Wow first stick and it is an S, cool. The hint about the tires is the best info. When it is hot the tires stick like glue, when it is barely cold, I mean barley cold you can slide around corners fun if you know what you are doing but scary when you are not expecting it. It doesn't take much to kick out the back end. Also find a local SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and go drive the car and learn how it handles and when it is going to oversteer, this will be the best $15 for all day driving you will spend. Another note about corners enter the corner slow, don't break while in the corner and come out fast.

 

So who was your saleperson? I bought my S2000 at Rusty Wallice in January and a good friend of mine bought his from there on Monday. Our saleperson was John Power (also a S2000 owner) and I would highly recommend him as I did to my friend.

 

The sales person was named Andy. He was a part of the used car team, even though the new car team was handling this particular vehicle. I just so happened to initially walk into the used car building and he took me over the show room to look at the car. Heh...I bet some of the new car guys who had been trying to sell the car weren't happy.

 

Overall I was pleased with my experience at Rusty Wallis. The only reason some of the negotiation was drawn out was that I wanted to get the best I could...not because they were overly ridiculous.

 

Working a manual transmission will become like second nature to you ... you just need to get a lot of miles under your belt. Once you feel comfortable shifting and stuff ... I highly recommend you sign up for a driving class that will teach you stuff that you probably don't know. Be careful out there because this car is not forgiving. Take it slow and good luck. You made a WISE purchase decision.

 

There is a wealth of info and advice on this website, that's for sure.
One thing I would like to add is those that have entered corners too fast and shift or brake or pull out of the gas too abruptly unload the rear end causing the rear to break loose. Its called snap oversteer and some good folks have gotten hurt. Your new toy is a high performance sports car and demands appropriate respect. That being understood you have years and many miles of joy ahead of you. Welcome to the club.


Eric

 

Once you get the hang of it, a manual transmission will become natural to you. It's a very forgiving setup. Not like my '74 TR6 which had about 1/2" of clutch play!

 

Hey JetMech,

I've only had my s2000 for a week, and this morning I took a corner and ended up hitting the rear wheel against he curb. The road was wet, and I had entered the corner faster than I had wanted to...I didn't brake, but I totally let off on the gas. I have to say, I really didn't expect my back end to end up so close to the curb???? Was this just really bad driving (be gentle) or did I experience the back end "breaking loose?"

 

Often, people will give advice to new owners with a list of cautions.

My advice would be to take the car out on as many twisty roads as possible, practicing your up and down shfiting, rev matching, and heeling and toeing. You might as well learn to do it right from the very beginning. It's always harder to break bad habits once you've learned them.

Drive the car hard and keep the revs up -- that way you'll have much more fun.

 

Rick, I think I'll drive safe until I know what I'm doing Then I'll sign up for a performance driving class.