A lot of people in denial here.. there is nothing wrong with the car but you have to admit it is designed and equipped for high performance dry (not wet) weather operation.

All season (or rain) tires are much better in the water than S02's, LSD without traction control can be a handful on slick surfaces, and the slow understeering nature of most FWD cars is easier to handle than the quick oversteer of our car.

Plenty of people that have had incidents of hydroplaning S02's or the LSD helping to rotate the rear around will testify to the fact this car can bite you.

Like it or not it takes more care to drive this vehicle in the rain, and the probability of losing control (with equal driving) is higher. That said, most of us are aware and careful enough to avoid incidents.

 

You hit the nail right on the head. When it's wet. we must slow down and drive just like every other intelligent driver on the road. I was reminded of this today. I was driving along Hwy43 in rural Mississippi late this afternoon and after a decent rain. As I went down a hill that had a left hand curve at the bottom, I came upon a Mustang GT that had spun, ran off the road and hit some trees. The car was sitting sideways across the road, blocking the left lane, and partially blocking my lane. Luckily, I was driving according to conditions and was easily able to stop before broadsiding the Mustang. Evidently, I was one of the first vehicles to come along after the crash. No doubt that excessive speed on a rain slickened road caused the Mustang to crash. Rain + speed = crash for "S" drivers. I'm slowing down.

 

I've been driving with worn rear tires thinking "It's not so bad, I'll get around to changing them." It's not like they're bald or anything. Today I was driving in light rain, and I spun out at the top of a curved on-ramp at a perfectly normal speed. This happened even though I was driving very conservatively. Luckily there were no other cars around to hit. Close call. Once the body damage is fixed, the first thing I'm doing is changing the tires.

 

A thread revived from the dead.

For the record the traction and stability control on my 08 AP2 is just magic in the wet.

 

Sigh. Worn tires=potential death in this car. When will people learn?

 

There is literally no way to blame the car in any bad situation you get into. It's either the driver's fault for making an error in judgement, or not having his car properly equipped.

 

first time I ever drove with my s2k was the night I picked it up, drove 2 hours in monsoon conditions on the highway at 70 mph. I never knew anything about loose tendancies of the car and I never had any indication that the car wanted to break loose. If you drive a bit slower than usual (mainly in curves and corners) and your tires are always well above the minimum tire treadwear mark you will be safe in any condition. I've got a rear wing on my trunk, I think that helps a tiny bit and is worth having.

 

I actually have almost no tread left on my car, and still drive it in the rain. For me, the problem is not me, its the drivers around me. Funny, I was just rammed from behind by a bus today in the heavy rain. Still pissed about it...

Driving the car in the rain, I have found you can still drive aggressive. Your driving has to be perfectly smooth though. Any quick motions, and your more likely gonna wipe out at faster speeds. Turn in is at a smooth rate, and so on. Really does depend on the driver. Driver knowledge of his car, and what its capable of with what set of tires are on it.

 

Had a nice quick of reality today, although no harm, no foul.

The backroads here in northern california were a bit damp. Knowing this road, I know that traction at this part isn't the best to begin with, but at about 70% throttle / 5600 rpms, in 2nd gear, the rear kicked out wide to the right, brought it back to the left, then caught it. Luckily I didn't spin, leave the lane, or anything eventful.

Drive safe, and always stay aware

 

When in doubt, leave the S at home. I did.