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I've tracked my friend's AP2 at Buttonwillow while instructing him and also driven it many times in the canyons. In terms of speed, an FR-S on e85 tune (2017 OEM header, mishimoto inlet tube, slight weight reduction) is about even 10-90 mph vs. stock AP2. Basically +/- 0.25 carlength. If you don't have e85, a good header and tune should give you about the same gains. Or buy a GR86 which is already 1-2 carlengths faster vs. AP2. The S2000 doesn't have great aero above 70 mph especially top down, which is something I noticed vs. AP1 (80-125 mph at the track).
Handling-wise vs. AP2, it will come down to setup/tires/driver. For whatever reason, my friend's AP2 feels more sensitive to trail-braking in the canyons, but on the track the overall balance is very similar to my FR-S (RCE T2 coilovers, track alignment, pedal dance). AP1 might be different with the bumpsteer. Balance aside, my car is faster than his AP2 in corners, but that's mainly due to tires and setup. Steering feel is better on the FR-S.
Also ergonomics are better in the FR-S. The FR-S seats have more bolstering and are more grippy (cloth vs. leather). The steering wheel extends/tilts. When I drove his AP2 at the track, my knee kept bumping into my bottom hand on the steering wheel in the middle of turns.
Can't really go wrong either way. I'm planning to trade my car in for a GR86. Briefly thought about buying an AP2, but I really enjoy the 86 chassis and a new GR86 seems a much better value vs. used S2000.
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