Ali’s AP1 S2000

[TRH_Racing]

So prior my R26 thread, the megane has now been sold on and I managed to get this at a decent price.

133k, full Honda service to around 100k
Usual mods of intake, super street exhaust (which is Loud!) .. HSD coilovers, and a paddle clutch which is hard as hell.

I’ll get a few more details up when I can, just wanted to get the thread up!

 

[JB21]

Love them. Defo something I'll be owning in the near future. Think I'd go with the AP2 though, but they demand a premium.

 

[imprezaworks]

Love these

 

[Gareth]

My mate loves them, I think he's had more than I've had hot dinners.

 

[cat171]

Wicked!!! I've not seen one in a long time!

 

[TRH_Racing]

Having wanted a 2 seater sportser for years now, my first idea was a 1.6 mx5 but I never really got round to it. Saw one of these when they came out at a car show in wales and just fell in love with it.

It’s my idea of a drivers car, mid engine rear wheel drive 2 seater, all the control are literally At your finger tips when you’re on the wheel it’s fantastic. Along with the intake and exhaust it just sounds crazy

 

[General Dave]

Love an S2000. A friend of mine had a yellow one that he threw pretty much the whole J's racing catalogue at, it was a proper weapon!!

 

[Darren S]

@Al_G ....

Love these - a colleague in our office has one. I don't think anything like this will be repeated by a mainstream manufacturer again - certainly not with burning fuel as as a method of propulsion.

 

[Al_G]

@Al_G ....

Love these - a colleague in our office has one. I don't think anything like this will be repeated by a mainstream manufacturer again - certainly not with burning fuel as as a method of propulsion.

Yep, unbelievable cars. Love mine to pieces. So much in fact I rarely drive it anymore in fear I’ll damage it lol. After spending so much time and money getting it right I just can bare to use it...Off the top of my head...

- Respray
- Full underseal including inner arch and sill protection (rust is the biggest issue with these)
- Wheel refurb
- Mohair roof (OEM is vinyl)
- New windscreen
- New tyres and brakes (disks and pads) all round
- New replacement painted callipers (they seize with age)
- Fast road setup courtesy of Centre Gravity
- Full ceramic detail
- Replaced instrument binnacle
- Retrimmed steering wheel and gear gaiter
- Anvil 2 gear knob (shipped from the states)
- CR radio cover (shipped from the states)

I’m hoping they’ll rocket in price given time. There isn’t much out there quite like it.

They’re not fast and your average Fiesta ST would nail it A-B but that’s not the point. It just can’t be beaten for enjoyment. Forget all the new age stuff, the S2000 is in a different league for enjoyment while still being usable on a day to day basis.

They’ll be remembered for a long time to come.

 

[182_steve]

That looks awesome!! Love that colour and the side on photo with the lows and black wheels etc, very nice!

Shall await more photos!

 

[ChrisR]

I've had two now, a pre facelift 02 plate and a post facelift 04 plate both in silverstone (technically all UK cars are AP1, just pre/post facelift, as every S2000 nerd likes to tell people).

Loved my first one, did about 20k miles in it in a year or so, sold it due to wife having some back problems which meant she couldn't go in it anymore.

Second one bought as a bit of an impulse buy about 5 years after the first thinking she'd be ok in it now as her back was a lot better, nope sadly not Hardly did any miles in that one, didn't even have it a year before getting rid (know one of the guys at Torque GT who sold it for me https://torque-gt.co.uk/car/honda-s2000-2/).

One of the previous chaps had put one of the Monsoon replacement mohair hoods on it, was pristine when I had it still and was a lot nicer than the stock vinyl.

Actually just remembered sold my first one to them as well!

Never really gelled with the second one, the handling felt rather floaty even with the alignment all ok, plus I got old in the time between them and whilst it's the best feeling manual box I've ever driven found it annoying pootling around, in traffic etc, missed my auto Pushing on it was great though, and can't beat roof down fun.

Controversially I always used to say they would be awesome with a sequential/paddle type box.

There's not a huge amount I'd do to one unless you're craving big power with a charger of some sort, just make sure the suspension isn't all seized up, get the alignment sorted and just drive it

 

[Typhoon]

Having wanted a 2 seater sportser for years now, my first idea was a 1.6 mx5 but I never really got round to it. Saw one of these when they came out at a car show in wales and just fell in love with it.

It’s my idea of a drivers car, mid engine rear wheel drive 2 seater, all the control are literally At your finger tips when you’re on the wheel it’s fantastic. Along with the intake and exhaust it just sounds crazy

This over an MX5 any day mate. Good buy brother. Looking forward to the progress!

