I didn't see anyone asking how are the road conditions where you live…

I have the same car as you, a 2005 AP2 and I have this car for about two months now. This is my very first RWD car and it took me some time to get used to it. At 51k miles I'm not sure how many times the tires have been replaced but they seem to be in pretty good condition. The car runs on RE760's all around and I noticed different behavior depending on road conditions.

I live in Houston TX and the road conditions can vary from good and grippy to sandy and dirty as hell, so I've experienced lack of traction many times by now. I have never driven a AP1 or a +06 model with VSA but what I can say about my car is that it will spin easily if I drive like an idiot but at the same time drifting is easy to control if you get the hang of how the steering snaps back and NEVER EVER EVER use the brake pedal. As some of the guys already said… if you're accelerating, commit to it and be prepared for some oversteer but never apply braking or downshift… sometimes taking you foot off the throttle can be forgiving but only at low speeds.

Respect your car and learn it's limits and you be like soul mates. I love this behavior almost "on the edge" this car has and I think that's what makes it special. Let's not forget this is the very only proper sports front engine rear wheel drive car honda has made and also we should never compare it to an NSX… even though both of them have almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution… FR will always be tail happier (and more fun!)

 

as long as you're not an idiot, you'll be fine. my 05 is turboed making 423whp and i havent had any problems

 

the S is very sensible for a good alignment (go for the UK specs) and good tires.
Besides that, keep in mind the car reacts completely different in the wet then on a dry surface.

Go get some drift/handling courses at skylimit for example, you will get to learn the car better and it will make you a better driver.

Only after 7 years of ownership I learned more or less to handle the car in the wet on track, before that I was just scared! If it's raining now on a trackday I'm almost having more fun then on a dry day... but you have to make the switch in your head.

 

NSX has a 42/58 weight distribution... and FR will definitely not "always be tail happier", as it all depends on the setup.

 

50/50 but the BMW's mass is more concentrated on the ends where S2000's is between the axles. Look under the hoods. The engine of the S2000 is completely behind the front axle. The 335i probably has 3 of its 6 cylinders in front of the wheels and the intercooler too. At least that's how it is my 135i. Also the Honda wheelbase is shorter. The little roadster simply rotates much easier than the big Bimmer. It's why M cars make great platforms for controlled drifts while the S2000 is more likely to spin.

 

50/50 but the BMW's mass is more concentrated on the ends where S2000's is between the axles. Look under the hoods. The engine of the S2000 is completely behind the front axle. The 335i probably has 3 of its 6 cylinders in front of the wheels and the intercooler too. At least that's how it is my 135i. Also the Honda wheelbase is shorter. The little roadster simply rotates much easier than the big Bimmer. It's why M cars make great platforms for controlled drifts while the S2000 is more likely to spin.
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Yup, BMW's are well known for being extremely easy to drive and M cars are great fun to drift around.

 

Ease of drifting is the only thing I really miss from my E36. That car made you feel like a hero with relatively little effort.

 

Mass concentrated in the center is less resistant to directional change than those with mass toward the ends. Mid engine cars rotate easier and faster than those with engines elsewhere. Next time your wife is watching figure skating and the skater does a spin. Notice how the rotational speeds increase as the skater brings their arms closer to their body and vice versa.

-- Chuck

 

You can admit you like to watch figure skating. No shame in that

The figure skater spin is the best example for rotational inertia.

 

did it have a limited slip diff?