Scion iM

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

I was born in Hyogo, Osaka. I go to Tokyo every year for work. I haven't live there long enough, but my brother worked in Japan for 10 years and we used to talk cars all the time over Skype. Tells me what he see's on the streets and whats popular. Trust me, I used to be really into the bosozoku style cars back in 92 ~ 2000. Now, the kids really think the stanced out mini-vans and giant scooters are "cool". Sports cars? Not interested. I am sure there are core people left in the Touge/Shutoko/Drift king stuff, but the majority of the modding culture has come down to Stanced vans, Ita-Sha's and just bull shit in my opinion.

I am Japanese, and I am not proud of the JDM culture, especially the Ita-Sha (anime girl vinyl wraps), mini-van modding and giant scooter modding, usually favored by high-school drop-outs living off parents money. They are referred to as "neats" or "Dokyun". Essentially useless in Japanese society standards

The bolded was my point, in any car culture there will always be those that flood it with things most would consider "nonsense" but there will always be those that have a genuine love for the craft. I for one don't like stance movement either (my back can't take it), but I won't knock the crowd that does.

My philosophy is enjoy your car, period. For me, that means light engine tuning and intact interior, subtle exterior mods (namely stuff offered by the tuning division TRD, sti, etc.) Truth be told, the majority of my driving will be at speed on public roads (currently no need for a power boost). Also I can only afford one car, so if I go with extreme mods I would be shit out of luck if it went wrong (which with modded cars we all know can happen).

All that said, I don't have a desire to set track records or go as fast as I can. I'm the type of driver who enjoys getting up early and then spending the entire day looking for good stretches of road to drive. finding cool resturants off the beaten path and sitting on the curb outside while my car glistens in the afternoon sun.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Trends will come and go, but in any culture you find somewhere to fit in, so it doesn't matter if it's popularity wains, even if it appears to be gone, if you look hard enough for something, you'll find it.

P.S. I apologize if I offended you.

[BRZPDX]

Originally Posted by NemesisPrime909

The bolded was my point, in any car culture there will always be those that flood it with things most would consider "nonsense" but there will always be those that have a genuine love for the craft. I for one don't like stance movement either (my back can't take it), but I won't knock the crowd that does.

My philosophy is enjoy your car, period. For me, that means light engine tuning and intact interior, subtle exterior mods (namely stuff offered by the tuning division TRD, sti, etc.) Truth be told, the majority of my driving will be at speed on public roads (currently no need for a power boost). Also I can only afford one car, so if I go with extreme mods I would be shit out of luck if it went wrong (which with modded cars we all know can happen).

All that said, I don't have a desire to set track records or go as fast as I can. I'm the type of driver who enjoys getting up early and then spending the entire day looking for good stretches of road to drive. finding cool resturants off the beaten path and sitting on the curb outside while my car glistens in the afternoon sun.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Trends will come and go, but in any culture you find somewhere to fit in, so it doesn't matter if it's popularity wains, even if it appears to be gone, if you look hard enough for something, you'll find it.

P.S. I apologize if I offended you.

I was not offended, but thanks for being considerate.

Sometimes I like to educate people of what Japan has become and it is not the all mighty greatest at everything polite unbelievable place most Americans think it is.

I'm just too immature and eventually I will learn to just say "yep, its everything you dreamed of over there" and walk away to keep their JDM dream.

Back to the iM, shits ugly.

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

I was not offended, but thanks for being considerate.

Sometimes I like to educate people of what Japan has become and it is not the all mighty greatest at everything polite unbelievable place most Americans think it is.

I'm just too immature and eventually I will learn to just say "yep, its everything you dreamed of over there" and walk away to keep their JDM dream.

Back to the iM, shits ugly.

