My husband and I are considering buying a tC for our daughter (age 16). Don't give me a hard time about buying a new car for a kid - she's an awesome girl who really deserves it!
We're looking seriously at the tC after reading a number of glowing reviews/reports on the the net and in magazines. We saw one at the dealer today. First impressions - I like the looks, my husband likes the engine. We like the overall idea of MOST options being standard. Some concerns: absolutely no protection from door dings. A little plain on the back end (will probably add a spoiler).
I'd like to ask those of you out there who've already bought one - are you happy with the decision? Would you do anything differently? Any tips you have?
Thanks for the input! :D

 

totally recommand it, well worth every single penny I spent. now the hard part is, if it's suitable for a 16 years old girl? may be not. I am not saying that your girl is not cool, just a 17k(you are getting an auto for sure) car doesn't seem to be a logical choice for a high school student. I would recommand xA over tC in your case, since xA is cheap, reliable and cute car to drive around, it get everything standard too.

if you are not into xA, hell ya, get a tC for your girl, everyone in your family will be happy.

 

Dealers all were a pain in the ___.

Car rattles like crazy. Dealer is trying to fix it. They've almost had the car more than I have. Need to bring it back again once parts arrive.

Its ok. I would definately look at other cars though.

 

I actually help sell a BCP tC when I was at the dealership yesterday getting rattle fixed in my xA (which was fixed with a "noise kit"). I would really have to think about getting a tC for myself. But if someone is looking to buy one, I just give them the pros and cons. Most of the cons are kinks that Scion is working out like the noisy sunroof and subpar AC...

 

great car, no rattle, that dumbass just prolly ran it hard already. I just broke the 1100 mile mark and its perfect, no rattles...nothing bad to say only bad things are about the dealership. I work at a ford dealer, so I know that most dealerships always ____ somethign up. There all coked up anyways! But the thing that sucks about the TC is this, If your in a hurry dont go through drive thrus, to get food or beer etc. because youll be talking forever about the car. Im sick of telling people about it and showing it off. Now I just rip off a piece of paper and write down, www.scion.com and bounce.
im outty and GL with the choice..........STAY FAR AWAY FROM FORDS!!!!!!!!
Flip Magoo

 

I am a kid (well close to a kid), and buying ANY NEW CAR for a first time driver is a bad idea. She WILL damage it in some way. I don't care how good of a driver she is, or you think she is, inexperience will get the best of her. I have done minor damage to my car due to inexperience, many of my friends have done severe damage, some friends have totalled multiple vehicles. She very well may deserve it, she may even deserve more, but my recomendation is to get her a used car atleast until shes more experienced (atleast a year). Then get her the tC

 

Does your daughter have a boyfriend?

Anyways, I say get a used car, or let her drive around one of the cars that you already own for at least 6 months before she moves on to something brand new. If you do decide to get it for her, make sure she breaks in the car properly, take it easy for the 1000 miles.

 

I would highly recommend the tC. I've had mine five weeks and absolutely love it. I would have loved to get something as nice for my first car, but didn't want to learn to drive on a new car (nor could afford one). If you are set on getting her a brand new car, the tC is a great choice. Be prepared for a few small issues (moonroof noise, etc) but overall I think it beats anything out there for the price. The safety features are great too. Hope this helps. -Jayme

 

yes.. i recommend as well. I have put 200 miles on mine so far and enjoyed every single mile in an almost perverted way :o

On a serious note, its a great car... Couldnt ask for more.

Headroom in back seat is very very tight for taller individuals (like hitting the hatchback tight), but who needs a back seat anyway?

 

Like GeminiTwin said, if you are going to get her a new car, go with the tC. It's a great value for the price. It is backed by Toyota's excellent reliability. I think it is safer than similar cars due to all the added steel in the sides and roof. If you read the thread below you may feel better about your daughter driving this car instead of another coupe. tC's are built to last, built to protect, and priced to sell.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22703

 

To the people that are saying don't get her a new car, because she is a new driver, that is messed up. Not all new drivers are bad drivers, I had a brand new car the day I turned 16 and never messed the car up, The car was in excellent condition when I traded it on another new car, and treated that new car the same way, and I got $2500 over Kelly Blue Book price when I traded it in on another new vehicle.
Just because she is a 16 yr old girl doesn't mean that she is going to get out and wreck the car or not take care of it, she is probably more likely to take care of the car then you are, since she will have more time then you do to take care of it.

We haven't recieved my girlfriend's tc yet, but I say go for it, espically if there is one on the lot you can pick up for her right now, because if you don't you will have to wait quite a while.

 

In that thread, a defect in the car was the whole reason the accident occured in the first place, why would that make her feel better?

 

I just knew I would get ---- for talking about a new car for her! Believe me, we are aware of all of the pros and cons and have still not completely decided on that issue.
Good to know that there is extra reinforcement in the construction. We're also impressed with all of the available airbags.

Just as an FYI - the other car we've been discussing is a Ford Mustang. We all love the styling but are not impressed with reliability predictions.

 

^ girls love mustangs so I'm guessing she'll love it also. What does she think about it though? I suggest you get a list of cars that she likes and bring it back to us and we'll see whats good, I'm a 17 year old driver myself so I'm in her age group and kids at this age want a nice looking car not so much into reliability now, but they will be into reliability later especially if she plans to be going into college in 2-3 years with that car and at that time, your tC will still be running. If she's the only one driving it and she does not care too much about being different or "new" I'd suggest you get her a civic dx or lx. I went from a '93 Sentra XE to an '05 Scion tC which is a mighty big jump (i compared the keys the other day, haha 12 year difference) and I still love my 93 sentra today, if you can find a really reliable used car, go with that. i feel a lot more comfortable driving the sentra because no one wants to race me at the stoplight, i don't have to swerve away from ditches or potholes in the road, i don't have to worry about going too fast because my car can't go fast and you aren't stressing over damaging it.
cliff notes:
1.) ask her what SHE wants
2.) have you done any used car shopping?
3.) because MOST girls aren't into performance as much, maybe you should just get an entry level economy-friendly and gas-friendly car.

 

The a/c is subpar, the sunroof makes all sorts of noises, mine and a few friends rattle like no other with less than 1000 miles on them.

Going to a scion site and asking if the TC is any good will just get you a bunch of biased views from the owners. Look into the car more and its not perfect like most people think it is.

 

Yep the AC sucks, I would wait to the fix all the problems

 

Yea for Nick the only person here to tell it like it is.....My Hero!!!!!!!!!

 

Ac isn't great but i think its about the same as my 2000 honda civic was. I have not notcied any rattles in my TC.

 

yup, Nick has a tC and he has cojones! (_))=============== :twisted:

 

get her a new car, my son is 20 and has had 10.....
Ford mustansg will kill you on insurance and repairs....
but the I am not sure the TC ill be any better....buy her a saturn ion.....lowest to insure of all cars....