Today I casually took a look at Car & Driver's website as I occasionally like to do and instantly noticed a headline for an article featuring The Quickest cars of 2007: Under 20k. I instantly thought of the tC. With a closer look I noticed that a picture of the tC was there amongst the other usual suspects. I was suddenly excited for the prospect of a new, maybe more objective look at the tC especially considering the subtle changes over the years. Only disappointment was to follow as it was made obvious that it was simply a reprint of the old stats and a slimmed down version of the old text, stating the same...stuff.
My point is that it seems the Scion brand's "pure pricing" dynamic goes entirely ignored, unnappreciated, and/or misunderstood when in the process of being reviewed by any given car mag/website. Take for instance the above mentioned article. You could get a tC with all the TRD suspension components, clutch, quick-shifter, swaybars, and the LSD for albeit, the way they price it, right at 20k.
Instead they review some stocker with a sub and extra airbags only to complain about the handling.
Another mag reviews a s/c tC that has the body kit and larger/heavier wheel option that cost roughly $2500.00 and then comlain about the price, lack of performance...and the handling.

They act as if you don't have a choice when purchasing the car which...tickles me ...because its such a novel element to buying a car and to me the very thing that sets Scion apart from the others.

Is this "dynamic" too vague to be appreciated? As an owner for 2 years am I just biased? Is this part of the car owning experience not covered or considered by the guilty parties? I almost feel bad for the journalists as it makes them seem dumb or unaware or both.

Maybe its just best to keep what seems to be a secret to ourselves.

 

although i haven't seen the article you're referring to (Quickest Cars of 2007 Under 20K), i have to agree. true that they can simply ask Scion to configure a vehicle with specific Scion parts like TRD suspension components, for some reason they don't.

but i also think some of the blame falls on Scion as well. i've read some articles where they ask Scion for a sporty package and are given a tC with things such as interior lights, oil cap and AEM battery tie down.

 

they are comparing a stock car with other stock cars and then making their review on how well each performed in stock trim, or with factory options...

 

I see, I see. I guess they can only review what they're given. How unfortunate.

 

it is unfortunate..... but see, if the tC has the option to get an "aftermarket" suspension, why shouldnt the others? Sure, it's dealer stuff, but it's not exactly what Toyota brought out from the factory.
The tC hasnt had that any changes over the years that would alter performance significantly so I would understand why they wouldnt test a new tC.
As for pure pricing, here in NYC, car dealers give deals making Scion pure pricing not so attractive at times, an example, once in a while a Nissan Versa w/ power options and a 6 speed can be had at 10K (excluding tax and DMV and delivery).

 

I just wish they would embrace it as sort of a blank canvas. It can start as a mild mannered automobile which you can transform exactly to your liking. I think I might be overglorifying it but I guess I am dyin to see a mag review a tC loaded with performance options as opposed to loaded with some costmetic, some performance, etc., just to see what they say and if there opinion changes.

 

thats not true cuz C&D TV tested a s/c cobalt and civic si along with the tC (stock) and i just couldnt understand why they would test it w/o the s/c against those cars

 

those reviews dont bother me at all. I like my car

 

me neither

and when i turbo in a few months they can eat my ____

 

the civic si is not supercharged from factory, the cobalt ss is supercharged from factory, there is to Tc trim that is supercharged from factory, it is an "aftermarket" addition, not offered as a trim level, thats why a supercharged Tc was not tested with them.

 

ya but the fact that they are comparing the stock tC to those cars doesnt make sense. they shouldve compared the civic ex and stock cobalt, then i bet their opinions would be different.

 

agreed^^

 

a supercharged cobalt is stock, as well as an si. the Tc in its highest trim, which is Tc, is a stock car, they compared stock cars in their highest trim, it toyota offers a Tc GTS that came supercharged from factory thats the one they would have used... the point is, they compared stock cars with each other.

 

you know what im talking about, compare the tC with the base cobalt and base civic.

 

I spent several years working in pr, specifically with trade press like Car & Driver. The Scion pr department is dropping the ball on this one. Magazines aren't doing true apple to apple comparisons by taking a base tC and comparing it to hopped up versions of other cars, we know that. Scion PR should start with a spec car and beef it up with performance add-ons for a test like this (not pedals, carbon fibre engine covers and battery tie downs) up to a 19,900 dollar car (in this example) and then let the editors thrash on it. Frankly, I am surprised that Scion doesn't get that.....AND/OR they they don't clearly express what a Scion is all about to the editors. Writers are typically lazy, they take what they are given and whip out an article as quickly as they can so they can get back to drinking on their expense account - or the Chevy PR reps expense account! This article is a good example since the comments on the tC are similar to comments made 3 years ago.
Interestingly, I have been to several dealers that 'get it.' They have demo tC's that are hopped up with TRD options that you can take for a spin - great selling tool!
In the meantime, I feel like I am driving one of the best kept secrets of the automotive world.

 

Then they should have used a Spec tC, a stock Cobalt, and a stock Civic. Then, and only then, could they have made a just comparison.

 

95% of the ppl that buy a car wont mod it. the mags dont care what parts are out there...im sure there is a turbo kit that will push the civic over 300hp, should the mags test that also?...the plain and simple truth is that the tC is not a performance car. it looks good. has a cool sunroof. but when push comes to shove it cant run with an Si/GTi/SS.

 

no but they shouldnt be testing a base line tC with the optioned-out rival cars. test it against base cars. simple as that

 

i read reviews of a cobalt ss vs gti vs tC s/c and the tC just doesn’t have it. its top heavy, has tiny brakes and just cant run with those cars. the Cobalt SS w/o the s/c would have been a better option and maybe a mazda 3 but the tC doesnt belong in a comparo with these cars, they are up a few notches

 

Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly with your last statement! The tC seems to have an undefineable trim level which almost requires new methods and considerations when being tested/reviewed. Its almost a custom built car. The above post from "YourNameHere," I have to ask, what was the Scion tC equipped with? Thats the point of this thread. I have yet to see a road test with a tC that is equipped with the TRD suspension, clutch, supercharger, quickshifter, and limited slip etc., which would still ring in under 25k(do the math) and be well into the performance range of those "other cars.". Its hard to call these things aftermarket as they are all covered under the car's existing warranty and can be eqipped and financed prior to purchasing, except the supercharger of course and I am not sure with the lsd. Its seems that everybody has a different way of looking at it. From my point of view, everybody is missing out.

Here is a prime example and maybe the article YourNameHere was referencing:
http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...le_id_int/1971

"Our test car, however, came equipped with the dealer-installed Toyota Racing Development supercharger, which boosts power and torque for an additional $3,200 plus installation costs ($480 in dealer labor for a tC with a manual transmission at Longo Scion in California). The end result is an estimated 200 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 184 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. Our test sample also came with a TRD Performance Exhaust system ($525), as well as other overpriced add-ons such as a ground effects kit ($995), a rear spoiler ($385), and an OBX shift **** ($59). Side-impact and side-curtain airbags ($650), floor mats and a cargo mat ($145), an iPod-compatible Pioneer audio deck ($260), and a Scion Security System ($469) brought the as-tested total to $23,403 – not including dealer installation fees for the added parts. Yikes."

Case in point, useless exhaust, expensive body kit, spoiler, shift ****, side air-bags(want more weight?), the pioneer deck that costs 260 but is, as far as i know, not required for i-pod compatibility, and an over priced security system. Although this is the first article i've seen to legitimately acknowledge the "other" options and still doesn't keep people from thinking things like this: