After 24 hours with my S2000
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Originally Posted by eisenfaust,Jun 23 2007, 01:23 AM
So. I purchased my S2000 on Monday, and took delivery yesterday afternoon. I've now had a little over 24 hours to get to know my new machine, and damn, I couldn't be happier. I picked up a CPO 2005, 40k miles, GPW. It feels brand new, and looks it aside from a few tiny rock chips (which I'll be fixing, I think).
I have learned a few things however:
Firstly: sunblock is mandatory. I took a ~120 mile drive with the top down through the Sacramento valley, and I am now burned quite nicely. Thats getting stored in the center console for sure.
Secondly: even when romping on it, she returns impressive mileage. I got ~240 miles out of my first 10 gallons, and I was rarely taking it easy during those miles.
Third: even with a bungled tire set up (225s all around), this car is the best handling I've ever owned. Puts my old RX7 to shame.
Fourth: I need to fix the bungled tires. They grip, and the chassis maintains normal AP2 balance (very mild understeer), but I cant use ANY power at the limit of grip or she comes around hard and fast. Hurrah for having a helipad in my neighborhood to learn that on.
Fifth: So far, the S2K community rocks. I've been PMing members with questions left and right, and none have failed to be exceptionally helpful. Got to love a good enthusiast community to go with the car.
All in all, I'm impressed as hell. There are a few things I'd like to change, but I think light tuning will solve almost all of those. The engine is amazing. Yes, I wish I could hold onto a gear longer like an AP1 (a lot of my favorite corners are in the 40-60mph range, right at the top of 2nd, and entering in 3rd at ~40 puts me out of VTEC), but the extra torque of my AP2 rocks.
So, overall,
I have learned a few things however:
Firstly: sunblock is mandatory. I took a ~120 mile drive with the top down through the Sacramento valley, and I am now burned quite nicely. Thats getting stored in the center console for sure.
Secondly: even when romping on it, she returns impressive mileage. I got ~240 miles out of my first 10 gallons, and I was rarely taking it easy during those miles.
Third: even with a bungled tire set up (225s all around), this car is the best handling I've ever owned. Puts my old RX7 to shame.
Fourth: I need to fix the bungled tires. They grip, and the chassis maintains normal AP2 balance (very mild understeer), but I cant use ANY power at the limit of grip or she comes around hard and fast. Hurrah for having a helipad in my neighborhood to learn that on.
Fifth: So far, the S2K community rocks. I've been PMing members with questions left and right, and none have failed to be exceptionally helpful. Got to love a good enthusiast community to go with the car.
All in all, I'm impressed as hell. There are a few things I'd like to change, but I think light tuning will solve almost all of those. The engine is amazing. Yes, I wish I could hold onto a gear longer like an AP1 (a lot of my favorite corners are in the 40-60mph range, right at the top of 2nd, and entering in 3rd at ~40 puts me out of VTEC), but the extra torque of my AP2 rocks.
So, overall,
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From: San Francisco
I'm planning on attending a track school with the car before the summer is up. 
Like I said, living in the bay area we have lots of tracks nearby, and quite a few run instructional events for sports car drivers.
I didnt get to make it to the autocross last weekend, sadly. A friend needed help with his WRX so I spent all day in the shop.
There's another one in a weekend or two, but the website says "SCCA members only". I guess I should make a post over in the autocross forum, huh?
Like I said, living in the bay area we have lots of tracks nearby, and quite a few run instructional events for sports car drivers. I didnt get to make it to the autocross last weekend, sadly. A friend needed help with his WRX so I spent all day in the shop.
There's another one in a weekend or two, but the website says "SCCA members only". I guess I should make a post over in the autocross forum, huh?
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From: Dry Branch
Originally Posted by eisenfaust,Jun 30 2007, 11:40 AM
I'm planning on attending a track school with the car before the summer is up. Like I said, living in the bay area we have lots of tracks nearby, and quite a few run instructional events for sports car drivers.
I didnt get to make it to the autocross last weekend, sadly. A friend needed help with his WRX so I spent all day in the shop. There's another one in a weekend or two, but the website says "SCCA members only". I guess I should make a post over in the autocross forum, huh?
Like I said, living in the bay area we have lots of tracks nearby, and quite a few run instructional events for sports car drivers. I didnt get to make it to the autocross last weekend, sadly. A friend needed help with his WRX so I spent all day in the shop.
There's another one in a weekend or two, but the website says "SCCA members only". I guess I should make a post over in the autocross forum, huh?
Eisenfaust, be careful. A couple years ago a guy here got a new Evo, and had every intention of learning to drive the car in safe venues, just like you, but before he ever made it to his first autocross, he let temptation (in the form of a 350Z) get to him, totaled the car, and now has pins holding his skull together. This guy was normally very responsible, and the last person you'd think might let something like that happen, so you be careful and don't let the same kind of thing happen to you.
