Looking into a Scion tC mostly. These things run $17,100 msrp; optioned out = $18,494; so accounting for let's say $2,500 in taxes and what not, the car would be just under $21,000 out the door; I'm assuming that these cars have been out for long enough that dealers are able to go a bit under msrp; I'm not too saavy in purchasing new cars; could anyone give some advice on a good place to start haggling @ and what to watch out for?

 

Scion is a no-haggle pricing car dealer.

 

Check here

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=4958.0

2 doors vs 4 doors

I said Mazda 3

 

My far the mazda 3.

Driven both and the TC felt like crap to me.

 

I thought you were a German afficionado....

 

tC is no haggle. My mom got hers out the door for under 20 (with options).

I really like the interior. If handling is a bfd to you, spend $300 on a sway bar or strut bar. You cant get the interior styling of the tC in any car in that range. Plus the exterior is really nice with nice stock rims.

 

I like everything. Im VERY unbiased

 

TC feels slow and heavy.. feels like a tank taking corners. i feel more akward taking that car around the corners than my TL!

the mazda3 is awesome. that car feels jumpy and light. but its really up to you, the tC is pretty cool i guess for the deal that you could get

if i were you, i would get the tC at MSRP with nothing in it, because the options are freakin ridiculously pricey just because it says TRD on it. hotchkis and other companies have far better parts for that car for tens and sometimes hundreds cheaper.

 

Didn't mention btw, that the car isn't for me, but for my friend who is a girl (and not a performance/car enthusiast).

 

um i was about to recommend and si but i guess not since she is not an enthusiast, i am getting one in like a week, 21,409 OTD, i mean paying almost 21K for a TC seems kinda stupid IMHO. I would go for the 3, either way they are great cars. Does she like the new civic coupe?, that is an option

 

I've driven both, and I liked the three better.

That night at the Mazda dealer, the salesguy said they were flying off the lot and wouldn't come down in price on that either.

I like the styling of the tC, and it drove nice, I just didn't like the interior. Felt like a cramped Celica.

With the 3, if it had leather seats, I would have said it was a luxury car. Even if the dealer didn't come down, I felt like that car was a bargin at MSRP.

 

even if shes not an enthusiast, the mazda3 would still be a better bet. the interior feels alot more refined and just seems to be the better buy for the price

 

Mazda3 s > Scion tC, although the panorama sunroof on the tC is hot.

 

Civic >tC

 

ever think about the hyundai tiburon?

im sure it can be bought at a lower price then a tc..plus the extra long warranty~


i personally wouldn't mind having a v6 tib with a S/C and a 6-speed..

 

mazda3>tc haven't driven the 3 personally but have heard it handles pretty damn good for the type of car it is...

 

Mazda3 > TC cus Mazda will have projector xenon and TC wont

 

Good point. I'd look into the Tiburon as well in that price range. It looks very good with some of the factory exterior mods on it. I happen to think it's an underrated car for the money.

 

I made an adult decision recently and decided to pick up a tC instead of a TL. *don't flame yet...* I'm 22, working my first "real job" as a consultant and I'll end up putting 20k+ miles a year on a car just for traveling for work AND...I'm saving for a house. (Damn you, responsibility!) I ordered my tC this past Saturday and I have seen a stupid amount of TL's on the road and commercials...it's like they know I've betrayed them.

Anyway, I like the gas mileage on the tC (compared to my 13mpg I'm getting out of my Cherokee now), the styling is my favorite out of the other cars in it's class, the glass roof is cool, and it's a Toyota - which means I won't have to worry about reliability. I got mine with side curtain airbags from the factory, and I'm having heated leather seats put in it. I'm paying around $19k out the door.

I will tell you that if you or your friend decides to go with the tC, DO NOT buy any accessories from the dealer. They charge at least 2 times the amount for the "install." You can get them cheaper at www.trdsparks.com or www.mcgeorgeparts.com. I can "install" my wheel locks and floor mats on my own for 1/2 the price.

My biggest gripe when shopping for a car was seat comfort since I drive for long periods of time to clients. This car is the best one out there for the money...not to mention, it's not a Ford. But to each his own! Good luck

 

^^^I didn't know Fords were built in Japan...

 

3

 

I got a Mazda 3 when I got into an accident with my CL. I really loved the interior and how smooth the ride was...
Zoom Zoom Zoom

 

Does she want manual or automatic? I4 or V6? And what's her price range? Are there certain items that she MUST have (ie: leather or sunroof, etc)?

 

4 cylinder economical car; no "status" cars. automatic preferably (west LA traffic is nasty as fuck).

She Korean, so leather seats are required.


j/k, but not really

 

CIVIC SICIVIC SIIII


you could probably find one on the used market for 21gs

if i had your money i would 100% cop the RSX type S or a 2003 CLS 6 speed

 

which civic SI used for 21g? Definitely not the new one that just came out I woudl think; and because it's not for me, it's for my friend who is a girl. No RSX cause her first car was an rsx which got totaled due to accident (superstitious parents that would never buy another one), and she already thinks my '01 CL is too fat and heavy, so no go there. On top of that, west LA for a girl who is not an automotive enthusiast = automatic transmission > manual.

 

So she doesn't want a midsized vehicle then, I gather from your posts. What about a Celica GT-S? I can't remember if they come in auto.

The other thing she could get is an Acura Integra GSR (if you can find one with leather and low km).

Or what about a 2001 Honda Prelude?

If she has more money, she can check out a used Nissan 350z automatic. Although beware the tire tread wear issues.

 

stay away from prelude automatics!

heard nothing but horrid stories about the prelude auto trannys..

 

some dude just picked up the new civic SI for around 23 grand...........civics are perfect girl cars so thats my recommendation. its a proven fact that 1 out of every 5 girls own a civic

 

How so, lets start with the base msrp of both and then work from standard equip of a civic lx vs a tc.

 

Ya DUDE, SI's are chics cars, RAD.

 

The rest of them are evenly split between Grand Ams and Cavalier Coupes. Yummy sorority sluts!