i've test driven the TC (thanks scion of santa monica
)...i have driven both GT and GTS celicas...and this is my comparison.
exterior-the tc seems "huge" in pics...but in person it's not that bad. looks like a psedo small BMW. i like the looks...no comparison to the celica in that department but it does have a look that makes you double take.
interior-ummm...the celi gts with it's leather seats, etc. looks a bit "pricier" than the scion tc's. i never got to play around with the radio but it does have a nice stock set up. the seats are comfy with lots of leg room in the back...ulike the celi's clostrophobic back seats. the moonroof is awesome. it's a good wow factor that lasts for about 2 seconds. what impressed me that it was quiet. almost lexus quiet. being accustomed to celica's creaks and rattles it was almost too quiet. having learned that scion planted extra sound dampners..i can see why. all in all the structure feels solid. like a tank. mind you it moves like one too in the corners.
power-all this torque down low kind of made me expect great things. i have been in a 1.8T jetta which produces 170lbs of tq at 2K rpm at 3000lbs, and it pulls...the scion tc has 163lbs of tq at 4K at 2900lbs. while not at much pull as a 1.8T...it produces unfamiliar tq down low that i was not accustomed to in a celi. though my gts would pull on it at the high end...i believe a supercharged tc (from TRD...thanks guys for forgetting us celi/mr-s owners) would take us in every power department.
handling-at 2900lbs. the tc is not a BIG car...but we're all accustomed to driving 2500-2600 lbs. cars. does that make a differnce? yeah...like night and day. i couldn't believe how the tc handled. it boasted independent rear suspension. mac strust, influenced by the euro toyota avensis, blag, blah, blah...it was a pig in the corners compared to my celi...even though it sported 17s with bridgestone potenzas. i guess maybe i was too used to the celi's light weight and cornering abilities...maybe i was just spoiled. i dunno. some TRD sway bars and/or a strut and spring combo should take care fo the body roll. it brakes pretty well for a "piggy", which is nice that it comes with all discs around stock.
all in all i liked it for what it was. plus there are some modifying potential that is truley exciting. at a low compression rate (even lower than the celica GT) it screams boost! hmmmm doesn't dodge have a 2.4L little coupe that boosts like crazy and make 230whp stock...not that i'm saying the tc is a srt-4 knock off. but it does have some similarites...and potential.
i guess this car goes under...i like it but won't buy it category
didn't i say that?
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