Anyone with experience with a mazda 2?

"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
10/25/2017 at 10:47 • Filed to: None

Looking into a mazda 2 for my fiancee. I am okay with the small size, still gets decent safety scores. But anyone with experience care to comment on other aspect of the car? Build quality, tire noise etc. Thanks!

DISCUSSION (18)

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 10:55

I helped a friend do a couple light mods on his 5-speed one. I believe it was springs/shocks and a firmer motor mount, maybe some kind of modified shifter, I don’t remember. The car handled SO well, and was a blast to drive.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:00

For any small, low-power car like this, I’d drive it for like 20 minutes on the highway at high speed to see if you/she can live with it for commuting/trips.

Takuro Spirit > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:04

I always wanted one. They’re a bit tinny and loud, but MAN are they fun to drive. Albeit slow. But slow = fun, so long as you get the manual.

Fairly reliable, parts are cheap, etc.

For Sweden > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:08

Only one will have the answers you seek

Kinja'd!!!

MonkeePuzzle > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:15

from what I understand, it is build on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta.

The fiesta is a great car for that segment. I think the mazda looks better. Going to go ahead and say, from the safe distance behind my keyboard, the mazda 2 is likely a good bet.

I’ve always been a HUGE advocate of a small car driven fast is always better than a fast car driven slow.

So Shiney. So Chrome! So Frunky > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:15

Had one as a rental. Handles well, good visibility, easy to park. It was a bit loud on the highway from what i remember. Little plasticy inside but it was a rental spec car so take that as you will.

ateamfan42 > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:37

My former gf got a nice used one to replace her aging car from college. I drove it a bunch and thought it was a great little basic car.

Power isn’t spectacular, but respectable for a 1.5 L. The gearing is pretty short, which makes it snappy around town despite the small engine. But, that means it revs pretty high on the highway, and the high speed fuel economy isn’t terrific as a result (high 20s). Keep the speeds down and the fuel usage is great as expected. If you do a lot of highway driving (70+ mph), you might look at something different if fuel economy is a priority (plus the smallish tank means the range won’t be great).

Handling is really nice for a non-sports car, which you’d expect for something so light. The hatch makes it pretty versatile. We even moved some tall shelving units and such (with the hatch open).

Build quality seems to be on par with other modern Mazda cars. There isn’t much complex, so repairs shouldn’t be too hard to do.

Rico > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:50

There are easier ways to call off a wedding

Khalbali > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 11:57

I owned a 2014 base model with a stick and loved it, would take a long test drive if you’re looking at an auto as they’re slower but the manual was fun. I thought it was pretty quiet and had a decent sound system and I moved 1100 miles in it so pretty practical. The power and shifter made me miss my NA though so when it got totaled by Denver’s lovely hail I got an NC to replace it after realizing I didn’t really need back seats. I keep my eyes out for another one though I do miss that car. Only quibble was reverse was really notchy on mine but hasn’t felt like that on others I’ve driven so maybe that was a one off issue. Reliability is great, but front pads only last 30k or so since the rears are drums.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 12:04

I’m ~1.2 seconds per run slower than the one in my Autocross class. The also apparently make good TCB spec racers. My old neighbors had 2 of them. That’s all I got.

Chariotoflove > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 12:21

In addition to what is already said, go ping BlueMazda2, like For Sweden said. He’ll have more info than anyone.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 12:51

I have been notified that I am needed. Here I am. Back from the dead.

Ok. So. Mazda2. Here’s what you need to know.

The car is great. It’s based on the DE platform shared with the Fiesta. The car is very, very reliable. It’s very nice to drive and is a lot peppier than its rivals if you opt for the 5 speed manual. The build quality is pretty good for a car of its size and age. I’ve driven both a US version built in Hiroshima, Japan, and a Colombian version built in Bogota, Colombia. The build quality in the US version is better than that of a Versa, Yaris, or Fiesta of similar vintage. The same can be said for the Colombian version. The tire noise isn’t bad if you opt for the right tires. The one I drove had Michelin Pilot Sports on it (I didn’t know they made them in that size, but they do). It was wonderful to drive. The clutch and shift feel was excellent, especially for a car of that size and price. It only has 105 hp, so it won’t win you any drag races. That being said, it will do 60 in like 8.5, which is plenty fast. The automatic will do it in like 9.8 or something. It’s a noticeable difference. The seats are pretty comfortable if you ask me. I took the Colombian one on an 8 hour road trip and had absolutely no complains. I’m 6'2" and I fit in the back just fine. The ride is nice, but it’s a little stiffer than some of its rivals. Also, it’s lower than them, so it’s more prone to scraping when you pull into a steeper driveway. It sounds nice under full throttle for a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder. It has a growl to it. The trunk is pretty good too. Also, I will note that the air conditioning system is great. If you go for one, I’d recommend a 5 speed manual Touring model. That’s the best one Mazda sold. Bonus points if you go for Clear Water Blue Metallic. I’ll get amazing gas mileage too, which is an added bonus. I’ve never crashed it, but IIHS says it’s safe. Overall, I’d say go for it. If you’re looking in that segment, that was the best car sold until it was discontinued in 2014. I’d recommend it to anyone hands down. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Oh, also, as a fun fact, whenever you turn the car on, the radio says “HELLO”. See? It’s even polite AND friendly.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > For Sweden
10/25/2017 at 13:03

You called?

Kinja'd!!!

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/25/2017 at 14:34

wow! awesome, thanks a bunch!

Is the auto a deal breaker? I would definitly prefer the 5 speed, but unfortunate, we live in socal traffic, and my fiancee is dead set against a clutch

How does it do at 55-75 mph?

And lastly, is there anything in particular to keep an eye out for looking at one? I’ve got a red 2011 touring auto lined up to look at this weekend

Thanks again!

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 14:49

It’s always a pleasure to help. You’re very welcome.

It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s nowhere near as nice as the manual. Consider that all cars in this segment at the time had a 4 speed auto or a PowerShit PowerShift 6 speed dual clutch in the Fiesta.

It does pretty well, but you can definitely tell it has 105 hp. It’ll keep up with traffic, though.

I would make sure to look for the usual: any service records, any accidents on the carfax, etc. If you like to nitpick like me, check the air vents to see if they’re broken. They have a little mechanism to close which is prone to breaking with hamfisted people angrily moving the air vents. Be sure to keep us updated. I’m looking forward to hearing about it.

Mercedes Streeter > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/25/2017 at 18:09

Heh, this is what I love about Oppo. Everyone’s an expert on some sort of car. :3

boxrocket > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/25/2017 at 20:13

Well, you said just about everything I was going to, haha.

Great little cars, but be aware that the interior is more aged/outdated than competitors, but it’s also cheaper. I’d have one over everything else in the segment except maybe a Fiesta with a stick, but only because of parts availability and because STs aren’t too expensive.

In short: Get it!

PG; the scalpel wielder > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/25/2017 at 20:35

I had a friend that owned one. Honestly felt a bit cramped and plasticky on the inside. Would suggest a similar year model Mazda3 for about the same price. Much more comfortable and tackles long trips better.