Today I spent hours testing out a new scion tC and also a new Honda EX SE.
Unfortunetly I didn't get to test out the tC in the transmission I wanted to (5-speed).
Also didn't get to whip the tC around corners and stuff.
Both cars are terrific.

Any help or opinions are greatly apprecitated.
In my opinion the basic pros and cons are:

Scion tC Pro
Looks Awsome
Sunroof
Steering Wheel
4 Wheel disc
Rims
Spoiler
Audio Sound
Powerful Engine
Scion tC Con
Cheap Silver looking Interior
Cheap CD Player Tray
Engine Sound at idle*
Headliner not black

Honda Civic EX SE Pro
Looks Cool
5-speed shifting was very nice
Steering felt really soild and tight
Engine feels nice strong
Takes bumps and corrners good
Proven quility
high resale value
Honda Civic EX SE Con
Basic but not cheap Interior
Engine Sound at idle*
Drum Brakes
Headliner not black


*I have a 4cyl s-10 and it doesnt seem to have this pinging tiny sound both of these cars have. Maybe I need to get used to it or its something else.

 

Not sure what the noise at idle is. Mine sounds awesome at idle (TRD exhaust sounds great... not much added to performance (axleback only) but probably the best sounding exhaust out for the tC IMO).

I obviously like the tC... but will try to be impartial. Here is why I would choose the tC:

1) Civic is very plain looking, the tC has a nicer look and definitely catches peoples attention. I dont think I ever make it through a week without at least a couple of positive comments and a ton of questions about it.

2) Performance, the EX doesnt stand a chance stock for stock. I had one try me the other day.. from about 30 mph... left him (and his big loud fart can ) in the rear view

3) Civic interior is bland, and has less features. I do not feel the tC interior looks cheap in any respect. Everyone that has been in mine cant believe the price I paid for it. The most common comments are about how it looks way more expensive than it is. Even my BMW friends are impressed.

4) Overall features... the tC blows it away.

There have been some complaints about the paint, but mine has been pretty durable so far (now at 12,000 miles). I have a few tiny tiny marks on the lower front bumper, and one or two (you have to know where they are to see them) on the hood, but it unfortunately has taken a couple of bad gravel showers from trucks (one so bad that my fog light was shattered), so nothing that would not happen to any other car.

Cant say much on reliability comparison, the honda will be reliable, but so will the tC. The Camry engine is definitely well proven.

Thats my .02 I hope it helps.

 

Oh, and the 5spd is very nice on the tC. Mine shifts like butter!

 

Thanks for your input.

 

go with the 5 speed tc.

 

or wait for the new civic si hehehe.....

 

I am so impressed on my scionlife brothers and sisters wisdom and maturity. I am surprised no one has flamed yet... o.. ook .. try..ing to ... resist....
I am sorry I have to do it...

buy a honda ex to spare us from anymore stupid questions. hehe jk. You are on a tC site... hmmmmmm what do you think we will say? You should have more insight on what you want then what others think. Your pros and cons list is exactly that. Your pros and cons list.

hondas are for the predictable A type person that doesn't mind blending into a crowd and going with the flow. By starting a thread like this makes you a honda person? If that ____es you off then get the tC....

Get a tC and become one with your spirit.

 

what are these paint problems are reading and hearing about?

 

if you go over 55mph your paint on your car will start curling up and burning off. I've seen this on hondas too....

 

A small percentage of people claim it chips to easily from rocks... however most of us know (especially those of us here in the north, snow, salt, sand, gravel) that no car can withstand a 60 mph chunk of gravel very well. I have heard none of the issues that are common on some cars , such as peeling, flaking, etc. Luckilly, I do not drive mine in the snow, or even the rain most times. I keep it in the climate controlled garage (na na na naaaa na , ok jk , but it is a nice apartment feature!) during bad weather and drive the ABS bodied Saturn (which is paid for... so even less to worry about!) .

 

Civic

 

I see like 10 riced civics everyday and about 1 tC a week. It looks betters and it's faster. Both are reliable so that doesnt really matter. tC all the way.

 

Does anyone that has a tc want to buy a honda? dude your asking the wrong crowd

 

to tell you the truth i would choice a tC over a EX any day. I was looking at a civic before the tC came out, but i just didn't want a car that i would see every where. the quality is there for both cars, but it's your choice. but if you ask me don't get a civic. Unless you want to wait and get the 06 SI. but then that's probably going to run you around 21k
my $0.02

 

I have a Civic LX(that's going to be traded as soon as my tC is delivered), my friend has an EX. Honestly, there isn't much difference between the two besides a little extra on the EX thanks to vtec. The Civic is still a 115-125 hp car, so that isn't a huge jump. Side by side with a stock tC, even an SI doesn't stand a chance. The only thing I'm gonna miss from my Civic is about 5 mpg. Both are highly reliable, both are stable, but the tC is a sports coupe while the Civic is well civil. It's solid and reliable but not very exciting, not even to look at. The tC is like a mini Lexus, near luxury car in look and feel. The 5spd is very nice, and all the little stock details far outmatch the Honda.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm really leaning towards the tC now.
I really want to make up my mind by this Monday.

 

I'd recommend driving a 5-spd tC to see what you think of it. See if the dealer will let you test drive one of their demos, one that the sales reps drive that is already broken in and you don't have to worry about putting it through the paces. I know when I did my test drive I didn't want to abuse it because it had 15 miles on it and I know they still have to sell it.

The thing that I really liked about the handling of the tC was that the acceleration was so smooth. The Civic pulls mostly in 2nd then 3rd is relatively weak, 4th is barely there, and 5th is for cruising. When I'm getting on the highway I usually shift straight from 3rd to 5th as 4th is useless except for cruising at 40-45 mph.

 

Yes, the gearing, coupled with the torque, is perfect on the tC. The short gears take away from the mileage, but it is worth it. Running 50 and up, it easily passes in 5th, which many 5 spd 4 bangers have trouble with.

 

buy the SCION tC RS 1.0 HEHE!!! thats why your here in the scionlife!

HONDA CIVIC SUCKS!!! the steering is so hard to steer and slow!!

 

I just see plain ol' plain ol' when I see the civic. Not sporty looking at all..... Would be a great work, or around town car I guess...