What should I buy? Scion tC or Honda EX SE
 

Today I spent hours testing out a new scion tC and also a new Honda EX SE.
Unfortunetly I didn't get to test out the tC in the transmission I wanted to (5-speed).
Also didn't get to whip the tC around corners and stuff.
Both cars are terrific.

Any help or opinions are greatly apprecitated.
In my opinion the basic pros and cons are:

Scion tC Pro
Looks Awsome
Sunroof
Steering Wheel
4 Wheel disc
Rims
Spoiler
Audio Sound
Powerful Engine
Scion tC Con
Cheap Silver looking Interior
Cheap CD Player Tray
Engine Sound at idle*
Headliner not black

Honda Civic EX SE Pro
Looks Cool
5-speed shifting was very nice
Steering felt really soild and tight
Engine feels nice strong
Takes bumps and corrners good
Proven quility
high resale value
Honda Civic EX SE Con
Basic but not cheap Interior
Engine Sound at idle*
Drum Brakes
Headliner not black


*I have a 4cyl s-10 and it doesnt seem to have this pinging tiny sound both of these cars have. Maybe I need to get used to it or its something else.

scion and honda are both good cars, however since i have a civic now, i would probably go with the scion if i was picking just to mix things up. It also depends on what you want to do with the car.. ect.. If you want to make it fast without swapping, go with the scion

TC They're really nice.

I say Honda due to their ability to retain their value

i would say a honda, they retain their value a lot better :moon:

Tc it's faster. I don't know about civic engine sound, because I can barely hear mine unless I put my ear to the hood. But the SE isn't really that special. Has alot of junk throw on like different rims, stereo, etc but not really worth it.

Add this to your list of tC's cons: Terrible Gas mileage and 3000 pounds


Both are very safe, reliable cars. They should be able to retain their value well also, since its Toyota and Honda. The tCs value hasn't been released yet until next year, but it should be good in depreciation rates.

Tc is faster by a small bit, and it has a lot more potential then a civic. The SE is very expensive. If you want a civic, wait until the fall when the next generation gets here.

By the way, what is a headliner?

the stuff that is on the ceiling, from inside the car that covers the metal.

i know its not one of the options, but i would go with a civic ex, non special edition. as gearbox said, they just throw a bunch of stuff on the ex for the special edition, and in turn jack up the price.

i love my civic, gets awesome milage (average 37 in town), it will hold its value and very reliable.

after i got my civic and got used to it i was thinking it was nothing special, and i became interested with the tc. but then i found this site, where the people are really helpful, and you can learn to fix everything on your car.

the tc is an awesome car though, especially for the price. if i were to choose again, i would buy a civic. my civic so far has been good, and im going to be buying hondas for a long time.

and if you "need2gofast" like your name says, i would get a civic and swap or turbo, or swap and turbo.

depends on what you want from your car. TC is obvisously i little faster and it is very nice looking. Honda has better gas mileage and is very reliable. Insurance on the civic will prolly be a little better. Honda also has a huge market for parts.

Not to jack the thread but I am almost the same dillemma: 2004 RSX-S or 2005 Scion TC?

The Civic got into a fender bender and know I am looking into a new car. I will really miss it but it is time for me to move on. You guys have been a great help and like my extended family. So what should I do? Stay in the Honda/Acura family or move over to Toyota? A few dealers around here still have brand new 04' RSX-S, but I can probably get a better deal on a TC because A family friend is one of the big boys for Toyota South Florida.

rsx-s no contest

Well that's something u should rethink yourself.. The 04 type S is 200HP and the 05 Scion TC is only 160HP. Which one do u want. I would go with the Type S. It's all on you tho.

i would get the scion, MUCH more potential

back in 94-95 the civic coupe special edition came with disc brakes in the rear

Look Bro The Tc Looks Hot and it Gives u 160hp But Y Not Wait Till Like November And Get The New 06 Si Coupe Stock it Comes With 200hp, An Oem Body Kit, Brembo Brakes Kit & Cross Drilled Rotors....I Think Is Starting @ 17 or 18,500

I'd wait for the new Si :tup:

I might even consdier the current Si over a tC, I dunno tho I'd have to test drive.

RSX-S, as said before... wtf? why would u even consider a tC if you could get an RSX-S

Where you say "this site" would u be talking about 7thgencivicor a different site..if a different one what is it

Aaron if you rode in Paul's SI (I think he's up to 160 whp+ range) you would want one. :)

Scion...

because you already had a Civic before, it is good to have some change in life :)

besides, Scion is not a crap that we don't ever want to experience.

yea it's not like you're buying a NEON

This also depends if youre in south cali... If u are, most likely itll take months to get that perfect tc that u want. Ive searched and called about 20 something dealerships and i couldnt find one in the colors i wanted in 5 spd. So if u dont wanna wait at least a month, get the civic.

The scion is hot, now doubt, but I hate the interior. It looks really cheap and "plastiky". I'm a big Honda fan, but I have to admit, currently the civic is quite outdated in terms of styling and performance. Hopefully the next model will put it back out in front. If you can wait for an 06 civic do that. Otherwise I guess I would go witht the scion. Didn't the test drive give you an feeling about which way to go?

prolly wanna consider next year's tC?

rsx-s hands down. :rockon:

im talkin about 7thgencivic.com :tup:

I'd recommend a Civic because it gets great gas-mileage, has decent performance, and they come with a lot of great features.

The Tc however is what I'd recommend if you want that performance edge. Although it is a little heavier because it has a lot of sound deadening material.

Scion tc con-> heavy as hell. You can feel the engine stressing if you push it alittle
Scion tc pro-> you can get it up in the 300's of hp with a turbo. :hgrin:

Well my mind is maDE UP. Dealer will get me the new 04 RSX-S for $21500. I just spoke to her and she told me the asking price. WOOOOOT.