I have always liked the S2000. I almost bought one in 2002. Drove one and really liked it.

Today I went to a local dealer and drove a stock 2006 AP2 with 52k miles.

A few things I noticed is:

When I was at a stop and would put it in 1st gear I would hear and feel a slight thump that sounded like it was coming from the rear half of the car.

I currently own and drive a 2000 Civic Si that is all stock except for an AEM CAI. My car sounds much better to me. What is needed to make the Vtec sound off on an AP2? I am not willing to buy a 1,000 dollar exhaust system or anything like that....

I still wish the car had more punch off the line. I know it is acclerating quickly, but it just doesn't feel like it.

I tried out all the switches and stuff in the AP2 I drove. I pressed the VSA button and saw no VSA indicator on the gauge cluster. Same with cruise control. No indicator whatsoever. Should there be one?

Anyways, I still want an S2000, but not sure what to do at this point.....

 

The S2000 is rear wheel drive and the gear lever is actually connected to the transmission, so it is not uncommon for there to be a noise when you put it into gear. I'm pretty sure that most of them do this.

If you would like a little more engine noise, but don't want to get an exhaust, you can get an intake like the K&N FIPK. This will give you some very sweet induction noise. Or you can just take of the stock airbox cover. You will lose a little bit of powere, but you get basically the same sound for free. I do this every now and again. It sounds awesome when you gu under an overpass.

As far as punch of the line goes, you may get more as you get used to launching the car and shifting. I tend not to try to launch my car so as not to damage my differential.

I have an AP2, but mine is a 2004 so I can't speak to VSA. When I turn on the main cruise control switch, there is a light on the switch and when I actually engase cruise, there is a ligth on the dash.

If you're not certain about this one, maybe try to find another one to drive.

Hope this helps.

 

with pretty much all of that. I also can't say anything about the VSA light, but you should be able to see it when you put the key in the ignition and turn it to the ON position and all the lights and the cluster will come on. Also yes the cruise control button has a green little light on the button, and it will light up when you press it. Then while your driving and you activate the cruise control, a green light on your cluster will light up with the words cruise control.

 

If you hold the VSA button for more than a second, a yellow triangle light will come on. You will never get that B series roar. Other than that, there are no drawbacks to the AP2. Only benefits.

 

Maybe you should go check out an AP1!
Try them both before you just get an AP1.

2003 Honda S2000 - $13,900
Mileage: 68,321
Lilburn, GA
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?t...05&aff=national

2002 Honda S2000 - $11,953
Mileage: 56,079
Atlanta, GA
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?t...05&aff=national

 

It's normal to feel a thump when you put the shifter in 1st gear after coming to a stop.

 

Can't speak for the AP2 VTEC crossover sound but the AP1 sounds awesome in VTEC, even bone stock. Compared the H22A4 powered Prelude I came from, I think the F20C sounds meaner with a more "F1-Like" scream toward 9K.

 

I get the thump on 1st gear too, I think they all have it
As far as the bseries vtec roar I've never found it outside of the bseries except for maybe my friends jdm h22, or my sisters tl type s is pretty audible also. My gsr with ctr cams really roared. My stock ap2 pulls pretty good from 7-8k I don't hear vtec that much...kind of like kseries vtec. I personally got over the vtec roar when I got a bike lol...nothing like 16krpm and the dual stage exhaust valves open. Then do it on a 1000cc.

If you want to be fast at the stop lights maybe the best way is to change the final drive/gear ratios

Speaking on info that I've read maybe testpipe would create more vtec noise

 

1,000% agree which is why I suggested the OP at least tries an AP1
With the higher rev you are in VTEC longer and the sound is awesome
And honestly, the tiny AP2 bump in torque has IMHO always been over rated
And before someone tries to turn this into an AP1 Vs AP2 thread let me just say don't
AP1 is not like AP2, some prefer 1, some prefer 2, to each their own, respect the difference

 

You won't get the thump if you hold the clutch a few seconds for the midshaft to spin down before putting it into gear.