Used 2008 Scion tC Consumer Reviews
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Good Value
Have owned this vehicle for about 2.5 years, with 22K miles. So far no repair issues. Vehicle is essentially used by my daughter, who is off to college in January. Only complaints are paint does not resist scratches very well and stock tires are simply crap. I guess this is the real cost of having this vehicle being priced quite low in comparison to other similar vehicles. I do question why a manufacturer would put tires with a tread wear rating of only 160 on a vehicle, the cost of adding better tires would only increase the cost of the vehicle by a couple of $100! The stock tires were Yokohamas - I made sure the replacement tires were not!
Well-balanced car for the price
I purchased my 2008 Scion tC brand new in December of 2007 and still feel pretty satisfied with it! I'm not sure if there was a better deal out there when I purchased this vehicle, but it provided the best balance between price, style, performance, and reliability (knowing that it came from the Toyota family of brands). Still in great condition, so haven't had to do anything except the usual maintenence as suggested by Scion. Prefer ANT10 series (2009 and previous years) due to change to a more "boring" interior with the AGT20 (2010 - current) series.
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,995156 mi away
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,995160 mi away
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,776179 mi away
Great value for your money - looking for a first car?
The TC was my first car. The TC offers outstanding value for the price. You'd end up paying 3-4k more in other cars for the same features that are present in the TC - all with Toyota reliability. This car is more about a balance of features rather than pure muscle. Despite it's modest engine, it handles well. As a bonus, the TC was made for modders. If you're a modding junkie, and have the money, the TC is your car. Drawbacks - its underpowered - it has a Camry engine. It's peppy in the lower RPM's, but doesnt have true muscle. Its rear door is a pain. The gas mileage is somewhat lacking for a 4 cylinder. But if you can look past these negatives, then the TC is for you.
Not My First Choice But the Better Choice!
In March 2016, I purchased a damn 2008 Scion tC w/5 speed manual transmission. I do not think highly of the dealership I purchased it from but the car has been a great decision so far. I was not comfortable making yet another purchase on a car over 100k miles. The vehicle had 122k when I purchased it and now it is at 128k. I am surprised the car is in almost flawless condition. The body is in mostly good shape. I can tell the previous owner was not the best driver based on a few dings around the body. The rear bumper clear coat is completely gone. I am estimating that I will have to repaint the rear bumper. The car has been in Florida its entire life and I can tell the vehicle has never been waxed...ever. Dangerous never to wax here. I know Toyota and Honda have questionable paint qualities but waxing it once in a while will help! Since I have owned the vehicle I have flushed the radiator, changed the thermostat (no leaking, no overheating), two oil changes, new tires, new brakes and rotors, throttle cleaning. I plan on replacing the spark plugs soon. The only major mechanical issue with the car occurred a few weeks ago after I performed my brake change. The vehicle lost all oil. After running a check, the oil valve cover casket went out. It does not appear to be a common problem based on what I am told but it does happen. I am estimating I does am right at 30 miles per gallon on fuel, higher than EPA Estimates. I am not thrilled with the acceleration of the vehicle but it gets the job done. The manual transmission is easy to operate, mostly smooth shifting. Because of the electronic throttles they use in cars now, there is a slight lag on second gear, be prepared for it if you leave the car off for hours and start driving. The sound system is great, I wish the car had Satillite Radio which may end up installing myself. Except for the basic maintenance I just mentioned, the vehicle has required little maintenance! I would recommend using HID headlights instead of the factory headlights. The factory lights have a limited range. Expect to fill up with $30. Do not expect a racing machine from the tC but it is a fun car to drive, comfortable, not cramped for a two door. I would never bother driving the 4 speed automatic version of this car as it would be boring and full of problems. Stick with the manual, be gentle on it and it will be reliable for a long time.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great bang for the buck
My 2008 is the second brand new Scion tC that I have purchased. It is a well built vehicle with the Toyota quality. After almost 100,000 trouble free miles on my first one I decided to purchase another brand new one. The 2008 tC was planned to be a performance modified race & show car, of which it is now. Being a mechanic the tC has been one of the easiest vehicles I have ever worked on and maintained. I have seen countless testimonies of owners getting 100-200K and higher miles on the tC with virtually no issues outside of normal maintenance. While no vehicle is perfect, I definitely would say that you get a lot of car and quality for the price.
