illpacin0

Hey Guys & Gals,

I'm currently in the market for a new car, and I'm thinking an 06 5spd tC is it. I'm test driving one tonight, but before I get some dealer trying to push what could be junk on me, I wanted to tap this community and see what's up. For the past three years I've been driving an 03 Pontiac Grand Am GT/SCT, a beast of a car with a powerful V6. I wrecked it recently, and unforntunately it's a goner. So, I'm looking for a new car that's got speed and pick up, looks good, is reliable, and overall is easy on the gas (the GA got 280 miles to a tank, and that was high octane).

So what's up with the tC? I like the look of it, especially with this kit, and the commericials for the car make it look pretty awesome. But looks ain't everything. I've seen posts about rattles and creaks, are they still in the 06s?
How about electronics issues?
Any mechanical issues?
How does this car handle?
How's the pick up?
When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give? (I've seen posts about 130mph, but I know I really had to push my GA after 105mph to top off at 125mph)
How is the car in the rain?
How is it in the snow?
Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like the car's worth at least double it's price?
Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us?
I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup? How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?
All in all how do you feel about the car?

That's about all I can think of right now. If there's something I should consider but didn't ask about it, please share. I appreciate any input you guys have to give!

ChicagosFinest

schwettynuts

Yes.. you ll find rattles issues but thats what happened when you buy a hatchback. It will be hit or miss. Some people get it, some people dont. Some dealers can fix it, some dont. No electrical issue. No mechanical issues. It handles pretty well I think. The wheel base is pretty long for a hatch back. I think the handling is average. The car can go 100+ no problem. When I go 100 it still feels like im driving 65mphs. The car in the rain? Depend on what stock tires you get from the dealer. I got yokohamas and they are pretty darn good. In the snow? I just drove mine in the snow, it feels like any other fwd cars. I might buy extra set of wheels and buy performance winter tires. The car feels like it is $30,000. It is worthed. I am 6'0, my spiky hair sometimes touch the top of the car. You got to test drive it and see. The seat sits pretty low so... the radio control on the steering is standard on 06. BUY THE CAR!

illpacin0

Really? That's a damn big plus. Thanks for the posts guys, keep them coming!

THansenite

I've seen posts about rattles and creaks, are they still in the 06s?
~I have an 05 and the creaks and rattles are very minimal. Usually only going over rough road.

How about electronics issues?
~Haven't encountered any. The only thing I can think of is when I have an RF Modulator plugged in to the cigarette lighter, there is a very SLIGHT rpm whine through the speakers.

Any mechanical issues?
~Haven't encountered any

How does this car handle?
~Like its on rails. Granted, I have a RS 1.0 with the wider sticky tires and the strut bar, but this thing WON'T slide at all. I have taken clover-leafs stupid-fast just to see if the thing will squeal and it won't. I am very impressed with the handling.

How's the pick up?
~Teriffic, very torquey(sp?) car. The only bad thing is that going down the interstate has my rpm gauge at 3000+rpms. Could use a 6th gear, but even going down the interstate gets me great mileage.

When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give? (I've seen
posts about 130mph, but I know I really had to push my GA after 105mph to top off at 125mph)
~The car is limited to 127. It pulls pretty good up to 105-110 before it slows down. Plus, it handles great at those speeds. 110 in the tC feels like you are going 80.

How is the car in the rain?
~Tires spin a little bit on "spirited" takeoffs, but nothing too bad. Tires bite hard during braking.

How is it in the snow?
~I encountered my first snow last night. I was EXTREMELY impressed with how it handled. The roads were a mixture of snow on top of slush on top of ice and I had a VERY minimal amount of sliding. The only time I did slide was when I was trying to get the car to slide. During cautious snow driving, the car handled exceptionally well. This is by far, the best two wheel drive car in the snow that I have ever driven.

Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like
the car's worth at least double it's price?
~The car feels like a little sports car. Especially with the tight suspention. The shifting is very crisp and quick. The tC is without a doubt worth every penny I paid for it.

Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us?
~I am shorter than you but I have heard that if you adjust the seat down and open up the inside sunroof cover, tall people can drive it comfortably.

