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I have not seen many articles on th Scion Tc, and I believe those who are uninformed, are really missing out. I purchased my 2008 Tc in July '07 and traded a 2003 G35 Infiniti. Got a GREAT deal on my trade, so much so that I walked away with a loaded Tc and $2000! People who are considering an economy car (like me) should give the Tc a look. It bases at $17,000 or so BUT for that you get power steering, brakes, windows, locks,and mirrors, air, engine disablment, cruise, 2 sunroofs (though only one opens), a killer stereo with a subwoofer and single cd (an upgrade is available for about $600, you get more wattage (222) and a 6cd changer as the std. one is only single cd and 160 watts) auto headlight shutoff, tilt steering, halogens and halos, outside thermometer, tire pressure monitoring, NINE airbags  
a 161hp 2.4l engine (the same engine used by the Camry and the '08 Xb). So far I have added a custom cat-back exhaust and an Injen intake, bringing my CRANK hp to about 180. I plan on adding a header and an Agency power pulley to get close to 200hp. I did get a few factory accessories (actually all comes from TRD and are installed by the dealer), like tint, swaybars, mats, wheel locks, an alarm system, Razo pedals and shift knob and a few other minor accssories. But I guess my point is ANYONE considering a 2 door economy car (like a Civic or Sentra) should check out the Tc. Like Saturn, they have a no haggle price policy, so it's relatively easy. You also get your 1st 2 services free, and the extended warranty is about $3000 LESS than what Ford or GM charge. The extended warranty covers everything and is good for 7 years/75K, which is fine for me as I have a home business and no commute. It has lots of cargo space especially with the back 60/40 seats folded. And I average 27mpg on regular gas, which is not spectacular, but compared to the 12mpg in premium the G35 was getting, (it was heavily modded) it saves me a lot of money at the pump. It hits 60 in about 7 seconds, mine hits it in 6.5. And best of all, you have Toyota quality.   The only thing I would change is the addition of a rear window wiper/washer, but compared to the G35 the only things lacking are dual climate conrol and power seats! (AND a $36K to $40K price tag!).  

You can get a loaded Mazda3 a Civic Si, Cobalt SS and a host of other vehicles for what you paid for the Tc.  I drove a Tc a while back.  Not impressed at all.  Extremely cramped interior, particularly with a sunroof.  Interior fit and finish is terrible and has really cheap interior materials.  Engine is decent, but not particularly strong, handling is decent but not particularly strong.  Dont waste your money on mods, save your money and buy a nicer, faster, better handling car.

I'll pass.  

Like the gamper said, there are better vehicles out there for the money than the Scion tc.  I drove one about a year ago, and while it felt like a capable small car, it just wasn't as good as the Civic or the Mazda3.  The interior of the Scion is its only real strong point, as the exterior styling is iffy and the mechanicals are stock Toyota (reliable but boring).  Right now if I was going to purchase a small car in the $17-18K range, I'd get a Mazda3 hatch.

What I'm really looking forward to is the RWD coupe that Toyota is supposedly working on for 2011.  It'll be a small, low-tech and lightweight car in the spirit of the mid 80s AE86 Corolla.  It's been featured in a couple of up-and-coming articles in various car magazines, though I don't remember seeing it in AutomobileMag.  I'm betting that if Toyota comes through and actually builds it, it'll come to the States as the new Scion tc.  

My wife think's the Tc is cute.  

Mazda Schmazda!
When all of you Mazda 3 loving fools have your cars in the junkyard (after millions of repair bills), my Scion tc will still be kickin' Mazda ass years later! That's O.K., the world thrives on suckers.  

I would not buy a SCION if u gave me the money.
They are cheap ugly Toyotas.  

I test drove a 2009 scion today and I loved it.  I may even be interested in the 08 just to get a better deal if not much is changed.  Iam driving a lexus 430 ls and need a smaller car for myself with 4 cylinder to use less gas.  I don't want to give up much power on the highway and I do love the interior and sporty look of the exterior.  Im usually a bmw driver so I can be choosey in my cars.  I have recently test drove the standard subie and mazda 3 2.3 engine.  Subie was so-so but over $20,000 It wasnt for me.  The mazda 3 had a nice interior and pretty easy and fast to drive.  Once I decided to look at the scion tc immediately I loved the style and 17 inch rims.  Once I saw the showrooms two toned leather I was designing my own tc.  After I took her on the road I loved the pick up, it reminded me of the bmw tilt.  All the xtras are nice but I loved the drive the most.  It being under $20,000 impressed me too!  Iam getting this car but I couldnt let the dealers get the best of me...it's against my religion.  They may have a no haggle policy and thats great,  but for now I bought some raffle tickets at a charity event to win a 08 scion tc.  Hopefully its mine!  

Have you seen the 2009 Corolla XRS? It's got the same engine as the tC. The car itself costs a little more, but it gets better mileage, and it's a sedan while the tC is a coupe, so it kinda evens out. Some people say the XRS isn't as 'sporty' but it's actually lighter and accelerates a bit faster. I thnk you could also consider that, too.  

No, not the Corolla xrs -- that is 4-door.  I am specifically looking for a 2-door (coupe).  Driving a 2-door means you are single, have no kids, and want to date.  

Mikebird59, stepping down from a G35 to a Scion Tc seems like a significant drop in quality for only a 3 mpg gain. Did the G35 not age well? If so, what went wrong?

And for those who have no driven the 2009 Corolla XRS, it has a horribly bland, typical Toyota interior. Even the quality doesn't appear close to what you would find in a Civic or perhaps a Mazda 3. The Corolla does have a very smooth manual transmission though and the sport package makes the exterior bearable.