View Full Version : Why I test drove a Scion tC
weitau
03-06-2005, 10:02 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm a 240sx fanatic forever (I've owned 4 so far), but I needed to put things into perspective.
I've been building up my SR coupe for the last year, and it's been a love hate relationship. After the swap process crossed the 4 month mark, I had to pry the car away from the guy who was working on it. Not only were there assembly and electrical problems, but the interior got trashed. After working on it myself and paying other professionals hundreds to complete the install and tune, I am almost finished. I am finally down to just noisy FMIC pipes (poor clearance issues).
Was it all worth it? I've put more than est. $11,000 into the car (I stopped counting at $10k) and the time & aggravation, I needed to know if I should have just bought a new car.
The Scion looked really interesting. At 2900lb and 160hp/163torque, it's only 100lbs more than a S13 SE Hatch and the motor's nearly the same. Plus the list fo standard features are impressive: like a sunroof that's nearly the size of the entire roof, 215/45's tires on 17" alloy wheels, and safety features like ABS and airbags galore. And with Toyota build quality - it looks like a really good deal.
sykikchimp
03-06-2005, 10:05 PM
fwd.
...I thought it might make a decent daily driver though...
I'd rather spend my money on a 10yr old M3 for the same amount of $.
weitau
03-06-2005, 10:16 PM
So I dropped by the local dealer, and I got behind the wheel. The seats are comfortable, and they hold you down. The dash looks very modern and clean. Fit and finish is top rate. I was beginning to forget about my beloved 240... until I got on the road. I tried not to scare the saleslady in the passenger's seat, so I took it easy. Although the suspension is firm, the car just soaked up the bumps like butter; my 240 would've been rattling like crazy. Then I started pushing it. The rev's counted up - 4k, 5k, 6k, but I was going no faster than the Crown Victoria to my right. WHERE'S THE BEEF? or should I say TURBO?
At that moment, I felt like God came down and gave me a message - 240SX/SR = NIRVANA.
The pain and suffering since last year was all worth it! My 240 is mucho faster, has more precise handling, and doesn't cost a fortune to insure. I don't care if my car is 14 years old, or if the chicks rather drive with the short bald guy in the BMW. With the 240, it's all good!
weitau
03-06-2005, 10:20 PM
Yeah, for a daily driver, it'll be good, although I need more room. so I was thinking Scion xB, aka box truck. having 2 sport coupes would be a waste especially if you rather drive the 14 year old one...
I agree, a M3 would be the only other competitor to the 240sx/SR.
G_Fish240
03-06-2005, 10:20 PM
It's a good daily driver and a good price for a new car. If you want a car you don't have to work on and a new car (so you know whats been done to it) with a good price I'd get a TC. Not really sporty though. Can't you get a TRD supercharger to? Boost that doesn't void the warranty is always cool.
nightwalker
03-06-2005, 11:17 PM
Sometimes you gotta have that other car. A daily driver. My 240 is pretty harsh to drive around now. Too many metal bushings, car too stripped, too loud, etc. When I can afford it, I'd like a different car for a daily driver.
o240isxf0304
03-06-2005, 11:20 PM
i almost bought one last year when i was looking for my second 240. i didnt have a car to drive and the 240 market was tough with all the drifting bandwagon going on. i wanted it for the 6 disc mp3 player. i test drove one and wasnt satisfied. i thought i had a whole lot more fun driving my old sohc. but i was desperate for a car at the time so i agreed to buy it. when we got back from the test drive another salesperson sold that car to someone else. at the time there were a 30 day wait for the tc's. so i just left a deposit to reserve one. a week after i found a 96 with 89k miles with i/h/e already installed for $4800. its been 6 months and still no problems with the car.
420sx
03-06-2005, 11:58 PM
yea..... that sounds great.... mmmkay?
240Stilo
03-07-2005, 12:09 AM
I was thinking the same thing lately and started to check out the mini cooper. That should be a fun test drive.
weitau
03-07-2005, 12:10 AM
The Mazdaspeed Miata should be a fun test drive as well. Do tell us about your Mini!
