Mazda2 Update Needed. You said Miata.....

I need to hear more.......GRM said it was as good as a Miata?

I read the article but need MORE! MORE!

I loved it. As good as a Miata? I dunno, the Miata's the quintessential sports car to me. But the 2 is a lot of fun. In manual, yes - auto, not so much. I flogged it all around the winding back roads behind Mosport. Not much power, so you have to keep it in the powerband for it to stay lively, but it's like a happy little flea. If you crossed a Miata with my 323, you'd probably end up with the Mazda2.

I haven't had the chance to drive one yet, but Per and Andy both really, really liked it.

We're hoping to get one in the press fleet soon.

I had the Mazda2 Yozora edition, with the stickers, spoiler, and great tires - you couldn't find a better daily driver for someone who loves hatchbacks, likes to drive, yet needs a bit of practicality.

Lesley. Have you driven the Fiat 500? If so how does it compare?

No, that event was a couple of weeks ago in sunny California and I was freezing my patootie off on a mountain in Colorado doing the Bridgestone winter driving school.

call me when they release the mazdaspeed2

A 2300lb car with Mazdaspeed3 power would be....interesting. Here's to hoping they make it AWD as well. I would think that wrong wheel drive with close to 300 ft lbs of torque in a light weight car would be fun for us...not so much for less skilled drivers. Like the kids who buy Scions and wreck them before they plug in the dealer supplied iPod cable.

Capt Slow wrote:

Hotness

I doubt it would get Mazdaspeed 3 power, I'd wager it would be in the 150 HP range. They really have to be careful not to undermine any of their current products performance wise.

Adding AWD would just add weight, but this is likely the car they would put it into. I don't see them adding AWD to the Speed3, since that would make it an RX-8 beater.

I'm not sure why people are convinced a Mazdaspeed2 would be tarbo-powa'd. Wouldn't it be way easier/cheaper for Mazda to just drop the 2.3 or 2.5L from the Mz3/Mz5 into the 2? The 2.3L in our 5 isn't exactly a slug, in the significantly lighter 2 it'd flat scoot.

Tom, some report I read online was very uncomplimentary about the headlights on the 2. (Obviously that grey one has been, um, upgraded!) Did Per or Andy find likewise? Maybe I should ask Lesley, since it's always sunny in Florida....

Yeah, they weren't too E36 M3 hot, but since my daily is like holding two candles at arm's length, I wasn't about to complain.

ReverendDexter wrote: I'm not sure why people are convinced a Mazdaspeed2 would be tarbo-powa'd. Wouldn't it be way easier/cheaper for Mazda to just drop the 2.3 or 2.5L from the Mz3/Mz5 into the 2? The 2.3L in our 5 isn't exactly a slug, in the significantly lighter 2 it'd flat scoot.

Gas Mileage. The 2.3/2.5 will take more to feed than a DI1.4T, even at similar power levels.

But yes, a 160HP 2.3 in that car would be a rocket!

It sure would! I wonder if my KLZE would fit in there...

Capt Slow wrote: call me when they release the mazdaspeed2

(not quoting pic)

THAT is awesome. They need to do this.

I still maintain that if Honda made a 160hp version of the Fit it would be epic. The Speed2 seems a lot more likely, though. Is there a Mazda mill that could bolt into the 2?

Javelin wrote: Gas Mileage. The 2.3/2.5 will take more to feed than a DI1.4T, even at similar power levels. But yes, a 160HP 2.3 in that car would be a rocket!

How bad could the mileage be? With the 2.3 in our 5, we average 25mpg, and have seen 28. And that's with an automatic and always hauling at least two adults and a baby.

Motor should EASILY be able to stay above 30 in the much lighter 2 chassis, especially with the added torque enabling it to run at lower rpm. How good does the mileage need to stay in a Mazdaspeed version?

ReverendDexter wrote:

Javelin wrote: Gas Mileage. The 2.3/2.5 will take more to feed than a DI1.4T, even at similar power levels. But yes, a 160HP 2.3 in that car would be a rocket!

How bad could the mileage be? With the 2.3 in our 5, we average 25mpg, and have seen 28. And that's with an automatic and always hauling at least two adults and a baby. Motor should EASILY be able to stay above 30 in the much lighter 2 chassis, especially with the added torque enabling it to run at lower rpm. How good does the mileage need to stay in a Mazdaspeed version?

This. I expect gas mileage to INCREASE with the KLZE in the Escort replacing the BP.

I am excited about this car. It weighs the same as my old civic and has the HP. Probably with a better suspension, brakes, and heater. and 4 doors.