2002 vs. 2004

[kma32254]

I am a new member. I am thinking of purchasing an S2000. I have been offered a cherry 2002 with only 12K miles. I am also looking at a 2004 on Autotrader. The 2002 is asking 20K. The 2004 has 32K miles but looks sweet. What is the difference?

[gomarlins3]

The front and rear fascias
'04 has a 2.2 motor with the same HP and 14 more lbs. of tq.
'04 has a red line of 8200 (I believe) vs. 9000 in the '02
'04 has 2 cup holders and different radio door cover
'04 has a different colored spark plug cover
'04 has different head and tail lights
'04 has oval exhaust tips
'04 comes with 17' wheels
'02 has SO2 tires
'04 has a different reduction gear in the tranny in the first 4 gears
'04 has a different rear suspension tune- made to be 'softer'.
There are other changes I believe, but that is all I can think of right now

[Java Junky]

"'04 has a different colored spark plug cover"??? Sheesh, Go . . I was gonna take part by mentionin' the redline, the wheels/tires n' the oval exhaust.
So, I guess I'll just add that if both are in good shape you'd be happy with either model.
There are a bunch'a similar threads recently posted on this site to check out too.
But, if you're driving style is, shall we stay away from that currently bad word "aggressive" and say "intense", then you might wanna mooch a ride in each version to see which suits you better.
Good luck.

[Scott]

It's worth mentioning that the displacement increase is only in the U.S. To my knowledge, the F20C is still standard in European and Asian market cars.

And as I recall, the redline of an AP2 is 8300 RPM.

[kma32254]

Thanks for the help. I guess I am wiating for somone to tell me one year has a definite advantage over the other. I get the feeling that it is a toss-up. What about the mileage difference? The '02 has only 12K miles versus the '04 with 32K. The '04 has also been tricked out a little. Maybe this is a sign it has been driven harder? Below is the copy from the ad on Autotrader.

Relocation forces sale. Purchased new Oct03, #108 MY04 Berlina Black with almost 34k miles. 80% of those are SC to FL highway miles. Have service records and receipts. Viper alarm w/ Proximity, additional siren in cabin, and back up battery. AEM V1, Hardwired Valentine 1 radar, OEM front lip, OEM head rest speakers, OEM TI shift knob, Berk Test Pipe, Resonectomy (removed resonator), Modifry Shift Beeper, Modifry Glove box organizer, Powdercoated Black MY04 wheels. Also included in the sale stock cat, stock airbox, 2 pairs of jackstands, 1- 3 1/2 ton Sam's club jack, 3 OEM PCX oil filters, 2 GM FM tranny fluid, 1 LE diff fluid, 1 ATE brake fluid, 1 NIB powerbleeder, 1 12" Kicker Solobaric sub (no box), I'm sure there are some things I can not rememeber off the top of my head like extra cleaning supplies and other misc items, but I'll include everything I have that is s2k related or anything extra I have in the garage that you may want

[gomarlins3]

What is the cost of the '04?

[Halo]

Get the 04, put it back to stock and sell all the extra parts on ebay or s2ki. You can get some $ back that way. The Valentine 1 you can easily sell for 250 bucks on ebay if you don't need it.

Neither car is giving you warranty (one is too old, one is about to hit 36K).

[Stuart Rudolph]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

The front and rear fascias
'04 has a 2.2 motor with the same HP and 14 more lbs. of tq.
'04 has a red line of 8200 (I believe) vs. 9000 in the '02
'04 has 2 cup holders and different radio door cover
'04 has a different colored spark plug cover
'04 has different head and tail lights
'04 has oval exhaust tips
'04 comes with 17' wheels
'02 has SO2 tires
'04 has a different reduction gear in the tranny in the first 4 gears
'04 has a different rear suspension tune- made to be 'softer'.
There are other changes I believe, but that is all I can think of right now

Just out of curiosity, since you're pretty well versed in the short history of the S2K's, why did Honda make those changes in the newer models, as far as the redline, tranny, and the softer ride?

[gomarlins3]

First of all I need to say that I am not expert and these are only my interpretations, not necessarily fact.

The red line change was needed with the change in engine size (2.0 -> 2.2). I believe that is how they increased the torque- more displacement and less RPM's. The difference in the tranny was to compensate for the different engine output and characteristics I would guess.

As for the suspension, many people thought the rear end was a little 'jumpy' and would come around on people so by softening the suspension, oversteer was more manageable. I have never had a problem myself other than at the autoX course or when I changed to a larger rear sway bar. That was an expensive learning experience.

