We've been looking for a used Scion tc for our daughter....most in the area run about 13-15k.

Found one w/84,000 miles on it. 2006 tc, auto.

Where do the RPM's sit when driving on the highway >60 mph??

This one was about 2700-3000 going between 65-80 mph. I drove it for two hours, and I'm a bit jealous....I would LOVE it in a 5 speed, but she's a newer driver.

There were a few other problems as well, but the engine as a whole sounded great, better than my Camry.

Any other "normal" occurances with the car at this mileage? What about common problems? I want this car to last as long as it can, I am a bit nervous about the mileage. Asking price is $9,000.00

 

i have 115k on my 06 with no major problems, there are members on here with 150-180k with few if any problems. what part of the country do you live in?

 

We live in the midwest.....mostly flat, some decent hills around here too.

I emailed my Brother who is actually the car salesman! He's been a little fishy about it, not sure why though. It did pull a lot to the left and right when going at slower speeds. It had 50% (at nest) tread left on the tires (Brdgestn Protenza's) I have this type tire on my Camry and I love them.

We are def. decided on the Scion tc, just a bit worried about a few things like the RPM's, steering, and some possible electronic issues as well....

 

if your brother, the salesman, is fishy about it, chances are he's right. Those RPM rates are normal. steering might have to do with the tires. i personally don't like the Potenza's that come stock with the car. i'd keep looking, i got my 06' last year for $9600 with 42,000 miles on it

 

The RPM is about right. Normal freeway speeds are usually around 2500-3000 RPM or so.

If it pulls to the left/right at slow speeds, it might just be the tires, or there is a bad alignment, which could both easily be fixed at the dealer or a tire/wheel shop.

If the car has a clean title, no accidents or anything, I would say it should last a long time. The engines are the same as the ones found in Camrys, so they are very common and proven to be very reliable.

Some common problems include various rattlings and vibrating noises inside the car (nothing to worry about, usually the hatch or plastic panels vibrating), the hatch garnish piece with the Scion emblem on it is known to easily break if lifted up too hard...and those are the only 2 I can really think of off the top of my head.

 

Um 13-15k should get you a used 08 with low miles. An 06 even in great condition with those miles would value probably probably no more than 11-12k. I wouldnt pay more than 10k though. Shoot all i want is about 10k for my 07 with less than 50k and I am hoping to get that.

 

i paid 9250 for a 2006 rs 2,o with 55000 in a 5 speed. but it had a few scrated and a small dent in the back bumper

 

The stock potenzas on the tC sucked. Horribly overpriced and less grip than $80 ea tires. That was the biggest complaint on them originally. Other Potenza models (like the RE-11's) are amazing, but are extreme performance summer tires that dont last as long.. generally grabbed up by autox'rs. But the RE-92's are not good at all for the most part, especially for the price.

The 5pd runs higher rpm at hwy speed, which some kids complain about... but honestly I like it. In the powerband and you can usually pass in 5th without a downshift. Still gets 30mpg on the hwy as well.

My 2005 has 85,000 miles and probably 400 autocross runs on it with no issues other than hatch struts going. Well.. actually there was a hood seal that I had replaced, but that was no biggie. Still runs perfect and has just required normal maintenance. So far so good.

Double check those blue books and see if you can find a newer model or lower mileage in that range though.

As I stated in another thread, right after the new generation came out, my dealer contacted me wanting to buy my 05 back at blue book (they said they would go higher if it was still in good enough shape) to fill the demand for the 1st gens , so the pickings may be slimmer than usual at some dealers right now but imagine you can still find plenty of them.

 

check the carfax on the tc... see if its been in an accident usually when we know something fishy about it we act that way

also you need to see what kind of discount your getting off that used tc their is alot of markup in used cars and he could be trying to crack your head b

but u didn't hear it from me lol

 

Final offer from the salesman (my bro) is $8950 + tax, title, & doc. fee.....

I will have to pay for a PPI at Toyota and that is an additional $99.00...sigh

IDK about this, he didn't offer to "fix" any of the issues we found with the car last night.....and there is a "08 Scion tc with less than 40k miles (three hours away) for $11,800.

 

Private party value for that year and mileage will vary from $7500 - $8500 according to blue book values for private party sell. I would definitely not pay a penny over $8500 and honestly probably would offer on the low end, which is "fair condition" value on KBB. With a few unknown possible mechanical issues on it, I think that puts it into the fair category personally. Even if the issue is just tires, then that means some pretty serious wear or uneven wear, which still points to an alignment issue most likely. I would tell them $7500 tops if they dont fix anything (and I would have it checked out to see what the potential issues are.. hard to guess on the net just by a description) and $8,000 if they fix the issues on it. That is a bit low if fixing the issues put it into the "good" category but it would give you room to negotiate.

