That's why I said "IMO" before the statement. Who could hate the new features? Me. I think the wheels are just ugly and tasteless, and why would you want the extra inch of rotating mass to deal with? Other ugly features are the exhaust tips and the new spoiler. I also don't like the look of the rear bumper. The lights are good looking, but I don't like them better than the AP1, and the only change that I think looks good is the front bumper. The entire car just screams "Americanized" to me, but again, it's my own opinion.

I was just trying to give some advice on what price range to look for, as he seems like he is trying to get the best deal he can.

 

Good for you, want a cookie?

 

i got my '01 in april with a new rear window, clutch, driver's window motor, new dunlop 5000's, 100K bumper to bumper warranty, and oil changes for a year for 22.4K it had 48K on the clock

 

you forgot about the stiffer chassis

 

Just what does "americanized" mean??

 

uh sorry.....
the 04 and 05 do not have a stiffer chassis.

 

how about increased body rigidity?

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=158207

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...2803&hl=bracing

 

[QUOTE=AP2kyle,Jul 2 2005, 02:02 PM] Just what does "americanized" mean??

 

American cars typically have more "muscle" than import cars; they have larger displacement engines, more torque, low redline, and are much larger cars in general and offer lots of "amenities" and options.

This is a silly hypothetical, but I'll give you an example of what I mean.
Take a long line:

Import<------------------------------------------------>American

Now, the AP1 S2000 is a super high redline, stiff ride, small interior. Definately NOT for the average American driver. Let's put it on the extreme left of the scale.

Import<AP1-------------------------------------------->American

Now let's take your typical American muscle car, say an LS1 Camaro. It would go on the extreme right like this:

Import<---------------------------------------------LS1>American

Now we have to address the AP2, with it's larger "more driveable" engine displacement, more horsepower, and more torque, with a lower redline. It still winds up to 8k, and has the sleek look of a sharp import, but has a softer suspension, and more roomy interior. It's still on the left of the scale, but wouldn't be as extreme as the AP1. Let's put it on the chart.

Import<------AP2--------------------------------------->American

By these standards, you can see that the car fits slightly more of the American qualities that American buyers look for in a car. In essence, it is more "Americanized" and I hope you can see what I'm talking about. Am I saying it's a bad car? Of course not, but I think it's important for people to fully know the difference before making decisions. I originally went to a dealership and looked at a used 03 and 04, and as soon as I sat in the 04 and saw the 8k redline I'm like "WTF" and asked the dealer what was up. He said that they changed it that year so I test drove the 03 instead and loved it.

And the comment about it being "mad tight jdm yo" I hope you were joking. I don't care about making my car fit JDM specs to a tee. I just think that the rest of the world kept it right in 04 and Honda America made a silly decision. Again, it's my opinion.

Love, Justin

 

Don't forget the "Americanized" S2000 is faster on the track according to those who have driven both on the same track. In Japan the S2K suspension was also revised. A recent Best Motoring comparo clearly shows the superiority of the new suspension at the track.

As far as the Americanized interior - I believe this happened all over the world (at least it looks that way on honda.co.jp). Maybe they are developing Americanized fat asses in Japan too.