[Taycron]

I went to my local Scion dealer to see if they had the new IA. I saw a white IA and a blue IM on the lot. I went inside to sit in one but they didn't have one inside so I asked to sit in the IA that was outside. I thought it looked pretty good but white isn't my favorite color. What surprised me was that the IA was a standard transmission. I couldn't believe that they only had one car and it had a manual transmission. I was psyched.

I asked if I could drive it and they said they had to prep it first. I waited 20 minutes and then received the keys. Of course, there was only enough gas to take a quick drive but I did come away with a few thoughts. First was that the IA has a great driving position and the seat was comfy. The steering was real nice. Ride was comfortable. I really liked the stereo. It was easy to figure out and looked great. I enjoyed having the controls to the side of me, although i did accidentally put my hand on the salesman's leg a few times. He wasn't sure if it was a test drive or a first date. I assured him that I was straight. I would probably change the speakers but they were fine. The only thing I had a problem with was the car is narrow but it is a subcompact so it's really no biggie. It's definitely on my shopping list.

 

[scionic]

Have you driven any new mazda's? Would be cool to compare that experience to this since the iA is basically a Mazda.
Doing this to see how much of a Mazda it feels like.

 

[IHazCheeseburger]

Great review! Was the iA's center console really narrow in real life if you overreached a few times?

 

[Lando]

Were you touching the salesperson's leg because it felt like the shifter should be there? Like, was the spacing off a bit? Something that you have to get used to?

 

[scionic]

Forgot to ask but how tall are you?

With some of us americans being taller, like over the 6 foot mark, it would help to know although it seems like the iA will be good for just about most folks.

 

[Catfish Hunter]

I test drove the iA for 7-8 miles. Drove local roads, some inclines and a short stretch at freeway speed. The freeway tire noise was excessive. It felt sporty to drive. On gentle inclines the automatic transmission kept changing gears, probably due to the low torque of 103 lb-ft. Seats were comfortable and, at least the front, had sufficient room for my 200 lb 5'10" frame. The electronic dash (i.e. the tachometer) was virtually invisible in daylight.

The result: I bought a Carolla LE on the Labor Day sale and, so far, no regrets.

 

[Lando]

I test drove the iA for 7-8 miles. Drove local roads, some inclines and a short stretch at freeway speed. The freeway tire noise was excessive. It felt sporty to drive. On gentle inclines the automatic transmission kept changing gears, probably due to the low torque of 103 lb-ft. Seats were comfortable and, at least the front, had sufficient room for my 200 lb 5'10" frame. The electronic dash (i.e. the tachometer) was virtually invisible in daylight.

The result: I bought a Carolla LE on the Labor Day sale and, so far, no regrets.

Ultimately, what did the Corolla LE provide you that the Scion iA did not? It seems as though you had a mixed opinion on the iA, I'm just wondering what your decision came down to.

 

[Catfish Hunter]

Ultimately, what did the Corolla LE provide you that the Scion iA did not? It seems as though you had a mixed opinion on the iA, I'm just wondering what your decision came down to.

I live where most roads have moderate inclines, so the constant shifting of the transmission was a major concern. However, since the test drive was done with wife and salesman, it may not be a problem with only the driver. I did not want to risk it.

Also, the tire noise on the freeway was excessive. I already have a Mustang GT convertible which drowns out the radio on the freeway. With a yearly vacation to visit family (3000 miles round trip) the tire noise was also a major problem. It would probably disappear with a better tire choice, but that would be many thousand of miles away.

If not for these 2 items, it would probably be parked in my driveway by now. I test drove the Carolla LE over the same route as the Scion iA.

 

[scionic]

That tire noise might have been due to speed rating of the tire and it being exceeded, it's what happens at times when you buy an entry-level vehicle where an area like that gets cheaped out on.

 

[IHazCheeseburger]

The tires were cheaped out on in the iA?

 

[Tim]

I did the opposite, test drove a corolla having full intention of buying it since it was a crazy good deal. Walking back through the store I saw the iA, and test drove it and purchased one. It's crazy the amount of features you get for the price point.

 

[Moe]

I did the opposite, test drove a corolla having full intention of buying it since it was a crazy good deal. Walking back through the store I saw the iA, and test drove it and purchased one. It's crazy the amount of features you get for the price point.

That's pretty awesome, something i think will happen often enough, folks knowing about the corolla and in the process discovering the iA and seeing it meets their needs meanwhile the corolla possibly exceeding it.

Plus can't beat cheaper.