The Honda S2000 AP2 isn't as good as the AP1

In this video I review the 2005 Honda S2000 AP2. Thanks to Urban Motors for providing this Honda S2000 AP2 to review. Check out their full inventory at UrbanMotors.com
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[@creightonsmith5333]

As I see it, the AP1 was the designers/engineers intended vehicle. The AP2 was the marketers compromise.

[@cidfacetious3722]

Pretty much. Ap1 is for experienced drivers only.

[@ethanbowie3050]

THIS IS AN ICON..........there is no doubt about that. they will never built a car like that anymore. timeless. this roadster is beautiful in every ERA. you have to see it from another different angle every time........just this. THIS IS A CLEAR DEMOSTRATION OF A DESIGN THAT NEVER GETS.........OLD.

[@furiangameclips]

Industrial designer, ap1 owner here... couldn't agree more. Ive tried to explain to people why the S2000 design is timeless, its lost on a lot of people in terms of design language. You missed the hidden compartment hahaha.

[@whitsundaydreaming]

My then-best friend and I went tire kicking on dealer lots in 2000 when he ran across a new yellow S2000. He bought it and fell in love with it on the way home. Still has it! Very few miles and it looks like new.

[@1HeatWalk]

Ap2 is the better car Ap1 is the better s2000

[@I.LikeCars]

Sorry, the AP2, in non-CR form is the cleanest looking in my book. The AP1, just didn't look very modern with the 16 inch wheels and the giant yellow reflector in the headlamp. It was so bad that many owners change out the yellow reflector with a clear one, also the JDM market AP1 was always without that goofy yellow reflector. This AP2, just needs to have the AP2 OEM lip added to it.

[@user-ht8qx4ce9j]

Agree with everything but the spoiler, I think the AP1 got the better spoiler. Just my opinion

[@matt25675]

How many inches were the wheels on the ap2?

[@Wallstreetavarice]

I hate the clear reflectors on the AP1. The AP2 headlights do look better though, I agree with you on that.

[@vltruane]

I believe the’02-‘03 Ap1.5 is the best overall S2k. The older styling makes it look more jdm/vintage imo. The main point/feat of the S2k was the high revving 9000 rpm engine.

[@Poppamotor]

I have one 👏😎

[@MarshaunLugo]

I agree as well the AP1.5 is the perfect S2K. I own a 03 GWP AP1.5 it’s my favorite sports car.

[@matt25675]

What changes were made for the “.5”?

[@vltruane]

@@matt25675 Changes were listed on s2ki forums.

[@Wallstreetavarice]

As an owner of a 30k mile AP1 I have to agree with you. But I love that the front end reminds me of my first car (an eg6), so I'm partial

[@yukonstriker1703]

Fun fact: Front fenderis lower at it's highest point than the original NSX. My 2006 Civic Si Coupe's windshield is 2 degrees steeper than the original NSX.

[@beauwulf]

AP2 makes 10-15 more hp as confirmed by many back-to-back dyno comparisons by different sources. There's no replacement for displacement. Redline (fuel cutoff to be more precise) dropped to 8200rpm. Ap2 has a smoother transmission with shorter gearing and carbon synchros and a much improved/stronger LSD.

[@Marz2695]

I really think the AP2 looks better in every way. The lights, the wheels the front bumper. Plus in the uk we retain the 9000rpm engine so win win imo

[@idlestation]

AP2 with 9k rev limit sounds perfect. I got a 05 in North America, still love it.

[@I.LikeCars]

The AP1 bumper intake is also non functional.

[@JuanAntonEgo]

I own a Red Ap2 05' just like this one. Personally what made me get an Ap2 over Ap1. From the looks & mechanical updates. By far Ap2 takes the win. Ap1 u have to do lots of fixing cause surely the previous owner didn't change the Retainers to F22 Or aftermarket etc. also runing into the risk the oil filter getting lose & dumping all its oil on track & killin ur F20 engine.( what my friend experienced on his Ap1) also transmissions are stronger on Ap2. Some Ap1 transmissions have a grind issue from the factory as well. Overall Ap2 is the superior s2k.

[@yukonstriker1703]

You're obviously not a real enthusiast

[@tunerworld]

I felt like the s2000 was lackluster in power until I took mine to the track. These cars really are meant for the track more than they are for the roads. Top down cruising is cool, but good luck trying to beat a normal car on the street. Track however is a different game. I have embarrassed many cars with my practically bone stock s2k on the turns. The gearing is great for track driving

[@I.LikeCars]

That engine bay is so clean! I'd love to get mine detailed to look that good!

[@yukonstriker1703]

I'm a detailer. It's simple to clean an engine bay.

[@markymars]

AP1 or AP2 idc I just want one!😪

[@tamtrily]

2004-2005 AP2 is the best in my opinion. Especially if you go to the track. 2.2 and no drive by wire of the later ap2’s. Spoon Sports stoked their 2.0 to a 2.2 and lowered the redline on their race cars just like the ap2’s we get in the US.

