hondafirst,

One point of clarity is that the S02s handle better (well, any tire really until it's past its prime) when warmed up. You'll get much less traction on these puppies when they're cold.

That said, part of the technique of driving RWD, as others have mentioned here, is to let the rear slide out a little (oversteer) and aim the car where you want it to go. If you've ever watched dirt track racing on TV, you'll see this at its extreme.

You don't have to drive the S2000 to its adhesion limits this way, but it can be fun and it's really a good idea to know how to do it even if you don't.

I think the salient point that folks are making here is that if you're accustomed to FWD, your instincts for handling oversteer are not correct for RWD (i.e., for your S2000). People end up creating a "snap oversteer" situation by braking or jerking the wheel rather than using the gas.

It's hard to explain this. Sorry if I made it sound confusing. It just takes some practice (hopefully where you won't get yourself into trouble!!)

 

Just in case some reader still thinks it's the car, here's what Augie said. S2000 owner Augie Pabst drove the famed Miester Brauser Scarab to victory in the 1960 Watkins Glen Grand Prix. He raced a variety of car

 

Hey, your local in Toronto...this is the BEST thing to do. You will be on a skid pad and they will teach you how to balance the car. Consider coming out to this.

 

What year is your car? The rear end on the '02+ cars is a bit more planted.

 

Just a quick tip here for anyone who is having issues with the 5-6 shift. Ive noticed that the shifter will try and move on you.............to get around this, all you have to do is shift with your hand placed as if you were looking at the time. (Thumb down, pinky finger highest on the stick). If Im shifting more aggressively than usual, I make sure to do this, because I would hate to find 4th when I need 6th.

 

hondafirst,

Try reading this article, especially the section on under/over steer: http://www.dur.ac.uk/r.g.bower/PoM/pom/pom.html .

 

AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X AUTO-X All I can say
steve

 

That's what I was going to say.

 

Loved Augie's comments, and his Blue Ribbon Beer! Some of those cars he drove in competion are a real handful, and we've come a long way with street cars since then. So, by evolution or comparison, I'll bet he found this car a joy. He also has a lot more talent than the rest of us. Remember that. IF you have the talent, you still need the miles. There is no substitute for experience. Emerson Fittipaldi was the youngest driver to win F1, at age 25, and he drove since a kid.

 

You got that right! I watched a novice driver, clearly very rich, try to drive a Scarab on a small tight course - Waterford Hills - and it was a comedy. I lost count of how many screw ups and offs he made. All I could think of was, Please Lord Save the Car.