 

[TRH_Racing]

So, actually have time to update this now.

Absolute hoot to drive, extremely happy .. handles fantastic, VTEC sounds amazing with the stainless exhaust.

It has been rust treated and also under sealed which has saved me a huge job only down side is that one of the panels has been miss matched and its a slightly different shade of blue (original colour over 15 year old faded)

Had classics on the green locally to me, so parked up early and im surprised with how many pictures got taken / people that came and spoke to me about it, its never happened with a car I've owned before!

 

[Rojer]

Not sure what the history is like on yours, but i would look at changing the timing chain and tensioner to the Toda one. Also the valve clearances are quite important on these.

http://www.tegiwaimports.com/select...ing-chain-tensioner-tct-honda-s2000-f20c.html

 

[finch wxm]

I have a 06 plate in moonrock grey , love it ! fun cars !

 

[Gus]

So, actually have time to update this now.

Absolute hoot to drive, extremely happy .. handles fantastic, VTEC sounds amazing with the stainless exhaust.

It has been rust treated and also under sealed which has saved me a huge job only down side is that one of the panels has been miss matched and its a slightly different shade of blue (original colour over 15 year old faded)

Had classics on the green locally to me, so parked up early and im surprised with how many pictures got taken / people that came and spoke to me about it, its never happened with a car I've owned before!

View attachment 1378855View attachment 1378857

Looks amazing ! perfect summer car.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Not sure what the history is like on yours, but i would look at changing the timing chain and tensioner to the Toda one. Also the valve clearances are quite important on these.

http://www.tegiwaimports.com/select...ing-chain-tensioner-tct-honda-s2000-f20c.html

Tensioner has already been replaced, he also changed the clutch slave cylinder which in happy about!
Valve clearances are something I’ve wanted doing, I’ve got a friend up north who’s a Honda specialist who I’m gonna try get too to get it done

 

[RIC172]

Amazing cars. My mate's one with its decatted invidia exhaust sounded incredible

 

[Rojer]

Tensioner has already been replaced, he also changed the clutch slave cylinder which in happy about!
Valve clearances are something I’ve wanted doing, I’ve got a friend up north who’s a Honda specialist who I’m gonna try get too to get it done

That's good news, the Honda tensior is pretty poor, my friend replaced his twice on his car

 

[Akay]

Looks great, wicked colour as well.

Not a fan of the stick on plate. Dont get the wanting a clean nose but then ruining it with plate slapped on at an offset!

Ive just moved on to an MR2 Roadster, top down at every opportunity is the way forward!

 

[Clio_fool]

If I could run a two seater these would be top of my wanted list. I just had a quick look and found this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808029088485?atmobcid=soc3

Now that is nice.

 

[cat171]

For £27k I'd expect it to be!

 

[Al_G]

If I could run a two seater these would be top of my wanted list. I just had a quick look and found this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808029088485?atmobcid=soc3

Now that is nice.

The guy that owns it has only had it for 6ish months. I remember the buying thread on S2Ki. His user name is John Walker or similar.

It was bought for a similar amount of money to that of the advert. No idea why he’s selling it.

I saw a red 09 with 10k on the clock in Northwich on Saturday. Got to be worth early 20s.

Owner told me his was some of the last to be sold. Honda we’re offering 7k discounts to get shot of the last cars. Think he picked it up for 21k, brand new.

 

[Clio_fool]

The guy that owns it has only had it for 6ish months. I remember the buying thread on S2Ki. His user name is John Walker or similar.

It was bought for a similar amount of money to that of the advert. No idea why he’s selling it.

I saw a red 09 with 10k on the clock in Northwich on Saturday. Got to be worth early 20s.

Owner told me his was some of the last to be sold. Honda we’re offering 7k discounts to get shot of the last cars. Think he picked it up for 21k, brand new.

There's a red one with under 10k on the clock on AT for £26k or something. Seems some folk might make a £ or 2 if they bought late ones. Waste of a good drivers car though. I might buy a lotto ticket this week though[emoji1]

 

[Al_G]

There's a red one with under 10k on the clock on AT for £26k or something. Seems some folk might make a £ or 2 if they bought late ones. Waste of a good drivers car though. I might buy a lotto ticket this week though[emoji1]

You say that’s but it’s well known that the last ones had engine issues. Something went wrong on the manufacturing line meaning the bottom end goes. Many have had to have new engines as a result. It’s well documented on the s2ki site. The leather quality is also questioned by owners.

Personally I’d not by a late S2000. I believe the 05, 06 and 07 cars are the most sought after. People seem to get hung up on the tax, wheel style and geometry changes that Honda made over the years.

