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Scion tC
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Comments
Good fortune on your tC purchase, too. Hey, BTW, what iteration of Release Series is the tC on, anyway, is it Scion tC RS 2.0? What color will it be?
The same as the Scion xA RS 3.0's color, sort of a metallic blue-green color?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I don't blame you for the sportage. My mom had one and it had 1,000,000 problems from front badge to spare tire. Its funny how we got out of it too. We went to a used car convention at the orange bowl and were getting a bmw 328i. She saw a miata and test drove it for almost 3hours. She bought it and is happier than her sportage's problems!
-Cj :shades:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
My husband and I are looking at a tc for him to commute in. We came across the Spec version on CarsDirect and Edmunds and the price is right for us. We've been in a regular (base) tc and really like the interior. We can do without the moonroof and the other minor changes, but are really concerned about a downgrade in the fabric. Anyone been in one? Your thoughts?
I drove both models and could not tell the difference in ride, comfort. Actually the spec is likely to be quieter with the fixed moon roof.
Hope this helps.
-Cj
I was not aware that side curtin airbags were standard and thought those remain an option.
The original premise of your question was if the difference in price of between the spec and the base model would leave you with a significantly different car. My assessement was intended to be as objective as I could be pointing out the major differences in the trim and equipment.
Candidly if the interior makes that big of a difference, get the spec model and get leather seats. I priced them this morning from a place that specializes in custom interior upgrades for cars. (they do that for dealerships. The price difference between the spec just about covers that cost.
You have been known to want a Scion tC RS 3.0, right?
I would like a 2006(or 2007 if they're about out to dealer lots)Scion xA in 5-speed, Polar White form. I'd run over after getting one to Pep Boys and buy some Proline alloy wheels for it, though. Nice reflective wheels make this car the unique automobile it can be.
I would go for a 2007 Scion tC Spec in Polar White, Flint Mica or Classic Metallic Silver, too. 5-speeder, of course.
With a new xA only costing $13,320 it would seem tragic to not add the obligatory nicer wheels, IMO. It makes a plain xA look Release Series-able immediately!
Let me add to those additions an armrest if not already installed at the factory. I am an armrest kind of guy, most definitely.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
The original premise of your question was if the difference in price of between the spec and the base model would leave you with a significantly different car. My assessment was intended to be as objective as I could be pointing out the major differences in the trim and equipment.
Ok that depends on personal prefrences. I prefer the audio controls on the steering wheel as its better to need them and not have them. I require an opening sunroof as i'm kinda claustrophobic. I love driving my accord home and being able to have the sunroof and all 4 windows open and watching the sunset! Its the greatest & most unexplainable feeling ever and something i don't think I'd be comfortable without. The sound of my engine sounds good too! And since going from 170hp in my accord to 160hp in a tC -eventually- won't be all that bad. The mpg is about the same also!
So IMO, the price spent on the regular model versus the spec model is worth it and the price is well justified.
When choosing between a between a spec and regular tC remember this:
No opening sunroof, no nice rims, no controls on the steering wheel, and not as many colors to choose from. So why not spend the extra $2.5k(automatic) for a nicer vehicle? If only toyota used a 5 speed auto to keep revs down...
-Cj :shades:
-Cj
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
-Cj
Our 2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 is worth about $4,000 right now for our rural Arizona zip code, according to KBB.com. If the Scion dealer in Tucson I go to won't accept the Sportage 4x4 in trade I won't accept them as my dealer and I'll walk. Simple as that. I hold the cards in that deal!
Hey, autoboy. I looked for your e-mail address on carspace and it said "not available" or something like that. Do you need to go in and make it available to carspace members? Check it out, man.
Oh, about the tC. I love it, too. Absolutely love it. It's just that I want a 4-door rig to replace the 4-door rig I have now. But the tC is an awesome looking car. I test drove a 2005 Scion tC RS 1.0 and it drove really nicely. It was Absolutely Red and a 5-speed. I'd love to have that car, indeed. Maybe I'll get my wife a tC and myself an xA! Only she'll need the tC to be an automatic transmission. Drat!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
A 5 speed automanuals should help auto owners have fun, keep revs down on the highway and get better MPG. If they do that, a rear wiper should be added then also...
