2008 Scion tC Sport Coupe Review

This is a true bargain.

But is Scion tC really a sports car for an econobox price?

Buyers are cautioned against building high expectations for the sporty Scion, many are disappointed after the new wears off and the economy car starts to show through.

Mini Cooper and Honda Civic are the leaders in the compact segment.

Also rans include: Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Pontiac Sunfire, Saturn ION, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Golf, and Toyota Yaris and Corolla.

None of these can match tCs in features-for-price on the showroom floor, but in the longer term view the sporty Scion's cost advantage may fade.

Scion Quality and Reliability

Assembled in Japan, tC shares the Toyota mantle of quality.

But JD Power surveys rank Scions lower than the main product line in initial quality.

Body panels fit tight and straight, but these are economy cars, minor issues develop for most owners.

We are not talking about major drive train problems, just annoying faults found in many inexpensive cars. Easy scratching of paint and interior trim, premature wear of Bridgestone sports tires, multiple rattles, sunroof problems, and wind noise, are typical.

There have been a couple recalls in prior model years.

One involved airbags inadvertently deploying as doors were slammed with the ignition on, or within 90 seconds of shutting the ignition off.

Toyota/Scion dealers replaced the two side airbag sensors on recalled tCs.

Consumeraffairs.com: Airbag Danger Prompts Scion TC Recall

Scion tC Fuel Economy

Many buyers are surprised at the thirsty tC's fuel use.

"New" EPA ratings are 20-mpg city/27-mpg highway, 23-mpg combined, with the manual gearbox. Automatic transmission equipped Scion tCs earned EPA ratings of 21 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined.

In Consumer Guide tests, a manual-transmission tC averaged 25.4 mpg in highway driving, and an automatic did 21.7 mpg in performance tests.

Consumer Reports got 26 mpg overall with their 2006 long term test car.

Enthusiast forum posters, who admit flogging their Scions, report 21 mpg overall.

At least tC is specified for regular unleaded fuel.

So how can a 3000 pound car get worse mileage than the 3400 pound Camry using the same engine? And why is the automatic Scion tC EPA rated higher than the manual?

TC's slightly boxy shape produces a poor Drag Coefficient (cd) of only .32 vs, .28 for Camry.

The Scion, especially with the manual transmission, is geared very aggressively to provide a feeling of acceleration from a standing stop. First time econo-sport buyers will not be sophisticated enough to recognize this subterfuge. High end performance, fuel economy, and engine life are sacrificed to produce this illusion.

Users report running 3000 rpm when cruising conservatively at 65 mph in 5th gear: many modern cars do this at 1700 rpm. The only driving technique that can save gas with a situation like this is coasting in neutral.

This is what I mean when I say with Scion Toyota is trying too hard to be cool: over gearing tC was a serious mistake.

A 14.5 gal tank provides an acceptable range for an urban car.

tC Safety

Scion tC's NHTSA 2006 crash test ratings are;

The tC comes standard with front dual stage airbags, side-impact airbags for front occupants and full-length head curtain air bags.

The tC also features tire pressure monitoring, headrests, three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions, a first aid kit and a driver’s knee airbag.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) are standard.

Traction/antiskid control is unavailable.

Many owners complain about poor rearward visibility, as large blind spots in the back left corner make lane changing and parallel parking hazardous. The lack of a wiper means the rear glass is obscured in wet weather.

Proven Power Train

Scion tC is built from Toyota parts which have stood the test of time.

The platform is borrowed from Toyota's Avensis large European family sedan. This produces a relatively long 106-inch wheelbase, 69-inch widechassis, and 55 inch height.

TC has McPherson strut-type front suspension and fully independent double-wishbone rear suspension.

The car is powered by a time-tested version of the American-market Camry's 2.4 liter 2AZ-FE inline four cylinder engine. An aluminum block with cast iron sleeves, dual chain driven (not fallible belt) dual overhead cams, four-valves-per-cylinder, sequential fuel injection, and continuously variable intake valve timing make Toyota's 2AZ-FE a very modern motor.

