[QUOTE=03_AP1,Sep 5 2005, 03:38 PM] ok, say you're some dude from england - you have an 04 s2000 with the f20c engine.

 

i agree with you xviper, trans-atlantic (or pacific) transactions are rare. I just wanted to point out a small, not-so-obvious point that many did not know...that's all.

Here's a link to a Japanese auction - an example of an 04, with all the characteristics of what we know as AP2, except that it has the f20c, therefore making it still an AP1

http://auctions.amayama.com/honda/s2000/1179477/

 

According to the shop manual, the "APn" part of the VIN stands for "Line, Body and Engine Type." For MY00 - MY03, AP1 means "S2000/F20C1."

Are you guys sure that the MY04-MY05 Euro/JDM versions are still AP1? That's interesting, but I suppose it shows that this is not a useful description of the car as the new (04+) body style isn't reflected in it.

BTW, it isn't true that MY06 is the "same" engine. The new throttle-by-wire system will surely have significant effects on engine management hardware/software, as we know it also affects the braking system. So, I guess it all depends on your perspective. I suppose it'll be more interesting to look at the "Engine Number" which gets stamped on these -- will they be F20C and F22C engines, or will they make a transition to something new (like "F22D" or something).

 

Chasmo, if you check the link I posted, it clearly shows the 04 body style, with "2000cc" engine, with a frame code of AP1.

I browsed that site a bit as well....the same went for the NSX - the 3.0L was known as the NA1, while the 3.2L with virtually no change to the chassis, was called the NA2.

So I do believe that the engine portion of "Line, Body and Engine Type" heavily influences the chassis code.

 

^ No doubt. Still, seems fairly useless to me, given what's been said here.

If the S were more like other cars (multiple engine choices, multiple transmission choices), this would be even more confusing.

This even goes back to the question of why didn't they rebadge the car to be an S2200 for the North Amer. market?

 

Interesting, I thought the Chassis code represented the actual chassis ... that is ... the shell of the car w/o an engine, interior, rims, etc etc etc ... the frame if you will, plus body panels.

And since the 2004+ S2000s around the world get all of the changes except for the gear ratios and 2.2L engine, including the changes to the frame itself (stiffening), I assumed the S2000s around the world get the AP2 designation. Thats why you have a Chassis Code, and an Engine code. So you could designate everything. AP2 w/F20C, AP1 w/F20C, AP2 w/F22C, AP2 w/F22D for 2006+ ... This was just an assumption on my part though.

03_AP1 - Are you 100% sure that your link is accurate? Just because I put up that I'm selling a 2004 S2000 with a Chassis code of AP1 on eBay doesn't make it right. There are consistent errors on eBay and since this is a car auction site I wouldn't be surprised if this is an error too. I've never seen a Euro or Japanese S2000 myself so I don't really know.

I guess we need a Euro/Japanese S2000 owner to comment.

 

Liquice, I'm positive.

I learned this from a UK owner a few months ago, when he had a VIN question about his 04. It was plain as day, it said AP1.