I think that's what it's called -- the third Scion model.

It looks pretty good as far as standard equipment, power, price, and of course, Toyota build quality. Just curious how it compares with an MCS as far as fun factor...

 

i test drove one at a local dealer...

my impressions are:

it handles well, but can't say that it handles as well as the mini does, though it is more stable than my sister's 02 celica.

the 2.4liter 4 cyl is nice and torquey. Press the gas, and go, not the typical downshift 2 gears and then go like on the celica.

Has lots of cool standard features (nice wheels, brakes, blahblahblah) and a TON of customizable stuff.

comparing to a MCS in fun factor would be laughable though. There's just no... excitement to it. Sure it goes around curves alright, and it goes when you want it to, but it's just not as fun to as in the mini. Performance wise? it is mostly comparable. Car and driver has a good review of it.

Supercharger will be available as a factory kit in november i think. That will up it to 200hp.

Personally, i'd pick a mazda3 over the tc. It handles better, perhaps accelerates better, looks as good, has just as many standard features, and the brakes probably kill the tc's. But i'd def pick the tc over the civic si.

 

The Scion tc is based on the European market Toyota Avensis (read Camry). Saw one the other day and it is mostly ok, nothing really groundbraking about it. I still think this car should have been the "real" Celica descendant but it unfortunately isn't.

I personally would not trade a MINI for a tc, not even for the vaunted Toyota quality reputation. The MINI simply has the "something" and the charm missing from the great majority of Asian offerings (With the exception of the Mazda Miata that has been one of the most successful British Roadster replacements in years past).

The tc is another car that will get lost in a sea of "me too" vehicles while the MINI will still look fresh and different. I bet the tc's clientele is made up of folks that can't stand the looks of the lower Xa and Xb models (Toyota Echo spinoffs) and disgruntled ex-Toyota Celica and MR2 owners looking to stay with Toyota products but having a better alternative to the latter.

Perhaps Scion would had grabbed my attention if the tc at the very least offered RWD just like the original Celica did back in the late 1970's.

 

I doubt if the tC drives like the MC or MCS, fun factor and all. But it's interesting that Japanese cars are upping the ante with more engineering sophistication and pretty soon U.S. made cars will have to keep up or else bite the dust.

Example: DOHC, Variable valve timing, multilink rear suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes. The tC develops 160 hp at 4500 rpm, the Mazda 3s hatchback also develops 160 hp at a higher rpm.