I felt the same way about my 240 build .. it's still a work in progress and I can't wait for the day I will be able to drive it for real. Sometimes I really just want to buy a new car but when you're behind the wheel and everything is working the way it should it is nirvana because you know what it took to get there and at that moment it feels like every penny and all the headaches are worth it.
sw20>>s14
03-07-2005, 12:27 AM
the mazdaspeed is sweet! hella nimble and just enough (but could use more) punch. not much of a vert person though. buy an old scooby...
s13silady
03-07-2005, 12:57 AM
scions are hot... but once you read about the 538hp boosted scion it'll be another 240 all over again... ;)
OptionZero
03-07-2005, 01:20 AM
The only new cars worth mentioning:
G35C
350Z
'06 Corvette
Mitsu EVO VIII
Subie STi (not the rex...)
SRT-4
MazdaSpeed 6
Rx-8
Acura TL-S
Lotus Elise
Honda Odyessey!
Anything else is too expensive and/or ugly and/or slow to bother with...
Used car possibilities:
One day i'd like to own an FD...and make it run. One day. Possibly an FC, but by then they'd be real old...
an SC400/300 for pimpness
and if i could ever fit in one...a first gen S20000
SimpleSexy180
03-07-2005, 01:53 AM
im so happy you didnt buy it....go check out a mazdaspeed miata :yum:. (pssstt, RWD>FWD).
MakotoS13
03-07-2005, 08:40 AM
At that moment, I felt like God came down and gave me a message - 240SX/SR = NIRVANA.
if thats nirvana i don't wanna see hell. its good that your pleased with your project but maybe you should have just slapped a turbo on your existing motor and enjoyed the torque.
Macadoshus
03-07-2005, 08:53 AM
I am with you on the xB, I think I might be getting one of those soon for the daily driver. Great gas mileage. Alot of cargo room. And cheap (as long as I can keep it pretty much stock). It will be nice to have a practical car for once.
Yoshi
03-07-2005, 10:34 AM
So I dropped by the local dealer, and I got behind the wheel. The seats are comfortable, and they hold you down. The dash looks very modern and clean. Fit and finish is top rate. I was beginning to forget about my beloved 240... until I got on the road. I tried not to scare the saleslady in the passenger's seat, so I took it easy. Although the suspension is firm, the car just soaked up the bumps like butter; my 240 would've been rattling like crazy. Then I started pushing it. The rev's counted up - 4k, 5k, 6k, but I was going no faster than the Crown Victoria to my right. WHERE'S THE BEEF? or should I say TURBO?
At that moment, I felt like God came down and gave me a message - 240SX/SR = NIRVANA.
The pain and suffering since last year was all worth it! My 240 is mucho faster, has more precise handling, and doesn't cost a fortune to insure. I don't care if my car is 14 years old, or if the chicks rather drive with the short bald guy in the BMW. With the 240, it's all good!
the TC is just a nice daily driver, we'll see how it performs when it gets the TRD supercharger (I think it' puts it to 180-200hp?), I was thinking of getting one for my winter/commuter car. Really nice car for the price as far as new cars go... and it's a Toyota :)
justinhustle
03-07-2005, 10:49 AM
i love my usdm winter car ;)
4.9L v8 fwd haha
mk20116
03-07-2005, 11:18 AM
The Mazdaspeed Miata should be a fun test drive as well. Do tell us about your Mini!
mini cooper is only worth getting if it's the S Coop. The regular one is too slow for most young drivers (at least me)
miata for FR fun or just wait for the small form factor BMW with FR. They started selling the BMW in europe already, so most people looking for a small-form car with FR are graduallly moving away from the MINI
citizen
03-07-2005, 11:40 AM
I test drove a Mazda 3s the other day and i was pretty impressed with the handling on it. They arent that more expensive then the Scions, but they are well put together cars.
sykikchimp
03-07-2005, 12:41 PM
When my roommate was looking for a car it was b/w the Scion Xa and the Mazda 3..
When when finally went and looked the two, it was hands down, no contest.. the Mazda 3 was light years better.
one thing I HATE HATE HATE about the Xa and Xb are the center mounted gauges.
