After selling my beloved Sebring AP2 with red/black interior in US a few weeks ago, I figured it's too early for me to be done with the S2K. So I got myself a JDM 2004 GPW AP1. Technically I "downgraded" from AP2 to AP1 here

I've only spent about 1.5 to 2 hours driving my new baby, and am still getting used to shifting using my left hand (it's a lot harder than I thought). All of a sudden I realize I can't heel-toe and rev-match properly, etc. Hopefully those will all come back soon.

Unfortunately I can't provide a detailed "AP1 vs AP2" review, as my AP1 is really just a USDM AP2 with a F20c engine and AP1 gearing ratio (from my understanding). I do miss the extra bit of torque from the 2.2L engine, but now I'm also in love with how the engine sounds when it revs an extra 1K. The first few times I shifted at around 8K because my ears are so used to the 8K pitch, instead of the 9K The JDM models are supposed to have an extra 5 to 6bhp (250ps, which is about 246bhp), but my "butt dyno" isn't sensitive enough to feel anything.

Believe it or not, I feel the JDM's craftmanship is a tad better than USDM's. The "clicking" sound from the signals and the radio door, etc all sound a bit nicer. The OEM carpet that covers the hump is also quite nice.

Anyway, don't have time to take pictures yet, so far this is what I have:







I do wish the AP1 has shorter gears. Maybe I'll do 4.56 gears or (if luckk) a AP2 tranny swap (better option imo).

 

So the Japanese assembly line workers and robots purposely don't build USDM models the same as JDM? Quite interesting.

 

The quality could easily be better... it's not that hard to believe...

Congrats on the new car, I would love to have the AP2 body with an AP1 engine and shit... I would also love to be in Hong Kong and have RHD

 

Wow, nice. I think you got the right car, I wouldn't say downgrade

 

USDM S2000 are 100% from japan isnt it?

 

On RHD cars is the shift pattern

1 3 5
2 4 6

or

5 3 1
6 4 2

I've always wondered that.

 

sweet, not many s2ks in HK


which part of HK are you staying in?

 

There must be a USDM mode where the robots purposely f up 10% more.

 

Or it could just be slight differences in two cars. No 2 cars are exactly alike.

 

As above