I've diven my 00 S2000 nearly 24,000 miles -- if you live in a rainy area be prepared to switch the 02's to 03's early on -- keeping an eye on the rears for wear -- they will go first. The 03's are much better in rain.

 

You guys talk about RWD like it is a pirahna just waiting in the reeds to bite you. Both your Grandpa and your Grandma probably have RWD. Their mom and dad did. C'mon.

 

Why are the '03's better in the rain?

 

Kumhos weren't half bad in the rain... S02s were wicked.

 

you know, i never realized the -02s and -03s were so different... i had 02s on my boosted prelude, and it was absolutely HIDEOUS to drive in the rain... fwd and all. it was incredibly skittish. forget about anything more than about 1/4 throttle or the boost would come on a bit and the car would skid/slip/spin every direction, which it did during even mild braking or off camber cornering too. i drove like your grandmother's dead grandmother in the rain. then i blew a front tire, couldn't get another -02, and got two -03s. they were much, much, much better, but i kinda figured it was because they were new.

i guess not. no rain for my s2k yet, but i'm curious now about switching to -03s when my first/stock tires wear. how does the dry performance compare?

 

The SO3s are better in the rain because they have much wider channels to get rid of the water. I agree with the earlier comment that tire wear on the SO2s is a major factor in wet weather handling. When I got to the end of the rear SO2s life (for me about 11,000) they were absolutely terrible on a wet surface.

 

Unless, of course, you like skating.

 

The S2000 is fine in wet weather, for the type of car it is. I've driven in major weather w/o problems in mine. Here are a few things to keep in mind...

- if you are used to FWD, learn to drive RWD. If you drive larger RWD vehicles, learn the smaller style of the S2k.

- if your tires are over 50% warn (esp. w/02's!) be extra careful. However, I have driven on ice with bald '02s and been in control at all times. Granted I never went over 20mph ... but that was what the conditions called for.

- I really like the Ecsta 712's I have on my stock rims; they allowed me to do 75 in 2+ inches of standing water and near zero visibility due to pouring rain without a problem. (NOTE: I only did this for a short while for testing the tires, then slowed way down to be safe in the conditions.) They also drive much like the '02s and are a bit more comfortable on long drives. Don't have the traction of '02s of course.

 

How much do the SO3's cost?

 

Like everyone has said, be careful with stock tires in the rain. Out here in the valley, it rains for 4 months straight then nothing. i never lost it , but came close. I just didin't feel safe. I replaced the rears with toyo t1's which have about 3 times the tread depth and wider foot print and I'm happy now. Of course, I still don't drive stupid in the rain Blair