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

[GreenLightGo]

I apologize if this is in the wrong place. For you S2000 owners/knowledgeable peers, what would you do:

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.

Sincere thanks for any advice! I am having trouble deciding... I actually put down $500 to hold the 2002 AP1 and have until Thurs-Fri to decide. I will also probably post in the s2k forums but I don't yet have an account there. Thanks again!!

[Impureclient]

If you're going to modify/race it, why not get one with average mileage(which is not much more for those cars) for half the price of those two?

[Teseo]

Low miles doesnt mean the car was not abused. High milage with complete service record is something to take in consideration. IIRC AP2 have better suspension geometry.

[swarb]

I've driven both and I personally like the AP2 more. Many/most people like the ap1 more because of the higher revs, but many of them haven't driven either or both. That .2 made a huge difference imo. Suspension refinements can be felt too.

[KendallH]

I would definitely go with option 2. The AP2 is a much nicer driving car. More torque, and the DBW system is very good. IMO, the AP2 is also better looking. Personally, if you're looking for a car to actually drive around, I would get the higher mileage option. The AP1 with extremely low mileage is going to be a collector car shortly, and I would feel bad devaluing it with every drive. My AP2 had just over 100k when I traded it in and absolutely zero issues. They are ridiculously reliable no matter what mileage.

[KendallH]

Here's a picture of mine shortly before I traded it in. Miss this car all the time.

[GreenLightGo]

Thanks for the response guys! At first I was really turned onto the "raw" feeling and low miles of AP1 Option 1 (2002 w/ 7k miles). However, I am leaning more and more toward AP2 (option 2) due to being better daily driver and refined as you guys mentioned (better low end torque and suspension), plus the side benefit of being able to flash ecu from home with Flashpro (raises rpm from 8k to 8.5k on 2006+ ap2).

And yes, seems like the AP1 will probably devalue at a faster rate after putting the first 30-40k miles on a 7k miles car... my understanding is that a 2007 AP2 would probably sell for about 3-4k more than a 2002 AP1 with the same miles. However, the AP1 still seems to be pretty well priced at only $21.4 with 7k miles which is what pulled me to it in the first place.

[GreenLightGo]

Here is a photo of the 2002 AP1.. Hard to believe its 14 years old!

[strat61caster]

Drive both, supposedly they have different characters.

[juliog]

Whatever you buy, no matter how clean or low mileage the car is, have some cash ready on the side for maintenance and repairs in the first months of ownership.

7k mileage 2002 AP1 Black great condition for $21.4k or..

I read that as "14 year old car only driven for 7k miles ever since". Don't assume everything is in perfect condition.

PS: love my 07 AP2.

[Ashikabi]

I'd get the AP2 50k miles isn't that much for a Honda and with multiple cars you won't put that many miles on it. Easier tune, better engine, probably upgraded interior, dunno about exterior. Not much reason for the AP1 imo

[FR-Sky]

Personally like AP2 and red

43k red 07 s2000 for 19k is not expensive at all.

[OUGrad05]

I've been off/on the S2k bandwagon for years now. Problem is I'm 6'6 so I really really struggle to fit

The AP1 and AP2 are quite a bit different, both for around town driving and track driving. The AP1 is more raw, harder to drive at the limit (it oversteers), lacks torque for daily driving...but it has a frenetic feeling that was somewhat lost on the AP2. While they both have a ton of character the AP1 has more character and "specialness" to it.

Having said that, I would buy an AP2. Better driving in town, easier to drive on the track (perhaps if you're a professional you'd prefer the AP1), less issues mechanically with the engine and I think the revised trans and rear diffs in the AP2 were also better (been awhile so could be slightly off on that). The rear diff change occurred at the end of the AP1 cycle I believe.

The AP2 is a better car, certainly if you're planning to put more than 2,500 miles a year on the car I would find something with more than 7k on the ODO and save yourself some money. Clean example AP1s with 30-50k on the clock can be found for 16-17k. AP2, add a few grand to that.

[WolfpackS2k]

I wouldn't trust the AP1 as much. Only driven around 2,000 miles a year? Historically it's been shown, in general, that cars by driven enough have more mechanical problems. Only exception I could think of to this is if the car was still maintained at a normal "driven" pace, if that makes sense.

I vote AP2.


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