The 2008 Scion tC is a stylish two-door, four-seat sporty hatchback coupe powered by a 161-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
What Scion calls the core model is available with either a five-speed manual ($17,000) or four-speed automatic ($17,800) transmission. This price buys a surprising amount of standard equipment, including air conditioning; reclining front sport bucket seats with cloth upholstery and position memory; height and tilt adjustments for driver's seat; power locks and mirrors with integrated turn signals; a tilt wheel with audio controls; 160-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with subwoofer and iPod connectivity; a huge, power-retracting glass sunroof; a two-tiered console; reclining rear seats; keyless entry; engine immobilizer; cargo cover, and a dozen other comfort and convenience goodies. It all rolls on P215/45ZR Bridgestone Potenzas on 17-inch alloy wheels.
The lower-priced Spec Package is also available with manual ($15,300) or automatic ($16,100). The idea here is to provide a stripped-down model for tuners and customizers, so they don't pay for fancy parts that they are just going to take off and replace anyway. Spec Package models come with downgraded upholstery on less-adjustable seats, non-tilting urethane steering wheel without audio controls, and P205/55R16 tires on steel wheels. They also skip the core model's power windows, cruise control, two-tier console, subwoofer, and engine immobilizer. The panoramic glass roof remains but it does not retract. Colors are limited to Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl, and Classic Silver Metallic.
Safety features for all tC Scions include optional side-impact and side-curtain air bags ($650) designed to provide torso and head protection. (Head injuries are the leading cause of death in side impacts.) A knee airbag is standard, along with the mandated dual front airbags. Anti-lock brakes and Electronic Brake-force Distribution are standard also, as is a tire-pressure monitor.
Options include a premium Pioneer sound system with video capabilities ($689); and a navigation system ($2,250) with seven-inch touch screen. There are no other factory options, but Scion dealers offer more than 40 dealer-installed accessories, ranging from shift knobs and satellite radio (either XM or Sirius) to a supercharger kit good for 200 horsepower. Special Toyota Racing Development (TRD) items include 18- and 19-inch wheels, a lowering kit, struts and shock absorbers, rear anti-roll bar, a high-performance clutch, a quicker shifter, a stainless steel muffler, and a shift-point indicator light kit.