I have an 01 s2k and i love it to death....but i always wondered how the newer model felt. So i took the 05 for a test drive today. I think its a sweet car and everything, but honestly its not near the fun and exhiliration of my 01. It seems like its been limited and weaker. Even though the interior is arguably nicer...and everything is more refined, the powerband seems to be weaker and definetely shorter, its just not as fun to redline....imo i would take the older model over the newer.

 

I actually like the original interior better (newer door interior is better though), especially the dash!
I also like the original front end oem spoiler and the rear 'wing' better (the 04+'s look kinda ricey), though I like the newer lights in the rear.

 

some people like to see some extra added punch below the 6k rpms
thats why honda got that 2.2L in the 04 s2k (in america that is, we get to keep the 2.0L engine)

 

you lucky bastards!

 

I never gave much thought about the changes in the AP1/AP2 until our last drive here in Arizona. Listening to the AP2 owners complain about the lower redline while cornering in the mountains. Because of the lower redline, the AP2's where shifting into 4th around corners then downshifting back to 3rd. While the AP1's could stay in 3rd the entire time.

 

The AP2s weren't shifting into 4th because of the lower redline, they were shifting because of the shorter gears.

 

no, you're incorrect. they shift sooner because of the lower redline. the gears are barely shortened enough to affect the shift point.

to see the effect the lowered redline has, look at this gear calculator.
http://www.reverendsgarage.net/index.php?c..._calculator.php


first, the ap1 shifts from 3rd to 4th at 90mph.

now, the ap2 with 8000rpm redline shifts to 4th at 78mph.

BUT, the ap2 with a 9000rpm redline shifts to 4th at 88mph!!!!


so, you see? the ap2 has to shift a whole 10mph sooner BECAUSE of the lower redline. the gearing is a very small change and honestly has very little effect on the car's shift points. it's that redline that kills.

 

There is no AP2 with 9000 rpm redline. The 04/05 car is still an AP1 when the engine is the F20C.

I prefer the 04/05 chnages with the 2.0lt engine as well. It's more unique car.

 

They had a conversation on this not too long ago. I don't remember how it turned out and really don't care.

The point is, all '04 and newer S2000's, regardless of were in the world they are sold, got the same modifications in suspension, gearing, and tires. Only the US/Canada models got the 2.2L engine.

So, for the purposes of this conversation, everyone outside the US with an '04 model or newer has an AP2 with the 2.0 engine and it's 9000 rpm redline. We can turn this into another nit-picking argument about what constitutes an AP1 vs an AP2 but the fact is, the only difference between "my" '04 S2000 and some guy or gals in Europe, Japan, Australia, or any other place outside of North America you care to mention, is the engine. The rest of the car is the same so Wisconsin's statistics of:
are still valid!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

AP2 indicates the 2.2L engine and not the facelifted 04 car.