So far so good
Toyota makes great cars, and this is no exception. I live in the desert with over 100* on most days in the summer and this vehicle has NO problem driving in hot weather. A very powerful 4-cylinder acts as if it has a 6-cylinder under the hood. Hills and mountains are no problem for this car, it can zip around corners. Changing the oil is a breeze! The oil filter is right next to the drain plug on the front passenger side, thank you Toyota for thinking of the "do it yourselfer".
Great Car
Purchased the car used with 17k miles on it in February of 2010. It now has close to 40k and has been great! Excellent performance for a 4 cylinder engine. The car actually has some torque so its not necessary to downshift every time you come across a hill. The transmission is a little clunky, and it would be nice to have a 6th gear for extended periods on the highway, but its not enough to take away from the car. Stock tires were junk, but still had a little tread left @ 35k. Good sound system for a factory stereo, and its nice that its ipod compatible. Overall its been a great car!!
I LOVE my tC!!!!
I got my car in September of '07, and it's now June of '08. Since then I've already put 15,000 miles on it, because no matter where I go, I choose to take my car. It's so fun to drive and not to mention, it's a toyota so it's extremely dependable. I have a manual transmission and for it being a standard it gets pretty good gas mileage (city) and very good gas mileage (highway).
Lexus quality at a Kia price
I love the looks,the car attracts a crowd anywhere it's parked.Although it's not a sports car, it's fast enough to be fun to drive.The sun roof is my favorite feature (feature not option). The stereo sounds as good as many aftermarket systems. I know the TC is considered by many a kids car, but I think it is for anyone who wants a fun and reliable car at a good price
Great Car
This Scion TC is something else! Great car. We aren't your every day sporty people but hey this car works well, looked good and came at the right price. We simply could not say no. We tried the Fit, Versa, mazda 3 and the civic. The civic rated well too but for the money the TC was a great car. The only thing I find is that for older people it may be difficult to get in and out as the car is low set. I find it difficult but my spouse doesn't. But I'd recommend this car anytime. Most people are unaware that the Scion comes with a Camry engine; as the camry has been around a long time, this can only be a good thing. Our Scion came with a lifetime warranty on the engine and tranny!
2008 scion tc
The 2008 scion tc is a great car. I have owned it since January 2011 and i bought it with 19000 miles. now almost a year later it has over 30,000. I love to drive it. I bought this car after owning a 1992 toyota camry for 5 years, so this was quite an upgrade for me. It has only been in the dealership for oil changes and a battery change. The only person who doesnt seem to like it is my father. He is tall and he cant really get very comfortable in the front seat. my scion is the azure pearl color which turns alot of heads. its not as sporty looking as some other cars but its good enough for me! the only thing i dont like is the paint is very prone to chipping..
Last toyota i'll buy
car had a recall for gas cap 2nd month. Tires are only good on paved roads in the dry and started to separate by 20k. got stuck in the middle of the street with 1/2 an inch of snow. throttle has a delay and a couple times a mind of its own. Finally, at 30k I struck a section of bad rural road and supposedly bent 2 wheels and caused the side curtain airbag to go off, which will cost over $5000 to fix which Toyota will not cover.I had just got new tires the week before and the car doesn't shake or show any external damage. If you live in rural America, don't waste your$. I did file a claim with the NHTSA.
The worst car I have ever owned
Although it has a nice interior that is comfortable, the driving experience is ruined by the car catching while shifting. I have had my transmission replaced twice as well as the engine replaced once. This car is under 30,000 miles and only almost a year old! The Toyota dealerships have been terrible about returning phone calls and it has been almost scary to drive. The gears have locked while shifting causing grinding, the car has felt as though it is sliding through corners. I would not recommend this car to anyone! Unless of course they were looking at wasting hours and hours frustrated at their local Toyota dealership. Buyers beware, she looks nice but is really a piece of junk.