The forged steel crankshaft is balanced with eight counterweights and, important for turbocharger adders, supported by five main bearings.

Two counter-rotating balance shafts round out the image of durability.

Scion tC is a California Air Resources Board-certified (CARB) Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

The Japanese-assembled engine makes 161 hp (120 kW) @ 5,700 rpm and 163 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4000 rpm.

Stock 2AZ-FEs don't make gobs of power, but make a good base for rice-rocket modifications. Tuners can tweak this mill to over 300 hp, and race versions have held together at 750 hp. Now I remember why I seldom go out after dark, Yikes!

Despite the engine quality, the budget implementation in tC has produced some issues.

Many users say the engine is loud at high rpm, but this may be due to a performance oriented valved muffler that reduces restriction at higher rpms.

Throttle delays and pedal dead spots produced by the drive by wire throttle are another user irritant.

A 5-speed manual transmission is said by automotive journalists to have "crisp shifting action and a smooth clutch."

Owners say the clutch is soft and has irregular pickup action, causing even experienced shifters to jerk when starting, especially in cold weather.

Drivers also report the tC feels much quicker with the manual shifter. TC needs a sixth gear to reduce highway rpms and piston travel per mile.

The optional $800 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is just adequate: tC needs a 5 speed automatic to fulfill its performance promise.

The manual transmission's lower 4.235 axle ratio makes it quicker, but less efficient than the automatic.

Again, the overdone final drive ratio is designed to take advantage of the low end torque, to the exclusion of other values.

Performance

This car is designed to be a cushy sports coupe, not a rice burner.

Ventilated 10.8 inch front and solid 10.6 inch rear discs are adequate when the tC is viewed as an economy car. Stacking turbos on a car that does 60-0 deceleration runs in a sedan-like 136 feet could be dangerous.

With soft suspension, 3,000 pound curb weight, and 61/39 front-rear weight distribution, tC isn't a real sports coupe.

Scion tC is a stylish, sporty economy car, not a sports car.

Is that bad?

Tried pricing BMW's or Porsches lately?

The point here is to deflate buyer expectations to avoid common disappointments with a car being recommended highly.

Body roll in corners is pronounced, but the ride avoids the harshness associated with tight road holding.

Power to weight ratio is a modest 18 lb/hp and acceleration trials reflect this. Designed to be quick off the line, tC does 0-60 in the high 7 second range with the manual shifter. Not exactly fast.

In Consumer Guide testing, an automatic transmission equipped tC did 0-60 mph in 8.4 sec, about the same as the Honda Civic. Civic Si is about two seconds quicker.

Despite the relatively slow overall acceleration, it's very easy to spin Scion tC's front wheels when starting.

The long wheel base yields a 36.1 foot turning circle, a bit wide for a small car.

Scion Fit, Finish, and Refinement

The 2008 tC is attractive inside as well as out. A waterfall style center console invokes more expensive cars.

According to Edmund's:

"you'll have a hard time believing you're in an economy car."

Edmunds.com

Smart interior design includes a one-touch cast-aluminum temperature control dial and soft-touch electronic controls. An LCD displays exterior temperature, seven fan speeds, and time.

Cabin materials and fit are consistent with higher priced cars.

The Scion has Toyota's trademark flip open stereo lid.

I have driven over 20 new Toyotas and have yet to find one of these radio panel cover doors that closes without a fight. Grrrr.

People taller than 6 feet will have leg and headroom clearance problems with tC. Scion tC's low roofline means rear headroom is lacking, and front legroom is short for those higher than six feet.

Although Scion has included 5 shoulder harness seatbelts "5-passenger" is a stretch.

The seats are firm but comfortable, with snug side bolsters, but are manually adjustable for height and angle.

Rear seats can recline as much as 45 degrees.

TC's long, heavy doors can be a problem in narrow parking spots.

Storage is plentiful in the tC with 4 map pockets, bag hooks in side panels, CD, bottle, cup, and cell phone holders.

