Best Year S2K - Everything Considered
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,807
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From: Melbourne
the 09 is easily the most appealing year to me.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 125
From: Pawtucket, RI
To further stir a pot that probably doesn't need stirring...
Having the ability to spin past peak power rpm is critical. The stock AP2 lacks this ability. There are performance ramifications...
Absolutely, I'm all about more torque and power.
Not true. It has proven to produce more power at the wheels, but the AP2 was/is no faster than the AP1.
Here's what M/T had to say after testing the 2004 AP2:
>>>Despite or perhaps because of its newfound "civilization" program and a slight weight gain, the 2004 S2000 produces performance numbers only marginally diminished from what they used to be. Honda figures giving up a small measure of performance for a noticeably less-taxing experience will drive more buyers. What once felt like a club racer with a license plate has been brought only a bit closer to the sweet spot of what most people would consider an acceptable daily driver.<<<
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2336iqA4f
Dated exterior? The changes are very minor. And for everyone who thinks that the AP2 lights look *so* much more "modern", there are some of us who prefer the simpler AP1 lights over the random round- and square-shaped baubles inside the AP2 headlight housings. Ditto for the rear lights. For me, no the no-chrome '00/'01 tails are preferable. Purely subjective. Front bumper, I could go either way, rear bumper, AP1 for me.
Same for the interior. For me, simpler/more basic = better.
All totally subjective of course.
Outside and in, the cars are at least 95% identical, anyway.
No reliability problems for me at 149k miles and 22 or so track days, aside from a coil pack that went bad.
"Arguably" slower? In the same sense that you can "argue" that black is white. The AP2 isn't any quicker overall in a straight line, and non-CR AP2 is no quicker around an autoX or road course (despite having bigger/wider wheels/tires).
Bumping the rev limit up would definitely improve performance a bit for the AP2 and allow it to actually take advantage of its 5% greater power. As it comes stock, it's handicapped by the lower-than-necessary redline/rev limit.
Anyway, it's all much ado about very little. For my next S2k, I'm going for the best example I can get for the lowest $$$, not really concerned about whether its an AP1 or AP2. Only reservations I would have would be for the 04/05, as it's not as easy to bump up the rev limit, which is definitely something I'd want to do with the AP2.
Having the ability to spin past peak power rpm is critical. The stock AP2 lacks this ability. There are performance ramifications...
I like the extra torque the f22c gives
and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
Here's what M/T had to say after testing the 2004 AP2:
>>>Despite or perhaps because of its newfound "civilization" program and a slight weight gain, the 2004 S2000 produces performance numbers only marginally diminished from what they used to be. Honda figures giving up a small measure of performance for a noticeably less-taxing experience will drive more buyers. What once felt like a club racer with a license plate has been brought only a bit closer to the sweet spot of what most people would consider an acceptable daily driver.<<<
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2336iqA4f
The dated exterior, dated interior,
Same for the interior. For me, simpler/more basic = better.
All totally subjective of course.
Outside and in, the cars are at least 95% identical, anyway.
arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
"Arguably" slower? In the same sense that you can "argue" that black is white. The AP2 isn't any quicker overall in a straight line, and non-CR AP2 is no quicker around an autoX or road course (despite having bigger/wider wheels/tires).
Bumping the rev limit up would definitely improve performance a bit for the AP2 and allow it to actually take advantage of its 5% greater power. As it comes stock, it's handicapped by the lower-than-necessary redline/rev limit.
Anyway, it's all much ado about very little. For my next S2k, I'm going for the best example I can get for the lowest $$$, not really concerned about whether its an AP1 or AP2. Only reservations I would have would be for the 04/05, as it's not as easy to bump up the rev limit, which is definitely something I'd want to do with the AP2.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 309
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From: Atlanta
For me I like the looks of the AP2 vs the AP1 although I think the both look pretty much the same. GOOD.
From a performance standpoint I think the better driver wins AP1 vs AP2.
In the end I will always want the newest car with the fewest miles at the lowest price.
From a performance standpoint I think the better driver wins AP1 vs AP2.
In the end I will always want the newest car with the fewest miles at the lowest price.
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
To further stir a pot that probably doesn't need stirring...
Having the ability to spin past peak power rpm is critical. The stock AP2 lacks this ability. There are performance ramifications...
Absolutely, I'm all about more torque and power.
Not true. It has proven to produce more power at the wheels, but the AP2 was/is no faster than the AP1.
