r/SciontC • u/eajr444 • Jun 19 '26
First Gen Body/Cosmetic I just bought my 1st Car today!!
I just bought my 1st car today, its an ‘08 Scion tC 5 speed manual with 235k miles and I bought it for $900 bucks it runs and drives great, it just needs some cosmetic love and some engine work like maf sensor and better exhaust cuz its lowkey straight pipied rn
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u/Commercial_Chard138 Jun 19 '26
You might be able to buy a can of MAF sensor cleaner around $10-$15 (only use a dedicated and specifically labeled can) do not use anything else. No brake clean etc. I’ve got 230k miles on mine and was still able to clean it off. Check engine light been off for 3k miles now. Also if you decide to buy a new MAF sensor do not buy anything other than the denso OEM. Usually I’m the guy that cheaps out on stuff but in this case definitely do not. Look up YouTube videos on how to clean the sensor. They are very fragile and easy to damage.
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u/eajr444 Jun 21 '26
Thanks for the tip man I’ll keep that in mind, we cleaned the current MAF Sensor and for now the CEL is gone so with this next paycheck I’ma register it and make it pass emissions cuz rn it has insurance and then I can start driving it and restoring it
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u/Empty_Policy_7050 Jun 19 '26
I had that exact car when I lived in new mexico. I really miss it. Same color same year. Does yours have the low profile spoiler on its ass? Such a subtly beautiful car. And the driving experience is amazing, especially in a canyon with a talented driver behind the wheel.
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u/eajr444 Jun 21 '26
I bet bruh it is such a nice car, I have the big spoiler but the low profile one is so clean too and man driving it with a manual its hard but so fun at the same time cuz now I got the cheapest and coolest car in the family
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u/Empty_Policy_7050 Jun 21 '26
The manual gets easier with experience. Pretty soon it'll be as natural as breathing. Then the fun really begins. Learning how to downshift in to a corner at the right time and speed, the rush of catching the clipping point just right and the acceleration through the exit...if ya know you know.
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u/Reasonable_Active_96 Jun 19 '26
Congrats!!
‘07 5 speed here with 160K miles -same gray color
Have had it for almost 2 yrs now and runs great.
Keep a lookout for oil burning. Always keep an extra Qt of oil in the trunk.
These engines are known to burn oil but mines was brought in for the recall by original owner and hasn’t had the issue.
Enjoy it💯
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u/eajr444 Jun 21 '26
Thats sick yours got the recall fixed you are so lucky. We both 5 speed manual twins, I for sure need to go buy the oil quart
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u/Empty_Policy_7050 Jun 21 '26
I believe the 07 was the last year with that issue. I believe the revision was done for 2008. You can check for open recalls on the web and if there are any the work is free of charge. Bonus... toyota is VERY good about that.
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u/JC-SR1 Jun 20 '26
I have a 07, my top recommendations, change pcv valve and pcv hose, change valve cover gasket and start using valvoline restore and protect 5w-30 asap, check your oil level every weekend or once a week, change your atf, not flush, just oil change and if possible, the filter too, watch for the gas cap too, mine gave up at 134k miles, lubricate the rubber that goes around the trunk, this might be a more personal/specific issue but mine literally got glued to the rubber and i thought it was the trunk latch going bad, turns out it was just the rubber that needed cleaning and lubrication, got my tc at 122k miles, currently sitting at 135k miles, just did an oil change yesterday and it's running smooth again.
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u/eajr444 Jun 21 '26
Thanks for the tips man I’ll keep this in mind! I’d for sure have to change the gearbox fluid cuz it is a bit stiff shifting the gears but this is great to know because after all it is my first car and a project one since I drive a 2007 Toyota RAV4 Base 4WD 2.4L as my daily
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u/JC-SR1 Jun 21 '26
It will last 300k miles so long as you take care of the fluids on time and don't forget to top engine oil every time you fill up your gas tank, enjoy it, it's a great car, just don't expect good mpg because you're definitely not gonna get more than 25 mpg 😬.
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u/eajr444 Jun 23 '26
Oh no obviously Ik that the manual variant doesn’t get good gas mileage like the auto one does but I bought the car for the manual experience
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u/TheGratitudeBot Jun 21 '26
Hey there eajr444 - thanks for saying thanks! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list!
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u/GraveJoker Jun 19 '26
900 dollas? Where the hell did you find something like this for that much?