It depends on what you want. 00-03 with the AP1’s were a bit more raw than the later years. 2.0 engine with 9k rpm redline. Stock are prone to oversteer and can be a difficult animal to tame if you’re not used to it. 04-05 AP2s were a bit more refined, different 17 inch wheels as opposed to 16s on the AP1s. 8k rpm redline but you’re getting the 2.2L with a little extra torque. Interior has an improved cup holder area as well. Car rides a bit less harsh. Moving into 06 and up the car is less extreme than the previous years. Traction control and drive by wire was added. Suspension was tweaked more. Interior has some minor differences as well. Hope this kinda helped! I love my 03 AP1 personally :D
Super helpful thanks I’m still undecided but the 8900 redline on the ap1 is an advantage to the 8300 redline on the ap2. Also don’t plan on leaving it stock cause the design of the exhaust pipe is terrible it’s too small to allow proper engine exhaust flow
I personally could care less that I get less torque, I love my 9k all day! It sounds more dramatic than the AP2s though I love them all the same. AP1s are a bit less than AP2s but you have to be careful of the motors in them before you buy them. Get a compression test and check the retainers.
Totally agree with either car there are problems that can go unseen. The entire internet knows that the chain tensioner can go in the ap1s and 2s but it’s easy to catch once it happens.
For the compression test, anything over 200 (unit) is good, I reckon?
Yeah the first S2000 I looked at had a plethora of problems including the TCT. This one was in much better shape. Good luck man! If you need any more advice before you go to pull the trigger on one feel free to reply to me here and I’d be happy to help if I can!
Thanks for ur help I will absolutely let you know
I had your same dilemma less than a year ago and I ended up going for 2003 ap1 and I love it! It takes getting used to the rev range if you are coming from a different type of car but it’s awesome! My advice is try to get one with lower miles….mines at 156k and I got it with 149k and I’ve had to do all the maintenance that the previous owner didn’t like cat, struts, valve adjustment and spark plugs….and brakes….and timing chain tensioner…..but for all that the car never broke or gave any indication it was unhealthy and I love it and i would buy it all over again!
Me personally I would go for a AP1 and upgrade it to the AP2 suspension parts. Makes the ride up-to-date and tamer while keeping the legendary F20C fury.
Comments
It depends on what you want. 00-03 with the AP1’s were a bit more raw than the later years. 2.0 engine with 9k rpm redline. Stock are prone to oversteer and can be a difficult animal to tame if you’re not used to it. 04-05 AP2s were a bit more refined, different 17 inch wheels as opposed to 16s on the AP1s. 8k rpm redline but you’re getting the 2.2L with a little extra torque. Interior has an improved cup holder area as well. Car rides a bit less harsh. Moving into 06 and up the car is less extreme than the previous years. Traction control and drive by wire was added. Suspension was tweaked more. Interior has some minor differences as well. Hope this kinda helped! I love my 03 AP1 personally :D
Super helpful thanks I’m still undecided but the 8900 redline on the ap1 is an advantage to the 8300 redline on the ap2. Also don’t plan on leaving it stock cause the design of the exhaust pipe is terrible it’s too small to allow proper engine exhaust flow
I personally could care less that I get less torque, I love my 9k all day! It sounds more dramatic than the AP2s though I love them all the same. AP1s are a bit less than AP2s but you have to be careful of the motors in them before you buy them. Get a compression test and check the retainers.
Totally agree with either car there are problems that can go unseen. The entire internet knows that the chain tensioner can go in the ap1s and 2s but it’s easy to catch once it happens.
For the compression test, anything over 200 (unit) is good, I reckon?
Yeah the first S2000 I looked at had a plethora of problems including the TCT. This one was in much better shape. Good luck man! If you need any more advice before you go to pull the trigger on one feel free to reply to me here and I’d be happy to help if I can!
Thanks for ur help I will absolutely let you know
I had your same dilemma less than a year ago and I ended up going for 2003 ap1 and I love it! It takes getting used to the rev range if you are coming from a different type of car but it’s awesome! My advice is try to get one with lower miles….mines at 156k and I got it with 149k and I’ve had to do all the maintenance that the previous owner didn’t like cat, struts, valve adjustment and spark plugs….and brakes….and timing chain tensioner…..but for all that the car never broke or gave any indication it was unhealthy and I love it and i would buy it all over again!
Me personally I would go for a AP1 and upgrade it to the AP2 suspension parts. Makes the ride up-to-date and tamer while keeping the legendary F20C fury.