Used 2010 Scion tC Consumer Reviews
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This is a real nice machine!
I just bought a 2010 TC brand new off the showroom. I have owned nothing but BMW's for the last 17 years. My last BMW was a 2008 328 Xi, great car but it was $47000.00 and I have 2 kids coming up for college in a few years, so I wanted to get a new car that was close to the BMW comfort and handling for less $$. I fell in love with the TC. It has the Camry motor, and the TC weighs much less, so it's fast with 161 HP. With the HUGE top open and the windows down it feels like a convertible. It has ABS brakes, and it handles like a German car. The stereo is great, the Bluetooth is nice, the steering is awesome, and the car has awesome power...and it's $27000.00 less than the BMW. Very NICE!!!!
Great Gas Mileage
I bought this 2009 TC in 2008, brand new, I have had my first set of break put on last year 2014, I'm on my second battery only, the first set of tires that came on it were awful, they didn't align the car right so I chewed up them in less than 30,000 miles, but bridgestone on lasted 60,000 miles plus, have my third set of tires on them they are continentals great tire, the only problem I have is in the last two years my engine light comes on and its because the gas gap is bad I have replaced it twice, for some reason it lets air in or something because I pulls a code from my mechanic easy fix, but annoying. Gets me about 33-34 mpg if I don't run it hard. Rattling starting. Very trusted car.
- Release Series 6.0 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,999133 mi away
- Release Series 6.0 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,995365 mi away
- Release Series 6.0 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,995522 mi away
Would buy again, oh wait I did.
I've owned both a 2006 Scion tC 5-speed, and now currently a 2009 Scion tC 5-speed Release Series 5 TRD model. The 2009 is more refined than its 2006 predecessor. If your're looking for a well rounded, budget-friendly coupe, look no further. However, I can not say the same about the current 2nd generation tC--they are entirely different animals. Pros: - fun to drive - peppy/quick (not fast by any means) - respectable fuel economy (could be better) - relatively small - toyota reliability - aesthetically pleasing - fantastic crash safety rating Cons: - "Boy Racer" stigma. - Top 10 "most expensive to insure" - 160hp from 2.4L is lazy engineering. - Short final drive ratio (hurts mpg)
My first ever car purchase..& I would do it again!
I bought my 2009 Scion tC used in 2013 with about 60k miles on it. Since owning it and now at over 124k miles I have never had to put any money to it besides your typical maintenance; oil changes, wipers, new tires! It literally is like indestructible, it has never given me issues. Even in the snow, I live in northern New Jersey and with just my typical all weather tires, I can get through the snow pretty well with taking my time. This honestly is the best car a young person can buy, I certainly got my moneys worth from it. The only thing I can complain about is the acceleration. It has the sporty look to it but drives more like an economy car, so its a little deceiving. Gas mileage is pretty good. But all in all, a great overall vehicle, VERY RELIABLE! It will be a sad day when I have to let her go to get into something a little bigger, but until that day comes I enjoy having the pleasure to have an awesome car that will do me good in the meantime.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Fantastic, Ultra-Reliable Car
Mine is a black 2006. This same model carries all the way over to 2010. I now have 115,000 on it and the only things I have done are oil changes, transmission fluid, new brakes, and tires. Still runs like brand new. You will not find any other car out there for under 18 grand that has all the features of this vehicle. The 5-speed shifter is buttery smooth, even at 115,000. There is plenty of low and mid-range torque. I drop it into 3rd and hit the gas to merge onto highway and it blasts forward with no issues. Although the huge glass sunroof makes it top heavy, the car still handles corners very well. Plenty of power. If you want more power, then you will have to pay much more than 18 grand.
When you want "city power"...
Scions are a fun, inexpensive, reliable breed of cars. My tC is 7 months old now and has been on several road trips already with two big ones planned in the future. This car is built for what I call "city power", meaning that I don't race it or expect to do lots of long haul driving or commutes. I'm a city girl who like the feel and look of this sleek vehicle. It's like a grown-up's sports car without the look of grandpa's midlife crisis. You can get this car standard without any special features and still drive off feeling like you bought a fun, high-end car (for under 20K).
Scion tC 2008 vs 2009
They pretty much look the same but I did notice some slight differences. For one, the seats are darker. When you put the A/C to the coldest position, it says A/C Max. If you have a manual transmission, the shifting is a lot easier in the 2009 than the 2008. I think the gears also rev higher in the 2009. Other than that, they are pretty much the same.
