I'm about to buy a S2000 but I need some opinions. I would prefer buying a 04-up model because it's newer and b/c of a few cosmetic differences (headlights, tail lights, etc...).
-Aside from the 2.2 difference and the cosmetics, are there any other "pro's or con's" I should be aware of??? Maybe recalls???
-I mean, is it really worth the extra $5k-$10k price difference to buy a 04-UP than a earlier model???

Any help I can get will be appreciated...

 

Ugh. Again?

 

Just get the newest you can afford. Between the two models, I'd go with AP2's (04+'s). Proven to be slightly faster, better gearing (esp. for around town) and "better suspension." Anyone who says they like AP1's because of the 9k redline is a ricer.

 

^ I Agree !

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just get the newest you can afford.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Proven to be slightly faster, better gearing (esp. for around town) and "better suspension." Anyone who says they like AP1's because of the 9k redline is a ricer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree and also don't. The AP2 has not been proven faster. The gearing is better for around town but thats it. It hasn't been proven better all around though. The suspension being better is also trivial. AP1's are placing faster lap times in stock classes vs the AP2. I am talking amateur and pro levels. Will most people ever be able to pull out the true potential of the S, nope. So i guess it doesn't matter.


To the original poster, drive both and buy the one you like better. Also, buy the one you can afford. Don't kill yourself on the payments. You need to enjoy other things!

 

Just get the newest one you can afford,

or just get the one with the best deal, if you can find a clean 02-03 with low low miles go for it, their not that big of a difference.

 

I like the 2004s but you probably don't. Do what you will it matters what you value.

 

Drive both and see which one you like better, if you can't tell the difference then forget it.

There's about 2million ap1 vs ap2 in detail floating in google.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just get the newest you can afford. Between the two models, I'd go with AP2's (04+'s). Proven to be slightly faster, better gearing (esp. for around town) and "better suspension." Anyone who says they like AP1's because of the 9k redline is a ricer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

slight faster what? a hair's width?

how do you define better suspension? better for around the town? better for highway? better for drag? better for burnout? better for short circuit? better for autocross?

I love 9k rev's, so i am a ricer i guess.

 

^ yeah, i love the revs too, 9k...mmm.

&lt;--Ricer for life.

 

I can't comment on the suspension because I haven't driven an AP1 a lot. But I thought the suspension changed a lot for the '02MY. I am not sure if the 04 and up is much different than the 02 and if it changed again in terms of sway bar sizes, bushings, etc., or just different spring rates and shock valving. I say buy the 04-06 because of the improved street driveability factor. For recalls and TSBs check S2KI.com. I've also seen some very low priced 04s on there from time to time.

 

http://www.s2kca.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9319

Just incase you want more info. I just got an 02 and I starting to like it alot.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I drove a 04' on Friday and loved it. Though I did not buy it because it was yellow. I've never driven a ealier model, but as far as I've heard, there's hardly a difference. I am just going to wait and buy the car for the best price, AP1 or AP2... though I would honestly prefer a newer model. Thanks again!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iam7head &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
slight faster what? a hair's width?

how do you define better suspension? better for around the town? better for highway? better for drag? better for burnout? better for short circuit? better for autocross?

I love 9k rev's, so i am a ricer i guess.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, slightly faster by a hair's width. AP1's have put down some fast times. AP2's have done it more consistantly. I value capability AND consistancy in a car. S2k's are tricky to extract good times out of. The AP2 does it "easier" than AP1's (though, it's still tricky). Suspension wise, AP2's are less harsh of a ride than the AP1's. Around the track, AP2's are as fast, if not faster (from a couple of shoot out's I've seen) than the AP1's. So, offering a plushier ride and at the same time, being able to perform the same would be my definition of a "better suspension."

And for me, the 9k redline does nothing. I can't believe people get so ecstatic about how high an engine can rev. Who cares if it revs up to 50k? Could care less if the s2k revved to 3k--I'd still enjoy driving the car. You have fun with that 9k, but give me a 6.8k redlined 993-T anyday of the week.

 

i prefer the ap1 much better than the ap2. The ap2 rear bumper looks hideous. The most important factor is the 9k redline which makes the ap1 more of a sportscar.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda600RR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The most important factor is the 9k redline which makes the ap1 more of a sportscar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I rest my case.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda600RR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The most important factor is the 9k redline which makes the ap1 more of a sportscar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeap, so the Porsche Cayman S is not really much of a sports car with a redline of only 7200 RPM. Even though all the mags I read that tested it on a racetrack couldn't rave enough about it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vitt1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yeap, so the Porsche Cayman S is not really much of a sports car with a redline of only 7200 RPM. Even though all the mags I read that tested it on a racetrack couldn't rave enough about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats why theres the porsche 911 turbo, any porsche owner knows the reason why a person would get the cayman s is because they can't afford the 911 turbo

 

Not to drag this topic on...but...

Can AP1 steering racks be (easily) retrofitted onto AP2's?

 

Ap2 Man join us

 

I agree to a certain point. They made positive improvements every year, and therefore, the newer the more torch, the more handling, the better rear window, the better radio, etc. But as far as the performance and handling, I think the jury is still out on that. I haven't seen yet where is significantly better than the other.