My first drive
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Midlothian
My first drive
160 miles today, out to the land of Jefferson. Route 711 (lucky?) is a smooth two-lane with some nice switchbacks, winding through Powhatan County, where Pocahontas kept her Dad from offing John Smith, and past the rolling farmland where Lee set up camp with the Army of Northern Virginia before the surrender. Then, North on 522 through Goochland Courthouse, then some high speed interstate on I64 to Charlottesville.
It took about 5 minutes to get used to the shifter - I caught 4th once or twice gpoing for 6th, until i figured out that reverse is impossible to catch and a del;iberate motion to the right is not a risk.
First impressions (remember, I am not a former S2000 owner), and yesterday drove the Cobra:
1) Great shifter - short, positive throws, low effort, really low clutch effort (compared to the Soloflex like Cobra). A+
2) Revs stay up in between shifts - my first 1-2 shift I thought I was hung in neutral! Once I adopted a Zen-like attititude (that is, "feel the gear, not think about it), it was like shootin fish ina barrel
3) Pedals are positioned perfectly for heel/toe downshifts. My shoes were clunky, and I would much recommend a moccasin driving shoe for serious work. Or racing type shoes.
4) Power starts to grow around 5K, but I limited my up shifts to 5500. Thrtottle response is right now quick.
5) I found the steering ratio perfect - about the same ratio as my SVT. but without the Novacaine numbness. Car was exceptionally easy to set up with a precise turn in, and then lay in the power at the apex. Perhaps a small change in toe settings would be good. I am sure that once I can really roll on the power, the car will be easy to power modulate through a curve
6) At first I thought there was no torque - of course relative to the SVT Mustang there isn't any. But after 30 minutes, I could feel the extra push down low, an improvement over the 2003 and 2001 models I have driven, the 2003 only two days ago.
7) It was possible at 60 mph or so to overtake and pass on a two-lane with one downshift to 5th - even in 6th there is useable reserve to make moderate hill climbs or relaxed passes a simple matter. Should save on clutch wear over time.
8) The pressure plate does have a relaxed grab - much more so than the NSX, and exactly as others have posted - it is smooth and vibration-free, but I may consider switching out to an aftermarket PP within the first year.
9) I was able to hop the rear end sideways in 2nd with only 5k in a sharp 90 deg bend - so there is torque down low.
10) Oils - a cold start in 25 deg weather - you can really feel the drag of the mineral oil, and the thick diff oil.
11) Seats comfortable, steering position fine, even with no adjustments. Like most Hondas, I felt the car has a slight right to left offset (the seat center and wheel center are offset) - I want to measure it to ensure it is not prejudice based on the TL's I have owned. The NSX was dead straight on.
12) Ride is compliant enough for a short wheelbase car with this degree of stiffness - SVT better, but it had nowhere near the cornering limits of this puppy. Not even close. I think I could trailbrake and set up inside of someone in my SVT Cobra, and take him until the SC'er did its inevitable dirty work.
Oh, did I mention the silly, life is good grin on my face? I have not had this much fun behind the wheel in years.
I took my brother out on some back roads in Albemarle County, west of UVA. H ehas a 2004 E55 AMG (the beast) but was very impressed with the taut, lithe response of the S2000 - I had the car at 8/10's (for me) and it scared 11/10's of him until he literally begged me to let off. The binders work very well - excellent bite, and a strong progressive feel (the more pedal, the stronger the pull against forward motion).. The Cobra brakes are strong, but have a non-lineear feel, which does not instill confidence. And without confidence to stop, confidence to go fast is compromised.
I came over a blind whoop-dee-do at about 70, and 1/8th of a mile ahead was a tractor, with a fearful looking gizmo poking out of the PTO - got ont he binders and they did what was needed - no sturm und drang at all.
So, within the limits of no-VTEC, the first was very confidence-inspiring. As I getr more miles under my belt, I ams ure that Khan and I will have some great moments.
This, like hooking up with many of you on this Forum, is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Hope some of my ramblings strike a memory or two in some of you - would love to hear about your "first time".
It took about 5 minutes to get used to the shifter - I caught 4th once or twice gpoing for 6th, until i figured out that reverse is impossible to catch and a del;iberate motion to the right is not a risk.
First impressions (remember, I am not a former S2000 owner), and yesterday drove the Cobra:
1) Great shifter - short, positive throws, low effort, really low clutch effort (compared to the Soloflex like Cobra). A+
2) Revs stay up in between shifts - my first 1-2 shift I thought I was hung in neutral! Once I adopted a Zen-like attititude (that is, "feel the gear, not think about it), it was like shootin fish ina barrel
3) Pedals are positioned perfectly for heel/toe downshifts. My shoes were clunky, and I would much recommend a moccasin driving shoe for serious work. Or racing type shoes.
4) Power starts to grow around 5K, but I limited my up shifts to 5500. Thrtottle response is right now quick.
5) I found the steering ratio perfect - about the same ratio as my SVT. but without the Novacaine numbness. Car was exceptionally easy to set up with a precise turn in, and then lay in the power at the apex. Perhaps a small change in toe settings would be good. I am sure that once I can really roll on the power, the car will be easy to power modulate through a curve
6) At first I thought there was no torque - of course relative to the SVT Mustang there isn't any. But after 30 minutes, I could feel the extra push down low, an improvement over the 2003 and 2001 models I have driven, the 2003 only two days ago.
