Mazda2 Thread

fidelity101 wrote: I'm thinking of getting rid of my m2, for another rx7...

A local friend just bailed on his 2 and picked up a new STI. As wonderful and practical as the 2 is, it doesn't seem to illicit much long term passion. I think it makes a better second car than a primary car.

I'm still pretty happy with my 2, but I do feel like I'd like to have something else as well. I'm dreaming of getting a diesel 6 with all the bells and whistles as a classy daily traffic-creeper and being free to turn the 2 into a canyon/track/autoX toy.

If they bring over the wagon next year, I will glad throw my 2 and a stack of cash at them for one. Not sure on diesel or gas though. I will have to run pay back calculations to make that choice.

I've been keeping myself busy. Installed a CorkSport SRI with air duct, rear torsion bar, and racing beat exhaust. Handles with much less understeer now, and it can actually rotate on quick corners. Also sounds amazing.

This is with the SRI and air duct, also torsion bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S5NPTFgd3Ps

And here's a sound clip with the SRI & Racing Beat exhaust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-mz-DTcUyRk

Oh man, you're killing me! I want the SRI and an exhaust so bad, this car really needs to make a bit more noise to feel right when having fun with it.

How are the Sport-COMP 2s, and what size did you get? I need tires really badly and they're looking like my top choice right now.

Max_Archer wrote: How are the Sport-COMP 2s, and what size did you get? I need tires really badly and they're looking like my top choice right now.

I really like them, they grip insanely well. Hard braking will put you through the window if you're not wearing a seatbelt, that's how good they are. I got them in 195/55R15 on 6.5" wide wheels, because that's the most economical solution. There's a significant price jump between the 195s and 205s, and I didn't think the price reflected much of a gain in performance. These tires were only $91 a piece, so very affordable for the quality you get.

In reply to singleslammer:

Yeah I doubt they will. I'll settle for the sedan diesel though. Just waiting now...

I'm also ready to mount my 195/55/15s yoko s-drives.

I felt it was a good mix for daily/rain/occasional autoX they are going on stock wheels. 205/50/15 was about the same price but weighs more and slightly shorter. I wonder if a 205/55/15 would clear the suspension because then I can toss them on the rx7 when I'm done.

ScorpioGTX1 wrote:

Max_Archer wrote: How are the Sport-COMP 2s, and what size did you get? I need tires really badly and they're looking like my top choice right now.

I really like them, they grip insanely well. Hard braking will put you through the window if you're not wearing a seatbelt, that's how good they are. I got them in 195/55R15 on 6.5" wide wheels, because that's the most economical solution. There's a significant price jump between the 195s and 205s, and I didn't think the price reflected much of a gain in performance. These tires were only $91 a piece, so very affordable for the quality you get.

Sounds pretty good then, especially the braking issue, because I noticed that the stock tires are frighteningly easy to lock when trying to bring the car down from high speeds. I was looking at the 195/50s since they're only like $77 or something on Tire Rack, but I've been torn about exactly which size to get since I don't want to lose MPG with a faster-spinning wheel, but I also don't want a loss in acceleration.

Speaking of braking, has anybody else noticed that our brakes are kinda weird? The brakes are great at lower speeds, like up to the top of 2nd and the lower end of 3rd, but braking down from the top of third or from fourth, I feel like they're much more heavily boosted or something. I wonder if it's actually flex in the lines or something that gets more severe when braking harder from higher speeds. I scared myself pretty badly on a canyon road going from 4th to 2nd when I first got the car, I thought I was going to hit the wall for a second.

Took the 2 out to the local Autocross this past Sunday held by the Boston BMWCCA Chapter. This was my 1st time ever autocrossing as I joined just a few months ago. I had been busy for the past 3 months that I almost didn't want to go just because it was something else I had to do and was needing a break. I'm glad I went because I had a blast. pseudosport co-drove as his car was in for service and he had driven the car for a few events last year. Every one said to learn with the car stock but I can't leave anything alone & went out there with all the mods, plus the recent addition of some SPC camber bolts, went with -1.5 camber and zero toe per recommendations here.

I rode with an instructor for 7 of my 8 runs and told them to give me whatever feedback was needed either yelling, helmet grabbing, so on. Initially the sea of cones thing was what I felt would be my biggest obstacle but not once did I find myself lost or confused. I started off the day with a time of 84.xx and finished with a 75.14. Instructors were impressed on how quickly I picked up & I placed 10th in the class (G) out of 17. pseudosport placed 2nd in the class while sorely upsetting a guy in an 07 G35 (3rd place) who felt embarrassed he was getting beat by a Mazda2.

I had a blast but will need to wait 2 months before I get back out there. My only gripe with the 2 is that I wish it had some low end torque to help power out of corners quicker but that is asking much of such a tiny motor.

Glad you had fun. Now you know what a momentum car is.

