I've read through several post regarding handling especially knowing when to stay on or off the gas in a turn. This was usually talked about while wet/slick out.

Don't flame me because this is an honest question.

Is the handling/driving aspect similar to that of say the Mazda Miata(MX5)?
I don't have much experience in driving a rwd car besides a Blazer, 85 Stang Gt and a 92 4cylinder mustang ::

Right now I drive a 3000GT SL and plan to purchase a new car this summer and this car along with one or two other come to mind as a good replacement.

-Jeff


btw - Nice forum!

 

The Mustang GT would be the closest to handling although the S is much more balanced. As long as you understand the characteristics of RWD vs. FWD and remember that hitting VTEC at the limits of adhesion is going to take you OVER the limits of adhesion you should be fine.

It's also important to note that the stock difference in tread width of 1.5" must be maintained for the same balance. In most non-OEM tires, that means 205 front and 245/45 rear. Just check the specs before you buy.

Spend some time autocrossing or on a track to get more experience faster. This car is a hoot to drive fast and sideways and the experience may save your life on the street...

 

There is a LOT of talk about this issue around this site. I think that if you take it in all at once, it can be overwhelming. This is my first RWD sports car and I have had no problems with it at all. We've had some pretty nasty (read WET) and reasonably chilly weather here in the last month or so, and I haven't had any problems (KNOCK ON WOOD).

If this is the car you decide to get, just take it easy with it at first and get used to the feel of the car. Don't get scared away from this awesome car because of what you've read. On the other hand, don't lose sight of what you've read either.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by munckee
[B]If this is the car you decide to get, just take it easy with it at first and get used to the feel of the car.

 

I think you will find that those people who find this car "scary" are either not smooth drivers (abrupt inputs) or using FWD skills or both.

Learn some RWD skills and become smooth and you will have no problems.

There are people who can drive fast (safely) in the rain and there are people who can't. That is the great divide between drivers with skills and those without them. The drivers who can drive fast in the rain are ALWAYS smooth and have an intuitive understanding of vehicle dynamics.

If you can drive fast in the rain (Safely) you won't have problems with the S2000.

 

45 around a 25 mph corner = weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeee

fun fun fun

(but watch out if you're running low on tread, the rears are almost gone w/ around 10k miles and the back tries to breaks loose around hard turns)

no comment on the wet driving, it stays in the garage unless the sun is shining

 

read a book on performance driving. skip barber racing school has one out called "going faster!" it was one of the most useful books i've ever encountered in my life. other than that, be smooth with control inputs, and learn to feel the shifting of weight around the chasis, as well as tire traction. imo, cars like the s2k are very communicative, and if you know what you are feeling, (assuming you know how to react to different changes in weight transfer), you will have more than ample time to react and save yourself from getting into trouble.

 

The car should be set up to understeer out of the box. Only once the rears wear badly will you get into either 4 wheel drift or oversteer conditions.

 

I'd call the initial handling balanced, not understeering. Even with a front bar, I've yet to experience much understeer at all, short of driving in such a way as to provoke it (late braking, try to turn, low traction)...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Darktrail
[B]I've read through several post regarding handling especially knowing when to stay on or off the gas in a turn.