Great Car
This is a great car to drive. Not only do you get a very nice price you get alot of features included. I do disagree on the ratings of performance it has great power for the engine you are working with, but it is the styling of the car which got me hooked on this car. You will have a smile everytime you drive it.
Great Car but
I bought my car in May. I fell in love with it. But about a week ago it popped out of gear (manual). I have just found out that the synchronizers failed and they are replacing at least 3rd gear in the tranny. After getting the diagnosis I looked it up and apparently this has been a problem on and off since 2005. I am hoping that the fix will resolve the issue permanently and that this isnt an ongoing thing. The dealership is currently repairing the car and have been great but they never mentioned that to me when discussing a manual versus an automatic. Even now they didn't mention it was a known problem. I researched it. Other then this issue, I love this car through and through.
Great car to commute in
I just purchased a 2010 TC last month. Interior is nice, sound system is awesome, car handles very nicely. I disagree about it's lack of power...it's a 4cyl commuter car, I think it's rather torquey and responsive compared to civics I've owned. If you want to be fast, go buy an LSX car. This car looks great and delivers, no complaints thus far.
2010 Scion TC
This is a great car. Not only for youngsters but seniors too. I just love this car! It performs well, handles even better and the Scion folk are wonderful people to interact with. This car pops! Got it in January and broke my drivers foot two days later and couldn't wait for it to heal so I could get back in my car!
Should have bought a Civic
Cheaply put together car after of month of driving, things start to rattle. Very cheaply put together. The sound is awful you can't turn it up with out it crackling the speakers. After breaking the car, in it just feels so cheap. I want out of this thing and back into a Civic, worst mistake of my life is buying this car. I thought Toyota was quality.
Great car for the price
I used to valet so I've driven everything from a Honda Del Sol to a Maserati Quattroporte, and I tried to be as fair as possible when rating the Tc. Here are my pros and cons: I have already logged over 10k miles on my car without a single problem. The back moonroof shade will rattle if you drive on the hgwy w/ the windows down (to be expected) Scion cut costs on the frame, but if you can do that and still score 5 star safety ratings, who wouldn't? my tires' tread is already getting low. I'll be lucky if they last 10K more miles it's not very quick.. at least not with a manual. 1st is done early compared to other light-weight cars interior could use a quality boost
Fun, but overrated
This car is an eye candy and it is fun to drive, but having owned this car for a year, I have to say, for me it's overrated and overpriced. Although I appreciate the Toyota reputation for reliability, this car needs to offer more for the price tag. There's nothing really sporty about this car, and the 25 MPG that I get now does not impress me. If you are looking for a cute car that is fun to drive and the price is reasonable, and you don't care about the drawbacks I posted, then go for it. It's reliable. If not, you can get more car for the money, if you go with something more traditional. If you are hunting for a sports car, the Scion will not satisfy you (especially with an automatic)
Awesome Car!
This car has some serious pep! I went from driving a VW Jetta with 115hp and 122lb. foot of torque. I love everything about this car. The interior is awesome, very easy to read the dials and is truly a sports coupe hatchback. I had a problem with my Jetta not starting in cold weather, I live in Michigan, and it gets well below zero, my jetta wouldn't start, but my Scion will, with ease. I no longer own the Jetta.
Stylish But Sluggish
The TC shows plenty of signs of potential for excellence, but comes up short with certain flaws. The numerous standard features, and sleek aerodynamic design are unmatched. Unfortunately, the acceleration of the car is rather unimpressive, even though its fuel efficiency is one of the lowest in its class.
I know 4 People who have this same issue
I love my car . My husband has a 2006 my friend has a 2007 and another friend has a 2008. I was backing up and this loud squeeking sound came from my car, my husband was with me and said his car does the same thing, I had my breaks checked and the pads are fine . I was leaving work one day and it happened again and a co worker who owns a tc came out to stop me and said her car does the same thing, Where I live is an aparment complex and I could not beleive it a girl that drives a tc was backing up and her car did the same thing I stopped her and she said it started out of the blue , This only happens when you back it up . This should be looked into i think it is a manufacture issue
Issue with clutch
I bought my tC back in december 2008. At 2200 miles my clutch and flywheel go out. The dealership says they wont warranty the repairs and want to charge me $1,440 to fix it. I'm getting a lawyer today.
Don't believe the Naysayers!
Yes this car is smaller than most but if you are a smaller person this car is perfect. I would not recommend the car to anyone who is taller than 5'8" because it has a bit low roof but other than that everything else about this car is great. Wonderful get up and go with fantastic handling. It also comes stock with a great Pioneer 7 speaker system (6.1 system). The car drives very quiet and will not disappoint. There is not a ton of trunk space but if you are not using the back seats they easily lay down and your trunk space is doubled. I would honestly recommend test driving this vehicle just to see if it works for you...because if you fit in it you will LOVE THIS CAR!
