2005 Honda S2000 (AP2 vs. AP1) - POV Driving Impressions

Thanks to ‪@MoccasinDriver‬ and ‪@M-t3ch‬
2005 AP2 Honda S2000 specs:
Horsepower: 240 hp
Engine: 2.2 L 4-cylinder
Curb weight: 2,835 lbs
Tire size: Front: P215/45R17, rear: P245/40R17
Wheel size: Front 17″ diameter, 7″ width; rear 17″ diameter, 8.5″ width
Dimensions: 162″ L x 69″ W x 50″ H
MPG: 20 city / 25 highway
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Thanks for watching!

[@PaulsPlace]

My wife is going to kill me if I buy another car. All your S2000 content is making me want to go get one.

[@MoccasinDriver]

😂

[@faheemabbas3965]

I’m pretty sure I’m never going to be able to afford an S2K in my lifetime.

[@howlthehell9791]

These are just signs to buy another one dude 😭

[@bubbleman2002]

Let her drive it and she'll probably change her mind.

[@dre32pitt]

@@faheemabbas3965 Not as much as you'd think..

[@omidnamin9004]

the exterior design is absolute perfection. looks amazing from every angle

[@johnss2k434]

After owning both the AP1 and AP2 you can’t go wrong with either. I personally prefer driving the AP2. The extra torque is noticeable, and it is more predictable on track. Once you remove the clutch delay valve and swap to an AP1 flywheel the AP2 is much better.

[@SoyTuAn0]

4.44 or 4.77diff in the Ap1 is the perfect solution

[@towerdave4836]

AP2 in the U.K. kept the 2litre but had the upgraded suspension and wheels and still had the 9k redline. Did over 112k in mine. Great car.

[@VirtualGuth]

Outside of North America, Japan was the only other market to receive the 2.2 liter engine.

[@endlesstwisties]

Still the engine is F20C2 . Slightly different than original. Mine is 02 GT from Uk. Original looks but the facelift engine

[@M-t3ch]

Such a clean S2000 👌

[@MoccasinDriver]

Thanx man 💛

[@allenc5108]

Great video. I’ve owned a number of sports cars over the years. Honda nailed it with the S2K. I have an AP2. Love it. The transmission is a stand out, best shifting car I’ve ever owned ! Thanks for the review.

[@EricAtMazda]

I have an ND2 Miata and my brother has an AP2 S2000 and they make a great pair! Love to drive them both.

[@TT92348]

How would you compare them? Particularly steering and handling?

[@kamilb8232]

​@TT92348 I own a ND1 (now supercharged) and had an S2000 from Turo for a week. Mind you I was entertaining the idea of selling the Miata (back then pre-supercharged) and getting the S2k but after driving it for a week, in my opinion the Miata is more fun. Lighter more tossable. Best word to describe it is whimsical. S2k feels closer to BRZ/86. Both are light but feel more "serious." I'd say go S2k if you plan it to be more of a dedicated track/autocross vehicle. If it's mostly street car, Miata is just way more joyful and playful. Front sway bar is enough to put the body roll in check if that bothers you. Both S2k and Miata have relatively numb EPS units. I'd argue Miata has a slight edge on the directness and accuracy. BRZ/86 are the golden standard of EPS units for any affordable sports cars though. Overall for street use I'd rank them Miata > BRZ/86 > S2k and for track S2k > BRZ/86 > Miata.

[@EricAtMazda]

@@TT92348 The S2000 is a little firmer and has less body roll, but the Miata is lighter on its toes and is more fun to toss around (weighs almost 500 pounds less). The Miata is a little easier to live with on a daily basis with heated seats that are much more comfortable and it gets about 12mpg better than the S2000 in my experience. At the top end, the S2000 pulls a bit harder, but there isn’t much difference.

[@maksimavrukin3081]

@@kamilb8232yes Miata’s are for girls

[@alpenjodel24]

Love the S2k but god that E36 is beautiful as well. Really a timeless car.

[@GateKeeper78]

I’ve been a subscriber to your channel for a while and I gotta say, your content is for sure entertaining and worth all the time I’ve spent watching your videos! Keep up the great work Topher!

[@EligosIV]

S2Ks in yellow somehow look twice as good

[@yukonstriker1703]

I consider my '06 FG2 Civic Si Coupe with the K20Z3 a FWD S2000. 8000rpm redline is bliss. Can't afford a S2000 so settled for second best experience.

