Many of you have experience with sports cars going back to the early sixties. Others have extensive experience taking the S2000 on the track. What is your opinion of the S2K's handling? What are its strengths? Its weaknesses?

 

the older cars really cant be compared, imo... at the time they were a thrill- but nothing in the "old days" can really compare to this car's handling.
the closest that i can think of was an old 911 that i had. its handling was superb, but i was able to break the rear loose on that car... hard to do with our cars, and when you do break it loose, its not as foregiving!
harder to fish-tail an s2000 with so2s, for example than with the 911 with its rear engine and less sticky tires.

 

s2k can be driven hard, but with care and a smooth touch. Ive had mine for 1.5 years and spun it once, and it was totaly my fault.[wet and cold] so beware they can bite you...but in the dry and when the tires are up to temp BOY HOWDAY!! enjoy! and drive safe and smart

 

I love S2000's handling. Handling is really good with the stock suspension. I like to take this car for a drive whenever I get a chance!

 

s2000 driven hard and properly can handle with ease...i find s2000 like a super go kart

 

I think the balance on my S is very good. My only complaint is that it's suspension is considerably soft, too much body roll. The dampers are not the greatest. Of the 10k miles I have put on my S, 8k of those miles were on Point Reyes Blvd and on Hwy 1 between Point Reyes Station and Mill Valley. Balls to the walls at 3:00 am.

On several occasions, depending on the geometry and radius of a curve, the body has abruptly rolled. This causes a sudden lateral weight transfer. If the speed was too high causing too much weight transfer in a particular scenario, there could be some consequences and repercussions.

This has only happened about 2-3 times that I can remember. I never load the chassis on high speed curves, especially on public roads. I recall this happening South bound on Hwy 101 approaching San Francisco just before the tunnel, around a long curve. The freeway was like 4-5 lanes wide, and I was doing about 80mph. All of a sudden, I felt the car just suddenly roll. It is very dangerous when a car just decides to suddenly roll like that.

Ever since then, I make it a point to stay well within my S's boundrys. I still love to late brake from high speed though Like I said, this car has a great balance to it. Someday, I will have enough money to get a real good set of coilovers which will make this thing a more solid sportscar.

 

S2000's handling in wet condition SUCKS, i have spun my brand new S a shitload of times already, stock tires

 

I drove an S2000 for the first time today - test drive at the dealer - and it fishtailed unexpectedly coming out of the lot.

BUT

It was extremely controllable, I had plenty of time to catch it, and the salesman didn't let out a peep.

Comparing with the Z4 and MSMiata I've test driven in the last couple weeks, I definitely like the S2000 best. I agree the tires aren't the best in the wet - a puddle of snow melt contributed to the fishtail - but I suspect that could be fixed by switching to tires that give up just a tiny bit of dry handling for better wet handling.

 

This car is as close to perfect as I have ever experienced. my referancs are: Old school - 70 dodge challenger, had it in 79, went like hell in a straight line..brakes were non existent 11" front drums with a big block, you can't imagine fade till you push a 4k car will front drum brakes! next a 83 RX7 GLS SE 13B great car a close second to the S , next a 85-1/2 944 ( yes 85 & 1/2 those of you who know the 944 will understand) this car handled well and had very good build quality but felt a bit numb. a few years, a few kids, a few jobs latter the S . Ahh what a car. It feels as if I am connected to the car mentally ! think,feel, respond.............

 

Boy does "that" bring back memories! When I first got my drivers license, my Dad's main car was a '66 Chrysler Newport. It was a "barge" of a car w/383ci V8 and drum brakes at all four corners.

We've got a main road that comes into town. You go over an overpass and are descending that when you come to the first traffic light before entering what most would consider to be our "main street." Anyway, I could top that overpass a 50 mph and wind up seriously wondering if I was going to stop by the time I got to the light, and that is assuming there's nobody down there waiting on it already. I could hold 70+ in my S2000, or even my Odyssey minivan for that matter, half way "down" that overpass and still easily stop in time for the light.

In response to the subject at hand however, the only car I've got significant time in that even comes close is an MG Midget and it's not contest in any performance category you care to name. The only thing that worries me about my S2000 is that they seem to give relatively little warning before they set go. At least that's the impression I've gotten from many discussions on the subject.

I've pushed my car pretty hard, for me that is, and it's held wonderfully. I keep waiting for the day when she'll say, "Sorry, I'm done!" and let go. I can only hope I'm up to it. In the mean time, I figure as long as I don't push the car any harder than I already have, I should be Ok but there's always the possibility of the spot of spilled oil or sprinkling of gravel that the driver might not notice that can bite you if you're not paying attention.

FWIW!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.