Updated 24 July 2026 · By Old Bangers Editorial
Short answer: The Mazda MX-5 and Honda S2000 are both front-engined, rear-drive Japanese roadsters — but they play in different leagues. The MX-5 is the affordable, forgiving, everyday everyman’s sports car; the S2000 is a hard-edged, high-revving driver’s machine with a legendary 2.0-litre engine that spins to nearly 9,000 rpm. The MX-5 is far cheaper — median asking about £3,750 on Old Bangers — while good S2000s now typically sit around £7,000–£14,000, with the best cars well beyond. Buy the MX-5 for accessible, low-cost fun; buy the S2000 if you want intensity, pace and a modern classic that’s climbing in value.
Both are icons of the affordable-roadster era, and both are front-engined and rear-driven — but that’s where the similarity ends. One is famously easy-going; the other is famously demanding. Here’s how they compare, using live MX-5 prices from our own database and cited market data for the rarer S2000.
MX-5 vs S2000 at a glance
| Mazda MX-5 | Honda S2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 1989–present (NA/NB/NC/ND) | 1999–2009 (AP1/AP2) |
| Layout | Front-engined, RWD | Front-engined, RWD |
| Engine | 1.6–2.0 four-cylinder | 2.0 F20C (UK cars); 2.2 F22C in US/Japan AP2 |
| Power | 90–160 PS | 237 bhp @ 8,300 rpm (F20C) |
| Redline | ~6,500–7,000 rpm | ~8,800 rpm |
| Gearbox | 5- or 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual only |
| Typical UK price | Median £3,750 (live) | ~£7,000–£14,000 (best cars beyond) |
Prices — 24 July 2026
Mazda MX-5 (live on Old Bangers): 39 listings, median asking £3,750 (range £499–£14,700).
Honda S2000 (cited market data): good usable cars typically £7,000–£14,000 (Parkers used-price guidance); low-mileage and rare Club Racer (CR) examples reach well beyond, with The Classic Valuer reporting an auction median of £24,695 across sold cars.
The MX-5 figure is a live median from our own listings. Our live S2000 stock is currently minimal, so the S2000 figures are drawn from external market sources and cited rather than computed from our database.
Two very different characters
The MX-5’s appeal is its accessibility. Modest power (90–160 PS depending on generation), light weight and sweet balance make it fun at any speed, cheap to run and easy to own. It’s the car you drive every day and never tire of.
The S2000 is a different animal. Its 2.0-litre F20C engine produces around 237 bhp and revs to nearly 9,000 rpm — when it launched it held the highest specific output (bhp per litre) of any mass-produced naturally aspirated engine. It only comes with a slick 6-speed manual, and it demands to be worked hard: the drama lives at the top of the rev range. Early cars (AP1) also gained a reputation for lively handling at the limit; the 2004 AP2 facelift softened this with revised suspension. Most UK S2000s are the 2.0-litre F20C; the larger 2.2 F22C went to North American and Japanese cars.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the MX-5 if you want affordable, forgiving, low-cost fun you can use every day, with unbeatable parts and specialist support. It’s the easiest sports car in the world to live with.
Buy the S2000 if you want a more intense, high-revving driver’s car with real performance and modern-classic status — and you have the bigger budget to buy and run one. It’s a special thing, but it’s a sharper tool that rewards commitment.
On both, condition and history are everything. A well-kept S2000 with a clean, unmodified history is worth seeking out; a rust-free, cherished MX-5 will always beat a cheap, tired one. This isn’t financial advice, but the S2000’s upward trend is worth factoring into your decision.
See the wider market
Live medians by era and marque, updated monthly, with the working shown.
MX-5 vs S2000: FAQs
Is the Honda S2000 faster than the Mazda MX-5?
Yes, comfortably. The S2000’s 2.0-litre engine produces around 237 bhp and revs to nearly 9,000 rpm, making it significantly more powerful than any standard MX-5 (90–160 PS). The MX-5 counters with lower weight, lower running costs and a more forgiving nature, but the S2000 is the faster and more focused car.
Why is the S2000 so much more expensive than the MX-5?
The S2000 was more expensive when new, was built in far smaller numbers, has a cult following for its high-revving engine, and has become a sought-after modern classic with rising values. The MX-5 was sold in huge numbers across four generations, so there’s abundant, affordable supply. Good S2000s typically cost around £7,000–£14,000 versus an MX-5 median near £3,750, and the very best S2000s cost far more.
Which is more usable every day, an MX-5 or an S2000?
The MX-5. It’s cheaper to buy, insure and service, more forgiving to drive at normal speeds, and has unrivalled parts and specialist support. The S2000 is usable but thirstier, firmer, pricier to run, and most rewarding when driven hard — which isn’t ideal for every commute.
Do UK Honda S2000s have the 2.0 or 2.2 engine?
Most UK S2000s use the 2.0-litre F20C engine, which revs to nearly 9,000 rpm and produces around 237 bhp. The larger 2.2-litre F22C introduced with the 2004 AP2 facelift was fitted to North American and (later) Japanese cars; European cars generally retained the 2.0-litre unit.
Free checklist: The Classic Car Buyer’s Inspection Checklist
Print it and take it to the viewing — rust hotspots, MOT-history red flags, paperwork and the 8 walk-away signs. Enter your email and we’ll send you the PDF.
