I was told that Toyota Scion motors were extremely dependable. They lied. This engine received synthetic blend oil changes each 3000 miles. I bought it from the Toyota dealer in Kansas City when it had just a few miles on it; it had been used as a demo car for a few weeks; but appeared as a new vehicle; had never been titled before I bought it in 2008. 5 years later it has just a bit over 104,000 miles; the engine failed just after the warranty expired.

The engine started missing first, mechanics told me it was an engine coil or spark plugs. That didn't fix it. I was referred to another mechanic. He investigated the problems; ran additional tests; he thought it was a bent valve first because of the rapid compression leak on two cylinders. The valve cover was removed. The engine head was as clean as new. All valves moved properly when the crankshaft was turned. After removal of the engine head; he discovered that the engine head gasket had failed; and had completely burned through the metal head gasket between #4 and #3 cylinders. The other areas of the head gasket between cylinders also showed some limited burn marks, but were still intact.

This is NOT a car that someone has abused. It has been treated with the utmost care because I wanted it to last me for several hundred thousand miles. The design on this engine is POOR! MY DAD INDICATED THAT HE HAD NEVER HAD AN ENGINE DO THIS IN OVER 50 YEARS. I want to warn you from getting one of these cars. Because the factory shop rate is excessive I got it repaired at a local shop. It still cost a bundle. IF YOU WANT A CAR THAT LASTS, DO NOT GET A SCION OR A TOYOTA. BUY AMERICAN!