Mazda 2, 1.5 Sport 3dr
Discussion
I've been having a quick look, via the internet, at the new Mazda 2... Despite the ATROCIOUS advertisements, the 2 sounds pretty tasty.
In 3 door guise it looks really, really nice. It's pretty light and with about 100 bhp sounds like it is a good, fun little package - a bit like a safer SportKA.
Has anyone around here driven one?
In 3 door guise it looks really, really nice. It's pretty light and with about 100 bhp sounds like it is a good, fun little package - a bit like a safer SportKA.
Has anyone around here driven one?
We got ours in Aurora Blue - very nice colour. It's only got ~250 miles on the clock at the moment and about half of those are mine.
If it helps, I'll tell you how we ended up choosing the car. Mrs needed to replace her ageing Corsa with something more modern and up to date. She is a district nurse so needs good storage for her bits and pieces and air con for the summer. My criteria for 'her' car was not to get a total shopping trolley! So, we test drove the following cars:
- New Corsa - 'felt' very big (not nimble), steering was lifeless and the dash isn't a very good design imo, it reflected up onto the windscreen quite badly. We also drove the 1.2 which was gutless.
- Punto Grande 1.4 Dynamic Sport - I liked this car. Again steering not great but better than Corsa. Reasonable poke. Very good looks, excellent Blue and Me ipod/phone connectivity. Cheap deals from Fiat... a contender - but worries over residuals, reliability and build quality (rightly or wrongly).
- Yaris - test drove a 1.3SR which has a detachable TomTom satnav in the dash, very cool. Excellent storage in this car - cubbies and glove boxes everywhere. Not that pokey and ok to drive - but crucially for the mrs, only available in red, silver, grey or black - she wanted a blue car!
- Swift 1.5 GLX - I also liked this car. Not as refined as the others but handled well, steering was good, was entertaining to drive. However build quality was a bit tinny, didn't get along with the stereo and the road noise was loud.
- Mini Cooper - I didn't get along with the car. Handling was great but I thought the brakes were well over servoed - one tiny touch and it felt like an emergency stop. Also, I think the Mini has had its day style-wise, it's trying too hard - and there are so many of them on the road. So we ruled it out.
Then we get to the Mazda2. I have an import Mk1 MX5, and have owned a 323 in the past, so I like the brand. They've always had excellent gearboxes in my opinion, as well as good build quality and reliability.
So we took the 2 out and were very impressed. It's a good looking car - the best of the bunch imo. Had good performance (its not a hot hatch though), handles well, steering feels very positive and the car feels solid underneath you. High level gear box and short throw makes shifting a doddle. Cabin has good quality materials and the seats are very supportive. Climate control is great, impressed with it having cruise control as well.
All in all, I have to say (after 3 whole days of ownership(!)) that I'm very pleased with the decision we made. Car looks great on the driveway, performs well on the road, we are very pleased!
If it helps, I'll tell you how we ended up choosing the car. Mrs needed to replace her ageing Corsa with something more modern and up to date. She is a district nurse so needs good storage for her bits and pieces and air con for the summer. My criteria for 'her' car was not to get a total shopping trolley! So, we test drove the following cars:
- New Corsa - 'felt' very big (not nimble), steering was lifeless and the dash isn't a very good design imo, it reflected up onto the windscreen quite badly. We also drove the 1.2 which was gutless.
- Punto Grande 1.4 Dynamic Sport - I liked this car. Again steering not great but better than Corsa. Reasonable poke. Very good looks, excellent Blue and Me ipod/phone connectivity. Cheap deals from Fiat... a contender - but worries over residuals, reliability and build quality (rightly or wrongly).
- Yaris - test drove a 1.3SR which has a detachable TomTom satnav in the dash, very cool. Excellent storage in this car - cubbies and glove boxes everywhere. Not that pokey and ok to drive - but crucially for the mrs, only available in red, silver, grey or black - she wanted a blue car!
