Test drove a Scion tC!!!

[noginsk]

Well, I was feeling a little pissed/depressed after class today, so I decided to cheer myself up by taking a test drive or two. -First, I went to a Kia dealership (Iknow Iknow, don't laugh...) to see if they had the new Spectra5 yet, but they didn't. Said it should be there around September/October. -Right next door was a toyota place with lots of Scions on the lot. I had never been up close and personal with any Scion, so I said why not. I was really most curious about the tC, but took a quick looksie at the xA and xB. They only had one tC in stock because they keep selling them as fast as they come in the lot. (Right when I got there, the lone tC was coming back from another test drive. As I was coming back, another youngish looking guy was waiting to drive it. People are literally waiting in line for this thing!)-So, the dealer was really nice and very professional and knew what he was talking about. I really appreciate a dealer that knows his stuff, unlike that Kia place (shudder). Inside it, the tC was really really cool. -The most surprising feature for me to learn about was that the HVAC controls were all "digital". I don't know if that is the right word for it, but there was no manual button that depressed or turned, aside fromthe actual temp setting. It was all electrical. -There was no radio in it, because they won't install one until you tell them which one you are going to get. But the cool radio "cover" was there and funtional. I did get to listen to another radio in a xA and it blew me away how good the sound was! No need for a sub. You have all the radio you will ever need right out of the box!-The gauges were probably the best feature. Really classy and sporty at the same time. -I was timid about getting in because of the moonroof, but I had adequate head room once the seat was lowered all the way. Just barely adequate, but adequate. The moon roof shade is actually a thin peice of cloth/vibnyl/plastic material. Kind of like those window shades in your home, only stiffer. It was spring-loaded and starteld me when I reached to unhook it and it shot back into the roof-well. Nifty feature though. -The front seats, even though they are not electronic, are "memory" seats. They go back to the exact same position after you move them to access the rear seats. -One more cool feature that I hadn't heard of is the "social room". When the dealer mentioned this I said "what the hell are you talking about?". He then showed me. Take the rear seats, which recline I might add, and put them in their reaward most position. Take out the front seat headrest. Push the front seat all the way forward. Recline the front seat to the most rearward position. And, then sit in the back seat, with your legs up on the front seat like an ottoman!. Perfect for chillin' outside and reasding a book! I asked him why did he call it a social room, and he said so kids can take care of their "business" there. After a moment to think on that, I got it and shared a laugh with him. -I was skeptical about the rear cargo room, and so I asked a favor. I usually carry around a large toolbox with me for class, and was wondering if it would fit in the back, without the seats down. We tried it, and it fit under the glass! Barely, but it fit! -Lastly, was the drive. It was too bad that they only had an automotic, but it was still fun nonetheless. I usually do mostly highway driving, so we took it out on 95/295 near Providence. The on-ramp was directly across the street from the dealership, but there was another lane that usually goes fast onto the onramp from another direction. I had to gun it a little to keep from getting sideswiped and let me tell you, I was put in the back of my seat. Even with the auto, two passengers, and with the A/C running full blast, we scooted away from the oncoming traffic, going UPHILL! Before I knew it we were doing 60 and on the highway. WOW I said to myself. I think that maybe they under rated this engine too. -It drove with a precision that I have never felt in a car. That's right, I said precision. The sterring was heavily weighted and I could feel that the car was communicating everything about the road to me. It belies the 3000 pound curb weight very well and turns shrply with little body roll (at least when compared to the vibe). -Oh, and that extra weight? I think it is because of the nonnexistent roof panels. They probably needed to stiffen up the body somehow so they put in more metal. Also, the amount of sound deadening material in the construction couldn't have been light. -There was virtually no road noise or wind noise or engine noise too. Extremely quiet. -Very surprisingly roomy, given the smallish stance. -Very well made feel to every little thing inside it. To make a very long story short. I fell in love. I don't care that it gets about 24-30 EPA numbers, that it only has 2 doors, that it can't haul as much stuff as the vibe, that it doesn't have the household power outlet, that even though my head fits it is still tight up top, or that it is a Scion, I want one. It is looking more and more that my wife will be keeping the Vibe. So, I might be getting a Blue tC in a couple of weeks! I'll keep you all posted! If you all can think of any other cars I should test drive and why I should get them, let me know. I probably won't do another vibe again, too many memories. (unless I go GT, but that is too much dough right now. Even the tC, at 16,500 is a bit steep for me).Thanks for listening.

[wicked1981]

I know its a nice car all the car mags I have bought give it nothing but god reviews. I been thinking about it but not sure I will look into it though. When I thought about swapping the Vibe for the SRT-4 my payment would go up and my insurance would sky rocket so if this is about the same I might do it.

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by wicked1981 »...and my insurance would sky rocket...hmmmm, didn't think to look into insurance costs. I should look into that. Even so, it is SO SWEET

[mu_ohio]

We also got to test drive a tC today and it was such a nice car. My wife is needing something badly and we are really torn between it and a Mazda3. We are not set on a coupe or sedan so that's not a big difference. I really like the fact that Toyota will offer a blower, intercooler, and a lot of performance upgrades off the lot.

