I finally saw and sat in a beautiful Black TC last Saturday. I loved it...my wife loved it...we're getting one. Waiting for an automatic to come in this week to test drive it. Some things I learned about it that maybe you guys aren't aware of is this. It has a timing chain...not a timing belt (I currently have a Hyundai Tiburon...and because of the miles I put on I've had to replace those darn belts twice already...expensive). It also has some new type of spark plugs that are self cleaning and 100,000 lasting. Alot of what the rep said is that the car is built to last and even the fluids and parts are made to go the 100,000 maintenance free road. The only negatives I saw (and I didn't get to spend alot of time...there were alot of
people checking it out) is that the inside roof does seem a little low (though I didn't adjust
the seat totally yet), the flip up radio panel seems slightly thin (breakable?), and the back
seats even lowered are tight (but again...didn't fully test). The only other note of interest is
I'm 42 yrs. old and most of the people looking at the car were young kids, and parents looking to buy for their kid. I gotta love this...but this is a heck of a sharp quality car...and the hatchback cargo area is huge.

 

welcome to the forums! The tC is beautiful in person, and actually, i just got an e-mail saying :
You'll love it, hope you get to test drive one soon cause thier fun little cars.

 

Good Post. And I gotta say you hit the nail on the head with a coupla your quotes.

Basically I think alot of misconcepton about the headroom is based on the target customer base, Generation Y. Now I'm Gen X but I always drive with my seat back like a "LazyBoy" chair, loungin. I think Scion estimated that most drivers won't be sitting straight up, like a FEDEX delivery truck. Hell you can be 6'3" and comfortably sit in a compact car if ya drop the seat back enough deeBO

Glad ya liked the tC, great car at a excellent price for ANY generation.

 

Iridium plugs ROCK!!!!

GOD BLESS THE DENSO IK16'S!!

 

Kennyg - Are you certain this 2.4 motor has a timing chain? I thought this was the same motor from the Camry and I thought that motor had the timing belt. I would really love it if the timing chain were used. Please confirm if it is a chain or belt.

Also, do you know where the oil filter is located? I looked closely and could not find it. I asked my sales rep and he didn't know. I still love to change my own oil and filter. I know it's been done correctly that way.

Coach

 

according to the maintenance manual it is a timing chain:

REMOVE TIMING CHAIN OR BELT COVER SUB–ASSY (See page 14–76)


that reference jumped off the page.

 

looks like the filter is on the bottom of the engine behind the oil pump and pan. its hard to tell from the diagram i have from the maintenance manual

 

its chain... like most of the new cars nowadays.

 

A timing chain is definitely MUCH better than having a belt. No $300 charge at 60,000 miles.

Kevin

 

All Toyota 4cyl. engines have a timing chain. Its the V6 camry that has a belt

 

Wrong!

The VVT-i 1.8L and the VVTL-i 1.8L on the Celica has a timing belt...

 

actually you are wrong. the VVT-i and the VVTL-i both have timing chains. all 4 cylinder Toyota's have chains.

 

...

 

I hate to flame on you vANT, but did you read the TSB. It had a drive belt and belt tensioner that run the accessories(AC, Alternator, etc) and it was underlined as well. So here is the flame please read your info before you post. You are very wrong.

 

My bad... I saw my mistake the moment I read something about a salvaged engine and how they were looking for a timing chain for the 1zz... While looking for more info about it... I was trying to delete the reply but it said someone replied and it wouldn't let me delete it... I was like "Shiet"... Anyways ;p

 

That is okay! I will recall my Flame!!! Peace!! :D

 

____ I almost made an ___ of myself too! I thought all Toyota's with VVT-i was timing chained. Oh well...