New cars! (plural)
“Hey, Dad. I bought a car today.”
“Really? Me too!”
I bought a Scion tC in “flint mica.” Dad opted for the slightly more upscale Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe in “brilliant silver.” Good thing he moved on from his initial inclination toward a “mini-SUV” in the image of a Saturn Vue or a Hyundai Santa Fe. Blech.
After spending approximately 9.5 hours at the dealer to buy the car, I then drove home to Champaign. The next day, Dad and I took our respective new vehicles on the fabulous test drive course just outside Dad’s house—the twisting, windy roads of Stone Creek subdivision. His car was a bit more refined than mine—okay, a lot more—but I was quite impressed with how mine handled. And I think he was too.
Let me tell you, having reliable (and reasonably fashionable) transportation is a great thing. The car payment and higher insurance costs? Not so hot. But since I’m a hip young professional, I shouldn’t mind that, right?
Oh, and for all of you saying, “What the hell is a Scion?”, it’s Toyota’s “youth-brand.” The tC has the Camry’s 2.4L engine and packs 160hp and 163lb of torque. So yeah, it’s faster than your Neon.
February 5th, 2005 at 4:57 am
Should have bought a Hyndai Coupe, the new model is stunning.
February 5th, 2005 at 11:08 am
FYI for those here in the States, the Hyundai Coupe = the Hyundai Tiburon.
I did test drive a Tiburon and I liked it. It looked cheap inside, though. The Scion has far better fit and finish—it feels like a $25k car but sports a $17k sticker price. The Tiburon and tC have similar acceleration and horsepower, but I found the handling of both the tC and the Tiburon to be a little unwieldly. In particular, the Tiburon felt “fat” going around corners.
August 7th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I just purchased a 2005 Scion tC this week (used obviously) for $12.3K w/22K miles. Pros: 4 cylinder drives more like a 6, shockingly nice interior for the price, great styling, more than decent handling (though certainly not the best I’ve experienced), great leg room for front and back passengers. Cons: likes to eat gas more than a 4 cylinder certainly (subjective in comparison to old Toyotas and Hondas I’m used to), freely swinging long & heavy front doors love to smack into nearby parked cars if one is not vigilant - BUY DOOR EDGE PROTECTORS.
Overall great car though; I’ll enjoy driving it for some time.