[rant]

So, having driven AWD cars (Audis & Subarus) exclusively for over 15 years, I was interested to see how I'd do with a relatively high-powered RWD car when conditions deteriorate, particularly after having read some of the stuff here.

Well, it's been raining more or less continuously since we arrived in S. Florida three weeks ago (I haven't had the top down once); today, because it rained off and on all night, there was standing water all over the place; yesterday afternoon, I drove about 40 miles on the interstate (with 75mph plus stop-and-go) in the rain, with puddles in various spots, as well.

And this car (an AP2 with OEM tires & 4K miles) does JUST FINE in these conditions. I drive aggressively, and I've had ZERO problems. It tracks through standing water as well as anything I've driven. It handles at least as well as any of those AWD cars did. IT'S JUST FINE.

It's obvious to me that the rain-related crashes are purely cases of driver error. For all those folks, and for everyone who complains about this car: LEARN TO DRIVE!!!
HPH

[/rant]

 

Take a curve doing 30 mph in the rain and you'll change your mind.

 

I think it's non-OEM tires / incorrect tire pressures that really wreck havoc on how the car behaves in the wet. I have some non-OEM tires in the rear...

Just regular right hand turns from a stoplight will cause this sucker to slide the tailout with the *slightest* addition of gas.

 

yeah he will. he'll enjoy it more. poindexter at one point in time had a video of dave22 driving his supercharged s2k hard as hell at the dragon in the rain, top down of course he was definatly putting some effort into keeping the thing straight but he managed just fine. this car will do what you tell it to, it's a matter of telling it to do the right things.

 

At 4k miles I never had a problem either. At 12k I started noticing the back tires giving way. Before all of you say I am using worn tires, the wear markers are not even close to showing. I don't think anyone has said that the driver never contributed to the problem but what most have said is in the rain, and I mean not just damp roads but rain, you have to slow down and be careful. There are some here who are great drivers and some that aren't. The problem is when someone thinks there great but their either to young or ignorant to know just how good they are not! I think the VSA will help in the new 06. It will not help a slide at 60 but it might stop the initial slide at 30.

 

I agree...we did the Buckeye Run last year in some heavy rain conditions with no problems. It's a matter of making sure your tires are in good shape (enough tread and correct pressure) and driving smart.

 

yesterday I was going 50mph on the local Hwy , I had like 20% thread on the rear tires and maybe 50% font tires and I went of the road, about 60ft down hill and a couple of small trees stoped me, I spun like 4 times....I was raining real bad....when they pulled the car out only the front bumper was messed up and there is a dent on one of the doors......I drove the car home now I'm just waiting on the insurance company to come and take a look at it.......BTW I was going straight and I think I hydroplaned because my tail pulled to the driver side and started spinning, I felt like I was on ICE.......ok thats It... I got a pic but I can't post it.... Thanks

D.

 

Once the rears have less than half the tread left, the rear end of my '03 gets noticably squirelly. I kept my original set until 14k and then was too afraid to drive it in the rain anymore. And the funny thing is that the tire "looked" like they had plenty of life left in them. The bottom line is that s02's are a dry tire. they really aren't designed to displace much water in a hurry and if you push your luck you are gonna get burned.

 

[QUOTE=PilotSi,Oct 7 2005, 08:00 AM]I think it's non-OEM tires / incorrect tire pressures that really wreck havoc on how the car behaves in the wet.

 

[QUOTE=kdp3157,Oct 7 2005, 05:42 AM]The bottom line is that s02's are a dry tire.