7) It was possible at 60 mph or so to overtake and pass on a two-lane with one downshift to 5th - even in 6th there is useable reserve to make moderate hill climbs or relaxed passes a simple matter. Should save on clutch wear over time.
8) The pressure plate does have a relaxed grab - much more so than the NSX, and exactly as others have posted - it is smooth and vibration-free, but I may consider switching out to an aftermarket PP within the first year.
9) I was able to hop the rear end sideways in 2nd with only 5k in a sharp 90 deg bend - so there is torque down low.
10) Oils - a cold start in 25 deg weather - you can really feel the drag of the mineral oil, and the thick diff oil.
11) Seats comfortable, steering position fine, even with no adjustments. Like most Hondas, I felt the car has a slight right to left offset (the seat center and wheel center are offset) - I want to measure it to ensure it is not prejudice based on the TL's I have owned. The NSX was dead straight on.
12) Ride is compliant enough for a short wheelbase car with this degree of stiffness - SVT better, but it had nowhere near the cornering limits of this puppy. Not even close. I think I could trailbrake and set up inside of someone in my SVT Cobra, and take him until the SC'er did its inevitable dirty work.
Oh, did I mention the silly, life is good grin on my face? I have not had this much fun behind the wheel in years.
I took my brother out on some back roads in Albemarle County, west of UVA. H ehas a 2004 E55 AMG (the beast) but was very impressed with the taut, lithe response of the S2000 - I had the car at 8/10's (for me) and it scared 11/10's of him until he literally begged me to let off. The binders work very well - excellent bite, and a strong progressive feel (the more pedal, the stronger the pull against forward motion).. The Cobra brakes are strong, but have a non-lineear feel, which does not instill confidence. And without confidence to stop, confidence to go fast is compromised.
I came over a blind whoop-dee-do at about 70, and 1/8th of a mile ahead was a tractor, with a fearful looking gizmo poking out of the PTO - got ont he binders and they did what was needed - no sturm und drang at all.
So, within the limits of no-VTEC, the first was very confidence-inspiring. As I getr more miles under my belt, I ams ure that Khan and I will have some great moments.
This, like hooking up with many of you on this Forum, is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Hope some of my ramblings strike a memory or two in some of you - would love to hear about your "first time".
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Central California
Congrats! Your comment about the revs staying up between shifts is interesting. I'd heard the S2k didn't suffer from "flywheel effect" like so many other new cars.
When do we get to see pictures?
My "first time": http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...threadid=140933
When do we get to see pictures?
My "first time": http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...threadid=140933
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: harlingen
I'm so glad you finally get to drive your car. Isn't just a beauty? Keep the smiles coming.
P.S. In regards to your wife's comment that it is adorable many women out here feel the same way (I hear adorable, precious, and "Oh my God" (with a Tex/Mex twang). Keep away from the radar guns.
P.S. In regards to your wife's comment that it is adorable many women out here feel the same way (I hear adorable, precious, and "Oh my God" (with a Tex/Mex twang). Keep away from the radar guns.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,583
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
Road Rage,
Great write-up. Makes me anxious to pick one up, as well as it soothes any upset stomach that I get whenever someone describes the '04 has been toned down (please people, this is not an invitation to turn this thread into another battlefield). As more and more people write reviews like yours, I feel more like the '04+ is at least as much the enthusiasts car the the pre-'04 is, and possibly a better car (from a technical perspective vs. a personal preference perspective).
On a different topic... I went to school in VA. It was the gorgeous winding backroads in the mountains that got me interested in getting a motorcycle. Unfortunately, it was the helmetless morons with deathwishes in SC that I've seen pasted to the road that have since killed that desire. The S is a compromise between driving enthusiasm and safety. Once I get one, you better believe I'll be taking it to VA (as we often go to visit family/friends/school) to hit those scenic drives (right, who's looking at the scenary when you're in the S).
Great write-up. Makes me anxious to pick one up, as well as it soothes any upset stomach that I get whenever someone describes the '04 has been toned down (please people, this is not an invitation to turn this thread into another battlefield). As more and more people write reviews like yours, I feel more like the '04+ is at least as much the enthusiasts car the the pre-'04 is, and possibly a better car (from a technical perspective vs. a personal preference perspective).
On a different topic... I went to school in VA. It was the gorgeous winding backroads in the mountains that got me interested in getting a motorcycle. Unfortunately, it was the helmetless morons with deathwishes in SC that I've seen pasted to the road that have since killed that desire. The S is a compromise between driving enthusiasm and safety. Once I get one, you better believe I'll be taking it to VA (as we often go to visit family/friends/school) to hit those scenic drives (right, who's looking at the scenary when you're in the S).
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
Nice write-up, RR!
I was looking forward to reading your driving impressions, particularly in comparison w/the Cobra.
How did the tires perform in yesterday's cold weather? The S-02s on my '02 aren't particularly happy when temps drop below 40, so I try and back off...I'm curious about the new OEMs.
Hope to see you on the road.
I was looking forward to reading your driving impressions, particularly in comparison w/the Cobra.
How did the tires perform in yesterday's cold weather? The S-02s on my '02 aren't particularly happy when temps drop below 40, so I try and back off...I'm curious about the new OEMs.
Hope to see you on the road.
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