s2ka

Look closely for mods done to the car you bought. Are the shocks and springs stock?

Tires, tires, tires...what tires and sizes are on the car, what condition are they in, check the pressures.

The S2000 is sensitive to alignment, it would probably a good idea to have a 4 wheel alignment done to get it back to stock specs.

Hollo

Car is stock - no mods have been done. And yes, i agree.. tyres are so important. My car has the BS Potenza tyres, standard size (205 front & 225 rear) and new. I don't think that was the problem.

I still think conditions were the problem. Wet road, near-freezing temp (1 dgrC), cold tyres..... i should take more care! Doing the same a week earlier on a dry road, with warmed up tyres, changing at 9K from 1st to 2nd only gave a 'twitch' from the rear.

I believe this is normal, but i have not driven any other S2000's for comparison.

Silver9k

yes...I've felt a the back end come out a lot, and almost lost it one time when on a dry road...however right were I happened to get to my 1-2 shift there was also a patch of gravel...needless to say I was lucky it was a wide road with no cars on it...but even with the car pointing 50 degrees off straight towards the left...I recovered it with it staying in the lane...but still scary.

and yes a twitch when doing the 1-2 shift is normal...much more pronounced when in slight turn

you could also go for a Euro Alignment...thats what I have...faster tire wear, but much better handling and not quite as twitchy.

F - 2 degrees neg camber, 6-6.5 degrees caster, 0 toe
R - 1 degree neg camber, 1/8-1/4" toe in

SgtSaunders

Careful when it's cold. I'm running winter tires and I still am cautious below 40F. I have driven S02s in wet & cold (not snow or ice) and they are downright dangerous.

You could find your self doing a 180 on the interstate!

tires,tires,tires..