I went for a 2nd test drive of the tC today. I decided to take my mom and see wat she had to say about it (since I brought my dad last time). First thing that my mom said was, "This is a small car and I am worried about how it would be in an accident vs. a typical California Soccer Mom in an SUV". Well I totally understand that. Out here those things rule the roads like armored tanks going through a battlefield. Other than that she had no complaints. After we both had drivin the car we were on the way out of the dealer when she spotted on of the Limited Edition Orange xB's. She said that while it wasnt the "sleakest" looking car the interior was very spacious and looked more comfortable/ practical. So I sat in it checked it out and was impressed. I asked the dealer to take it for a test drive and I seemingly liked it. I did like being a little higher up on the road and the fact that I had a little bit more room in the vehicle. The only things I did not like were these:
a. The spedometer in the middle of the car kept trippin me up (could adjust over time)
b. That it only has 105 hp.
I was making a turn off a light on to a slightly uphill street and I practically had to floor the vehicle in order to get it up the hill remotely near the speed limit (55). I have no prob with that in the tC . I know its more of a cruising car for fun but I need somepower!

I am currently driving a '93 previa and I have that same power problem. I hate having the problem of needing to "gas" it or push the gears to get it to the speed I need...

Tell me what u guys think? Im still big into the tC but after seeing both its got me thinking...

And yes I also posted this in the tC forum, I wanted to see what both xb and tC owners have to say

 

the tC should be an extremely safe car..

With optional side airbags, knee airbags (IIRC, only in its class w/ that feature), and triple door impact bars it should be VERY safe in a crash.

The car is nearly 3,000lbs, 50-200lbs more than most its competition. Why? Mostly because of how well the car is reinforced. I believe the main reason its so heavily reinforced is to increase body stiffness to compensate for the moonroof, but it should prove quite safe in an accident.

 

this is all up to u....u want practicality? get xb....want speed...get tc.....want practicality and some speed....u have no choice but to get another car other than a scion...but as decisions go....get the tc...yeah its small but dude...its a tc

 

xb all they way........but all scions are pretty well structured, so its up to you........

 

haha i hear ya! i love the look of the tC myself. I think the xB is kinda wierd but it seemed fairly nice inside. I did think that the tC rode smoother as well but I dunno. I was able to drive the tC longer that I did the xB... well i wont know if I am getting ANYTHING until friday afternoon so well see what happens...

 

tc duh....and this was even posted in the tc section..

 

I just think the xB is kind of ugly, so I choose the tC myself. It's basically what you like best.....if you don't like the way a car looks, then you will never REALLY like it.

 

My take is that the xB makes a much better city car, with it's cavernous interior and mileage. The tC is better for highway driving with higher hp and torque for those hills and onramps. The rest is pretty much your opinion.

 

in terms of safety, no contest, the tC. 3000lbs versus 2400lbs of the xB
plus side curtain airbags, side airbags and knee airbags.

performance, goes w/out saying, moving on...

praticality, xB obviously, but the tC would be good enough for 90-95% of the time.
the other times, borrow the previa, lol.

fuel mileage, xB as well.

if you dont like the looks of the xB, im not sure why there is even a question here.
Either way, you can't lose, so good luck.

 

If you don't beleive the tC is safe, look at the post of the guy who's tCs rear brakes failed. His car is totally ____ed up, but he walked away with some bruises. If that doesn't sell you nothing will.

 

Well, to me you are talking apples and oranges................
The xB (which is what I have) is awesome but it isn't a performance car - although I hear a TurboCharger does wonders! So if you want stylish practicality that everyone has to take a 2nd look at to figure out what it is then go with the xB. On the other hand the tc is great if you are wanting something very sporty & quick but has a very sophisticated style!

Maybe that's a little to girly an explanation :oops:

 

i say you should go with the xB. while yeah, the power ain't that great, there are PLENTY of options availavble, both through yor dealer and aftermarket to change that all around. Plus, the xB is the CHEAPEST to insure, or at least that's what my insurance company told me when I got mine.

 

thanks for the input guys! Ill figure something out soon

 

While I own the xB, I just test drove an auto tC for fun the other day. Even with auto the tC was noticeably faster, but I felt REALLY confined in the car! I'm pretty tall, and had to tilt the seat back a bunch to keep my head off the roof, to where I was stretching to reach the wheel. The roofline was still low. I've become really spoiled by all the room in the xB. And the first time I saw the B I didn't like it, but each time I saw it it looked better. I think it was more shock value of its shape more than dislike.

If your most important goal is a fast car, then go tC. If not, go xB, it wins on all other fronts IMHO. Safety, yes it has the side bags, but is also lower to the ground. So the Hummer grill is contacting you at head level instead of hip/shoulder level during a collision. And with the faster engine, you're more likely to push it too much and end up in that wreck IMHO.

 

If it was up to me, Id have a tC and an xB in my garage... I love both cars, Id love to drive one OR the other on occasion... (trying to convince my sis on the xB) she aint listenin, help!

 

Amen to that

I agree

Im only 5 7 but I know what u mean...

 

I'm 5'9" and I love the way I fit in my tC! :D
Everything is exactly where i need it, I don't have to reach or look (ie, speedometer) too far from where I sit. On the other hand, in the B, I feel like I'm going to soccer practice.

Sorry, I don't mean to offend, just my opinion

 

Although I don't think it's a fair comparison to the xB (built to feel roomy), you can lower the seat in the tC. When I first sat in one I felt awfully confined too, but then I discovered the lowering lever and it was all good.

Then I set the knee support - very comfortable, especially compared to my current car ('95 Saturn).

 

yeah, the tC's driver seat is 8 way adjustable!!!