Which S2000 is Better? Stock AP1 vs AP2 (POV Comparison) 

This is why after having owned a number of S2000s--both AP1 and AP2, I keep coming back to a stock AP1. It is the most fun and engaging driving experience---and the best value. It is a true representation of the driving experience Shigeru Uehara intended to deliver. The CR had AP1 elements to it (e.g., steering ratio, lightness etc). The most visceral S2000 I have driven is a stock CR, then the AP1.

This is the best comparison video I've seen on RU-vid💪

Honda had to water the car down with the AP2 model. Most Americans just don't appreciate the finer nuances of a momentum car with 50/50 distribution. Both are good cars, no question, but I'm taking my AP1 to the grave. Good review.

blurred the speedometer... LOVE it :D

Well done! I'll tell you the conversation at the end was the most thought provoking part of the video. I have an 86 and I think this is the only car I'd trade into... they sound so amazing. Peak Honda! save for the NSX maybe.

Having owned both and driven them back to back on many occasions I prefer the ap2. More grip, more torque. Even though its only 6 ft lbs of torque you feel it! Sold the ap1 and kept the ap2 forever

Thanks so much! As someone who is considering an S2000 in the future, this is a really helpful video! Glad I found it! Both AP1 and AP2 have their pros and cons (starting to lean more towards an AP1, but still willing to consider an AP2).

glad you drove it with the top down, don't ruin YOUR experience for us the viewers 👍you can get lower seat rails to give you a little more room.. also on the steering feel, i installed aluminum solid bushings on steering rack and its a major handling improvement.. i have taken many many long trips on mine, even to maxico with my mom and they have all been a joy.. very comfortable. ap1 owner here,, anyway glad you love it, stay blessed.

You know originally i wanted a c5 corvette for my second car... But i cant stop binge watching videos of this thing. This might be what i really want

Awesome video, btw just recently matched into RadOnc and I’m also a car lover. We should hit the tail of dragon together. I took my S2k there and I was able to keep up with a McLaren 650s, 911 GT3 and a c8 corvette. Can’t break physics is the take home message lol

I have my 2002 S2K for almost 13 years now and I still love it very much. But only as second car. As a daily for me it is to noisy and here in Holland with rainshowers often, with top closed you have big blind spots. But on a sunny day with top down on a twisty road or on a racetrack everything falls in place. Here in Europe also the AP2 has the 9000rpm redline. Mine is an AP1 facelift year 2002. The AP2 is here since modelyear 2004. In Europe all have the F20 2 liter engine. If not, it is a import S2K. I think all of them are great. I only will sell it if I can afford a Porsche 981 or 718 Boxster but I fear I regret it when the S2K is gone.

Congratulation for the video with this comparaison, well done. - In Europe since the design refresh in 2004, we have the AP1 F20 engine and transmission inside the AP2 design body and interior, we call AP1 Phase 2. I have this specific version and on top with the accelerator cable, 90 K km original configuration body and mécaniques + few spoon upgrades on the chassis... it's come to be a Real Visceral Driving Machine (RVDM) 😉 - FYI, for tall driver, one of the solution is to use the Backyard rails keeping the OEM seat to reduce the seat height . I am 1.85m / 6,07 ft and it I am now confortable 😀

Funny how AP2 values have been going up faster- clearly the AP1 will be the purest example of a roadster

tuned 06+ ap2 is the best choice imo

You deserve more subs.

Very informative video thank you, I appreciate it. I'm looking into getting one of these, any tips things to look for maybe?

I also have both, a 2001 and 2006. Both are great cars so I chose them both lol.

I've had my AP1 since 2006 and I'll probably drive it till I die

the japanese engineers can be so proud of them selfs! these cars are like a japanese katana .

I put some 17" BBS wheels on my Silverstone 2001. It made the car work well for me.

My buddy has had an ap1 s2000 for about 6 months the way vetec hits in the high rpm’s is amazing! I always wanted an s2000 since I was young I was the one who got him into them, just recently bought an 05 ap2 s2000 and I’m in love! Tho the vetec feels a bit different his feels like it hits harder at the end?

Honestly I would love to have an AP2 transmission in my AP1

From what I concluded from this video, the ap1 is nicer to drive. Tho personally I like the looks of the ap2 more, so if I ever get one I would go for the ap1 but with an ap2 bodykit.

Like you I'm tall, 183cm (6 foot something) with long legs and I have to say once you improve the seating position (I put a Recaro Japan rail with Recaro Japan RSG seats in the car, 5cm lower than stock) the car feels so much more sporty (you seat pretty high in the stock seat in my opinion). In Italy there is a Company which does a steering wheel spacer for the OEM Honda wheel with airbag. It does look decent on many cars, not so much on the S2000 but you can have it wrapped in leather or alcantara to make it more in tone with the interior. I'm considering it as it would bring the wheel 5cm closer to the driver which I would love, it would make such a difference. After market steering wheels looks better but no airbag...I don t know. In Europe we had the F20C2 'till the end of production, I feel we were the lucky ones :). I have a 2007 low miles car (well km..)and I drive the car on the Alps for summer holidays and during Christmas holiday as I live in China, Hong Kong. I also put Ohlins on the car, actually you can easily transform the way an S2000 drives with all the built in adjustment (camber caster etc.), you can easily make an ap2 (ap1 restyling in our case) behave like an ap1 with a little more stability which is good at the track. As for the review I agree that steering feel isn't the best, there is also a little bit of a "dead center" spot but I like how quick the ratio is and the accuracy. I find it pretty heavy though, which I also like. Is it even heavier in the 86 and newer cars? Nice review, what about a tastefully modified one next :) ?

you can get a 3 inch deep dish quick release steering wheel to fix the arm problem

You need to do tall guy mods! Recaro pole position and an aftermarket steering wheel.