 

It is not a private party...my brother works for a Ford dealership and is a salesman there. He is taking it to Toyota to have a PPI done, which will cost me $99.00. If I decide to buy it, I'm planning on offering $8500 + fees.

I think the reason for his "fishiness" is bc my nephew (his son) is turning 16 in a few months....they are not able to purchase a car for him right now, so I think that has a bit to do with it. His advice was to buy a "beater" for $2-3,000 bucks and go from there....

We looked at several "beaters" and most had salvage titles or close to 200k miles, rust, major mechanical issues, etc. Financially wise, we are able to purchase a late model used car, the tc is the only one my husband and I both agreed on. Mainly bc it is a Toyota, the 55 airbags in it (lol) and the looks helped a bit too!

Reading this and the other forums, most scion tc owners are VERY happy with their cars. This will be the one and only that I plan on buying for her. I don't want to deal with something with a ton of issues.....

The issues with the car are not that bad as far as I can tell. My hubby is very very very good at working on cars and has had a few Toyotas in the past as well....most of the "little" things are fixable, with a quick trip to our local salvage yard.

I really appreciate everyone's advice on here, thanks so much!

 

i would go for the '08 tC. less mileage and 2yrs newer for only 3k more?! i'd go that route instead

 

That's what I was thinking too.....called the dealer and he should be calling me back very soon. I was mistaken it is an 07 tc, not 08!

 

it still has less than 40k miles which it more than double of what the '06 has, and it's still a year newer... GO FOR THAT ONE! you might even be able to negotiate on the price... you never know, the '07 might be in better driving condition than the '06 and if there are any problems, im sure they will fix them for you, unlike the other salesman (your brother).

is he just being effy on it cause he wants his son (your nephew) to have it?

 

I would not pay at the upper range though for that car (private party or not). Personally I cant see it being worth more than $8000 tops.. but it is up to you. And like others said, if you shop around you can probably get a newer one for not much more. May be worth it in the end.

Most of us have been very happy with it. Great daily driver and even does well on a track if someone wants to make a daily driver/weekend warrior out of it

On the 07, turn the headlights on and see if the HVAC lighting stays on and works properly. That was one common issue on the early 07's. I traced out the circuit and created a fix, which takes only minutes + removal and disassembly if your husband is ok with a soldering iron. So that isnt a terrible issue to fix, but you could possibly knock money off the price of the car if it does display the issue ;) A new HVAC module (which is all a dealership would do since they are not board level electronics techs) runs about $500 ... the fix is free if you have a soldering iron and about $50 if you source the unit used ... but it could be a bargaining tool.

But, if you buy the 07 and that issue arises, you can pm me or search on here for my fix on it.

 

i agree with the rest and look at newer ones, especially if your brother is being fishy about it. you can get alot of tc's newer with about same miles or less for just a bit more. but that's just my 2 cents

 

We are going to look at the '07. As far as the fishiness/attitude go, I think he just assumes that I am being impulsive and stupid with MY money.....stupid would be buying the car he wants to sell me....or a "decent" beater for 4 or 5 k that we have to sink 1-2k into the first 6 months.

Factory warranties give me a HUGE peace of mind, and knowing that this one is covered for 24 k more miles, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I am very excited, already have been approved for the loan, told the guy at the other dealer to put a sold tag on it and we'll be there in the morning. I am thinking there is not a lot of room for negotiation on the price, maybe a few hundred dollars at best, it is well below kbb/edmunds price as it is.

The new salesman did tell me that they were taking it to auction next week if it didn't sell soon.....maybe blowing a little smoke up my hind-end to get us to look/buy?? So far, that is the only comment/thing that set off my B.S. beacon...

Anyhow, I CANNOT wait to give it to her on her birthday

I will def post some pictures of it here when we get it as well!

 

get the carfax done on it and if you can, take it to the dealer to have them check it out FIRST to make sure you wont run into any problems later on down the road with it before you commit to buy. he might be saying that stuff just to get you to get it ASAP since he is a salesman and all.

gl in the morning and hope to see some pics of it if you do buy! your daughter will be excited! :D

 

Carfax was clean, already checked it out! One owner car....yadda yadda. It had LOTS of service recs. and the dealer put 4 new tires on it as well