I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup?
~Nope, I have the 05

How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?
~See above

All in all how do you feel about the car?
~I love it. A sporty car for an economy price. It is a real head turner and get lots of questions about it. Like I said earlier in my post, this car is worth every penny. Plus, you would get to hang out and talk/brag about your car with all of the other Scion owners on these forums. Good luck with whatever you go with (hopefully it is a Scion though )

cmlloveless

Hi,
I have an 05' with almost 30,000 miles now! I think I may have the most miles of anyone on here!
Anyways...
Electronic issues - none yet, the only thing I do not like is the electronic speed limit at 127, but that is normal for most cars.
Mechanical issues - only 1 so far with the back right rotor/brake, don't know what was wrong, but the dealership replaced it.
How does it handle - It handles great! Could use an LSD, which is in the works right now!
How does it pick up - It is very torquey! It picks up great, it does have one flaw though and that is that its first and second gear are extremely short. I am in third gear shortly after leaving any intersection! There is one fix already for this and that is swapping out for a camry gear box(a direct fit replacement), and a few others in the works.
When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give? (I've seen posts about 130mph, but I know I really had to push my GA after 105mph to top off at 125mph) - I have not had mine up to 127 yet, but have not felt it struggling all the way up to about 110. So I would assume it has the potential for much higher speeds( assuming you removed the electronic limitation)!
How is the car in the rain?
How is it in the snow?
- I had mine over the winter and I am in the DC area so lots of rain and have not slipped or spun yet.
Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like the car's worth at least double it's price? - I wouldn't say double, but I think it is still worht what I payed! It is a cheap car, so you cannot expect what you would get in a ferrari, and yes the interior does rattle. But if you read on these forums there are ways to fix it. As far as everything else I would still buy a tC again. It is worth the money even with the flaws it has. It could have been worse for the price, but it is not which makes it a good buy!

I am only 5'11" so I could not tell you how it feels being that tall, I can tell you with the seat all the way back I can barely reach the pedals.
And I have an 05' model which does not come with the ipod or the steering wheel controls, so I know nothing about them!

All in all, I love this car. It is cheap and a few things could be improved, but like I said before you cannot buy an $18,000 car and expect a $50-$100,000 car.
I would definetly buy this car again. It has tremendas performance potential as well as a great daily driver. It is very light and has high torque for it's class!

Hope that helped a little!

jmiller20874

Jackass

I can't for sure compare exactly to your '03 GA GT, my girl has a '02 GA SE with just the 2.2 in it. But I have driven several V6 GA over the years. I have an '06 tC 5-speed with only 3500 miles so far.

Things you will like -

- Tourqe - The tC has plenty of tourqe which you are used to having with the V6.
- Quiet - The tC is almost as quiet as a GA. I tad more engine noise on the highway.
- Mileage - Should be roughly the same as with your GA.
--- How did you only get 280 miles per tank?? That is less than 20mpg?
--- All city maybe? You should have gotten around 30mpg on the highway?
--- Either way, I have been getting 28mpg out of my tC on mostly highway.


How about electronics issues?
-- nothing yet
Any mechanical issues?
-- nothing yet
How does this car handle?
-- decent, very nice ride yet still decent cornering.
How's the pick up?
-- Easy to drive around town since it has so much tourqe down low.
-- Fairly quick to get up to speed.
-- Doesn't require a downshift to pass on highway
-- the engine is doing 3000 RPMs at 65mph
When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give?
-- peepy as can be in 5th
-- engine is doing close to 4000 RPMs
How is it in the snow?
-- wish I knew
Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like the car's worth at least double it's price?
-- doesn't feel as cheap as it costs
-- interior is nice, very comfy
Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us?
-- Depends if you sit straight up or pimp out.
-- I had a friend who was over 6' and he had to keep his head up by the sunroof
-- Not sure you will fit truthfully, but check it out.
I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup?
-- Only buck up for that HU if you really want that integration.
-- Steering wheel controls are standard.
-- You could also order the HU from elsewhere for half the cost and install it yourself.
How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?
-- can't tell ya
All in all how do you feel about the car?
-- Previous car was a Cavalier, and obviously the tC is much much nicer.
-- Only complaint so far? It doesn't get over 30mpg.