 

[TRH_Racing]

So today was a bad day ... before anyone says no I was not speeding, car scares me too much with semi slicks in the rain as it is ... turned onto the carriage way, accelerated a bit too early and round I went. Smacked into the kerb and ended up facing the wrong way. Nothing major but still s**t.
Not a fan of this car in the wet now.

 

[Clio_fool]

That's lesson one learnt I guess. Any other damage? Definitely going to need the geo set up again. If it's doing daily driver duties maybe regular road tyres will be a better bet.


P. S. The wheels look s**t black anyway[emoji106]

 

[TRH_Racing]

So today was a bad day ... before anyone says no I was not speeding, car scares me too much with semi slicks in the rain as it is ... turned onto the carriage way, accelerated a bit too early and round I went. Smacked into the kerb and ended up facing the wrong way.
Not a fan of this car in the wet now.

That's lesson one learnt I guess. Any other damage? Definitely going to need the geo set up again. If it's doing daily driver duties maybe regular road tyres will be a better bet.


P. S. The wheels look s**t black anyway[emoji106]

I’m not sure yet, it’s off to my mate who specialises in hondas so he’ll have a look about for me.
Geo is definitely being checked redone, for sure.
And new road tyres is on the cards, cars possibly coming off the road for winter so I just have to bare with for another 2/3 months

 

[Al_G]

So today was a bad day ... before anyone says no I was not speeding, car scares me too much with semi slicks in the rain as it is ... turned onto the carriage way, accelerated a bit too early and round I went. Smacked into the kerb and ended up facing the wrong way.
Not a fan of this car in the wet now.

I’m not sure yet, it’s off to my mate who specialises in hondas so he’ll have a look about for me.
Geo is definitely being checked redone, for sure.
And new road tyres is on the cards, cars possibly coming off the road for winter so I just have to bare with for another 2/3 months

I’d get some normal tyres on the car. These are tail happy as it is. IMO the weather in this country just doesn’t justify race tyres.

Will be interesting to see if all your geo bolts are free so you can do the alignment. Does the car drive straight? It’s so easy to bend the underneath of these. I see it all the time.

 

[ChrisR]

I ran my 02 plate on the stock Bridgestone’s, drove 20k a year in it in all weathers and it only tried to kill me the once.

 

[TRH_Racing]

So! CSF is over, awesome time.

Car was a great laugh on the track, my first RWD experience so it was a whole new learning curve, got the hang of it quickly after a few sessions. Slid when i wanted it to, so a few power slides where definitely had, handled great thanks to the HSD's but it really just needs better brakes and think ill be happy with it!

(Any on track pics would be good!)

NSR brake caliper had basically seized on, leaving my with no pad, and grinding down the backing ..oh joys.
Luckily i managed to scavenge a lift from @fairm010 and got it sorted.
After sorting both sized, turn's out each caliper had one siezed slider pin which was causing uneven wear / total pad annihilation.

Sorry if you wanted to come out in the car, it sucked for me too as i was enjoying my self!
Cheers to the guys who gave a hand, much appreciated.

Also, sorry @dann2707 for beating you in karting .. better luck next time

And last but not least, a nice rolling shot

 

[TRH_Racing]

Ill chuck these in as well .. cheers @Dr Jekyll

 

[dann2707]

You only beat me at karting because you're used to driving something with the same torque figures.

Kidding of course, well deserved and it was great to see you again mate. Car is wicked and thanks for letting me drive it.

 

[TRH_Racing]

No worries .. was weird being passenger!

 

[TRH_Racing]

So today being the first full free day ive had since blyton, it was time to check the car over / double check my brakes.

luckily the disk hasnt cracked but it isnt in a good way so they're all going to be changed for new discs and ds2500 / ds3000 R/F pads.
Had a bit of a clean while i was there whcih has madse it look a little better, going to try get a lot painted over christmas and freshen it all up.

Before:

After:

Nothing major but!

also needed two new numberplate light bulbs, no idea how long ive been driving around with one dim one so they're now replaced with 2 LED bulbs which im hoping will be a bit better.

 

[TRH_Racing]

turns out the camber adjustment bolts are seized solid so im needing to cut them out >.< .. use that as a chance to polybush as much as i can over winter and get the car set up properly for the new year!

new massive updates really.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Car is now up for sale .. new car arrives this week hopefully!

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/s2000/honda-s2000-16v-2003/9178091

 

[Christopher]

What's next?

 

[Cookie]

Car is now up for sale .. new car arrives this week hopefully!

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/s2000/honda-s2000-16v-2003/9178091

What's replacing it?

 

[JB21]

Well that didn't last long. Wanna swap for the VRS, lol.