Maybe that's my problem. I just want to keep on boosting...

HPH

 

AP2 owners - please don't take my comment as a knock on the AP2, it is just my opinion of what I think Honda should have done with this car.

IMO the AP2 should have revved higher than the AP1 - the engine is so much a part of the character of this car and bringing the redline lower takes away from that.

I don't think that the "extra" torque you get with the new engine is really going to make a difference...if you want a torque monster going from AP1 to AP2 isn't going to get you that - buy a Mustang or Camero...

Now if Honda would have made the AP2 rev to 10 or 11K - man I would have waited in line to get one!

AP2 does have some improvements though - tranny/diff etc and I really like the centre console more than the AP1 style.

 

That's Camaro/Firebird, Dark Leader. Canadians!

 

True - and I even owned one of each! (Camaro and Trans Am)

 

Yep, you're probably dead on target, Marco. I came from the days of the high hp mega-torque monster motors (I owned a firebird wayyyyy back in the day) and have owned a stingray and gto in the days of the big muscle cars and went from a mustang to the AP1. Of course, we have the torque monster out in the garage and if I feel the need to lurch out of the driveway in fourth gear I can always do that with the corvette. There is a definite difference in the torque-feel in the AP1 vs. AP2 on start off. Like I said before I didn't expect to really notice a 20 lb difference, but it is quite noticeable. The gear ratio is different and noticeably so. Apparently there were changes in the synchronizers (I think) that made the shifting smoother and you can really snick through the gears even better in this one than the old one. The place where I have difficulty is the lower redline. I find myself cruising in town in fourth gear or even fifth where I'd have been in 3rd in the old one and when I'm moving out into traffic, its very difficult not to hit the rev limiter. (I hit the rev limiter once in Connecticut pulling out onto the interstate) I'm sure I'll adjust and the comfort features on the new car are welcome, but since I didn't have them before, I could probably live quite well without them now. I wanted a new one mainly for the VSA and because I want to keep the S for years to come. Mine was just getting more miles than I felt comfy with and I'm thinking if Honda stops making the S I'd rather have a newer one at this point. The VSA has yet to kick in for me (whew!!!), but I felt extremely vulnerable when traveling in heavy rains, etc. I've had several "wanky" times in the AP1 in heavy downpours and thought the VSA may come in handy for me some day. I've never run slick tires and am a bear about checking tire treads, but even so the older car often felt quite unstable on slick roads.
Another aside: I do like the new seats, but loved the old ones. The new seat back doesn't come up quite straight enough to suit me, but I'm adjusting to the new position. I like my seat back in a full upright position and like my seat to be just far enough back that I can straighten my legs and still fully engage the clutch.
The ride is softer in the new car which is not a bad thing. I didn't expect there to be as much a difference in ride as we got, but I guess that in five years there were a lot of changes in that category.

 

I had a '76 250 cu. in. straight 6 Camaro with a three speed floor shifter. Back in the days when Detroit was first trying to figure out the new emissions stuff.

240/260/280 Zs would run circles around it but it did top out around 110 after a lengthy freeway run and had a great aftermarket stereo/CB combo. Buckskin interior/exterior. I still love that car.

 

Val -- From what I've been able to tell from reading other forums, and from my own experience, I think that you'll not have oversteer issues with your new car, particularly if you taught yourself to avoid them with the previous one. I have yet to induce oversteer, despite some pretty aggressive moves in all sorts of conditions (no snow, though). The tires are much better, apparently, and the softer suspension is supposed to help, too.

Now if I can just get used to the interstate on-ramp over-rev problem...

HPH

 

You will get used to it but don't be surprised if it takes a few months or more.

 

^^ I haven't noticed a difference in steering with the AP2, but I really haven't taken it out into the "wild" where I formerly did most of my speedier trips on the country roads. I'd thought we'd have the time to take a spirited run this weekend, but it looks like rain is coming, so it'll have to be sometime next week. I'm anxious to see how my tires hold up on this one. All the owners of the '05s seem to be getting a lot more wear out of their tires than I'd ever even dream with my '01.

 

That's the main reason I bought the 17" Volk wheels. There are a lot more good options for tires than with the stock 16s and running 255s on the rear has eliminated most of the skittish tail happy behavior.

Of course it may also have a lot to do with running Yoko Advans vs. Kumho Ecstas.