Steering wheel feel seems off

[RickR]

Hi guys,

I just bought an '03, as in three days ago. I'm having a blast around town and am starting to become concerned for the future of my drivers license. I hope my luck holds up.

My question to the group is about the steering feel. When driving straight at any speed, the wheel seems to need alot of force to break it off it's position. I find this hard to discribe, but if you move the wheel slightly off center, it won't come back on it's own, the car just continues in a turn. On the highway you have to DRIVE the car constantly to keep it in it's lane. The tire pressures are correct and otherwise the steering is great, just this quirk. Is this typical??

Rick

[Java Junky]

Hi Rick. Up front, I'm certainly no expert, but might it jus' be that you're comin' from a daily-grinder n' now you're experiencin' a true, lots'a traction sportscar?
As for requirin' some attention on the hiway, I have noticed that if the surface is smooth, so's the travellin'. But if there's any kind'a unevenness (n' really now . . how many sections of smooth road exist in the real world?) in the tire path, those wide, sticky hoops r' gonna keep your concentration on what you paid the price of admission for: the drivin'.
Be well.
Java

[RickR]

You could br right, but this is not my first sports car (fiat x-1/9, 300zxTT). I'm gonna have the alignment checked out anyway. Thanks for the reply.

Rick

[Java Junky]

That sounds like the way to go Rick. Even if it's nothin', at least you've got the peace-of-mind knowin' that it's got the blessin' of a mech.
Be well . . oh, n' Merry Christmas if it ain't out'a keepin' with the sit'chiation.
Java