Oh believe me I know Japan isn't the promise land that car culture thinks it is, like any country it has it's pros and cons. I'm not one to ignore the obvious. and to those those who fantasize about moving there, buying a JDM car, marrying a Japanese girl and driving off into the sunset along Mt Haruna or Mt. Akagi pass, I say, unless you're a millionarie, that shit ain't go'n happen. and good luck just finding a job let alone, a car.

but we're getting off topic here.

back to the iM I think it's a good middle of the road car, for those that want quirky but often have to carry things around.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

If iA is $16k and tC is $20k, then this car should have been $18k.
Over iM, tC has moon roof, 18" rims, 40+ more hp, better sound system.
But of course, some people don't care about these and rather have 4 doors and better fuel economy.

[53Driver]

Originally Posted by hmong337

It all comes down to your geography I believe. Out in my neck of the woods, it's mostly people in their 30-40's with brand new Scions. Young families. I'm pretty postive 75% of people under 30 years of age drive used cars. And it's more like 90% under 25 are driving used. Unless you were a young professional and finished university by 21-22 and went stright into a career making a decent salary or started a successful business, I can see you buying a brand new car for you having achieved. And being young, the flashier the better. My cousin bought his brand new e46 M3 when he was 24. We are all still jealous ahaha. But nobody I know that is "young" buys a brand new car $20k+ and does it for the "brand/status" ramble you talk about. If anything, it's the young generation that are seen mostly in older used sports cars that cost under $10k because that's all they could afford for flashy. As a generalization, they mostly drive 2003 Toyota Corollas or Civics for $4000 because they are young, don't have a lot of money, and those car are economical and reliable. From what I have seen and come to understand is that the 50+ age group are the ones buying the brand new cars. The expensive ones. Just take the average age of a C7 corvette owner and that's all I have to say. Every brand new high class Mercedes I see is driven by and older person 95% of the time.

Getting back to the Scion iM, this car will sell to 30's-40's age group. Mostly, it's when younger couples get married and share a dual income is when either wife/husband gets a brand new affordable car. It's younger married couples up to 40 that are buying cars like Mazda3, Focus, and Matrix to haul stuff and kids. The Scion iM will not sell to the young and single crowd. But the FRS will... If they can afford it or have help buying it.

Certainly, Canada may have a very different demographic on car purchases as I know your taxes and vehicle prices are much higher than the states, so that could possibly be the difference in what we are observing. I have lived in some major urban areas and my experience is that the young seem more inclined to be driving the "brand/status" vehicles while the family aged individuals are purchasing the "economy" cars. I know there was a thread somewhere on this forum where a chart was posted breaking down the age groups who purchase Scion vehicles in the states and the overwhelming demographic was the 40+ year olds (I'm 41 BTW and you can see what I drive under my username).

[vh_supra26]

Click here to view more photos

Scion has announced pricing for the Toyota Auris-based iM hatchback in the United States. Arriving in dealerships on September 1, the new model starts from $18,460 for the manual transmission version and $19,200 for the CVTi-S model (prices don’t include a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee).

Unlike its European sibling, the 2016 Scion iM is only offered with a 137hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or a CVT with Sport Mode and manual shifting capability. The latter offers an EPA rating of 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, while the manual returns 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.

With double-wishbone rear suspension and standard 17-inch alloy wheels, the 2016 Scion iM is said to offer a good balance between comfort and handling. Standard equipment also includes 60/40 fold-down rear seats and cargo cover, 7-inch Pioneer Display Audio unit with standard HD Radio and Aha, rear-view backup camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 4.2-inch color TFT multi-information display, dual-zone automatic A/C control, color-keyed heated power-folding exterior mirrors and Hill Start Assist.

The 2016 Scion iM is available in six body colors: Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Barcelona Red Metallic, Spring Green Metallic and Electric Storm Blue.

http://www.carscoops.com/2015/06/201...60-50-new.html

[vh_supra26]

A Better Chance At Mainstream Success

Click here to view photo gallery

The 2016 Scion iM can't launch soon enough. It's a fully competitive, well-rounded hatchback. It's functional. It's cute. And it's priced under $20,000. But perhaps more importantly, the iM represents a big breath of life into the increasingly less relevant Scion brand.