Sleek, sexy, sporty and affordable !
Had my 09 tC for two months - adore it! Superb performance and handling. Response is crisp and solid. Rides low to the ground. No problems with build quality or function. Great cruise control. No acceleration delay, very quick off the line and smooth pickup. The premium 160 watt stereo is incredibly loud - too much bass at times but terrific iPod control. Love the panoramic moonroof. My only complaints are that the gauges are hard to read in daylight, esp the speedometer. Don't like the orange gauge lights - wish they could change to blue like the stereo can. I'm 6' tall and the back seat is very cramped but I never sit there anyway! Doors are a little long. Great value for the price.
Best under-$20k car, and it's sexy too
Yeah so it's made for people younger than me (51) but I love my TC. The drive, comfort and handling impressed me from day one. Plenty of pickup, great visibility, a pleasure to drive. Plus the TC is a great value $$$. 160-watt stereo has too much bass for my tastes but it has great iPod interfacing. Logical interior layout. The moonroof is terrific. Good gas economy. Roomier on the inside than it looks from the outside. Large cargo space with back seats folded down. I get lots of compliments on how my silver TC looks. It's a sleek & sexy car. All the other Scions look clunky to me but the TC stands out. I don't think there's a better new car for under $20k out there.
Don't Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just purchased a 2010 Scion Tc, with 84 miles on it, from the dealer on Sunday and drove it to work on Monday. The car is supper noisy and handles squirrelly at high freeway speeds. Plus my back hurts from the seats. Took it back to the dealer the next day and he wanted to discount 4k off of what I paid for it. I really what to get rid of it, any suggestions?
2009 Scion Tc.
I know this car is not classified as the fastest car .But I will tell you this its quick enough. If your a daily street racer and want to pull up alongside people this is not the best car to pick a challenge with but you can beat some cars that you probably thought had more HP then you due to the aerodynamics Being a coup.Its 2020 now and I own a 2009 and its its still a sexy looking car .What is nice is that you can upgrade the perfect rims and tires lower it 2inches and it look sick .I have a k&n intake and spec exuast ,and gives nice tone next is my tuneup with better expensive plugs and wires I will replace all my sensors in a day and purchase a better MAF sensor that will add more power as well .Also The car can take cornors like a Lotus stick's to the road like tape .I feel it's a quicker car now but before was a lil slow but its quick enough and will handle going over 120 into 140 easy but never went that fast yet? In this tc .People in 2020 still give this car compliments daily ,They think it's a car they forgot they had at one time very weird but love it and will continue to explore more aftermarket stuff for this car to one day be somthing people will wanna go back in the past to decide to buy it from me .But I'm too attached it's nice. Get the white or black or flint mica one best colors in this car ,The PR women love it ..
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love and HATE Relationship
I bought my tC Brand new in 2009! I loved it for awhile, I love the look of my car and its great on gas other then that I was dissappointed! I lose control of my car in the wind! getting around in the snow is a joke! Went through the stock tires around 12k, the air conditioner sucks, anyone over 6 foot will be cramped in your car, my car is always in the shop for something! very basic..... I was in a car accident, I was very surprise how good it held up. The other car was totalled, while mine needed just a big dent repair! I would advise someone to really consider your options and rule Scion out!
Lots of fun and solid value
After a rather long process I picked up my 09 TC and am very happy with pretty much everything about it. The basic stereo sounds quite decent and the tiny sub actually does a decent job of filling in the lows. Make sure to hold the SSP button for 5 seconds and change the mode from Tc (xB sounded best to me). The car feels plenty strong for normal driving and takes hills happily. Only cons I can think of so far are that the steering wheel sits a bit low (or the seat is high) and sits a bit too far forward so either it's a bit far from you or the pedals are too close. The clutch also has unusually long travel which is a bit odd. Overall I am very happy, looks and drives great!
Great Little Car
The steering is tight as a sports car. It handles great with a lot of get up and go. Excellent sound system. I love the color - Sizzling Crimson. A lot of people ooohed and aahhhed as it was driven off the showroom floor. With minimum down, I still had great low payments.
