A discussion with that title has been going on now for a few days in the Vintage S2000 Owners group. This thread was inspired by an article on something called the slow-car movement. For your benefit let me attempt to define what a slow car is – A car that has abysmal horsepower by current standards, yet delivers fun & excitement by dint of its limited tire grip, and exceptional suspension, gearbox and steering. A car that demands a skilled driver and that thrills said skilled driver from the get go. A car that is as much fun at 17 MPH as it is at 70 MPH and is compltely devoid of electronic nannies or driver assists and creature comforts like air conditioning.
Not too long ago a fellow forum member (lets call him Disgruntled Publicus) purchased an MG A to go racing with Vintage SCCA. I showed up at one of his race weekends to play the part of a diligent pit crew member and unofficial timer. One of the benefits of showing up, is that I got to sit in his little MG A that is very spartan when compared to the S2000. Forget the less than ergonomic aluminum racing seat, I had to tuck my left hand inside the door panel under the roll cage bar to get a proper grip on the steering. As I looked down to the pedals I realized that everything I’d known about heel-toe was naught and I would really have to relearn the art if I wanted to drive the car. The car itself was so simplistic and light weight. We could see little adjustments making a big difference and my friend Disgruntled started going faster and faster around Lime Rock Park as the day progressed.
The other slow car ride-along experience I had was in the CRX-Si that another forum member owns. Who’d even think that a car weighing around 2100 lbs and possessing a measly 108 HP would be so much fun. But the little Rex delivered, and it was fun being flung around corners in that car.
I guess the point here really is that “slow cars” with their low HP, and well-tuned suspension and excellent driveability offer more smiles per mile than a modern car with all kinds of driver aids that is not fun at a lower speed. Cars like the BMW 2002 tii, MG A, Fiat X1/9 and the Honda CRX-Si are some slow cars that have acquired global renown as their successors have gotten bigger, faster and safer.
Some could argue that the S2000 is a slow car when compared to contemporary competition. The new CR-Z could also be considered a modern slow-car when you factor in its anemic horsepower coupled with its slick shifting six-speed gear box and sporty suspension. Mazda has plans to make the next Miata as light as the first gen Miata, Hyundai offers a 2.0 liter engine in its Genesis Coupe, and the mighty BMW M3 may no longer have a V8.
Considering that the recent economic crisis we are enduring has impacted manufacturer plans to down-size their engines and gain performance benefits from direct injection and turbo charging, do you think we are all witnessing the start or the resurgence of a slow car phenomenon?
-A2
Tip of the hat to dlq04 and other contributing vintage members for their insight. Acknowledgements also go to Jamie Lincoln Kitman for his inspiring article in GQ Magazine.
Images courtesy of blueosprey90 and A2.
NOTE: S2KI welcomes the opinions of its members on the S2000 and on all topics related to the S. Should you feel the creative urge to pen a few words then by all means do so and PM Energetic, Aashish2 or Onehots2k OR send us links to what you would like us to write about and we will feature you (or your community) on the S2KI Home Page.
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on Sep 7th, 2010 at 10:54 am
And some of those “slow” cars will get around the track faster than an S2000 in the hands of an inexperienced driver.
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 11:01 am
My kind of cars, small, lightweight and underpowered. The fun is in the gearbox, the suspension and the steering, not in the engine.
I’ve been saying this for years.
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
With a 50 year old open, not so reliable car, it feels like riding the missile delivering the nuclear bomb at the end of Dr. Strangelove.
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Another great article :thumbup:
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
You mentioned that “the mighty BMW M3 will no longer have a V8″. Maybe I’ve been out of the loop for a few weeks/months, but I’m curious where you heard this. I haven’t heard anything about the next gen engine, or what configuration it might take.
Thanks,
Mike
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Disgruntled – I hope you don’t mean going backwards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcW_Ygs6hm0&feature=related
on Sep 7th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
@Mike – perhaps I should have said may.
on Sep 8th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Spec Miata racing is basically “slow Car” racing as opposed to say PCA Club Racing. They do use sticky tires and optimized suspension.
With top speeds of about 110 and low HP and torque , It is definitely a drivers series. A perfect line and execution is needed to stay in the pack. Any lost ground CANNOT be made up on the next straight or by out braking for the next turn but needs to be recvovered by out driving the competiton for a number of laps. I admire these drivers ,not their checkbooks.
Only problem is that watching them race is like watching paint dry.
on Sep 8th, 2010 at 7:03 am
Sorry to double post bu thave a few more comments.
I use a stock 86 911 at DE’s at the Glen and Lime Rock and over the 9years I’ve been doing this the emerging issue has been the gap between the fastest and slowest cars.
My Carrera was an “ass kicker” in it’s time( 23 years ago) , but now when running in “blacK” I’m almost a speed bump fo rthe AWD,computerized,300-400 hp modern cars. ( I’m not a great natural talent but I have skills comparable to those with my experience).
With no computers,ABS,stability control etc you are challenged to do more driving and less riding.
To his credit, a guy I know who started with a CARRERA 4s changed to a GT3 because he said he “needed to learn how to drive”.
As a “slow car” driver I’m also getting close the limits of my 86. The newest Porsches.M3′s etc are like fighter jets that are beyong the capabilities of all but a few to fly.
Getting everything out of a car is very satisfying. I hope to try it with my s2000 soon.
on Sep 8th, 2010 at 9:42 am
[quote]A car that is as much fun at 17 MPH as it is at 70 MPH and is compltely devoid of electronic nannies or driver assists and creature comforts like air conditioning.[/quote]
Now add the absence of a clock, add carpet on the centre console and you’re talking about my ’00 AP1.
Okay… it has a radio but that’s about it.
And a little more power.
on Sep 9th, 2010 at 7:08 am
AusS2000,
Good clip. I hadn’t seen the movie in years and thought he was riding forwards. But the idea is right. That’s how it feels to me! Disgruntled