I appreciate you sharing your experience... Especially since you've owned both cars... This is not a short term comparison, but an observation with considerable time behind both cars... Thanks for your perspective and opinions!

 

I chose the AP1 over the AP2 because of it's (supposedly) more track friendly nature over the more daily friendly drive of the AP2. Not to mention I love the F20C and the 9000 rpm Redline. I even have the clutch buzz AP1 which doesn't bother me at all...I love the raw mechanical sounds of the car...makes it sound mean and gritty. I mostly track my car so I wasn't overly concerned about the comfort of driving it on regular roads. Both are great cars and I think everyone will always have their own unique experience with either one, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're all just sharing our experiences here and I think that's what matters most. We all have a common interest no matter what...this is an S2K board after all

 

Some day I'll drive an AP2. I guess deep down I'm afraid I might like it more than my AP1.

 

I doubt it... As others have mentioned, the differences are likely subtle... Having not driven an AP1 before, I can only speak from the impression and perception I have from other people posting on the topic... I have no real life experience like the OP (which is why I find his comments valuable opinion).

I have also thought that I would love to drive it, and that I might find that I love the 9K rev band!

I hear that AP1 and AP2 comparison threads are often deleted... I don't see why that should be the case... Where else would you go to talk and read about the subtleties between model years but the most popular car site dedicated to the S2000?

I guess if the discussion got ugly (which it shouldn't), then I could see closing down the thread... But for me, threads like this are very informative and interesting...

 

I wish I could keep both. I had a fleeting fantasy of buying another suzuka hardtop and having two S2Ks! But that's a slippery slope, and I don't have the room. I have no regrets for my AP2v2 upgrade and I think it's an upgrade- local shop says the F22C dynos about 10% higher than the F20C, which surprised me. But they don't really have a reason to lie. AP1s do 190-200 and AP2s do 205-215 whp.

Still the tach stretching across the dash is definitely special on the AP1 and I can easily understand why some would prefer it.

 

I am currently the owner of a 02 AP1 and an 08 CR. They are surprisingly different even with very similar suspension specially when driven back to back. I've had CR suspension with swift-r springs on both:

02:
The seats are slimmer but you sit much lower. I prefer being lower.
No CDV and lighter flywheel, feels a lot better and no slipping clutch on fast shifts
Super long gearing. Ap1 and Ap2 should really have the reverse transmissions
Very raw and unforgiving

08 CR
So so so, much faster and torque. Better gearing etc. so much faster
Also much more refined and quieter even with less sound deadening in the CR
VSA sucks, turn it off as soon as I get in the car.
Updated tach etc, its much brighter and ECU is much faster

I'm sure there is lots more but those are the major things off the top of my head.

 

Good to know. I clearly am not pushing the car- I've yet to trigger VSA, and it's nice to have that peace of mind when I'm just driving around.

 

I've never understood where everyone rags on the CDV. I have never noticed the CDV in any AP2 I've driven and I shift fast.

 

You'd notice if you had an AP1 and AP2. When I got my AP2 I thought the clutch was slipping.

 

I've driven both back to back, the clutch has always felt fine with the AP2.