Man! The views on this road! Does anyone have a RU-vid channel that highlights the most beautiful driving roads?

what a video and what a view!

I never drove a true Ap1 or a true Ap2. My car is 02 Ap1 with F20C2 engine and different gearbox from first version. So I can't tell the difference

In UK I’ve got a AP1.5 which is the AP1 engine in a 2004 AP2 chassis, wish it could be included in this test

Palos verdes is definitely the best place to drive a s2000 with the top down 👌🏻

I want an AP1. I owned an 09 Si coupe in orange pearl and the k20 is fun with its 8,200rpm redline but I want that rwd of the s2000. I currently have a 2022 GR86 in Neptune blue and I am going to sell it to buy an AP1.

I’m 6’1 and I’m fairly comfortable in my AP2 I just wish the steering wheel was telescopic just an inch or so

Ap2 is the better daily. Ap1 is the better s2000. ap1 steering rack isnt for the novice

I keep saying that the AP1 is a huge bargain (relatively speaking) compared to the AP2. Yes, the AP2 is the better car but when you are buying a S2K in 2022, you are not looking for the better car, you are looking for an exhilarating experience and the AP1 delivers this better than an AP2 by a wide margin.

Where is this at?

On year 10 with my ap1! 🗿

As a long time AP1 driver, I found your video a very complete and accurate comparison of the AP1 vs AP2. It's not uncommon for manufactures to "tone down" later models to broaden the market. Personally, I tell folks that if they are a more conservative driver, get an AP2 or even the current Miata. On the other hand, if you're the kind of guy who loves to toss a car around and push it towards it's limit, get yourself an AP1.

When modified, the AP2 will be better. You will appreciate the refinement and bigger engine when you have a turbo setup and a faster car.

All of my track friends run AP2.

Great Video! I have a tuned AP1 if you're interested? Best of both worlds imo. 9k redline, shorter gears and tuned with bolt ons.

AP2 looks better and has plug and play access to Hondata tunes.

I'm an AP2 guy but appreciate any S2000 - preferably with the top down. We were fortunate here in North America to receive both the AP1 and the AP2. Japan was only other market to get the AP2 with the F22C engine. I wish Honda had named the AP2 the S2200, keeping with their S car tradition (S360, S500, S600, S800, etc.).

2004-2005 best overall year for the S2000.

AP2, no question. It just looks so Much better . Plus I own one lol

AP2 just looks sexier and more modern if you want to keep the car's value up without modification.

Palos verdes baby

The CR has the ap1 steering ratio.

the only thing holding me back from considering it as an option is just the size. seems anyone near 5'10 or up is gonna be a bit uncomfortable. also them prices xD.

Ap2 for the WIN

Where is this road?

Ap1 motor with ap2 body.

Just hit 24k miles in my ap1

I would love to drive a JDM RHD one, but AP1 is my choice for USDM. Nothing beats the 9000 rpm redline.

Ap1 for the win😎🤘

The best way to describe both cars is the AP1 is a better s2000 the AP2 is a better car but tbh at the end of the day you can't go wrong with either because honda engineering is impeccable 👌

AP1 = 2.0L AP2 = 2.2L

They made the tacho smaller on the AP2 so they could make space for a digital clock. That speaks volumes.

I like my AP2. 2004

Ap1 all Day!!!!😊

I want the car that the Japanese engineers originally designed the AP1. AP2 seems Americanized.

u picked the right one~

as the saying goes... The ap2 is the better car, and the ap1 is the better s2000

Nobody should be allowed to own two S2000's. Instead one must be given to me immediately!

Hands down for the money 💰 AP2

The AP1 with F20c is the only real s2000. Even based on the name alone, the F22c AP2 should be named s2200.

I probably would’ve bought an AP1 if I didn’t already have a really hardcore car. AP2 is a bit more civilized and easier to live with daily and that’s what I used mine for. It has flaws, steering you mention but I am also not a fan of the brakes - just didn’t have the immediacy and bite I am looking for and for the speed it can carry in corners the brakes don’t really inspire the same level of confidence to match the chassis dynamics. But man if somehow Honda can solve those two things this would be the perfect sports car

The name says it all.. S2000 not S2200. AP1 and 9k all day!

Who want a side bet ?

AP1 hands down

AP1 > AP2 9,000 > 8,000

AP2 > AP1 but more importantly S2000 > Most of everything. 😅

AP-FUCKING-ONE!!

best spec is S2000 AP1 with shorter final drive ratio, power steering clog for more feedback, and hardtop with rollcage.

AP1

9k redline. Debate over