Scion Tc's need rear windshield wiper
I love my car..Nothing but routine maintenance for my Tc. No problems what so ever after 2 1/2 years of ownership. Will probably buy a new battery for her. The only thing that scion forgot to put on these cars was a rear window wiper/sprayer assembly. Other than that, ,everything has been great. I would not mind having a 6th gear on this manual transmission. And scion, ,please put a short throw shifter in during assembly, ,with a shorter height to shift lever also. No need for a truck like shifter in a sporty car as the tc. That is why I lowered mine. Great car and will buy again when that time comes.
Excellent Car
This car is an absolute great value for what you are getting. For being priced as economically as it is, the vehicle's standard features are great. The standard sound system in the vehicle is particularly high quality. I have had no issues on the repair/maintenance side, a feature for which I was aiming at with this car being manufactured by Toyota. I get absolutely great gas mileage in the car, and even though it is a V-4 engine it does pack a nice punch for a small car.
TC with TLC
I can't say enough about this car. Nothing is PERFECT but for the money I can't imagine anyone not being enthralled with this vehicle. Amazingly FUN to drive. It corners like a go cart. Accelerates like a rocket and stops on a dime. Living in the Ouachita Mountain area of Central Arkansas, I drive it on a very curvy road for over 30 miles round trip twice a week at 80 plus mph and hardly ever have to touch the brakes. At 63 years of age it makes me feel like Mario Andretti at La Mann. The exterior paint is a bit touchy and the original tire tread life is pretty short but other than that I have NO complaints. This is a car for all ages who are young at heart and love to drive!
Great Price, Great Value!
First car to own; one of many cars driven. Value for its price is above outstanding. Looks great, and IS great as the parts are all made with Toyota quality. I drive about 75 miles per day in Houston weather, and do not have much to complain about. The standard tires are a bit below average, (slide during not too aggressive turns). The radio door squeaks (nothing a bit of oil can't fix though). Has projector headlights which is a GREAT plus! The only major problem is the coin/change compartment. DO NOT put pennies or dimes in there! They will fall through the hinge hole and cause the compartment to NOT open up fully anymore! Be caution of this. Otherwise, Great Value Car!
I Love my car
I'm so happy i bought this car. Its so much fun to drive gotta watch my heavy foot. The car has spunk. The look is stylish but the paint seemed to fade after a few months! My sharp black turned dull. It had a sparkle to start that not so much anymore. Even the dealer told me right off the bat which was much appreciated that the tires will need to be changed ASAP. I was sliding when it was a light rain!
Besides fuel economy a great buy
Besides the fuel economy being a little low ex. Honda civic 35 mpg. This car has a nice size engine, great ride, great sound system, and overall a great car
Scion's best selling car!
The new Scion tC is awesome! It seems to be very similar to the previous models with the exception of the taillights, headlights, two more standard side curtain airbags, and iPod connectivity. The Scion tC is really fun to drive. I think it's cool that it comes with so many standard features, such as alloy wheels, sun/moonroof, side indicators, six airbags, and immobiliser.The steering is nice and solid like a race car, and I love the rear hatch. I can fit a whole of stuff in that the rear. One problem with the tC is that it seems to rattle a little more than normal if I drive over old pavement. Other than that it's an awesome car!
This is a Joke
I Got this car for my daughter because she liked the style and I knew the car was made by Toyota (I am a toyota man). This car is way over priced. The inside is so cheap. Only 22 mpg. I can not believe that Toyota made this car. I might never buy a toyota again because of this experience.
Cheaply Made
Had a 2008 Scion TC for a bit longer than five years. While not the worst vehicle I have owned, that would be a Dodge, after five years the overall cheapness of the vehicle was starting to show. For example, the rear hatch latch simply broke one day. Another, the paint is so thin and soft it scratches at every opportunity. To be honest, I was happy to be rid of the TC.
Great value and it's a Toyota!