Here's what M/T had to say after testing the 2004 AP2:
>>>Despite or perhaps because of its newfound "civilization" program and a slight weight gain, the 2004 S2000 produces performance numbers only marginally diminished from what they used to be. Honda figures giving up a small measure of performance for a noticeably less-taxing experience will drive more buyers. What once felt like a club racer with a license plate has been brought only a bit closer to the sweet spot of what most people would consider an acceptable daily driver.<<<
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2336iqA4f
Dated exterior? The changes are very minor. And for everyone who thinks that the AP2 lights look *so* much more "modern", there are some of us who prefer the simpler AP1 lights over the random round- and square-shaped baubles inside the AP2 headlight housings. Ditto for the rear lights. For me, no the no-chrome '00/'01 tails are preferable. Purely subjective. Front bumper, I could go either way, rear bumper, AP1 for me.
Same for the interior. For me, simpler/more basic = better.
All totally subjective of course.
Outside and in, the cars are at least 95% identical, anyway.
No reliability problems for me at 149k miles and 22 or so track days, aside from a coil pack that went bad.
"Arguably" slower? In the same sense that you can "argue" that black is white. The AP2 isn't any quicker overall in a straight line, and non-CR AP2 is no quicker around an autoX or road course (despite having bigger/wider wheels/tires).
Bumping the rev limit up would definitely improve performance a bit for the AP2 and allow it to actually take advantage of its 5% greater power. As it comes stock, it's handicapped by the lower-than-necessary redline/rev limit.
Anyway, it's all much ado about very little. For my next S2k, I'm going for the best example I can get for the lowest $$$, not really concerned about whether its an AP1 or AP2. Only reservations I would have would be for the 04/05, as it's not as easy to bump up the rev limit, which is definitely something I'd want to do with the AP2.
Originally Posted by notorious9i6' timestamp='1344505281' post='21923971
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e.
I like the extra torque the f22c gives
and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
Here's what M/T had to say after testing the 2004 AP2:
>>>Despite or perhaps because of its newfound "civilization" program and a slight weight gain, the 2004 S2000 produces performance numbers only marginally diminished from what they used to be. Honda figures giving up a small measure of performance for a noticeably less-taxing experience will drive more buyers. What once felt like a club racer with a license plate has been brought only a bit closer to the sweet spot of what most people would consider an acceptable daily driver.<<<
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2336iqA4f
The dated exterior, dated interior,
Same for the interior. For me, simpler/more basic = better.
All totally subjective of course.
Outside and in, the cars are at least 95% identical, anyway.
arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
"Arguably" slower? In the same sense that you can "argue" that black is white. The AP2 isn't any quicker overall in a straight line, and non-CR AP2 is no quicker around an autoX or road course (despite having bigger/wider wheels/tires).
Bumping the rev limit up would definitely improve performance a bit for the AP2 and allow it to actually take advantage of its 5% greater power. As it comes stock, it's handicapped by the lower-than-necessary redline/rev limit.
Anyway, it's all much ado about very little. For my next S2k, I'm going for the best example I can get for the lowest $$$, not really concerned about whether its an AP1 or AP2. Only reservations I would have would be for the 04/05, as it's not as easy to bump up the rev limit, which is definitely something I'd want to do with the AP2.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
From: phila
the 09 is easily the most appealing year to me.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
Love all s2k ...but to say one is meh ...your way way way off pal ...u need a ride in MY car , then tell me u think an ap1 is meh ...lol
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
From: phila
Originally Posted by notorious9i6' timestamp='1344505281' post='21923971
the 09 is easily the most appealing year to me.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
I own a 2006.
and ap1s are kinda meh, the 9k redline is w/e. I like the extra torque the f22c gives and its proven to be faster at the wheels.
The dated exterior, dated interior, arguably slower, less reliable, that the ap1s are. eh. but 9k and the rawness!? eh.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
From: phila
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 24
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by TofuProductions' timestamp='1344528526' post='21924622
I don't know about best year but I love my 2004. Purcahsed about 2.5 weeks ago for 20k. mint condition, 1 owner, with only 7600 miles on the odometer.
I've gone through a few cars in this order.. 95 olds mobile, 03 350z track stock, 04 rsx type s comptech supercharged, 04 evo VIII on tein coilovers, 02 is300 single turbo, 04 g35 6mt greddy tt, 99 solara trd supercharged, 06 g35 coupe fully built motor/tune.. and now 04 s2000 stock stock stock haha..
I love this car, it's like a go-kart on wheels.. definitely the best feeling gearbox out of all the cars I have owned.. I hope it runs as well as the way I treat it for years to come.