Hi Guys!

[poriggity]

Hey Everyone,
I was told about this forum thanks to Flatlander937 (We're on a different forum together). I was discussing needing a new daily driver on that forum, and he brought up the idea of a Mazda 2, when I was thinking about a Fiat 500. Now I can't get my brain off the idea of the 2. I've been researching them, and it looks like there is a solid aftermarket support for them, which is good, because I can't leave things stock for long. My biggest issue right now, is I can't seem to find anything decently local in a 5 speed. I've driven the automatic version of the 2, and while it was ok, it wasn't riveting. I have not driven the 5 spd version, but that's because I haven't been able to find a 5 spd version locally to go try. That being said, my Father in law is the business manager for a dealership that sells Mazda, as well as 4 other brands, so I am going to try and take a 5 spd for a test drive, and if I like it, I will see if he can work out a dealer trade for a stick shift model, since all the models his dealer has are automatics. I guess only time will tell what I end up doing, but right now, the 2 is looking like a top contender for me!


Glad to be here, and hope to learn a lot.

 

[deadlydave]

When I was looking for a manual 2 this time last year, there were 36 located within 20 miles of me. One was a stick, thankfully in one of the two colors I was looking for. I compared it against the Fit and Fiesta, and ended up in the Mazda due solely to driving dynamics. Aftermarket (and even mazdaspeed parts) are plentiful. At minimum there are probably hundreds of wheel options--the 4x100 lug pattern is shared with a TON of cars (BMW E30, Miata, old Civics). Welcome, and happy hunting.

 

[flatlander937]

Glad you made it over here! Keep us updated on what you end up doing!

 

[Antoine]

Welcome and thanks for joining! Thanks as well to Flatlander937 for the heads up about this fine Community! (2thumbs)

 

[poriggity]

When I was looking for a manual 2 this time last year, there were 36 located within 20 miles of me. One was a stick, thankfully in one of the two colors I was looking for. I compared it against the Fit and Fiesta, and ended up in the Mazda due solely to driving dynamics. Aftermarket (and even mazdaspeed parts) are plentiful. At minimum there are probably hundreds of wheel options--the 4x100 lug pattern is shared with a TON of cars (BMW E30, Miata, old Civics). Welcome, and happy hunting.

I have found a few manual transmissioned 2's within about 50 miles of me. The biggest issue I have is, my Father in law works for a multi dealership group, that sells Mazda, and I don't REALLY want to buy at another dealer other than his if I can avoid it. That being said, I'm not going to settle for an automatic, so if they can't do a dealer trade with one of the dealerships in the area, I may have to buy from another dealer so I can get a manual, since they only have 3 Mazda 2's on their lot, and they are all automatics.