Is the s2000 right for me?
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Is the s2000 right for me?
Ok felllas here's the deal I really want to get an s2000 but i don't have much experience driving rear wheel drive cars..However I do have quite a bit of experience with manual transmissions because i've been drving manual since i was like 14 in high school.Learnt on an old toyota pick up truck.My current car is an old honda civic 5 spd and i;m very good at shifting.I've been saving up for a long time to get this car but i have one major concern, everyone i ask abt the car keeps telling that if you don't have experience with RWD you will spin out and die. Should i be really concerned about the back end spinning out?I mean is it that hard to learn to drive this beast?
can someone with experience talk abt how to drive the S safely since i wouldn't want to crash this baby.
thanks.
can someone with experience talk abt how to drive the S safely since i wouldn't want to crash this baby.
thanks.
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From: Dry Branch
Originally Posted by bacchus500,Jun 5 2008, 11:58 PM
Ok felllas here's the deal I really want to get an s2000 but i don't have much experience driving rear wheel drive cars..However I do have quite a bit of experience with manual transmissions because i've been drving manual since i was like 14 in high school.Learnt on an old toyota pick up truck.My current car is an old honda civic 5 spd and i;m very good at shifting.I've been saving up for a long time to get this car but i have one major concern, everyone i ask abt the car keeps telling that if you don't have experience with RWD you will spin out and die. Should i be really concerned about the back end spinning out?I mean is it that hard to learn to drive this beast?
can someone with experience talk abt how to drive the S safely since i wouldn't want to crash this baby.
thanks.
can someone with experience talk abt how to drive the S safely since i wouldn't want to crash this baby.
thanks.
Basically, if you can't afford to crash the car, don't drive it in a way that might result in a crash. The S2000 has *relatively* unforgiving handling, and it can and will bite drivers who get careless, regardless of how experienced they are.
Back in 1969 I had a friend who was thinking of buying a 427 side oiler Cobra (Shelby Cobra, based on the Ace, not the Cobra wannabees Ford pedals as Cobra's), and he had concerns similar to yours. He had the car a few weeks, took it to an autocross, totally lost control leaving the starting line, scared the crap out of himself, and promptly sold the car at a huge loss. If you're afraid of the car going in, you could end up in the same boat.
What would you do if you did crash the car? Would you fix it and try again, or try to find something else a little more docile?
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Originally Posted by RED MX5,Jun 6 2008, 02:13 AM
We've seen lots of spins and crashes, but not many deaths. If you drive the car irresponsibly, on the street, we'll be reading your crash report not long after you get the car. It has very little to do with experience, and everything to do with judgement and finesse. If you lack either (judgement or finesse) then maybe the S2000 isn't a good choice.
Basically, if you can't afford to crash the car, don't drive it in a way that might result in a crash. The S2000 has *relatively* unforgiving handling, and it can and will bite drivers who get careless, regardless of how experienced they are.
Back in 1969 I had a friend who was thinking of buying a 427 side oiler Cobra (Shelby Cobra, based on the Ace, not the Cobra wannabees Ford pedals as Cobra's), and he had concerns similar to yours. He had the car a few weeks, took it to an autocross, totally lost control leaving the starting line, scared the crap out of himself, and promptly sold the car at a huge loss. If you're afraid of the car going in, you could end up in the same boat.
What would you do if you did crash the car? Would you fix it and try again, or try to find something else a little more docile?
Basically, if you can't afford to crash the car, don't drive it in a way that might result in a crash. The S2000 has *relatively* unforgiving handling, and it can and will bite drivers who get careless, regardless of how experienced they are.
Back in 1969 I had a friend who was thinking of buying a 427 side oiler Cobra (Shelby Cobra, based on the Ace, not the Cobra wannabees Ford pedals as Cobra's), and he had concerns similar to yours. He had the car a few weeks, took it to an autocross, totally lost control leaving the starting line, scared the crap out of himself, and promptly sold the car at a huge loss. If you're afraid of the car going in, you could end up in the same boat.
What would you do if you did crash the car? Would you fix it and try again, or try to find something else a little more docile?
Joined: May 2007
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I cant believe this question is even being asked! Many people buy this car for the reason its a proper rear wheel drive sports car. If you hammer the gas while you are whipping around turns, you will spin out. If you drive the car easily, it will be no different then front wheel drive. The key is gaining practice and becoming comfortable over time. Learning the cars dynamics when its new will be key and is also the fun part. RWD should definitely not be a deterrent to buying this car!
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From: So Cal
Just take it slow because it is rear wheel drive like you never driven anything like it.
So take it as long as it take for you to understand the car.
I own a car for over a year already, and I'm still not use to the car when it doing sharp turn and I was get a "surprise" face everything ti does it.
So take it as long as it take for you to understand the car.
I own a car for over a year already, and I'm still not use to the car when it doing sharp turn and I was get a "surprise" face everything ti does it.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Diego, California
Originally Posted by RED MX5,Jun 5 2008, 10:13 PM
We've seen lots of spins and crashes, but not many deaths. If you drive the car irresponsibly, on the street, we'll be reading your crash report not long after you get the car. It has very little to do with experience, and everything to do with judgement and finesse. If you lack either (judgement or finesse) then maybe the S2000 isn't a good choice.
Basically, if you can't afford to crash the car, don't drive it in a way that might result in a crash. The S2000 has *relatively* unforgiving handling, and it can and will bite drivers who get careless, regardless of how experienced they are.
Back in 1969 I had a friend who was thinking of buying a 427 side oiler Cobra (Shelby Cobra, based on the Ace, not the Cobra wannabees Ford pedals as Cobra's), and he had concerns similar to yours. He had the car a few weeks, took it to an autocross, totally lost control leaving the starting line, scared the crap out of himself, and promptly sold the car at a huge loss. If you're afraid of the car going in, you could end up in the same boat.
What would you do if you did crash the car? Would you fix it and try again, or try to find something else a little more docile?
Basically, if you can't afford to crash the car, don't drive it in a way that might result in a crash. The S2000 has *relatively* unforgiving handling, and it can and will bite drivers who get careless, regardless of how experienced they are.
Back in 1969 I had a friend who was thinking of buying a 427 side oiler Cobra (Shelby Cobra, based on the Ace, not the Cobra wannabees Ford pedals as Cobra's), and he had concerns similar to yours. He had the car a few weeks, took it to an autocross, totally lost control leaving the starting line, scared the crap out of himself, and promptly sold the car at a huge loss. If you're afraid of the car going in, you could end up in the same boat.
What would you do if you did crash the car? Would you fix it and try again, or try to find something else a little more docile?
This car is really unforgiving, no traction control, thats the thing. I drive my s2000 carefully and only spiritually (Only taking the car up, on freeways or staright lines, but going no more than 70 mph near redline), learned this lesson after my stupid crash with my first RWD car, the Lexus is300.
If you get the car, DON'T PLAY around with it period, don't go Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift on it, take it to the tracks.
