I'm new to this forum, and to S2000 ownership, so cut me a little slack. I reluctantly traded in my '94 Integra GS-R for this new ride in June. She's a red 2005. This car definitely takes some getting used to. I figured since I had owned the GS-R, with its 8000rpm redline and 1.8 vtec, I would feel right at home behind the wheel of the S2000. I was wrong. This car has so many nuances, I'm just beginning to get the hang of it. I love this freakin' thing! The problem I'm having is keeping this beast at bay. I can't help but rocket through the gears as if I'm in a race every time I get in the thing. And I find myself looking for 350Z's, Mustangs, and Boxsters to embarrass. Is that so wrong??? Another thing...How do I take a sweeping left or right hand turn WITHOUT heaving the backside out. It's just too much fun to resist! I'm a little worried about buying those $200 a piece tires though...not to mention the tickets. None yet though!

 

Take time to learn the car;it's a"RWD",you know.!
Drive safe,and don't do stupid things on the streets.
It's not only your car,and your life,but other people"s too.!!!

 

Do a track day and really learn what you can do with the car - in a controlled environment.

Congrats!!! I had a '98 GSR and loved that car too. Kinda miss the hatchback, but love the top-down feeling and this forum.

Hockey

 

Another S2000 coming to a salvage yard near you.

 

^

 

Doing some sort of driving school or instructed track day would be good, but to make sure you actually make it there, start by going into the corners more slowly and staying on the gas* the whole time through.

*this doesn't mean you have to be WOT the whole time, just don't jump out of the throttle

 

I upgraded from a '97 Integra GS-R Coupe to my '02 S2000. The only thing these cars have in common is clutch feel and engine nature. The Integra is arguably the best handling FWD car of its time (especially the Type R) and I loved it to death. Lift throttle oversteer was a lot of fun.

The S2000 is a totally different beast, chassis-wise. When in a sweeper, you must realize that the gas pedal controls the rotation just as much as the steering wheel. I find it much more rewarding to set the steering lock and only make very small adjustments with it, while using the throttle to control the car's yaw. This can be done in the Integra, I am sure you know this, but with a highly responsive RWD setup like the S2000...its absolutely beautiful.

Take your car to a track day, or find a nice (safe) stretch of road where you can play with the chassis. On-ramps are a particular favorite of mine. They allow you to fully load the chassis and are usually long enough to provide a good amount of time to practice. What you really need is a cloverleaf...then you can just stay in it as long as you want, or until your outside tires blow up

 

 

I went from an Integra to my S2000...and I have zero regrets. The S2000 is so fun, there is no going back. I look for excuses to drive some place.

 

WOW! I didn't know there were so many self-righteous old ladies out there driving S2000's...Sorry if I gave you guys the impression that I drive as if I'm heading "to a salvage yard near you" or driving around looking for people to run over. I just love the car AND driving it. It's my daily driver and, well, when you drive it every day, there just tends to be plenty of opportunities to exploit it, within reason, of course. I thought this was a forum for enthusiasts who enjoy the car...including driving it. Man! If I wanted this kind of response I would have talked to my parents. Thanks for welcoming me so warmly to the forum. Y'all (and I'm really only referring to the negative responses...sorry to the rest of you) need to stop being so judgemental and presumptuous!