Luggage space is 12.8 cubic feet, and with the 60/40 rear seats folded down, 35.4 cubic feet.

By sliding the seats forward and removing the headrests, front seats fold down to the height of the backseat, creating a lounge area.

Dude, you know why they included this feature, so you can fit lots of stuff in the car when it's parked somewhere real dark.

Audio

Scion’s standard 160-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD six speaker plus subwoofer stereo is also beyond what would be expected for the low cash outlay.

Two tweeters and two speakers in each door panel give a wide frequency response. The Scion's audio system is satellite radio-ready, but only for the pricey manufacturer-supplied XM or Sirius systems.

Music is modulated with head unit and steering wheel audio controls.

Apple iPod connectivity is standard in Scion products for 2008.

Scion's head unit displays track, artist and album data from the iPod on a one-line display screen. A connector cable is ready to plug in, and power, the iPod.

There is also a standard mini-jack port and rear head unit outputs for connecting external amps.

TC's optional premium sound system has an LCD screen that displays varying skins and plays four-second video clips downloaded from the Pioneer website.

No navigation or hands-free Bluetooth phone options are offered.

Scion Accessory Program

Owners can change their tC’s appearance with the over 40 available dealer-installed Scion accessories including:

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) offers many parts to enhance tC performance. Suspension kits, clutches, shifters, and dress-up items are offered.

This is the secret to Scion tC's low price - these dealer installed upgrades carry huge margins, contributing to the dealer's profit almost as much as the car itself.

But hey, the aftermarket will continue to supply upgrades for the TC, why should dealers be left out?

tC Spec Package Model

Scions Spec Package model tC is aimed at the tuner segment, and is priced lower than the standard model. The tC Spec Package model comes standard with steel wheels, P205/55 R16 tires and seven-spoke wheel covers.

It is expected that buyers will take off these wheels and other components.

Spec Package models have cheaper upholstery, less-adjustable seats, and no-tilt urethane steering wheel without audio controls. They also lack power windows, cruise control, two-tier console, subwoofer, and engine immobilizer. The glass roof does not retract. Four color options replace the seven on the standard tC.

The tC Spec Package also features a grille and headlight garnish with "special treatment." This means the stylish new projector headlights and new tail lights are excluded.

Costs and Depreciation

Base manual transmission is $17,000, automatic add $800, delivery, processing and handling is $715. Invoice for the base is $16,150, but do not expect incentives or wheeling-and-dealing on this car. Toyota controls supply and Scion has a no-haggle policy.

In spite of the low purchase price, Edmunds 5-year True Cost to Own, which includes fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation, for a 2007 Scion tC is $35,672 or $.48 per mile. 2008 Honda Civic is estimated at $30,750, or $.41 per mile.

Automotive Lease Guide gives tC 4 stars for depreciation.

Scion's coupe will be redesigned as a 2010 model introduced in 2009.

Factory-recommended maintenance services for the first 5,000 mile and 10,000 mile intervals, when performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership, are free.

First time car owner's should recognize that Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty does not apply to normal wear and maintenance items. Tires, brakes, and clutches can be excluded.

A 60-month warranties covers the powertrain and rust through is covered without mileage limits.

Conclusions: Scion's Affordable Coupe

The tC by Scion that combines sporty performance, attractive styling inside and out, and impressive standard features at a very reasonable overall cost.

Few competitors in the under-$20,000 segment can match the style and energetic image of the Scion tC for 2008.

Toyota has succeeded in building a youth magnet brand. Unlike the boxy xB and rather ordinary xD, this Scion is also attractive to a broader group of coupe buyers. Empty nesters like me, who maybe can't afford to risk the retirement stash on a BMW 3-series or Infiniti G Coupe, can afford this car.

But young buyers should not buy into the tuner image without realizing it's high costs. Without thousands invested in after market add-ons, TC is just a good looking small car.

I think the 2008 Scion tC is a perfect college car, for someone whose driving is confined to low mileage weekend adventures. Regular long distance commuting requires something thriftier on fuel.