I now have 2000 miles on my 1mo old MY08 (I think I'm going to be in trouble with my 36k miles lease!)

I have to say that the steering feels really numb to me. Not as communicative as my old miata. I drove an 08 Civic last week (rental) and even it seemed to have more road feel than my S2--(maybe that's due to tire width?)

I love the car but am somewhat disappointed in the lack of road feel. I've never driven an AP1 so I can't compare. Maybe it's just the nature of this latest model.

Does anyone else feel the steering lacks road feel?

Is AP2 worse than AP1?

 

I think you may have started a ap1 vs ap2 thread. I have an 05 ap2 and the steering response is great on mine. I guess it is a matter of opinion though. Mine is really responsive and has pretty awesome feel to it. Could be you are used to a car witha lot stiiffer steering though. Lets home this doesnt turn into a ap1 vs ap2 thread now, so lets just throw in that ap1s and ap2s both have their advantages and disadvantages and are both sick cars in their own right. Hopefully somone will be able to give you some good help before it turns into that though.

-Ian

 

Yeh, I was afraid that would happen too. I don't want an AP1 vs AP2 thread...probably have enough of those in the system.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if others find the steering a little numb too or am I just an idiot (I'm OK with either answer).

I'm relatively new to sports cars. I've only owned a 95 miata and recently purchased a 2007 GTI. I did have an '85 Prelude for a coupla years without power steering. That definitely had good road feel! But I'm not trying to compare PS vs non-PS. But just wanted others opinions on how they feel the s2 compares to other sports cars in this class. I've seen reviews where "experts" claim the S2 steering system that is very communicative--- I'm just not seeing it and trying to learn why.

 

The S2000's steering is numb, but precise (well, at least on AP1s). The only solution is to max out the caster in the front (6.0+), which adds some weight to the steering, but it's not that big of an improvement. Tires with stiffer sidewalls will help too.

 

All model years feel numb. You have to get used to the car's dynamics through the seat, and listen to the tires to stay ahead of it.

 

Keeping a very light grip on the wheel lets a little more feeling come through than a tighter grip.

 

I had an AP1 for five years, and now an AP2. S2K steering feel is definitely on the numb side. At least numb compared to a 911 or an M3.

If you accidentally ran over a small mammal with a 911, you would know instantly whether it was male or female, how old it was and what it had for breakfast, just by the steering feel.

 

Compared to a 911, or even an old Beatle, the S2000 steering is pretty darn numb. However, it is not normally "totally numb" and does provide enough feedback to "read the tires." Tiny disturbances that you would clearly feel in a 911 are missed, but I normally don't miss any of the feedback I need. "Normally" is important here though, because things change when you start doing power slides or trying to drift the car. The EPS is speed sensitive, and when the back tires are spinning rather than gripping, the steering gets confused and feel is very inconsistent. Steering feel is extremely subjective, but I'd rank the S2000 steering feedback as adequate, so long as the back tires are not spinning.

If I could turn a knob and dial in a little more feedback, I'd do so in a heartbeat.

 

I think so. Nice going Honda.

 

Thanks for the opinions. Glad to know I'm likely not a total idiot!