How is the overall performance for the car? I went to the CA Auto show over the weekend and just fell in the love with the look and price of the car in and out. Hows the rear seat space? Hows the stock sound system? Any other things that you could point out about the car would be nice. Thanks for the input.

 

You ought to just read as many threads in this forum as you can. Forget search...just look for good threads starting at the first page and back...actually the better threads will be the ones around jun-sep, when people are talking about their first impressions of the car. Posts lately have been focused on aftermarket upgrades... But yeah, reading this and googling for scion tc is how i did my research before I bought my tc.

quick answers:
- handles quite well. has a typical understeer thats found in all new cars that can be overcome with a few aftermarket parts
- back seats are roomy, I've sat in 4-doors with less back space. the drawback is a smaller trunk area, but with fold-down seats it's not that big a problem.
- Stock sound... its adequate. the factory head unit has a setting for xa, xb, and tc, and this setting makes a big difference in the sound. I like tc mode best, but most people seem to like the xa mode...xa mode punches up the bass and treble over tc. Hold down the SSP button for 10 secs to access the mode change. Otherwise, a new head unit is on my wishlist...maybe after a year or two...

 

Well put kaypee. :D The tC is a great value for what you get.

 

It took me 2 months to get my TC, and it was worth the wait. the only add-ons I got were the atuo trans, floor mats/trunk lining, and the alarm. I'm prob going to put on the cold air or maybe the S.Charger. Stock the car is well built and fun to drive, the pano roof is awesome, a little body roll stock, but that can be fixed. stock rims and tyres R nice too. the back seats recline! and the stock system is pretty good. overall I dont think you'll find anything that nice for the money..but hey, thats my opinion.

 

Does the car come with remote locking doors? or do you have to get the alarm system?

 

Yes the car comes with keyless entry (remote door opener), but the alarm is a separate option.

 

i agree with everything kaypee said and would like to add a couple things..

- the engine is awesome.. torque is down low, you barely get on the gas and it's gone.. if you get on it, traffic just disappears behind you..

- i have the auto trans and it's about 500-700rpms lower at 80 mph than the manual, some here believe the stick should have either a lower ratio for 5th gear or a 6th gear..

- the seats are awesome, very comfortable, i roll on in and bam! the seats just cup me and i don't want to get out!

- sunroof is great, but don't think of actually opening at highway speeds, since something could hit the glass wind deflector and bam! so just be careful.

- brakes? they are very good as well..

- headlights at night, they have to be the widest, brightest light spread i've ever experienced. turning the high beams on it's like daylight! no kidding..

- heater works well in the cold (coldest in michigan has been a 38 degree morning).. the engine heats up very quickly, about 1/2 mile.. the a/c works well too, but does better on recirculation mode.. some have experienced a/c problems.. but on mine it's temp is running around 39 degrees.. which is totally acceptable

- the stereo is nice, but as kaypee said you should change the mode from tC.. since that mode is muffled.. xA and xB are much better (louder)..

- on the highway i can talk normally or whisper and the passengers can hear me

so overall it's been good.. sure i've had an issue with a rattle in the dash, easy to fix, dealer took off the center console (where the radio is) and added some foam tape.. no more rattle.. radio has been replaced 3 times because pioneer had a bad batch of radios.. but mine's working fine now.. and had a squeaky brake light switch, was constantly clicking.. then began to squeak.. was replaced and everything is fine.. so a few fixes but nothing major.. hope that helps..

 

I got another question with the huge gas prices in Southern Cal does the Tc just take regular? or break your wallet on premium?

 

you can use regular gas.. it's designed for 87 or higher.. most on here will tell you to use 87..

i've been messing with 87 and 89 on mine.. seeing if i can see a miles per gallon difference, so far i actually have.. still figuring that out, so far looks like a 3-4mpg increase.. but like i said i'm testing it out..

 

O and does it take synthentic oil or not.

 

yes. https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32687

 

Quit wasting your money if the manual says 87 octane then put 87 in the car.

Unless you have a way turning up the timing no need to pay the extra money for mid-grade. If it knocks, take it back to the dealer for a reflash.

 

i love this car
i ve had people on different occasions ask "what kind of lexus is that?"
"who did my paint job?" and "what is a scone?"

the moon roof, signals in the mirrors, keyless entry system built into the key, and the aggressive yet tame open air front bumper ,
pioneer 160Watt (40x4) stock cd player w/ text
JBL 6- speaker system (2 are Tweeters)
4-wheel disc brakes
driverside Knee airbags
my friend has a 2004 350z and was astonished w/my car also mine was Half the price! Literally

like every other car, its not for every one, but its good for me

one more reason,
its a Toyota

 

see i knew i'd get a response like this if i DARED to say i used ANYTHING but 87.. and no its not knocking on either octane.. well i do think i can try different things and see the results... but thanks for your input!

 

How is the car at post 70mph speeds?

 

As someone who commutes an hour on the left lane of freeways, I can say it handles admirably post 70mph. Post 80mph. Post 90mph. Post mph.

In all seriousness, yeah, it handles well at highway speeds.