heat retention worse. Wish there was a lighter color interior.
Reclining rear seats: excellent feature especially if you have small children who you want to fall asleep in comfortable position. Car seats work fine as well. Kids also like having their own drink and toy holders in rear and their own over head moonroof and interior light.
Exterior: paint scratches easily, so be careful what you lay on this car.
Upholstery: No unexplainable stains, but seats are really hard to clean up after kids have made messes. If you are anal rententive about clean upholstery, either don't let kids in this car or get something with an easier to clean interior. I've read that some of you had leather interior put in, that would be better, but don't get black leather if you live in hot climate.
Driving experience: fun, fun, fun! What other car gives you this much fun to drive for the price? And with an engine that you never have to worry about. And you can personalize it a million different ways.
I have never had any trouble starting from stop with my current vehicles - or with other sticks I've owned / driven. I also have driven many "stick" miles from mid-50's Chevy panel trucks (my dad's) through my / our '63 bug, '69 Renault R16, '73 232 cid Hornet, '78 Datsun F10, '82 6 cyl Citation, '86 Escort. I suspect the tc was the quietest of the bunch - hence I couldn't judge engine rpm w/o actually watching the tach. Per this discussion, once going, I had no trouble with the tc's clutch when shifting up or down.
I'm looking closely at a tc, and at an Ion quad coupe 3 w the 2.4L engine - both stick. I like the Ion's milage compared to the tc's - but Saturn / Scion has a far better freq of repair reputation. Did anyone here compare the 2 before buying?
For the latest and greatest, get your recall info from NHTSA
me personally, I think the round foglamps going on the grill look a little retarded, and as if it were a last-minute add-on. doesn't really go with the sporty look of the car.
thanks
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
As for the discussion on tires. I too looked to replace the Bridgestones immediately but the expense lead me to give them a try. While I am not a Bridgestone fan (Duelers wore out at 35k and were worthless in snow on an RX300) I must admit I have been pleasantly surprised with these Potenzas. I would not buy them as replacements, but they have been adequate thru a Michigan winter. Time will tell how they wear. I expected worse.
sounds like your dealer is trying to make some $$$ on service for some simple things.. what is the labor rate there? $100? sheesh..
By the way this is Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA. I think if I force them to go buy the Scion service manual, I'll be ok, but I'm going to try to find somewhere else to get it serviced. They are TOO EXPENSIVE. Anybody else had this kind of experience?
and yes the tC has the same engine as the Camry, good for you to know that! It's only tweaked a little on the intake side..
I have a 06 and am trying to find cheap steel rims for the winter. I went to the website you mentioned and didnt see any for 40 bucks each....what are they called? are they 17" ? any suggestions on websites to look on?
thanks....
I bought my scion 06 two months ago. And I have now got a job in california. I currently live in ny. So my question is should i drive to CA or to fly ?
Here are the facts that will help you help me ...
1) I dont know much about cars at all. Best I can do is to replace a flat tire.
2) If I fly the new company will pay for my flight but then i have to spend around $1000 to ship the car and my bags. If I drive company pays for the gas. But I pay for hotel and stuff. So basically if I drive I will put 3k miles on my car, burn tires and take the chance that something might go wrong on the way. But I save around $800 in cash given everything goes smooth. Also I have heard that people who ship cars mostly get them back with dents.
What should I do ?
please advise.
If you fly and ship the car, get references on the shipper, and make sure it's fully insured.
It is very interesting question. If I were you, I would drive. Why? I enjoy driving. Your car is new car. There is absolutely no trouble. In addition to that, motel costs only around $30 per night. I drove my car to Texas and back to CA 3 year ago ( 4000 miles). I were happy with driving and sightseeing. Go ahead! Drive. You will enjoy dring your new car. The 3000 mileage adds to your car is nothing. Enjoy your new car, driving and sightseeing.
Tien Tran
I can think of tire inflating tube, some distil water,some food and drink. What else ?
I`ll get the oil change before leaving and after reaching CA.Also how often should I take breaks and for how long ? How much hours should a person drive in a day without over exerting the car ?
Its my first drive greater than 400 miles so I am concerned.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Gaurav
I love driving - most of it has been in a 1992 Geo Metro convertible - now with around 82,000 miles on it.
I always (in winter) carry water and a warm blanket. I also have a flashlight, a generic set of "car" tools like you can buy at Harbor Freight, Sears, etc. I also carry a pair of jumper cables. I'm an amateur radio operator, so I've always carried a radio with me, but now, in the days of cell phones, a cell phone will definitely be sufficient if you stay on the Interstate.
