...in my old AE86. In that car, I used go balls out everywhere. I wore through tires in 5000 miles, lit up the tires around every corner, launched the **** out of the car every chance I got, tagged the revlimiter lots, and put the car sideways all over the place.

Now, having owned my s2k for just over 2 months and having driven 5000miles, the tires are still sitting 90% tread, I got passed by a Mazdaspeed 3 on a local twisty road, and while there are still bouts of me driving a bit harder, I'm afraid of going balls out...

How hard you guys out there drive these cars? Is the s2k simply too nice of a car to drive hard?

 

I've driven the S2000 harder as I've had more seat time. It took months until I got the car to the point where I'd even hear tire noise from a turn. Speed through the twisties comes from experience, and HPDE.

 

I've driven it hard at the track and semi-aggressive in the canyons and an occasional freeway on ramp, but since I daily the car there are lots of times when I am just cruising it or stuck in stop and go traffic

 

It depends because somedays I will drive it hard as hell and like a nutjob (no launches though), but somedays I will cruise at or a little below speed limits shifting at like 3.5k.

 

^^

Comfort with the car and knowing how it reacts to certain situations by pushing it a little more each time is how I've gotten to the point I'm at. I'm nowhere near driving at 10/10 of the car's capability, but when I first got it, I was maybe at 2/10 due to it being my first RWD.

I might be at 6 or 7/10 now.

 

Driving "balls out" in this car is not the proper way to enjoy its capabilities. This is not a street racer. Making smooth transitions from one turn to the next is where you will find enjoy in this machine. Racing other autos off the line or in the passing lane will leave you high and dry, so to speak. You might want to look in to a turbo.

Properly hitting the apex of a corner AFTER a down shift will make you fall in love with this vehicle. FYI, down shifting into the apex will put you off the road before you know it. Learn how to be graceful with this machine rather than going "balls out". Smooth motoring will make your tires last long, get you around corners faster, and will keep your s2k in ONE piece.

 

You go "dodoo out" at the tracks man, not on the streets.

 

I drive like an old man on the streets....all about safety and the police.

Track is a different story.

 

I'm trying to drive a little more conservatively now that I realize how much gas it eats up otherwise. Plus I got a speeding ticket in June .
So, trying to be like chuhsi I guess. Used to shift at/near redline all the time, now I try to shift 5-5.5, if even that. Maybe 4. I'll save the craziness for the track.

Still....some turns and ramps are just too irresistible, plus I still rev-match or heel and toe everywhere, too, that still keeps things very fun.

 

Mine is a Sunday driver.

Meaning I beat the crap out of it every Sunday autocrossing.

On the streets, I'm much more reserved.