So I just got my S2000 a few days ago, I come from the land of turbos and torque (91 MR2) and I must say the difference in the cars feel is completely different. I can't say off the bat that my MR2 was faster... cause the torque threw you off. I'm wondering where to shift, launch etc... I haven't driven the car HARD per se but I've taken it up to 8k twice. (still breaking it in) I've taken the car up to around 90mph w/ the top down and was kind of scared to go any higher because the suspension felt a little too soft. I'm going to check the tire pressure in a little bit. What should rear/front psi be at? I'm not talking about to save gas, I'm talking about for performance/handling as I do a lot of spirited driving when I get the chance. I'm also having a lot of trouble getting used to the tight gearbox. I mostly have problems going from 2nd to 3rd (is there a trick to doing it FAST, and going back down from 5th to 4th... I feel like if the car only wants to upshift when I downshift fast. ex: Going down from 5th I end up in 6th) Besides that I'm in love with the car, can't wait to start modding. Are there any tips you guys can give me to learn to drive my car fast... Oh yeah, and who's the genoious that decided to hide the gas latch? lol, took me almost 20 minutes to find it at a gas station! Thanks for taking the time to read.

- rony

 

Welcome, have you found the "Secret compartment" yet? The top of the center console (where the air deflecotr is) opens up.

I don't have much info on driving, but you should check your springs to make sure the rubber bushings are removed. They put a few on each spring to limit compression when the cars are strapped down for shipment. Many times the dealer does not remove them. They can cause you to lose control if not removed.

 

[QUOTE=S2KSpaYellow,Oct 16 2005, 04:33 PM] Welcome, have you found the "Secret compartment" yet? The top of the center console (where the air deflecotr is) opens up.

 

re: the Shifter and shifting fast. Practice, practice, practice. I would be sure I had it before I started downshifting at speed. One over-rev can be all it takes to destroy the motor and Honda will NOT cover it.

Break-in is the first 600mi and the manual says not to go over 5,500rpm.

If the suspension feels "soft" in any way or less than rock-solid then I would make sure that you do not have any of the spring spacers left in the car. Turn the wheel hard to one side and you can see the spring behind the front wheels. If they are surrounded by rubber, then you need to get the spacers removed.

 

The only thing I see is a sort of sleave on the shock? Are these bushings located on the spring or shock itself?

 

On the outside of the spring. if you can see the body of the shock, you are fine.

 

I think just about everyone spent some time looking for the gas latch. I fortunately had my owners manual in the upper compartment so I found it pretty quickly.

Also, this is kinda embarassing, but I couldn't figure out how to put it into reverse at first. I kept putting it in 6th. After 10-15 minutes of feelin like a dumbass just sitting there in the car playing with the shifter I finally pushed it down....bingo!

 

Changing the transmission fluid to GM Syncromesh that is friction modified will help with easier shifts. There are several discussions about how many miles should pass before the change, but I don't remember what the increment was.

As Ruexp67 stated...Be VERY CAREFUL downshifting. I have seen several threads on people ruining their engines downshifting or shifting UP to a Lower gear.

 

the car is sprung pretty soft and lacks the powerband of the deuce. I'm not sure its even as fun to drive but to go fast, u must drive it like you stole it. Take it easy on the gears until more familiar with the tranny. Lots of over'revs out there. The car requires much more driving than others but usually rewards u for it.

 

I hail from the same place. Drove MR2s for the last 20 years or so. Most current one is a '93 Turbo. Very different car than my (also 2005 NFR) S. Sort of polar opposites due to rear-mid-engine vs. front-mid-engine and a turbo which gave you boost up front but nothing on the backend vs. VTEC which is all backend and nothing up front.

As for handling, classic mid-engine vs. front engine...very different handling characteristics...not bad, mind you, just different. The change will take some getting used to. And imho the shifter on the Mister 2 is actually better than the S's..less chance for a mis-shift and as sweet as butter (still, with 263k+ miles on her). Also, the big blind spots (with the roof up) take some getting used to on the S--the MR2 is one of the best at seeing almost 360 degrees around. But the S does indeed act like it handles "on rails", while the Toyota slips and slides like a car with a rear-weight bias tends to do.

It's been said before, but it's worth repeating, especially since you, like me, are going from cars with different handling characteristics--albeit both of them superb: autocross, drivers schools and/or track time are what's needed to be comfortable driving the S within its limits.

Have fun!