ZiggyXIV

2006 5-speed here, which I've had since mid June (almost 10,000 miles ago)
I've seen posts about rattles and creaks, are they still in the 06s?
Seems pretty hit or miss. I had the dreaded hatch rattle, but I fixed it a couple weeks ago with some foam padding in the trunk latch
How about electronics issues? Nope
Any mechanical issues? Nope
How does this car handle? It rolls a bit in tight corners, but for normal driving, it's not bad at all.
How's the pick up? Compared to the 94 Civic it replaced, pretty damn good. Compared to your previous V6... well, you'll see on your test drive.
When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give? There some areas around here with 75mph speed limits. In those, I've had it up to 90 before really realizing it...
How is the car in the rain? About average - though I would advise Rain-X
How is it in the snow? I'll let you know in a couple weeks
Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us? I'm 6'1" and have plenty of room to spare...
I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup? How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?
All 06s get the steering wheel controls. The controls themselves are very basic: Vol up, Vol down, forward, backward, and mode.
Mode jumps between bands on the radio, and cycles through radio, cd, aux, etc
Forward and backward are somewhat dependant on the mode the stereo is in. In radio mode, they hop presets. For CDs and ipods, they jump between tracks. For anything more complicated than that, you still need to use the HU itself.
I put this review together some time ago for another site, but you might find it useful
http://schester10.home.comcast.net/tC/ipod/


All in all how do you feel about the car? 5 months, 10K miles, and I still love it. The Nautical Blue is a pain to keep clean, but it looks great when it is.

ScubaLubaSteve

I have an 05 that I got last December. I am having some major sunroof issues. I have been to 2 dealerships and neither have been of any help. I am bringing it back for the third time tomorrow where I have demanded they pull the sunroof apart and either fix it or install a new one. I also have a rattle in the back that they are going to try and resolve. The said they will pull down the ceiling and do whatever they can. I am starting to hate the car.....might have to do the lemon law with it which is unfortunate cause I loved it when I first got it. :?

cmlloveless

I guess it is all what you are willing to put up with. Or willing to sacrafice for the price!

TrafficinLA

I've seen posts about rattles and creaks, are they still in the 06s?
I have an 05 with 37000 miles and there are rattles and creaks. Not always present and not bad.
How about electronics issues?
None
Any mechanical issues?
None
How does this car handle?
Depends on what you're comparing it to. It's better than alot of the regular cars and on par with most sport compacts on the streets.
How's the pick up?
Very nicely. Good low end torque and you get more power at 4000 RPM.
When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give? (I've seen posts about 130mph, but I know I really had to push my GA after 105mph to top off at 125mph)
Still going after 105mph. Never really reached 125mph.
How is the car in the rain?
Good, considering that the tires are the major factor here
How is it in the snow?
Never driven it in snow
Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like the car's worth at least double it's price?
It's worth about $20K and it does not feel cheap at all.
Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us?
N/A
I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup? How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?
N/A
All in all how do you feel about the car?
It's the best-valued car for its price. It has fancy features that usually end up in more expensive cars or you have to pay extra for. Panoramic roof, sde mirror turn signals, 17inch wheels and tires, and the 06 has iPod HU. It's not the best performer, but combine the sportiness and features it comes with, the tC is a very attractive buy.

illpacin0

I'm so glad I was able to come across someone with GA experience, albeit a 2.2 SE. The V6 GT with the SCT option is a hell of a car. The fastest I've ever owned and personally driven, and faced little opposition on the road (spanked twice by a GTI an a 350z, I was asking for those though). The car sucked up a lot of gas, and never got great mileage except on long trips with the cruise control. The first day I had it the tank was empty after 110 miles, but after I filled it with the highest octane it averaged 280 miles. I think it was mostly due to how I drive, which is usually as fast as I feel safe with. It was a powerful car that was quick to accelerate (0-60 in 5.5 with no mods), so I tended to make full use of that. I'm sad to see it go, it was the fastest stock Grand Am ever produced, and they only made them during the last two years of the Grand Am so there weren't many out there.

