That's pretty subjective - safer vs better. One could argue that safer = faster since you can push against the car's limits with less risk of getting bitten in the ass. If you look at the numbers, everything about the AP2 handles better, so I don't see where you're coming from with "The suspension changes were not added to make the car handle 'better'".

Honda made many changes to the car for 2004 to make it a more capable car - anyone that thinks otherwise is fooling themselves. You may prefer one model over another for various reasons, but don't think that Honda made the car less capable than what it was.

 

They changed the suspension to understeer before oversteer. The original car handled for the track - the later car was setup for the unwashed masses to use on the street.

But we obviously disagree...

 

Have you never driven an AP2?

All S2000s are basically equally as fast, the difference is how they behave. The Ap2 has more natural understeer, but you dismiss that as a negative. Understeer inspires confidence in corners so long as you aren't plowing, and allows you to go that extra tenth on the track. An Ap2 easily gets throttle induced oversteer and its easy to modulate, so saying "They changed the suspension to understeer before oversteer" really shows how little you actually know about the two models - its way too simplistic an argument. Don't assume understeer is a bad thing, especially with an S2000 where the relative understeer/oversteer characteristic is still oversteer in pretty much every other car.

 

Go with what you like the look of the best and can afford. All S2000's are great and the differences are pretty minor from year to year. It's not like Prelude before it that was completely redesigned every 4 years.

 

I bought the lowest mileage S2K i could afford with my budget. AP1 or AP2, they are all S2000 anyways and it's a hella fun car. Why can't AP owners get along?

 

I use to have 2007 USDM F22C (new look) AP2 chassis code
Now I have 2004 EDM F20C (new look) (AP1 chassis code and engine)

I love the 2004... EDM..the look of the 2004 is way better specially with an OEM AP2 lip and 17" wide rims I LOVE IT..

In addition, what I like about the F20C is the 9000RPM.. 3000RPM in VTEC...when driving the F22C.. if you shift a little before 8000..you will go below 6000... that is not the case in F20C..
9000 unique RPM...M3 Type R- and many other cars goes only to 8000- 8300 at most I guess... and when you have an exhaust.. (single) you will know what I mean with 9000 RPM
Long gears... 1st gear 44MPH that is very important when drifting.. you keep longer and faster than the AP2.. short gear around 35mph...you will also notice that for the S2000 can hardly drift on second gear...

mmm that's about it..

In your case.. (England) you can't choose an engine...all EDM are AP1 chassis code F20C engine... you are only debating the new vs old look.. and that I can't give you my experience in ..

 

I know S2k is great car. But S2k is that expensive in your country? Skyline...M3...6...FD...

 

I basically went with 9000rpm because I thought that was cool and a glass rear window. That narrowed my search to two model years, right? I guess over the pond I would have only had to worry about the glass window