In 2006, Scion moved 173,034 cars in the United States with only three models – the xA, xB, and tC. Fast forward to 2014, Scion moved just 58,009 units in our market, and that's with a five-car lineup. Yes, the original, boxy xB posted better sales numbers all by itself in 2006 than the entire Scion range did in 2014. Midway through 2015, the situation is worse. Scion sold 21,093 units through the end of May, compared to 26,024 during the same period in 2014. The iQ is dead. The xB and xD are on their way out. Now more than ever, Scion desperately needs fresh metal in its showrooms.

Enter the iM and, to a lesser extent, the 2016 iA sedan that arrives at the same time. The iM is a more conventional Scion. But that's a good thing. The automaker recognizes that it needs cars that more appropriately play in the mainstream in order to attract a broader spectrum of customers. As such, the iM is sized to fit in with other C-segment hatchbacks. At 170.5 inches long, 69.3 inches wide, and 55.3 inches tall the Scion is longer than a Volkswagen Golf, but slightly narrower and shorter.



Scion loads the iM up with a good amount of standard equipment.
Like Scion's past offerings, the car only comes one way. Every iM starts as the car you see here (well, except for color), with 17-inch wheels and a body kit that's more sporty than conservative. It looks tacked-on, though – think last-generation Corolla S. Still, on the road, the iM is handsome, and looks good in brighter, more vibrant colors. It's not as sculpted or pretty as a Mazda3 or Ford Focus, but the iM isn't a bland, uninspired two-box shape. And if it looks familiar to your eyes, that's because it already exists as the Toyota Auris overseas.

With only one spec on offer, Scion loads the iM up with a good amount of standard equipment. Every iM rolls off the line with dual-zone, automatic climate control, auto-on/off headlamps, and a seven-inch touchscreen display for the Pioneer audio and Toyota Entune-based infotainment system. That's all well and good, but it also means there are no major upgrades available. You can't get a sunroof or xenon headlamps. Same goes for leather upholstery. Don't even think about heated seats.



There's nothing to really separate the Scion iM from the competition in terms of interior refinement or packaging.

Still, the interior is an acceptable place to be; let's call it par for the course. There's nothing to really separate the Scion iM from the competition in terms of interior refinement or packaging, but four adults can fit comfortably (five in a pinch), with room for all their stuff in the cargo area. Up front, the cloth seats are cushy enough, but lack side support. We'd also really like a telescopic steering wheel – it's still strange that in 2015, cars don't have this functionality as standard. At least the wheel is wrapped in a nice, faux leather – as is the dashboard. The iM has a relatively tall beltline, and that especially comes through at the front of the cabin. The center stack is completely vertical, with a tall dash line that spans the full width of the car. That said, there's a mix of piano black trim and cream-colored accenting, so the front space looks modern. It all reminds us of the new Corolla, for better or worse.

Despite only coming one way, Scion will offer a number of dealer-installed accessories. All-weather floormats, body graphics, a navigation upgrade, interior accent lighting, and more will all be offered in due time. There's even some performance stuff available through the TRD catalog, including lowering springs, a sway bar, air intake, and more.

Mono-spec means there's only one engine on offer: Toyota's 1.8-liter inline-four with 137 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 126 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The output is enough to move this 2,960-pound hatchback, but the engine response is pretty uninspired. It takes a while to hit the powerband, and the 1.8 doesn't enjoy being revved.



The iM isn't exactly a car that begs to be driven hard.
The standard six-speed manual transmission lets you keep the weak motor on boil, but it's a bad setup. The clutch has a nice weight, but a vague engagement point. The gearbox itself is pretty sloppy, with long throws. It's like every other manual transmission we've tested in a Toyota/Scion product (save the FR-S): dull.

Of course, only 10 percent of iM shoppers are expected to want the manual 'box; the majority will opt for the continuously variable transmission. The CVT works just fine – no sour points here – and it's good for up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway (30 city). There's a sport programming that'll keep the tach needle in the higher rpm range, but honestly, just leave the engine alone. The iM isn't exactly a car that begs to be driven hard.