[@cidfacetious3722]

I don’t know I’ve owned both and the red line doesn’t make that much of a difference to be honest what I do miss about the AP1 is the sharper steering and lightweight fly wheel, but I also appreciate the extra torque in the AP2

[@Tony-ui8eg]

ap2 looks a lot better, ap1 is more raw

[@billbrock8740]

LOVE my Silverstone 2004 S2000 with Oem hardtop. All stock. 98K on the Odo.

[@statusquoreject]

I'm an industrial designer and an automotive designer who has owned both an AP1 and AP2 and I was an ASE master auto tech for Honda back in the day and in my opinion AP2 looks far better than the AP1. The AP1 headlights were horrendous looking and are very dated today. Yes the AP1 revs sligty higher but the AP2 was a much more refined car and had a much more usable torque curve.

[@yukonstriker1703]

Those speedbumps are popping up EVERYWHERE!

[@Avgeek0926]

I have an AP1 and I do not think I will ever get rid of it hahha! thinking of owning both s2k and EVO8-10 though

[@Tiger-gs6xm]

@ 7:16 that silver thing is an antenna. Isn’t there a stubby black antenna on the right rear fender ?

[@ethanbowie3050]

thanks dude for sharing this automotive EMOTION.♥♠♥

[@jiurriza]

If I'm not mistaken the F20C revs to 8900 rpm and the F22C to 8200 rpm. You mentioned the torque peak numbers, which is not considerably higher on the F22C, but the F22C has more torque in the midrange, more area under the curve.

[@Tiger-gs6xm]

You can only say which is better if you have owned an Ap1 and Ap2. If you have never owned a S2000, there are differences between an Ap1 and Ap2 but overall they are very close.

[@TS-mo6pn]

When my son deployed to Afghanistan, he left his '01 S2K with me for safe keeping. Naturally, I had to drive it (wouldn't want the gasoline to go bad now, would I?) and was bitten by the S2K bug. I looked for months to find a low miles AP1 but the ones I saw were bought before I could get there or going for more than I wanted to spend. I found a bone-stock Laguna Blue AP2 in great shape and years later it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. But to the point: Which is the better car? I give the nod to the AP1. Both are tremendous automobiles that just beg to be driven hard. The fact that the AP1 makes its power at higher revs means that you are going to have to put your foot in in it a bit harder than the slightly more sedate AP2, and the suspension of the AP1 is oriented toward more aggressive driving, but isn't that what driving a sport car is about? Still, when I take my AP2 up into the mountains to wring it out, although it doesn't quite have the sport car feel (or the slightly rough edges) of the AP1, it is still a joy to drive.

[@gangsta_pigeon8023]

@@TS-mo6pnwould you say they’re similar in the amount of fun they give? I’m either going to get a ap1 or an ap2 06+ so that i can tune it for more power, not too much, just a bit more.

[@TS-mo6pn]

@@gangsta_pigeon8023 For driving fun, I would choose the AP1. If I were to buy another S2K, I would probably look for a high miles AP1 with a clapped out engine and put in a K24, replace whatever driveline components need replaced, upgrade the suspension, and switch to 17-inch rims with Continental Extreme Contact or Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires. Sticky tires is the simplest and easiest upgrade you can do. I also think that extra wide tires and rolled fenders are ugly and don't enhance cornering. Most of the engine mods out there like intake kits and exhaust mods that advertise 5 or 10 percent more horsepower are a waste of money. And I would definitely avoid a car that has been super or turbo charged unless I knew for sure that I'm replacing the engine. It's a safe bet that the blower or turbo was not installed properly unless it was done by LHT Performance or another reliable shop. It's also a safe bet that a car with a blower or turbo has been abused. All that said, there is nothing wrong with leaving a stock S2K stock. Shigeru Uehara is a genius.

[@yukonstriker1703]

I can't afford an S2000 so bought the next best thing, a FG2 Civic Si Coupe. Fully stock, no rust and low miles for the year. K20Z3 is a blast to rev out. I consider it a FWD S2000 and factory LSD is a bonus 😊

[@sir_shit_talk_alot]

Isnt as good as in how? Drive feel or just looks? I don't think people should make videos like this without actually going into thorough facts like how in the ap2 they changed with much more than just aesthetics. People like this guy didnt mention anything about things such as the updated carbon synchros in the ap2, more robust valve retainers, improved suspension dynamics for better street driveability, etc. I've had both ap2 and ap1s so I wouldn't necessarily say one is better just by the looks.

[@sdlausen1]

As the saying goes, the AP2 is the better car but... the AP1 is the better s2000.

[@JDCsounds]

There's also the top portion of the glovebox with more storage.

[@ethanbowie3050]

pure.....simple......ELEGANT ROADSTER. for life.

[@justsomerandomguyman]

Almost all AP1 track cars are swapping in AP2 F22Cs (or even K24s) nowadays. AP2 also has better suspension design. The only thing you could really argue that is better on the AP1 is the faster steering rack, but the AP2 rack is fast enough when the car is heavily modified with aftermarket suspension and wider front tires. The AP1 might be more exciting in stock form due to the high redline and twitchy/nervous rear end, but the AP2 is the better track car and better platform for modification.

