You think the Scion tC would make a good first car? I've been looking around for a while now and i think the tC would be perfect. Just wanted to see what the elders think.

And if not suggestions are welcome =D

 

Personally if your just turning 16 and this is your first car then heck no....no new driver should have a new car...for the simple fact of there not as exsperienced as people who have been driving for awhile

 

Yeah, it'll be my first car. I'm 19. Go for it

BTW, driving longer does not automatically make one a safe driver. I've seen older people eating and driving with their knees, putting on makeup, etc. It all depends on the individual.

 

Heh, my first car, I cannot even remember the name. I had to turn the ignition like 30 times before the engine would start. The alternator one time died on me as I was at a stoplight on a steep 45 degree hill facing up. Had to have a truck push my car off the road, haha.

 

Is this a first car for a 16 year old? Or someone who has learned how to drive but never owned a car before?

When I was 16 my first car was an 82 camero, then after blowing the engine the second time my dad bought me a brand new cavalier. I beat the heck out of that thing and had no respect for it. But it lasted me through high school, coollege, and now 2 years after that.

The diffence is the cavalier was a 7,000 car brand new. If you are looking for a first car and insist on getting new try to go for something that will get good gas milage, keep you safe, and go easy on the insurance.

Maybe an XA, Echo, Aveo would but up the ally.

Used- get anything that is reliable.

Tc- great 2nd car but maybe a bit too nice for a first car

 

^^^
Hmm, the tC is in the same class as a Corolla or Civic, so it's a reasonable first car.

The 350Z or RX-8 will be my 2nd car after I graduate ;)

 

Toyota would like you to think so, but the answer is no. You'll run out of talent before the car does.

 

What are you guys talking about?!

The Scion tC makes a GREAT first car!

It's only $16k.

It looks good.

Scion as a company is geared towards young folk...new drivers tend to be young.

The enging comes from a standard Camry...it doesn't get a whole lot more reliable than that.

Toyota is betting that young people like quality cars and would see quality in the tC...most people in general will see that this is a damn good bargain no matter how you cut it.

On top of this car being a great first car for many...it will also develop into a total CHICK CAR, as well. I can see it already. Chicks dig nice cars with sunroofs and auto trannies.

It won't be MY first car...but it will be my first NEW car. It's hard to pass up a deal like this!


I say if you or your parents can afford it, go for it. The tC is like a Civic Coupe with a Camry motor. Or kinda like the idea of an older Celica or Prelude...but with more room in the back since those were sporty bodies with Camry/Accord parts.

 

During high school, I really pushed around my Pickup. Messed up the breaks and front suspension, hard acceleration a lot...and this was only after about 4 months after I started driving on my own. Couple of near accidents. A year later I got back to more smooth driving.

I'd say the tC's a great car to get. You just have to force yourself to treat it well. If not, a used Toyota or Honda should be a good choice to try out and develop your driving techinques as many of their models seem capable to take huge amounts of abuse.

 

The tC, though has a Camry 4-banger, may cost you a bit more in insurance because it is a sport hatchback. Then again it is your call. The xA would be a nice first car because it is small, nimble and, insurance isnt bad. Also fuel economy is way higher than the tC. However, both xA and tC have plenty of room for "social" occasions...especially with the tC's "sleep position"

My first car was a '98 Rolla (17), I didnt abused it. But I dont want a person that I KNOW, to buy it and drive it

 

I agree with dinkjs, No one should have a new car for their very first car. It really does take a year or so of routine to get driving down to where it is a habit. If you make a mistake with a brand new car. You just cost yourself a lot of money. Plus, no one likes a punk kid with a fancy new car .

For your first car I would recommend a good used car that is about $5k. You don’t have to worry as much about all the scratches you get on it. After 2-3 years sell I. and get a new car if you can afford it at that point. Besides by that time there will be something better then the tC out.

 

Just remember, everytime a 16 year old spoiled brat puts his new Scion tC into a guardrail or telephone pole, your insurance rates go up and his parents buy him an even more expensive car to replace it.

