wondering how often you guys get your car aligned? different depending on the type of driving you do? commuting, spirited driving, or track/autocross? i got an alignment after i replaced my steering rack about five months ago. since then been to 3 or 4 track events and [ooops!] did a little spin off the track last time out. also know that firestone sells(or used to sell) lifetime alignments. anyone have experience with that lately?

 

I get one once a year for street driving conditions, if you run the track I think the lifetime alignments are a great idea. I'm surprised that in very low mileage gentle street driving conditions that my settings change enough from year to year, but they do, so yeah for track driving you will likely need more. Definitely look into the lifetime option if you can.

 

yeah, alignments are not cheap so i hesitate to go in and get them all the time without even really knowing if i need it yet or not.

 

Nice roll bar... is that Hard Dog?

I too have the lifetime alignment thing from Firestone but that is for my truck. I'm not sure I'd let them align the S2000? Personally I go to a specialist (Evasive Motorsports) for my S2000 (track car).

 

yup, four point hard dog roll bar with the welded double diagonal and welded lower harness bar. the thing is legit!

so, how often do they let you bring your truck in? and how often do you align your (track car)?

 

When I had my WRX I did my own alignments. I plan to do the same with my S2000. It saves a lot of money and I can make it exactly how I want. The only downside is that it takes a long time.

 

I'm a mechanic so luckily I can put it on when I feel like it. and with that said this car does not like to hold alignment. I do maybe one every 2-3 months but I autox the car ones or twice a month depending on the events. where as other peoples cars that I align who autox their cars(non s2k's) they hold pretty well.

 

I think i've taken it in for an alignment 4 times in the last 4 years (It's already paid for itself!).

The S2000 has had three alignments but that's only because each time I had either a new wheel/tire and or suspension setup ... otherwise I suspect I'd take it in every several track days?

 

More based on the roads around here for me. Was twice a year but that will drop as the S is no longer a daily.

No experience with Firestone. I'm more concerned with having my reputable mechanic properly align the S rather than one that just gets it within spec.

 

firestone/tires plus alignments are horrible. they always give the s2000 owners a hard time around....they shouldnt sell the lifetime alignment the way they do,...telling you that you can come in once a week if you want and then tell you "you cant bring this is everytime you race"
they have a hard time with the specs we want, complain they cant get it on the lift, nothing but a hassle.
other than that, i get an alignment 4 times a year probably on average