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Scion tC
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Comments
Seriously, check it out for yourself. It is fine for any normal use, and you can always take the cover panel off, or even fold the seats if needed. With the seats down, you get a whole lotta room.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Most of the talk seems to be about Flint mica. Anyone have a Black Cherry?
Try this link. I think that this is a dealer selling parts at discount on the web. Found this link in another tC forum. They are factory originals. Note: I have never bought anything from it, not sure how good they are, but your credit card should have some protection. Let us know how it goes.
http://www.partznet.com/toyota/scion/accessories/tchomepage.html
Thanks
Has anyone ordered scion parts from them? They seem to have slightly lower prices than the party line....
Maybe it wasn't closed all the way, or possibly something was out of alignmnet?
ANyway, noise level is very subjective, so YMMV, bu IMO, a very quiet car overall.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That's actually a neat feature. Instead of a flimsy plywood piece dropped in the trunk well, it has a solid cover with 2 lock dewn knobs. Underneath is a pretty neat cargo organizer.
Another nice tuouch is the cubby at the base of the center stack is lighted, so yo can wee whats in there at night. Not sure why, but it's one of the many neat touches the tC has.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Thanks
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_- id=8288
7.4 sec 0 to 60. They also said that tC is almost just as fast as IS300 V6. Interesting...
By the way, Car & Driver posted that coefficient of drag for tc is 0.32 as compared to 0.28 for 2004 Camry. As suspected, this 14.3% drop is one of the main reasons for tC having less gas mileage when compared to Camry (even though it is smaller and weight less)
2000 Mercedes C-Class .27
2000 Mercedes C180 .26
2000 Lexus LS430 .25 (dimpled chasis panels?)
2001 Honda Insight .25
2003 Toyota Camry SE .28
2004 Infiniti G35 Sedan .27
Un fortunately, there is not much we can do to reduce CD. Covering the fog light holes similar to that of Subaru WRX STI might help.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=06373196
Mackabee
Simple: More RPM = More gas consumption.
"The Camry also donates to the tC its buttery five-speed manual, albeit with a revised linkage and shorter gear ratios and the optional four-speed auto."
Yes, gear ratios are shorter for 5 speed manual, but I believe that the 4 speed auto is unchanged.
Refer to the quote from this test drive: http://www.nctd.com/printversion-review.cfm?Vehicle=2005_Scion_tC- &ReviewID=1566
"The transmission gearing in the automatic that we drove for this test is wholly unsuitable for bigtime acceleration, with an overall ratio of just over 10:1 (the first-gear ratio times the axle ratio), while the manual is almost 50 percent lower, almost 15:1, for maximum acceleration in first gear."
Camry automatic has better mileage (22/33) than TC automatic (23/30). You are right that RPM does affect the mileage but as it is not the only thing.
Mackabee,
The carpet can be removed during raining or snowing days to keep the carpet from getting soaked. It is probably not a big deal in Florida or California, where it is sunny most of the time.
However, in Northwest (Oregon) it rains all the time during fall, winter, and spring. Sunny is very dry on the other hand. That is a very neat and valuable feature here. Unfortunately, Scion only applied it to the front seat mats.
The mileage gap between the tC and the Camry will likely widen even further.
Maybe the 2006 tC will get a the new 5-speed automatic.
$$$$$$$
8^)
Also, I played with the carpet mats today, and darned if you can't peel the carpet piece out, leaving a rubber all-weather mat. Even has a lip (from where it holds the carpet) to drap water.
Might just have to use this feature in the winter. Should greatly extend the life of the carpet, and mayber be cheaper to replace in the future (assuming you can just buy the carpet refill).
ANother neat trick: the inside lights dim up and down. When you open the door, they don't go to full bright, instead the start low and then get brighter (like pushing a dimmer switch up). Same thing in reverse when they go out.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"The transmission gearing in the automatic that we drove for this test is wholly unsuitable for bigtime acceleration, with an overall ratio of just over 10:1 (the first-gear ratio times the axle ratio), while the manual is almost 50 percent lower, almost 15:1, for maximum acceleration in first gear. However, the automatic does move out smartly, it's obviously much easier to live with in gooey traffic, and will get significantly better highway mileage than the manual, which is saddled with a very low 4.235 axle ratio. No complaints on the powertrain. "
I was trying to show that the automatic gearing is from 2004 Camry. Ironically, as 307web noted, the 2005 Camry is now available in 5 speed automatic. This makes sense since Accord (main competitor for Camry) has the 5 speed auto. I wonder whether the new 5 speed for the Camry can be a drop-in replacement for the tC. Control chip would have to be changed though.
: D
Mackabee
Often, dealers will take the deposit against a credit card, and not even bother to put the charge through. It's really just done to make you feel like it is "your" car, and to keep you from shopping (or getting on the waiting list) at other dealers.
with the tC, you shouldn't have to worry about getting the deposit back if for some reason you can't take the car, since they should have no problem selling it to someone else.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Doesnt anyone think its odd that the floor mats are a Standard Option? kind of an oxymoron. i was told that i was going to have to pay the $145 for the mats as an option, but i had to get it with the car. Very Odd. if there is a way to avoid them, i wouldnt mind going to Costco and getting a pair for $20
Go and test drive, and if you want one, the dealer wil work out the details, but pretty much you won't have to come up with any real $$ until it arrives.
