I love it!

I went to edmunds.com and compared the camry le, the solara, and the accord dx and the tC looks to be very, very similar. It's just shorter in length overall and about $4k cheaper!

I was set on getting an xB until I checked out this side of the forum. The xB seems to be a lot of car for the money w/nice seats, body kit, tint, mp3 player, good mpg, unique look...but the tC is much more car for just a little more money, bigger motor=much more torque, longer wheelbase, heavier weight, and better suspension=smoother ride. I'm thinking, maybe it's time for me to grow up and get a more normal car like this.

there are so many cars based off of the camry, some disguised as Lexuses(Lexi?). Why not a hatchback? I need a car for commuting and this car seems like it would be much better on the freeway then the xB. As much as I love the box, this would be a much better buy after analyzing the data.

But I noticed a pic of a tC in another post looked like it was shipped here recently. So does that mean the tC was built in Japan like its little brothers? That would be a good thing since I notice that the cars built overseas tend to be put together just a little better than the Toyota's built here. I noticed that with Honda's as well.

keep the topics coming...i'm just absorbing everything until i get mine in June.

Wow, you were set on getting an xB, but now want a 2 door coupe? Are you shopping for just a good deal?

Priorities are changing every day!

Within the last 6 months I proposed to my girlfriend, got hired on at work permanently(w/a nice raise), went back to school part-time, moved 40 miles away from work w/ my new finace, bought a 20 year old corolla gts(which i decided i don't wanna commute with anymore), and found out my tax refund is enough to put down on a new car.

And even though I have studied(for my personal enjoyment) the new car market, I'm now actually in a position to get a new car for the first time in my life. Well, barely I should say. But I know what's out there and I previously narrowed it down to just 2 cars:

the '04 Civic Si. and the '05 Scion xB.

Si's have not been too popular from what I've read, and I've been told I could possible find a white(choice color) Si for under invoice now that they've officially terminated MY'04 production along with the Insight. I love the the Civic! Great Quality and Eurohatch looks. But it dissapoints me greatly that Honda decided to not bring the Civic Type-R here, because I woulda got one of those...whatever the price.

Then the xB, which I was surprised to find sells for under $14k and comes with more standard features than a base Accord! I love the quirky looks, the amount of interior space, and the gas mileage. But after driving many 1.5/1.6 liter cars, I've grown to appreciate the available torque of the "big block" 2.4/2.5's that are going into cars these days and still getting great gas mileage. I test drove an xB a few times already...but not on the freeway. And I already have a good idea of what my commute will be like cruising at around 4k RPM because I do it in my Corolla everyday. xB is great around town, but probably not ideal for the long haul.

I figure, if I could get a 2.4 liter 4-cyl. camry/accord w/ a hatchback and 30mpg hwy, for about 16/17k that would be ideal! The Honda Element comes close, and I've been a fan of that car/truck thing, but it's just a little more utility than I want in a commuter, and the mileage ain't all that.

But after reading about this new tC, I think I found a winner! It fits the bill along and it's still a great value! I'm sure I could get those other cars for close to invoice now that they've been out awhile...but it will be so much more fun to buy a brand new car right when it comes out! My fiance did the same thing last year when she got her Acura TSX(a VERY nice "big block" 2.4 :D ).

But I still have yet to drive the car...so we'll see. But from all the research I've done so far, I think I will be a new Scion tC owner in July or so!

yes its japanese built (yay!)

i'm in the same boat...

i bought my xB in early August of last year. The xB is truly an entertainment box on wheels. There are endless modifications that can be done... but as you have mentioned, I am heading toward a car with great looks, value, and more power. The TC base engine 2.4L camry engine is a wonderful engine. My gf drives 2003 camry...and it hauls ___ , u'd be surprised. But imagine that engine in a lighter and smaller coupe with a manual tranny...u got urself a speedster. Although the S/C due in September would be nice...for the money...u can't complain the base engine and its performance. And of course all the standard feature...

TC may not appeal to all...but it will definitely become a popular car. They say that TC has been released to compete against Civics, Jetta and so forth... but i think it's even better than the RSX. Can't wait to get one...

TC is 100% made in Japan.

yeah. i think the tC is better than the RSX. the tC has more standard features than the RSX for its price.

gunner1
the idea that toyotas built outside japan are of lesser quality is not true. all of the same business practices are applied state side. the camry that everyone loves so much is built in kentucky

At the price they set for it....it will sell very well competing with many cars.

Also I was thinking, the coolest thing about the set pricing for new Scions is that...there's no markup. So the first couple of months a brand new car is sold, will probably be the best time to take advantage of set pricing.

Heh, I'm sure dealers love customers like me that can sell cars to themselves. :roll:

customers like u are the best. not only did you sell yourself but you are are spreading the good word to others. thanks man!!!!

At the price they set for it....it will sell very well competing with many cars.