Almost Perfect
My first Scion and I am not disappointed. This car has a lot of torque for a 4cyl and moves pretty fast. I would say that the fuel economy is rather low for a 4 cyl and notice that on the freeway, i ride at around 3,000 rpm constantly. Maybe a 5 gear for automatic would have been a good option for the fuel economy. Also, when you gas it for speed, it doesn't take off right away, but does build up speed very fast. Love the moon roofs, and just the over all feel. Other thing I notice is at 70 mph, on freeway, I hit a bad patch of road that made my car feel like it was bouncing. Not a big deal, but was very noticeable. Over all I love it.
09 Scion TC
Love the car purchased the week it came out. Love the color got metallic Gray with flakes. Love the sound the little sub in the back gives good base. Size is roomy for a small car
luv it
I love my 2009 tc. After having my car for a month, the only thing I have found wrong with the car is the seats, the seats stain very easily. After washing my car I opened my moonroof which I love a few water drops landed on the seats staining them making the seat look dirty. The material also picks really easy but other than that the car is great love it
Not bad
Dollar for dollar this is the most car for the money. Where else for 17k can you get a sun roof, ipod integration, alloy wheels and Toyota reliability? Let us not forget it has a Camry engine too! The fold flat rear seats are awesome too. Digital HVAC controls are nice too, most cars this cheap have lousy dials/knobs. If the "suggested improvements" things I listed are addressed it could possibly be a car with no compromise!
Amazing car!
I bought this car 3 days ago and I LOVE it! I was actually looking at pontiac g5's and Chevy Malibus before being dragged to look at Toyotas by my parents. I didn't really like anything I saw until I saw the Scion. I am not a fan of hatchbacks or small cars at all, but after test driving it and all the features it had just as a stock car I was impressed. It has a lot of torque for such a small car and is so much fun to drive. It doesn't even look like the ugly boxy cars I pictured as Scions.
Great Car
Just picked the car up today. I love the ride and handling. A truly fun car to drive. I do not have problems with headroom (I am over 6 ft tall). Gas mileage is ok.. Could be slightly better but good nonetheless. I am a bit jaded, coming from a Nissan Versa.
Cool fun car!
I LOVE the Tc! This burnished red Tc is my second Tc. Never had a bit of problems. Drives great gets good gas mileage 29/33. Love the stereo. I am a Scion fan for life!
2009 Scion TC
I bought my Scion TC after driving almost every car on the market that was under $25,000 and being a previous Mazda salesperson and Mazda3 owner. I fell in love with the vehicle inside and out. I have had 2 problems with the car not starting and Toyota cannot figure out the problem. When I took the car in for service they always give me a loaner car and always call me with updates on its status. Its been a few months since the problem and I love the car otherwise.
Amazing I'm so happy
I drove many car before the tc and it was by far the best. Mazda3, civic, protege, neon, etc this is by far the best car I have had. Car is cool, looks good, many many options of mods and wheels just many many ways to make it better and faster. I got the car a month ago and I love it. 5 speed engine intake hks exhaust 10,000k hids yellow jdm fogs 2 12 subs 2000 Watt amp lowered it on tein coilovers and upper sway bar. The moonrof is amazing I live in Florida and its the best choice for this place! If you are looking for a car and you're Young or older but want a fun and sporty car search no more you have found it!
Fun to Drive
I debated for quite some time which car to look at and chose this one simply because it comes with some awesome standard features for a very reasonable price. I love driving this car, I test drove the automatic but ended up getting the manual and I am glad I did. Even though it is a compact car, there's plenty of room up front. The car looks wonderful, inside and out, even considering I don't like the other Scion models.
"Think TWICE"
First of off, this car is one of the best looking car out there. Driving experience, the shifter is kind of high and the armrest usually hits my elbow;shifting, "biggest complaint". The gauges could been a little bigger. The suspension is horrible! Other than that it is a pretty smooth and quiet car, plenty of torque. I would think that Toyota could have done more with the 09 model. Basically if you really want experience your tC, you would defenitely need TRD upgrades. The tc is really not up there with the civic SI or cobalt SS. Just because it is a coupe doesn't mean it is a sport car in my opinion. It's an OKAY car but I highly reccomend the Civic SI; Have you sat in an SI's seat? DO IT!!
Very Decent
So this is my first new car I bought. very happy with it. Great for one person. Drive is smooth, and no problems thus far. Good pick up. Basic model features are great. Moonroof/sunroof is awesome,I love it. The only this is that it's a little rattly at times. I put a spoiler on the car, so I just found out I can't put a rack on the back, but that is a minor issue. If you are looking for a small, fun, sporty, nice looky car with a smooth ride, this is perfect for you.
