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.).
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?
@@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.
@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!
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.
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 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 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!
@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.
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.
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?
@@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.
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 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.
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
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?
@@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 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. ;)
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.)
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
@@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!
@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 😕
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!
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?
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.
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??
@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.
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?
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?
@@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 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
@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.
