New Mazda 2 - Things to know and has anyone here got one?

New Mazda 2 - Things to know and has anyone here got one?

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bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Sunday 12th February 2023
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Been out looking at cars today.

Driving an old Mazda 2 right now and trudged around Availablecar without being drawn to anything at all.

Went to Mazda and they have some decent offers on the entry level brand new Mazda 2 which has me seriously tempted as it's £10K cost to change and at that sort of price it's cheap reliable motoring.

Looking at the 1.5L 75ps and having had a test drive I'm struggling to find anything obviously wrong or missing.

No it isn't very PistonHeads but having spent a small fortune on some nice fast cars over the years I've lost all enthusiasm for setting fire to my money.

I'll hit YouTube but is there anything I need to know and does anyone on here have one please?

Not sure if this should go in Car Buying or Japanese Chat so I'll let the mods decide thumbup

carte blanche

164 posts

122 months

Sunday 12th February 2023
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Worth noting that Mazda now sell two different models as the Mazda 2, one (launched in 2022) is essentially a rebadged Toyota Yaris Hybrid and the other is Mazda's own design and has been on sale since 2014, now having been retained as a legacy model at a significantly lower price point. I assume as you refer to the 1.5 75PS you're referring to the latter. (Nothing wrong with the older design but thought I should point out that it's not a 'new' model).

I had a look at one when in the market for a small car a few years ago, although I went for a Jazz in the end I liked the Mazda - was a nice drive, certainly more engaging than the Honda and was quite fun throwing it down country lanes. Ride quality was a bit firm but I could have lived with it. Only went for the Honda in the end for reasons of practicality, Honda boot is bigger and my grandmother found it easier to get into (I was buying the car primarily to transport her around town and to/from medical appointments). From a PH perspective, I can actually see why it would appeal as it had a similar feel to small cars of yesteryear IMO, in that it was lightweight and naturally aspirated. If it fits your needs then I see no reason not to buy one.

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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Thank you smile

Yes it's the "proper" Mazda 2 not the Yaris based hybrid.

I did briefly look at the Jazz but the prices seem literally around £10K more and this is where I'm really struggling to find anything that seems even comparable price wise with the entry level 2 let alone that sees to be as well equipped or "premium" feeling (maybe not quite the right choice of words but it doesn't feel like a cheap car).

dontlookdown

1,940 posts

99 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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Had one as a courtesy for about a week last year. It was a base spec but can't recall engine size. I thought it was a jolly good little car, eager and engaging to drive. Interior plain but decent quality and seemed hard-wearing.

Made me think I should have got one for my daughter instead of her Yaris.

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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dontlookdown said:
Had one as a courtesy for about a week last year. It was a base spec but can't recall engine size. I thought it was a jolly good little car, eager and engaging to drive. Interior plain but decent quality and seemed hard-wearing.

Made me think I should have got one for my daughter instead of her Yaris.
Yeah this is the thing when I look at Toyota (for example) there is nothing in that price range new (the Aygo feels like it's made of tin foil) and it looks like 5-6 year old Yaris are still selling for similar/more money than a brand new entry level 2.

Prices don't seem to stand up to too much logic right now but for the cost to change I'm really struggling to see anything that leaps out as either better value or a better car.

dontlookdown

1,940 posts

99 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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bhstewie said:
Yeah this is the thing when I look at Toyota (for example) there is nothing in that price range new (the Aygo feels like it's made of tin foil) and it looks like 5-6 year old Yaris are still selling for similar/more money than a brand new entry level 2.
That sounds like a pretty good deal.

SteBrown91

2,554 posts

135 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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Theres nothing wrong with the mazda 2 but I suspect the deal is because the facelifted/updated model has just been announced. If you don't mind that its not the facelift then get bought. They are a decent car.

Silenoz

881 posts

159 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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As I said on your other thread, I really like these. I used to get a 75bhp basic one as a courtesy car when my MX5 was in for servicing and it was great fun to drive. Having also driven lots of other small cars, and my OH having had 2 Hyundai i10s in succession, the Mazda 2 is top of the list for her next car when her current one goes back later this year. Latest model has decent kit too, Android auto and carplay means it's future proof to a degree and with a naturally aspirated engine it's less complexity. A car I could imagine buying and running for a decade or more.