The steering is light and vague on center. You get a little more feeling while turning, but we still want more communication through the wheel. On the canyon roads around Malibu, CA, the iM exhibits body roll and a willingness to understeer in corners, but it's not unexpected. Our six-speed manual iM has the TRD lowering spring accessory, so it feels a little more planted than the standard, CVT car, but still exhibits milquetoast handling characteristics. We wish it were more like the Scion tC with which the iM shares a platform.



Mainstream sells, and right now, that's exactly what Scion needs.
Given this car's mission, and its Toyota engineering, it's no surprise that the iM is no great steer on engaging roads. But in the city and on highways, it's perfectly fine. The suspension is forgiving over rough pavement and potholes. Visibility is good in every direction. The iM makes a reasonable commuter car or everyday driver for the non-enthusiast. If you're looking for driving fun above all, go buy a Mazda3.

Scion's mono-spec configuration and no-haggle pricing are big wins for the iM. Off the line, with the manual transmission, the iM costs $19,255, including $795 for destination. With the CVT, the price jumps to $19,995. You're getting a lot of car for under $20,000, especially considering competitors like the aforementioned Ford Focus, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Golf can get up into the mid-$20,000 range. Of course, that extra cost is worth it for many consumers – for the extra coin, the iM's competitors offer a lot more choices in terms of powertrains and features. Better fuel economy, too.

The iM falls somewhere in the middle of the big C segment. It may not be best-in-class at any one particular thing, but the Scion looks good, is nicely equipped right out of the box, and is priced right. It's far more mainstream than anything Toyota's sub-brand has ever done before. But in this class, mainstream sells, and right now, that's exactly what Scion needs.

Engine: 1.8L I4
Power: 137 HP / 126 LB-FT
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Placement: Front
Curb Weight: 2,960 LBS
Seating: 2+3
MPG: 27 City / 36 HWY
Base Price: $19,255

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/29/2...-drive-review/

[vh_supra26]

If you're a young hipster type, Scion wants this car to be for you

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBjiaJ4Jlog[/ame]

Born in Japan and raised in Europe, the 2016 Scion iM is primed to make its North American debut. Ready or not, this multicultural hatchback is on its way, but are company executives off their rocker thinking it’s a legitimate rival to established nameplates?

FAST FACTS
Engine: 1.8-liter four cylinder; 137 hp, 126 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual, CVT automaic
Fuel Economy: Up to 28 MPG city, 37 highway and 32 combined
Price: Starts at $19,255 including $795 in delivery fees

Old (World) Meets New

Essentially a rebranded version of the Toyota Auris, which went on sale in the old world earlier this year, Scion’s iM targets buyers younger than 35 like Kim Jong-Un’s artillery zeroing in on Seoul. Per usual, the capital T’s youth-focused brand aims to attract this coveted demographic with a unique buying process and customization options.

Arguably hip, young individuals are the folks this practical hatch is made for, be they aspiring ragtime musicians, freelance baristas or even recent college grads with degrees in interpretive pottery. According to Scion, the iM offers these cool customers sporty styling and dynamic handling wed to exceptional value, a blend of attributes competitors like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf or Mazda3 may not offer.

Features Galore!

Perhaps the iM’s greatest strength is the content you get for the price you pay; it offers more bang for your buck than a steamer trunk of shotgun shells purchased at the Salvation Army on blue-tag day. And thanks to Scion’s mono-spec philosophy there’s only one version of the car available. Any enhancements of customizations are handled at dealers.

Offering more for less, this car comes standard with dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an audio system with a seven-inch color display; Bluetooth, voice recognition and USB connectivity are baked right in like tart cherries inside a fruit cake. Additionally, there are eight airbags and just as many cup holders, plus heated side-view mirrors that power fold at the push of a button.

Dressing things up on the exterior, you get a unique body kit and 17-inch alloy wheels at no extra cost.

As for functionality, the iM offers just shy of 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40-split rear seat in the passenger-carrying position, and a metric s***ton more with those backrests folded flat. In short, this little Scion has plenty of room for a drum kit, full-size espresso maker or even a mobile kiln for backyard firings.

