I've autocrossed a few times and am not a "good" driver by the definition in this thread. I like my S2k for goofing around on the street but would prefer something slower like an NA Miata for practicing on the track.

It may not be helpful for learning to be a skilled driver, but horsepower still = fun.

 

Case in point for me, I've been to two autocrosses and was almost blown away by the fact that the Miata's were getting better times than most of the S's. Then it occurred to me that the Miata drivers were much more skilled. I do think the Miata is a little more neutral than the S, but that's beside the point.

 

Good point. Or goto a go cart track. you'll see people say 'oh that was a fast one I want that one again' the fast drivers never complain about it and seem to post fast times.

Car's a factor only when driver skill can use it. Otherwise it's a crutch.

Miata's are good cars. I always viewed them as chick cars though.

 

Of those two options I'd pick to be a faster driver.

But I think the question could be more interesting by adding a third option:

3) Be good at working on cars/tuning/setting up.

I would choose #3.

 

i selected to be a better more skilled driver. this is the main reason why i got the S. sure its not neck breaking fast on the straights, but its the bends and curves that i love most. and thats where this car shines. and with a skilled driver behind the wheel, it makes you appreciate them more. and makes you appreciate the car itself more as well. i would LOVE to take my car to auto-x or an actual track one day! great thread, i cant wait to read other responses

 

i went driver, mainly because i cannot afford a super fast car, and that i love passing cars that are way out of my league.

 

I'm a pretty competitive guy and I certainly don't like to be beat (although I regularly am) at an autocross.

However I kinda view being a great driver and having a fast car as the same thing, irrelevant. At a competitive event it really doesn't matter to me if I win because I have a faster car or am a better driver, assuming nobody at the event has exceptional natural talent, and I've yet to meet someone that has exceptional natural talent, it really comes down to seat time and/or the capability of the car. In my mind this is roughly equal to who has the most time and/or money to throw at their hobby.

To me the what is so great about the S2K is two things
1 - It is allowing me to improve as a driver. Not being a terrible/poor/average/good/great/exceptional driver is meaningless to me. The growth and the transition from one to the other is very rewarding.
2 - The driving experience is very rewarding. Let's face it, the car is not particularly quick in a straight line, but it is decent. It doesn't have massive grip in the corners, but it's really good. The brakes aren't magnificent. But what it does have is fantastic responsiveness. I never get frustrated with this car because it refuses to do something I told it to. Only that I told it to do the wrong thing.

So in summary, I don't care about how fast the car is or how good I am. What I want is a car that will do what I tell it and is slightly more capable than I am. Basically one that is challenging and rewarding.

 

Everyone is making great points. Alot of us would pick having better driving skill over a faster car just because of the simple fact that most S owners are "purists". Much like lotus owners and just for example 911 gt3rs owners.

I haven't tracked or auto crossed my car yet but i have been doing some karting.

"just for kicks thought id show u guys this"


This was basically a hot lap session fastest lap wins and so forth. even though i got within a second of the fastest, even made best of the week list =] lol, i still wasnt consistent enough to stay on the same lap as the podium winners.



Sunny, btw im only 18 if that has any relevance lol

 

I see it this way: I'm never going to be race car driver status, but I can improve my driving.....

you cant "train" a car to go any faster than it is. I'd take the fast car first....then learn how to drive it (slowly...) Every car drives different anyways, sure most "fast" drivers are fast in other cars, but a half decent driver + fast car > half decent car + fast driver. I'm pretty sure that me in a mclaren can beat idk, ken block(?) in a 1957 chevy bel air..

I think the difference between me and ken block as driver is equal to the belair and mclaren...?

just my 2cents.

You always learn how to drive, just gotta hit a couple sessions of autoX?

 

It's an obvious answer. Having a fast car but being a non-skilled driver means you will end up in a ditch or wrapped around a tree in no time.