Scion tC

fan

I am checking the online insurance company to see how much is for the tC. But I can't find it on the car list of Gmac, essurance and so on. Can those who bought the car kindly provide the insurance info? Thanks.

tahlequah

1. I pay $61.85 through State Farm. I have multi-car and renters ins. reductions. Not sure what it would be without those but I can tell you for certain that the demobilizer (immobilizer?)is a big discount item!

2. The blinders are easy to use, flimsy, but easy. I wouldn't be poking my fingers up to them too much. Kinda iffy, like the "sure to be the first to break" stereo cover.

3. I'm only averaging 24 mpg, most of that city. No long road trip yet so, can't say for certain what the hwy mpg could be.

Still lovin this car, though! It is not put together with duct tape!

cooldad24

I passed by a local dealer and can't help to drive into the lot. Luckily, there is one owned by their manager who kindly let me sit in and take a look companied by their rep. It looks way better than the photos! It is the silver mica metallic in lighter side as I preferred. I also looked the color plate and found the true color is darker than the web site except the White and silver. I didn't test drive it (not allowed :-< but sit in to poke around. The materials are very good but still a grade or two below Lexus (of cause). The blind is flimsy but cover well though durability is questionable. The back seat is really more suitable for two due to the drop at the bottom. The seat memory (manual) only on the driver side. The passenger side is not, like my wife's Solara.

The rep tried 4-5 times to open the stereo cover. I change the SSD between xA, xB and tC and confirm what others said about the sound quality. The tC is dull, xA is crispy and xB is hard with better bass. The rep was surprised how I knew the trick, who though they knew better than customer. (thanks for this topic)

I got a option list from dealer which including Toyota Gold and Platinum extensive warranty as someone asked. I live in south SF bay area, and the wait time is 4-6 week. I didn't ask pricing, but was suggested no more than MSRP. Not sure if Side Curtain airbag will be longer wait. They need to place order to confirm that.

Sorry for this long posting and hope clear some question. I encourage whoever interested but not seen the car go find a dealer having one to real appreciate it. It by no mean is perfect, but worths the price compared to its competitors. The only thing left is how to persuade my wife to allow me buying it!

nyccarguy

The tC looks like a great car, offers tremendous bang for the buck, and every review I've read so far is quite favorable.

Has anybody considered TRD modifications? One magazine said they drove a TRD SUpercharged tC with suspension modifications. I see there is no link to TRD from the Scion website.

exzur

From cars.com

 Gear---5 spd manual w/OD---Automatic

 1st-------------3.54--------------------3.94
 2nd-------------2.05--------------------2.20
 3rd-------------1.33--------------------1.41
 4th-------------0.97--------------------1.02
 5th-------------0.78----------------------na

I wonder why, the automatic tC with no overdrive has equal or better epa mpg than the manual counterpart.

The manual tC must get much better mpg, else my knowledge of gear ratio is very shallow, or I don't understand the concept completely.

stickguy

You are missing a key peice: the final drive ratio. You essentially combine (multiply?) the two to get a total ratio. So, the AT car has a taller final drive, so the effective ratio is higher. Also why first gear is shorter I assume.

exzur

Which two shall I combine or multiply to get a total or final drive ratio?

Is the concept different from the gearing of a multi speed bicycle?

exzur

An overdrive transmission has a final gear ratio that is less than 1:1. This means the drive shaft turns faster than the engine crankshaft, permitting the vehicle to maintain a constant speed at lower RPM.

The 4th gear ratio of the manual tC is 0.97, the automatic tC is 1.02. The maual tC should get a better mpg even without the 5th gear.
Adding the 5th gear ratio of 0.78 to the equation, the manual tC must get a much better mpg.

I still can't figure out why EPA gives the automatic tC a better or equal mpg.

rorr

The final drive ratio (FD) is NOT one of the gear ratio's you've listed in your table for the 5spd manual vs. 4sp automatic. The final drive ratio is built into the vehicles differential, not the transmission.

I've no idea what the actual FD ratios are for the manual and automatic equipped tC's but I would imagine the ratio to be in the upper 4's for the manual and mid 3's for the automatic.

To determine the OVERALL ratio for the vehicle in a particular gear, you need to multiply the gear ratio times the FD ratio.

Example:

IF the manual FD ratio is 4.8 and the 5th gear ratio is 0.78, the OVERALL ratio in 5th is 4.8 x 0.78 = 3.74.

If the automatic FD ratio is 3.6 and the 4th gear ratio is 1.02, the OVERALL ratio in 4th is 3.6 x 1.02 = 3.67.

