whats the best year s2000?

[Vr-4-Life]

I have been thinking about getting rid of the del sol and getting an s2000.

I want one in white,red or maybe black. I was wondering what the diferences were in the years. I remember hearing some early ones had a higher redline.

Any feedback?

[2000MRDC2]

AP1 is 00-03 S2000 which has the 2.0L F20 which makes 240hp/153lb-ft and revs to 9k
AP2 is 04-09 S2000 which has the 2.2L F22 which makes 237hp/162lb-ft and revs to 8k.

I havent heard anything bad, except for the first year I heard they were still ironing out problems, and your best bet would be to buy an 02-03 if u want an ap1. Ap2's Ive heard arent as fun as the Ap1 cause of the lower redline. I like the looks of an AP2 better they have nice wheels and a nicer IMO front bumper. But the older ones are more fun to drive. YOu would prob be better off driving one of each.

Edit and 02-08 have glass rear windows w/defroster unlike the plastic back windows in 00-01

[JDMTyler3326]

So your best bet is too get an 2002 to 03

[ndubz]

Rich.......DOOOOOO IT!!!!!!!!!!! RWD FTW. Then u can show Nick up in drifting lol

[jjm4life]

ive driven both. ap2 just felt better, cant really put my finger on it, but it felt more stable. ap1 redline is certainly a selling point, but i cant see that as a deal breaker. id say go ap1 because they barely look different as it was essentially the same car from 99-08. why spend more than you need to.

[JDMTyler3326]

Can you put an ap2 bumper on an ap1?

[97TurboDSM]

lol this discussion has nothing to do with looks.

[russiankid]

lol this discussion has nothing to do with looks.

Looks=power.....duh.

[jjm4life]

97turbodsm, i was just saying why pay more for the newer model, when the differences are negligible in terms of both looks and performance

[OutToWinPAHC]

The F22c was planted into the S2000 because reviews and owners complained about torque. The redline is lower because of the bore sizing, and 3 hp less. But really 3 hp isn't much lol. Both styles are good IMO but I would go for the latter. They changed it for a reason.

[97TurboDSM]

97turbodsm, i was just saying why pay more for the newer model, when the differences are negligible in terms of both looks and performance

i know. i was referring to jdmtylers post.

[The Captain]

Yes, bumpers can be switch.

AP2 looks > AP1
AP1 F20 > AP2 F22

IMO, of course.

[JDMTyler3326]

i know. i was referring to jdmtylers post.

1) I did not wanna make another thread just to ask that

2) I was asking because why dont you just buy an Ap1 and swap Ap2 bumper on to it? Since some people like the body style more.

[dragonfly2k3]

Ive driven an ap2, and did not like it. It was a bone stock 07 and i thought it sucked.

[bl@ckvr4]

I've driven a few AP1s and I loved em! I've never driven an AP2 though.

[AMF Racing]

ap2>>>>ap1 in every aspect. also the horse power numbers are lower according to honda because the epa changed the rating system in 04, right when the ap2 came out. go check dyno graphs and you will see the ap2 ALWAYS puts down more power stock for stock and mod for mod. also the gearing is shorter, more torque, and a stronger rear diff. not talking down on the ap1, but IMO the ap2 is better in EVERY aspect, minus the 8k redline, lol. here's a nice link that tells you what changed throughout the years. oh one more thing to answer the questions what year is best. my vote is 04-05. first years of ap2. in 06-09 the only main changes were wheels, TERRIBLE traction control and GARBAGE drive by wire, lol.



http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2173176

[toplessFC3Sman]

The AP2's also came with a little bit wider rear tires IIRC (either that or a wider track, its been a while since i've looked into them), as well as a bit more grip at the back to make the car more stable, since many people (and not just inexperienced drivers) ended up backwards and in a ditch in them... the AP1's are more finely balanced than the AP2's but that means theres less room for error, and you're more likely to overstep the car's bounds especially in the rain. Both series really snap around when the rear end lets go though.

As mentioned before, the AP2's have more torque, and it occurs considerably earlier and over much more of the rev range, so they are actually a little faster in a straight line.

If this is your first very high-strung RWD car (and especially if its your first RWD car period), i'd get the AP2 just since it gives you a little bit more rear end grip and stability, and take it to as many auto-x's as possible.

[92sileighty]

um i have an 05 s2000 and mine revs to 9k?

[dres2k]

standalone ecu or reflash? or ur in another country lol

any year is good, but I'd go with an AP2 for the stronger diff, revised suspension settings, glass window, possibly vsa, and stronger valve retainers...ap1's have dropped valves a lot easier if the car's been overreved

[92sileighty]

i duno? lol i just bought it, maybe it doesn't? ill have some fun on the way to work today and see wtf the deal is

[CHR!S]

there is no 'best year' for the s2000. it all depends what youre going to do to it. i would still advise against getting a 2000 since its the first year they were sold, and every car has alot of problems its first year (i.e. gtr)

for ap1's
you can get a 2000-2001 around 11-14k (depending on mileage and condition)
you can get a 2002-2003 around 13-16k (depending on mileage and condition)

or you can get an ap2 for $16k+

if youre want a more comfortable car, the 02-03's & ap2s have softer spring rates than the 00-01, but if youre going to upgrade to coilovers it doesnt matter

the steering rack in the ap1 is better than the ap2 since its less turns lock-to-lock. the cr has an ap1 steering rack

the f20c in the ap1 and the f22c in the ap2 are practically the same motor. if youre looking to build the engine, you can use the money saved from buying an ap2 and buy a stroker kit. a 2.2L @ 8500rpms = the 2.0L @ 9000 rpms.

the 00 has the weakest differential of them all. the 01-03's arent as bad as the 00, but not as good as the 04+. im not saying the ap2's is bulletproof though. comptech makes a differential reinforcement kit, it works for both models, if youre going to be driving your car hard i would HIGHLY recommend this.

as far as the interior is concerned... the 00-01 are the bottom of the line as far as amenities. carpet center console, no tweeters, plastic cone speakers, no rear defroster (plastic rear window). the 02-03's have a vinyl/leather center console, tweeters, glass rear window, and some other little odds and ends. then the ap2 has similar features, just a little different. if youre gonna be upgrading the interior, i would suggest buying a good condition ap1 and upgrading it.

and as far as the exterior is concerned... i personally dont like the ap2 headlights/taillights/bumpers. they are all interchangeable between years

for wheels & tires, the ap1 has 16's and the ap2 has 17's. the rear tires on the stock ap1 are 225's but they are the same width as any 245 i have ever seen... they were specifically chosen for the s2000 for that reason. but if youre going to be upgrading the car, it doesnt matter

----------------

again, there is no 'best year' s2000... it all depends what you want

if you want a comfortable stock daily driver, get an ap2.

you can save money and buy an ap1, then use the money you saved to mod your ap1. my car with bolt-ons is quicker than a stock ap2, and the bolt-ons i have on my car including the price of the car was cheaper than a stock ap2 would have been at the time.

[92sileighty]

redline starts at 8, but goes to 9, is that what you meant?

[Kir Diesel]

Thread helped alot since im planning to buy one when my STi is paid off.

[suprmonky73]

ap1's are cheaper and have a more-raw feel. AMF and Chr!s have brought up just about every important aspect, so good reviews guys.

i personally got a 2001 bc it came with the OEM hardtop. since then ive upgrade exhaust, audio, tires and springs. next i need to replace my god-awful plastic window. im pretty happy with it :D

[CHR!S]

im waiting for my plastic window to tear, then im gonna get a robbins top w a glass window. i dont want a defroster :)