So how is your overall satisfaction with the tC experience, as compared to
a Subaru ...handling, power, etc. (you had an Impreza before if I am not
mistaken (?).
LOL! I wish! I never got the Imprezza Sport wagon. I have an '89 GL
Hatchback that I REALLY like, but it's rusting into the ground, like my
Hachiroki....
As far as the tC, the only thing that could make it better (other than a
lower, more laid back seating position) is RWD. Actually, this is
obtainable, because the car is based on the Caldera(? IIRC) which is AWD,
so there are rear ends and driveshafts to fit. It is fast, responsive,
economical and a BLAST to drive. I wrote a review for Edmunds entitled
"Inspires confidence, rewards experience", because it DOES!
The metal is too thin...
I cling on to my old 2.2L 2000 Impreza Coupe because there just isn't a
decent value coupe around. The Golf is a nice and economical, car but
lacking in reliability, the BMW1 is just to expensive for me, the Altima
Coupe seems OK, but is underpowered with base engine, while the V6 version
is overpriced. VolvoC30 is a mixed bag. Not as bad reliability as Golf,
not as expensive as BMW, but still a bit too much $$$ ...and risk for me.
I missed the Solara sale at Toyota during the sticky brake pedal debacle-
that was a nice car, and could be gotten for very decent money, though it
looked a bit weird. Civic? Well, ...I hate the futuristic dashboard
and lack of torque.
I actually put a deposit on a used Solara (2001?) before I bought the
Scion, the Solara had 30,000 miles on it. MUCH better seating position,
like the Celicas or the older Corollas.
The Scion TC seems like an excellent value, if one ignores the
'boyishness.' Would you recommend it overall?
If they made them seat like other Toyota sports cars, like my Celica,
Supra and Corolla GTS. The only thing I HATE about the car. In the other
cars, you sit down and back, and the throttle, brake and clutch are
'extensions' of you feet and legs. The scion, you're sitting on top of
them. The seating position makes you want to mash the gas to the floor.
I have the Celica seat in; it took some getting used to after the totally
upright position of the Scion seat, but it's getting second nature now. I
have it bolted in with three bolts, but I'm going to have a friend
cut/weld custom mounts, because I need to go back about 1-2" further to be
comfortable (I'm 5'11") If you LIKE the upright seating position, you'll
love the car. However, before I put in the Celica seat, I was stalling it
a lot with the clutch!!! Now, I have no problems at all with the clutch.
Also, it seems for 2005-2006 or so there is a problem with the head bolts
backing out in the rear (hmmm...sounds familiar...Supra?). I don't know if
there's a recall; I never received anything.
I haven't driven a 2.2 or 2.5 Soob enough to compare. I will say one
thing: even though my '89 isn't as laid back as my other Toyotas, it is
one of the MOST comfortable cars I have ever driven!