Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
The image they have among the people who buy them does include the word sporty, no doubt about that. Think about it, from the Scion brand, you have 3 cars to pick from, the tC is the most sporty of them all. From a choice of 3 cars, they picked the "sporty" one. The salesman probably made sure they remembered that too.
Just based on specs, there is a difference of almost 600 pounds, not counting the extra things you had on your car, difference of just under 100HP, etc. (Torque difference is same #'s as well) If you have an automatic and he has a manual, he might get you on the launch if he knows how to use it properly, but once second gear comes in, it won't be a question. If he had the supercharger option on it or something, that would put him much closer and he'd have a chance. His car is much lighter, probably has shorter gearing meant for city driving, etc.
I thought you had an STi?
I'm not saying that he's got a fast car, but just that neither of these two cars is really anything crazy in terms of power and at this level, it can be hard to determine the winner. Your car's gearing is going to be a lot taller most likely and his will be shorter. If he's got the automatic, then he has no chance at all, but at least with a 5 speed manual, he can launch it decently and pray that his gearing is short enough to not lose by 50 car lengths.
Edit: Just for the record... I'm not even saying it's a close race, however that if he had the supercharger option, then he's got a real good shot thanks to the weight difference. Anyway, yes Jules, you'd have won