[@genotsSnor]

Ooo, what a treat of a video

[@maximeparent3004]

Thanks Topher, the S2000 is one of my favorite car and i like your approach. Nice video for my bday :D

[@TheTopher]

Happy birthday!

[@sanghyunlee8254]

Hey Topher could you make an updated video of your POV setup. I've been noticing the camera settings and the angles or maybe its the post processing of video editing that has changed compared to about 6 months ago. Really enjoying the low and centered view of your videos. Appreciate it!

[@doyoulikecrystalgel]

I had a white AP2 on coil overs with a removable steering wheel that i bought used at a random af used dealership 12yrs ago. Loud as a motha too. I miss that car everyday. Will def be getting another AP2 at some point.

[@mbank3832]

You got the best job ever. Even filming in a Corolla driver seat is way better than my boring 9-5 desk job lol

[@halocheckup5399]

its crazy, everytime i look into getting a certain car, a new vid from you pops up

[@MaitreRed]

Considering buying an S2000 instead of a GT86/BRZ in a about a year and damn the sound of the stock exhaust is making me want to buy the S2000

[@buchonana]

I love these videos not only the info and satisfaction but also kinda teaching me how to drive and manly steer new driver here can’t wait to get a car😢

[@cabbagehead8082]

F20 C was a high reving beast of a tiny engine. Honda should have kept it

[@geoffsmoland]

Awesome content....really looking forward to E36 comparison as well. I have had 10 MX-5's and always thought the S2k would be for me, but I drove my E36 M3 to my only S2k test drive and just couldn't get over dramatic difference in torque in "regular" street driving. I'd like to try another S2k test drive now years later with perhaps different expectations.

[@umaya87]

You can skip to 4:18 then 18:18 to decide between ap1 vs ap2 ❤ saved you time

[@fhowland]

thank you making more S2K content...really helps the value of mine 😂

[@spicytuna62]

I have a Prelude because I can't afford an S2k anymore. 15 years ago, AP1's went for 5-7k all day, and I should have snagged one back before they exploded in popularity. As far as anyone was concerned, it was a 10 year old version of a car that was still in production.

[@8we3t]

where is this filmed? the scenery and the roads are amazing!

[@thearousedeunuch]

14:22 If his MR2 video's anything to go by, no, he doesn't. The owner was talking non-stop (I skipped a bunch throughout, nothing changed), and there was a lot of talking before the drive itself. I didn't check the rest of his content, though, so I'd love to be wrong here.

[@MoccasinDriver]

Thank you for mentioning that. I just created another section to separate the videos that feature the owner of the vehicle. The owner of the MR2 certainly had a lot to say, and he is allowing me to have another opportunity to drive it on my own after he makes a few improvements. Appreciate you.

[@alphabeta8403]

9:00 Refined, less raw 11:00 AP2 is the better buy 15:55 Under the hood

[@xXYannuschXx]

I wish I had the money to buy one 10 years ago. The S2k now cost around 25k€ here in Germany, when you want to have a good one thats not been abused. 10 years ago it was around 12-13k for a good model.

[@UlrichWrangel]

I've driven both but it's been years and I forget the small details. However, when I watched the video, I had a huge grin watching the AP1 rev to 9000, and grew bored watching the AP2 much quicker. Can image driving both would be a similar reaction.

[@derekim75]

My first car.....Honda should bring this one back~!!!

[@GlennsCarCollection]

Great video. You beat me to it. I posting my ap1 vs ap2 comparison next week. I own a low mileage Rio Yellow Pearl Ap2 just like the one in your video. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your vids

[@Jmoneyy365]

I love your videos

[@GlennsCarCollection]

Thank you !

[@ryancarlson178]

Everyday is a good day in an S2000

[@fzr1000981]

Owned a 2006 for several years, simple and reliable cars but pretty cramped...AP2 all day for me, mine used zero oil

[@sdalexander8505]

I test drove an AP1 at a dealership a few years ago that a dealer in Ohio was struggling to sell. It had around 140k on it and some trans/engine work done. It was 6 months after I learned to drive manual on my 2017 Si. That test drive left me stunned at how raw and old school the AP1 felt compared to newer Hondas. I roasted the shit out of that clutch trying to keep up with how fast the RPM fall and rise. Couldn’t believe how much NVH you can feel from the drivetrain.

