Just say "No" and smile! It is so very easy for someone not used to 6 gears and the rev range of this engine to select too low a gear at speed and wreck the engine. You're gonna lose a friend anyway, as I don't imagine too many of 'em being eager to foot the bill for the damage. That sort of damage will not be covered under warranty by your dealer. This isn't a Civic and IMHO you're asking for trouble letting all and sundry drive it. The potential for gearbox damage is very real as is the other obvious danger of losing it in a bend and spinning out.

 

Perhaps you could just inform them that the car is not insured if driven by anyone else and that you're not prepared to take the risk. Any friend worth having will understand that without taking offence.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]When the "circle" gets older, people don't ask anymore.

 

although i'm an rsx-s driver and not an s2k driver, i think i can relate with the test driving thingie... before my car i had driven an automatic and two people taught me how to drive stick... i let one friend of mine go in first and that was it, but one of my friends that taught me how to drive, as well as the other, has permission to drive my car when ever he wants... as he did last nite for the first time... i figure its a thank u for letting me stall his car billions of times while learning

-stek

 

People know how much I love my s2000 and don't ask to drive it. I've only let a couple of people drive it, and one of those was in celebration of his getting a great new job. If I do let a friend drive it's with me in the car.

 

Nancy Reagan set the precedent to 'just say no.' I know the very, very stupid mistakes that I personally have made, and I would like to think I am not a total incompetent. At least a couple of times, I have caught 2nd on an intended downshift to 4th, and we all know what that could do at higher speeds. The last time I did that [and I truly hope it is the last time], I had quick enough reflexes to depress the clutch before it fully engaged, just the instant I felt I had done something wrong. Would your friend be willing to kick over ten thousand bucks to replace a ruined engine and transmission??
Like all high performance sports cars, the S2000 does not tolerate fools gladly, and judgment errors can result in rather bad accidents. Another reason not to loan it out.

 

Here is one way:
When they ask, start to laugh a little, then a little more, the bust out with a hugh roar of laugher and walk away saying, "Oh man, that was good!"
Now seriously,
Tell them no, explain to them that they dont pay for the car, and its not for sale. If they should whine and moan, walk away man. It aint worth it. I would NEVER ask to drive my friends cars, in my circle, its just not right. Its akin to asking to swap girls for the night.

 

I hate it when people ask you to drive your car.. It's just plain rude... Puts you in an ackward position.. Luckily for me, i don't give a rats ass about how bad i look in front of them.. To me they look worse for asking... I just say no; and if they whine at me more, i tell them to shut the F*&#*$% UP...