One of my favorite things about this car is the transmission. Best I've ever driven (personal preference as to what the ideal shift should feel like). However, I also own a manual Civic. I tend to neutral brake that much more then I do the S2000 because of how great the S2000 transmission is. Learning how to downshift is very important and can be a lot of fun, but to say you must ALWAYS do so is too much for me.

I think there are times when downshifting is appropriate and other times when neutral braking is appropriate. IMHO you are the driver and YOU should make a decision as to what method is best and regardless if you like it or not, you will have to live with the results of those decisions. Learn how to downshift, double-clutch, heel-toe, etc. and then decide when to use those skills.

Then again, perhaps the reason I don't make my living driving race cars is because I sometimes neutral brake my car, but my guess is that there are not many of us around here that use our passion for driving to pay the bills either.

 

Finally, a statement that I can agree 100% .

People are over thinking everything it seems.

Do what works for YOU. No worries.

 

WHAT I DO IS JUST USE BRAKES AND NEVER DOWNSHIFT... TO ME IT DOESNT MATTER =)

 

I guess there are always going to be stubborn people. The simple fact is, is that people who neutral brake or 6th gear to bog brake are noobs.

 

thanks for all the advice wether it be conflicting or complimenting, i have a better understanding of how everyone goes about coming to a read light.

when i said from 6th i meant i held 6th untill it boged. not once i knew i was gonna stop throw it into neutral and coasted.

 

get uesd driving stick. i rev-match and downshift every time and i try not to use my breaks. its fun. if i need to replace a clutch 500 miles sooner, it was worth it.

 

In general...

Use brakes to slow down. Down shifting for the purpose of engine braking was a good idea when the brakes on cars did not work very well and needed the help. You know, like 50 years ago.

Use the transmission to keep your car in a gear that will allow reasonable acceleration for the speed you are going. That's for both speeding up or slowing down. Rev match. Don't skip gears.

Coast to a stop in neutral if you want to, I don't think it is a good idea.

 

Maybe some of the engine brake fans in here come from commercial transport pasts or backgrounds?

I know that big rigs use engine brakes...I just think that those two vehicles are so far at opposite ends of the spectrum, a fair and balanced conclusion cannot be drawn.

 

Conclusion.... Simple. If your car is moving on a roadway in neutral, you do not have complete control of your vehicle.
Have an accident while your car is in neutral and make this fact known to the investigating officer, your are subject to "failure to control your vehicle" a violation weather you were at fault or not.
I don't think anyone would actually admit to "coasting" but it does bring home the fact that this is not the way to drive any stick shift.

 

New mod idea... a Jake Brake for S2000s!



C'mon guys, you're way overstating the case here. There's nothing wrong slowing down either way, depending on the circumstances.

All I can say to the OP and other folks out there is that if you aren't rowing that gearbox, you're missing half the fun of driving our little car. Rock on!