Scary 2000
 

Holy mother of...

I just drove the blue S2K an hour ago and tried pushing it through a turn. Granted it was cold out and there may have been a little light gravel/sand...ANYWAY

Okay, so I take a nice wide left turn onto a 3 lane and give it a little gas (okay lots of gas)...I was intentionally looking to oversteer and BOY did I get what I asked for.

That S2000 is one scary tool. I held it for a little while and let off with the hope for a normal correction...not what I expected. When I lifted throttle the ass came all the way around and I was then facing 3 lanes of oncoming traffic (imagine the salesman's delight)

Well, we finally got out of there and I realized - this S2K is not a Miata!

Scared and thrilled...
Will it be a S2K?
Not until I drive the Z4 tonight will I know for sure.

Re: Scary 2000
 

What you got is normal for throttle-chopping during oversteer. What exactly was the correction you were expecting?

Cold tires will do that, If you don't know about these things maybe you should be looking at a different type of car?

Re: Re: Scary 2000
 

Sort of how I totalled my SC400. Exit ramp, 35 MPH zone, sweeping fixed radius right curve which I took at 80 MPH. Jerk on the feeder wasn't going to yield, so I made him yield all right; yield to the power of my V8, I thought. Brand new front tires, dry road. Unfortunate large bump just before the apex, which caused sudden loss of traction, oversteer ensued, my throttle chop caused the same bizarre ass-around spin (I attributed at the time to the new front tires suddenly getting a grip, but now realize my mistake). Rolled the car onto its side when the two right wheels hit the outside curb, while I faced backward toward oncoming traffic. A beautiful car wasted.

I was fine though. Lexus makes a great, safe car. The driver door, facing up to the sky, was so heavy, I couldn't get out! I could push it open, but not hold it open while I climbed up. Luckily a passerby helped me out.

That happened to me in my 1st gen RX-7. On ramp to the highway, going 60mph in the rain. When I slightly turned left to change lane the back end stepped out, my fear reaction was letting go of the gas and turning the wheel to the right, it over corrected and started spining in the other direction. I crossed all the lanes and the grass in the median stopped me 12 inches from the barrier. Now, I'd like to know what to do in a situation like that? Give more gas?

I was not using severe throttle reduction and I had clearly given all the powered correction I could...I gently lifted throttle and to my surprise *snap* around she went. The S2000 is obviously MUCH more sensitive than some of my previous RWD cars. (miata, older TRs, MGs and A-H)

I've also been in the AWD (quattro) realm for the last 4 years. Probably just need to ease back into my RWD behaviors!

Oh well, no matter...I have a new RX8 now!
:)

Was it a current '04 S2000 or an older one. The new ones have had the suspension tweaked to make them a little less exciting.

lol of course its not a Miata.

s2000 = sports car
Miata= budget wannabe sports car

04 model

and the Miata is a very capable sports car
drive one

I drove the Mazdaspeed Miata at the Rev-it-up event today and I must say it is a very light and agile car. Pity it runs out of rpm's at 7500 (hello Mr. Rev-limiter) but once I got that sorted out I can definately see why the car has such a big following. It's a bit too cramed inside for me though.

Small yes, capable and very neutral yes...super-powered, no.
I've had 3 Miatas in the past and have simply outgrown them. The RX8 fits perfectly.

I'll save the convertible experiences for my Triumph Bonnie.