What a great value! It comes with so many standard features for about 5-6 thousand dollars cheaper than similarly equipped vehicles. The big selling point to me is that it's made by Toyota, the interior is practically a perfect design as far as I'm concerned. I had a Honda S2000 before this car and so there's not really many econo sporty cars that could ever live up to that, but I'm so happy I traded vehicles as I now have a comfortable sporty ride that I can actually go to the store and buy groceries in!
I love my car!!
The car is great! No complaints. Got the navigation system and the security system and the extras are worth it for me. The sunroof is cool!
Can't beat that
After pitching in a few extra bucks for the TRD parts. I'd say it's worth the extra money to upgrade. Acceleration is proportional to the weight of the car. Enough to get up and go but not so much that you cant control the vehicle. This car looks like a $28k vehicle and gets plenty of looks around town. The sound system is very nice for a factory system. You can't beat the reliability on this vehicle. Having said that, the manual transmission seems to feel like it should have one more gear. The fuel economy seems to suffer when driving in traffic. But overall I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a sports car without the outrageous MSRP and insurance costs.
Save your money and Buy a Honda!
This is the worst car I have ever purchased. I have already experienced auto window issues. When the weather is cold my trunk door will not stay open hitting me in the head and after only 2 years of owning it I have been left stranded and need to replace the battery. On a still newer car I do not expect to have any of these issues and have never experienced them on any previous cars I have owned. Yes this car is cheap and cheaply made! I will never buy another Toyota product.
Nice features, POOR quality.
This car has a ton of great features and is a very nice looking car, but the quality is very very poor. Many squeaks and rattles and the moon roof rattles terribly, the dealership can't fix it, Toyota has no answers for it either--so I gave up, I just live with it. I bought a 2008 Scion tC for myself and a 2009 Scion tC for my wife the same day and her car has the SAME poor workmanship issues. Nice looking little car, nice features, underpowered, but horrid quality. I bought two Toyota's because I heard they were well made--well I now have two, and they are NOT well made. I can't and won't recommend this vehicle.
Oil problems at 47000 miles
I have completly enjoyed my TC, looks great, fun to drive. Bought it new in july of '07. At 4700 miles I noticed the oil light came on. Checked the oil, found it wasn't even touching the stick, but it was time for my warranty oil change and took it in. Told them what was going on. I was told to drive it for half of the normal oil change period and bring it back. It ran out before that time. I took it in, they kept it for about 3 weeks. Said it was the valve stem seals and replaced them. Picked it up ater repair now the car sounds like a little hot rod, and vibrates, took it back, the machines the head, picked it up still sounds like a hot rod, no vibration, took it back, installed new motor.
Falls apart
I've owned this car for more than 2 years and there always an issue. The original tires made the car lower than my previous car. So when I park head on, the high curb started pulling out the undercover. Next thing you know, my entire bumper is messed up because its attached to the undercover. A few months down the road, I had to replace all 4 tires after 35K miles. So when I finally fixed that, I hit a garbage bin which knock off my passenger side mirror. Then a couple months, the car wash "professional" managed to break off the rear hatchback garnish/handle when he cleaning the back. Next thing you know I hit a gutter/driveway and my undercover is bent. This car has been a headache.
Glad I bought this
After reading all these reviews about the Scion tC. I thought it was all a joke and thought it was one person writing reviews over and over again. I test drove one a couple weeks ago and LOVED IT, absolutely loved it. The dual sunroof, quick accel, looks the whole deal. I wanted to keep it, but I bought it for my wife, so I guess I will sneak it out when she sleeps =).
One great car for the money
Awesome vehicle for the money spent. I opted for the automatic for driving around DC and northern VA, shifting is a pain, car has excellent pickup for a four cylinder, good gas mileage ( I average around 30 city/34 on hwy loaded with features, power windows/locks, power sun roof, great stereo sound for stock system, great looking alloy wheels quite decent in snow so far with stock tires (Yokohama S32a) I really love the car, put on spoiler and really looks sharp which seems like no one else in NY does. And this car is not just for young people, I am 42 and I love it
An economy car that thinks it's a sport
I was going to buy a Mazda3 but the dealer didn't give me enough on my trade in so I went to look at the corolla and I saw the TC and thought it was a 26k car, I had never seen it before or known scion made it, I knew I wanted it right away and bought it the next day. I'm very happy with it but the seats are very uncomfortable, im 6'2. It needs lumbar support. But honestly for 18k you cant get much more with out stealing it.