[@samspina3249]

'02 owner here... It was my first manual and I'm not the quickest shifter so I find myself having to rev match every upshift that is below redline to keep everything smooth, I think its got to do with how light the flywheels are and how the synchros are designed. I find that shifting below 4500 RPM upsets the transmission, Honda really did design the early examples to be driven at the absolute limit at all times and were more or less forced to make it more street friendly. Mine had 114k miles when I bought it and have been slowly refreshing a lot of the tired components but man it really is a handful and so unbelievable raw, like a street legal go cart. Its crazy what car companies were able to get away with in that era and could never get away with now.

[@s__]

can't wait to get one.

[@jordangordon2350]

My reaction to the AP2 is overall positive, but my reaction the AP1 when I hear the way it screams forever, is I nearly faint from the awesomeness

[@vipermoon_]

I prefer AP2, but in the interior AP1 console is so unique and shifter's better looking.

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

I think the AP1 looks more sports car and more Jdm, the AP2 looks more Americanized.. I like the AP1 looks better for me.

[@z32luvr]

You’re definitely in the minority.

[@KamachoMan09]

So my s2k is a weekend car, pretty much just sits in the garage most of its time. If it was a daily I would prefer an AP2 since its much of a street car daily type for its comfort. But since I only drive it for a weekend or less, I enjoy the thrill sound and feel of a jdm race car and that is why I'm all with the AP1. I supercharged mine anyway so torque really isn't an issue even compared with the new MK5 Supra, GAPPED!!

[@oGR7o]

sounds so good

[@wojiaobill]

oh man, i LOVE that AP2

[@MRDARRENGER]

Where did Daniel find that barely touched S2k and for how much? 😍

[@dheeradjlachman9658]

This a very cool car!! Love Honda❤

[@nubtm9592]

That gauge cluster looks very similar to the one in my 8th gen civic

[@tyhyhh]

ive always like ap2 the 2.2 is a better street/backroad engine

[@Savorychicken41]

The best part about the ap2 is the gearing. It’s shorter and goes well with the slight increase in torque. If you put a ap2 transmission in ap1 theoretically you would have the perfect balance. Gearing in ap1 just feels too tall to me feels like you don’t need to shift much.

[@adrs2k]

Now come to PA and drive my S2000 CR.

[@Womio]

One of my favorite

[@beexiong2995]

I had an ap1 with 150k and an ap2 with 29k miles. Definitely a difference in daily driving. Ap2 is better. But 9k redline in the ap1 is more exciting. Both rattled with the top up but they arent meant to be driven top up anyway. The 2.2 liters made more torque but it still felt civic slow under 6000 rpms like the 2.0 lol

[@diegoaccord]

I've had two 2SKs but specifically wanted AP1s for the redline. Losing 1000 RPM for 5ft/lbs over whatever it is isn't worth it. Anyone claiming to be able to feel the torque, it's because the gearing is shorter. Hell, even if an AP1 had an AP2 engine, I wouldn't be interested. AP1 with AP2 trans and AP2 front bumper is the move.

[@agentk4257]

I think half the feeling is the torque and the other half, the gearing.

[@z32luvr]

S2000 is always the answer.

[@Sammyzuko]

It’s unfortunate the S2K top isn’t concealed when folded down

[@patrickcampbell28]

They came with a tonneau cover from the factory. Most people choose not to use them since it can be annoying to take it off when you want to put the top us. Looks much cleaner with it on though.

[@Sammyzuko]

@@patrickcampbell28 just watched a vid on how to install/remove the tonneau…. Now I see why no one uses it

[@cryxbaby2250]

Being a car guy idk why you bought a s2000 with 150k on it in that condition. Thats crazy.

[@ElliWoelfin]

Was really cheap for being an S2000 in modern day, and a known risk as it was sight unseen. I believe mechanically it's pretty sound which is the important part.

[@VirtualGuth]

Well at the end of the day the S2000 is still a Honda. These cars have proven that they are capable of 400K+ miles when properly maintained. Plus Topher and his buddy picked up their AP1 for well under the going rate.

