We've been hearing about Honda's on again-off again internal debate on whether to build an S2000 successor. Until last year's launch of the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, such a car from Honda didn't seem likely in the near future, but the former two has changed things. Honda is watching two competing Japanese automakers have all of the fun in the affordable RWD sports car segment. With the next-gen Mazda MX-5 due very soon, Honda is rumored to be now considering a new small roadster of its own.

These are simply rumors at this stage, but if they're to be taken seriously, it goes like this: Honda is considering doing a new roadster that would actually be smaller than the MX-5. It would be powered by a 1.3 to 1.5-liter inline-four VTEC, possibly the 1.5-liter unit found in the current Honda Fit. Output would be around 130 or so horsepower, but the car itself would only weigh about 2,000 lbs. Along with rear-wheel-drive and a five-speed manual gearbox, this has all the makings of a potentially wonderful little roadster. The best part? The target price would be around $20,000. If such a car were to happen, don't expect it to arrive until 2015 or 2016.