Shin_Kudo
03-07-2005, 01:07 PM
If it's not too much of a "turn-off", I'd check out something like the Mazda 3/6 Sportwagons, or even the WRX wagon. Both drive relatively well, and have the rear storage space to carry around big stuff like exhausts or lots of spare rims and tires.
Im in the same boat my 240/sr build has about a year left, so i had to by a daily driver and get to strip the 240 for a race car :) . I miss driving 240s but my jeep is the fastest car ive owned 4.7l awd 15.7 1/4
MakotoS13
03-07-2005, 01:54 PM
i've driven the mazda 3 and mazdaspeed miata. the 3 was freaking awesome from fit and finish to road manners. if i wasn't so against fwd i'd prolly have one. i couldn't fit in the miata (but it was pretty darn quick)
thx247
03-07-2005, 02:45 PM
The miata can be very quick, I don't know about he mazda speed, but I think the weight does not offset the extra HP. I was not impressed with how the MS pulled on the track. It didn't seem worth the extra weight.
It also has a full roof sunroof keke
ph34r
03-07-2005, 05:38 PM
this happens to me often. i think about how much of a pain my 240 is and then i go out and drive it. it destroys the thought of getting another car.
Ritz S14
03-07-2005, 06:04 PM
My girlfriend just bought a silver one a couple of hours ago.
weitau
03-07-2005, 07:45 PM
I had my first 240 for two years when I was in grad school. Base model, but 5 speed. Then I got a job and thought I needed a new car, so I got the Honda Element. Torquey motor, HUGE space, but it didn't paste a smile on my face like the 240 did. When I sold the 240 to another guy on this board, I thought I could get another in SE trim. Could not find one. It was like withdrawl. I ended up snapping up a convertible and coupe, thinking the world was going to run out of 240's. I sold the Element to pay for restoration of the 'vert and SR build up.
Makoto, I hear ya. If I were to do it again, it would be a KA-T hatch 'cause the way I drive. I'm a stoplight-seat in your pants guy. Not much into racing. The SR loves to rev, and the cops here love 'em too 'cause it helps them fill their quotas.
weitau
03-07-2005, 07:46 PM
Congrats to your g/f Smog_tech! she's going to be real happy!
420sx
03-07-2005, 07:48 PM
240sx for most of us is gonna be like an old girlfriend. im against new cars. build your own.
katbak
03-07-2005, 09:02 PM
The only new cars worth mentioning:
G35C
350Z
'06 Corvette
Mitsu EVO VIII
Subie STi (not the rex...)
SRT-4
MazdaSpeed 6
Rx-8
Acura TL-S
Lotus Elise
Honda Odyessey!
Anything else is too expensive and/or ugly and/or slow to bother with...
Used car possibilities:
One day i'd like to own an FD...and make it run. One day. Possibly an FC, but by then they'd be real old...
an SC400/300 for pimpness
and if i could ever fit in one...a first gen S20000
Uhh... I'd take a RX-7 before an RX-8 and yes the RX-7 is quite worth mentioning... :werd:
why is the SRT 4 worth mentioning?
maybe you're mentioning cars to never consider as well?
420sx
03-08-2005, 10:44 AM
still FWD is FWD. i dont like to be pulled around. hehe only pushed
Ritz S14
03-08-2005, 10:49 AM
Uhh... I'd take a RX-7 before an RX-8 and yes the RX-7 is quite worth mentioning... :werd:
He said "new" cars. But hella yeah FD>FE..or whatever
RanciD
03-08-2005, 11:49 AM
I had my first 240 for two years when I was in grad school. Base model, but 5 speed. Then I got a job and thought I needed a new car, so I got the Honda Element. Torquey motor, HUGE space, but it didn't paste a smile on my face like the 240 did. When I sold the 240 to another guy on this board, I thought I could get another in SE trim. Could not find one. It was like withdrawl. I ended up snapping up a convertible and coupe, thinking the world was going to run out of 240's. I sold the Element to pay for restoration of the 'vert and SR build up.
Makoto, I hear ya. If I were to do it again, it would be a KA-T hatch 'cause the way I drive. I'm a stoplight-seat in your pants guy. Not much into racing. The SR loves to rev, and the cops here love 'em too 'cause it helps them fill their quotas.
