Lightsped

I have always liked the S2000. I almost bought one in 2002. Drove one and really liked it.

Today I went to a local dealer and drove a stock 2006 AP2 with 52k miles.

A few things I noticed is:

When I was at a stop and would put it in 1st gear I would hear and feel a slight thump that sounded like it was coming from the rear half of the car.

I currently own and drive a 2000 Civic Si that is all stock except for an AEM CAI. My car sounds much better to me. What is needed to make the Vtec sound off on an AP2? I am not willing to buy a 1,000 dollar exhaust system or anything like that....

I still wish the car had more punch off the line. I know it is acclerating quickly, but it just doesn't feel like it.

I tried out all the switches and stuff in the AP2 I drove. I pressed the VSA button and saw no VSA indicator on the gauge cluster. Same with the cruise control button. No indicator whatsoever. Should there be one?

Anyways, I still want an S2000, but not sure what to do at this point.....

Liquidgsr

If you hold down the VSA button, a light will show up on the on the gauge clustor showing its off. I think there is a light for cruise too. I too was looking at them for the past couple months and am in the market to buy one. I have test driven a lot of them at the dealers. I have driven two with aftermarket intakes and they are MUCH louder then stock form. VTEC screams just like it would with the Bseries. The thump might be coming from the rear diff, but im not positive on that.

bigmacnfries

1st gear can be a little notchy - this is normal. Fluid change can help.

AEM CAI will have a similar effect on the S2000 - there are lots of air filter choices to add volume.
Exhaust - second HKS and you're done, if you're still not happy. Test pipe can also add a bit of volume. Helps with the lower and mid range pull also.

This car is not designed to be massively quick 'off the line', but if you can link up a few corners whilst in VTEC, keeping the revs always within VTEC, then you will think the car is fast.

No idea on switches and gauge lights etc.

Black S2K

if u want one get one if not then dont. an if u want that vtec noise pop the lid of the airbox

sixsixsix

get an AP1 instead.

Lightsped

So if I hold down the VSA and cruise buttons the appropriate gauge lights should come on? How long should I hold these buttons down? When I test drove the 2006 today, I just pressed the buttons and let off. No lights at all.

So the "thump" when placed in 1st gear at a stop is normal?

I'm aware that the S2000 isn't a stop light to stop light racer. I think if it had sounded more like my stock b16 I would have been more impressed. It just didn't make the same sweet noises. That is good to hear that a simple air filter mod can improve the sound....

red96civicex

iTrader: (3)

for cruise control the light wont come on until you press the set button on the steering wheel

Black S2K

dude y r u so worried about the sound? from what im getting is that you were not impressed with the car cause it didnt sound as "sweet" as ur b16? didnt think the sound of a car would be such a big factor in the purchase oh a vehicle.

red96civicex

iTrader: (3)

couldnt agree more! if you dont like it in stock form then this car isnt for you

Kyle R

iTrader: (1)

Yes.

JdmTypeRdc2

iTrader: (1)

You cant compare a b16 to an F20/22... Even when it comes to sound, its in a whole other league.

On a side note, if the b16 had a stock airbox, you wouldnt be able to hear anything either...The aem intake brings it out.

dagle

iTrader: (1)

Direct drop-in transmission, the transmission is literally directly under the shifter.. The noise you're probably hearing, probably happens in your civic too but you don't hear it since it's in the engine bay. If you want VTEC to be louder, get an AP1.

ap1padawan

AP1! , says the AP1Padawan.

K&N FIPK makes VTEC that much more audibly pleasurable no doubt.
180 w/ free shipping on e-bay. Original and NEW.

I feel like putting a video together to prove this(:

speedengineer

I am familiar with that 'thunk' sound when putting the car into gear when stopped. My AP1 (with AP2 motor and transmission) makes the same sound. Haven't had any problems with it though, so I assume it's harmless. My only guess is that it is slop/gear lash being taken up in the drivetrain, diff, etc.

HondaKyle

O M G

Em1LuiSiR

ive had a couple si's, with a intake vtec screamss like no other. i have a ap1 now all stock. vtec doesnt scream as much but it still satisfying (:
if you want a s2000 and u wanna hear vtec,get a ap1

Liquidgsr

Yes if you hold down the VSA button it will show up on the clustor, not sure how long you hold it, but its not long. Your B16 makes that noise because you have a AEM intake. Like the people mentiond above, slap a intake on there and it will scream.

Boots

this is why i hate most honda guys...who gives a **** if you can hear VTEC, thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard...i had a fully built ITR motor in my integra and you could barely hear VTEC yet i made 210 to the wheels and the bitch hauled ***...i guess if i could have heard VTEC better i would have been faster

Lightsped

With my cars, I not only want a good performing or looking car, I also want a good sounding car. I will not apologize for that. Its my decision and money and I will do as I please. Everyone is different and has different desires when it comes to cars.

But yeah, anyone know of any videos where I can hear the AP2 sound with a simple airbox mod or CAI? Everything on youtube has aftermarket exhaust and test pipes....

I'll check out the VSA button when I go back to do another testdrive Friday.

Oh, what are some areas or items I should look for that are S2000 specific on used S2000s? Any problem areas that should be glanced at?

Thanks for the replies.

Boots

my advice for you is dont buy one...im tired of people treating this car like its a fukcing civic...its getting old and it seems like every other day theres a new thread on how to destroy your S2K...its sad and i really wish these cars werent as affordable as they are...but thats just my opinion

Em1LuiSiR

word.

Black S2K

true story

Em1LuiSiR

my buddy on his civic had a tanabe exhaust and AEM CAI. it screamed. not sure how it does on the s2k tho....

Scott.

iTrader: (1)

I do agree and disagree with you. I had a civic, and sold it for an s2k. Sure, I like that I could afford it and I'm 23 years old, BUT not everyone that bought one because they could afford one is trashing them. I treat it like a car, and beat the **** out of it in the mountains like its supposed to be, but I don't worry about what "mad tyte vtec crossover sounds like yo"

Boots

^ where are you finding mountains in illinois bro? just wondering because being from illinois i must have missed that one...but i think you missed the point...i wasnt saying dont drive it, im saying im getting tired of people thinking they can take the air box off to get a "better" sound or keep asking "why is my tranny so notchy", or "hey, look at the thousand dollars i spent on **** that doesnt do anything for me" and thats just stupid...and threads like this are popping up more and more often