I'm still dying to get mine out on track. All I've done is some fun on remote canyon roads, but even on dead-end ones with good visibility where you can push it a bit it's still not anywhere close to the way you can go all-out on track or at an AutoX. There seems to be surprisingly little AutoX scene here in the LA area, maybe I'm looking at the wrong organizers or something.

I ordered the Corksport SRI and torsion bar stiffener yesterday, by the way. Can't wait to drive with them and a new set of tires.

Installed the SRI and torsion bar today. What a difference!

I'm not sure how much I can feel the SRI's improvements in the high end, although admittedly I probably need to let the ECU program itself before I really know what I'll get. There's a definite improvement between 4k and 6k or so on the highway, which is promising for track work. The noise is the real upgrade in my mind, though, the car finally sounds as sporty as it feels!

The torsion bar makes a gigantic, immediately noticeable difference. I just hit a twisty short road next to my house, which isn't a true test, but even at 5/10ths in a single lane I could feel a little bit of oversteer starting to show its head, and through the really sharp stuff the rear is super solid and the car rotates like no FWD I've ever driven. It's just point and shoot. Heck of an upgrade for $99.

Video coming soon, the parts didn't come until 7:30 so it was dark by the time we were done. I shot a before video and used a decent separate audio recorder for the sound so once it's all edited together it should be a pretty good reference for what to expect with the SRI.

ScorpioGTX1 wrote:

Max_Archer wrote: How are the Sport-COMP 2s, and what size did you get? I need tires really badly and they're looking like my top choice right now.

I really like them, they grip insanely well. Hard braking will put you through the window if you're not wearing a seatbelt, that's how good they are. I got them in 195/55R15 on 6.5" wide wheels, because that's the most economical solution. There's a significant price jump between the 195s and 205s, and I didn't think the price reflected much of a gain in performance. These tires were only $91 a piece, so very affordable for the quality you get.

Post a picture if you can. I'm looking at that same size for my Accord(6" wide wheels though) and would really like to see just how wide they really are, as the tread width measurements are SUPER wide.

I placed a deposit with the shop today and they should have four of the BFGs for me tomorrow, or the next day at worst. I'll post pics of mine when they're on if Scorpio doesn't beat me to it.

By the way, I was looking up the page and seeing the talk about people losing interest in their 2s. The new parts definitely have done a lot to rekindle my enthusiasm for the car, especially the intake. I think a car needs to sound exciting to really be exciting, and now it is.

Those who Autocross, what are you running for tire pressures? I'm currently on Yokohama S-Drives 195/50/15 with -1.5 camber & 0 toe. Prior to the alignment we were running 35f/32r but temps were in 50s & often wet conditions.

Add one more to the GRM Mazda2 club. I just picked this up today. I think I'm going to do a little wheel and tire shopping tonight... 205 width BFG Rivals should do nicely.

Noice! I just installed some Corksport springs, Kosei K1s, and 205/50 RE-11s.

if you guys could do the fiesta ST or 2 touring what would you do?

Both are within my budget, im trading in my '11 Corolla S for one. too bored with it

I would probably get the ST because who doesn't want more POWAR! However you already have a fast cat and the 2 is some much more tossable then a regular fiesta. The ST is probably going to fix that though.

thats what i was thinking. Apparently alot of the front end geometry and a ST specific rear torsen bar make it MUCH more competent. plus the 80 or so HP upgrade, and SUPER easy power upgrades since its turbo.

the price difference is about 4k or so, so the question is, could the 2 be a better car with that 4k?

Its an odd situation, because i only drive this car(corolla) for 30 days out of the year when i come home on vacation from overseas. But i hate driving the corolla. its slow, handles like E36 M3, and the only saving grace is i can tow a small trailer with it. But id imagine with the better brakes and power you could do the same with the fiesta?

My uncle works at a ford dealer, so im gonna see what he can do for me, and test drive one for the weekend when i go home as well as a 2. dunno. not enough info about the fiesta ST out there right now

The 2 looks giant compared to the Miata!

ArthurDent wrote: The 2 looks giant compared to the Miata!

The angle of the photo makes it look that way, but the Miata and 2 are nearly the same size overall (other than height).

The 2 is only 0.1" longer and 0.8" wider.

Also - I drove a Fiesta ST at a Ford Ecoboost challenge event. There is no comparison between the two... the Fiesta ST is far and away a better car. I really wanted one, but I paid $13,800 for the Mazda and a Fiesta ST w/ Recaro seats came out to like $24,000 and change. It's a great car, but 24k is C5 Z06 money and I couldn't justify it.

24k isnt warranty z06 money. Im looking for a DD.

but i dont want the recaros anyways. so 21ish out the door is what id look at

24k isnt warranty z06 money. Im looking for a DD.

but i dont want the recaros anyways. so 21ish out the door is what id look at

Wow nice thread !!!

Andres