I'm sorry to have parted you from your 240! But it is doing well, hiding from the snow in my garage right now. :) I just changed the oil and got it ready for the road again this past weekend for an autocross later this month. I'll have to take some pictures of it cleaned up with the new wheels for you.
Anyway, just thought I'd drop in and say hi. Good luck with the new car search!
weitau
03-14-2005, 08:01 PM
dude, it's no problem! it was time to pass the torch, and I am very glad that she's being well cared for! I think we both made out ok. I'll still take the power windows any day! :)
infinitexsound
03-14-2005, 11:25 PM
10k should of just paid a high end shop to do the swap... umm scion i say NO... should of just got a useful beater like a old pick-up... u can find those for around 1k, but thats just me...............anyone want a 81 toy pick up?
Working for a Toyota dealership I think I can chime in some worthwhile 2cents.
Scion is nothing but modern day Metro's with a trendy marketing strategy. They may be affordable (in new car markets) but sit back and look at what you’re getting. The tC is based off the Avensis from Europe, which happens to be a family car. Seems Toyota likes to do this with allot of cars. Sadly it works well for them, as of late anyways. Lexus is trying to distinguish themselves and they realized they will never become of BMW or Benz quality with taking Toyota designs and calling them their own.
The tC... The overall cheap feeling of the entire car bothers me. As with all Scions, you can tell they didn’t spend much timing dedicated to the quality of engineering, or rather time spent to prefect it. The tC is obviously a 4dr chassis. Just open the door, it feels awkward and heavy. Personally I can’t get comfortable in a tC, while it allows for some good adjustment, at 5'9" I either feel to tall or too short, no happy medium there. Maybe im prejudice toward FWD cars but drive the tC and prepare for ungodly amounts of torque steer, no thanks.
I won’t chime in on the xB or xA. If you really want a car like that then you have either fallen to trend, or are utterly confused on what a good daily driver should be. Get a Corrolla or Impreza. Most the options that come "standard" with Scions are "standard" with Kia, Daewoo, etc.
s14's are becoming 10 years old now, probably older than some of you... thanks to the industry. You can’t compare the two. If you are going to get stuck building a car then maybe you should have considered what you were getting yourself into to begin with, and don’t think you would get yourself into the same with a new car.
WanganRunner
03-15-2005, 04:47 AM
I want an xB daily driver too.
Toss some Work Equip 03s on there, boso it up a bit. It'd look cool.
OptionZero
03-15-2005, 02:40 PM
Why is an SRT-4 worth mentioning? Because it's got 240hp turbo 2.4L thats (From whati 've heard), overbuilt...and it comes with a nice LSD and its under $20K.
Name a faster new car for UNDER 20k? In a straight line it runs with EVO's and WRX's...
WhiteNissanS13
03-15-2005, 02:48 PM
I agree, a M3 would be the only other competitor to the 240sx/SR.
seriously?
:squint:
TRUENOCOUPE
03-15-2005, 04:23 PM
I also bought a Scion Tc. I love it and no regrets.
Soon will be seeing track days.
-l
weitau
03-15-2005, 09:12 PM
seriously?
:squint:
There are not too many rear wheel drive cars in the same price range ($10-15k). But there are other cars like Saab Viggen, SRT, and they are all very good, but not rwd. Let's open it up... what other cars do you have in mind?
OptionZero
03-15-2005, 09:44 PM
similar performance to an SR'd 240 for 10-15K?
AWD:
Impreza 2.5RS + 7-8k in mods
3000GT VR-4
Audi A4 1.8T
RWD:
MR2 Turbo
Rx-7 (fd)
Rx-7 (fc + like what..10k in mods?)
MKIII Supra
300ZX Turbo
1st gen Miata + 10k in mods
1st Gen MR2 supercharged + ...12k in mods?
some generation of Corvette?
