Honda S2000 AP1 S2000 AP1 VS Nissan 240SX S14 240SX S14

Honda S2000 AP1 vs Nissan 240SX S14: Track Titans Compared

When enthusiasts talk about legendary Japanese rear-wheel drive platforms, the Honda S2000 AP1 and Nissan 240SX S14 inevitably enter the conversation. Both cars are revered for their strong enthusiast communities, tuning potential, and pure driving experience. But on the stopwatch—where numbers matter most—how do these icons truly stack up?

Lap Time Showdown: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Analyzing direct lap time comparisons, the S2000 AP1 enjoys a near-sweep across the board. At Buttonwillow Raceway - 13CW, the S2000 blitzed the course with a 1:45.541, a massive 15.5 seconds faster than the S14’s 2:01. That’s not a gap—it’s a chasm, and the trend continues:

• Chuckwalla Valley Raceway - CW: S2000 1:52.01 vs. S14 2:04.577 (12.6s advantage)
• Ridge Motorsports Park - Current: S2000 1:43.19 vs. S14 1:55.7 (12.5s advantage)
• Thunderhill - East 3 Mile w/ Cyclone: S2000 2:03.9 vs. S14 2:13.683 (9.8s advantage)
• Laguna Seca - Pre 2023: S2000 1:37.39 vs. S14 1:47 (9.6s advantage)
• Circuit of the Americas - COTA - CCW: S2000 2:26.999 vs. S14 2:33.54 (6.5s advantage)
• Willow Springs Raceway - Streets: S2000 1:21 vs. S14 1:25.776 (4.8s advantage)
• Portland International Raceway - PIR - w/ Chicane: S2000 1:21.983 vs. S14 1:25.586 (3.6s advantage)

Yet, at Motorsport Ranch-MSR Cresson - 3.1, the S14 claws out a rare win, clocking a 2:26.38—1.3 seconds ahead of the S2000’s 2:27.7. Context matters: both cars were on heavy mods, underscoring how the S14, with the right upgrades, can surprise even the more focused S2000.

Engineering, Economics, and Ownership: Two Paths to Driving Bliss

The Honda S2000 AP1 is a razor-edged sports car from the factory: a 2.0L F20C screaming to 9,000 rpm, 240 PS, and a perfectly balanced RWD chassis weighing just 2,750 lbs. It’s a car for the purist—someone who craves high-revving engines, surgical gear changes, and a chassis that rewards precision. The S2000’s lap time dominance reflects not only its power advantage but also the sophistication of its double wishbone suspension and near-perfect weight distribution. Even in mostly stock or lightly modified form, it’s a potent track weapon.

When new, the S2000 undercut many European rivals on price, and today its values have appreciated sharply, especially for clean AP1s. Demand is fierce among collectors and track-day aficionados alike, making it both an investment and a visceral driving experience.

The Nissan 240SX S14, meanwhile, is a blank canvas beloved by tuners and drifters. Its 2.4L KA24DE engine makes less power (155 PS), but offers more torque than the S2000. From the factory, it’s softer and more comfort-oriented, but its rear-wheel drive layout, robust underpinnings, and massive aftermarket support mean it can be transformed into just about anything—from grassroots drifter to time attack sleeper.

On track, as shown by its lone win at Cresson, the S14 can deliver when heavily modified. But compared to the S2000, it generally needs more investment to match pace. On the used market, the S14 commands a premium due to its JDM cachet and drifting fame, but it’s still generally more affordable than an S2000—especially for buyers content with a project car.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Flavor of Rear-Drive Fun

For the driver seeking a stock, out-of-the-box track star, the S2000 AP1 is hard to top. Its lap time supremacy is no accident—Honda engineered it for the redline-obsessed, heel-toe faithful. But don’t discount the S14: while rarely the fastest in “as-modified” shootouts, it offers immense adaptability. Want to build a turbocharged track monster or a sideways showstopper? The S14 beckons.

In the end, the S2000 is the scalpel—precise, sharp, and exhilarating from day one. The 240SX S14 is the Swiss Army knife—less potent out of the box, but endlessly modifiable and full of character. Both remain icons, but on the stopwatch, the S2000 AP1 is the undisputed lap-time king.