AP3
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: diamond bar, socal
the main reason that i like the s2k over the 350z was because of weight. nothing beats the feeling of driving a very balanced, small, light, and nimble car.
most of s2k's competitions are also balanced and handle well, but they're just not light and nimble enough for me to fall for. the ap3 u described might up the performance figures on paper and have faster speeds around the track and what not, but the driving experience will not be the same.
to most of us here, i believe driving experience is more important than just pure speed. with 460lbs extra i dont think it'll be the same s2k
most of s2k's competitions are also balanced and handle well, but they're just not light and nimble enough for me to fall for. the ap3 u described might up the performance figures on paper and have faster speeds around the track and what not, but the driving experience will not be the same.
to most of us here, i believe driving experience is more important than just pure speed. with 460lbs extra i dont think it'll be the same s2k
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Ks320,Feb 5 2006, 05:09 PM
Hypothetical question: If Honda all of a sudden introduces a new AP3 S2000 (or whatever name it is) with the following specs:
- VTEC/i-VTEC NA inline-6 (or V6...) 3.2L engine pumping 335hp and 270 lbs of torque at the crank with 7.5 to 8.0K redline
- 4-piston calipers (instead of the current crappy 1-piston floating ones) -- maybe made by Brembo or something
- reinforced body (say it comes with lower X-brace, and rear lower strut bar, and similar reinforcements that cusco offers)
- slightly stiffer suspension and maybe 3/4" lower
- weighs another 460lbs and marginally bigger body (still maintains 50/50 distribution, front mid-engine layout)
- slightly better quality leather seats and sound system
- everything else pretty much remain the same (nice 6-speed tranny, convertible, 17" rims, X-bone design, etc)
Assuming that it has a new design that is as "clean" the current S2000 (lets just say appearance is not an issue here), and has a price tag of 46,000 MSRP (a price that's much closer to the German breeds), will you still buy it?
BTW, this is not to start a rumor, I'm just wondering whether people will still be interested in the car if both the price and weight increase, and the redline lowers, to get the bump in power & torque and nice brakes/suspension upgrades.
EDIT: I am thinking about this as I see this "hp war" going on with other cars, with Accord pumping 250+bhp and the new M3 throwing 420bhp, Civic going into the 200 zone ... what the heck ... soon or later a Civic will just outrun a E36 M3 in a straight line (okay, exaggerating here ...)
- VTEC/i-VTEC NA inline-6 (or V6...) 3.2L engine pumping 335hp and 270 lbs of torque at the crank with 7.5 to 8.0K redline
- 4-piston calipers (instead of the current crappy 1-piston floating ones) -- maybe made by Brembo or something
- reinforced body (say it comes with lower X-brace, and rear lower strut bar, and similar reinforcements that cusco offers)
- slightly stiffer suspension and maybe 3/4" lower
- weighs another 460lbs and marginally bigger body (still maintains 50/50 distribution, front mid-engine layout)
- slightly better quality leather seats and sound system
- everything else pretty much remain the same (nice 6-speed tranny, convertible, 17" rims, X-bone design, etc)
Assuming that it has a new design that is as "clean" the current S2000 (lets just say appearance is not an issue here), and has a price tag of 46,000 MSRP (a price that's much closer to the German breeds), will you still buy it?
BTW, this is not to start a rumor, I'm just wondering whether people will still be interested in the car if both the price and weight increase, and the redline lowers, to get the bump in power & torque and nice brakes/suspension upgrades.
EDIT: I am thinking about this as I see this "hp war" going on with other cars, with Accord pumping 250+bhp and the new M3 throwing 420bhp, Civic going into the 200 zone ... what the heck ... soon or later a Civic will just outrun a E36 M3 in a straight line (okay, exaggerating here ...)
-No less than 270 hp 2.2 L I4 and 330+ hp DOHC V6
- Keep the sum b!tch light 2500 lbs give or take a few.
- Offer a coupe version
- Add a 7 speed smg box as a option.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 646
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by fusionchicken,Feb 5 2006, 07:20 PM
the main reason that i like the s2k over the 350z was because of weight. nothing beats the feeling of driving a very balanced, small, light, and nimble car.
most of s2k's competitions are also balanced and handle well, but they're just not light and nimble enough for me to fall for. the ap3 u described might up the performance figures on paper and have faster speeds around the track and what not, but the driving experience will not be the same.
to most of us here, i believe driving experience is more important than just pure speed. with 460lbs extra i dont think it'll be the same s2k
most of s2k's competitions are also balanced and handle well, but they're just not light and nimble enough for me to fall for. the ap3 u described might up the performance figures on paper and have faster speeds around the track and what not, but the driving experience will not be the same.
to most of us here, i believe driving experience is more important than just pure speed. with 460lbs extra i dont think it'll be the same s2k
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,094
Likes: 6
From: Vienna, VA
crappy 1 piston caliper brakes?
the S2000 brakes are excellent. I think marketing departments try to get people to think more calipers is always better. It isn't. The S2000 brakes, with appropriate pads, are excellent for even track use.
Also, the 2006 leather seats are of much higher quality leather.
the S2000 brakes are excellent. I think marketing departments try to get people to think more calipers is always better. It isn't. The S2000 brakes, with appropriate pads, are excellent for even track use.
Also, the 2006 leather seats are of much higher quality leather.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach
I would not buy in to the first post senario. But if there was an AP3 that was a little lighter (2700 lbs) and produced an output of around 280hp (2.2 or 2.4 liter 4)with a 8000 to 9000 rpm redline at a msrp of 38k .....Then I would be all over it!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 1
From: NYSE
If they took the AP1 and made increased HP, upgraded the brakes, and lowered the weight, that would be ideal. Adding a V6 totally changes the mantra of the car. It's a high revving light weight car. That's the vision of it and to do something as radical as change it to a V6 would to create another car rather than just an upgraded iteration.