In RWD cars with the differential at the rear axle, the Final Drive ratio is also called the "rear-end" ratio. Same concept. Again, the FD ratio is built into the differential. It determines the number of times the driveshaft turns per axle revolution. A 4.11:1 rear-end ratio means the driveshaft will turn 4.11 times for every single revolution of the axle.

markg4

any indication as to what the sc version will cost? will the supercharger require any other options (trans, suspension) or will you be able to just add the extra power to the stock tc? i assume the performance figures will be close to the saturn ion red line that has a 200 hp supercharged engine (0-60 6.3 0-1/4 15.3@94.5). that a whole lot of car if they can keep the price under 20k.

exzur

From autosite.com,

the final drive ratio for the manual tC is 4.24, the automatic tC is 2.74.

The overall drive ratio for the manual 5th gear is 3.3072, the automatic 4th gaer is 2.7948. It is hard for me to believe the EPA highway mpg for both cars is 30.

I think, the automatic deserves a much higher mpg.

stickguy

HIghway for the manual is 29 mpg. I believe the AT also loses some MPG because it is slightly less efficient.

Keep in mind that the EPA tests are very strange, and don't reflect real highway driving. Early reports seem to show that the manual will do better than 29 cruising, but I have no idea what the AT will do (someone needs to buy one so we can find out).

rorr

A little taller (smaller numerically) gears than I was expecting for the manual and automatic tC's. Of course, I'm used to my Celica GTS which is geared pretty short.

Personally, I'd expect perhaps 31-32 hwy for the manual and perhaps 1 mpg better for the automatic. As stickguy points out, the AT, even though geared a bit taller, is probably not as efficient (more drivetrain losses) than the stick.

mackabee

The auto transmission in the tC IS an overdrive transmission. The 4th gear is the overdrive.
                    
                Mackabee

exzur

From cars.com,

"An overdrive transmission has a final gear ratio that is less than 1:1. This means the drive shaft turns faster than the engine crankshaft, permitting the vehicle to maintain a constant speed at lower RPM."

As I have found out this final gear ratio has to be multiplied by the axle ratio to produced the overall ratio. The overall ratio of automatic tC is much taller than the manual version. However,
in several car magazines that I read, websites visited, the 5 speed manual tC is specefied with
an overdrive(OD). Whereas the automatic tC is not.

What is really, the meaning of overdrive? When can we call a gear ratio or top gear ratio or overall drive ratio an overdrive? Can we draw a line?

stickguy

overdrive is when the gear ratio is less than 1:1, regardless of final drive ratio.

And, you can have more than 1 overdrive gear.

exzur

the automatic tC's 4th or top gear ratio is 1.02 and is not an overdrive.

rorr

You are correct, sir! If top gear is 1.02, then it is NOT an overdrive.

stickguy

if it makes you feel any better, the 5-speed manual in a BMW 3 series isn't an overdrive either.

Really it is semantics, since it is the overall ratio that matters to MPG when cruising. The juggling of gear ratios/final drive ratio probably makes more of an impact in lower gears for acceleration and flexibility.

Anyway, just drive the tC and enjoy it. 30-32 Mpg really isn't that bad. If you need 38-40, buy a 125HP Corolla instead.

katando

has anyone heard the stock 6-disk system with and without the sub in the trunk? is there adequate bass sound in the stock systems without the sub? also, does the security system include an engine immobilizer...it sure would save on insurance but the website makes no mention.

rorr

...adequate bass sound in the stock systems...

It's probably just me, but the precise definition of 'adequate' probably varies, substantially, from individual to individual when it comes to bass.

You'll probably just have to give the base system a listen. I don't think the 6-disk version will sound any different from a bass perspective but if you're concerned about lack of bass at this point, you may 'need' the sub.....

tahlequah

1. The Corolla is 130hp, 125 lb.'ft.

2. rorr is right, it's all subjective. That said, I could use the sub for definition if nothing else. However, I recommend the xA option if you really want to hear the system. I don't think the 6 changer will matter in this regard. tC is dull, xB is muddy. xA offers the best clarity with a bit of bang. If you wanna really rock, get the sub (someone earlier mentioned Hi-Fi Buys for a variety of electronic add-ons....cheaper than dealer)

3. I don't believe you can add the supercharger to the stock. If you can, maybe all you need extra is the intake??? Tempting but I figure I can wrap myself around a tree sufficiently with 160 horses.

4. The immobilizer comes stock. The security system is an option. I don't know if it would make a difference in your premium but I know the immobilizer certainly does.

cooldad24

The engine immobilizer is standard, and the security system is option. The later actually is alarm system with break sensor and door sensors. It use the horn to alert intruder after open the door without disarm or breaking the windows/windshield. It's good for regular theft not professional.

nyccarguy

I think I read in the article (and I can't remember which magazine) that the TRD Supercharger would be a $3000 option. I'm sure you could (but wouldn't have to) add other options along with the S/C like beefed up suspension components, lowered springs, sportier shocks, and bigger brakes. You might be paying a premium getting them from the factory, but they'll be covered under warranty which is worth its weight.