I also head to our library & check out audio books (cassette or CD) - that (and music) really helps the time go by. Since you're moving, you may want to consider getting audiobooks at a Crackerbarrel restaurant because you can buy a story at one restaurant and exchange it for a small fee at the next.
I definitely wouldn't fly - a car is far more fun, and you should really enjoy your TC. If the weather's warm, open the sunroof to keep the fresh air flowing.
Per how long to drive at a stretch, I can usually last about 2 to 3 hours - at my age (and with the amount of Diet Coke I drink at a meal), my bladder tells me when to stop! Rest stops along the Interstate are fine - I've never had a problem stopping at one, but if you're a single woman driving alone, I think you might be wise to NOT stop at one much after dark.
If you get tired during the day, pull into the first rest stop you see and take a nap - no one will hastle you.
Have good maps - AAA, Mapquest, etc. Being a member of AAA is also helpful - towing, etc. Know where the motels are that you plan to stay at (maybe try for 500 - 600 Interstate miles your first day out), although you shouldn't need reservations unless you're travelling over Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you've got a pet, remember that pets (dogs & cats) don't cost extra at Motel 6. Some other chains ban pets completely.
Know your internal clock - mine says sleep until 8 or 9AM & drive until around midnight - but we're all different. Your driving "clock", though, shouldn't differ from your normal preferred waking hours.
When you get your oil change before you leave, be sure to have your tires properly inflated. If it's been 6,000 miles or more since your last tire rotation, have the tires rotated, as well. Be sure the service people check the air pressure in your spare tire - they usually forget to do so unless you ask.
Per the car, it can drive longer without damage than you can. Unless you plan to drive in circles for days at a time in Death Valley in the summer, you'll never stress the car. Just watch your own reactions - keep your brain and eyes active. Check your mirrors frequently, your gauges occasionally.
Have some food with you - snack food that you can eat while driving without distracting yourself - popcorn, peanuts, etc. A pillow helps too, in case you want to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon.
Best wishes to you, and, when you arrive, write back to the list to let us know you made it.
Stan
Should I let the oil change guys know at the time they inflate tyres that I am going to load it up with all my luggage and so they should inflate more ? Or is it not advisable to do so in a long trip because I guess since the tyre gets over heated the air expands and so extra air might be not a good idea.
I have an option to go via Route 66 or Rt 50. Any suggestions which one is better in terms of sight seeing and also which one gets less lonely in some parts ?
thanks,
Gaurav
Per your route, I just looked up your older postings. I take it you'll be driving from someplace in NY to Los Angeles.
I'm not familiar with the 2 routes you mention, unless you mean the old Route 66, which really no longer exists - it ran from Chicago to LA - but has been replaced by Interstates 55, 44, 40, & possibly 15.
As a result, I'll describe the routes I'd take today. If you're coming from NY City, I'd take one of 2 routes to St. Louis. I'm not sure I prefer either, but the first is easier to describe. If it makes a difference to you, I think most of the first route is on tollroads; most of the second route is on freeways.
Route 1 to St. Louis
********************
Head west on Interstate I80 from NY City to Interstate I55, just south of Chicago. Take I55 south through Illinois to St. Louis where you'll pick up Interstate I44 heading west.
For sightseeing, spend some time in Chicago, IL & Springfield, IL.
Route 2 to St. Louis
********************
Take Interstate I78 west to near Harrisburg, PA, where you pick up Interstate Interstate I81. Head south to Interstate I68 at Hagerstown, MD. Then head west on I68 to near Morgantown, WVa, where you'll pick up Interstate I79. Take that south to Charleston, WVa, where'll you get on Interstate I64 which you'll take west to St. Louis where you'll pick up Interstate I44 heading west.
I prefer I79 to I81 because I79 is posted at 70mph - one of the few highways east of the Mississippi that is. It's also a very pretty drive.
One of the prettiest areas of the country, which has lots of Civil War history, is Harper's Ferry, WVa. You'd have to take about a 50 mile (round trip) detour, though, to get to it. If you want to, instead of heading west on I68, head east to Maryland highway #65. Take that south to Harper's Ferry - well worth the trip. To get back on course, take #65 back north to Interstate I68 and then head west.
Farther west, Louisville, KY has some interesting sightseeing opportunities, including a 2 hour steamboat ride on the Ohio River, but I'm not sure whether it runs in the winter.