Excellent Choice
Purchased this car in 2008 for my daughter. Now going on the third year. Absolutely no problems other than stock tires seem to be wearing a bit. Gas mileage is adequate considering the larger 4cy. For the money this was a wonderful selection. As a bonus, daughter loves the vehicle. I offered to replace it with a 2008 Civic EX-L Coupe but she would not part with the TC. In my mind, that says a lot about the TC. This is one vehicle that Toyota successfully met its target market.
New Car Shoo-In
I was looking for a new car as a graduation present, but I was originally planning on looking at a used 2005 Subaru WRX and 2007 VW GLI, but I decided to stop in at the Toyota dealership on the same strip. I reluctantly test drove the tC, but was really impressed by all the interior features and the price. In the end, I was willing to save a few thousand dollars to get a new rather than used car with a few dozen less horses, but with a lot more interior features, so I bought it the same day as the test drive. Only issue is the stock tires (Yokohama S32's), which are almost $230 each to replace, even though Yokohama has a better performance tire in their own line at a better price.
Bestttt Carrr EVER
This is my first very own car, It is the best choice i have ever made. Picks up speed really fast, very reliable and very fun to drive. I cant imagine anyone not liking this car.
Five star car, three star price.
After almost two months of ownership, I am definitely glad I got the tC. I used to have a Versa, but it just wasn't the car for me. The tC, though, is. Some people complain about the mileage, but I'm getting mileage comparable to what I got in the Versa. Cornering is a blast, and getting on the highway isn't really a problem. I'm 6' 4", so headroom is a bit tight, but not unbearably so. The ride quality is good for a sport coupe, and the interior is pretty nice; it's well laid out, with all controls easily reachable, and all the gauges are easily read. All in all, for the money, great bang for the buck!
Fast/Sprinty car
This is my first new car as well. I had 2003 Nissan altima 2.5 L engine with 5 speed. Tho the altima is powerful and has good acceleration, my new scion seems to take off quicker and shifts faster. This is do to the lighter weight car and a 2.4 L engine. Most cars with 2.4 L like Camry weigh much more. Car accelerates very quick with out much effort on the accelerator. Smooth clutch and shifting feels firm. Gas miles is about right and all depends on the driver more then any factor and tire pressure. Hold good con curbs and has more sportier feels suspension as to a corolla or standard Camry. Now I really love my car and Toyota makes the most reliable car
teener loves her tc
I think that the gas mileage is great. i purchased the car in november of 2007 and it still feels like i am getting into a brand new car. Although leather seat would be nice, they stain very easily and the material is very hard to get anything out. The lighting inside should be all one color and not blue and orange, but thats not that much of a big deal to me. I have a manual transmission and have driven on the highway many times. I think it should have a 6th gear, it always sounds reved out over 80 mph. The exterior of the car is beautiful but, I would not suggest the color white. It gets very dirty and is hard to keep shiny. but over all I love the TC
Great ride to have
I bought my tC with a super charger so I didn't think that fuel would be that great but I got 27mpg in the winter and get 31mpg in the summer. I have never had a problem with it, that includes having it start outside in - 27degrees with no problem :) The only problem I have come a cross is the vents are hard to direct and the doors don't have a ding gard (now both of my doors have chipped paint) other than that with a sunroof, mp3 wma and ipod ready(w/ cables) radio & kick'n bass, 2.4L S/C engine, and tons of little fitures and millions of after matket accessories ready for you to customize your tC means to me so much. Oh yea and the price is way too low for me to pass up, IT'S A BUY!!!
Fun to Drive + Reliability = Scion
This is a great car for anybody to drive. The styling inside and out is amazing. Scion is made by Toyota so the car is safe and reliable. I'm a college student so it fits me perfectly.
