I might be getting an s2000 fairly soon. And i had the opportunity to test drive both models. Let me start with the Ap2, it was a 2005 s2k. First impression, I love the headlights and the front bumper, but not so much the rear bumper and tail lights. Then opening the door and admiring the interior trim and design. It has a very sporty look of course. The leather is great, once I took a seat it felt very comfortable, and hugged my body like a glove. Push start button has always amused me, which is a plus. The head unit is too plain, I do like how the stereo system can be controlled on the left side of the driver.

Now for the drive, I was very impressed on how smooth the suspension felt, like if the car is floating. The engine sounds great, the shifter is awesome its like the best stock short shifter I've ever tried. The performance was better then I expected, pretty good low end torque as the rpm climbed and when vtec engaged it really pulled hard and sounds better then any other vtec motor in my opinion for a stock motor. But the steering does feel a bit stiff. Surprisingly the car is a bit roomy. I dont mind a 2 seater since its usually myself driving or my girlfriend and I.

Only thing I was disappointed on is the fact its redline is 8k. Sure call me ricey, but it would have been great if Honda kept on with the 9k redline. Also I had trouble trying to adjust the steering wheel, since it felt a bit low for my driving position. I think the shifter lever could of been a bit shorter, seems a bit long when shifting.

For the Ap1's the only differences I felt or seen, compared to the above statements is that the Ap1's have the 9k redline which is the obvious. The exterior is different of course, and the interior has less intricate designs. Lastly the Ap1's didn't feel like it had good low end power as the Ap2's have. But the midrange and high end power was nearly the same as the Ap2's.

Overall, driving both cars made it difficult for me to decide which one is a better car for me. I guess it just may come down to the price. And which one will be more affordable.

What do ya'll think? How hard was it for you guys to choose between the two?

 

Ap1 with 04+ bumper

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NightRiderS2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ap1 with 04+ bumper </TD></TR></TABLE>

True, I thought of that, isn't there some trimming involved in fitting the front bumper to the AP1 body? and what about the headlights wouldn't I have to swap out for Ap2 headlights?

 

DOOD get an AP1.

And if your going to go with the GAYP2 front end all you need to do is trim the uper corners off of the bumper support. You can keep the AP1 lights or get the AP2 both fit ( but if your going ap2 with the headlights your going to need the ap2 h.i.d. blasts cause they are shaped different compared to the ap1 blasts).
Honestly the ap2 bumper looks good with the AP1 headlights when its on an AP1. Plus then pple would know you have an AP1 and give you the cause AP2's pretty much blow.

 

lol, why are people so negative about the Ap2? I think they are pretty good in comparison to the Ap1's minus the 9k redline.

 

They are called "ballasts" by the way


My S, but not my picture...

 

Personaly I really dont care I would own one or the other aslong as its an S2K. I just like to *** around cause the AP1 guys give the AP2 guys a hardtime and they return the favor. But I do like the way the AP1 looks over the AP2 esp when the AP1 is dropped and with an oem lip (like mine). And the whole 9k&gt;8k thing doesnt really worry me either cause what the AP2 loses in the rpm range(1k) it more then makes up with its torque.

But w/e fuc the AP2

AP1 for life bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NightRiderS2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They are called "ballasts" by the way


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

Thank you buddy I knew it sounded wierd in my head.

 

Never driven an AP2 so I'm biased...


AP1


You will not be disappointed either way (AP1 or AP2). Plus you can use the money you save to upgrade a few things here and there given you go with the AP1

I miss the boost with my old car... Although my S will be boosted within 2 years

 

^-- u got ur s2k the same day as me and have similar plans! right on brotheR! hahaha

s2k's are amazing, AP1 or 2 ur good to go.

 

That S with the ap2 front bumper looks really nice. I definitely would like to do that conversion some day.

Hopefully in a few weeks or so, I'll be in a s2k.

 

Thanks for the compliments; I need to take my own pictures with a nice camera.


When you do get an S2k, invest in a hardtop. Good luck!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! - NightRider


PS. B00st owns!
One day my car's front end will look like this:
FurY's car :drool:

 

just buy a civic

 

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

LOL, I've had enough with civics and integra's already.

 

Im in the same boat as you. But I will be getting an AP2 just because IMO it looks better and pulls better off the line.

You answered your own question up above. You wrote 3 times more about an AP2 than you did about an AP1. If your going to get one go with the ap2 its a better DD and looks a tad better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SlammedDC2teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You answered your own question up above. You wrote 3 times more about an AP2 than you did about an AP1. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Agreed.

 

im in th same boat right now. as soon as my Jetta sells. In spring ill be buying an S2000.

If you get an AP1, make sure it is an 02 or newer. All of the little things are upgraded on the 02's and up.

As far as AP1 vs AP2, it all comes down to price. Ive been browsing autotrader the past 2 weeks just looking. You can find any year s2000 for under 20k with low miles on it. Keep looking, you will find what you want.

I really want a white 02-current S2k, but they are hard to comeby, except the ugly all red or two tone tan interiors. i want either all black or two tone red leather.

 

read the sig

 

Ap1 or Ap2 their both bad as* cars! I just bought an ap1 and r in love with it. Dude ap1's are cheaper so thats really up to you. The ap2 comes with bigger and nicer wheels but the things that change on it are just cosmetics (the motor a little bit) i drove my boys ap2 and honestly the y feel the same to me! Bottom line their both sick cars. I wanna change my wheels tho, to ap2's or ssr sp1 18 by 8.5 in front and 18 by 10 in the rear Good luck man, and wich ever one you get you'll be happy. Make sure you get an insurance quote b4 you buy it tho!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by f20milo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ap1 or Ap2 their both bad as* cars! I just bought an ap1 and r in love with it. Dude ap1's are cheaper so thats really up to you. The ap2 comes with bigger and nicer wheels but the things that change on it are just cosmetics (the motor a little bit) i drove my boys ap2 and honestly the y feel the same to me! Bottom line their both sick cars. I wanna change my wheels tho, to ap2's or ssr sp1 18 by 8.5 in front and 18 by 10 in the rear Good luck man, and wich ever one you get you'll be happy. Make sure you get an insurance quote b4 you buy it tho! </TD></TR></TABLE>

befor i got one i drove a couple Ap1s and AP2s i thought they felt like a different car... the AP1 you feel more bumps, dont have any low end power, shorter gear box. thats just a couple to start out with.....

WHy to people try to put rims that big on the s2000?

 

i am in the same boat trying to decide which one already narrowed down to getting silverstone but not yet on either Ap1 or Ap2 but if i found a Ap1 with low miles and a good price definitely will get the ap1 and with the money saved use towards power upgrades

 

Having intimately driven all models of the S2000 (00-03, 04-05, and 06-present) I can say that by far the 04-05 model is probably the best driving of all models offered. But besides the driving element, the rest is all personal preference....

So my vote is for 04-05 model since it looks and drives better than both the ap1 and the 06-up models....but thats my opinion

 

lol, its still a hard choice to make, I'll have to drive the ap1 one more time to make my final decision.

The experience of driving an AP2 is still fresh in my mind.

 

They all drive nice. Just get the one for the price that fits your life style. I have an ap1 myself and haven't looked back. Except for at that SLK55 AMG.......

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97ShLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Having intimately driven all models of the S2000 (00-03, 04-05, and 06-present) I can say that by far the 04-05 model is probably the best driving of all models offered. But besides the driving element, the rest is all personal preference....

So my vote is for 04-05 model since it looks and drives better than both the ap1 and the 06-up models....but thats my opinion</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your opinion sux!!!