-Cj :P
Automakers do look at forums like this and they do take our opinions seriously.
So nitpick away, autoboy16!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I have reviewed both models in depth and thought that what I learned might be useful to others.
As everyone knows the TC spec has less content (or decontened) as it is called. The obvious things are the functioning sunroof, no cruise control, no radio controls on the steering wheel that on the spec is also no leather. The arm rest on the spec is not fabric covered nor has a dual opening lid.
The front grill on the spec is absent a small piece of chromium trim, the passenger door does not have a key to open it from the outside and naturally the tires are 16" mounted on steel wheels versus alloy's and 17".
Inside the engine compartment the plastic cover is absent on the spec with no other changes evident.
The $1,400 price difference roughly 8% less is not the issue versus getting features that have little value or utility but that is a subjective and personal choice. Perhaps others may find this useful.
After kicking it around I ordered the spec and have already arranged for leather interior to be installed ($1,400). In addition I have ordered cruise to be added ($180) a lip spoiler and will wait till the spring to decide on wheels.
Your comment suggests that the aftermarket leather seat covers is a poor decision or I assume you imply a less than quality job, far from it. The leather includes the seats, doors etc and done by a company that also does it for BMW's etc. As I noted I could care less about the sunroof and the other items are frankly trivial issues. I have already ordered the wheels which I intend on keeping 17"'s a smarter choice for all around driving. The cruise control addition is pocket change and I will wait to see if the stock radio is a keeper or not. Oh by the way the leather instaler also is fabricating a new sunscreen, to replace the stock POS.
The above makes sense for me and I am not suggesting the right call for others.
From what I read many people swap out their tires immediately anyways and bluntly 18" wheels and tires on the TC is for many (not all) a marginal choice.
Most likely, he is going to check one out today (as well as the maxima which he adores) and never hush about it. The sunroof, hatch, radio cover and rear room seem to be is favorite points. He thinks it starts almost $26k. BOY IS HE MISTAKEN!! :P
-Cj :P
Yes your local toyota dealer. They sell for a LOW price of ONLY about $200. :P Or if you need some that last and are cheap, try discount auto parts or whatever they are calling it now. Is it Advance auto parts or something? :confuse: They sell for the high price of only $19.50 around here. May have changed.
-Cj :P
-Cj :confuse:
I had a rear wiper on a Eclipse years ago and frankly did not think it was all that helpful, but that is my opinion.
RainX is a great idea and works very well.
Here are some ideas I think would be cool:
A diesel tC(with 5 spd auto thats shared with the current tC)
A tC sedan(5 passenger, big sunroof optional, civic sized) with an optional diesel. Called tS for touring sedan (as tC is touring coupe)
A tV (a 5+ passenger mini-minivan similar to mazda5)Tv short for Touring van
A txB (New less-boxy more aerodynamic xB built off either the corolla/matrix or the Camry platform with either the 1.8l I4 from the corolla or the 2.4I4 from the tC)
A txA (Matrix replacement, new xA with tCs gadgets and the already mentioned engines)
PLEASE SHARE THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS!
-Cj
IF Scion continues to target its market to 18-30 don't expect to see a diesel or any design that more appropriately should be branded a Toyota.
I have no inside information but expect to see more than marginal changes to the TC in 08 with a new design in 09.
Just wanted to chime in - the board seems rather slow.
PS - anyone know where to order a 1/2 mask-bra?
-Cj
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OK, here is the problem: About 1 month ago I traded in my stock tires (which I surprisingly got 35k miles out of) for a pair of Toyo Proxes4. Nice tires, good handling if a little loud. Whatever. The problem is this: I notice a dragging noise at low speeds, like either the brakes are dragging or the rim is rubbing against something. Also, and this is most vexing, my gas mileage has dropped nearly 10% since this problem first appeared. I have already done the following:
1) brought to Scion dealer to check if brake pad wear indicators were rubbing. They weren't - brakes are only 30% worn.
