test drove an ap2 today
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Renton
consider the fact also, that if you are test driving brand new cars and comapring them to used cars the engine will not be as alive quite yet, a good 600miles helps the engine to breath easier and be more natural than straight off of the lot. My '06 wasn't as alive when I fist bought it compared to now. That said I do agree the AP1's have more of a raw feel to them, something I missed when I bought the AP2. But now that I drive it everyday, it is way more fun than any other car I have ever owned.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Atlanta, GA
I agree with Sirmilton. My AP1 had a certain raw feel to it, but that was more than likely due to the fact that it had been broken in for such la ong time. My 06 has a different feel, but that is more than likely due to the fact that it has not been broken in with only 3500 miles.
There are pro's and con's to both designs, but I can say with honesty that I would give up that extra thousand anyday for the improved torque, better gearing, improved power, and improved driveability anyday. My AP1 was hyper and raw. It was frenetic. When I first got my AP2, I felt like it was not the same car. The more I drove her, the more I felt the soul of my old car in the new one. Its almost like the AP2 is a more mature, more refined older sister of my AP1. The character is still there, and it is very much similar, but it is just refined.
In the end, I think that a lot of people who consistently trash AP2's are just resistant to change. Each year builds and further develops our car into something better. The suspension on my AP2 is much more predictable and forgiving than the notorious twitchiness of the AP1. It is also more resistant to nose dive and oversteer. A lot of people will criticize MY06 for DBW and VSA, but they are welcome additions to me now. The VSA is much less intrusive than I had expected, and DBW just makes everything smooth. CDV sucks, but it does have its advantage.
As alot of people said, you can never get a true impression of a car based on a 10 minute test drive. It takes time to learn a car, and sometimes even more time to fully appreciate it. I am sure a lot of people are turned off altogether by S2000s because of the first drive, but I am glad I gave it that chance.
There are pro's and con's to both designs, but I can say with honesty that I would give up that extra thousand anyday for the improved torque, better gearing, improved power, and improved driveability anyday. My AP1 was hyper and raw. It was frenetic. When I first got my AP2, I felt like it was not the same car. The more I drove her, the more I felt the soul of my old car in the new one. Its almost like the AP2 is a more mature, more refined older sister of my AP1. The character is still there, and it is very much similar, but it is just refined.
In the end, I think that a lot of people who consistently trash AP2's are just resistant to change. Each year builds and further develops our car into something better. The suspension on my AP2 is much more predictable and forgiving than the notorious twitchiness of the AP1. It is also more resistant to nose dive and oversteer. A lot of people will criticize MY06 for DBW and VSA, but they are welcome additions to me now. The VSA is much less intrusive than I had expected, and DBW just makes everything smooth. CDV sucks, but it does have its advantage.
As alot of people said, you can never get a true impression of a car based on a 10 minute test drive. It takes time to learn a car, and sometimes even more time to fully appreciate it. I am sure a lot of people are turned off altogether by S2000s because of the first drive, but I am glad I gave it that chance.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Atlanta, GA
- just to add a bit more of my thoughts...
I was a hardcore AP1 guy. I swore I would never go to AP2, and if my last car weren't a lemon, I would be still be driving it. I never imagined myself driving an AP2; much less MY06, but now, I would never go back. Take it from someone with long term experience with both, weigh the pro's and con's heavily before deciding, but just make sure you buy and S2000.
I was a hardcore AP1 guy. I swore I would never go to AP2, and if my last car weren't a lemon, I would be still be driving it. I never imagined myself driving an AP2; much less MY06, but now, I would never go back. Take it from someone with long term experience with both, weigh the pro's and con's heavily before deciding, but just make sure you buy and S2000.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Hong Kong
Originally Posted by bludprix,Oct 2 2006, 09:49 PM
I agree with Sirmilton. My AP1 had a certain raw feel to it, but that was more than likely due to the fact that it had been broken in for such la ong time. My 06 has a different feel, but that is more than likely due to the fact that it has not been broken in with only 3500 miles.
There are pro's and con's to both designs, but I can say with honesty that I would give up that extra thousand anyday for the improved torque, better gearing, improved power, and improved driveability anyday. My AP1 was hyper and raw. It was frenetic. When I first got my AP2, I felt like it was not the same car. The more I drove her, the more I felt the soul of my old car in the new one. Its almost like the AP2 is a more mature, more refined older sister of my AP1. The character is still there, and it is very much similar, but it is just refined.
