Scion tC Spec Package priced for tuners
Veteran tuners know that the best sport compacts are built from base models, not range toppers. That's because base models are blank canvases ready to accept new wheel and tire combos, body kits, head units, seats, paint and every other mod in a tuner's arsenal. Scion apparently understands the tuner and is releasing a Spec Package for the tC in 2007. The 2007 tC Spec Package is a bare bones tC that starts at $15,000 for a manual and $15,800 for an automatic. It's got steel 16-inch wheels and comes in four basic primer colors – Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. It retains the tC's fixed glass panorama roof yet has unique upholstery and a urethane steering wheel. Considering a standard tC starts at $16,400, the new Spec Package prove popular with the public at large and not just tuners looking for a blank slate when it arrives at dealerships next month.
[Note: 2007 Scion tC shown, pics of the Spec Package have not been released by Toyota/Scion yet]
[Source: Toyota]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
raxed 11:27AM (2/16/2008)
you guys make me laugh.
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Bonita 1:07PM (5/24/2006)
How come Toyota is the only company who can figure this out? Here you've got a car that could sell at $20 grand all day and now bargain priced for its 24-yr-old market even better.
Congrats, Toyota. You are definitely MOVING FORWARD.
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MikeW 1:08PM (5/24/2006)
6 speed manual?
5 speed automatic?
Thanks for nothing toyota.
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jordan 1:12PM (5/24/2006)
I applaud Toyota for offering this. I don't see it as difficult for any manufacturer to offer an option like this that comes as very plain jane and is aimed at the crowd that is going to replace a lot of things inside/under the hood anyways. I think most other companies see this as a loss of revenue since they'd sell cars for cheaper (even though it doesn't have all the options the standard model has) and, hence, don't want to offer that kind of vehicle.
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Carster 1:31PM (5/24/2006)
What I would love to see in the marketing of Scion is for them just put it out there plane and simple... This car should be every kids first car. Make that the goal for kids and parents together. Give discounts and price breaks for this being a kids first car. With this, it will give itself a great name and will start targetting directly a group of people that are bound to start spending money when they get one!
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Peter L. 1:32PM (5/24/2006)
How many cars at 15 grand have a 6 speed manual? Seriously? And the 2.4 is a torquy engine, a 5 speed is enough (too bad they couldn't get rid of the panorama roof to save weight).
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Jeff the Baptist 1:34PM (5/24/2006)
"How come Toyota is the only company who can figure this out?"
Mazda makes a club spec Miata.
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Howard Kerr 1:35PM (5/24/2006)
If you REALLY look at the specs/pricelist of the Ford Focus, you will see that they have a somewhat similar idea. The "base" Focus, the "S" is a bare-bones car, too. The difference between Ford's approach and Toyota's? Ford will "let" you up-spec a Focus from the level of a stripper... but only from the factory. A look at FordDirect.com shows that in many areas of the country Ford already has heavy inventories of "stripper" ZX3s. In some parts of the country I imagine there are even some without air conditioning. Unfortunately, Ford gave up starting the Focus out as a decent car, that is, in the name of cost-cutting, not all Focuses have a tachometer.
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CrunchyCookie 1:38PM (5/24/2006)
The tC is now the youngest car in America. Average age: 31.
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Ted K 1:47PM (5/24/2006)
"Spec"?
Are you JOKING? This thing is all Camry and no sport. Get a clue kids.
#2 has a point, a 6 speed would help. But it would hardly be enough. Even with the tremendously overpriced and long delayed supercharger the TC can't keep up with RSX/CivicSi... which, while competition, are hardly speed demons.
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Ted K 1:50PM (5/24/2006)
#1 Bonita "How come Toyota is the only company who can figure this out?"
Try Evo RS on for size. Less money buys you less weight, less "mod-like" stuff and, unlike Toyota products, it actually has exciting performance.
Doh.
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Corey 2:00PM (5/24/2006)
Subaru makes the "Tuner Ready" version of the WRX.
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MartyB 2:04PM (5/24/2006)
If their intention was to make this auto look cheap, they have succeeded. There is no personality it's just a car, and why do all these small foreign cars look as though they have been kicked in the ass.
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TOYOTA 2:10PM (5/24/2006)
Thanks for the bj bonita, it was good for me
love,
toyota
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PJ 2:11PM (5/24/2006)
I'll add Subaru to the list of manufacturers offering "Spec" trims. The new-for-2006 WRX TR model follows the same concept.
Another bit of trivia: Nissan will offer a 6-speed manual in the upcoming ~$13,000 Versa.
While I harbor no particular dislike for the tC, I have to agree that it's more of a stylish commuter than a sport coupe (unlike the Celica it replaced). It's agile and torquey around town, but quickly begins to feel Camry-like when pressed (no top end, numbish steering, softish suspension).
But then, I imagine that many tC buyers are mostly interested in "tuning" their cars with shift knobs, metal pedals, neon, and audio upgrades. If the Spec trim level helps them afford such personalization, Scion will have made a good move.
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Poe 2:14PM (5/24/2006)
Yeah, the Evo RS is a cool car for sure... but it also costs just shy of TWICE as much as this Scion tC Spec Package!
According to Edmunds it's MSRP is $28,679 - plus another $470 if you want the aluminum shift knob and a boost guage - plus the $625 destination charge - for a grand total of $29,774.
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naggs 2:26PM (5/24/2006)
this is a good idea and i wish it would sweep the industry.
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Henry Smoltz 2:33PM (5/24/2006)
GM for life till i die, Domestic pride!
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G. Snyder 2:50PM (5/24/2006)
#8 - Ted K
"Are you JOKING? This thing is all Camry and no sport. Get a clue kids.
"
Looks like you need a clue too. The tC is mainly based on the Toyota Avenis sold in Europe. Just because it shares the 2.4l and transmissions out of the Camry does not mean 'this thing is all Camry'.
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Brian M. 3:03PM (5/24/2006)
"Considering a standard tC starts at $16,400, the new Spec Package prove popular with the public at large and not just tuners looking for a blank slate when it arrives at dealerships next month."
First off, Ted- you are a moron. Second, regarding the quote above-this spec vehicle will be in VERY limited supply. They will NOT be sold or represented like "price leaders" or anything like that. Scion brass has made it clear that if we do- (dealers) we'll never see another one again.
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