Honda S2000 AP2 / Mazda Miata MX-5 NB

The Honda S2000 AP2 makes 240 horsepower. The Mazda Miata NB makes 140 horsepower—100hp less (42% power deficit). Across 84 shared tracks with 54 unique comparison scenarios, these cars are separated by 6.43 seconds, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the S2000 wins 94.1% of battles with an 8.48-second average gap.

This is the second-generation Miata (1999-2005) versus Honda's naturally aspirated roadster peak. The NB improved on the NA's 115hp with 140hp from a revised 1.8L BP engine, but it still weighs 511 pounds less than the S2000 (2,348 lbs vs 2,859 lbs). The S2000 costs $37,500. The NB costs $15,000—a $22,500 price gap that buys 100hp more power and Honda reliability, while the NB offers Miata's legendary handling and modification potential at 60% savings.

The 100-Horsepower Gap: 140hp vs 240hp

The S2000 AP2's F22C1 makes 240hp at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. Power-to-weight: 11.91 lbs/hp. The Miata NB's 1.8L BP makes 140hp at 6,500 rpm and 119 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm. Power-to-weight: 16.77 lbs/hp—a 41% disadvantage despite being 511 pounds lighter.

The NB is an improvement over the NA's 115hp, adding 25hp through revised intake, higher compression (9.5:1 vs 9.0:1), and improved exhaust. But 140hp in a 2,348-pound chassis still can't match 240hp in a 2,859-pound chassis. The S2000's 100hp advantage overwhelms the Miata's weight savings in every scenario except when modification levels heavily favor the NB.

What the Filtered Data on This Page Reveals

The comparison tables show the S2000's dominance across nearly all scenarios:

• Matched mod + matched tire (305 laps): S2000 wins 94.1%, NB wins 5.9%, 8.48s average gap. The largest matched scenario (223 laps at medium/medium, TW200/200) shows S2000 winning 96.4% with 9.16s gap. The power difference is simply too large for equal preparation to overcome.
• Medium S2000 vs race NB, TW200/40 (115 laps): NB wins 73.9% with 5.10s gap. The race-prepped NB on R-compound slicks (TW40) versus medium S2000 on street tires (TW200) flips the script—this is the only consistent scenario where the NB wins. The modified NB likely runs 200-250hp from turbo or supercharger.
• Medium S2000 vs race NB, TW40/40 (47 laps): S2000 wins 48.9%, NB wins 51.1%, 3.45s gap. On matched R-compounds with race-level NB mods, the battle becomes nearly even—proving that forced induction transforms the NB's performance ceiling entirely.

Use the comparison filters on this page to see the pattern: the S2000 dominates stock-to-modified scenarios, but when the NB runs race-prep (turbo/supercharger), the 100hp gap closes dramatically.

The 511-Pound Weight Advantage: Not Enough

The NB weighs 2,348 lbs—511 pounds lighter than the S2000's 2,859 lbs. This 18% weight advantage should matter more than it does. The NB's 2,260mm wheelbase (140mm shorter than the S2000's 2,400mm) makes it more agile through tight transitions, and the 50/50 weight distribution creates intuitive handling.

Yet the comparison data shows this weight advantage is completely overwhelmed by the 100hp power gap. On corner exits, the S2000's F22C1 delivers 240hp and 162 lb-ft versus the NB's 140hp and 119 lb-ft. The S2000 accelerates harder out of every corner, and that exit speed compounds over a full lap into an 8.48-second gap when everything else is equal.

The $22,500 Price Gap and NB Modification Ceiling

S2000 AP2: $37,500 purchase price buys naturally aspirated perfection and appreciates 5-10% annually. The F22C1's modification ceiling is limited—headers, exhaust, and tune add 15-25hp for $4,500. To reach 300hp requires individual throttle bodies and standalone ECU ($10,000+).

Miata NB: $15,000 purchase price leaves $22,500 for modifications that transform the platform:

• Flyin' Miata turbo kit ($5,000-7,000): Takes the 1.8L to 200-250hp on 6-8 psi boost, maintaining street drivability. The BP engine's forged internals handle boost reliably.
• K24 engine swap ($7,000-10,000): Honda K24A2 naturally aspirated swap produces 220whp, matching S2000 power in a 2,348-pound chassis. Power-to-weight becomes 10.67 lbs/hp—better than the stock S2000.
• Full race prep ($12,000-15,000): Engine build (200hp turbo), suspension, weight reduction, R-compounds, aero, safety. Creates a 2,100-pound, 250hp race car with 8.40 lbs/hp.

The comparison data proves this math: when the NB runs race-level mods, it wins 51-74% of battles depending on tire compound. The $22,500 price difference buys modifications that erase the 100hp power gap entirely—if you're willing to wrench.

NB vs NA: The 25-Horsepower Evolution

The NB improved on the NA with 25hp more (140hp vs 115hp), slightly stiffer chassis, improved suspension geometry, and better interior. Yet against the S2000, the NB's 94.1% loss rate is worse than the NA's 89.1% loss rate when matched. Why?

The data suggests NB drivers run closer to stock more often (fewer heavily-modified race NB examples), while NA drivers more frequently run aggressive modifications. The NB's extra 25hp isn't enough to close the gap to the S2000—it just makes the defeat slightly less dramatic (8.48s vs 9.05s).

The Verdict

Choose the Honda S2000 AP2 if you want 240hp naturally aspirated perfection that wins 94.1% of matched battles, appreciates 5-10% annually, and requires no modifications to dominate. You're paying $22,500 more than the NB for 100hp more power and a car that's faster out of the box. The S2000 is the choice for buyers who want peak performance without wrenching and can afford the premium.

Choose the Mazda Miata NB if you value the lightweight roadster experience at $15,000 entry price, accept losing 94.1% of stock-vs-stock battles, and plan to modify the platform with turbo or K-swap. When the NB runs race-prep, it wins 51-74% of battles against medium-modified S2000s. The $22,500 price difference buys forced induction that reaches 200-250hp, transforming the fight entirely.

Use the comparison filters on this page to see that the S2000 dominates unless the NB is heavily modified. Stock-vs-stock or matched modifications heavily favor the S2000. But the NB's turbo ceiling—250hp for $7,000—creates a platform where $22,500 total investment (purchase + mods) competes nearly evenly with a $37,500 stock S2000.

LapMeta's 6.43-second overall gap and 8.48-second matched-condition gap show the S2000's superiority when power is equal. The NB's 511-pound weight advantage can't overcome the F22C1's 100hp and 43 lb-ft torque advantage. For the buyer who wants the best stock roadster, the S2000 wins 94% of the time. For the builder who wants the best platform to modify, the NB costs $22,500 less and offers a turbo path that makes the power gap optional.