[@ludicrouslycapacious]

i miss mine

[@actuallyfeng334]

This road seems nice and fun to drive.Where is the location?Does anyone know or recognize this place?

[@Crosco23]

Is that a check engine light

[@VirtualGuth]

AP1 or AP2, I"ll happily watch just about any S2000 video (with the exception of those featuring guys driving like complete idiots out on the street crossing over into the oncoming lane in the corners, etc.). Even as prices have dropped for these cars, your AP1 was such a bargain in today's world - there's no way you would be able to pick up an AP2 like the one in this video for anywhere close to the price you paid for your AP1.

[@MrCarGuy]

If I was building an engine without cost limitations it would be the F20

[@brian07470]

OK....Weekend warrior...You have one - Ap1 or Ap2????

[@JBOsurf]

no rev hang in the older car...much better!

[@danart6286]

what road is this? trying to find some decent driving roads in MI

[@andrewchang7194]

How does the AP1/AP2 S2000 compare to your BRZ?

[@endlesstwisties]

What? 205 all around ? No wonder your rear end was all over the place in the other video. Original Ap1 is 205 front and 225 rear

[@onfootbassin]

Lol what happened to the tach on the AP1?

[@davidw7609]

looks like he turned it off

[@Addison0526]

He turns the lights on or something so the gauges dim and you can't see that he is speeding

[@jordangordon2350]

Im with you, i will be buying an ap1 when i get mine. In a perfect world, id love all the refinements of the ap2 but keep that 9200 redline. But since that isnt the case, ap1 all the way

[@omg_stoppit]

Plug and play = 20-year-old bushings that are falling apart, split engine and diff mounts, etc. OXYGEN AND TIME DESTROYS BUSHINGS, NOT USE. You’re spending an arm and a leg fixing these for track duty anyway, unless you just want to do laps on blown bushings and stock coilover suspension. That said, I love my AP2 and love every penny I’ve spent on it. If it’s your dream car, it’s your dream car and worth fixing.

[@RyanPadua-23]

Where is the Volume to turn the radio up and down on this Honda S2000?

[@z32luvr]

Left side

[@RyanPadua-23]

​@@z32luvrAnd where's the radio?

[@z32luvr]

@ behind the door.

[@RyanPadua-23]

Isn't there one on the front where it always is?

[@z32luvr]

@ yes

[@CFG39]

I’ve never liked the AP2 as much because the engine doesn’t rev sky high

[@lazyrider6918]

The Ap2 with f22c isnt technically an "s2000".

[@andrewchard]

The beginning of the drive is the best one mile stretch in MI! Go to Hell ;)

[@HAMBALADAYZ]

не Мельников конечно)

[@hellfire08]

ap1 ftw

[@albertogonzalez1746]

Why can’t Honda make fun rwd sports cars anymore?

[@Sonic_1000]

My AP2 was an easy pic over the AP1's I drove. The extra 1000 rpm wasn't worth all the flaws.

[@theroadahead415]

E36 m3 or s2000?? 🤔

[@kacpernadolski2000]

What flaws?

[@Jmoneyy365]

AP2 looks better 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

[@TT92348]

S2000 vs ND2

[@ynwa8459]

Love the s2000, but that Bimmer made it look completely average

[@cowdoodles]

LMAO nah

[@liquidsnake8417]

Ap1=JDM Ap2=USDM

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

what?

[@VirtualGuth]

This is wrong at multiple levels. In reality Japan was the only other market to receive the AP2 cars with the 2.2L engine. Also, JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) is one of the most misused acronyms in the automotive world today. In an actual JDM car the driver sits on the right.

[@philtoy9241]

AP1>AP2!

[@DJV94022]

Theres goes the warranty hitting vtec

[@Zsword92]

AP1>AP2

[@fzr1000981]

No way...AP1 also uses ALOT more oil. My AP2 used zero

[@MoccasinDriver]

AP1≥AP2 😉 *greater than or equal to

[@fzr1000981]

@@MoccasinDriver I'd pick a mildly modded FD RX-7 over both of them (back when they were cheap). Easy 400 rwhp

[@MoccasinDriver]

@@fzr1000981 that’d be amazing. Looking forward to a test drive with an RX7 one day 🙏

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

@@fzr1000981 Not sure why you’re bringing up oil for

[@RobMillerFL]

You're In the wrong gears