Anyone with serious track time!!??
11-12-2002, 08:34 PM
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Anyone with serious track time!!??
I am in the market for a new car and until the 350Z came out I had my mind set on an S2000.
Has anyone had any serious track time in their Z. I plan on using the car to autocross on the weekends, and although I loved my test drive in the Z it felt really heavy. Does it struggle in the tight corners? What about in the slalom? Anyone???
Has anyone had any serious track time in their Z. I plan on using the car to autocross on the weekends, and although I loved my test drive in the Z it felt really heavy. Does it struggle in the tight corners? What about in the slalom? Anyone???
11-12-2002, 09:04 PM
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Post this question here and you will more than likely get answers leaning towards the 350Z. Post this question on S2ki.com and you will get the opposite.
So I'll put my opinion, and leave it at that.
If you have equal drivers that can drive both the best track version of the 350Z and the S2000 at 100% of the car's abilities, the S2000 will probably be quicker around the track or auto X course. HOWEVER, these courses are very driver intensive so that's really what it comes down to in closely matched cars.
I'm not sure about the 350Z, but the S2000 is an EXCELLENT auto X car. It's what it's designed for. In fact, if I remember correctly, the Spoon race S2000 holds the highest g's ever tested on a skidpad by 1 or 2 magazines. (not saying you are getting a spoon S2k, but it shows the further potential)
But one thing to consider, as I'm trying to be subjective, is that the S2k is NOT a forgiving car by any means. Don't drive it correctly and it will bite you back. It's not an easy car to drive for beginners and not an easy car to learn auto X on. But, if you can learn to drive it to it's potential, then you'll most certainly have a nice advantage. Your fastest times will also be made when you keep the tail nicely tucked behind the nose, as opposed to drifting through turns.
I do not know enough about the Z to give you its strengths and weaknesses in an auto X or track situation.
So I'll put my opinion, and leave it at that.
If you have equal drivers that can drive both the best track version of the 350Z and the S2000 at 100% of the car's abilities, the S2000 will probably be quicker around the track or auto X course. HOWEVER, these courses are very driver intensive so that's really what it comes down to in closely matched cars.
I'm not sure about the 350Z, but the S2000 is an EXCELLENT auto X car. It's what it's designed for. In fact, if I remember correctly, the Spoon race S2000 holds the highest g's ever tested on a skidpad by 1 or 2 magazines. (not saying you are getting a spoon S2k, but it shows the further potential)
But one thing to consider, as I'm trying to be subjective, is that the S2k is NOT a forgiving car by any means. Don't drive it correctly and it will bite you back. It's not an easy car to drive for beginners and not an easy car to learn auto X on. But, if you can learn to drive it to it's potential, then you'll most certainly have a nice advantage. Your fastest times will also be made when you keep the tail nicely tucked behind the nose, as opposed to drifting through turns.
I do not know enough about the Z to give you its strengths and weaknesses in an auto X or track situation.
11-12-2002, 09:14 PM
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11-13-2002, 03:37 AM
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Here's my $.02. I've taken mine to the track (Putnam), the drag strip (Muncie) and I got in one autoX before the season ended (previously autoX a Civic). As far as the autoX, this car is great! The car felt very stable. I wimped out for the first four runs and left VDC on since it was the first time racing it. The slalom was the best part. If you want to see a video clip of it, PM me. I experienced some understeer but I didn't play with tire pressure either. My only gripe was the tires (news ones planned for Spring). But, that is easily fixed.
I believe Honda Troll is correct, these cars are closely matched. Like I said, this was the first autoX in the Z and my best run was a 43.099. There was a '00 S2000 and his best was 43.075. Doesn't get much closer!
Either way, they are both fun cars.
I believe Honda Troll is correct, these cars are closely matched. Like I said, this was the first autoX in the Z and my best run was a 43.099. There was a '00 S2000 and his best was 43.075. Doesn't get much closer!
Either way, they are both fun cars.
11-13-2002, 10:14 AM
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I had some serious track time (both AutoX and road racing) in my S2000 and I can tell you that the car is one of the best money can buy for that kind of stuff.
