I hope this isn't a repost...

Anyways, Motor Trend compares the Scion tC, Mini Cooper S, Ford Focus ZX4 ST, Mazda 3 5-door, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. It is on page 94 for the Feb 2005 issue.
Just thought I'd share!

 

have u read it?

 

cool, now those of us without a prescription can wait until february to see what you're talking about.

or you could be cool and scan it.

 

Overall, they ranked the Scion tC fourth place...

1st - Cooper S
2nd- Mazda 3
3rd - Lancer Ralliart
4th Scion tC
5th Focus ZX4 ST

 

Motor Trend has always been on the mini cooper's nuts

But the other rankings seem about right...

-THE DON

 

Thats just because their just haters!!

 

I don't have a scanner, but I'll try to sum it up:

"The Scion tC has come close to what was intended: near-Lexus levels of feel, fit, and finish, and attention to detail at sub-Toyota pricing. While it may not officially be called the Celica replacement, that's the role it'll take in the near future when Toyota's long-running sporty coupe is retired. That's some takeover."

"The tC's got the eyes of a BMW 5-series, the chamfered nose of a Volvo S40, the dome of a VW Passat, and the soul of a Lexus-which is to say it's a bit of an uninspiring mongrel to look at. But the detailing is first-rate: slick panorama glass-roof, large cargo area beneath the fastback glass, attractive 17-inch alloy wheels, a great-sounding but fussy-to-operate audio system, and, as intended, near-Lexus ride isolation and quiet."

"The extensive list of personalization options mostly address cosmetic enhancements. There are also TRD performance parts like a supercharger, suspension, and exhaust that would perk up the tC. Problem is, as it sits here, the tC doesn;t tweak the fun-o-meter like some of the others in this crowd. The cockpit gives the impression of a sporty coupe, but its long wheelbase, numb steering, and questionable suspension setup (it's apt to snappy oversteer if you lift off the gas in mid-corner) don't give a driver the confidence to take the car to its limits."

"The Scion tC is like the guy in the office who can do a bunch of things reasonably well, but no single thing exceptionally well. He doesn't offend, nor does he impress. He's a bit of a wall-flower who dresses well and says "please" and "thank you." The tC is a safe first date for your daughter - apart from that slightly snappy temper during quick cornering-not the guy you'd find at Lake Havasu on spring break."

"Each of these cars has a talent: the comfy Ford, the Scion sophisticate, the sleeper Mitsu, and the innovative Mazda. All are better-than-average sporty cars. But the Mini Cooper S is quite simply the most fun for the money you can have sitting down."

(wow, my fingers are tired)

 

Can Scion PLEASE make a "sports" edition where they include the TRD springs and rear sway bar as stock? Maybe include the short-throw shifter as well? It'd cost the SAME, and would get much higher handling marks from these crappy magazines. I just get ____ed that $500 in suspension upgrades and it would handle better than probably all except for the mini. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

The tC has always made me wanna yawn... Just not very exciting at all. Just good enough for the price, not too flashy, not too sporty, just kinda boring... (kinda like Toyota's Camry... hmmm?)

Now Motor Trend confirms how I feel. I'm not alone!

-THE DON

 

not surprised, you come from a flashy shoebox with wheels...

(j/k!!!)

 

Not saying the tC should've finished better or worse but MT/C&D/R&T etc. always use very subjective categories(exterior styling etc.) to tack on or deduct points in their tests...am i supposed to care that one car tweaks a reviewers fun-o-meter more than another?

 

calm. down. it's not like they're slamming the car. they just liked the others better, from a performance standpoint, and that's totally up to them.

if they ranked it after a focus and trashed the car, i might feel a little sullen about the whole thing.

but yeah, i agree with the most of the points they make.

 

btw, thanks for typing all that up for us.

 

Yeah, Thanks again! Good read!

-THE DON

 

BS, tC is twice as good as all those other cars. Perhaps not performance wise, but overall. And a Mazda 3 doesnt have ____ on the tC performance wise, theyre like exactly the same accept the 3 will get eaten by a tC any day of the week, and the tC looks twice as good.

 

lol.

 

HEHE I like that..CELICA Replacement!!

 

the tc should've come from the factory with the trd springs stock. you lose that wallowy boaty feeling during constant transition movements with the springs. i can't wait to see the slalom numbers on the stock tC in the issue cause it would've helped the car's handling numbers if it was lowered.

the only car that's better than the tC would be the CooperS. the only advantage the mazda and the mitsu have over the tC is in the handling dept. out of the factory both cars handle a little better than the tC but power wise they're all similar. i'll take a tC anyday over a mazda with ford parts and soon to be bankrupt mitsubishi.

 

the tc will get destroyed on the track

sorry but thats how it is

 

I have to agree with the Mini S being rated over the tC but Mazda 3 and Mitsu. No offense but do they have categories called reliability and resale value? Because Toyota is arguably the best in both of those classes. Not to mention Mazda3 and tC are basically the same except for better handling on Mazda side and tC has way more options. In order to get all the options tC has youd have like a 20k Mazda 3. Overall I'd say the Mini S is most fun to drive, its a cute quick car. But I'd take a Toyota made car any day over a Mazda or Mitsu.