Honda S2000 AP2 - 2 Years Ownership Review

[@bannister556]

Excellent. One of the most thoughtful S2000 reviews. A tune (2006 onwards) can raise the redline a bit as well as lowering Vtec engagement. An AP1 flywheel is an invisible modification that makes a subtle but very positive improvement. After a few days, you forget how heavy the AP2 flywheel was. It has no downside (vibrations at idle, tendency to stall, etc.).

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. I never knew about the AP1 flywheel, so it's a much lighter flywheel? And I would imagine that the revs will move up and down much quicker?

[@bannister556]

@@sundaymorningdrives The AP2 flywheel is about 21 lbs and AP1 is around 15 lbs. Revs thus drop faster between gears. For me the impetus was that the clutch had slipped from new (had 100 miles on it when bought), so I installed new stock clutch parts and a new AP1 flywheel. There was also a delay valve in the clutch master cylinder that I removed, although I don't think it made much difference.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@bannister556 I see, thanks for the insight, I find the rev speed much better in my S2000 than my FL5 TypeR, there is very obvious rev-hang in the Type R, but the S2000 is generally pretty good. I would imagine it's even better with the light Flywheel though, good mod!

[@Peter-Alexander]

Great review! I have owned my blue AP1 now for 12 years and have had no surprises. Just oil changes, oil filter and interior filter (don't forget that one 😊). Have changed once the H1 high beams. Recently I exported the car to Portugal. My tyres are Bridgestone Potenza RE-050. I think they have fantastic grip. My s2000 was lowered about 1 inch when I bought it in 2012 and has the injen cold air intake which sounds quite amazing when in vtec. The rest of the car is original. It is a pre AP2 but still AP1. So 17 inch wheels and glass rear window and all AP1 improvements. I love the car and will never sell it.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

very nice! Love to hear stories of ownership of the S2K, they are amazing cars that are worth cherishing for, they are not the fastest, but they are so much fun to drive, haha. Good point re the air filter, I will change it during my next service 😉

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@Peter-Alexander sounds like a stunning car, why did you sell it?

[@Peter-Alexander]

@@sundaymorningdrives What makes you think I sold it? Of course I didn't. 😄

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@Peter-Alexander oh sorry, haha, cuz you said you shipped it 😂, my bad, it's too much of a keeper, right?

[@Peter-Alexander]

@@sundaymorningdrives Ah now I see 😀. I emigrated to Portugal and imported the s2000 as well (quite a burocratic process).

[@billbrock8740]

Great Review! I’m the proud owner of a 2004 Silverstone S-2000. Second owner. Bought it back in July 2012 with 68,000 miles on it. It just hit 99,000 yesterday! The car also came with the rare OEM hardtop. Love this car! So much fun to drive!! You rarely see them here in America. We only received 66,000 of them during the entire 10-year run. Enjoy the ride and drive safely! : ) Oh, one more thing. You can use the hooks for compact umbrellas. One for you. One for the passenger.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@billbrock8740 hi! Glad you liked the video! Yes, they are special aren't they? I think the total number of S2K in NZ is also not that many, Honda just don't make these kinds of cars anymore, so enjoy it while you have it! Thank you for the hook tips, haha

[@Hafizkamsadi]

The 2 hooks behind the seats are for the OEM storage net. You hook up the net and insert a plate into a pocket at the back the seat. I have one in mine and it’s just handy to throw stuff behind the passenger seat

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Ah, nice, thank you for clarifying that for me, I never knew that existed. I take you are a S2000 expert?

[@Hafizkamsadi]

@@sundaymorningdrives not an expert 😅 just have owned mine for about 8 years and added close to 150,000kms of driving daily/road trips/track.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@Hafizkamsadi wow, sounds like an expert to me, haha. I haven't tracked mine before, how does it perform on track?

[@Hafizkamsadi]

@@sundaymorningdrives you should definitely try it even for an easy few laps! My AP1 was twitchy with the snap oversteer biting me a few times but it teaches you to respect the car. It’s such a raw experience and you don’t have to be going super fast to enjoy. You’ve got an awesome collection/line-up too. I’ve taken my 911 996 and 981 Boxster on track too and it was surprising how close my OEM-plus S2K performed but gave a much better overall experience with the gearbox, top down, raw feeling.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@Hafizkamsadi that sounds like a lot of fun! Yes, you are right, maybe I should give it a go on track. What tires are you running?

[@ThatPanacheDude]

Great presentation, thorough, with all the bases covered.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@ThatPanacheDude Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 😀, do you own a S2K as well?

