I used to turn off VSA every time I got in my car. Now I rather have it on unless I'm at the track. I even keep it on in the mountains sometimes.

Like LEE72, I used to get throttle happy too early and found myself correcting in morning traffic which I'd rather not do before I've had my coffee.

It is very non-intrusive and it will only kick in if you're doing something wrong. Even the best F1 drivers will tell you to practice being smooth by keeping it on and driving in a way to not make it come on.

 

Can't put it any better! it really is I've always wondered if VSA would be helpful esp out of the hole..

 

I really like Honda's implementation of the VSA! The E46 M3's version is weak sauce and highly intrusive. The VSA only cuts in when it should, and when it does cut i, it is very benign.

Your noise problems are impossible for us to help you with. Go test drve another and see if they are the same.

 

I think the harshness that you're experiencing is because of the summer tires.
I noticed that the ride is MUCH smoother w/ all season or winter tires when the weather is cold.

Dan

 

Well, 70 miles now, and I'm convinced I'm onto something, although what I consider the NVH still is not 100% gone just a lot better.

No one else chimed in that there is a likely VSA problem, so if the dealer connot figure it out I just might live with it, drive everywhere in VSA-off mode.

What engines have I been used to, to compare? The Miata, a 22RE Toyota in my old truck, SR20de in my wife's old SE-R, and the Ford 302 crate motor in the Tiger but I guess that does not count.

True, I do not drive the car hard during my daily commute, no point in that, so I take it easy and try to max MPG. I drive even more mildly when the temp drops below 50, hi-perf tires don't like it. There will plenty of time later to "play".

I have not yet bought winter tires but eventually will, had a nice set of Nokians for the Miata, on alloys, but 185/60-14's wouldn't fit this car, eh? I let them go with the MIata.

This "roughness" has going on a long time, not just since it got cold, and anyway if you pop the car in neutral at highway speeds, it's gone -- cannot be tires, etc.

Thanks, all, for the input.

 

VSA is only active during hard acceleration or turning when the car is losing control which during that point the VSA light would flash and brake or let of the throttle for u. when u turn it off the car is allowed to lose traction.

 

if youre experiencing "roughness" at highway speeds that goes away when you put it in neutral, there is definitely something wrong with your car. my 07 is completely smooth in acceleration and cruising and ive noticed no difference during normal driving with vsa on or off. it only comes on for me when i get onto the throttle too hard while exiting a corner or while performing hard upshifts under full acceleration on cold tires.

 

I suggest you drive another S2000 to see if your car has a particular problem (whether that be VSA, or drivetrain issues). If the other S produces similar driving characteristics as yours, then its a matter of you just not being mentally prepared for the level of a harshness from the car.

I hope this is the case, because that is a cheap fix (just get used to it). But I'm thinking that you were already used to a Miata, which is another ragtop sportscar with similar DD shortcomings. So you shouldn't be suprised that this example from Honda suffers from some NVH. If there is a problem, at least it is under warranty.

Good luck!

 

My S2k is my DD, rain sleet or snow, and I have absolutely no problems with it. I notice zero difference in the rain at all, and just a few minutes ago I walked in the door after returning home from work at 1AM driving in ~2" of snow. I also still am running on my set of Fuzion Zr-1 summer tires because Ive been too busy to get my snow tires mounted. The car is not ideal for the conditions, but as long as youre careful its fine. If your car is "scary" to drive in the rain, either:
A) You have a ton of power and are driving like an idiot
B) There is something wrong with your car (alignment issues, bald tires, etc..)
C) You can't drive

 

i <3 my VSA and find it unintrusive unless i am about to get myself into some deep ish. Turning off the VSA does not affect smoothness, gas mileage, or any other nature of the beast in any way. Believe me, i used to turn it off all the time just to see if it made a difference in the way the car behaved.