Further burnishing the iM’s value reputation, features like LED tail-lights, the sport body kit and dual-zone climate control are either not available or come bundled with expensive options packages in its key rivals.



Driving this point home, the car starts at $19,255 including $795 in delivery fees. Out the door, models equipped with an automatic transmission are just $740 pricier. Getting all of the abovementioned goodies at no extra charge means you’ll probably have enough money left over to start a microbrewery or even take up beekeeping at your local cooperative urban farm.

But if you’d rather splurge, there are a number of dealer-installed extras on the menu. You can get things like a navigation system, special body graphics and even a handful of TRD performance parts including a special air intake and lowering springs.

Bringing a Spoon to a Gunfight

All Scion iMs are motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, serving up 137 horses and 126 lb-ft of torque. That’s roughly equivalent to 10 hipsters riding fixies at full tilt, seven if they’re pedaling to get mustache wax or something plaid, their hearts spurred on by the flames of desire.



You may not have a choice of engine but you can pick which transmission you want. A six-speed manual is standard but for folks that can’t handle three pedals a CVT is also offered. And if you opt for the gearless automatic it comes with something Toyota calls G AI-shift logic, which measures lateral loads while driving through corners and holds the transmission in a lower ratio for faster acceleration out of turns.

No doubt about it, the iM is down on power compared to its rivals. However, the tradeoff for this is greater fuel efficiency. When equipped with the manual this car is rated at 27 miles per gallon city and 36 highway. Combined it averages 31 MPG. The automatic is slightly more efficient, returning 28/37/32 on the same EPA loops. Either way the iM is quite thrifty, but you’ve got to believe Toyota wanted to see a “4” in the tens spot with those highway ratings. We sure did.

The Drive

Three-pedal versions of this Scion are a bit tricky to drive smoothly. The clutch is super light and its engagement point quite vague. Throw in an embarrassing paucity of low-RPM torque and you have a combination that can challenge even veteran motorists. Fortunately, hill-start assist is standard so you don’t roll backwards on inclines. Additionally, the iM’s shifter is less than satisfying, with long throws and quite a bit of sloppiness as it moves from gate to gate.



Underway there’s some noticeable vibration right around 4,000 RPM; this harshness easily breaches the car’s NVH defenses where it can annoy the driver and occupants. Fortunately things smooth out at faster or slower engine speeds so feel free to adjust accordingly. This issue could be attributable to the prototype model we evaluated.

Given it’s lack of grunt you really need to keep this engine on the boil because there’s precious little thrust on tap, something that makes driving the iM during rush hour an issue as you can’t react very quickly to openings in traffic. Also, the engine becomes quite winded when climbing even modest grades. The hills surrounding Los Angeles, where we evaluated the car, proved to be quite daunting. Not surprisingly, altitude does it no favors either.

Regrettably, changing directions is not one of the iM’s strong suits. While negotiating corners the tiller is light and rather lifeless in your hands. Also, the car’s chassis doesn’t seem to have much interest in delinquent behavior. Pitching it into a tight turn is met with annoyance rather than exuberance. Overall the iM feels a little bit soft and somewhat disconnected. If you expect this car to drive like a Mazda3 or even a Ford Focus don’t get your hopes up; it’s fine for what it is but it’s not a class-leading experience.

Interior Time Out

Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom. The iM’s interior is surprisingly premium, with elegantly textured soft materials and rich-looking hard plastics. Toyota spent a big chunk of change in here and it shows. Cushioned door uppers and a swath of contrast-colored vinyl running across the lower dashboard are particularly nice touches.



Ensuring passengers also have a pleasant experience, the back seat is quite spacious, with impressive leg- and head-room for the class. I fit back there reasonably well and I top out at an even six-feet tall. Additionally, the aft floor is nearly flat, meaning a third rider has plenty of foot space.

