Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Scion iM

[EV Dan]

^^^ If dealers make 0 on seat heater installs, why can they not demand that Toyota makes them standard for Canada? How is this a deal closer if a potential customer goes over a list of Elantra hatch standard features and never considers a Scion?

[Cord]

Dealers are rarely in a position to make demands on the manufacturer or distributor.

[EV Dan]

Dealers are rarely in a position to make demands on the manufacturer or distributor.

"demand" may be a strong word, but there has to be a suggestion box of some kind. If dealers feel something can improve their sales and give the product a competitive edge, then why wouldn't Toyota Canada be interested?

[ArticSteve]

^^^ If dealers make 0 on seat heater installs, why can they not demand that Toyota makes them standard for Canada? How is this a deal closer if a potential customer goes over a list of Elantra hatch standard features and never considers a Scion?

That's always been a BIG sales problem with most Toyota vehicles; how they hold "heated seats" to the top trim where Hyundai puts them in practically everything.   

The deal closer is to offer aftermarket seat heaters if a potential customer absolutely must have them or they going "across" the street.

[ArticSteve]

Dealers are rarely in a position to make demands on the manufacturer or distributor.

"demand" may be a strong word, but there has to be a suggestion box of some kind. If dealers feel something can improve their sales and give the product a competitive edge, then why wouldn't Toyota Canada be interested?

For a Distributor like Toyota Canada it's profit over sales.  They have their system and you OBEY. 

[EV Dan]

^^^ If dealers make 0 on seat heater installs, why can they not demand that Toyota makes them standard for Canada? How is this a deal closer if a potential customer goes over a list of Elantra hatch standard features and never considers a Scion?

That's always been a BIG sales problem with most Toyota vehicles; how they hold "heated seats" to the top trim where Hyundai puts them in practically everything.   

The deal closer is to offer aftermarket seat heaters if a potential customer absolutely must have them or they going "across" the street.

I once was interested in a base trim of Prius. Seat heaters were a potential deal breaker, but the dealer was willing to install them. No cruise of any kind and no way to install one without voiding the warranty - that's when it fell apart.

[rrocket]

^^^ If dealers make 0 on seat heater installs,

I don't believe that for a second.  A seat heater kit costs $250 retail.

How much are dealers charging for dealer installed seat heaters?

[pi314]

I am seriously interested in this car. Definitely will be on my list in a year.
I like the simplicity though yeah the heated seats would be very nice. It does have cruise, thank goodness.

[EV Dan]

^^^ If dealers make 0 on seat heater installs,

I don't believe that for a second.  A seat heater kit costs $250 retail.

How much are dealers charging for dealer installed seat heaters?

Sure they make a margin, even if outsourcing the install. IIRC they asked $600 for the FJ heaters while I was quoted mid-300's retail by an indie shop.

[ArticSteve]

The usual charge is $500.   Install is done by MASS.  Invoice is $500.

https://www.mass.ca/


I was quoted mid-300's retail by an indie shop.

Any electrical or electronic issue, even unrelated to the seat heaters would void the Toyota warranty.

[conwelpic]

this need for heated front seats (I wouldn't buy a car without them either - once you've had them there is no doing without them) got me curious and wondered what the hatchback competition offered with heated front seats and what the lowest price was in comparison to this Scion iM which does not come with heated front seats (just used the base MSRP) all these models are manual transmissions

2016 Scion iM - $21,165 (6 spd; 1.8L 137 hp)

2016 Mazda 3 GS Sport - $20,850 (6-spd; 2.0L 155 hp)
2015 Focus SE - $19,899 (5-spd; 2.0L 160 hp)
2016 Elantra GT GL - $19,999 (6-spd; 2.0L 173 hp)
2016 Forte 5 LX+ - $19,495 (6-spd; 2.0L 173 hp)

[Noto]

I don't have them on the 2010 Corolla CE, and that was a p!ssoff, but I wouldn't get a car these days without them given how widespread it is.

Toyota realllllly wants to kill Scion and lose out on its own profits, doesn't it.

[jamesautos]

easy solution without voiding warranty and without cutting into your seat

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/obusforme-back-support-massage-cushion-with-heat-0321488p.html

The usual charge is $500.   Install is done by MASS.  Invoice is $500.

https://www.mass.ca/


I was quoted mid-300's retail by an indie shop.

Any electrical or electronic issue, even unrelated to the seat heaters would void the Toyota warranty.

[typeonemb]

I was hoping to like this car but no sunroof or heated seats its now off my list. Oh well.

Scion needed the iM to stay afloat.

Shame, because if it were labelled as the Corolla hatch, it would sell in massively higher numbers.  Scion needs to die, horribly.  Hell, even folks who buy a FR-S rip off the badge in favour of:

I think if bought one of these I would convert it back to a Toyota Auris. 

[typeonemb]

The odd thing about this iM compared to its predecessor the Matrix is the lack of a tow rating . I even called Scion about this and they confirmed it is not rated to tow anything.

With a 1500 lb tow rating, several inches more headroom and a bit more storage behind the back seat the Matrix/Vibe definitely beat this iM in the utility department.

I just checked the Toyota New Zealand web site where this car is sold as the Corolla Hatchback and uses the same powertrain. Interestingly in NZ the car is rated there as "Maximum towing capacity - Braked / unbraked: 1300kg / 450kg". These ratings are quoted on both the website and in the brochure, see attached. What is also interesting is that the NZ spec car does away with the independent rear suspension.

[dkaz]

Say no to rear torsion beams.

[G.Bombay]

I like the design and simple interior. I just wish the power train offered a little more excitement. Good times with a Corolla hatch and Civic hatch on the way.

[stargazer68]

Would you seriously put one of your kids into the trunk to improve comfort for the other two? Or did I misunderstand what you were saying about rear-seat comfort? Besides having to pick a non-favourite, you would be breaking the law. We used to do that when I was a kid, but today, and for some decades, it is known that passengers, and especially children, need to be strapped into proper seats.

[libraman]

Does this thing share DNA with Mazda? I thought I read somewhere that Scion was to use Mazda tech in a model or 2.

[libraman]

Does this thing share DNA with Mazda? I thought I read somewhere that Scion was to use Mazda tech in a model or 2.

It is the SCION IA. It is a rebadged Mazda 2.