FR-S vs S2000

[blu_]

I think it is safe to assume the steering wont have miata feel to it, but wont be bad.

[dori.]

I wonder if the steering in the Type V had a better feel than the standard one everyone else got.

[ZDan]

Lack of steering feel in the S2k is often overstated, IMO. Not as much feel as a manual-rack 240Z, that's for sure! And obviously not as good as a manual-rack Elise. But as good as or better than most FR cars out there (MR/RR cars have the advantage of less weight on the front wheels => less assist required). I'll be happy if the FR-S/BRZ steering is as good.

[SUB-FT86]

I think in my drive of the S2K the steering wasn't bad at all but I never drove a Lotus for comparison. I guess I am not that finicky unless steering feel is too light.

[serialk11r]

One of the cool things about electric assist, power steering can be turned off with a switch, no need for steering pump pulley modification

[86fanatic]

More evidence this car has exactly what the S2000 lacked:

From http://www.insideline.com/subaru/brz...nd-video.html:

"Steering, which is electrically assisted in a rapid 13.1:1 ratio, is immensely feelsome and exact, imparting the front tires' grip status precisely to its driver's brain stem. It is perhaps the best electric steering in any car"

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by 86fanatic

More evidence this car has exactly what the S2000 lacked:

From http://www.insideline.com/subaru/brz...nd-video.html:

"Steering, which is electrically assisted in a rapid 13.1:1 ratio, is immensely feelsome and exact, imparting the front tires' grip status precisely to its driver's brain stem. It is perhaps the best electric steering in any car"

Nice! Question though, are your driving impressions based on what you read?

[86fanatic]

Can't wait to test drive one. For now, I read

[AaronCompNetSys]

Originally Posted by 86fanatic

More evidence this car has exactly what the S2000 lacked:

From http://www.insideline.com/subaru/brz...nd-video.html:

"Steering, which is electrically assisted in a rapid 13.1:1 ratio, is immensely feelsome and exact, imparting the front tires' grip status precisely to its driver's brain stem. It is perhaps the best electric steering in any car"

The S2K had 13:1 ratio originally until Americans complained about it.

What people don't understand about electric steering is that one of the reasons that it is there...is that it does nothing. The motor is completely deactivated once you hit a certain speed. The feel you get going around corners is influenced by the castor and rim size on the vehicle. I have all sizes of tires, both hydraulic and electric power steering. Take this as truth from me: steering feel is subjective and can be changed by changing the sidewalls of your tires.

Journalists typically mistake the yaw characteristics for steering properties. How a car rotates is not related to its steering system. This whole subject is both simpler and more complex than what you have been hearing from journalists for years.

The truth and my prediction: the S2000 steering is the most accurate while also having bushings that allow some of the vibrations to be absorbed for highway driving, compared to most other system on the market. (Lotus uses harder bushings that have to be replaced regularly, by design) I think the FT-86 will be almost exactly the same as the S2K, with its similar EPS, what I assume its castor settings are, and what its tire sizes will be.

(Continuing my prediction) The yaw characteristics of the FT-86 variants will be different than the S2K, with its Impreza based suspension, and will be much more forgiving on drivers who are new to RWD.

[Snoopyalien24]

Found this little gem - http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[AaronCompNetSys]

The BRZ is in town, here are my posts about it.

Originally Posted by AaronCompNetSys

This is one of the interesting ones to me, you can see the lame pedestrian impact zones they had to add.

Over all, it seems bigger than the S while still the same weight. The steering wheel has the same visibility problem as other Subarus. He said I could drive it in a couple weeks. A replacement for the Cayman in my collection? To be seen. I want to see it keep up on a drive.

The Subaru factory rep was taking pictures of my STI seats in my S, and was surprised at how much of a difference it made. Most of the Subaru guys around here are not to excited about this car.

I should get to drive it in a couple weeks. Hopefully the factory rep can make it out on drives in this area.

[iLuveKetchup]

I thought it would be smaller than the S.

But more importantly, you have STi seats on your s2k? Are they the JDM recaro STi seats? The USDM STi seats (both GD & GR) are one of the worst - non supportive seats to come in a "performance" vehicle.

[Turbowned]

I still really have to go out and drive an S2000 (maybe try AP1 and AP2 just to be safe), but I think I'll be much happier with the BRZ. Convertibles just ain't my thing, and I know I can't afford to shell out for the ultra-sexy Spoon hardtop.

I've never been big into Hondas, either. From my perspective, every time I needed a winter beater, I figured I could spend a couple thousand bucks on a FWD Civic, or a Toyota MR2 which was mid-engine, RWD, weighed about the same, and got similar fuel economy. Maybe not as fast and not nearly as much aftermarket support, but I could never get myself to go with a Honda. Maybe a drive in an S2000 will be the thing to change that!

[AaronCompNetSys]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

But more importantly, you have STi seats on your s2k? Are they the JDM recaro STi seats? The USDM STi seats (both GD & GR) are one of the worst - non supportive seats to come in a "performance" vehicle.

I hate USDM STI seats. JDM v7 STI seats are some of the best in the world (for skinny guys), I've sat in a lot of aftermarket and have 2 sets. Better seats completely transforms the S2000 experience.

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/8247...i-seat-in-s2k/

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Maybe a drive in an S2000 will be the thing to change that!

Nothing else is quite like the top down experience of an S2K on a perfect day. Try one with an experienced driver and be prepared to have your socks knocked off, its abilities are far beyond any normal car and most drivers.

Every spring, its like magic to put the top down for the first time. Shortly after is followed by sideways in my case...