St. Louis West
**************
Both of the above routes take you to Interstate I44 west (part of old route 66). Take that west to Oklahoma City, where you get on Interstate I40 headed west. For sightseeing, both St. Louis & Oklahoma City are worthwhile, depending on your interests. St. Louis has a great zoo & transportation museum; Oklahoma City has wonderful western American art (paintings & sculptures) at the Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Then stay on Interstate I40 west until you reach California. I've never driven in the LA area, so someone familiar with that area will have to advise you once you get to Interstate I15.
Per sightseeing along the way, once you leave Oklahoma City, your next major city is Amarillo, where I live (if you want to get together for a meal, send me a separate e-mail at [email protected], and I'll e-mail you back with my cell phone number). It's worth seeing Palo Duro Canyon here - only 20 miles from Amarillo.
West of Amarillo is Albuquerque, NM - very interesting in itself, and only about 60 miles from Santa Fe - also very interesting. Heading west from there you'll pass very close to the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona.
West of that is Flagstaff, AZ, which is close to the Grand Canyon - definitely a "must see". Also in the Flagstaff area are Tuzigoot, Montezuma's Castle, and Cedar Canyon (all Anasazi Indian ruins which pre-date Christopher Columbus).
That's as far west as I've driven on I40, so I'm not familiar with the area west of there, but there are some very pretty areas north of I40 in southwestern Utah (Zion National Park & Brice Canyon National Park) that are spectacular if you have the time for a fairly lengthy side trip.
I hope the above helps. Per time, if you don't do any sightseeing, you should easily make the trip in 5 days - 600 miles a day is very easy on the Interstate system.
Best,
Stan
It's a big country and a longgg drive, especially this time of year pretty risky, too. Besides, you'll need at least 5 days, so hotel/motels/meals will add up.
I'd probably fly out and take my chances with the shipper Go to epinions. com and see if there are ratings for the shipper you are choosing. Some are great, some okay and some totally dreadful.
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I would drive for sure. I've done several cross country drives..a bunch from Wisconsin to Phoenix, plus Wisconsin to Los Angeles. I enjoy a cross country drive, and have never encountered a problem. By sticking to the interstate highways, you'll always be in cell phone range in case of any problems.
I don't have a TC, my trip to Phoenix last march was in a Lexus GX470, but the TC is a great road car, and very comfortable on the highway. I wouldn't worry about reliability with a Toyota product either.
A big advantage to driving over flying, especially since the TC has quite a bit of hauling space, is that you can personally transport your more valuable or fragile possessions without having to worry about entrusting them to a shipping company.
produce lower emission manufactures would cause the engine to be very lean at certain speeds and it was very
irritating to drive the 74 Datsun I had.I assumed with EFI
this problem went away.I am looking at 2 door coupes
and visit these sites often so keep up the honest input.
I wonder if they licked the smog problem with fuelinjection
and now are trying increase mpg with lean burn.
As to the brake and tire, they last longer than you think. For tires, with proper pressure, care and doing alignment and rotation with normal driving can last at leask 25K-30K. The brake could last even longer. In general, highway cruising do least wear on the brake than stop and go traffic. All cost you just mileage which is very low due to the price of the car.
As to the risk of damage, sufficinet planning and preparation, enough rest and plenty of time to spare so you don't have to rush but take it easy, you will be in good shape. If you are AAA member of any of your family or friend is, get the maps and route plan free. Make sure to have them to suggest the one to avoid possible foul weather beside the scene points.
Enjoy the trip!
I had a question. How do you know when your breaks have worn out ? I mean I had a old honda accord before which had really soft breaks. But I never had problems using them since I just got used to adjusting my breaking distance accordingly. I fear the same i will do to my tc. So when do you guys go and ask mechanic to check your breaks ?
I am not a AAA member but will become one just for the advantages of maps and road site assistance etc. I plan to finish the drive in 5 days. So might be able to stop at few places but not a long stop over. Mapquest says it will take 42 hrs......is the mapquest travel time given based on assumption that we will drive at speedlimit or less or more ?
The last question. Today while reversing my tc i reversed real sharply, stopped sharply, changed to drive gear and accelerated sharply. At that moment there was big thud like sound under the car and it jerked harshly. Then everything was normal. I believe I was abusing the car but my head was not straight since I quit my job today. So well, should I take this thud sound seriously and get a checkup or it was just normal when we shift gears this way ?
thanks a lot guys,
Gaurav