09 TC RS
I bought this vehicle trading in a Mazda 3. I live in WI so driving a Mazda 3 hatch without ABS was difficult to say the least. This car handles great in the winter. We had a pretty bad winter this year and I had no problems with it's handling. Much better than what I had before. More room in the back then what you'd think for passengers who sit in the rear. Car stayed on track in the snow and when ABS kicked in it stopped. Ipod hookup is awesome in this car, better than a lot of Pioneer aftermarkets out there right now. Car looks great on the outside, I get a lot of stares and comments. Roomy interior, but the build quality could be better.
Awesome Car at Awesome Price
I have owned this car for almost a year and I must say I still love to drive it. I have owned allot of cars over the years and I usually get bored with them after a few months, but not my tC. This car has the necessary power, style and comfort to keep you coming back for more. I really like that Toyota did the first two scheduled maintenance services for free. The car is put together well and offers a spacious sleek design for a coupe. I went from driving a truck to my tC and I haven't missed my truck, aside from the occassional need to haul something big. I got the optional Nav system which was a bit pricey but worth the money.
2009 Scion Tc (Waveline Pearl)
I bought my Tc on a complete whim! Actually paid for it before I even placed hands on it. I drove 3 hours to pick it up and what I found upon arrival was nothing short of what I expected. Beauty is in its simplicity and somewhere in its simplicity is a hidden power that I do love. It's sporty, with a back seat! Everything this 22 year-old single father will ever need. Kudos to Scion!
wow
Very impressed with the tc I love the sound system and how quick it accelerates when you downshift I love the sunroof and the reclining back seats (even though I'm never in the back LOL) on thing I was a little disappointed on was the fuel economy for a 4 cylinder the fuel economy was not what I expected but all in all it is a great car. Plan to start modding it soon and there is so many things you can buy its amazing scion did real good on the tc
Good all around car
All around a good car. If you are all about TOKYO DRIFTU then this is not the car for you. I think this car has a bad reputation in some circles because there are too many Tc owners that think this is a sports car. It's not. Test drove an auto but bought the manual for price reasons. Auto was a little slow to shift but other than that it was fine. The car handling is excellent, it feels like you are driving the car not the other way around. A lot of the electronic assist stuff Toyota loves to put in their cars now is pleasantly absent in the TC give you the feeling of having more control over your driving experience. Fuel economy, torque and HP is what you would expect from a 2.4 L 4 cylinder.
Great Car!
I have been so happy with this car. My son was in an accident and was hit on the driver side door and the airbags deployed and he walked away and played hockey that night. The car had $13,000 of damage but is as good as new now. The car has really great pick up and is so peppy and reliable and comfort. I love driving it.
a great Japanese car
It has 233,000 miles, and all I do is put gas in it, check my tire air pressure, and add a quart of oil once a month.. The owners manual states it burns a quart of oil every 600 miles, so no problem. Fun car, plenty of power, handles great, so reliable, dependable, if it ever dies, I will buy another one, such a great solid car, I love it...
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Sexy, fun to drive tC
This car is so much fun to drive. For what you get with this car and the looks you can't beat the price. Plus you get Toyota reliability as a perk. I've only had my car for a month, but overall I am satisfied and impressed. It has many more features than me $32K Jeep did. It's only a few more dollars a month, it's brand new, and gets me a lot better gas mileage. I am very glad I looked this way. I drove a Corolla, Civic, and a few other competitors and none really compared to this car. I suggest you drive one. My other car is an automatic, and I didn't like the tC when I drove it in an auto even though it was peppy, the manual won me over. Scion dealers are easy to work with too.
First Car
The 09 Scion TC was my first car i bought. I had always liked them so i figure why not get one. I believe i was too anxious when buying this car and didn't look at more options. I love my car but just wish it was less quiet. Seems like when your on the highway it's just really loud. It's a really fun car to drive and picks up speed pretty quick. I guess the only thing that bothers me is that it's just loud on the hwy so if could change anything it would be that. Other than that overall an amazing car. My next car will defiantly be a larger Vehicle possibly a 4dr or a truck. Also not bad on gas as well.
Perfect
I just got my scion tc as a first car. it is perfect! after going to 8 dealerships i did find haggling. i special ordered it and pretty much got the spoiler and upgraded radio for free. everything on it is great. my friend has one and says the only con is that the tires only last about 15k.
Great Value
9000 miles and not a single problem! I like to tinker and working on the car is very easy. Anyway, car rides great, handling could be a little better (came from a Celica) but it still maintains a fun-to-drive factor. Where else can you get such a long list of features for the money?