[@ThatPanacheDude]

@sundaymorningdrives Unfortunately, I'm not an owner. I used to own a 2000 Honda Insight Gasoline/Hybrid. I have always loved the S2000. I'd like to get one for my son. They are legendary!

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@ThatPanacheDude wow, your son has a very nice dad, haha, and yes, the S2K I a very fun car to drive, just have to remind your son to be extra careful with the throttle because it's a very tail-happy sportscar. I have seen too many accidents when people are being silly.

[@mikeyerke3920]

I’m getting mine out for the spring soon. As soon as it stops raining! Great review man! 🇯🇵🏁

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed the video! Anything to add? 😃

[@mikeyerke3920]

@@sundaymorningdrives I would like to agree that the Michelin tires will give you a lot more traction and overall handling performance. Good idea. Don’t ever get rid of it my friend, you will without a doubt regret it! You have a lot of beautiful cars, but there’s just something very special about the S2000, and for that reason, I think we should both hold on to these modern classics. It will certainly be a great car to drive into the future!

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@mikeyerke3920 yes, I totally agree with you, it's so special to drive, even just to look at. It will probably be the last car I would sell, 😄 haha

[@logwind]

Drove a silverstone AP2 for 7 years. Excellent car. I put an Invidia Q300 catback on it and liked the increased sound.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@@logwind nice, it does need increased noise, stock is a bit too quiet. It's your car?

[@logwind]

@@sundaymorningdrives Sold long ago. I'm in a three pedal 718 GT4 now.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@logwind that's a great sportscar, we did a review comparing the 718 gt4 vs 981 gt4, have you watched that?

[@HProductions71]

definitely my favorite honda ever... besides nsx

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@HProductions71 yes, it's special isn't it? Its a shame Honda don't make them like this anymore

[@HProductions71]

@@sundaymorningdrives basically all they make is hybrids now😭

[@fhowland]

Prestine looking AP2 man! I wish mine were as perfect! I agree, I wish it rode a little more firmly. Considering going aftermarket for shocks. Im kind of shocked at how softly sprung the 2007 model is.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Yes, they are pretty soft, but I think that goes for most sportscars at that era. It's actually quite comfortable as a road car, but if you change to shocks they'll definitely improve performance. What shocks are you planning to go for?

[@fhowland]

@@sundaymorningdrives was considering the Koni yellow but the reviews sound mixed. I was also wondering if simply new OEM shocks would make it ride better, as they’re now 17 years old. CR suspension is also an intriguing option but not cheap.

[@wvjon75]

Mine has a tune which lowered tech to around 4k but it comes on gradually. I also added a high flow cat and Tanabe medallion exhaust. I lowered the car only 20mm with some Hks clovers. I added a backyard special seat rail to drop the seat a little. All of these things were very worthwhile. The car still looks stock and it’s easily reversible.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Wow, sounds like things I would probably do, very nicely done 👍

[@andygtv]

Great detail as per usual 👍

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Haha, thank you! What do you think of the S2000?

[@andygtv]

@@sundaymorningdrives Very nice Honda 👍

[@YashwantSinghGond]

I like your presentation and the car I like this car and love it ❤❤

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Nice! Glad you liked it! Are you a fan of the S2000? Or just got to know it from my video?

[@frorider007]

I'm picking up a 2005 S2K in Rio pearl yellow. It's all stock and in mint condition. It has 95,000 kms but given the condition and upkeep I think it should be ok to purchase. Also, I'm curious to know which exhaust you are considering to install on your S2K. Great video!

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Congratulations on your purchase! S2K is a special sportscar, you'll love it I am sure. I am still looking into the exhaust, not sure if I will pull the trigger or not, so I can't tell you much sorry. What mods are you considering?

[@frorider007]

I'd like to keep the car as stock as possible. Any upgrades must be bolt on only so I can convert the car back to stock easily. Possibly air intake and exhaust that's it.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@frorider007 good choice, I always think stock form is the most balanced

[@constantinrenoir8273]

Very great video man! Would you be able to make pure driving videos with your cars or is this planned for the future? It could be so great to watch your driving skills! And a camera on the pedalbox to film your footwork would be insane. :D

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Thanks man, I think I may have some driving videos in the "Driving" Playlist. If not then it is a good idea to do some driving videos with the S2000, I will make it happen in the future 😄, thank you for the suggestion. I presume you are someone who also loves driving?