It will hold its own against much, MUCH more expensive sports cars. With an expert driver, it will lap a 2 minute course only about 1-2 seconds behind expert drivers in C5 vettes, NSX's, 911's e.t.c. Think of it as a Boxster S for half the money.
I had absolutely no experience with the 350Z, never driven one, never rode in one and never got up against one on the track, so I have no idea. I can just guess that the track version of the 350Z will be pretty good, and probably pretty close to the S2000.
It will hold its own against much, MUCH more expensive sports cars. With an expert driver, it will lap a 2 minute course only about 1-2 seconds behind expert drivers in C5 vettes, NSX's, 911's e.t.c. Think of it as a Boxster S for half the money.
I had absolutely no experience with the 350Z, never driven one, never rode in one and never got up against one on the track, so I have no idea. I can just guess that the track version of the 350Z will be pretty good, and probably pretty close to the S2000.
11-13-2002, 03:52 PM
#7
I use to own a S2000. Traded it in anf got an S4. The S2 is a great second car if you have that luxury. It is fun on a twisty track thatyou can throw it around on. Personally I hated the lack of torque. It was a fun car though.
We are currently developing our 350Z for racing...........
There is an old saying...........torque wins races, and horsepower sells cars.........
I think in the end the Z will be a better choice.
We are currently developing our 350Z for racing...........
There is an old saying...........torque wins races, and horsepower sells cars.........
I think in the end the Z will be a better choice.
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11-14-2002, 06:28 AM
#8
Originally posted by dwnshift
I use to own a S2000. Traded it in anf got an S4. The S2 is a great second car if you have that luxury. It is fun on a twisty track thatyou can throw it around on. Personally I hated the lack of torque. It was a fun car though.
We are currently developing our 350Z for racing...........
There is an old saying...........torque wins races, and horsepower sells cars.........
I think in the end the Z will be a better choice.
I use to own a S2000. Traded it in anf got an S4. The S2 is a great second car if you have that luxury. It is fun on a twisty track thatyou can throw it around on. Personally I hated the lack of torque. It was a fun car though.
We are currently developing our 350Z for racing...........
There is an old saying...........torque wins races, and horsepower sells cars.........
I think in the end the Z will be a better choice.
I too sold my S2000 for my Z. I think the S was about maxed out as far as tuning. The Z has more potential. I like the steering feel of the Z much better than the S. The S is too light for my tastes. You are much more qualified as far as pushing both cars to there performance capabilites. The torque issue is no contest......
Last edited by jmark; 11-14-2002 at 06:31 AM.
11-14-2002, 07:19 PM
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Originally posted by YellowBullet
It will hold its own against much, MUCH more expensive sports cars. With an expert driver, it will lap a 2 minute course only about 1-2 seconds behind expert drivers in C5 vettes, NSX's, 911's e.t.c. Think of it as a Boxster S for half the money.
It will hold its own against much, MUCH more expensive sports cars. With an expert driver, it will lap a 2 minute course only about 1-2 seconds behind expert drivers in C5 vettes, NSX's, 911's e.t.c. Think of it as a Boxster S for half the money.
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
11-15-2002, 11:00 AM
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Originally posted by raceboy
An S2K is on par with a Boxster S or NSX (if the NSX is street tired), but the C5 is simply in a different league my friend. Here are the laptime results from a 2 minute course and the fastest S2K of noted hotshoe Doug Hayashi is some 8 seconds a lap faster than the similarly race tired 99 C5. Note, Speedventures is primarily an S2000 oriented group with the founder also running an S2K. The numbers don't lie:
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
An S2K is on par with a Boxster S or NSX (if the NSX is street tired), but the C5 is simply in a different league my friend. Here are the laptime results from a 2 minute course and the fastest S2K of noted hotshoe Doug Hayashi is some 8 seconds a lap faster than the similarly race tired 99 C5. Note, Speedventures is primarily an S2000 oriented group with the founder also running an S2K. The numbers don't lie:
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
For a complete picture, you might want to take a look at some other events, such as these:
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
https://www.speedventures.net/event_...esults=OA&s=lt
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that S2000 is faster than a C5, or even, but it's close enough that the driver will make a difference 90% of the time. I have witnessed it (and actually done it) many times.