The Verdict

The 2016 Scion iM is loaded with standard equipment and is priced to sell, offering drivers quite a lot for relatively little. It’s a sound choice for the smartphone-and-Snapchat generation, though other demographics are sure to enjoy this vehicle’s attributes. However, true enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

This new hatchback is slated to go on sale September 1, which is just a couple months away. If you’re one of those trendy, younger-than-35 drivers feel free to grab a kale and quinoa smoothie and camp out at your local Scion store.

LOVE IT
High-quality interior
Standard Content
Fuel economy
Value Pricing

LEAVE IT
Weak acceleration
Where’s the torque?
Dynamically challenged

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...cion-im-review

[vh_supra26]

Scion's axing has led to a different naming strategy for the vehicles that will live on as re-badged Toyotas.

Following the introduction of the facelifted GT 86, which will replace the Scion FR-S in the North American market, Toyota has announced two new names for the iA and iM, which will be known as Yaris iA and Corolla iM, respectively, when they will go on sale for the 2017 model year.

"When we announced the transition of the Scion models to Toyota we hadn’t planned on changing the names of our cars, but by popular demand, for our sports car, we decided to adopt the global name of 86", said Bill Fay, Toyota division Group Vice President, in a statement.

As it will go forward with its new naming strategy, Toyota will report sales volumes of the normal Yaris and Yaris iA, as well as the Corolla and Corolla iM, together, as single units. However, while the Corolla iM hatchback is already a Corolla underneath the skin, things are more complicated when it comes to the Yaris iA sedan, as it's based on the Mazda2.

Besides receiving new badges, the two vehicles will remain identical to their scions. The Yaris iA will continue to be powered by a 1.5-liter four-pot engine, mated to a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic gearbox, while the Corolla iM will be offered, as standard, with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT.

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/03/toy...and-im-as.html

[perryair]

i just leased a scion im as a daily to replace my old civic (RIP). i looked around at quite a few things but with scion pushing an extremely good lease deal i just couldnt pass it up. i'm out the door with tax and the bespoke navigation addition $232 a month for a 15k lease.

theres not another car that you're gonna get at that price that doesnt look either tiny as hell or as the poverty spec version of a nice car. the hatch design gives it plenty of storage and room to bring things, its not fast but looks sporty and is comfortable with nice touches like padded kneerests on both sides and an armrest stock (THANKS FOR NOTHING SUBARU)

plus, it lets me save the BRZ for fun drives and keeps it from accumulating tons and tons of miles. a win win!

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Power folding mirrors ftw! I wish the US spec twins had it since I always fold my mirrors when I park.

Did you get the 6-speed, or the eCVT-i?

[reni]

Really don't get the logic behind buying/leasing another car to be a daily driver for a twin just to avoid putting miles on it... it's not like it's some rare collectable. More fun and cheaper to just drive it.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

eCVT-i?

eCVT is Hybrid Synergy Drive, this one is apparently called "CVTi-S" which I guess is a normal CVT.

I was slightly surprised to read the specs for this car, it comes with the Corolla Eco drivetrain instead of the standard Corolla drivetrain. The Corolla Eco has the more powerful and efficient 2ZR-FAE (continously variable valve lift! extremely rare and high tech feature in the US) and 6 speed instead of 5 speed transmission.

It's also way less ugly than the rest of the Scion cars, well okay minus the FR-S, that is not bad looking heh.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

eCVT is Hybrid Synergy Drive, this one is apparently called "CVTi-S" which I guess is a normal CVT.

I was slightly surprised to read the specs for this car, it comes with the Corolla Eco drivetrain instead of the standard Corolla drivetrain. The Corolla Eco has the more powerful and efficient 2ZR-FAE (continously variable valve lift! extremely rare and high tech feature in the US) and 6 speed instead of 5 speed transmission.

It's also way less ugly than the rest of the Scion cars, well okay minus the FR-S, that is not bad looking heh.

Woops, my mistake. haha.

Yes, it's the valvematic engine, but it's not the lift you're thinking of, like that of the 2ZZ.

OP will have a rare car since it's the Scion iM. Come August, it's the Toyota Corolla iM, so there will only have been one year with the Scion nameplate. lol