Honda S2000 AP2 / Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
The Honda S2000 AP2 makes 240 horsepower and costs $37,500. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 makes 414 horsepower and costs $125,000—an $87,500 price gap (233% more expensive) for 174hp more power. Across 84 shared tracks with 42 unique comparison scenarios, the GT4 wins by 3.34 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the GT4 wins 85.8% of battles with a 5.92-second average gap.
This is Honda's naturally aspirated roadster icon versus Porsche's mid-engine track weapon. The S2000 weighs 2,859 lbs. The GT4 weighs 3,247 lbs—388 pounds heavier yet still faster through mid-engine physics, 174hp more power, and GT3-derived suspension. The question isn't whether the GT4 is faster—it clearly is. The question is whether that speed justifies paying 233% more.
The 174-Horsepower Gap and Mid-Engine Advantage
The S2000's F22C1 makes 240hp at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm from 2.2 liters. Power-to-weight: 11.91 lbs/hp. The GT4's 4.0L flat-six makes 414hp at 7,600 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 5,000-6,800 rpm. Power-to-weight: 7.84 lbs/hp—a 34% advantage despite being 388 pounds heavier.
The GT4's mid-engine layout places the 414hp flat-six directly behind the driver, creating near-perfect weight distribution and telepathic handling. The S2000's front-mid-engine layout (behind the front axle line) achieves 50/50 balance but can't match the GT4's low polar moment of inertia and instant rotation characteristics.
What the Filtered Data Reveals
The comparison tables show the GT4's dominance across nearly all scenarios:
- Matched mod + matched tire (204 laps): GT4 wins 85.8%, S2000 wins 14.2%, 5.92s gap. The S2000's 388-pound weight advantage can't overcome the 174hp power deficit and mid-engine physics. Even with equal preparation, the GT4's advantages are overwhelming.
- Mismatched scenarios where S2000 wins 43-57%: These occur when the S2000 runs higher modification levels or grippier tires than the GT4. A race-prepped S2000 (300hp NA build) can challenge a lightly-modified GT4 on street tires, but this requires $10,000+ in mods.
Use the comparison filters on this page to see that the GT4 dominates in every matched scenario. The S2000 only competes when running significant modification advantages—proof that the GT4's stock performance is beyond what the S2000 can achieve without major investment.
The $87,500 Question
S2000: $37,500 buys naturally aspirated perfection, 240hp, Honda reliability, and 5-10% annual appreciation. This is peak front-mid-engine roadster engineering from 2004-2009.
GT4: $125,000 buys mid-engine physics, 414hp, GT3-derived suspension, and Porsche's track-weapon pedigree. This is purpose-built performance that wins 85.8% of matched battles.
That $87,500 premium buys 174hp more power, mid-engine handling that can't be replicated through tuning, and a car that appreciates 5-8% annually as a modern Porsche GT4. Over five years, both cars appreciate, but the GT4's higher entry price means larger absolute gains ($31,000-45,000 vs S2000's $11,000-19,000).
The Verdict
Choose the Honda S2000 AP2 if you want naturally aspirated roadster purity at $37,500, accept losing 85.8% of matched battles, and value the F22C1's character over ultimate lap times. The S2000 is an icon that appreciates steadily and delivers engagement the GT4's clinical perfection can't match—just not lap times.
Choose the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 if you want the fastest car and have $125,000 to spend. You're paying $87,500 more (233% premium) for an 85.8% win rate and 5.92-second lap time advantage when everything is equal. The GT4 is the choice for drivers who demand peak performance and can afford Porsche's pricing.
LapMeta's 3.34-second overall gap and 5.92-second matched-condition gap show the GT4's superiority. The S2000's 388-pound weight advantage can't overcome the GT4's 174hp power and mid-engine physics. For the driver who wants the best roadster under $40,000, the S2000 delivers. For the driver who wants the best track car regardless of price, the GT4's 85.8% win rate proves that $87,500 buys measurable superiority.