Snap Oversteer
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From: Rochester
Originally posted by cdelena
Actually wet weather problems are a problem characteristic with this car. The combination of RWD, LSD without traction control, 50/50 balance, and performance tires with minimal rear tread voids, make this car more prone spin outs than the vast majority on the road. A minority of cars have this combination of features, but when they do they are no different.
Actually wet weather problems are a problem characteristic with this car. The combination of RWD, LSD without traction control, 50/50 balance, and performance tires with minimal rear tread voids, make this car more prone spin outs than the vast majority on the road. A minority of cars have this combination of features, but when they do they are no different.
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From: Hawaii
Originally posted by cdelena
I think I know how to drive and have done a hell of a lot more than three track days.. the car is a real handful at the limit with totally unforgiving breakaway of the rear at times.
I think I know how to drive and have done a hell of a lot more than three track days.. the car is a real handful at the limit with totally unforgiving breakaway of the rear at times.
Originally posted by Silvers808
they are pushing it way to hard on the street.
they are pushing it way to hard on the street.
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From: Lancaster
Am I the only one who enjoys the back end kicking out exiting a corner? The car's good behavior is almost a fault. You have to try hard to get out of shape in the dry... In the wet well hey its wet quit complaining. My twin turbo RX7 could be a handful I swapped ends on more then one occasion in the dry in that car. Anyways in cars and bikes the problem is usually the driver exceeding his abilities and not him exceeding the vehicles capabilities.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Honolulu/Kona,HI
Based on my personal opinion, there is a characteristic of "snap oversteer." Worn tires and wet surfaces will influence it even more. With a stiff chassis, it's weight distribution, and stiff side walls, once you pass the limits it can definitely catch you by surprise. There is however a difference from maintaining a certain slip angle to completely losing it. When slightly stepping the rear out and yet maintaining a certain parameter of it's slip angle, it is able to be controled. It is when you go beyond it that will bite you. I haven't had a chance to track the car since there is no road course or a surface large enough to autox, but I have tried to explore the limits in an empty lot. There's also some challenging twisty roads that we drive on here that I've experience driving close to the limits of the car.
The only thing that I'm still trying to figure out is the whole "bump oversteer" that happens on some of the rougher roads here. Would anyone like to comment on this characteristic? Thanks.
The only thing that I'm still trying to figure out is the whole "bump oversteer" that happens on some of the rougher roads here. Would anyone like to comment on this characteristic? Thanks.
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From: FT
Wow, it would appear that I have sparked off quite a debate! As interesting as the opposing opinions maybe, I hope I have not contributed to any 'rifts' amongst motoring friends, such was not my intention. It would appear that the majority opinion is that 'snap' oversteer - moderate oversteer is not really an issue and that driver ability plays a large factor. Unfortunately, i have to agree with CDELENA in and I quote..."Take a stock S2000 to the limit and experience how oversteer comes on quickly (too strong to catch most of the time) and compare it to something like an E36 M3 that is controllable at the limit"...in that I've driven the balls of an M3 with, and I stress, limited ability, and it was impeccably behaved. Probably something the 'purist' would yawn at, but something that I have to take in consideration with regards to delicate balance of my ability Vs my bank balance. I'm not sure how many of you will know where I'm coming from? The bottom line I guess is that if I'm going drive an S2000, I have to learn how to. Sorry for being so verbose, I just get carried away. Please in one final breath, let me say how taken I was by the amount of replies I got and also for the incredibly warm and friendly nature of the responses. It was a very pleasant surprise from posting on the Porsche site. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU. Happy m Safe Motoring (tail in. or tail out) Peace.
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: SoCal
The S tends to oversteer with less warning relative to many other rear drive sports cars. I've owned a 944 turbo, E30 M3, E36 M3, and two twin turbo RX7s.
The S has very high levels of grip and amazing turn in response. However, it does feel a tad nervous and "on tiptoes". You definitely need to keep vigilant when pushing hard.
IMHO, the problem is not that the back end steps out easily. It's the lack of warning when limits are breached. As such, the S requires a smooth driving style. You can't take liberties with the S, the way you can throw around an E30 M3 on the track. For sweet handling, try driving the E30 M3 or a Miata on the track. These cars constantly tell you what's happening front and rear, and allow you to play with cornering attitude using the throttle right at the edge of grip. Having said that, the S can be much quicker than both those cars on the track.
On the road, I don't really push the S hard, preferring to stay well within its grip limits. I'll occasionally indulge in power oversteer coming out of second-gear turns, but high speed corners still spook me. There's no friendly warning understeer before things get hairy.
If you drive sensibly on the road, you won't get into trouble with the S. Save the hero driving for the track and develop a style that suits its unique handling characteristics.
The S has very high levels of grip and amazing turn in response. However, it does feel a tad nervous and "on tiptoes". You definitely need to keep vigilant when pushing hard.
IMHO, the problem is not that the back end steps out easily. It's the lack of warning when limits are breached. As such, the S requires a smooth driving style. You can't take liberties with the S, the way you can throw around an E30 M3 on the track. For sweet handling, try driving the E30 M3 or a Miata on the track. These cars constantly tell you what's happening front and rear, and allow you to play with cornering attitude using the throttle right at the edge of grip. Having said that, the S can be much quicker than both those cars on the track.
On the road, I don't really push the S hard, preferring to stay well within its grip limits. I'll occasionally indulge in power oversteer coming out of second-gear turns, but high speed corners still spook me. There's no friendly warning understeer before things get hairy.
If you drive sensibly on the road, you won't get into trouble with the S. Save the hero driving for the track and develop a style that suits its unique handling characteristics.
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From: San Diego
I've had my '00 s2000 for two months and I agree whith those who said that if you snap oversteer on the street, you were driving way too hard, or above your abilities. I've driven mine pretty hard through some canyons and even with crappy 225 tires in the back (they came on the car 
), have never had the back step out suddenly and unexpectedly. This is also my first rwd car (though I did play a whole lot of gran turismo. Don't laugh. I really think gran turismo games are a great way to learn to drive hard), and I have no real track experience, so I'm no pro. Coming from a TVR, you'll have no problem with this. And no, I've never driven a TVR in real life, but I have in gran turismo 
What a great game.
), have never had the back step out suddenly and unexpectedly. This is also my first rwd car (though I did play a whole lot of gran turismo. Don't laugh. I really think gran turismo games are a great way to learn to drive hard), and I have no real track experience, so I'm no pro. Coming from a TVR, you'll have no problem with this. And no, I've never driven a TVR in real life, but I have in gran turismo What a great game.
