FK8 CTR +R mode vs S2000 CR: ride stiffness and handling

If you've driven both of these cars, which rides harder: FK8 CTR in +R mode or S2000 CR?

Can you also comment on general handling, cornering ability, steering responsiveness, etc for both of these cars?

Thanks!

s2kdriver80 said:

If you've driven both of these cars, which rides harder: FK8 CTR in +R mode or S2000 CR?

Can you also comment on general handling, cornering ability, steering responsiveness, etc for both of these cars?

Thanks!

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I want both of these cars lol

There are a few members here who has both the S2000 (although most of them are not a CR) and the CTR.
I've been in a CR before and the ride harness on the road was pretty similiar. To me, at least.

I had an AP1 which I sold last week after having it for 8 years and the two imo are not really comparable as they are 2 totally different cars. The CTR is faster and handles better while being more forgiving but it's a different kind of feel ...

Yeah you will find a good amount who have or had an S2000...but specifically a CR and now have a CTR...there will only be a very small few. I myself had 2 s2000s in the past but not CR's. I did drive one around the block once but it was a long time ago and i can't remember how much stiffer it was over my regular s2000. I'm going to say that the CTR in +R mode is probably not as stiff as the CR was.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have a 2003 S2000 with CR springs/dampers/antiroll bars that I daily drive (I really couldn't give up the softtop and the 9k redline). To me, the CR suspension is not that stiff and I was hoping the CTR in +R mode would be substantially stiffer. If +R mode is comparable or even softer than the CR, then I guess there would be no reason for me to drive in any other mode when I finally get the CTR lol. If we could swap in the FK2 suspension into the FK8, that would have been great, but doubtful as the rear suspensions of both CTRs are totally different.

Had an '08 CR, the ride in the Type-R is significantly softer in R mode.

Also, a base S2000 with CR suspension still doesn't handle the same as the CR. The brace in place of the convertible top was quite noticeable.

A stiffer car doesn’t necessarily mean the car is better.

panqueque said:

Had an '08 CR, the ride in the Type-R is significantly softer in R mode.

Also, a base S2000 with CR suspension still doesn't handle the same as the CR. The brace in place of the convertible top was quite noticeable.

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That's what it looked like, at least in videos. The CTR doesn't react as quickly over bumps in the road and has more suspension travel. There's quite a bit of squat on launch and dive when braking. There was a youtube video of some guys racing an S2000 in reverse and the back of the CTR lifted up like an old Lincoln Town Car. In order to accommodate comfort mode, the spring rates had to be mild.

And you're right, the CR has that big brace, the aero, and stickier tires. I was just referring to the ride stiffness which I guess would still feel more harsh on the CR due to the larger wheels.

ayau said:

A stiffer car doesn’t necessarily mean the car is better.

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True, not in all cases, performance-wise, especially if it's driven mainly on the street. But a stiffer ride makes the driving experience more engaging and fun, and feels like you have more of a connection with the road, at least to me.

s2kdriver80 said:

True, not in all cases, performance-wise, especially if it's driven mainly on the street. But a stiffer ride makes the driving experience more engaging and fun, and feels like you have more of a connection with the road, at least to me.

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I agree if your roads are smooth as glass. In the real world, the CTR rides better than the S2000 and CR in the streets.

I own both a CTR and a S2000 CR.

My CR has stock dampers with Swift Spec R springs and to me it is definitely stiffer than the CTR in R mode.

mmoore9700 said:

I own both a CTR and a S2000 CR.

My CR has stock dampers with Swift Spec R springs and to me it is definitely stiffer than the CTR in R mode.

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What color is your CR?

Yellow

s2kdriver80 said:

That's what it looked like, at least in videos. The CTR doesn't react as quickly over bumps in the road and has more suspension travel. There's quite a bit of squat on launch and dive when braking. There was a youtube video of some guys racing an S2000 in reverse and the back of the CTR lifted up like an old Lincoln Town Car. In order to accommodate comfort mode, the spring rates had to be mild.

And you're right, the CR has that big brace, the aero, and stickier tires. I was just referring to the ride stiffness which I guess would still feel more harsh on the CR due to the larger wheels.

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That brace contributes to ride stiffness.

As already stated, suspension travel and stiffness does not necessarily equate to handling. You can drop the Civic, put larger diameter sway bars, and ridiculous shocks to increase the stiffness and reduce the suspension travel, but you ultimately will alter how the car handles (likely for the worse). You'll need to increase the contact patch of the tires at minimum, and probably will not be able to counteract the forces from cornering.

Comparatively speaking, the CTR and CR handle about the same to me for off ramps and street driving. It would not surprise me if the CTR is better on a track, even considering the less favorable weight balance compared to the CR.