I got the FL5 a little friend!

[Stan23]

Drove the new to me S2000 about 150 miles today, half of that in the twisty mountain roads, i'll say the AP2 with 17" handles quite a bit better than my AP1 with 16" wheels. I also know Honda made some tweaks in suspension through the years too.

Half way through my drive in the twisties, I was followed by another S2000--same color! Was fun romping through the hills!

I know no one asked me directly, but the shifter on the S2000 is the best out of any car i've ever driven. It is much better than the FL5 shifter which is already really good. The S2000 feels much more mechanical and has a direct click through the gears. The FL5 you can still feel it's a cable shifter whereas the S2000 shifter feels like its directly bolted onto the transmission.

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[Cap]

How do you rate the S2000 shifter against the Type R? When I drove the S2000, it was the best shifter going but that was a long time ago.

The s2k has the best shifter I've had the pleasure of using. The length of the throws, engagement of the gears, etc. is wonderful.

The type R is really impressive for a cable linkage, but s2k is the clear winner for me.

 

[loop_out]

Regarding S2K's shifter vs Typer R - I thought Type R's shifter would be similar to the S2K's based on reviews because they compared it to great Honda gearboxes of past. They are both great, but turns out they are also pretty different. Type R's shifter is a bit more snick snick and smoother. S2K's is more direct and requires a higher level of effort (feels a bit more notchy), but also feels more precise. Combined with the tad heavier clutch, the S2K's gearbox is more satisfying for me to use. I think it comes down to person preference, though.

 

[evlsmurf]

Is there a year or years you guys would recommend over others?

 

[TW00Si]

Is there a year or years you guys would recommend over others?

Depends on what you want. More analog, raw and 9K redline go with the AP1. If you want slightly tamed, VSA and a little more low end torque, get the AP2. If I could, I’d cobble AP1 and AP2 together. If you can get a CR, I’d say go for it.

 

[frenzal]

Depends on what you want. More analog, raw and 9K redline go with the AP1. If you want slightly tamed, VSA and a little more low end torque, get the AP2. If I could, I’d cobble AP1 and AP2 together. If you can get a CR, I’d say go for it.

Not all AP2 have VSA...

The 2004 has the cable throttle and no VSA or traction control. Not sure about other AP2 years, but they slowly started adding stuff like drive by wire and VSA/TCS...

 

[TW00Si]

Not all AP2 have VSA...

The 2004 has the cable throttle and no VSA or traction control. Not sure about other AP2 years, but they slowly started adding stuff like drive by wire and VSA/TCS...

I think 04-05 was like AP1.5

 

[Stan23]

Is there a year or years you guys would recommend over others?

Hard to say, I've only personally owned my AP1 (2002) and now the AP2 (2007 with traction control and drive by wire) Both drive similar, but the slight differences are there. I think I liked the quicker steering rack on the AP1 car, but I like the suspension a lot more on the AP2. TC I have yet to engage, and as for the motor, the AP1 while screamed and was awesome at 9k, I rarely redlined it daily driving. The AP2 motor has a tiny big more grunt and overall a slightly more enjoyable motor.

I do like the interior and exterior updates on the AP2 a lot more though, so I f I had a do over, i'd still pick an AP2. I think the best way to experience the S2000 is to find one that is not so beat up and mechanically sound. I drove a few lower priced ones when I was shopping and it almost made me not want the car. When they are working as intended, they are such fantastic cars to drive.

 

[evlsmurf]

Thanks for the thoughts. Been thinking about one lately. My wife would probably divorce me though.

 

[TW00Si]

Thanks for the thoughts. Been thinking about one lately. My wife would probably divorce me though.

If it’s mint and low miles, it might be worth it.

 

[Stan23]

Get one while they are able to be found easily!

I had Ohlins coilovers installed, and changed the brakes to Stop Tech rotors and sport pads. What an amazing car!

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