2009 Scion tC Sports Coupe 5-Spd MT

Pros

Sporty, responsive engine. Large front and back moonroof. Excellent handling. Sterio cover.

Cons

Stock sterio has too much bass. Large rear blind spots. No trunk keyhole. Static wing-mirrors

Purchased As New

I bought my 2008 tC in February of that year, so it was in the middle of winter. I test drove about ten other cars, and the tC was my favorite of them all. The car has an energetic engine which has a large power range, so that it can move slowly in 5th gear (at 25 MPH I know I can shift into 5th), and then it can pick up rapidly with an easy downshift or a more slow but steady acceleration in high gear. The TRD exhaust system gives the car a very pleasant sound while not being at all obnoxious.
The car drives just fine in the the winter, the tires have not given me any trouble after going through two Detroit winters, and the car happily hugs the road in lane changes. The stock model has a bit of body roll in corners, but the rear sway bar accessory helps it to remain firm and allows much more aggressive cornering; although for less aggressive driving the car still turns quite well.
The interior is tall enough for someone 6'2", although my head will brush the closed sun shade on the moonroof on occasion. The steering wheel is a bit low, but my legs can slide under with no effort (although frequently when entering the vehicle my legs will brush the wheel and lock it...no biggie though). The ergonomics of the cockpit are excellent, the shift knob is at a perfect height to be able to rest your arm on the armrest while driving and shifting, even with the short throw shifter addition (which does not reduce the shifting levers height).
The car does however have a couple of drawbacks. The car has some good sized blind spots. In the front the curtain airbags create blindspots in the front quarters, but not to the extent as is seen on an SUV style Jeep. The cabin mirror tends to be right at my eye level making cars entering the highway difficult to see at times. At the rear there are some good sized blind spots outside the rear window (but you should ALWAYS check your blind spots anyway). It took a little while to get used to the blind spots, but after a bit of time, they are not an issue.
I'm old fashioned and like to use my key to get into my car. There is not a keyhole to open the trunk, instead the unlock button on the keyfob must be pushed twice in order to unlock the trunk, there is also not a trunk lever in the cabin.
With the wing mirrors, they are non-collapsible, which I worry about, I would rather Scion move the side turn signals onto the body behind the front wheel well in the traditional European style.
I like to be able to control my car, which is why the tC is great for me. I was easily able to locate a stick shift, and the car is not so full of gadgets that it can practically drive itself. It is certainly a true drivers car. I am 29 and have never been pulled over, I have a respectable job, and love this car. So this is not just for young kids who want a fast, inexpensive car. This is a serious drivers car, and would be at home in a Lexus lot as easily as its Toyota lot.