Also I was thinking, the coolest thing about the set pricing for new Scions is that...there's no markup. So the first couple of months a brand new car is sold, will probably be the best time to take advantage of set pricing.

Heh, I'm sure dealers love customers like me that can sell cars to themselves. :roll:

Yup, just make sure the MSRP price is similar to Scion.com.

Yeah, the SI insurance is ridiculous. Hopefully the tC insurance is not as high.

Yeah I agree with gunner, and im on about the same page as him. My brother has an xB and it is slightly hooked up and a blast to drive. I was thinking about getting one too and was almost sold, until I saw the tC.

I want a tC. I haven't reserved one yet, because I want to sit in and drive one before I put any money down. But as soon as I try it out, if I like it, im taking it. At first I thought that I would want to wait for the supercharger, but forget that, I just want the car, NOW!

Right now I drive a 4dr '94 accord ex and I almost never have more than one other person, so doors don't matter to me. I dont know the torque off hand, but I am certain it is no more than 120lb/ft. and just for comparison on size, my accord vs tc:
wheelbase: 107" 106.3"
length: 184" 174"
width: 70" 69.1"
height 55" 55.7"
hp: 145hp 160hp
engine 2.2L SOHC 2.4L DOHC
gvw: 2900lbs 2900lbs

It would appear that I am trading up to a better 2 door version of my current car, which is essentially what I want. I would much rather have a manual, I am currently in an automatic, and driving can be boring. The listed specs for my accord aren't official, and they are most likely off, since it says my max speed on the accord is 112, which I KNOW is wrong, since I was doing 125 last night.

Judging by specs, and pictures, this car is what I want, but like I said, I have to feel it first.

the TC base engine 2.4L torque is actually 163 lbs/ft not 120. TC will be a powerful car...especially with some minor tuning like intake and exhaust.

imagine what the 200HP producing supercharger will do.

here's some spec of the base engine TC.

Engine Double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement 2.4 liters
Bore x stroke 88.5mm X 96mm
Compression ratio 9.6:1
Valvetrain Double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-I)
Induction system Multi-port EFI
Ignition system Electronic with Direct Ignition (TDI)
Horsepower 160
Torque 163
Transmission
5-speed manual overdrive Standard
4-speed electronically controlled transmission (ECT) Available
Brakes Power-assisted ventilated front/rear disc with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

i think he was talking about his honda that had 120ft/lb torque

yeah. he was talking about his accord.

Well from what I noticed and others have agreed with me, I noticed Japanese made Honda's have interiors that align better and feel more solid than American made Honda's.

So the tC is about as big as a '94 Accord without the overhangs? That's a good size. I should have looked out for it at the IAS show here in LA the other week. I probably saw it and mistakened it for a Tiburon, tho. Haha!

I compared the dimensions with a Hyundai Tiburon because I thought both cars looked similar, and I found out that...

They have about the same length and width! So the tC is Tiburon sized! Except with a 6 inch longer wheelbase and 3.5 inches taller. So that means....roomier.

But it takes up about that much parking space and has a similar look, but it's bigger. That's good. I always like seeing fixed up Tibby's on the road, I just wouldn't wanna own one. I like Toyota's.


http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2003/Hyundai/100074983/005303-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2005/Scion/100377589/028736-E.jpg

^^^ the tC size seems like its the right size for me. hehe thats good.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2003/Acura/100188147/000283-E.jpg

An inch wider and taller and 2 inches longer than the RSX. Another hatchback to compare with.

But again...plenty more in the wheelbase which should mean the tC is a good deal roomier.

We'll see.

Just noticed that the tC has no rear wiper, at least from the official pics. most of the hatchback i've seen have rear wipers. the rear window is probably angled that it doesn't need the weight :lol:

Just noticed that the tC has no rear wiper, at least from the official pics. most of the hatchback i've seen have rear wipers. the rear window is probably angled that it doesn't need the weight :lol:

yeah. i notice that too.

Yeah, I was checking out measurement's on edmunds. Sort of similar to an accord ex coupe, also available with a 2.4L 160Hp 161Tq, Accord 150lbs heavier, 11 inches longer, but 1 inch shorter wheelbase. The exterior dimensions for the tc were all within about an inch of the Tiburon though, but you won't get laughed at in a tc like you would in a Tiburon :P

The interior is bigger in the tC than the Tiburon, especially the backseat (important if you have ever seen the backseat of a Tiburon). Also interesting to note that the tC is actually bigger in many interior measurements than the Accord coupe!