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Monday 13th February 2023
quotequote all
SteBrown91 said:
Theres nothing wrong with the mazda 2 but I suspect the deal is because the facelifted/updated model has just been announced. If you don't mind that its not the facelift then get bought. They are a decent car.
That figures.

Seems the thick end of around £2.5K off and from what I've seen it's not a massive facelift i.e. it's a facelift and different wheels rather than a whole new model?

Agreed on the kit list - I'm struggling to think of anything that I felt was missing.

Am I right in thinking Mazda build these in Japan? Only ask as obviously Toyota and Honda build here.

Wacky Racer

38,919 posts

253 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Monday 13th February 2023
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Thanks I saw that one as well as a couple of Japanese "walk around" type videos which I assume were at a recent event.

Not seeing £2.5-3K worth in that.

trevalvole

1,255 posts

39 months

Tuesday 14th February 2023
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bhstewie said:
Am I right in thinking Mazda build these in Japan? Only ask as obviously Toyota and Honda build here.
Something at the back of mind thought that they were built In Thailand and this seems to confirm it (I note Aus are RHD too): https://www.drive.com.au/news/2015-mazda-2-product...

There's mixed owners' reviews on Honest John, though the first one does seem to think they were vastly improved from 2020 on: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/owner-reviews/mazda/2...

Edited by trevalvole on Tuesday 14th February 11:04


Edited by trevalvole on Tuesday 14th February 11:05

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Tuesday 14th February 2023
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Thank you the last one was reliable enough so it was more curiosity than concern.

Calls and emails exchanged today and a deposit put down.

Should have the car early March on a 23 plate.

£9k cost to change to go from 2014 model to a brand new one which seemed a good enough deal to me thumbup

Silenoz

881 posts

159 months

Tuesday 14th February 2023
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Congratulations. What colour did you go for?

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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Ceramic.

Bit of a cross between white and grey smile

Still finding that cost to change bloody nuts considering it includes £560 for paint.

Yomamaisasnowblower

321 posts

23 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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Congrats on the purchase. Hope you enjoy it.

Personally I think you're bananas swapping a 2014 Mazda 2 for a current model. The old one would have (probably) lasted for quite a few more years and is hardly much different from what's on sale now!

SteBrown91

2,554 posts

135 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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Yomamaisasnowblower said:
Congrats on the purchase. Hope you enjoy it.

Personally I think you're bananas swapping a 2014 Mazda 2 for a current model. The old one would have (probably) lasted for quite a few more years and is hardly much different from what's on sale now!
My girlfriend had that shape 2 a it was an 08 plate, and it was a nice car but was noisy, tinny and unrefined.

I expect the current model is a decent step up with much better infotainment etc

rjfp1962

8,296 posts

79 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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bhstewie said:
Ceramic.

Bit of a cross between white and grey smile

Still finding that cost to change bloody nuts considering it includes £560 for paint.
Nice.. My MX5ND is Ceramic smile

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

54,871 posts

216 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
quotequote all
Yomamaisasnowblower said:
Congrats on the purchase. Hope you enjoy it.

Personally I think you're bananas swapping a 2014 Mazda 2 for a current model. The old one would have (probably) lasted for quite a few more years and is hardly much different from what's on sale now!
I can see that point of view.

There were likely a couple of bills due which were nothing crazy but once you get that itch it feels a bit like dead money to spend money on things when you'll probably just delay the inevitable by a few months.

Whilst this may sound like justifying my decision the new car does seem very different in terms of equipment and refinement to the old one and of course (more self-justification smile) there's three years break down and warranty included.

When you look at new car prices and specs this genuinely seems a hell of a lot of new car for £15K and the part-ex price still has me baffled but WBAC are showing similar so I'll just shut up and take it.

Yomamaisasnowblower

321 posts

23 months

Wednesday 15th February 2023
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Yep, fair play. We all have our reasons and if it works for you that's what matters. I'm in the unfortunate position of having to replace both mine and my wife's car at the same time.

Getting to the point of just buying an MG HS thing for her (she doesn't care) to take the pressure off and get through the next 2 years. Not sure I can make myself do it though!.