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I will be test driving them on the weekend, but I am leaning towards the first option since it has less mileage and seemed to be in good condition. I haven't seen the 2005 in person yet.
I just finished my search/purchase adventure, drove I think 6 of these cars, 4 AP1's (2000-2003) and 2 AP2's. Yes the AP1 will rev up to 9k, but the AP2 will rev up to 8k and its power curve is at a lower (and more street friendly) rpm level. So in my opinion the AP2 is a better driving car unless I guess if you want to race it or something. Better low end power and torque and seems to me anyway to handle and ride better. I ended up buying a nice NFR (red) 2005.
Good luck on your search! Revving to 9000rpm is just smoke. The AP1 and AP2 engines produce the same maximum horsepower and the AP2 engine produces it at a lower rpm. No one drives at 9000 or even 8000 rpm.
The 2004 and later cars got a better gearbox and 17" wheels which are more than a styling gimmick. The 2005 cars just miss the upgrade to DBW that occurred in 2006 which adds Stability Assist, Traction Control, and the ability to tune the car for more mid range power (by lowering VTEC to a point it becomes useful without revving the stuff out of the engine all the time) without a special ECU. The extra power transforms the car.
Not sure what's on your priority list or if you even have one. My shopping priority list was headed by MY2006 (AP2V2) or later which immediately eliminated 80% of the cars imported. Followed by the usual mileage and condition factors.
Good luck on your search! Revving to 9000rpm is just smoke. The AP1 and AP2 engines produce the same maximum horsepower and the AP2 engine produces it at a lower rpm. No one drives at 9000 or even 8000 rpm.
The 2004 and later cars got a better gearbox and 17" wheels which are more than a styling gimmick. The 2005 cars just miss the upgrade to DBW that occurred in 2006 which adds Stability Assist, Traction Control, and the ability to tune the car for more mid range power (by lowering VTEC to a point it becomes useful without revving the stuff out of the engine all the time) without a special ECU. The extra power transforms the car.
Not sure what's on your priority list or if you even have one. My shopping priority list was headed by MY2006 (AP2V2) or later which immediately eliminated 80% of the cars imported. Followed by the usual mileage and condition factors.
-- Chuck
Yep, everyone has their own priorities in what they want, mine were Yellow or Red color and in good shape with "reasonably" decent mileage and that was about it.
I test drove a couple AP2 and thought that the engine sound at 8200 or whatever felt incomplete and not cool. I thought 9000 RPM in AP1 made the sound I want from an S2000/Honda.
(I also think the AP2 lights and bumpers look worse and are not as well suited to modification, thus an absolute no go as I dislike how stock S2000 look)
I test drove a couple AP2 and thought that the engine sound at 8200 or whatever felt incomplete and not cool. I thought 9000 RPM in AP1 made the sound I want from an S2000/Honda.
(I also think the AP2 lights and bumpers look worse and are not as well suited to modification, thus an absolute no go as I dislike how stock S2000 look)
Agreed, wholly subjective as I plan to keep mine mostly stock. I do like the front bumper lip however.
Good luck on your search! Revving to 9000rpm is just smoke. The AP1 and AP2 engines produce the same maximum horsepower and the AP2 engine produces it at a lower rpm. No one drives at 9000 or even 8000 rpm.
The 2004 and later cars got a better gearbox and 17" wheels which are more than a styling gimmick. The 2005 cars just miss the upgrade to DBW that occurred in 2006 which adds Stability Assist, Traction Control, and the ability to tune the car for more mid range power (by lowering VTEC to a point it becomes useful without revving the stuff out of the engine all the time) without a special ECU. The extra power transforms the car.
Not sure what's on your priority list or if you even have one. My shopping priority list was headed by MY2006 (AP2V2) or later which immediately eliminated 80% of the cars imported. Followed by the usual mileage and condition factors.
-- Chuck
hmmmm idk man. It's pretty fun ripping to 9K RPM.
You don't buy these cars for what they can do every single minute, right? You do it for how much of a kick you can get out of them when you choose to.
The AP2 power band is more usable and makes the driving experience more lively feeling during regular driving, I'll admit.
But...get an AP1 ripping and it kinda starts to tip the scales too.
I have a MY00 and MY07....so I'm not just talking about something I read about either.
Exactly -- the cars are different. Pick what you want. The late cars are (shall I say) lazier. Earlier cars require more driving or at least more gear changes at high to run the back roads at speed.
Need advice on which S2000 to purchase
The AP1 and AP2 engines produce the same maximum horsepower and the AP2 engine produces it at a lower rpm. No one drives at 9000 or even 8000 rpm.
