2nd car S2000: 7kmiles AP1 $21.4k vs 43k AP2 $19k

[WolfpackS2k]

Also that is a GREAT price for an AP2 at that mileage.


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[NARFALICIOUS]

Cable throttle for da win

[chaoskaze]

43k ap2, they are both new af anyway. 😘

Btw don't believe what everyone tell you ap2 is better bullcrap, it's all personal preference.

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[Re_Invention]

Originally Posted by GreenLightGo

Option 1) 7k mileage 2002 AP1 Black great condition for $21.4k or..
Option 2) 43k mileage 2007 AP2 Red good condition for $19k

Long story short, I am planning to add an S2000 to the stable (I currently also own a 2013 Red FRS which I also love). I have came accross both of these cars and seen them both. Both in good condition. I really like the 2002 car since it only has 7k miles, but also feel like the AP2 may be the better car still considering its newer refined model and may hold its value long term since it a 2006+ AP2.

I am planning to keep both cars mostly stock.. at least at first, however i would probably reflash the ECU with FlashPro (easy and such a good value) if I got the 2006+ AP2.. however it is more complicated and costly to reflash AP1 so I would probably just leave it stock.

Holding value and modifying don't work together. These may well become pseudo collector cars in 20 years, I could see them commanding near mk4 Supra money at that time considering the world is turning its back on naturally aspirated goodness.

I agree with Wolf - the AP1 mileage is suspiciously low. Get maintenance records to show timely upkeep vs mileage upkeep.

If you wanna be a steward the AP1 might pan out. Just keep on timely fluid flushes, keep the rubber happy, get a battery tender and drive a few miles to lubricate. But you're seem interested in modding, so go AP2.

I personally like the 'rawness' and full rev range of the AP1 but 10 ft-lbs of torque makes a big difference in an S2000, so much so that I modded mine to get it. AEM EMS with intake manifold/TB/HFC to make more power. You're looking at around 215-220 whp (8-15 hp gain) and 140-145 ft-lb torque (10 ft lb gain) with the bolt-on's and a tune. Torque shifted downstream and there's actual pickup by 4,500 vs 6,000, that makes working with the full rev range a lot of fun. The throttle response is superb as well. I've only driven a stock AP2 once, I liked it more than my AP1 stock. But I'm happiest with my modded AP1. I've tried selling my S2000 a few times but couldn't do it, decided to build another garage to keep it in. When you're able to fully exploit it, it's a riot and the engineering/build quality is just damn cool.

On the other hand I can't stand driving the damn thing around town - it's a pitiful sports car in my opinion, makes you work hard in an unsatisfying way. You're either going too fast: try staying above 6,000 in the canyons, you better be an experienced driver to maintain speeds and handle those relatively skinny tires (205/55-16 & 225/50-16) with numb steering. It's frenetic and best at a track. Or you're putzing around in anticipation, never getting that into that zone orchestrating everything. At 5/10 it is mediocre with the driving dynamics of a 90's civic.

I think the FR-S outshines the S2000 in that regard, more playful and satisfying at sane speeds.

I'm curious why do you want to add an S2000 to a garage with an FR-S?

[MisterSheep]

AP2>AP1

[cdrazic93]

oh screw this, where the hell did you find an 07 AP2 for 19k god damn it lol. Anything over 2006ish in the PNW for AP2s, shit gets expensive really quick.

[GreenLightGo]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses! So I ended up buying a clean 17k mileage 2002 AP1 in Spa Yellow. I had to drive nearly 300 miles (600 miles round trip). Picture of it below.

I drove several AP1 and AP2 back to back. Splitting hairs here somewhat, but I choose AP1 for the debatably more "raw" feel (AP1 smaller engine 2.0 with higher 9000 rpm, lighter flywheel, quicker steering rack, smaller wheels/tires, stiffer oversteer suspension). In general I prefer cars with the more "feel" over "HP"(I still like HP too though!). And yes I'm one of the weird few that likes smaller tires on both the S2k and FRS.. I feel the small tires gives more feel and you can more easily get the tires spinning, chirping, even drifting while replacement costs and gas mileage is better. I still run competitive times at track on stock FRS tires. (I would use 2nd set of bigger tires for competition though.)

[GreenLightGo]

Photos

[GreenLightGo]

Photo 2 (Friend in car, not me)

[GreenLightGo]

Oh and why did I buy an s2k after FRS? My wife and I have been daily driving FRS and 2011 Wrx STI.. Believe it or not we both fought over the FRS for the FRS lighter handling, lower center gravity, better steering feel, preference of RWD over AWD.... We actually considered another FRS/BRZ but thought of course we should mix it up with another similar but different car. Also always wanted to have convertible option for fun in nice weather and recently decided we could live with one 2-seater car as long as we had one car with back seats (the FRS is now our "big" 4 seater car, lol). Also big HP 2 seater cars we feel are too much power to have fun on the streets (ie maybe we would like corvette out in open mountain roads or on the track, but less fun in our opinions in the city area we live). We considered ELise, Miata, and S2000 and choose s2000 for its balance of power, fun, daily driveability, and resale value.

Let me know if you have any questions. We also own a Lotus 7 currently but may sell due to s2000 being more practical convertible with top and not making time to autocross/track lotus 7. Also sold an 98 E36 BMW M3 last year, and owned a 95 integra years ago.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by GreenLightGo

Oh and why did I buy an s2k after FRS? My wife and I have been daily driving FRS and 2011 Wrx STI.. Believe it or not we both fought over the FRS for the FRS lighter handling, lower center gravity, better steering feel, preference of RWD over AWD.... We actually considered another FRS/BRZ but thought of course we should mix it up with another similar but different car. Also always wanted to have convertible option for fun in nice weather and recently decided we could live with one 2-seater car as long as we had one car with back seats (the FRS is now our "big" 4 seater car, lol). Also big HP 2 seater cars we feel are too much power to have fun on the streets (ie maybe we would like corvette out in open mountain roads or on the track, but less fun in our opinions in the city area we live). We considered ELise, Miata, and S2000 and choose s2000 for its balance of power, fun, daily driveability, and resale value.

Let me know if you have any questions. We also own a Lotus 7 currently but may sell due to s2000 being more practical convertible with top and not making time to autocross/track lotus 7. Also sold an 98 E36 BMW M3 last year, and owned a 95 integra years ago.

Congrats on the purchase! The FR-S and S2000 is a nice garage combo. I also preferred the FR-S over my old 2009 STI hatch for the same reasons as you and your wife.

BTW you also had a Lotus 7, E36 M3 and Integra? Good taste in cars