Isn't replying to your own posts a sign of madness ...

 

I've got the hang of the throttle much more now. It was a case of unlearning the smoothness I spent so long learning for the S2000; it responds much better to a sharp jab than gentle progressive pressure. I didn't realise the mode made a difference; something to try.

It didn't take me long to get used to turning the VSC and TC off every time I start the car (though apparently "off" isn't entirely off). The normal mode seems to kill any feedback through the wheel by not letting the front tyres slip, which means the car turns tighter than you're expecting and it feels like it's about to throw you backwards into a hedge. Except it doesn't because the VSC sorts out the rear for you. Turn everything off and it feels like, well, a car, and you can just drive it using the throttle and the steering without it scaring you. The sport mode does seem quite suited to very wet roads where it helps you go faster than you should and therefore have a bigger accident than you would without it.

The other thing is it has a light that flashes on the rev counter (did I mention how great it is to have proper dials again?) when it detects too much slip (not quite sure how it works it out, seems to be on the way into corners). This is great because it a) distracts you at the worse possible moments, and b) means you drive deliberately badly to try to get the warning to flash. Good these safety aids.

 

My giraffe says you're wrong and he's always right.

Edits get lost in subsequent posts...

 

I just move the throttle a bit slowly - the NSX's early DBW system (like most DBW Hondas) seems to move the throttle butterfly a bit after the event and that seems to work with the 86 as well. But you do have to over-jab the H&T & not release as quickly as you would normally, that's definitely true.

The 86 will let you turn everything off if you hold both buttons down. Then you can do a great big wheelspinny drift off the line, until you get to about 30 and it turns the TC bit back on, which is a bit frustrating. But the VSC/VSS mode seems to be reasonably well-judged. The flashy light on the dash signals when you're driving it properly.

The Leg End's a bit like that, too.

I also like the change-up light/beeper; especially useful when you 1). can barely read the tiny tacho scale and 2). are used to revvy Hondas...

 

You know if you hold the left button down for 3 seconds it switches it off and stays off?

I need to turn on the beep. I hit the limiter last night accelerating out of a roundabout in 2nd gear and temporarily forgot that I no longer have 9,000 rpm to play with.

 

I thought I'd tried that; it makes more sense that it shouldn't come back on. It could be me; there are too many ctrl+alt=del, Eb d7 guitar chord, Fleming's left-hand rule, short to grd, Vulcan mind grip, etc functions that one is expected to remember these days. It's like when the bloody clocks change and you CBA to RRTFMs...

I set the beep to 4K during running-in, which was handy too.

 

Well after just shy of 3 years of ownership I'm coming to the end of th pcp period.
Due to kitchen, bathroom and other house overhauls we need something cheaper so likely trading in for a Yaris hybrid.
First time in 14 years I won't own a sports car

 

Sure goes quick!

You can buy an old 86 for buttons now.

 

They are good looking cars.

GT86s, not Yarii

 

Yaris? Please lord no.