Interior____________________ tC ________Tiburon ______Accord
Front Headroom _____________37.6 in. _____38 in. ______37.5 in.
Rear Headroom ______________36.6 in. ____34.4 in. _____36.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room _________54.3 in. _____53.9 in. _____56.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room __________50 in. ______50.6 in. _____55.4 in.
Front Hip Room ______________53.2 in. ____51.6 in. ______54.2 in.
Rear Hip Room ______________47.3 in. _____44.7 in. ______46.1 in.
Front Leg Room ______________41.6 in. _____43 in._______ 43.1 in.
Rear Leg Room ______________33.6 in. ______29.9 in._____ 31.9 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity ___12.8 cu.ft. ____14.7 cu.ft. ___12.8 cu.ft.
Maximum Seating _____________5 ___________4 ___________5

(sorry about the messy chart, it didnt copy paste right)

thanks for the chart. the interior seems more comparable to the accord coupe

more rear leg room, but the rear shoulder room is tight. it seems the rear passengers should be plenty comfy compared to the accord coupe...just don't try to get 5 of them back there. heh.

more rear leg room, but the rear shoulder room is tight. it seems the rear passengers should be plenty comfy compared to the accord coupe...just don't try to get 5 of them back there. heh.

agree... but the luxury of the rear seat capability to recline 45 degrees will compensate for the tight quarter.

I feel sorry for your friends if you try to squeeze 3 in the back. The back seats are like two bucketseats with a middle armest. (kinda) The middle is raised up and is pretty thin, so the littlest person should be forced there. But even then it will be really tight. Trust me, i sat in the back of the tC. Its comfortable for 2. but i think 3 will really push it.

I think this is true for most cars; the back seat is plenty for two people. Once you try to put three people in they get cramped. I know my '93 Camry has plenty of room for 2 in the back, but even it is cramped with three in the back.

I compared the rear seat dimensions with the Civic Si and they are very close...that's cool! I love the rear seats in the Si!

I was driving behind an RSX thinking that it was pretty big.

I was also washing my Fiance's TSX and imagining the dimensions being similar to that, too. Well, shorter, but an inch longer in the wheelbase, but similar size rims/tires. The TSX has 215/50/17's and the tC, i think, has 215/45/17's.

Oh, and same height as an Accord Coupe. So...it is gonna be a substantial amount of car for the price. Which is what I wanted. I used to drive a CRX and a Miata...and I think I'm done with those tiny cars without back seats. Especially when I'm looking forward to having a babyseat in the back. :P

I compared the rear seat dimensions with the Civic Si and they are very close...that's cool! I love the rear seats in the Si!

But just imagine how much better they'd be if they could decline 45 degrees.

Does anyone know what the "trunk" space would be compared to the Si, width wise? Should be a bit wider, because of the wheel base, right?

One of the stupidest things about my Si is that I can't even fit my guitar in the trunk without putting the rear seats down. ____es me off. :x

One of the stupidest things about my Si is that I can't even fit my guitar in the trunk without putting the rear seats down. ____es me off.

So you have the latest Si? How is it? are you trading for a Scion?

I like that car alot. It's very well made. I've test drove them a few times, and although they don't feel as energetic as the old ones, they are solid and comfy.

i hate the back seat room of the RSX. im only 5'8 and im hitting my head on the thingy(dont know what its called) everytime i sit in there. 3 of my cousins have the rsx.

So you have the latest Si? How is it? are you trading for a Scion?

Yeah I've got a black '03. It's ok, but nothing stellar. I bought it because I found a demo at a honda dealer with only 2k miles on it and they gave it to me for like 4 grand under sticker.

Its a nimble little car but it's no speed demon. It really needed that 200hp that the civic type R has and that the tC will have with s/c... just a little too pokey off the line for my tastes. Then there's the whole guitar/trunk thing.

And we won't even get into the styling... if anything the look of the car as done the exact opposite of growing on me, I'm never gonna buy an egg-hatch again. All coupes and sedans for me now. (or psuedo hatches I guess)
I'm most likely trading in at the end of the summer for a tC. The Si is solid, and it's comfy, but it's just not the car for me anymore.

anyone else think the tC looks like a G35 coupe. one of the nicest cars on the road.

Word. It looks like the love child of a beamer 5 series and a G35.

yeah the tC does look like the G35 in a way. its cool though. i like the g35

Yeah, Civic Type-R should have made it over here. That would have been the car to buy, for me. But since Honda has been so lame with their new cars...I'm getting a Toyota instead.

Honda will feel it when this car comes out. My cousin, who worked with Honda advertising heard Scion already put a big dent in Honda.



I heard the tC referred to as a poor man's G35 coupe already, haha. It kinda is, huh? At HALF the price!

Yeah just put in another 100 hp and RWD and you got yourself a G35C LOL...

This car is way off from a G35C :D If you can afford it the G35C would probably show you why the good ol fashion way :D

"half" the price but probably not "half" the performance. I guess that's a pretty good deal then.

Although I'm sure you RWD enthuasists will disagree.

if the tC had performance like the G35c, i'd get it in a heartbeat instead of being ok with waiting til november.