Ford Taurus SHO (don't laugh...has a Yamaha v6)
Porsche 944 Turbo (S)
used NSX (probably not possible for under 20, but i'll throw it in there)
FWD:
Integra Type R (probably pushing it $$wise)
Celica GT-S (never seen one in autoX or at a track, but weighs only 2500lbs + 180hp altho i heard gearing sucks so its not nearly as fast as should be)
B13 Sentra SE-R (has an SR!!! haha)
variety of Volkswagens with the 1.8T or VR6...the Corrado doesn't look too bad I guess
There's pretty good range of options, drive 'em and see is all I can tell you.
My personal favs are the Porsche 944 (which in stock form is basically a pumped up 180sx, down to the hatchback and popups) and the FD (most beautiful car ever), but both require more mechanical wherewithal than I have...and require some cash to get running reliably and maintain.
SimpleS14
03-15-2005, 09:55 PM
My car is getting old and is definately not for everyone (stiff ride, rattles here and there)...but I plan on keeping it and maintaining it for another four years. The looks are not too bad and with some TLC it keeps me happy. Anyways, my next car I plan to buy is a 2006~ Infiniti M45. I'm serious about that....and that another reason why I want my car for another four years (or more).
My next new car I am looking at the STI, Evo, G35 coupe and maybe the Legacy 2.5GT (250hp and more refinement for only 1K more than a WRX). But then new cars will always come out so who knows what will be out in a couple of years? In the meantime, I'm not holding my breath.
OptionZero
03-16-2005, 10:58 AM
Don't forget the MazdaSpeed 6 (250hp also, direct injection, AWD). That'll be a nice battle if Subie and Mazda keep it up.
Also, the RX-8, which is better looking than any of those cars =P Down on power, but still has the suspension, right?
Don't forget the MazdaSpeed 6 (250hp also, direct injection, AWD). That'll be a nice battle if Subie and Mazda keep it up.
Also, the RX-8, which is better looking than any of those cars =P Down on power, but still has the suspension, right?
The Mazdaspeed 6 is looking more like a stop-gap car than anything really good. Mazda is just putting out a car with capabilities similar to other popular cars to compete in the market. I very much doubt the car will hold up very well over time and hard driving. Plus the Mazda 6's original V6 is a FORD design. I test drove a Mazda 6 V6 5 speed and it left much to be desired.
the RX-8 although more reliable than old rotories, is still a rotory and Mazda has mentioned it should last about 100K miles before a rebuild and it consumes motor oil like all rotories. Plus the styling is kinda wierd. That front fender hump doesn't flow with the rest of the car.
m0rex
03-16-2005, 01:14 PM
The Honda Odyssey pawns everything. End of conversation.
OptionZero
03-16-2005, 02:30 PM
The Mazdaspeed6 is not a v6, its a Direct Injection 2.5L inline 4 i think.
MikeFD3S
03-16-2005, 06:56 PM
The Scion TC feels really cheap on the inside.
The outside of the car is visually appealing with the exception of the overly large quarter panel, as someone has mentioned before, the car is obviously based on a 4 door chassis.
Used Lexus is the best money spent I think. I got my 5sp SC300 for 5k, and with another 10k into it, it can be made to be as fast as a Supra, and handle decently.
By the way, the American Honda Odyssey cannot compare to the Japanese Odyssey. JDM Odyssey 0WNZ j00!!! It's like a giant EP3 Civic hatchback.
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/DC5.jpg
I also bought a Scion Tc. I love it and no regrets.
Soon will be seeing track days.
-l
zilvia isnt the best place to come out of the closet Al
Rusker
03-16-2005, 09:02 PM
My girl just traded in the 94 GSR for a Scion tC. The GSR was in perfect condition with only 54k original miles. They offered her $7k for the GSR, so after test driving the TC, it was hard to resist.
Now she was replacing her daily driver for something else. She has a 94 MR2 to have fun with. I don't know how you can compare the tC with the SR powered 240.. it's two completely different kinds of cars.
The tC is a really nice car, and I really like driving it sometimes compared to my cars. You really do get alot for the money when compared to other cars. I really don't like many of the newer cars that have come out, but I do like the tC. Now I wouldn't trade my 240 for it, but that's besides the point.
We just installed some Teins on it a few weekends ago.
http://demonwyld.com/temp/bridge_tc1.jpg
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