[@user-tc5ru7tb8g]

Ap1 is what the s2000 should be. I personally don’t like that the engine has to be screaming while the AP2 is relaxed and making the same power and speed. The Ap2 is refined and updated for the street. I am hoping to afford an AP2 before prices skyrocket. I think both are great cars but AP2 is my dream car. Will eventually will do an k20c Turbo engine swap.

[@super_hondas]

Definitely can reach 60 mph in 2nd gear. I believe that gear ratios were tweaked a little. Maybe this was done post 2004. Mine is a 2007, so has all 9f the upgrades/changes. Every year Honda made changes to the S2000, albeit the major change came for the 2004 MY. Mine for example has VSA (2007 onwards), albeit you can switch it off.

[@user-ht8qx4ce9j]

VSA came standard in 2006

[@newtonwilliams3778]

I have an 2006 ap2 and yes you're right after 2006 add onward you have the VSA

[@girbaux]

The ap2 center console price is ridiculous 😂

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

I completely agree. When you drive an AP1 and AP2 back to back, the AP2 feels like an edgy Civic by comparison. It's still fun, but it doesn't make you involuntarily laugh the way the AP1 does. Also, NO S2000 needs a wing except for the CR.

[@asianskywalker]

ap2 looks much better than ap1 by a mile

[@oscarpallaresmedia21]

I live my life a quarter mile at the time not by the mile so ap1 it is! 😂

[@kacpernadolski2000]

Looks are very easy to change - lights and bumpers

[@georgestamatakis697]

99% identical

[@yukonstriker1703]

I'll take the Ap1 with 9000rpm. I don't see the difference in "looks" while driving... 😂

[@Wallstreetavarice]

A different front bumper and mildly different rear bumper is "a mile" to you? It's literally one of the smallest cosmetic differences for a mid cycle refresh out there

[@DraegerV1]

It is significantly easier to turn an AP2 into an AP1. Bump the redline, swap fly wheel, and you're set. Now you got the best S2000

[@TS-mo6pn]

Or, put a K24 motor in it.

[@DraegerV1]

@TS-mo6pn why do that when the F22 is perfectly fine?

[@TS-mo6pn]

@@DraegerV1 I drove an S2K with the K24. Substantially more guts than the F22.

[@DraegerV1]

@@TS-mo6pn still is not a compelling argument to swap out a perfectly good F22

[@TS-mo6pn]

@@DraegerV1 I'm just sayin, if performance is the goal. Besides, the car I drove had almost 200k miles on the oem engine.

[@lazyrider6918]

The AP2 with f22c is not a "Real S2000". Otherwise it should have been named an s2200... 9k is what made the s2000 special. Fait accompli

[@buhketz]

Same car dum dum. F22 is the superior engine, debate with your local lube tech

[@super_hondas]

In the UK we kept the AP1 engine, but with upgrades from development. However, we gained the AP2 upgrades for gearbox, differential, suspension setup, which I believe is the best overall combination. Personally, I think that the AP2 look (which we also gained on our AP1) is much classier and I believe a more timeless look

[@kalmtraveler]

apologies for the ignorant question but if you have the AP2 transmission, do you still have to shift into 3rd gear for ~ 100 km/h ? I vaguely recall reviews in 2004 mentioning that due to gearing changes and the lower rev limit that the AP2 was slower 0-60 mph because where the AP1 could do 60 mph in 2nd gear, the AP2 had to shift into 3rd gear.

[@Sanjko87]

Ap2 design is better and is more faster then ap1. I remember back in the days I beat so many ap1s with my 05 s2k. Thier 9000 rpm dint help them at all 😂

[@prestonwells9465]

Have had both. AP1 is the better S2000 for sure. S2000 in its truest and rawest form.

[@Marz2695]

Jdm facelift is the best one imo. Better looks more stable more reliable and 10hp more

[@5thtenn]

I prefer well-done to raw.

[@georgeboyd4619]

AP1 all the way!

[@5thtenn]

The red line doesn't mean anything. I wouldn't trade my 2005 AP2 for any AP1.

[@yukonstriker1703]

153 - 161 lb/tq I'd rather have the 9000rpm of the ap1 😅

[@irasnarob]

😍

[@yermailmain206]

Ap2 makes for a good car Ap1 makes for a good s2000

[@V9Rock]

The ap2 is just significantly better internally lol

[@SnoopiFL5]

Ap2 better car in ever aspect. Ive owned both.

[@fzr1000981]

AP1 uses oil...end of debate

[@TS-mo6pn]

I've driven both, own an AP2, both are great automobiles. Putting a little oil in from time to time isn't such a big deal.

[@fzr1000981]

@TS-mo6pn it's not just adding oil, blowby contributes to many other problems. It also indicates substandard design and/or QC. My Audi RS3 5 cyl runs 20 psi and uses zero

[@alanarzate93]

Ap1 is a better s2000 ap2 is a better car

[@selldivision]

AP1 all day, everyday.

[@bige7186]

AP1 ALL DAY bcuz 9,000>8,000