[Kitikithakis]

Your right. They changed the suspension out to make it easier to control in tighter turns. Seems the back end wanted to come around on some of the flat 90deg turns at speed. They also changed up the rpms to give more lively acceleration response and save on some wear and tear on the motor. Funny thing is the made virtually no major changes on the '07....go figure.

[Java Junky]

As for the back end wantin' to race you to the next corner, I offer this from observation of a less than cautious Stewie owner: they may have changed the suspension on Stewie with the "S2200s" in '04, but don't be lulled into any sense that the ability to doughnut your way down the street has been eliminated.
I originally started out in an early version (my friend's who wouldn't let me drive it any more forcin' my buyin' my own) and switched over to the later version.
Make no mistake: the ability to swap ends is still very much there. It's just that now it lies in wait n' when it pounces, it pounces with a vengence that's unlikely to be compensated for and corrected.
It's been a while since I drove the early version, but I have the impression that, while it came on sooner, it may have been the slightest bit easier to compensate for. But, it's been a year n' a half since I drove the early version, so to truly make that claim I'd hafta try 'em both back to back.
'Bottom line is: the end-swappin' is still very much alive n' very well in Stewie.
Be well.

[SB tuning]

i'd get the 02, you cant beat that price

[chemical]

i would pick 2002 but then 2004 just becuase of the engine

[spicyhands]

get the '04....just cause i did

[jay2000]

The reason they changed the engine in america only is because american's are used to torquey v-6's and not high revving 4 cyl, Imo. The rest of the world remained with the 2.0 9000 rpm engine. They are both equally fast, the 04 is easier to handle in the corner's because of the suspension adjustments. It is a matter of driving preference, drive them both and decide which is better for you. I like my 03 and have driven both, only because I am used to mine. Either way you will not be dissapointed.

[Java Junky]

Torquey V8s Jay. If any mill is what we're used to it's the V8. We didn't even know that V6s existed up until a few years back n' there's more'n a few dinosaurs that still refuse to acknowledge much else.
But I couldn't agree with your "matter of preference" more. Dead on the money.
If you're a driver you owe it to yourself to do your homework n' find out which one suits your drivin' style best. Sneakin' n' peekin' over at someone else's test paper ain't cuttin' it.
Be well.
Java

[AGBLLET]

Every comment provided has been dead on, at least in my humble opinion. I assume that the owners of the 02 and 04 s2k's will allow you to test drive them. You cannot go wrong with buying either model. Since I own a 04, I am partial to the upgrade in the engine, albeit not a big one. I thought there may have been a modification to the design of the seats but I could be wrong on this. Anyway, no matter which model you get, the size of the grin on your face will still be the same!

Good luck

[Vezna31]

Yes, the softer rear came in response as Car & Driver put it, "the rear coming around when the driver ran out of talent". I've always enjoyed that comment.

The gearing is significantly different bewtween the AP1 and AP2. I drive an AP1 and I instructed a guy on Laguna Seca in an AP2. The biggest difference is I only hit 4th gear twice, on the front stretch and between 4 & 5. 3rd gear redlines around 90-92 miles per hour in the AP1. In the AP2, 3rd gear redlines at 74 miles per hour, a huge difference that results in a lot more shifts and a very untimed one in the middle of the straight as you are going uphill before approaching the corkscrew. I prefer the AP1 hands down.

[Java Junky]

Right up front, this is strictly personal opinion n' relies on all kind'za variables (which is a disclaimer of sorts that lets me off the hook should this come across wrong to anyone), but . .
with no net r' anything besides my butt in the seat, I'm thinkin' that the balance of Stewie was brought to what the folks a mother Honda thought was the optimum for aggressive street n' track use for those drivers among us and those of us who want to become drivers.
That translates (unfortunately for the unwary) into a balance that is very sensitive to loading and the grip available to each wheel at any given time and especially, as many of us have found, to changing the attitude of the car in the corner by unplanned-for braking, or, simply getting off the gas.
So does Stewie sometimes have the desire to have it's butt fight it's nose for the lead? Damn straight! But, without hamstringing us with the "benefits" of traction control, it's the price that's demanded for the results desired.
N', done right . . those results feel damned good when ya gedditt right. Don't they?
But, I godda admit, I like 'em both (AP1 n' AP2). If I had the ability to bop back n' forth between the two, I'd be spendin' the majority of my time pickin' shrubbery out'a my teeth.
Be well.
Java

[ger2k]

it depends what matters to you i am 19 so i am very satisfied with my 02 i just bought a couple days ago. My friend however has this 04, (actually hes letting it for for 22500 with only 38k miles on it!) but there are so many features that make my car look plain, head/tail lights, better suspension, front bumper, only thing i still liked was my ap1 tach.