Hey all,

Just recently bought a 2012 Scion TC. I'm not much of a car geek, I barely know anything about cars really but I am trying to learn. My question is, what can I do to my car now in terms of exterior/interior modifications to make it run not only faster but also make it look better? The car is brand new and completely stock so I haven't really done anything to it. I've attached some pictures if that helps any. Thanks

 

Welcome. Make sure to note where you're posting. There's a section for the 2nd gen. I'll move this thread for you.

 

We have many DIY posts in the interior and exterior section. Also have a section for engine modification and suspension/wheels.

If u look at the top of the page in the scion tc2 owners lounge you will see the sections I speak of. Give em a good read and you will learn all you wish to know

 

If you are trying to be a car guy the tC is a decent car to start learning some basic terms and understand how a car works (hopefully you have a manual), but you'll eventually want to upgrade to a better platform aka real sports cars. The tC along with the other Scion cars are economy cars stock and usually in this situation it's best to either go all out or don't go at all. Meaning if you just add an intake and exhaust it's not going to satisfy you at all (unless that's all you want: sound). However if you spend a few thousand on a turbo kit it will turn your tC into (almost) a sports car, but you will still be stuck on economy-focused parts (FF layout, oh god the 100 pounds of glass on top of the car, questionable tranny).

I'm personally staying away from performance parts. You should do some simple upgrades such as a short-shifter with a heavy shift **** (probably biggest difference you can make in driving experience for the price if you're manual), HIDs - don't go over 8k cops will get you in America, and may rims and lip kit if you're really rich.

Some will probably disagree with me, and don't take my opinions for facts, just some suggestions on getting started. Also you'll be made fun of often by Hondaf*gs (with good reason as tC's are slow as ____) just tell them your car is cheaper than theirs and they paid for a notorks gimmick called VTEC.

 

FOG LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, welcome

 

Manual owners tend to be arrogant about their choice. It's a trait to be worked on and eliminated from one's character set. I'm going manual because I want a turbo, and replacing the Toyota 6-speed automatic transmission every year would give me a pocket-book & side-ache, not to mention significant downtime. Turbos have a tendency to wear out an automatic transmission.

Yeah I agree. For an economy car though, I think it's a decent foundation.

That's exactly what I'm doing -- I'm salivating over the premonitions of 300+ horsepower & ft. lbs of torque, etc. I'm sticking with the Scion tC because it's the devil I know, and even though it's an economy car, there's a certain point of pride in having a sleeper.

 

This is true, but like you said only to some. IMO people should think of it as showing interest in cars (and like driving them), because knowing how to drive a manual as a beginning driver really teaches a person how the car works. People who have only owned cars with an automatic transmission may go on living most of their life not knowing what a clutch does.

If you own a manual it's cooler to keep it to yourself anyways. Personally, I hate people who flaunt they drive a manual like it's the coolest thing in the world.

Yeah, unfortunately tC's are usually viewed as slow as ____, but that makes it a good sleeper. I'm likely going to sell my tC when I graduate college and get a WRX, but my dream car is FD RX-7 . That's when I'll spend a lot of money on performance.