- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 47
- 91
I just got back from driving one. Drove a 4AT Black Cherry Pearl tC. It had the small lip spoiler, TRD exhaust tip, and 6-disc in-dash CD changer. Price was ~ $18,300. It was deadly silent while driving and the trick moonroof is pretty slick. I even liked the ricepaper dash even though some were put off by it.
The headroom in this car IS at a premium. I was wearing a ball cap and barely had an inch of clearance left (I'm 5'10"). Back seat riders will fair even worse. My head was touching the back of the glass. If I moved my head forward, it was touching the plastic portion of the hatch enclosure. But I don't care about the back seat, I ain't gonna be sitting back there.
The trunk are was rather generous and with the rear seats folded forward, there was plenty of additional space.
As for driving impressions, it handled smoothly and predictably. Performance was more than adequate, but nothing shocking. I got it up to around 75 MPH on the highway, but for some reason, it felt like the engine was stuck in 3rd gear and wouldn't kick over. I was doing maybe 65 and it was turning over at around 4,100 RPM. My Camry 4-banger is at about 3,100 RPMs at that same speed. [EDIT]: isekii points out that the overdrive button was probably pushed. The suspension soaked up potholes very well and I detected no noticeable body lean in corners.
Anyway, I got them to do some pricing for me and I told them that I wanted Black Cherry Pearl and 4AT. No options. Price quoted was $17,714 + $395 doc fee + $49 tags + 3% tax. They did an appraisal on my '95 Camry and they think that a friend of the dealer actually wants to have a look at my car since it's in such excellent condition so he may give me an offer on it.
All in and all, I was incredibly impressed. Build quality was typical Toyota excellent, the doors slammed with a thunk, interior trim was even and consistent, and the body panels lined up perfectly. And that black cherry pearl is just gorgeous.
I'm waiting for the sales rep to call me back to get a quote on the trade-in for my car (or the offer from the guy) and I've got to make a few calls to my credit union to get some financing options. Regardless, I'll be purchasing one as soon as possible. The salesman said that they are only allocated 9 tC's a month, so I've gotta act quick.
Updated thoughts since people think I was being too negative towards a car that I will likely purchase:
- The styling inside and out
- Ergonomics. All the controls are logically placed and well shaped. Controls are easy to see and read
- Exterior Fit and Finish. Every exterior panel had excellent fit and finish. The paint was clear and consistent with no orange peal towards the bottom of the doors/rocker panel as you see with so many cars.
- Interior fit and finish. The dash was solidly constructed and not made out of that cheap hard plastic crap that so many auto companies love to use these days. The only really "hard" plastic I found was around where the cup holders are in the center console. Every switch turned easily and the controls felt very solid.
- The ride was perfect. Not to soft, not to firm. But then again, I'm coming from a wallowy Camry LE
Turn in was crisp and the turning circle is quite small for this car.
- The engine was rather smooth and refined. Not to much engine noise came in during city driving. The engine was noticeable at highway speeds (but as isekii pointed out, the O/D button was probably pressed which was causing the 4,100 RPM @ 65MPH issues I noticed)
- Cargo room was surprisingly generous and there is a standard removeable cargo shade.
- There's a little light in the cargo area that illuminates at night
- There is additional storage under the rear cargo with room for more stuff
- There are large map pockets in each front door
- The center arm rest has a two-stage storage area
- Both side windows offer auto up AND down. Seriously nice
- I love the little indicators in the side mirrors...nice euro touch.
- The 17" wheels look GORGEOUS. You just have to see them in person
I could go on and on, but I loved this car.
The headroom in this car IS at a premium. I was wearing a ball cap and barely had an inch of clearance left (I'm 5'10"). Back seat riders will fair even worse. My head was touching the back of the glass. If I moved my head forward, it was touching the plastic portion of the hatch enclosure. But I don't care about the back seat, I ain't gonna be sitting back there.
The trunk are was rather generous and with the rear seats folded forward, there was plenty of additional space.
As for driving impressions, it handled smoothly and predictably. Performance was more than adequate, but nothing shocking. I got it up to around 75 MPH on the highway, but for some reason, it felt like the engine was stuck in 3rd gear and wouldn't kick over. I was doing maybe 65 and it was turning over at around 4,100 RPM. My Camry 4-banger is at about 3,100 RPMs at that same speed. [EDIT]: isekii points out that the overdrive button was probably pushed. The suspension soaked up potholes very well and I detected no noticeable body lean in corners.
Anyway, I got them to do some pricing for me and I told them that I wanted Black Cherry Pearl and 4AT. No options. Price quoted was $17,714 + $395 doc fee + $49 tags + 3% tax. They did an appraisal on my '95 Camry and they think that a friend of the dealer actually wants to have a look at my car since it's in such excellent condition so he may give me an offer on it.
All in and all, I was incredibly impressed. Build quality was typical Toyota excellent, the doors slammed with a thunk, interior trim was even and consistent, and the body panels lined up perfectly. And that black cherry pearl is just gorgeous.
I'm waiting for the sales rep to call me back to get a quote on the trade-in for my car (or the offer from the guy) and I've got to make a few calls to my credit union to get some financing options. Regardless, I'll be purchasing one as soon as possible. The salesman said that they are only allocated 9 tC's a month, so I've gotta act quick.
Updated thoughts since people think I was being too negative towards a car that I will likely purchase:
- The styling inside and out
- Ergonomics. All the controls are logically placed and well shaped. Controls are easy to see and read
- Exterior Fit and Finish. Every exterior panel had excellent fit and finish. The paint was clear and consistent with no orange peal towards the bottom of the doors/rocker panel as you see with so many cars.
- Interior fit and finish. The dash was solidly constructed and not made out of that cheap hard plastic crap that so many auto companies love to use these days. The only really "hard" plastic I found was around where the cup holders are in the center console. Every switch turned easily and the controls felt very solid.
- The ride was perfect. Not to soft, not to firm. But then again, I'm coming from a wallowy Camry LE
Turn in was crisp and the turning circle is quite small for this car.- The engine was rather smooth and refined. Not to much engine noise came in during city driving. The engine was noticeable at highway speeds (but as isekii pointed out, the O/D button was probably pressed which was causing the 4,100 RPM @ 65MPH issues I noticed)
- Cargo room was surprisingly generous and there is a standard removeable cargo shade.
- There's a little light in the cargo area that illuminates at night
- There is additional storage under the rear cargo with room for more stuff
- There are large map pockets in each front door
- The center arm rest has a two-stage storage area
- Both side windows offer auto up AND down. Seriously nice
- I love the little indicators in the side mirrors...nice euro touch.
- The 17" wheels look GORGEOUS. You just have to see them in person
I could go on and on, but I loved this car.
Facebook
Twitter