- Swift 1.5 GLX - I also liked this car. Not as refined as the others but handled well, steering was good, was entertaining to drive. However build quality was a bit tinny, didn't get along with the stereo and the road noise was loud.
- Mini Cooper - I didn't get along with the car. Handling was great but I thought the brakes were well over servoed - one tiny touch and it felt like an emergency stop. Also, I think the Mini has had its day style-wise, it's trying too hard - and there are so many of them on the road. So we ruled it out.
Then we get to the Mazda2. I have an import Mk1 MX5, and have owned a 323 in the past, so I like the brand. They've always had excellent gearboxes in my opinion, as well as good build quality and reliability.
So we took the 2 out and were very impressed. It's a good looking car - the best of the bunch imo. Had good performance (its not a hot hatch though), handles well, steering feels very positive and the car feels solid underneath you. High level gear box and short throw makes shifting a doddle. Cabin has good quality materials and the seats are very supportive. Climate control is great, impressed with it having cruise control as well.
All in all, I have to say (after 3 whole days of ownership(!)) that I'm very pleased with the decision we made. Car looks great on the driveway, performs well on the road, we are very pleased!
That's a great response, thanks!
It's great to hear your opinion on the shifting - a second car I'm thinking about at the moment happens to be mk1 MX-5, so I was hoping that the 2 would have a similar rifle-bolt gearshift.
I suppose I'm hoping that the 2 captures the same spirit as the MX-5, albeit in front-wheel drive hatchery format!
It's great to hear your opinion on the shifting - a second car I'm thinking about at the moment happens to be mk1 MX-5, so I was hoping that the 2 would have a similar rifle-bolt gearshift.
I suppose I'm hoping that the 2 captures the same spirit as the MX-5, albeit in front-wheel drive hatchery format!
Edited by Wilburo on Tuesday 4th November 11:07
No worries.
It feels a world away from my Roadster, I'll tell you that much. The 2 is far more refined and composed over B roads - less road noise, smoother ride, more comfortable. The Mk1 is glued to the road, feel every drain and bump, a real driving experience. And the shifting on the 2 may be good, but it's not Mk1 good
I'm actually in car-limbo myself at the moment cos while I love my Mk1, the refinement and modern cabin of the 2 really appeals as a nice place to be every day. Consequently, I'm looking at Mk3's now!
It feels a world away from my Roadster, I'll tell you that much. The 2 is far more refined and composed over B roads - less road noise, smoother ride, more comfortable. The Mk1 is glued to the road, feel every drain and bump, a real driving experience. And the shifting on the 2 may be good, but it's not Mk1 good
I'm actually in car-limbo myself at the moment cos while I love my Mk1, the refinement and modern cabin of the 2 really appeals as a nice place to be every day. Consequently, I'm looking at Mk3's now!
oooh, well the new mk3.5 looks good... I don't like the 'face' of the mk3, but think it looks much more sorted on the new one. It's also supposed to handle better, which is cool.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...
I also find the following verrrrrrrrry interesting....
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/10/10/mazda-mx-5...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...
As for the 2, it sounds like what I'm after. I'm in a Cooper S at the moment, but it's too easy to be untidy and then just power from point-to-point. I fancy something with a good chassis that's lighter, with a bit less power and a better gearshift. My old KA used to flow from point to point, keeping the speed up with good lines and tidy gearshifts. I also want something more reliable and cheaper to insure. I also like the fact that the 2 is a very good looking car.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...
I also find the following verrrrrrrrry interesting....
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/10/10/mazda-mx-5...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...
As for the 2, it sounds like what I'm after. I'm in a Cooper S at the moment, but it's too easy to be untidy and then just power from point-to-point. I fancy something with a good chassis that's lighter, with a bit less power and a better gearshift. My old KA used to flow from point to point, keeping the speed up with good lines and tidy gearshifts. I also want something more reliable and cheaper to insure. I also like the fact that the 2 is a very good looking car.
Edited by Wilburo on Tuesday 4th November 11:42
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff