Question for AP1 and AP2 people.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,677
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I would choose the AP2 due to the various improvements over the years. Such as fixes to the cracking valve retainers & spot weld fatigue the front upper control mount. There are also a slew of changes to the drivetrain, additional chassis reinforcements throughout the body.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 609
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From: Indianapolis, IN
1. I have an 04, and my 29 yr. old son had driven it some while he was looking last summer for another car to replace his 09 tc, and he found a nice 02 AP1 here in town, and we went to drive it, and he came back and said he wasn't sure but he thought it drove different than mine, and I told him to take it back out and try it again to make sure he should dismiss the AP1.
2. When he got back, he said, "no way" about the AP1, he would have to hold out and pay more for an AP2. He got one here on the boards for $16k, yellow, 77k miles, beautiful car.
3. He doesn't know anything about the difference, he was just looking for a small convertible for around $15-%16k, so it was interesting that he was definite that he had to have the AP2 after driving both.
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2. When he got back, he said, "no way" about the AP1, he would have to hold out and pay more for an AP2. He got one here on the boards for $16k, yellow, 77k miles, beautiful car.
3. He doesn't know anything about the difference, he was just looking for a small convertible for around $15-%16k, so it was interesting that he was definite that he had to have the AP2 after driving both.
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Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,016
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From: Scotland
I own an AP1 however there are pieces of the AP2 that I like to have on mine.
but then I was 50/50 on the handling, was quite up for the AP2 with the more stable rear end BUT I have grown fond of the AP1 sensitive handling as I think it's more fun but not necessarily the fastest. I would have the 9k over the 8300rpm limit but being a Jap car it has 9k throughout the models. Also drive by cable and no cruise control were things I preferred personally, but with USA long miles a cruise control function does make more sense.
- Headlight
- Taillight
- rear glass on roof
- AP2 oil squirters
- AP2 retainers
but then I was 50/50 on the handling, was quite up for the AP2 with the more stable rear end BUT I have grown fond of the AP1 sensitive handling as I think it's more fun but not necessarily the fastest. I would have the 9k over the 8300rpm limit but being a Jap car it has 9k throughout the models. Also drive by cable and no cruise control were things I preferred personally, but with USA long miles a cruise control function does make more sense.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,131
Likes: 126
From: Canton, MA
To the OP: A list of model differences is not, in my opinion, enough to pick one over the other. You need to feel how those differences impact the driving experience. Try driving one of each and then buy the one you like better. You are the one that has to live with the car.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 36,017
Likes: 226
From: Queen City, NC
To the OP: A list of model differences is not, in my opinion, enough to pick one over the other. You need to feel how those differences impact the driving experience. Try driving one of each and then buy the one you like better. You are the one that has to live with the car.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,131
Likes: 126
From: Canton, MA
Originally Posted by Legal Bill' timestamp='1398225635' post='23125536
To the OP: A list of model differences is not, in my opinion, enough to pick one over the other. You need to feel how those differences impact the driving experience. Try driving one of each and then buy the one you like better. You are the one that has to live with the car.
Thanks. I think most of the AP1 v AP2 debate is really about the owners trying to justify their own preferences by calling the car they chose "better." One car may be "better" for you, but it may not be "better" for me.