[@constantinrenoir8273]

@@sundaymorningdrives Thank you very much! Yeah, with your S2000, your Lotus and your others cars. ;) And I love watching driving videos to appreciate the piloting of the drivers. ;)

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@constantinrenoir8273 ok I will try to make it happen for you, haha

[@constantinrenoir8273]

@@sundaymorningdrives Oh you're so kind, thanks! As suggestion, for your driving videos, instead of having a "picture-in-picture" view with several angles at same time, you can make an edit with cuts simultaneously between the angles to have one angle on full screen in every moment. ;)

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@@constantinrenoir8273 ok got it, I will give it a go next time, haha

[@wonbongcho8709]

nice review, I am a s2k owenr in New Zealand myself, I see that you own a gt3 which is the only car I want apart from a hz73 landcuriser, thank you for the review, how much do you enjoy the gt3 compared to the s2k?

[@sundaymorningdrives]

It's much more capable than the S2000 obviously, but on a clear day, I would probably prefer to drive the S2000 on backroads, I think that says a lot about the S2K 😀, so how long have you had yours?

[@wonbongcho8709]

@@sundaymorningdrives awsome i had mine for 2 years aswell :)

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@@wonbongcho8709 ap1 or ap2?

[@wonbongcho8709]

@sundaymorningdrives ap1 vgs, i cant afford gt3 but it was my dream car, how much of your s2000 fufills the gt3?

[@wonbongcho8709]

@sundaymorningdrives ap1 vgs, i cant afford gt3 but it was my dream car, how much of your s2000 fufills the gt3?

[@ThomasStLouis-jq9ue]

Thanks for a great video! Since you have experience with the S2000 and the Elise, which is a better car? Buy the Honda, or save a little longer and get the Lotus??

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@ThomasStLouis-jq9ue Depends on what you are looking for in this car. Stock to stock, the Elise is definitely much more capable, engaging, and raw, but the S2000 is a better cruiser, more comfortable and practical.

[@ThomasStLouis-jq9ue]

@@sundaymorningdrives Thanks! Great to have perspective for both!

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@ThomasStLouis-jq9ue you are welcome, good luck with your purchase 😀

[@dannychao5053]

Hi, nice review. I have a 2002 s2000 too. Do you think it kind of feels like a 911 but less power? I test drove a 911 and it kind of feels a bit similar?

[@sundaymorningdrives]

not really TBH, 911 is a rear engine car with a very light front end, dynamically they feel quite different, you probably didn't drive them too hard to bring out their true character 🙂

[@VirtualGuth]

A nicely done review. From the close up shots it appears that the seats in your S2000 have cloth center sections. Is this how these cars in New Zealand came equipped directly from Honda or are my eyes fooling me? (Always a possibility sadly.)

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Yes, they are how they are like from stock, I am not sure if it's a NZ thing, but I am sure I have seen these cloth insert seats in cars from other countries, they are pretty comfortable BTW, haha

[@VirtualGuth]

@@sundaymorningdrives They might well be specific to NZ only. In North America, the seat faces were leather only. However, the center section featured perforated leather. This caused me to do a double take when I saw your seats - at a glance the texture of the fabric looks very much like perforated leather. The perforated leather is okay, but I’m actually a fan of the velour cloth found in older Honda and Toyota vehicles I’ve owned in the past. Thanks for the reply!

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@VirtualGuth Personally I actually think the leather inserts might be better, easier to clean, I have to be very careful with my cloth inserts not to dirty them, because of the deep texture, anything that gets in there are very hard to come out unfortunately 😕

[@jasonchen-uo7vz]

Nice car bro ❤

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Thanks mate, it's really timeless, still looks and drives so well today, are you familiar with the S2000?

[@Garyhlin]

Can I S2k swap the engine and trans into my Lotus Elise? 😁

[@sundaymorningdrives]

With me? NO! haha

[@Garyhlin]

@@sundaymorningdrives haha ofc not yours la! 🤣

[@creightonsmith5333]

I've driven my AP1 for 13 years and can't imagine ever selling it. Cheers

[@sundaymorningdrives]

Wow, that's an amazing story to hear! I guess you've probably done all kinds of on track and off track driving with your car?

[@creightonsmith5333]

@@sundaymorningdrives No, mine is strictly stock and never on a track. Bought it from a woman who drove it daily and felt she needed something more practical.

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@creightonsmith5333 Sounds like you take very good care of your AP1! You drive it often? How many km has it done?

[@creightonsmith5333]

@@sundaymorningdrives Yes, I pamper her. I'm retired, so I don't drive far but unless I'm heading out to do some fly fishing, it's the S2K. Every time I feel stoked

[@sundaymorningdrives]

@creightonsmith5333 nice one! Glad you are still enjoying driving your S2K after so many years! That just says another about how loveable it is as a driver's car.