S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

Why is the steering so numb?

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Old 12-25-2007, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by RACER,Dec 25 2007, 01:44 PM
The steering on my S is great. I've driven many cars over the years, albeit most as not as nice as my S. The rack is very responsive, and it moves quickly according to the input that I put into the steering wheel. I'm not saying this because I own an S, I think the steering in my car is pretty darn good.

Increasing the caster will make the steering feel heavier and less responsive, but will give greater straight line stability.
It's not the way it moves. It's the feedback. Try a car with a quick ratio rack and no power assist to see what good feedback is really like. If you can't feel the difference, I cannot imagine why.
Old 12-25-2007, 03:20 PM
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I agree about the poor feedback: my buttocks tell me more about what's going on with the car than my hands do. That just isn't right. Hoewever, overall the car is quite impressive. All cars fall short of perfection in one way or another.
Old 12-25-2007, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by RED MX5,Dec 25 2007, 03:05 PM
Both the RX7 and Miata pumps are small and highly effecient, and the EPS presents a load too, even tought it's an electrical load. The alternator is working harder to make the power to run the steering. I really don't know how much of a difference it would make in power output,, but I don't *think* it would amount to much. Could be wrong though.

As for caster, it will absolutely NOT improve the feedback. I don't know what to say to those who can't feel the difference between the S2000 steering and cars with near perfect feedback, but the difference is very real, and HUGE, so I have to think that anyone who can't feel it just isn't paying attention. Several reviewers have published comments about the lack of feedback, as far back as the year 2000, and it's about as obvious as the nose on one's face.

At least not everone is unable to tell the difference between great and just very good. S2k steering feel does not suck by any means, but it sure isn't anything near what can be had in lots of other cars. If you can't feel the difference between the S2k and an Elise, consider driving a Tarus and see if you feel any difference there. j/k
To call it "huge" is an exagerration
Old 12-25-2007, 03:40 PM
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running a non staggered setup helped quite a bit too.
Old 12-25-2007, 05:12 PM
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Did you not test drive the car before you bought it?
Old 12-25-2007, 05:28 PM
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[QUOTE=DryCycle,Dec 25 2007, 12:57 AM] I love my S2000, but the numb steering is the pits.
Old 12-25-2007, 06:37 PM
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[QUOTE=RED MX5,Dec 25 2007, 03:06 PM]It's not the way it moves.
Old 12-25-2007, 06:38 PM
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Btw, I made up the story about Oakville Grade.

























Old 12-25-2007, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by S2Kart,Dec 25 2007, 07:28 PM
To call it "huge" is an exagerration
Well, I'll grant that it's all relative, but with good steering you can feel every piece of gravel in an asphault surface, and the S2000 doesn't come close. To me, that's a huge difference, because that same feel helps me read what the tires are doing. Maybe what I should have said is simply that it's such a big difference that I have trouble believing that some people don't notice it. LOL, at least you didn't call my wording a huge exagerration.

I'll agree with you and just say that it's enough that it's hard, for me, to not notice.
Is that better?
Old 12-25-2007, 07:03 PM
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I've raced go carts, Formula Mazda and Malibu GP cars, so I know where you are coming from as far as "road feel". But like I said, it is what it is. Keep in mind, the S2000 weighs 2,900 lbs, a lot heavier than a Miata or an Elise.

It is what it is, but I adapted to my car from day one, and the first canyon runs up Point Reyes Boulevard to Point Reyes Station at Hwy 1. It's all about adaptation.

But I know what ya mean Red MX5





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