No tramlining with PS2s
I keep mine at 29 cold ( don't know if inflation impacts tramlining )
I also like the article and found it to be mostly right on ( the majority of things ) vs. my own impressions of this car, though I think the steering leaves a lot to be desired at any speed - I wish there was a switch you can flip on to use the power assisted feature only when parking and the rest of the time it goes on non-power mode .
And I think the shifter has more play in it than it should, not to mention a fairly long throw which contradicts his take on those things, but that's why I bought the Design1 short shift kit [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
I would have to agree to disagree with those who say the S2000 isnt the closest thing to a modern 968.
While They are very diff, they are also very similiar in many respects.
For what its worth, a buddy of mine who builds 9-10second Honda's has driven tons and tons of cars, including GT3's, most Corvette's from 1990 and up, Hennessy Vipers (the list goes on). His favorite two cars to drive have been the S2000 and my 968.
I drove an S2000 about a year after they first came out, that early model was just ok IMO, but one single thing that what I found very much to my liking was the feel of the steering ; better than any car I have driven and sadly, heads and shoulders above the 968's steering. Very tight, just the perfect amount of resistance, great response, as close to a go-kart feel as it gets but without the discomfort and effort . As if it was on rails.
I've owned both an S2000 and a 968, if you can find my post on 968.net you'll have a long comparison of the two. LOL
I finally got around to reading this article. Very well written, and for the most part on the money. I agree with others that the tramlining is dominated by the tires. The Kumho's that came with my car tramlined horribly, but the Goodyear GS-blah-blah's (very funny, Biotechee - I can never remember the full name of those things, either) had no trace of it, nor do my current Sumitomo's. The article is definitely very accurate when it comes to the road noise, unfortunately, but that's why I almost always drive it with the sunroof off, even in the summer here in Texas. Overall, the article made me feel good about my car.
A bit off the topic, but I just learned - the hard way - that the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 is discontinued. I had a blowout that destroyed a rear tire, and it was NLA in that size. As a result, I had to get the newer Goodyear F1 Assymetrical...which means I'll be purchasing three more to replace all of the Gblahblahblahs.
fyi, the rear track is 68.5 on my 968 edge of contact patch to contact patch (275 rears pushed out to the limit neg 1.5deg camber). Any one know what it is on the S2000?
Depends on which S2K. There are AP1 & AP2 Cars, as well as the ClubRacer. My buddy will know. If no one can answer, i'll give him a call at sokme point.
Great article indeed! Good plugs for Pete and some others also.
I've got to chime in on the tramlining thing too. I have Conti Sport Contact 2's all around (235 and 255) and they tramline like I'm a passenger in a life-sized radio controlled car!!! Down right scary at times. Other times it's just freaking embarrassing. I'm afraid people are going to think I'm drunk or texting or something. They are great looking tires but I'll never buy them again nor will I recommend them to anyone.
We had the same tires on my wife's A6. Same exact problem. Switched to GY F1 GS D3's. WOW, what a tire!!! Sticky, quiet, comfortable, great in the rain and dry (down to about 34F), cool looking tread design to boot, etc... I just can't say enough good things about them. Too bad they're discontinued.
I can't wait to ditch these Conti's. I'm leaning toward the PS2's so far. Anybody got experience with them?
I would strongly urge you to consider the Sumitomo HTRZIII - the best tires I've ever owned, for a little over half the price of PS2s.
I quite enjoyed the article. As previously commented, quite balanced.
Some of the minor controls are a bit haphazard, especially with the switches on the centre console. For example, the switch for the rear wiper is on the console, while the front wipers are controlled by a stalk. These days, all the wiper controls are on the stalk. Similar with the external mirrors. The switch is on the console, and the adjuster is on the door.
The comment about rear visibility and the C-pillar was interesting. I think rear visibility is fine, and much better than some modern cars.
The most noteworthy WTF control is this the odo reset-
"I defy anyone to find the odometer reset button without consulting the owner’s manual."
I happen to particularly like the subtlety of the trip odometer reset button.
Yea, once you find it! It's like a Msonic handshake, only we know our brothers IF they can reset the odo. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]
I always assumed that the button was deliberately hidden as a parking valet, etc., monitor.
Jamie
" I always assumed that the button was deliberately hidden as a parking valet, etc., monitor. Jamie "
Clever idea ! Even if that was not the original intent, it's a great feature to use for that very purpose.. I always wondered if the valets drive around a few more blocks then necessary while I'm ejoying dinner, but never thought
to reset the tripodo, or look at the total mileage, etc. But I will from now on, thanks Jamie ! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
The writer is the owner. It's his car. Which explains why the write up was so spot on. I figured no journalist reviewing 2 -3 cars a month could write a piece so in depth as to list and categorize performance parts and shops. He also explained the subtleties of the car that, for the most part, are only noticed over time.
So Pete, does the name Rob Lyss ring any bells?
http://www.alltuner.com/blog/?p=20
we need to find this guy and get him involved - it's a california car - he must be near somebody
His name sounds very familiar to me??? Is he a forums member?
Now I remember... this old age thing is really kicking my butt... Rob is in fact a forums member. I purchased a set of 968 maintenance manuals from him last October. Nice guy, by the way!