In the end, I think that a lot of people who consistently trash AP2's are just resistant to change. Each year builds and further develops our car into something better. The suspension on my AP2 is much more predictable and forgiving than the notorious twitchiness of the AP1. It is also more resistant to nose dive and oversteer. A lot of people will criticize MY06 for DBW and VSA, but they are welcome additions to me now. The VSA is much less intrusive than I had expected, and DBW just makes everything smooth. CDV sucks, but it does have its advantage.
As alot of people said, you can never get a true impression of a car based on a 10 minute test drive. It takes time to learn a car, and sometimes even more time to fully appreciate it. I am sure a lot of people are turned off altogether by S2000s because of the first drive, but I am glad I gave it that chance.
There are pro's and con's to both designs, but I can say with honesty that I would give up that extra thousand anyday for the improved torque, better gearing, improved power, and improved driveability anyday. My AP1 was hyper and raw. It was frenetic. When I first got my AP2, I felt like it was not the same car. The more I drove her, the more I felt the soul of my old car in the new one. Its almost like the AP2 is a more mature, more refined older sister of my AP1. The character is still there, and it is very much similar, but it is just refined.
In the end, I think that a lot of people who consistently trash AP2's are just resistant to change. Each year builds and further develops our car into something better. The suspension on my AP2 is much more predictable and forgiving than the notorious twitchiness of the AP1. It is also more resistant to nose dive and oversteer. A lot of people will criticize MY06 for DBW and VSA, but they are welcome additions to me now. The VSA is much less intrusive than I had expected, and DBW just makes everything smooth. CDV sucks, but it does have its advantage.
As alot of people said, you can never get a true impression of a car based on a 10 minute test drive. It takes time to learn a car, and sometimes even more time to fully appreciate it. I am sure a lot of people are turned off altogether by S2000s because of the first drive, but I am glad I gave it that chance.
I must admit that the 9,000rpm rev sounds better
But then, I liked the refinements on the AP2 a little more
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,420
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From: San Francisco
I'm going to have to find an AP1 at a dealership one time and let it rip. I've never driven one.
A few weak points for why I got an an AP2:
- This car was going to be my daily driver and I wanted something that was more tame and driveable, yet still soul-moving. 95% of the miles were going to be on the freeway.
- I wanted a new car
- I think the stock AP2 looks fresher and more refined than a stock AP1. If I had bought an 03, I know I would have spent tons of money buying wheels, tires, front bumper, rear bumper, and headlamps.
A few weak points for why I got an an AP2:
- This car was going to be my daily driver and I wanted something that was more tame and driveable, yet still soul-moving. 95% of the miles were going to be on the freeway.
- I wanted a new car
- I think the stock AP2 looks fresher and more refined than a stock AP1. If I had bought an 03, I know I would have spent tons of money buying wheels, tires, front bumper, rear bumper, and headlamps.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I bought a ap2 because it was new.Don't like the idea of buying a used sports car...you have no idea how the maniac/lunatic before you drove the car.for all you know he coulda been livin' in vtec land.
Peace
Peace
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I have a MY03 and my girlfriend has a MY05. At first I didn't like her car for much of the same reasons you guys are stating. It just didn't feel the same as the AP1. But she kept telling me to drive it around, give it a chance. And, man, I fell in love with it. The body components look way better than the AP1, the gearing is better, the slight increase in torque is noticeable. The car is just more "refined" as everyone is putting it . When I move outta this city, I'm going to be trading in my AP1 probably for the new BMW 335i, but hopefully one day I'll get my hands on an AP2. This time Silverstone 
So my vote is for the AP2
. When I move outta this city, I'm going to be trading in my AP1 probably for the new BMW 335i, but hopefully one day I'll get my hands on an AP2. This time Silverstone So my vote is for the AP2
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: La Crescenta, CA
let me put it this way. honda wouldn't have degraded the s2k. ap2 has so many improvements compared to the ap1, its not worth getting the ap1 unless you prefere the ap1 look. the ap2 makes more power and it has been proven to handle better.
i cant say the same about the 06+ model. no sc is available and the aftermarket seems to be limited still. as far as dbw system is concerned. there is no way of telling the difference between the 06+ and previous models. if anybody claims they can tell the difference, its just in their head or the car is not functioning correctly.
i cant say the same about the 06+ model. no sc is available and the aftermarket seems to be limited still. as far as dbw system is concerned. there is no way of telling the difference between the 06+ and previous models. if anybody claims they can tell the difference, its just in their head or the car is not functioning correctly.