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Coupes & Convertibles Scion tC Scion tC Problems and Solutions 
599 messages, Last post on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:06 AM
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So far, this is almost the least expensive car that I've driven, but it seems like a good value for the money. I wish the dealer had more variety to look at, though. (While the auto was peppy enough, I'd like to see if a manual was more sporting....) I thought the interior was just big enough, but barely. I was a little close to the roof for comfort (but opening up the sunroof helps!  ), and in the back, I had less than an inch between my head and the glass. Is this normal? I don't usually think of myself as all THAT tall... What do you do with rear passengers? Warn them when you approach bumps?  It did seem like there'd be plenty of room for a baby car seat, but I did not try that. If anyone has any comments, I'd like to hear them. Also, I didn't see any rear anchor point for the baby seat, but I didn't spend a lot of time poking around; the RSX had them all the way on the rear hatch wall. I didn't realize that the rear seat had any adjustments, else I would have tried to see if that would help. Any comments on the rear seat room? Help?! I've drove the car the other day and it had more road noise than army tank. Is this normal, if not does anyone know how to reduce this noise It also had a good deal of road noise. I wrote some of this off as being a <$20k car. The ride was not as smooth as some more expensive cars, also. BUT, at least the seat was comfortable, so my body didn't seem to suffer from the vibrations so much. I test drove a different economy-class car, and the ride seemed better (less bumpy), but the seat was hard, and I think would be annoying for trips. Maybe the tC is a better tradeoff for me. How to reduce the noise? I dunno, sometimes it can be as simple as a different kind of tire that produces less noise. (It was hard for me to tell how much of the noise was from the tires.) Also, there are sound dampening materials that some people use for car audio purposes that might also help with road noise. But I haven't had that done, so I dunno how much that would help. Since you already have the car, it might be something to look into, if you don't have any other ideas. Also, I believe the TPMS on the tC is a "dumb" one. That is, it doesn't actually know what the pressure is, it just looks for a tire that is different than the rest. So, in theory, if they are all 25 or 40, it won't trigger. IMO, that's nice. It makes sense to try to keep them all pretty close, but some people might want it a bit more firm, etc.
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the cut outs are for shipping tie down hooks. I don't think it is noisy (actually, it is as well insulated as a Lexus). I think the noise is from the tires, which aren't very quiet. You don't here much else, so it is noticable. Back seat recline. Tons of leg room, but not really enough head room for regular adult use. My kids fit fine though. And, the brake light is just the middle piece of the red strip. The rest is just reflector, and is there mostly as a styling statement, to balance out the car. Non issue to me, since I sure can't see it when I'm driving! I really want the stereo upgrades (ipod stuff and steering wheel controls). That would be nice, but too late. |
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Replying to: got_vtec (Jul 05, 2005 4:32 pm) Road noise - I certainly wouldn't categorize my tC as being noisy. There is no appreciable wind noise, the engine is smooth & quiet. Tires do make a big difference and if anything this could be an area of contension that is easily addressed. I've driven cars much more expensive that were noisier. At the very least, there is nothing in this class at this price that can be said to be much quieter - I drove them all. Back seat room - I find the seats comfortable with a lot of leg room. Head room is indeed another issue, helped somewhat by the reclining seats. However, if rear seat room and people hauling is a priority, this may not be the car for you - nor would any compact coupe. Tire pressure monitor - If indeed it only recognizes a "difference" in pressure rather than exact pressure in each tire, maybe thats enough. Try finding even that much of a system on a $35k G35. I'm still trying to figure out how you nit-pickers are able to see your "1/3" brake light while driving enough for it to be an annoyance! Who the #$%$& cares - it lights up adequately enough to warn and comply!! I just don't get this beef. From an owner, I can honestly say I am completely satisfied with the tC. I wanted a "sporty" commuter near $20k. At $17k I got much more than I expected - It has a compliant, yet sporty ride, good power, all of the creature comfort features necessary, great quality, getting 28 MPG. In short it does everything well - maybe not class leading in any one specific area, but overall nothing comparably equipped in its class competes at its price level. Just remember, this is a compact coupe - not an SUV, sports car or mini-van. |
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Just remember, this is a compact coupe - not an SUV, sports car or mini-van. Well, what if one wants a sports car? I thought the handling was really good...... Define "sports car"? Back seat room - I find the seats comfortable with a lot of leg room. Head room is indeed another issue, helped somewhat by the reclining seats. However, if rear seat room and people hauling is a priority, this may not be the car for you - nor would any compact coupe. I wonder if I should revisit this, and try adjusting the seat back.... It's not like I'd be hauling people that often. But, when you occasionally do haul people, do you want to punish them? "OK, here comes another bump! Duck back there!" Seriously, the tC did seem better than a couple of other (sportier) coupes I looked into. It's either this, or maybe a sporty sedan.
