Modern "s2000"
11-10-2019, 08:37 PM
#81
11-11-2019, 08:40 AM
#82
Regarding steering:
Coming from a 2300 lb. 240Z with a manual rack, and having heard about how numb the S2000's EPS was, I was surprised to find that I liked my AP1's steering just fine on the street and at the track. Whatever it lacks in "feel" I think it gains back in quickness and *precision*.
I got a '17 BRZ PP to replace my aging S2000, and yes, its steering does have better feel. But I still found the AP1's to be much better than all the negative press would suggest.
Meanwhile other cars that have had their hydraulic power steering praised to the heavens, I've been disappointed with, going back to the E36 M3 which I found slow and maybe overboosted? I liked my S13 240SX's steering better (however weirdly my S14's steering was vague and numb and rubbery). Also, my '11 Cayman, which I just picked up earlier this year, its steering is slow but heavy, and you can feel the nonlinearity in it. Doesn't help that the steering wheel is enormous! At two events this past year I drove my Cayman back-to-back with a 981 with slightly quicker electric-assisted steering (and smaller (optional?) steering wheel) and honestly I liked that car's steering better! And I like the BRZ's steering better than either of those. Honestly I'd love my Cayman a lot more with the BRZ's steering, or even with the "numb" but quick/precise AP1 steering!
Coming from a 2300 lb. 240Z with a manual rack, and having heard about how numb the S2000's EPS was, I was surprised to find that I liked my AP1's steering just fine on the street and at the track. Whatever it lacks in "feel" I think it gains back in quickness and *precision*.
I got a '17 BRZ PP to replace my aging S2000, and yes, its steering does have better feel. But I still found the AP1's to be much better than all the negative press would suggest.
Meanwhile other cars that have had their hydraulic power steering praised to the heavens, I've been disappointed with, going back to the E36 M3 which I found slow and maybe overboosted? I liked my S13 240SX's steering better (however weirdly my S14's steering was vague and numb and rubbery). Also, my '11 Cayman, which I just picked up earlier this year, its steering is slow but heavy, and you can feel the nonlinearity in it. Doesn't help that the steering wheel is enormous! At two events this past year I drove my Cayman back-to-back with a 981 with slightly quicker electric-assisted steering (and smaller (optional?) steering wheel) and honestly I liked that car's steering better! And I like the BRZ's steering better than either of those. Honestly I'd love my Cayman a lot more with the BRZ's steering, or even with the "numb" but quick/precise AP1 steering!
11-11-2019, 08:46 AM
#83
Put a 1" overall diameter smaller 330mm Steering wheel in the ap1 and talk about go kart handling, its even better! I also like what running 255's up front does to make for a heavier more resistant feel, never minding the increase in turn in grip. Then play with your desired caster to dial in even more or less resistant feedback.
Steering feel such as with factory size tires always felt too light and therefore more vague to me from sensing grip to no grip, having more tire surface on the ground with more overall grip makes feedback greater/more apparent when your riding the line of traction/no traction. Yes there is still EPS, but I still feel every marble and ridge in the road, so i'm not sure what's to really improve upon as far as how i'm feeling connected to the road. As long as I can point and shoot the car exactly where I want to put it thought its precise steering and feel the grip of the tires, I can easily take the car to its limits, there is nothing better to improve upon for me as far as getting the most out of the performance of the car in that regard. If someone wants to nit pick about what frequency vibrations they are picking up through the steering in their hands because there is more electronic crap in the rack, that's fine, I personally have no complaints.
Steering feel such as with factory size tires always felt too light and therefore more vague to me from sensing grip to no grip, having more tire surface on the ground with more overall grip makes feedback greater/more apparent when your riding the line of traction/no traction. Yes there is still EPS, but I still feel every marble and ridge in the road, so i'm not sure what's to really improve upon as far as how i'm feeling connected to the road. As long as I can point and shoot the car exactly where I want to put it thought its precise steering and feel the grip of the tires, I can easily take the car to its limits, there is nothing better to improve upon for me as far as getting the most out of the performance of the car in that regard. If someone wants to nit pick about what frequency vibrations they are picking up through the steering in their hands because there is more electronic crap in the rack, that's fine, I personally have no complaints.
Last edited by s2000Junky; 11-11-2019 at 08:57 AM.
11-11-2019, 09:43 AM
#84
Oh don't get me wrong, I always felt that BMWs had the most overrated steering feel of all time. I appreciated the quick turn in of the s2000 and the general video game reaction the car had, something that was slightly lost in the otherwise overall superior ap2, but the FRS and C5Z didn't make me long to get back into an s2k.
Also, the long hood made it sorta easier to visually point and shoot the car if you will, but personally I prefered the 86s steering.
But to get back on topic, I'd say that the late 2000s Viper convertibles are more s2k than the AMG. It has that similar long hood, quick steering feel, and something about the s2k and viper that just makes them feel heavier than they actually are, maybe it's the relatively/proportinally longer wheelbase, I struggle to articulate this. Obviously the viper has felonious amounts of power, but they feel very similar in nature.
Also, the long hood made it sorta easier to visually point and shoot the car if you will, but personally I prefered the 86s steering.
But to get back on topic, I'd say that the late 2000s Viper convertibles are more s2k than the AMG. It has that similar long hood, quick steering feel, and something about the s2k and viper that just makes them feel heavier than they actually are, maybe it's the relatively/proportinally longer wheelbase, I struggle to articulate this. Obviously the viper has felonious amounts of power, but they feel very similar in nature.
11-11-2019, 10:35 AM
#85
Compared to other Ferraris the California is a boulevard cruiser. 4000 lb snoozer.
And yeah it's ugly IMO.
And yeah it's ugly IMO.
11-11-2019, 11:30 AM
#86
2012 Ferrari 458 Spider
0-60 mph 3.3 Quarter mile 11.3
2010 Ferrari California
0-60 mph 3.5 Quarter mile 11.9
11-11-2019, 11:42 AM
#87
Last edited by s2000Junky; 11-11-2019 at 12:02 PM.
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WolfpackS2k (11-12-2019)
11-11-2019, 11:54 AM
#88
11-11-2019, 12:05 PM
#89
No actually that and the Super fast renditions are pretty attractive for a front engine Ferrari and some years really shine over others in facia design and overall cues. Yes they are "thicker" cars design wise over the typical sexy low slung lines of the rear engine lineage, but they are well designed and proportional still with all the swoops and cuts in the right places. Still sexy and aggressive, just a slightly different flavor. The California is just an odd duck, not just how it looks but where it fits into its Ferrari lineage. Kind of like the Boxster of Porsche if you will, and before Boxster started sharing some more favorable design cues from the sexier looking Camens of most recent.
Last edited by s2000Junky; 11-11-2019 at 12:11 PM.
11-11-2019, 12:26 PM
#90
Id take a "outdated" 360 spider just on comparative appearances alone, regardless of quarter mile timeslips, and absolutely the 458! But true the California is no slouch! There are a lot of "Blvrd cruisers" that can still put some respectable performance numbers down, this is 2019 after all. lol Testla does great at this. Maserati too