I'm trying to get a short list to replace my current long distance commuter car, a 2003 Nissan Sentra Spec V. I love the Spec V and hope to drive it another two years so I can pass it on to my son but it's coming on 170,000 miles. I just had to spend 2000.00 on it for repairs. Recently the Scion tC caught my eye and I love the styling and have some questions.
1. What are folks getting for MPG at freeway speeds between 75 and 80 mph preferably with manual transmissions?
2. Confirming that chains and not belts drive the cams?
3. Confirming that it uses regular gas?
4. Where is the oil filter located? I change my own oil and my Spec V has the filter on the bottom of the block, it's the easiest oil change I've ever had in a car. The car before that was a 2000 Mazda Protoge, it came off a rental lot and had a 1.6 lt motor and a automatic transmission. It was a nice car but I hated the automatic. The big bummer is the oil filter was high on the block between the block and firewall, major pain to get to.
Right now the Mazda 3 is on my short list (I know it's a coup, not a sedan) mainly for the Skyativ advertised MPG but the tC's advertised MPG is livable and I like the standard features offered. One thing I really like about the tC is not seeing dozens on the roads like you see Mazda 3's. Nissan really peeved me when they don't offer manual trannys for their new Sentra's. I do hope that when I have to buy there will be more choices but I try to always have a plan. Thank you for your help.

 

Gee anyone, I've already have gotten answers on the Mazda forums.

 

Well I just picked up my car today. I can answer a few questions. I'm getting about 23mpg average. Mind you I have less than 100 miles on the car. And I believe the owner manual says you can use 87 octane fuel.

Sorry I don't have answers for the other two..

Dan

 

Ps... I did test drive a sky active (6spd manual) this fall, nice car and pretty good gas mileage, but personally I like the tc infinitely more.

 

I average 27-29 mpg and Im a spirited driver 6 speed

 

1. 29 mpg is what the computer tells me.
2. Uses chains for timing.
3. Uses regular gas.
4. Filter is at the bottom of the block. You need a special tool to get it off though. There is a sticky on how to change the oil in the engine and drivetrain sub-forum I believe.

 

1. im getting around 29 mpg just depends how you drive
2. chains yes!
3. i know i dont have to but i use super unleaded just cuz i feel safer
4. the oil filter is almost right next to the oil pan, super easy to change! you just need the tool for the filter...and its the filter bmw uses fyi =)

 

I just went from VA to GA and back and was averaging 32 Mpg at 78 mph with the cruise control on, down I-95

 

I, too, am getting 32-33 mpg at highway speeds.

 

Thank you one and all. The tC deserves a test drive.

 

The most I've ever gotten was 28mpg. And that was including a back and forth trip from Los Angeles to San Diego (all highway) with cruise at 70mph. Just saying, mpg is debatable on this car... But it's too fun not to drive, so get it! lol

 

gas milage will vary depending if there are a lot of inclines where you commute, but 30 highway MPG is close to whatever you'll be getting.

 

most mpg i've gotten was 34.6, full tank 100% highway, combined i average about 29 but thats still atleast 65-70% highway

 

On a 2600 mile road trip (Cali to Florida), I stayed in the 30-31 range. A bit better as the speed limit dropped going west to east (the 75 mph norm in the west and 65-70 in the east). Going through multiple tanks of fuel should even out any weirdness with a bad batch.

I commute 50 miles/day, about 1/2 city (suburban city, not real city) and use the car for random errands. My MPG meter has settled semi-permanently at 27.3.

 

For what it's worth, the trip computer is consistently overestimating my mileage. It usually says 27-28 but I usually get 25-26 when I calculate by hand (which is always)

Tap'd from my Nexus 7

 

Thank you all for your help, right now the tC is my #1 choice. It seems like a close match for my spec V in drivable fun but still economical and cheap enough to drive into the ground. I've been long distance commuting for 17 yrs so I try to buy new, buy Japanese, and drive it until I have to sink too much money into it.

 

I don't know why you can't get the spec v in a 6spd. Pretty sure in Canada it's a CVT

 

check out the 2013honda accord Sport 23k price out the door.

SICK.

 

tC> accord

 

ok...


Style = tc>accord

Features/interior quality/better mpg great design/noise reduction/more features = tc<accord

It's worth a drive if you Havnt. Killer price and Honda stepped game up, if you want a basic car that just works our scions are nice. I enjoy mine, but my friend has the Honda.. Not the fanciest on outside but it's sooo awesome to drive comfort wise. Not a bad car