I'm really excited about the tC and I can't wait to drive one tonight. I appreciate everyone's input and help, and I'll let you know how it goes. If I get one I'm definitely going to be pimping it. That Kaminari kit is too sweet to not put on the car, and the demon eye headlights are also a must. I just hope I don't get one of the rattlers!

jmiller20874

Damn I had a '99 GA GT V6 (see above, 0-60 in 7.6) but that was before the SCT upgrades. I thought the SCT upgrades were just a hood and spoiler, they did performance upgrades? I loved the car until I wrapped it around a pole

illpacin0

There was changes in engine configuration between the GT and the SCT that ended in a difference of 15 or 20 hp if I remember correctly. Doesn't seem like a lot, but when I lined mine up against my friend's 04 GT I left him sitting at the line and he never caught up. They were both auto trannies too. I wish I would've gotten that in manual transmission.

Joseph_Scion

I am 6'6" and I have no troubles. - I'd answer the rest but it looks like everyone else has it covered.

Oh one more thing I have an 06 with no rattles or any other sounds.

yesti

I've seen posts about rattles and creaks, are they still in the 06s?

I have 2 05's and one popped (sunroof) more than the other initially, but it seems to have gone away (or i got better at ignoring it). Consumer reports gave it the worst rating for creaks/rattles and such, but pretty much excellent everywhere else.

How about electronics issues?

Hey, this isn't a NISSAN! j/k please don't run me off the road with your sentras.

Any mechanical issues?

Aftermarket sway bar installations seem to be tricky. Stock stuff, no problems.

How does this car handle?

The glass roof does add weight up high, so if you do something stupid expect to possibly go for a ride. Even bone stock. Otherwise it handles fine. If you get the Potenzas then you have to be a little more careful in the rain (dry ain't that great either).

How's the pick up?

Both of mine have auto, and if you take off and keep it around 2.5k rpm then you are going faster than most normal folk. It pulls hard from 3.5-4.5k. After 5k the engine just makes noise IMO. Stock airbox may be partially to blame for that but if you change it you lose a little low end torque. Manual tranny is geared real short so 1st and 2nd aren't that useful, and you only have 5 gears so it slightly buzzes the engine at freeway speeds, auto has more conventional ratios.

When you're at 80mph does the car still feel like it has more to give?

It's easy to fly past 80 if you aren't looking at the speedo. Auto pulls good till past 100, haven't gone much past that but after 5k, I feel it doesn't do anything anyway.

How is the car in the rain?

With potenzas = CRAP. Drive like your grandma until you get the feel for the limits on the RE92's. They aren't very high either... ;P

How is it in the snow?

Doesn't snow here.

Does the car end up feeling as cheap as it costs, or do you 05 owners still feel like the car's worth at least double it's price?

Not double, but more than $17 for sure! Maybe low-mid 20's? ;P

Hey all you tall guys: I'm 6'5", how comfortable is the car for us?

I'm 5'9" and I need the sunroof shade open otherwise it feels tight. So tint the sunroof and leave the shades open.

I'm getting the radio controls steering wheel with the iPod HU. Anyone else have this setup? How well does the steering wheel controls work with the iPod?

That's an 06 thing. I just burn mp3 cds and put em in the stock changer.

All in all how do you feel about the car?

They are great. Practical (the rear cargo space with seats down is good), good on gas (if i keep it under 3k i get 30+ mpg), it takes regular gas, tons of standard features for the price.

Paint quality is crap, though. I got the full paint protection film kit ($500 installed) on one (bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors) and partial ($250 installed) (all minus bumper) on the other one. Get front mudflaps, they will save you from scratches on the rear quarter panels. Get the rear bumper applique. Get them all online, not your dealer.

jmiller20874

The stock GT 3.4L/12-valve engine has 175HP/205TQ and did a 7.6sec 0-60. I can't find anything about a higher output engine for the '99-'05 generation Grand Am's anywhere and I've checked MSN and Edmunds. Got any links?

Jackass

Last I heard about the SCT, it was mostly appearance mods and may have picked up 5hp from the different hood. Maybe. What made the GA GT nice is that it was a very nice highway crusier since it has lots of tourqe and is geared tall when in OD. I don't know about the 5.5 0-60, but they are nice to drive. You def drove the ____ out of it to be getting the milage you got.

CricketC

Love my car. Nuff said.