How exciting.......
"The 2011 Mazda2 is a real game changer. Weighing in at just 2,306 lbs (manual trans) and with a 1.5 liter, 100-hp motor."
Would somebody walk me through the excitement factor here? I seem to be missing the fun factor. Help?
(not that I am looking for a new car though.......)
Well, it's off 250#'s of what I was hoping for but still. It's a move in the right direction for car manufacturers.
2300#'s and 100hp is still better then 3300#'s and 150hp!
We drove one (a Touring 5 speed) the weekend before last. Very nice driveability (no hanging idle between shifts), horrendously numb clutch pedal. Nice shift linkage. Nice torque - it didn't struggle to get uphill that a similarly equipped '10 Honda Fit did the weekend before. Tons of room under the hood - you can actually see things like the accessory belt and other service items.
If we can find one optioned the way we want it, we'll probably get rid of the '07 Speed 3 for it.
I could be wrong, but I think the 2 has the smallest engine you can get in a car sold in the U.S. Some folks find their fun in driving low powered cars at 8/10th, as compared to bigger/more powerful cars at 5/10ths.
The British mag CAR almost prefers the 2 over the similar Fiesta, the stumbling block? Mazda offers no "go faster" models, like Ford does.
Aside from the lower hp number, compared to the Fiesta, the problem I have with the 2 is that you have to buy the top model (the Touring?) to get cruise control. Also, Mazda offers the 2 in what? 5 colors ?
That power/weight is about the same as my 1985 GTI. That was a fun car to drive.
okay, okay, okay ---> you have me sold when they are 6 years old I can get one.
The Mazda2 reminds me (in a pleasant way) of my '82 Rabbit and '83 GTI. It is just big enough yet still small and light with a practical hatch. Hopefully it is as tossable and fun.
I'm not too tall, right at 6 foot even. My head hit the headliner in the one I sat in. That was with the seat cranked all the way down and reclined to my normal seating position. I fit better in a clown car than the Mazda2. Sucks, cause the wife is humoring me enough to let me trade the Astra in on a new hatchback.
Oh, and no satellite radio available? Nothing at all? Jeez, at least give me that option. That's one of our main complaints with the Astra, a crappy radio. A car geared for the first car buyer market should have all of the cheap tech features possible. That felt like a BIG miss for me.
Um, I'm 5'10". Sat in one Mazda2 last Sat. Fit with head room and elbow room to spare. Are you sure the seat wasn't cranked all the way UP instead of down?
amg_rx7 wrote: Um, I'm 5'10". Sat in one Mazda2 last Sat. Fit with head room and elbow room to spare. Are you sure the seat wasn't cranked all the way UP instead of down?
What are your body proportions? I'm 5'10'' and have a 29'' inseam. I find headroom tough, but can fit in the backseat of a Porsche. Well, not quite, but you get the idea.
2306 lbs and 100 hp??? My 2001 corolla is 2400 lbs and 125hp (manual trans) wtf am I missing? no one heralded my car as the next GTI 9 years ago. Tell ya what, one set of koni yellows later and its twice as fun as my 88 GTI and won me 2 scca regional championships in autocross. If this car had 100 more HP it would be the perfect car and I would keep it forever. and I'm 6'1" with two kids.
VanillaSky wrote: I'm not too tall, right at 6 foot even. My head hit the headliner in the one I sat in. That was with the seat cranked all the way down and reclined to my normal seating position. I fit better in a clown car than the Mazda2. Sucks, cause the wife is humoring me enough to let me trade the Astra in on a new hatchback. Oh, and no satellite radio available? Nothing at all? Jeez, at least give me that option. That's one of our main complaints with the Astra, a crappy radio. A car geared for the first car buyer market should have all of the cheap tech features possible. That felt like a BIG miss for me.
I'm the same height and this makes me feel not so bad about not waiting for the mazda2. if you're looking for a new replacement, give the koup a look. it's got all the cheap tech features standard. it also has all the cargo capacity of the forte sedan which should put it similar to the mazda. just have to go through a trunk opening so not sure if that's a deal breaker.
I'm taller than you at 6'2" (short legs, long torso, even) and while there wasn't enough room for me to wear a helmet, I had no problem fitting in it.
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