Honda S2000 AP2 S2000 AP2 VS Mazda RX-7 FC RX-7 FC

Honda S2000 AP2 vs Mazda RX-7 FC: Track Titans, Different Philosophies

When you line up the Honda S2000 AP2 and the Mazda RX-7 FC, you’re staging a duel between two of Japan’s most iconic rear-wheel-drive sports cars—each with a fiercely loyal following, yet radically different in both spirit and engineering. Both are lightweight, high-revving, and celebrated for their purity, but the S2000’s high-strung four-cylinder faces off against the RX-7’s rotary enigma. How do these legends stack up when the stopwatch is the judge? LapMeta’s data paints a vivid picture.

Performance Data: Lap Times Tell the Tale

Let’s cut straight to the lap records. Across the majority of circuits with comparable setup levels, the Honda S2000 AP2 consistently edges out the RX-7 FC—and often by commanding margins. At Buttonwillow Raceway - 13CW, the S2000 clocks a 1:49.2 (heavy mods), a full 17.66 seconds clear of the RX-7’s 2:06.86 on medium mods. That’s not a small gap; it’s a chasm, and this trend holds at Willow Springs Raceway - Streets (1:19 vs 1:27.35, S2000 ahead by 8.35s), and Pittsburgh International Race Complex - PittRace - Full Course (1:55.924 vs 2:02.4, S2000 leading by 6.48s).

However, the RX-7 FC is no stranger to the winner’s circle. At Ebisu Circuit - Higashi, in race trim, it posts a 1:04.6, besting the S2000’s 1:07.32 (medium mods) by 2.72s. Similarly, at Willow Springs Raceway - Big Willow, a race-prepped RX-7 FC clocks a 1:30.1, sneaking ahead of the S2000’s 1:31.46 (medium mods) by 1.36s. Give the RX-7 the right modifications and sticky tires, and it can overturn the tables—even on the S2000’s home turf.

Engineering, Economics, and the Owner Experience

These cars diverge as much in philosophy as they do in lap times. The S2000 AP2 is a product of Honda’s relentless pursuit of mechanical harmony—a 2.2L VTEC inline-four that howls to 8,000 rpm, precise 6-speed manual, and a chassis that’s as tight as a racing drum. With 240 PS and a curb weight of 2,859 lbs, the S2000’s front-mid engine, rear-drive layout gives it a near-perfect balance. It’s a car that flatters the experienced driver, but its playful breakaway and high limits also reward the brave.

The RX-7 FC, on the other hand, is Mazda’s ode to innovation: a 1.3L rotary engine delivering 180 PS and 246.76 Nm of torque—more twist than the S2000, but with a unique delivery. The FC is lighter at 2,800 lbs, but its handling is dictated by the rotary’s compactness and low center of gravity. The RX-7 is more forgiving at the limit, eager to rotate, and when modified (especially with turbo upgrades or race suspension), can punch far above its weight.

From a value perspective, the S2000 was always priced as a premium, no-compromise roadster—think affordable Porsche alternative. Its MSRP was justified by its engineering sophistication and bulletproof reliability. Rising demand in recent years has seen S2000 values climb sharply, with clean AP2s now fetching well above original sticker.

The RX-7 FC, by contrast, started as a more mainstream offering. Today, it’s the wild card: cheaper to buy, but with a steeper learning curve in both maintenance and tuning (rotary engines require diligence). For enthusiasts who crave individuality and don’t mind wrenching, the FC is a cult classic waiting to be unleashed on the track—especially as a modding platform.

Conclusion: Purist’s Choice or Tuner’s Canvas?

If you want a car that’s fast out of the box, the Honda S2000 AP2 is the clear ticket. As evidenced by its dominance at Buttonwillow, Willow Streets, and PittRace, it’s a precision tool that rewards committed drivers with lap times that embarrass many pricier machines. It’s also supported by a deep aftermarket, though even in stock or lightly-modded form it’s a benchmark for natural aspiration and balance.

But if you’re the kind of enthusiast who sees a car as a blank canvas, and you live for the wrench and the wild-card experience, the RX-7 FC is irresistible. At Ebisu and Big Willow, it shows that, with the right tweaks, it can run with—and even ahead of—the S2000. The RX-7 is a reminder that engineering audacity still has a place in grassroots motorsport.

Ultimately, both cars have carved out their legends—not just on paper, but in the hearts of drivers who know that numbers only tell half the story. Choose your fighter: the S2000 for surgical precision, the RX-7 FC for rotary rebellion. Either way, the lap timer will thank you.