2002 Traction Control
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 695
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Road conditions can be horrible. That being said, the S2000 also breaks rear traction easily as well. I was traveling at 5mph - low throttle, went over a wet grate, and the rear got wiggly. Problems get compounded based on tire choice and tire condition as well. My advice is know your car and always be mindful or your environment. If things look hairy, ease off and take it easy. I've never spun the S2000 but I do sympathize with those that have their rears act like they have a mind of their own. Remember, it's your job to manage it. Don't just be a passenger and let the car take you for a ride.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 18
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To reply to: What year is your e92?
My M3 is an 2009.
Just for the record, I have been to about a dozen HPDE with multiple days of instruction and know how to induce oversteer with my M3.
I gassed the S2000 purposefully thinking that Traction Control would kick in, but my ignorance was that the 2002 S2000 didn't have Traction control.
I do have have to admit this is no excuse for unsafe driving.
Thank you again for all your comments, especially though about the California Direct Motor's Dealership.
My M3 is an 2009.
Just for the record, I have been to about a dozen HPDE with multiple days of instruction and know how to induce oversteer with my M3.
I gassed the S2000 purposefully thinking that Traction Control would kick in, but my ignorance was that the 2002 S2000 didn't have Traction control.
I do have have to admit this is no excuse for unsafe driving.
Thank you again for all your comments, especially though about the California Direct Motor's Dealership.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 2
From: West Texas
That could be a big contributor. You have to keep good tires on an s2k (quality and tread).
Good luck in the search. Your right, patience will reward you. I looked for a few months with to no avail and happened to run across an eBay auction on its last day……..
Good luck in the search. Your right, patience will reward you. I looked for a few months with to no avail and happened to run across an eBay auction on its last day……..
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
To reply to: What year is your e92?
My M3 is an 2009.
Just for the record, I have been to about a dozen HPDE with multiple days of instruction and know how to induce oversteer with my M3.
I gassed the S2000 purposefully thinking that Traction Control would kick in, but my ignorance was that the 2002 S2000 didn't have Traction control.
I do have have to admit this is no excuse for unsafe driving.
Thank you again for all your comments, especially though about the California Direct Motor's Dealership.
My M3 is an 2009.
Just for the record, I have been to about a dozen HPDE with multiple days of instruction and know how to induce oversteer with my M3.
I gassed the S2000 purposefully thinking that Traction Control would kick in, but my ignorance was that the 2002 S2000 didn't have Traction control.
I do have have to admit this is no excuse for unsafe driving.
Thank you again for all your comments, especially though about the California Direct Motor's Dealership.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 2
From: West Texas
I ended up with an '00 GPW with 57k for $12k. I could have never gotten a deal like that where I live.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
I went to California Motor Direct in Standon, CA today to test drive a 2002 with 119K miles on it, one owner (according to CarFax).
I read the very informative article from the S2KI forums: https://www.s2ki.com/...g-a-used-s2000/
I basically printed it out and ran down the check list and found everything satisfactory.
I will also bring the car into a Honda dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. I hope they can check the for Banjo Bolt issues, Cracked Retainers, and other 2002 (AP1) known issues. Anybody have recommendations on who to independently inspect a used s2000 in that area?
I honestly don't have much experience with 2000s, but as I was driving, I felt the engine, tranny, and suspension seemed clean.
Then at a red light, I was at a stop and took a right turn and to gassed it and intentionally caused the car oversteer.
My M3 (E92) has traction control and would prevent any horrible from happening.
Well, the 2K basically did a catastrophic oversteer and I over compensated, which caused the car to turn the opposite way and do a 180. At that point I basically parallel parked between two cars that were on the other side of the street. I was very, very lucky that I didn't hit another car!
Is that normal? Perhaps I am used to my M3 and thought the Traction Control would kick-in, but it did not.
The tires weren't great quality, but were in good condition.
Is it just me not knowing how an S2K would react?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you
I read the very informative article from the S2KI forums: https://www.s2ki.com/...g-a-used-s2000/
I basically printed it out and ran down the check list and found everything satisfactory.
I will also bring the car into a Honda dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. I hope they can check the for Banjo Bolt issues, Cracked Retainers, and other 2002 (AP1) known issues. Anybody have recommendations on who to independently inspect a used s2000 in that area?
I honestly don't have much experience with 2000s, but as I was driving, I felt the engine, tranny, and suspension seemed clean.
Then at a red light, I was at a stop and took a right turn and to gassed it and intentionally caused the car oversteer.
My M3 (E92) has traction control and would prevent any horrible from happening.
Well, the 2K basically did a catastrophic oversteer and I over compensated, which caused the car to turn the opposite way and do a 180. At that point I basically parallel parked between two cars that were on the other side of the street. I was very, very lucky that I didn't hit another car!
Is that normal? Perhaps I am used to my M3 and thought the Traction Control would kick-in, but it did not.
The tires weren't great quality, but were in good condition.
Is it just me not knowing how an S2K would react?
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you
Like others said, the S2000 is a short-wheel base rear-wheel vehicle with no traction control (till MY06+), so it will spin easily if not careful. The trick with this car is to drive it to eliminate understeer, not induce oversteer. By using its sharp steering and high-degree of front-tire adhesion, "smooth" curve through the apex by feathering the throttle. Learn the car by slowly increasing the corner-entry speed and controlling the exit after the apex. Do not lift mid-corner as the car will just spin! Start with less throttle input and increase slowly at will, not the other way round. This is a much lighter and shorter wheel-base car than your M3 and will have different mechanical grip behavior, traction control or not.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 3
VSA saved me a couple times during rainstorm and random water puddles.
The way the car is set up, you have to be really careful when you turn.
Never jerk the steering wheel, and turn slow at lights, don't try to make it oversteer without knowing the limit.
I know of many ppl who took a corner too fast and got into huge disasters
The way the car is set up, you have to be really careful when you turn.
Never jerk the steering wheel, and turn slow at lights, don't try to make it oversteer without knowing the limit.
I know of many ppl who took a corner too fast and got into huge disasters
