I have some experience with the Scion brand. I pre-ordered the tC 3 months before release and owned one of the first arrivals to the area.

Don't worry about the sales guys - they make their money. They are actually more relaxed because they know what they're making off the car. This makes the process easier on you. I asked my salesman how he liked moving over to the Scion side of the dealership (sold Toyotas originally) and he was very happy with it. There was not as much to make off of each sale but the price point made them sell like hotcakes and it was more of a steady income.

Pre-ordering was easy. Once Scion released the pricing I went to the dealer, asked for estimated delivery dates and what they expected for allocation and put $100 on the spec. I insisted it was a manual and could be black or the gray color (I think it was flint mica or something at the time). He called me while they were unloading the truck, he had one of each and I took the flint mica.

Purchasing was easy. Since there was no price negotiations that meant that they couldn't jack up the price based on availability like some do. I was in and out of finance in an hour (you still need to pay attention in the finance office!). They were still detailing them so I had to wait another 30 minutes or so, shooting the sh!t with the sales guys.

I know many worry about this thing being a Scion, but I was very happy with the experience. If the timing works out I plan to pre-order again.

When the 2011 tC came out I went to check out one and was not overly happy with the head room, but otherwise was drooling. It's a nice car. Anyway I talked with the sales guy there for at least 20 minutes and he was super cool. I may still get a tC but have my heart set on the FR-S.

Not to get too off topic since there are other threads about it, but the headroom in the FR-S will be interesting. The MKIII is the shortest and it is still expected to have a 2+2 set up.

My only beef with the tC was the all glass roof... it made a popping sound every time you went over a small bump. It was the reason I eventually traded it in. I don't know if they ever addressed it but if they do that to the FR-S :thumbdown:

Otherwise - fit and finish - its great for the price and the 4 banger is somewhat peppy.

I can't see the glass roof being a great idea in the area I live in. (Phoenix)

Yeah I'm in FL, but it wasn't too terrible. I just wasn't all that comfortable with glass plates shifting above my head as I drive down the road.

I can live with fixed *CONVENTIONAL* roof.

I do like sunroofs though. But I'm willing to give up on one for the FT-86 if there isn't a model with one.

If there is though... I might be tempted to get one.

I really like the tilt + air vents open. That way no fan is needed!

Yup same here... I really miss having a sunroof!

Not directly at you bofa, but more at anyone in general. Is it true that a sunroof negatively affects rigidity of the car or is the urban legend?

It's B.S..

Sunroofs do not weaken the structure. Glass is simply filling empty space where the structure wasn't located anyway.

There's a moron on the VW forums that swears to God that a sunroof will murder your children, but refuses to accept the fact that there's no difference in rollover safety rating by the NHTSA between cars with and w/out sunroofs.

It's all about FEA and not about irrational fear.

I can only see it being a factor if the roof has an X beam across the top to make it more rigid. I doubt that happens though, to save weight and cost.

But usually on cars that have sunroof models, the roof is simply an empty square with the borders being the reinforced parts. (You can confirm by removing your headliner)

If anything, having the extra metal and workings on the top may bolster it?

I doubt it. Think of it this way... there's no real different in the frame of the car with or without the sunroof. Bring back the targa tops imo.

^except for weight difference. sunroof is nice... but too damn heavy imo