Here's a few tips before taking delivery of your new tC, or any new car for that matter.

Let's understand that a new car is a new car, no matter what kind of car it is. Regardless whether it's a $17,000 car (like the tC) or a $45,000 car, you are entitled to having the car NEW.

1. When you go to the dealership and drop the deposit on a car that's being shipped, or a car already in stock - make sure to tell them than no one else should drive the car, unless it's to move it around on the lot and they work for Scion. Dealers will frequently allow other people to test drive your car, especially if it's a made-to-order car like the tC. Tell them that you know what the mileage is if it's already on the lot.

2. If you're a nutcase about your car's finish like I am, tell the dealership not to wash or wax the car for you on delivery. Frequently, the people who take care of the pre-delivery car detailing, quite frankly, really suck at it. They will leave swirls in your brand new paint job. This is because: 1. They don't use the correct technique. 2. They don't really care because it's not their car. 3. They tend to use old wash mits and/or other uncared for car washing materials...

If you want to have to strip the wax from your new car and then polish it and rewax it, by all means, go ahead and have the car detailed by Toyota. You're much better off washing and waxing the car yourself with some Meguiar's products.

3. Purchase a handheld Xenon light. They sell for about $16-$24 at Home Depot/Taget/Lowes. A Xenon bulb has a similar wavelength to the suns and is very good for looking at a car's surface for defects. Go over every inch of the car looking for paint defects, this could save you time and money in the future.

Good luck with your new car!

PS: For you detailing gurus/wannabes, a Xenon light is a must have when trying to locate paint defects like fine swirls.

 

Also make sure Scion has deflated your tires to proper PSI. The shipping tC has a PSI in the 40s. This item is on the Scion checklist but my dealer did not do so I rode around for a couple of weeks with tires at 45psi....

Kevin

 

Good point. When i test drove the tc, the salesman told me the ride might feel a bit stiff because the tires were over inflated for transport.

 

Yeah after two weeks of driving around i also realized this...

Also have them not drill your bumper for your front plates. My bumper looks like poop now because they took a self tapping screw and drilled it in....not predrilled. consequently it made the bumper pull out a lil bit.