Hi everyone,
First off, I don't own a tC, yet. I am in need of reliable transportation to school and back and I'm deciding between an automatic accord VP or a scion tC spec version. I took both for test drives, while the accord is boring as all heck, the tC sadly, wasn't that much more fun. I would get the tC only in stick and have decided some H&R coilovers with a little chassis refinement would do the trick to liven' up the car (poly urethane bushings anyone?) and of course, some sticky rubber.

Anyway, so I'm rather set on the tC, but now the question, Spec version or regular? I don't care much for the moonroof honestly, it really isn't worth $1700+ The wheels would be replaced anyway (I am not a fan of the regular split spoke on the stock tC) and I wanted the car in Super White to begin with. Could someone please make the argument to go with a regular instead of Spec?

The price on the spec is also great, as it means nothing comes out of my pocket, the trade in basically covers everything but a couple hundred $ for taxes.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Take care and drive safe.

---Colin-

 

being 18, i'm assuming you're either in college, or will be going to college next year. cruise control is a godsend for those home to school trips.

dont like the sunroof? wtf? there's nothing better than blasting the stereo with the roof open and teh windows down on a late summer day (like today here in FL!)

i cant say anything about the wheels, because i too replaced them. though i did end up getting 450 bucks for them so....

 

think about the sunroof, i agree with neothin... if your in a location where there is nice weather almost all year long... get the opening roof... (trust me i am putting a roof in the box)

 

Correct, I attend a University but it is less then 20 miles away; also, I have never been a fan of cruise control (my first car was a 89' prelude with cruise control, but it did it manually...where the pedals go down themselves...scared the crap outta me)

I really don't care for moon roofs. My mothers 3 series has one, it never gets used. I generally just crack the windows a bit and listen to my music at average levels.

Is there still a market for stock tC wheels? I can't imagine them being in high demand. I'm afraid of spending $1500 for options I dont particularly care for after selling the wheels.

I have read so many people bashing the spec version saying it is a waste and to spend the extra money for the regular, but I don't see where that is (in my case) justifiable. I am not looking to trick the car out, I do plan on making it a livelier car but not put in televisions or redoing the interior or anything of that nature. Suspension and brakes are as far as it goes aftermarket wise.

Thanks for the input so far, keep em comin'!

---Colin-

 

yeah theres a market for your stock tc wheels, you can seel em to pretty much anyone with a 5X100 bolt pattern, which is a lot of cars....

does the rear seat recline in the spec?

 

from the sounds of it, i doubt other opinions will sway you. just get the spec and enjoy your tC

 

^ Agreed.

 

I pondered the spec package, but I've had previous cars with sunroofs, and it's an AWESOME thing. The rims will have some equity, so not a biggie there. Also the keyless entry was nice too (something you'll lose on the spec). However if you're getting an aftermarket alarm, then that won't matter.

You'll also lose the auto up/down windows with pinch protection. A very handy feature that allows "one touch" operation.

 

buy the regular tC.

and NOTE: make sure and remove your sensors before you sell your rims to anyone else.. this goes to both a spec or regualr tC... you need that to put in your new rims.

 

Im going to guess that there is a pretty big market for our wheels. They dont look that bad if you ask me...thats why im keeping them. The other day I saw two cars with our wheels...a celica(new at that) and a older camry. Didnt know they would fit on the camry...but it didnt look half bad. The celica was another story.

But anyway...if you dont want the options then get the spec.

But for the love of GOD please use your cruise control. You have no idea how annoying it is to get behind someone who isnt using it. Slow down, speed up, slow down speed up, slow down, speed up......you get the point.

 

you're actually "paying money" to have those options removed.. thus why the price is not worth the options not being there...

 

I just bought a tC. . . but I came from an xA.

All my previous cars had cruise control. . . but the problem there isn't the lack of use, it's bad drivers. I was very good at maintaining my speed. Most people just suck at driving. Cruise control is the dummy proof that keeps you at a desired speed.

But for those of us who know how to drive, it's a nice luxury feature to have too.

 

go with the spec. The moon roof has a ton of rattles

 

Despite the fact that you may not really utilize the sunroof, it is a nice feature to have on occassion, as well as the fact that people riding in your car may enjoy it. The aforementioned people could run the gamut of your friends, or perhaps a young lady you are taking out on a date.

The cruise control feature may not appeal to you, however, if you ever intend on taking a road trip that is beyond 6 hours, this will help you in maintaining a slightly better gas milage, as well as keeping you within a reasonable speed in areas rife with police. Another benefit is that on long drives, you can shift your left leg from what may end up to be a painful driving position.

The stock wheels do still indeed have a market, but more importantly, they look decent for stock alloys. Even though you may not like them, in the event that something should happen to your new wheels, you can go back to stock, and still look classy while waiting for a fix or replacement, as opposed to steelies and hubcaps.

From a performance standpoint, the spec tC's weight, while lighter, still suffers in terms of weight from the tempered glass moonroof.

 

Hm, interesting points; however, it seems the sunroof is the only benefit. Aftermarket alarm goes on either way, as do aftermarket wheels.

"you're actually "paying money" to have those options removed.. thus why the price is not worth the options not being there..."

Could you please explain this? I don't understand.

I see the difference in price (approx. $1500) covering the coilovers and bars. trade off would be sunroof and cruise control. Well at least that is my justification for purchasing the spec version, or is this not logical?

I'm a little taken back as to how many people love sun roofs... The only time where I wouldn't mind one is at night with a full moon, but even then just having it peer through the glass is plenty enough for me.

Steelies with hubcaps is fine if I need to resort to my stock wheels. Function > Form...to an extent at least.

Either or, I really do appreciate the feedback! Please keep it comin' if anyone has any comments or opinions or suggestions on the subject.

Take care and drive safe!

---Colin-

 

My parent's cars had sun roofs and I never used them. I cracked them open a bit on hot days but that's about it. However, once I got my tC, I have it open all I can. You really don't realize how great of a feature it is. I can almost guarantee that you will love the sun roof if you get a "standard" tC. Plus, cruise is great, keyless entry, rims, and the other little features that comes on the normal tC. Also, don't you loose some adjustability of the driver's seat on the spec edition?

 

tC's with hubcaps make me sad

 

I was going to get a spec tc but I just thought they came with hub caps and no sunroof. I didn't realize it didn't come with cruise control and keyless entry.

NailsInOurBack~ every car with cruise control automatically pushes the gas pedal down...not just your old accord.

I have no use for the sunroof either, i use to love it in my previous cars but I have grown out of it.

You will not have an extra $1500 to spend on coilovers and bars, you will have about an extra $20/month to spend.

I ended up getting the regular tc only because the closest 2 dealers didn't have any spec t's but now I am glad I didn't because I had no money out of pocket and the car is still driveable in stock form.

 

Um, I'm not too sure about every cruise control. My current truck, nissan titan, doesn't do that (electronic?). Also, the car will be payed for in cash, no payments. I believe I would lose keyless entry afterwards anyway with a stock tc when I install an aftermarket alarm. Correct?

Please keep up the opinions!
I hate sounding like a pompus just as someone said earlier, my mind is pretty much made up and I believe justifiably so, however, I wanted to create this topic to see if there were any arguments to sway me otherwise. I really want to thank everyone though! This has been a wonderful community thus far and I look forward to participating in it.


---Colin-

 

If you're not going to bother enjoying the Panoramic Moonroof, Why bother getting the tC and all that added top-weight? You're considering coilovers, so it would seem that handling is a concern to you. Don't get either tC, it doesn't seem like you'll be happy either way. Maybe an xB or an xA would be better for you, or that Accord that you tested.