yea 9k is nice don't get me wrong but i test drove both the ap1 and ap2 a
bunch of times before i made my purchase. They felt just as "raw" to me
and i mean after a few mods there pretty raw all the way. With a mild tune
an f22c can easily rev to 8.4k safely and some people go to 8.6-.8 (crazy)
and still run great.
I still think the saying "theres no replacement for displacement" holds true
and even w/ force induction can still make that small difference.

Remember its all pretty minor and honestly you should base your purchase on the best deal w/ the cleanest ride and best kept service.
AP2 FTW (S2000's FTW)

 

as hjhooby said.

AP1 NOT for rwd beginners.
ap2 is much easier to drive,
looks wise i prefer the ap2 to the ap1.
but the great thing is... if u like the ap1 looks are easy to upgrade.
i pretty much have converted everything to ap2

 

I like the idea of converting and have thought about doing it.....

 

it seems to be that whichever one people drive first is the better

but on a serious note..there are SEVERAL differences between the years....sometimes more important than others...its easier to check the forum/faqs or threads though..

EDIT:
AP1
AP1 earlier models were lighter than an AP2
2.0l
different front bumper/rear/lights than an AP2
redline at 9k

AP2
looks better, 17inch wheels
revvs to 8k
little more torque, same hp.
different spring rates

06+
DBW
can use a programer like hondata reflash
more "mod friendly" with bolt ons



that is just a really basic difference...the interior changed throughout that time as well, subtly.

 

its not that expensive. you can pretty much do a full ap2 conversion for $2k (minus engine/tranny). almost worth buying a cheaper ap1 and doing the conversion with the right deal on the car. thats what i did. i paid way less than the cheapest ap2 i could find.

 

AP1 FTW because its what i have! haha

I probably would have gone gotten an ap2 if i could have afforded it at the time. I have no regrets with the ap1 and i'm glad i saved the money.

 

sorry i didnt mean to make it an s2000 battle

 

its not. ive owned an ap1, and own an ap2. having 9k of rpm to play with was fun, but the ap2 handles better, has more torque, looks better, doesnt burn oil like crazy, and is newer. to get an AP1 youre looking at a 8+ yr old car, not that there arent well maintained nice once out there, but less chance of running into crap in a 5 or 6 yr old car.

honda didnt make the changes from ap1-ap2 because they had nothing better to do one day. they engineered a better car and used it. why do you think the ap1 lasted 3 yrs and the ap2 lasted 7.

all s2000s are awesome cars, i loved my ap1, but the ap2 is a better car.

 

Not to make it more of an AP1 vs AP2 but most changes to the AP2 from AP1 were for the americans who wanted a more comfy car with a little more torque and not as raw feeling.
I have driven and AP2 and the 8k redline just did not feel as fun to me. Both NA don't feel fast in a straightline at all but the 9k just makes it real fun. Like the AP2 looks more for sure but engine not so much.

If you find a good deal on an AP1 should get that and bolt up a supercharger all for less than an AP2. I could never go back to an NA s2000!!!

 

again your just stating your opinions

and your comment about the ap2 lasting 7 years makes no sence.........

there were 10x more ap1's sold in those 3 years then all of the 7 years the ap2 was sold... actually when they stopped making ap1's the popularity of the s2000 went down hill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000

look up the sales for the s2000


does that make the ap1 a better car?

ITS ALL A MATTER OF OPINION

/THREAD

tired of all this ap1 ap2 fan boy shit

none of them is 'better' then the other