The Torque figure for the tC's 2.4 is pretty impressive for a 4 cyl. I'd definitely need the extra hp of the SC coming from my H22A powered Prelude. But I'm just thinking and asking out loud as there is no sign of me getting rid of my car for a long time...

coronadoaz

Hey guys-been reading lots of your posts-very informative. I went for a tc test drive a couple of days ago and was very relieved to see that there was enough head and leg room for me since I'm over 6' tall. The styling and features were exactly what I was hoping for but really bummed that leather seats aren't an option. The dealer said they could do leather seating for me but a friend warned me against doing that as it wouldn't be warrantied by Toyota/Scion even if it's a Toyota dealership. Any opinions on the pros or cons of adding leather this way would be appreciated as it appears to me that a lot of you are very well informed on stuff like this. Anyway thanks and have a great day.

cooldad24

Maybe someone has asked and answered, I wonder if I can add warmer from outsourcing?

stickguy

Yes, they can add bun warmers.

coronadoaz

I'm glad they can add that for cooldad but heck, I live in Phoenix, that's an option I could do without. I've noticed that it's often included when you want to option leather seats. Man, that burns me-no pun intended. Now if they could give the option of heated OR cooled seats that would be worth considering.

307web

Of course TOYOTA is not going to warranty the aftermarket seat fabric, but a reputable install shop should provide their own guarantee.
Toyota is not going to warranty an aftermarket stereo system either, but that does not mean you are stuck with the factory system.

tahlequah

I also read around 3G for the SC. Can it be added at the dealer like most of the tC options or must it come from the factory? I believe that was the original question (not mine).

genee

Classic Soft Trim is a nation wide after market shop that does leather. In fact, they do more of the Portland, OR area leather than Katzkin (another reliable leather chain). CST - in the Portland area - prices leather at $1000, $50 for perf, $50 for two-color, and $299 for bun warmers (if done when they have the seats apart for the leather). Do a search for Classic Soft Trim and/or Katzkin to find a dealer near you. Katzkin will only work through a dealer for a new car. They both guarantee their stuff 3/36.

volcomknurd

Is it possible to drive off the lot with a tC nowadays? even if i offer to take the show car would they do it? Just wondering cause if i dont have to wait for one, i wont.

mackabee

As long as the car is not a TRAC car I don't see why not. I rather not have one to show than have one with thousands of miles and have to sell as used later on.
              
            Mackabee

genee

Just how long does it take for a tC to get from Japan to a dealer? I have a copy of an invoice that says the car was shipped 07/26/04 but the Retail date is blank. Category: F

dat2

well, i have agreed to a deal on a new tc, flint mica 5 spd no options. just waiting for the car, which is only to take a few days. i am paying $700 in doc fees, but this is the best deal for me because of the trade-in allowance at this dealer.

i was seriously also considering mazda3 and 04 nissan spec-v at a big discount, but have settled on the tc.

char

Good choice,Congrats! I picked up my Black Cherry A/T yesterday. Love it! I checked with every Toyota/Scion dealer in the DFW, TX area to get it. Was told it would be 3-6 weeks, but they located it outside of the metroplex in 2 days. BTW, every dealer here charges $50 doc fees:)
   The traffic in this concrete jungle is horrendous and the A/T held its own nicely. I was impressed and a little surprised. And it turned a few heads as well. Makes this 40-yr-old gal grin!

getbent56

I'm wondering about the length of time as well. I put in an order for a silver tC (5-speed) on July 2, and it still hasn't arrived.

gee35coupe

That was NICE.

mackabee

If the inventory sheet is showing "F" status, it means the car is on the truck on its way to the dealership from the port of distribution. It should also have a D-ETA column further to the right with the Dealer-Estimated Time of Arrival such as D-ETA 0810-0814 which in this case would mean the car should be at the dealers lot between August 10 and August 14. Once the car is on "F" status delivery times are pretty accurate. From "F" it will go to "G" or ground which means it will be at the dealer any day now. Hope this helps. And to answer your first question, it usually takes 6-8 weeks from a ship from Japan to get to the states with all those Scions and Toyotas.
                   : )
                   Mackabee

char

Due to a nasty car wreck that totaled my vehicle, I was not able to wait 3-6 weeks. But I wanted the tC BAAAAAD. I went to the wanttc.com web site, pulled up every dealer within 150 miles. I called or emailed each of them, told them all what I needed and said I'd buy it from whomever got it on the floor first. I didn't have time to play the loyalty card. Heard a lot of ridiculous stories from salesmen, many who did not know diddly about the Scion. But the dealer who made it happen for me here in Fort Worth apparently "traded" a different Scion for my Black Cherry. It didn't have the spoiler but I can add that later. He's my hero!
      The stereo is not my fave, but then again, I wasn't looking to buy an $18K sound system.
      I took the car on a 150-mile mini roadtrip today. Very smooth, quiet, comfortable. Closed the moonroof, opened the cover. Wonderful! Once I got going, the AC was actually frigid. As everyone here has said, I love it more every time I drive it.
      Anyone have a definitive opinion on the spoiler? Does it make enough difference asthetically to warrant $385? Since I'm adding it after the purchase, will I be paying installation charges also?

