Now that two more Hondas have joined the Mattel Brick Shop, I can stop holding my breath. I thought the NSX was it for Japanese rides in this series. Thankfully isn’t. Two iconic Hondas have joined the garage, and they are none other than the 2007 Honda S2000 and a custom 1990 Honda Civic EF. A true JDM fan will know what this means. A brick-built EF Civic and an S2000. That is definitely any JDM enthusiast’s wet dream. Let’s start with my favorite, the Mattel Brick Shop Hot Wheels Custom ’90 Honda Civic EF Building Set.
The EF Civic is one of those cars that refuses to die in pop culture. Affordable, moddable, and everywhere in the 1990s, it became the blank canvas for tuners long before tuning was cool on social media. Mattel Brick Shop gets that. Their 1:32 scale Custom ’90 Honda Civic EF comes fully buildable with realistic details, including opening doors, proper window pieces, and proper headlights. It even throws in two sets of wheel covers and a custom decal sheet so you can pretend you are building “your” EF and not someone else’s.
Then comes the flex. Every set includes a matching 1:64 scale metal car and a metal signature plate, which makes this feel less like a toy and more like something you display and point at when friends come over. The bricks themselves are made of smooth resin, designed to click together without turning the build into a rage-quit session. And yes, they play nice with other major building brands, so you can mix parts like a true backyard mechanic.
Now let’s talk about the other Honda in the room, the 2007 Honda S2000. The S2000 is not a people’s car. It was never cheap, never practical, and never meant for everyone. It was a high-revving, rear-wheel-drive love letter to people who like engines that scream. The Mattel Brick Shop ’07 Honda S2000 Building Set follows the same formula as the EF. It is also 1:32 scale, fully buildable, and loaded with realistic details like opening doors, an authentic windshield, and a spoiler.
Just like the EF, it comes with a custom decal sheet, two sets of wheel covers, a metal signature plate, and a matching 1:64 scale metal car. The building experience is also designed to be smooth and not soul-crushing, with clear instructions and easy-click bricks. And yes, it is also compatible with other major building brands, so feel free to Frankenstein your own version of an S2000 if that is your thing.
They cost 22 bucks each, but here’s some not-so-good news. The EF flew off the shelves (like, are you even surprised?). The S2000, however, is still available—perhaps waiting for Johnny Tran or Suki to pick it up. Anyhoo, it is not hard to see what sells and what does not. S2000, though iconic, is not an icon in Honda’s history. This car was pretty niche. It was more expensive, not a favorite in the car modding world, while the EF was affordable, and accessibility did help to open up a world of customization, which many people have been doing for almost four decades now.
Images: Mattel Brick Shop.