ap2 vs ap1
So I went with an ap1 
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
No regrets.
9k made a huge difference to me. Wouldn't have accepted it any other way. It's the birthday gift Honda envisioned for themselves to celebrate 50 years... S2000 and 9000 rpms...I think it was part of the formula.
convertible roadster + 9000 rpms = S2000
American's ruined the S2000 with all the bitching about it's twitchy rear end, it's lound engine note...high reving engine, and "lot torque" figures. Why do I say American's?? because we are the only ones that received this 2.2 liter engine when it debuted in 04, while countries like Europe and Japan continued to produce the S2000 with the 9k redline. I'm not dissing on AP2s, i'm just speaking the truth that in it's original form when the 2.0L debuted, it performed and delivered an engineering experience for enthusiust to apprecaite...delivered what it promised to...what the engineers wanted it to...a fun to drive car.
The revisions done to it afterwards helped to gain more potential owners. The new AP2's have nice improvements, of course. Better all around daily drive, comfortwise, torque increase, suspension ride, less twitchy on the corners, stability control...safer. All this is cool, and worth it to different owners, but for what the S2000 is, I'm happy I have an AP1, because it has all the important features that I care about.
ap2 vs ap1
... it's what you want from this car. Have your pick...its to your taste. What's better is subjective to what you want from the car when you are driving it.
AP2's torque > AP1 and puts out slighty more power. Personally, I care about the driving, having fun behind the wheel, so this does not outweight the 9K redline the suspension differences.
Important ones that matter to me when I'm driving...9K redline, tight handling with satisfaction and reward from driving it and car's capability to behave like a RWD car. It's ability to oversteer. It's part of the package. I think making a rwd car understeer kind of goes against the formula of having a rear wheel drive...in my opinion and I didn't like how it was going in that direction with an AP2. Granted it's safer, but the AP1 was just fine. I like the new headlights and new center console though.
9k made a huge difference to me. Wouldn't have accepted it any other way. It's the birthday gift Honda envisioned for themselves to celebrate 50 years... S2000 and 9000 rpms...I think it was part of the formula.
convertible roadster + 9000 rpms = S2000
American's ruined the S2000 with all the bitching about it's twitchy rear end, it's lound engine note...high reving engine, and "lot torque" figures. Why do I say American's?? because we are the only ones that received this 2.2 liter engine when it debuted in 04, while countries like Europe and Japan continued to produce the S2000 with the 9k redline. I'm not dissing on AP2s, i'm just speaking the truth that in it's original form when the 2.0L debuted, it performed and delivered an engineering experience for enthusiust to apprecaite...delivered what it promised to...what the engineers wanted it to...a fun to drive car.
The revisions done to it afterwards helped to gain more potential owners. The new AP2's have nice improvements, of course. Better all around daily drive, comfortwise, torque increase, suspension ride, less twitchy on the corners, stability control...safer. All this is cool, and worth it to different owners, but for what the S2000 is, I'm happy I have an AP1, because it has all the important features that I care about.
ap2 vs ap1
... it's what you want from this car. Have your pick...its to your taste. What's better is subjective to what you want from the car when you are driving it.
AP2's torque > AP1 and puts out slighty more power. Personally, I care about the driving, having fun behind the wheel, so this does not outweight the 9K redline the suspension differences.
Important ones that matter to me when I'm driving...9K redline, tight handling with satisfaction and reward from driving it and car's capability to behave like a RWD car. It's ability to oversteer. It's part of the package. I think making a rwd car understeer kind of goes against the formula of having a rear wheel drive...in my opinion and I didn't like how it was going in that direction with an AP2. Granted it's safer, but the AP1 was just fine. I like the new headlights and new center console though.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 5
Hmmm... Just started thinking about this. I wonder what kind of hp/tq the f20c could make if it were tuned for japan's and uk's gas? Don't they have the equivalent of around 100 octane for the high test in japan? This is one of the main reasons the US gets cars with v6's or larger 4's (think 240sx vs sr20det) instead of turbo'd 4's alot of times as well.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Bonita Springs, FL
In the AP1vs. AP2 debate no one mentions that you can't buy/lease a new AP1 in the U S. Havn't been able to since MY03. So it's really simple, if you want to own a new car it has to be an AP2. Many people simply won't buy a used car.
As far as differences, I would really, really like the 9K redline. My feeling is the AP2 has a lot left at 8K, and should be able to wind to 8,500 or 8,600 without being stomped by the rev limiter. However, all of the other advantages of the AP2 would make me choose a my06 AP2 vs. a new MY03 if it were available
As far as differences, I would really, really like the 9K redline. My feeling is the AP2 has a lot left at 8K, and should be able to wind to 8,500 or 8,600 without being stomped by the rev limiter. However, all of the other advantages of the AP2 would make me choose a my06 AP2 vs. a new MY03 if it were available
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,648
Likes: 1
From: Culpeper Virginia
The fact that you can buy a MY03 with 25K miles in excellent shape for $19K instead of a MY06 new for $32K makes the AP1 the best choice for someone who can work on the car themselves, self sufficient owners. I do all my own work so a used car was not an issue, I knew it hadn't been abused and it only had 16K miles on it. Saving $12K of financed money is a HUGE difference in affordability of this car. I have 12K in the bank and more happy with my AP1 because it didn't set me back $32K!
Plus insurance is cheaper on AP1's.
Plus insurance is cheaper on AP1's.
, getting no love even though it's the "improved" sibling. 
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
I test drove an 03 and an 04 back to back. Even though the 04 was only 2500 more with 15k rather 30k, i still bought the AP1. I felt more connected with the ap1, had more fun driving, and there was more room for improvement. It was an easy choice for me.
As far as asthetics, i picked up some ap2 wheels, and am probably going to get some ap2 lights. I like the ap1 rear end better, especially once i get my J's 60rs single. Now i got the best of both worlds.
As far as asthetics, i picked up some ap2 wheels, and am probably going to get some ap2 lights. I like the ap1 rear end better, especially once i get my J's 60rs single. Now i got the best of both worlds.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 13
From: NJ
<--this icon is for AP1 
I think the Foreign markets have the best S2000. AP2 styline with the F20C (pre-06 except Australia). However, I do love my 'twitchy' suspension and no clock. People sometimes ask me what time it is, I say just pull out your cell phone because this car doesn't have a clock. They are amazed and one person mentioned "wow so this car is meant to do one thing .. race" I couldn't help but grin.