JMChristopher

Hi guys. I am getting ever closer to being able to buy an s2k and I have been thinking.

I have test driven 3 of them both ap1's and ap2's, I have been all over the forum and FAQ doing research and it has come down to a couple things.

I could get an AP1, spend a bit less and see how I like it and if I do (which I think I will), super charge it later on.

Or

I could spend more on an AP2, which I liked just a bit better, it was smoother, quieter, had a bit more grunt, just felt better overall (likely because it was 5 years newer than the ap1 I drove).

I don't want to start an AP1 vs AP2 debate here, I would just like to hear from people that have maybe had to make this decision.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

S14 to S2k

honestly, it's all personal preference. if money is not an issue and unless you really love the f20c engine more than the f22c, then i would get the AP2. it looks 1000x better and i would always try to get the newest car with the lowest miles i could afford. (that has been correctly maintained of course)

i think you'll have plenty of fun with the stock power of the car if you get the ap2...and save up and SC it later if you really wish to. problem solved.

operator207

Regardless of which you choose, don't SC it right away. Learn to drive it stock first. I am doing the same with MY06. I promised myself 1 year of DDing it, plus a few trips to a track (to learn, not necessarily to compete) before I modded anything. I kinda broke that promise with a new stereo, but I am ok with that mod.

If you want my personal preference, I chose an AP2 MY06 for a couple reasons:
It was the right deal at the right time. And was the color I wanted (BB).
I was going to DD it, so VSA was something I was interested in. (You can turn it off, its not hard to do if you don't like VSA)
I drove a few others, and this one seemed to "speak to me". Sounds dumb, but I have had a few cars in my day, and everyone I have fallen in love with, was done on the first drive. Kinda one of those "perfect days" where everything goes great!
I like the front and rear of the AP2. The AP1 is nice too, I simply liked the AP2 more.

secondhandloser

Which one spoke to you more?

Are you wanting to mod the car, or are you likely to leave it more stock?

JMChristopher

It is hard to say which one "spoke" to me more. I just got done test driving a 2003 sazuka with 24k miles on it. It was in great shape and well maintained. It felt almost as good as the 2009 model I drove last month.

There is just something neat about the ap1 powerband and I almost feel like the ap2 is not as special. At the same time, it did feel a bit more refined.

When I get one, I do plan on taking it to a track day or some kind of training course so I can learn how to drive it properly. I mean what good is all that handling if you don't know how to use it?

I don't really want to mod the car, I would probably just get some lighter wheels (rpf1's) and supercharge it. Every s2000 I drove has had adequate power, but Once I get used to it, I am sure I will crave a bit more.

Yeah, so even after driving 2 ap1's and 2 ap2's, I still cannot make up my mind, although a cheaper good condition ap1 that can be supercharged later appeals to me more I think.

Thanks for the help guys.

JLUDE

So the exact same body that looks different only due to lights and bumper cover differences somehow looks 1000X better?



I never did understand the mentality of "buy the newest car you can afford". Especially on a car like the S2000 that changed only marginally in it's 10 year run.

Why?

1. the newer, the more expensive to purchase

2. the newer, the higher your insurance rate

3. the newer the car the more depreciation it's value will take under your ownership

4. The performance of a 2009 S2000 is only marginally better than a 2000 model and you can buy a 2000 model for about 35% of the cost of a 2009.


Yes it all comes down to value for you money. I bought my S2000 as a 4 year old car for $14,000 less than a new one and mine only had 15,000 miles on it. I paid for the car in cash and have owned it for 4 years car payment free. I do not regret not buying a 2006 in the least.