[noginsk]

I just put down a deposit on a tC. I think one of the deciding factors for me was the no haggle pricing. I hate talking to salesman normally and the scion guy was really nice and helpful and not pushy at all. Did you drive a stick or auto?

[mu_ohio]

We test drove an auto which is what my wife wants. I think we will put down a deposit soon for one in flint. I don't know if you got to see that color, but it is one of the nicest that I've ever seen. They said it's from the Lexus lineup, and it looks like it.The manager of the Scion part of the dealership actually helped us and he didn't put any pressure on us. That was unlike the Mazda guy who wanted money down to hold a car and wouldn't let up.

[wicked1981]

I went to the dealer last night to check it out and its awesome. The interior kinda reminds me of the Vibe/Matrix, and I like that you can recline the back seats!!! I didnt get to test drive it because it was aound 8:30pm when we got there and there was only 2 salesmen and they were making deals with customers so we just (me and my bro) got inside of it and checked everything out. I went to 2 Toyota dealers (they are both about 10min from home) because the 1st one I went to did not have any. He said they are going as fast as they are getting them. So went to another dealer and they had a black one-auto (paint looks great) and a silver one-stick. They were both going for $20,000 and some change due to an upgrated 18in rims and tires plus TRD exhaust system. It looks small but there is plenty of backseat space and it comfortable. I like it I give it . I will probably visit them later this week and test drive one if they have one.

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by mu_ohio »We test drove an auto which is what my wife wants. I think we will put down a deposit soon for one in flint. I don't know if you got to see that color, but it is one of the nicest that I've ever seen. They said it's from the Lexus lineup, and it looks like it.The colors that I am choosing from are the indigo ink blue, the black cherry, and the flint. I wantedone of these with side air bags, but none can be found in a ten state region with a manual. So, I am scrapping the side air bags and going for the right color. I'll hear from my dealer tomorrow on what he found around here.

[mu_ohio]

Well, we put money down today for one The dealer was placing orders today and we put in for a Flint auto with a spoiler (wife wanted it). The price was $17650 I think which is a lot better than paying full price for TRD add-ons. He said we should have it in 4-8 weeks and will let us know if the order was accepted. I have yet to see one on the road and since Toyota is not offering incetives, the resale value should hold. I can't wait

[noginsk]

Quote, originally posted by mu_ohio »Well, we put money down today for one The dealer was placing orders today and we put in for a Flint auto with a spoiler (wife wanted it). The price was $17650 I think which is a lot better than paying full price for TRD add-ons. He said we should have it in 4-8 weeks and will let us know if the order was accepted. I have yet to see one on the road and since Toyota is not offering incetives, the resale value should hold. I can't wait I live near a Navy base so I have seen a few of them on the road already, or maybe they are the same ones over and over.... My dealer was not able to find one for me today because the guy who does the dealer swapping was out. Maybe tomorrow will bring better luck. I was thinking about the resale value too. The way I see it, I get any tC now, and then when the demand goes down, trade it in and get the one that I really want which will be much easier to find then.

[wicked1981]

I went to the dealer last night just "to see" how much I would get trade in for the Vibe. The guy told me an incredible $9,000 !!! I said hell no and then he said ok ok ill give you $12,000 .. still not what I would like but its about what I would get...

[mu_ohio]

Quote, originally posted by wicked1981 »I went to the dealer last night just "to see" how much I would get trade in for the Vibe. The guy told me an incredible $9,000 !!! I said hell no and then he said ok ok ill give you $12,000 .. still not what I would like but its about what I would get... When I traded in my Vibe GT last winter, they only gave me $12k so that offer for a base isn't that bad. If you think about it, with GM giving rebates and financing, the car isn't holding much value.

[wicked1981]

Quote, originally posted by mu_ohio »When I traded in my Vibe GT last winter, they only gave me $12k so that offer for a base isn't that bad. If you think about it, with GM giving rebates and financing, the car isn't holding much value.True. Im gonna and see if I can get a better deal once more TC's start hitting the streets only found 2 in 2 dealerships here!

[shibaman]

It's a game that they play. More for your trade in or more off the sticker. I spent 4 hrs in the Mazda dealer on Sun and bought a M3- 5 door. I finally got a reasonable deal from them. Almost retail for my car and payed less than msrp. I also got my Centerline rims and tires back from them. I am going to sell them to get some $ back. I hope that it will be as good a car as my Vibe was. I will still hang out with you all if I can. Great people on this forum!

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[mu_ohio]

Quote, originally posted by shibaman »It's a game that they play. More for your trade in or more off the sticker. I spent 4 hrs in the Mazda dealer on Sun and bought a M3- 5 door. I finally got a reasonable deal from them. Almost retail for my car and payed less than msrp. I also got my Centerline rims and tires back from them. I am going to sell them to get some $ back. I hope that it will be as good a car as my Vibe was. I will still hang out with you all if I can. Great people on this forum! Check out http://www.msprotege.com if you want to have a forum for Mazda cars. A guy on there is killing the competition with his auto 3s sedan. He was top at the autocross event beating a couple STis and other high hp cars.