With the weather in the high 40s on Saturday, the sun out, and James Mullins in town for some tandem driving, I lowered the top for the first time in more than a month, but with my windscreen down. Guess what? No damage done, except some loosening of the glue that holds the two pieces together. But I was in a panic! How was I going to raise the top with the screen down? No problem, actually. I placed my hand over the screen, and raised the top a little bit at a time, pushing the top out of the way whenever it wanted to grab the screen.

I was lucky to have caught the mistake before I raised the top. It appears that lowering the top with the screen down will stress, but not break, the screen. Raising it is another story, if you don't catch it.

Aside from this problem, James and I had a blast driving on some major twisties leading out to Cal Ripken's rather large spread about 20 miles north of Baltimore. This was my first real high-speed test of the car's handling, and I was astounded. We hit 90 mph plus on some turns and little ups and downs that I wouldn't dare do at 60 or 70 in normal car, and there was room to go even faster.

James and I agreed that the issue with this car is not some problem with the rear-end breaking away at speed, but the tendancy to push the car to limits that are much higher than mere mortal vehicles. It won't break away at speeds that are much higher than other cars can manage on twisty roads, and you can steer the rear end with the throttle if you're very smooth. But because you can go so much faster, when you do loose it, you're in bigger trouble. But that's the driver's, not the car's, fault. Inexperienced, uncautious, overconfident drivers can get themselves into into a big fix with this car, but only because it is so easy to lull yourself into a false sense of security.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. I know 2 people with S TWO Ks, and both have wrecked them.

Sat was definetly a top down day outside of DC!

 

Rick with the temps in the low 40's I would be a little careful pushing the car around these tires are very sensitive to cold temps. Glad you had fun though, Ken and I did the same on saturday, it felt good to get the car out and do some spirited driving. C'mon spring!!!!!!

 

Thanks, Charlie. I have the Michelin Alpins, which are designed for cold, bad weather handling, but we were still cautious. Even with these tires I realized how much you can push this car and how easy it would be for overconfidence and inexperience to get you into trouble.

 

Rick wait till you put those S-02's back on and we get warm weather......It truly is driving pleasure Hey did you guys eat all those Peanut chews yet

 

We're about a third of the way through them, but wow! are they good.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick Hesel
[B]James and I agreed that the issue with this car is not some problem with the rear-end breaking away at speed, but the tendancy to push the car to limits that are much higher than mere mortal vehicles.

 

I agree that this can be fun when under control, or when driving someone else's car. But here is the NE, cold tires and cold roads can add some unexpected excitement.