The mats are not required. They actually come in a bag, and the dealer installs them when they prep the car. SO, if you really don't want them, just tell the dealer yo don't want them. But, they are really nice mats, custom fit to the car (including a trunk rug), and even have removable carpet sections in the front mats.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Radio: I just have the stock system, but it sounds plenty powerful to me. I believe that there is a sub option available from the dealer, so I imagine that it must be set up for easy plug and play. But, I'm not an audio expert, and it's been a long time since I had anything but stock.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id- =20040716
This should divert a further portion of the sport coupe market to Scion. (albeit not a very large group given that celica had pretty low sales figures)
If you drive 15k miles a year and assume the tC would average about 26 MPG, and the Prius (48 MPG - real world average) with gas at $2.00 a gallon, the Prius would save about $528 a year. Thus the break even point would be 15 years and each car would have 225,000 miles.
Of course with consideration of the future value of that 9k, the break even point would be considerably longer. Also the Prius may need new batteries at 150,000 miles and that could cost up to $3000 for replacement.
The Prius may have a few advantages over the tC, but the costs for each even figuring in the MPG difference are miles apart. The tc also has a number of advantages over the Prius.
CLimate control system is also very impressive. You don't hear it much or feel a draft, just get lots of air the right temp where you want it. It was very rainy today, and the defroster kept the windows nice and clear.
The isolation from the outside noise really does feel lexus like. I can't imagine there is another mid-teens car that is this quiet.
Seats seemed comfortable, even with 4 hours in the saddle. I'm still getting used to the fairly pronounced lumbar support, but my bad back wasn't sore, so it must be designed right.
Tracked very well, no wandering, very few corrections required. The Potenzas seemed to handle the water on the raod just fine, and there was a lot of it.
Even got to take some back roads, and decided to stretch its legs a little. Actually quite entertaining. Very good handling, quick acceleration, really a good point and shoot car on windy roads. Once it's broken in (I'm not quite to 500 miles yet) I'll really turn it loose to see what it can do.
I'm guessing that I was pulling about 30 on the trip, which included time running 65-80, and a fari amount of stop and go and creeping along (you gotta love 95 in the rain). I'm doing the same trip the end of the week, and will fill up before and after to get an accurate reading.
Also, the stereo is very impressive, especially with how quiet the car is otherwise.
Anyway, I was more impressed with the car on the trip than I expected to be, and actually like it more than I did before I took it! Still can't believe it only cost 16.5K, and think this will have to be a major hit once word gets out.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
for the question about the flint mica paint
it looks kind of dark on a cloudy day or when its dirty, but when its sunny and clean, the paint sparkles. in the paint there are purplish and greenish and silver specks that add a really interesting look to the paint. i'm obsessed with keeping it clean.
and on another note, i haven't seen another one driving around southern ohio yet!
Really?
Couple of questions: since the batteries are designed to only give very short range when operating as electric only (hybrid design is for the electric system to SUPPLEMENT the gas engine, not take over), I'm curious about what kind of range you expect when operating on electric only.
Power plug adaptor: is electricity free where you live?
Warranty: any thought about what may happen to warranty with a hardware hack for electric only operation?
Battery durability: what happens to the life expectancy of your battery pack when they see a heavy constant demand?
Advantages of Tc over Prius? Ummmmm, fun to drive? Power?
Listen; I'm a fan of the Prius. My father owns one and I've driven it on several occasions. It excels for what it was designed to do; offer outstanding fuel economy in a car capable of carrying 4 people in reasonable comfort. But a 'sporty' car it ain't; unless you get a large thrill from continuously watching your instantaneous mileage gauge and keeping a running count of how many pennies you've saved since you left your driveway that morning....
The Flint Mica is really neat. The sparkles in it pick up the light and surroundings, so it looks like a different color depending on when you see it. It never looks black to me, but does look expensive.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My wife is all set to order her Black Cherry Pearl m/t tC and has come up with the following wish list of options:
Light Kit $250
Scion Security $469
Cargo Liner $104
Sport Pedal Covers $79
Auto Dimming Mirror $310
Floor Mats & Cargo Mat $145
AM/FM 6-Disc CD $395
Sport Muffler $525
I am dubious of the $525 muffler and $469 security system. I know the tack-on bin is where the dealership is making its margins, but can anyone comment on the value-added of her choices (please, beyond its a matter of personal choice)? I am questioning the value of the bells and whistles of the security system, although I suppose it is a comforting feature to have the interior lights come on while approaching the car at night. Does the standard keyless entry do that too? I don't think I'll talk her out of the muffler, but can anyone comment on just how throatier it makes the exhaust? Any performance bonus (i.e. backpressure)?
As I understand it, the $365 upgrade to the base head unit only gives you the multicolor faceplate and multi-disc changer, right? It's the same amp and EQ as is inside the standard head unit?
The cargo liner was picked because we will be hauling around our two dogs, so it seemed a smart investment beyond the piece of carpeting for the cargo area that comes with the floor mats.
She is also going to have the dealer upgrade the cloth upholstery to leather. Has anyone been through this and can comment? Do they just sew it on over the existing cloth? Wouldn't that change the clearances and fit and feel of the seating surfaces (beyond cloth versus leather)?
Thanks in advance,
Bushido
You can even have leather installed in an Echo in this manner.
You can even have a higher-grade of leather installed that what is available from the factory.
I passed on the security system. It already has the immobilized key, so it's pretty hard to steal, and if someone really want's to break in, they will do it anyway (who pays attention to alarms anymore?). Maybe if you park in a high crime area, which I don't. I believe they interior lights cmoe on when you hit the unlock button on the key.
I have never heard the muffler, but I assume it is mostly for looks (coffee can style?), will be louder with little or no increase in performance (just noise).
The 6 disk is the same unit, just with the changer and color options. Same amp and sound quality, and IMO way overpriced at $395. Plus, they ship w/o a radio, and install the one you want at the port, so literally the only difference is in the parts cost, which ain't near 4 bills. I also would never use the color change option.
The other stuff is all trim, so if she likes it, that's all that matters.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.