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very well said. I don't even own a tC but you know I'm quite interested in them and I sure do appreciate it when someone is truly and totally satisfied with a rig I am also interested in. I totally don't get this fascination with hating the 3rd brakelight in the midst of the illuminated red marker in back. What's up with that? I happen to like the design! I still remember seeing a silver tC come up behind me earlier this year in Arkansas. It had this throaty sound to it like the guy had had the exhaust modified and he was revving up the engine as he approached us in the Sportage 4x4. Of course, it got my rapt attention and I just kept my eyes glued upon it as it revved up and sped ahead. What a great looking coupe! This is not only a great looking car but it's a true bargain for price paid! Enjoy them and don't sweat the petty supposed problems! |
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Replying to: got_vtec (Jul 06, 2005 6:50 pm) As much as I would like to declare that in the tC I own a true "sports car" and as much as I like the car, I will be the first to admit that it falls into the category of "sporty car" as does every other vehicle in this class. I do not pretend that this vehicle is something that it is not or something it was not intended to be. Many people on these threads have fallen prey to that. Plenty of people have complained about the back seat and want to compare it to 4-doors and wagons (Mazda3) - my point is simply that if hauling people is a priority compact coupes are not going to work - that includes RSX, Mini.... I share your concern with the occassional times you would put people back there but in my experience the few times I have had to do that, the comments from the back seat were more in line with "I can't believe how much room there is back here!" Well, what if one wants a sports car? The answer to that is simple - buy a sports car (Vette, 911, ...) But if you want "sporty" every day transportation, buy 4 tC's instead. |
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When I say "sports car" I refer to Vette, Porche, .... cars INTENDED and built specifically to stick to the road when cornering at 70 MPH and doing 0-60 in 5 or less seconds... I would have a wider definition of "sports car", myself. (Using your definition, you'd have to exclude way too many cars, especially of just a few years ago!) Personally, I'm not a big fan of the ever escalating horsepower; a sports car should be more than just raw power. I'm not saying that I would consider a tC a "sports car", but it seems more than an econobox, and I'm willing to entertain the thought that it might at least be a "pretty darned sporty car". I guess part of my frustration in shopping for cars is finding something that is really sporty but yet has some compromises for the real world. if hauling people is a priority compact coupes are not going to work - that includes RSX, Mini.... I think the tC had (barely) more headroom in the back than the RSX and a lot more legroom. I dunno, as long as you don't need to haul more than one other person most of the time, it might not be too bad for once in a while... I didn't spend much time in the Mini's backseat, but it looked pretty usable. I share your concern with the occassional times you would put people back there but in my experience the few times I have had to do that, the comments from the back seat were more in line with "I can't believe how much room there is back here!" Assuming I give the tC a closer look, I'll play with the seat recline and see what kind of a difference it makes. It really does seem like a lot of room, at least until my head gets less than an inch away from the glass. Legs have a lot tho. I like the idea of a sports, er, sporty car that can actually reasonably seat 4, but still not look like a sedan.
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Replying to: got_vtec (Jul 07, 2005 7:14 pm) I've pushed this car to see what it has and without taking it to the track, it not only satisfied me, it exceded expectations - its a blast! I guess my "sport" point is more directed at those that have knocked the car for not being"sporty" enough, but the attributes they complain about are found in the types of "sports" cars I defined rather than in the $20k "sporty" class. While somewhat priced like one, the tC is definately not an econobox - but its not a Vette either, just want to keep things in perspective. I can't argue if you wish to widen the Sports car definition I just want to keep an apples-to-apples comparison. In its class, the tC is without question the best all-around value and whatever advantages one may be able to squeeze out of the competition are ones I did not find worth the thousands of $ difference. As for your back seat dilemma, I will be honest and admit a definite issue with the head room. With the way I intended to use this car, that wasn't a big issue for me, your needs may be different. "I guess part of my frustration in shopping for cars is finding something that is really sporty but yet has some compromises for the real world." With that statement, I think you defined the tC perfectly! All I know for certain is that as long as you are the one behind the wheel, you will not regret getting a tC. |
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I bought my tC in late September 05, and I love it. The only problem has been the roof. It sporadically creaked and cracked when I first got it, and the problem has gotten worse and worse. I tried to have it fixed, but the dealer said it was because the seals were dirty. They took it all apart and put it back together, basically, and now the problem has gotten worse. Just today it didn't want to close for me, which worries me. It is going into the dealer (different one) tomorrow for the 10000 mile service and to try to fix the roof once again.
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Replying to: weav727 (Jul 12, 2005 9:43 am) I have returned to the dealer 3 times and am currently waiting to be contacted by the regional Scion rep. for an appointment to meet at the dealership. There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) issued by Toyota to the dealers regarding the roof issues, however, my dealership elected to ignore same and attempt their own "fix," which did not work. While the car is otherwise great, I plan to begin looking for a used G35 coupe and absorb the loss on the tc if the next attempt is not successful. Good luck.
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