Exactly. Obtainable and reliable. Not sure if ill ever afford or want a Ferrari when I can. And come to think of it , what is the comparison of how many f20s are running around getting driven proper compared to Ferrari motors.

 

The f20c is what makes the s2000 a sudeo exotic. It is part of a package that makes the s2000 so special. I actually think the f22 has better power delivery for the street, but it's not as special as the 2 liter.

What's so amazing is how durable these engines are. After 150k miles, strap it to a dyno and it will make 98% of the original power and rev to 9k. Amazing.

 

The F22 wasn't what Honda engineers originally envisioned for the car. The F22 was a reaction to the U.S. consumers desire for more torque and I feel it diluted what Honda accomplished with original engine. This is not an AP1-AP2 debate but there is a reason why the 9K redline was kept intact in other countries.

 

The beauty of this article is that it doesn't fall victim to the idea of Veblen Goods. Where expensive and luxury item's exclusivity gives the perception of automatically being "better". Engineers can look past that and for as great as a McLaren or Ferrari can be, the Japanese make a better and more reliable product time and time again.

Similar things happen with expensive watches. A stainless Rolex is MAYBE a $800 watch in materials if that. Add their business model, marketing costs and history and they can command $10k. A Citizen World Time Atomic Eco Drive watch is more "Complex" in many ways and built with same stainless steel and retails for $700. And tells better time to boot. I appreciate both and yes the Rolex will retain its value but that is because of people's desire to own the exclusivity. There are $100k watches out there that the Uber wealthy will buy and feel even more "exclusive", but from a technical standpoint, those watches are more unreliable and often less sophisticated in functionality.

Don't get me wrong, I salivate over the new Porsche Cayman GTS.... but even that car $ for $ is a FANTASTIC value for its balanced performance and quality.....
The S2000 was THAT same car when it was introduced to world.

Point I am making is that people who don't understand will assume this article is nonsense and "HOW COULD A HONDA engine be better than a Ferrari"?
Well it is....... in more ways than just being more reliable........

 

stements above about Rolex materials being the same as citizen are incorrect. Rolex uses 904l stainless which is looks better and is much harder to manufacture.

Regardless, ap1 owners and s2000 owners in general should feel good. This a special car and car and driver just helped long term collectibility and resale value

 

Yes, grade of stainless steel differs but it is stainless steel nonetheless........ A Rolex watch doesn't require $10k worth of 904L stainless steel which was my point. Like I said.... Rolex is an $800 watch at best....... I have owned several Rolex watches and my Ball Hydrocarbon and Oris TT1 Diver which is Titanium was a fraction of cost and are more accurate. But my resale values on the Rolex were awesome... Because they are Veblen Goods......

 

F20C had forged steel connecting rods, not titanium.

[attachment=73647:image.jpg]

 

Maybe it was the prototype because a titanium part exists that you can buy as I posted link earlier...

Regardless..... The F20c was chosen as one of the GREATEST ENGINES of all times prior to Car and Driver accolade.

http://www.enginetechnologyinternati...st_engines.pdf

Not sure why this thread and C&D article isn't getting more attention on this board. Maybe too many AP2 owners.... LOL

 

Back when i bought my Ap1 in 04 , i looked at the Ap2 . In all honesty that redline made my mind up for me alone . The f20 really is a work of art .

 

[quote name='joes sled 2000' timestamp='1423422883' post='23498189']
Back when i bought my Ap1 in 04 , i looked at the Ap2 . In all honesty that redline made my mind up for me alone . The f20 really is a work of art .
[/quot


The 9K redline was the main thing that set the S2000 apart from all others and made it so special. It was what Honda worked so hard to produce and make viable in a production car. It is the essence of what they envisioned and subsequently accomplished.

The AP2 was a response to US buyers desire for more torque...... That's all..... The AP1 in its rawest form will be the most desirable down the road. Look at the what the air cooled 911s are fetching nowadays. Pure analog sports cars are becoming dinosaurs and the AP1 is what the world got excited about....

AP2s are definitely an improved car in many ways, but there is nothing like the original..... flaws and all.....

That is why there really is no debate about AP1 vs. AP2 in my opinion...... The AP1 set the bar and had the other car companies scratching their heads...... It was a VERY BIG DEAL......