Great car
Was looking for a replacement for my 2003 Celica GT and this was the most appealing and fun choice. Great looking car that handles well and is very comfortable on my long daily commute (115 miles, round trip). Not looking forward to driving it in inclement weather because of the tires, though, but hopefully Toyota/Scion will offer options on future models. But no regrets so far. Very fun car to drive at a very affordable price. A lot of car for not a lot of money and a worthy successor to the decades-old favorite, Celica.
Great Buy
This was my first car out of college and I love it. I've had it for a year now and I feel like it is a luxury car without the luxury price. My friends all love it as much as I do. My old car did get slightly better gas mileage but the tC still does pretty well. The sun/moon room is awesome as is the reclining back seat and the hatch back feature gives me plenty of room in the trunk. It does pretty well in the snow. I am very satisfied and would strongly recommend buying a tC.
Good Price
I have had my tC since October, I did not even know that Scion even made this model. I was giving up on the new car search and I cam arcoss the tC. I love my car. Great speed, great cornering and nice look. The price was also wonderful. Thanks
2008 Scion tC - A REAL Head Turner!
Every place I drive my Scion tC: I find people stopping to look and ask questions, making comments on how GREAT! the car looks. I am over 50 and have 3 other automobiles. Of all these, this is the most fun to drive. Feels like I am in my second childhood.
First New Car
This is my first new car purchase. After looking for a quality sporty 2-door car. It was a easy decision after comparing the features, quality, performance, and price. Once you add the features the tC has to a car like a Civic, or Tiberon the tC is a much better value. One of the nicest things about buying this car is that the Scion dealerships do not add any unnecessary features, you get to choose was added features when you buy the car. They just give you a well appointed blank canvass to have fun expressing yourself with. My Scion dealership even drove over 300 miles to get the color car I wanted and in a short amount of time. Plus this car looks really cool and is fun to drive.
Fun economical car
Had this car for 1 year and 7 months so far and have had only one issue. The front left brake caliper seized, but was covered under warranty. Other than that oil changes and weekly gas fill-ups and the car runs perfect. Has a lot of leg room in the back seats, but head room may be cramped for anyone over 6'. Audio system sounds great stock, and the build quality is typical Toyota fashion. Great car to own, usually see 28mpg. I would have kept it longer if I didn't want something faster! lol
Still Feels New!
I purchased my tC in October of '07, so almost 2 years ago. I traded in my '00 Ford Focus for this and let's just say it was a huge upgrade! I feel so confident when I drive my tC, especially when it's perfect weather to open the sunroof and go cruising with the iPOD on shuffle. It's always fun to play around a little bit and floor it when the light turns green...great acceleration! You get so much for the reasonable, no-haggle price. Love it!
Wow, Amazing Car! I Love It
I am the type of person who cannot stick w/1 car for very long. I tend to trade in every 6 months to a year. But this car is different. I absolutely love it and have no buyers remorse. I always get looks and comments from people on how much they like it. And it is way affordable for a brand new car and all the things you are getting standard with it. In fact, people think it is a lot more expensive than it really is. With this car you deifintly ride in style and comfort. No blind spots, easy to see. I also have 2 kids who ride in car seats in the back seat daily. Although this is a 2 door I have no inconveinences or space problems. So roomy. I love this car! It's sexy, reliable, and fun!
great car, period
Just love my 2008 Scion tC. I'm in my 50s but I love the sporty look and the pick up it has. It comfortable to drive yet it still has the sporty feel to it. Every time I drive it I realize it was well worth the price tag which wasn't bad at all. Good choice overall!
'Deep Scanning' a Transmission Meltdown
Everything has been very good except for one thing: the automatic 'transmission' on this car is not very dependable. With the car not yet even 2 years, and the transmission is 'kicking forward' while driving at 35-40 mph and when decelerating. Unfortunately, this only one thing happens to be a major component of the vehicle. Difficult to mask my disappointment with Toyota here, and surely will not. Not quite what I bargained for when this vehicle was purchased. It has enjoyed the luxury of oil changes, minor and major services at scheduled intervals and has been taken well care off so I am not sure what to think of this. It only has 42,000 miles. Its going in for a diagnostic tomorrow.