2) Checked tires themselves to see if there are any rub or wear spots. There are none.
So from what I can figure, its probably the e-brake is not fully releasing from the rotors. That would account for the noise AND the resultant drop in gas mileage since simple rubbing would not account for the drop in mileage (note, I retained the stock tire size and did not replace the rims).
So, can someone technically inclined check my logic and suggest something I may have missed? I'm pretty astute about my car and when I brought it to the dealer, they missed whatever the problem was the first time around.
Thanks,
Happy tC Guy
here's an idea.. jack up the car, and just spin the tires, listening for where the noise is coming from. That way you wouldn't have to blame the tires, since they wouldn't be in contact with the ground to make noise.
I do remember on another forum, people making comments about noise. Their dealer found a bad wheel bearing causing a droning noise. If a wheel bearing was bad, it would cause drag and cause a loss of fuel economy!
Jacking it up would be the best bet, or the dealer could lift it up and spin the wheels, listening. Wheel bearings and e-brake shoes dragging have a different sound, but the same area.
Hope that helps ya..
The mileage drop? Yes I have seen it in all the cars I've ever had. Some cars are worse than others in winter. But ethanol is added because of pollution and it makes the gas burn cleaner. It is usually added because of this, not winter gas. So that's not necessarily true. Okay the mileage drop? In winter gas has oxygenates added to the fuel to make it be able to start in the winter. Problem with oxygenates is that it leaves less gas to be burned, hence the lower mileage. Because you'd burn more fuel instead. And all the cold temperature idling to warm the engine up, also wastes gas. Your warmer weather would actually give you more mileage since you wouldn't be in the "Cold temp" mode of idling and wasting gas, the engine would've been warm already. I think you should try gas from a different brand or different gas station. Try that first and then see. It might give you an improvement. I've seen good results here with BP gas. Maybe if you have BP you could try that.
About the rust usually just normal driving/braking will remove the surface rust off the discs, don't need to have to manually remove it. So keep us posted about the noise.. and the mileage.
As far as gas, come to think about it I have been filling up at "cheaper" stations. Maybe I'll standardize on Exxon/Mobil for a few fillups and see what that gets me. Thanks again for your responses.
Thanks again, for helping me with my new obsession. I love my new car, circles and all.
Any thoughts?
-Cj
Have you run into the same problem?
Thank you.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Thank you. We will have to finance it and $700 difference is not worth it.
I dropped it off to Toyota that night and received a loaner car the following day. I'm currently waiting on Toyota Corp to open on Tuesday to find out how they're going to handle this.
I filed a complaint online with the NHTSA and have found that 9 other cases were reported in 2006 for the same issue. Now it's possible that some debris might have kicked up from the road ahead of me but the angle of impact would have to had to be almost vertically downward since nothing hit the windshield or deflector. Thankfully no one else was in the car at the time.
In addition to the broken moonroof glass, my trunk and rear bumper are basically sandblasted and will need to be repainted. My biggest concern at this point is how easy it seemed that this window broke and fragmented. Considering the entire roof is made out of glass, I would have hoped that it would hold up under these type of circumstances. At a minimum, there ought to be some sort of laminate applied to the glass in case the windows does brake that it doesn't end up in a million different sized bit whirling around the inside of your car.
I'll keep you posted as to what Toyota does next week.
The NHTSA now has 12 formal complaints relating to moonroof failures. In some cases, the failures occured when the car was parked! What kills me is that the NHTSA issued a recall for the wind deflector based on 3 formal complaints, but they've just concluded a 6 month investigation in moonroof failures stating that the failures are no greater than other vehicles. My biggest beef is not that the window broke (almost impossible to guard against that), but how it completely came apart and entered the vehicle while I was driving. I don't see the difference between the deflector issue and the moonroof issue, both cases resulted in shards of glass entering the cabin space, only the moonroof provides a lot more debris.
At this point, once I get it back I will have a clear laminate or tint applied to the underside of the roof glass to help protect against glass intrusion in the event this ever happens again. If you have had a similar issue, please make sure you take the time to file a formal complaint with the NHTSA (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ )