Hello,

I am about to close a deal on an AP1. This will be the first performance auto I have ever owned and before I commit to it (although to be honest I don't think I'll change my mind at this point) I would like to see if I am entering into the relationship with the s2000 with realistic expectations.

I am not an experienced driver.

I have owned a piddly automatic 2005 ford focus for three years. It has served me well. It has 108k miles and has not broken down once. I recently moved to Miami from the northeast and truly discovered cars. My cousin taught me how to drive manual in his old jeep, and once I mastered it, started letting me take his 2011 WRX STI out alone whenever I wanted it. I fell in love with the feel of a powerful vehicle, but the STI was not for me.

I don't know how familiar you all are with cycling, but I was an enthusiast in college. But road cycling was too pedestrian for me. I dove head first into the world of performance track cycles. They were sleek, and minimal and pure and unique and I loved them. I feel the same way about the s2k.

So the bottom line is. I have almost no experience with RWD and have only been driving manual for about 4 months. I am 25 and very responsible/respectful of performance vehicles. I am also by nature a cautious and alert driver. My question is: Will I be safe revving the car low and driving in a higher gear while I familiarize myself with RWD handling? If show restraint with the accelerator am I going to keep myself out of potentially life threatening cornering situations in the s2k? Is it anyone's sincere informed opinion on here that I should not move forward with my purchase and maybe go for something a little more reasonable like a BRZ (shutter)?

thanks for your help!
'

 

I drove a FWD maxima for a year before getting a s2000. Its my 2nd car and now ive been driving it for a year with no problems. If you don't drive like a idiot you will be fine. Most crashes on here happen from people driving beyond their limit and the rear end coming loose.

 

S2000 is not an extremely powerful car. It's also very safe. You should be fine.

The handling is extremely neutral. It might tend to oversteer (instead of understeer) at the limit.

For safety (besides being a responsible and careful driver), I highly suggest getting MY 2006+. These models are equipped with VSA, which makes sure that the car goes in the direction of the steering wheel (keeps the tail in check) in case of unexpected road conditions (black ice, gravel, decreasing radius curve) or if you manage to go over your limit. The system accomplishes that by managing power and applying quick short brake pulses to individual wheels.

Some drivers are against VSA, arguing that it takes away from the driving experience. I think VSA is an extremely effective safety feature, and saved me twice already, so I'm all for it (search all the "tail spinning" accidents. There are many. You'll see that almost all cars are pre-06, or the driver has intentionally turned off the VSA). VSA can be turned off by a button on the dash.

 

You sound very responsible and should have no problems under normal driving conditions. The streets and highways are not race tracks, so keep it smart on the public roads. Get into a high performance driving school, level 1 (HPDE 1) at a nearby track after you get a little more comfortable with the S and or Autocross ("Solo" with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Don't drive like an idiot, slow down in wet weather or on loose gravel, dirt or other debris on the road. You don't need to pretend that you are speed racer on the street. You'll be fine. Go for the S. NOTHING else compares to it for the price.

 

dont lift!!!
meaning mid corner, when you decide you are going too fast, dont let off the gas or the sudden weight transfer will send you around

 

If you want to learn car control, start auto crossing the S2000. An autocross is a car control event, and you will be pushing the limits of the car in a relatively safe environment.

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

So it seems like I will get what I want from the s2k. A low price, high performance vehicle and a platform that will let me develop advanced driving skills. It will also meet my needs as a stylish commuter for my short (5-10mi) jaunts around town. If I drive it lightly at first it wont be much less forgiving than a civic. Im not likely to spin out or lose traction doing normal highway speed.

 

The S2000 by no means different than any other car out there if driven in a normal safe manner. The S2000 is a turtle and torqueless if driven below its powerband. Common sense comes into play when it comes normal driving no matter what kind of car you're driving. Now, if you're asking to drive an S2000 to its limits then that's different. AUTOCROSS, AUTOCROSS, AUTOCROSS! why? because it's cheap and safe. You can do track days, but they're much more expensive and only limited to available tracks around your area. Autocross events are all over the nation(parking lots, old airport, etc) and you will learn a lot about car control and other things (looking ahead, reaction time, etc). Please do not try to develop your skills in public roads and so-called mountain attack stuff! I've met many drivers who thinks they can drive because they can attack an off-ramp at xx-mph and then show up at an autocross event only to get beaten by an 75yr old guy in a Volvo. Be safe and enjoy your car.

 

I agree that this car is very safe when compared to American muscle cars. This is a very safe choice over big block Mustangs and Cameros. Stay out of race mode and have absolutly no problems.

 

i drove this around for 2-3 years
http://images02.olx.com/ui/1/16/19/3920719_2.jpg

and then got the s

your going to do fine. just dont pass your limits or your cars and you wont have any trouble what so ever