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From: San Francisco
Here's the link. http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Results/2007/...und13_info.html Went contrary to my understanding of the nature of AX as well. I thought you were allowed to enter one or two events sans license, then they figure you're hooked so you get one. I know thats how it works for motorcycle track time ;-)
I'm coming back to cars after a few years of using a sportbike as my primary means of transportation. I ride/drive for a living. I spend a solid 7-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, on the road in all conditions. That amount of saddle time on a 130hp bike teaches quite a bit of self control. And if I can say so, from my driver's seat it seems as if my S2000 is a lot more stable than my old MR2 and RX7 turbos.
Here's the S2000's immediate predecessor, stolen from my house about 2 months ago.
I picked the S2000 because of its motorcycle-like nature. I'm sure a lot of people here ride and so already know this, but the car's charachter REALLY has a lot in common with a small-displacement inline 4 sportbike. Two very different personalities depending on how you treat it.
I really do appreciate the concern though. I take it that a fair number of people have oversteered themselves into a sticky situation on this board? due to lack of respect? I learned that lesson the hard way about 8 years ago. -_-
I'm coming back to cars after a few years of using a sportbike as my primary means of transportation. I ride/drive for a living. I spend a solid 7-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, on the road in all conditions. That amount of saddle time on a 130hp bike teaches quite a bit of self control. And if I can say so, from my driver's seat it seems as if my S2000 is a lot more stable than my old MR2 and RX7 turbos.
Here's the S2000's immediate predecessor, stolen from my house about 2 months ago.
I picked the S2000 because of its motorcycle-like nature. I'm sure a lot of people here ride and so already know this, but the car's charachter REALLY has a lot in common with a small-displacement inline 4 sportbike. Two very different personalities depending on how you treat it.
I really do appreciate the concern though. I take it that a fair number of people have oversteered themselves into a sticky situation on this board? due to lack of respect? I learned that lesson the hard way about 8 years ago. -_-
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From: Dry Branch
[QUOTE=eisenfaust,Jun 30 2007, 10:55 PM]Here's the link. http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Results/2007/...und13_info.html Went contrary to my understanding of the nature of AX as well. I thought you were allowed to enter one or two events sans license, then they figure you're hooked so you get one. I know thats how it works for motorcycle track time ;-)
I'm coming back to cars after a few years of using a sportbike as my primary means of transportation. I ride/drive for a living. I spend a solid 7-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, on the road in all conditions.
I'm coming back to cars after a few years of using a sportbike as my primary means of transportation. I ride/drive for a living. I spend a solid 7-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, on the road in all conditions.
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From: San Francisco
Heh. I was actually getting a little frustrated with my R6 because of my unwillingness to push on public streets, and my inability to get to the track frequently enough.
89mph in first gear is fun, until you realize that you cant open the throttle for more than a few seconds in ANY gear without exceeding a significant part of your saftey margin.
I have noticed that the transition to oversteer in the S2000 is rapid, but it feels very controlable. I've noticed two main handling traits that make it differ from my previous car (s13 240SX), or any of the other RWD sports cars I've owned.
Firstly: the car doesnt seem to actively correct steering lock in an oversteer situation. With both my RX7 and my S13, once the rear end began to rotate, the steering would automatically begin to feed in opposite lock. Balancing the oversteer was simply a matter of smooth throttle and catching the wheel at the angle I wanted to hold. With the S2000, I have to actively countersteer for anything but the slightest oversteer. My admittedly limited knowledge of alignment tells me this has something to do with trail at the front wheels as a result of caster angle?
Secondly: in a corner, after the chassis takes a set and power can be applied, after applying power it feels as if the tires' slip angles change. I get a sensation of the car's line tightening without any actual change in chassis attitude. Would this be the LSD beginning to transfer torque and push the car around the corner? I know the S2000 has a torsen unit. I only have experience with viscous-coupling LSDs which are very progressive in their engagement and tend to require actual wheelspin before they act.
Any thoughts?
89mph in first gear is fun, until you realize that you cant open the throttle for more than a few seconds in ANY gear without exceeding a significant part of your saftey margin.
I have noticed that the transition to oversteer in the S2000 is rapid, but it feels very controlable. I've noticed two main handling traits that make it differ from my previous car (s13 240SX), or any of the other RWD sports cars I've owned.
Firstly: the car doesnt seem to actively correct steering lock in an oversteer situation. With both my RX7 and my S13, once the rear end began to rotate, the steering would automatically begin to feed in opposite lock. Balancing the oversteer was simply a matter of smooth throttle and catching the wheel at the angle I wanted to hold. With the S2000, I have to actively countersteer for anything but the slightest oversteer. My admittedly limited knowledge of alignment tells me this has something to do with trail at the front wheels as a result of caster angle?
Secondly: in a corner, after the chassis takes a set and power can be applied, after applying power it feels as if the tires' slip angles change. I get a sensation of the car's line tightening without any actual change in chassis attitude. Would this be the LSD beginning to transfer torque and push the car around the corner? I know the S2000 has a torsen unit. I only have experience with viscous-coupling LSDs which are very progressive in their engagement and tend to require actual wheelspin before they act.
Any thoughts?