 

Come on now, not every 16 year old with a new car is a spoiled little brat and a careless driver. I am personally considering this as my first car and i dont think it would be any worse than getting a used car. My bro got a new car when he was 16 and has never been in any accidents that were caused by him at all. The damage that has been done to his car was from other ___ holes with pieces of ____ cars that would hit him while parking their ____. Now if a 16 year old is runnin around with a Cobra, thats trouble, but a modestly powered compact made by an extremely reliable company is perfectly fine as a first car.

 

I'm with those that think that any new car as a first car is a bad idea. My first car was an 87 cressida wagon (I was 17), and I got into one of those stupid new driver accidents where I hit the gas instead of the breaks and banged it up a little not more than 3 months after I got it. And I had a lot of driving experience before that.

I'm only 21, but this will be my first new car - sometime between now and next summer, either when my current car dies or when I graduate college, whichever comes first. So far I'm on my third old car (all hand me downs from my parents and grandparents), and I will admit that older cars are, in some sense, more fun and comforting to drive. I don't car if my car gets scratched up at college parking next to some idiot, I don't care too much if I hit a pothole too hard, and it's nice not to have to stress over those things while your getting used to driving. Older cars, for the most part, are also much cheaper to insure - and you don't necessarily need to pay for glass/collision/etc, since the car isn't worth much. I'm just lucky I'm a girl and will never have to pay as much as all you guys out there, no matter what I choose to drive

 

Totally Agree...

a 16 year-old will mess up the TC before the year is over. I know this..cuz experience counts when driving. And with high school kids... their minds will be wandering else where ...and sooner or later..it's bound to happen. the TC will end up being salvaged cuz of reckless driving.

I'm not saying it's not a good first car...but i just feel sorry for the TC when it gets banged up like that.

but if you decide to get the TC and u're only 16, all the power to u ~

 

The tC is a nice car, very good value it seems. So as far as getting a first car it's good. The question is whether the driver will be a good first time driver. Makes no difference what the car is, IMO the smaller the engine the better, many kids like the thrill of driving fast, but don't have the skills to handle the car at that point. Thus you find out how badly you can wrap the car around the telephone pole or whatever you hit. Any other car that goes fast will be the same way, so I suggest as a first car you get a nice used 95hp tercel or something along those lines. You can stomp the gas without any trouble. :D

But even as a second car, if you get something fast you'll gun it around to play, most people do. But hopefully you'll remember the poor handling of the previous car, and you'll be conservative about what you do.

 

Heh, I think some of you EXPECT a 16 year old to crash. That's absurd.

Some of you also seem to think that it's better to just crash an old car since the kid is bound to get in an accident anyways...what kinda thinking is that?

The car is affordable, relatively hefty for its size, and comes with an available barrage of side airbags...plenty safe for me. Especially compared to my old Miata.

 

so you're saying that when i get my tC, i will mess it up before a year is over? im getting this car for my 16th birthday. the only place im allowed to go is school and work. i'm also gonna be paying for my own car. this is a $16k car. its not like im gonna be getting a z4 or a 350z. if i could get a used car, i would but my parents dont want me to get a used car because they've had bad experiments with them. i have tried and tried asking them for a 240sx but my parents said no, even though i'm gonna be doing the payment. not every 16 year old will wreck a new car. some are more careful than others. some has more respect for a new car than others. you guys can call me spoiled if you want, i dont care. the tC will be my first car.

 

Hell yea mother____er! Long as you have the money you strait! :twisted:

 

As i said... all the power to you. I'm sure u're a good driver ... but if u haven't had the experience...more likely than not... u will end up banging up the car whether it's ur fault or by someone else's negligence. I'm sure u will cherish and baby ur car... but i'm just saying that a TC is not a small engine car. It has enough power to accelerate in which "most" young kids might try to take advantage of. I say most because there are few who will granny the car.

I agree that used cars are not safe investment...i've had bad experiences myself...therefore i buy only new cars. However, as a first car... even the best young driver end up damaging the car...whether it's scaleable or not... i can't say.

Good luck to you~ just be careful.