genee

The "spoiler" is just a bump on the deck lid. Not even any air space under it. Wasted money, in my opinion. The local dealer has a "pedestal spoiler" on his option list but no picture nor price at this time. He was quoting 120 days wait time for tCs to a friend. "Searched the allocation lists" for several states and "only found four" with two on the ground. Friend is picking up his tC from another dealer next week. These spendy doc fees I am seeing have to be including title and plates. Huh?

genee

If you have a decent connection speed, try downloading http://www.csupomona.edu/~dha/tCManual.zip

It is not a complete repair manual, but it is full of good information and free from virus - at least in my scan.

tahlequah

I have to agree, the spoiler is not worth the $$$. I wanted one, too, until I saw what it actually was. Good description: "bump on the deck lid". I'll wait for the next step spoiler before I go shelling out that kinda $$$$. But, as we've all said, this is where Toyota will stand to make the biggest buck - "accessories". That's okay by me. I just wanna like them......

Yes, my $300 doc fee did include title and plates. Although I paid extra for a specialized plate because I absolutely refused to put the standard (KY) Raisin Bran smiley face plate on a perfectly beautiful car! {and can you believe KY WON the license plate contest, or whatever they call it, with that thing? - trust me if you haven't seen it, once you have, you'll be scratching your head like the rest of us). I'm sure there's a website with it showing....I saw a plate last week where someone had cut out two scoops and taped them to either side of the sun! Looked just like the cereal box!!!!!

char

off the subject.....
Tahlequah, any connection to Oklahoma?

tahlequah

You betcha! Born in KY, long for OK. Second home. You're DFW, yes? A fine southern neighbor!

So....been there? Tahlequah, that is.

char

In April I moved to DFW from Broken Arrow. A native TX gal, been in BA for 18yrs. Whoa! I'd forgotten about the traffic here. After my crackup on I-35 last month, I'm seriously skittish about driving in traffic. Even though the tC is the smallest car I've owned in 15 yrs, I still feel completely safe. It feels meaty, but moves fast which is important in this land of gargantuan trucks and obscenely large luxury SUVs. Can't wait to take it to Green Country and show it off. No one up there has seen one yet!

dat2

where in KY are you? i am in louisville.

i just picked up my tC tonight after work. they could not locate or order a flint mica, so i settled on a silver mica off the lot. i put 60 miles on it just driving around town. so far i really like it. one thing though, i noticed my throttle foot was a little sore, am hoping that is nothing. yes, i did pay $700 in doc fee, not incl plate, but the trade in price was roughly 1500 more than carmax, so i was quite happy

stickguy

washed mine for the first time (real wash, I think I rinsed it off once). The flint mica must really hide dirt well, because it looks amazingly better. Much more shiny, and you see the colors in the paint again.

bigblueky

I to live in Louisville, where did you get your Scion? I'm seriously considering an XB(kids) or poss tC. I am not going to pay some dealer crazy money for doc fee's. I've looked at Scions by my house @ TofL, they're not my favorite dealer when it comes to service, I have a 1997 Toy Avalon and the last time I had it serviced there they did a crap job. I haven't been to Oxmoor lately, but the last time I was there they talked like they were stupid. Greentree they are as full of crap as soon as their mouth opens. I baught my Av from them and they were just full of BS, but that was were I got the best deal on my Av and the color I wanted. My wife loves the car and now that it's paid for I get a new vehicle. I just don't want any BS when I buy my next car and probably will go to Toy of Frankfort and look or go somewhere in Indy or Cinci to see how they act. I don't have a trade and probably will do financing through my credit union.

chieftk

Getting ready to order my tC. Have searched for a reason to go with my second choice but everything I hear is so positive that I have decided to pull the trigger at Scion. One thing I have run across researching the tires is a lot of negative comments on the performance of the Potenza's.

I live in Michigan and would hope someone out there might recommend a tire better suited to our climate. There is another Bridgestone tire that seemed to rate much better. I pose the question as I am considering a tire swap when I purchase.

Of course, I want the perfect tire!! Good in snow and rain, quiet, long lasting and sporty. Since no one has driven the tC in snow yet I want to be well prepared for winter.

Any suggestions? Thoughts? All will be greatly appreciated. Can't wait to join all of you as a tC enthusiast.