Is it still worth modding the 2?

[GrasshopperCO]

I pose the titled question as more of a general discussion topic. I originally bought my 2 with lots of ideas about how I was going to modify it. I know all of us out there who have modding intentions have a particular vision in mind of what they want their '2 to be: A pint-sized track monster; a rolling nightclub; a street-hugging racer; perhaps, just an expanded vision of the "zoom-zoom" that came with the stock package.

For me, I certainly wanted to make my car more fun to drive, although I believe it's pretty fun bone-stock, but I also had a vision of taking money saved over buying other cars in the class - Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Honda Fit, Dodge Dart, and so on - To improve it so it punches above its weight. That way, you can get some of the "classy" amenities provided by our cars' rivals while maintaining its enthusiastic driving characteristics.

However, with sales of the '2 not very strong and, perhaps, the car being seen as the Fiesta's distant, socially awkward cousin, there does not seem to be a ready availability of aftermarket parts - performance or otherwise - outside of Japan. Perhaps there are more parts available in European markets because there's a bigger market for small hatchbacks, but the stymied sales of the car in the U.S. has left those who have '2s wanting for parts because aftermarket manufacturers/distributors aren't investing in it (at least that seems to be CorkSport's justification for not expanding their small, but great inventory of parts).

Bearing that in mind, I ask you all this: Is it worth spending the money modifying the Mazda 2, versus using the '2 as a daily driver and saving the money to put toward a more popular, more modifiable car?


--Afterthought: I realize that, in a true modifying spirit, parts meant for other cars of the same type may be customized to work with the '2, as may universal parts.

 

[zps2004]

I think it is. I am enjoying the fact that there isn't a strong aftermarket so you really need to look into what you want, or maybe work on doing something yourself. Don't get me wrong it is nice to have a huge selection box, like my Miata, or my Civic I had before it. But having to really work on the car to get what you want I do find enjoyable. Then again I also have the means to be able to build stuff myself so that helps.

 

[Font Motorsports]

Is it still worth modding the 2?

It's really up to you Grasshopper-son. Although it's a small aftermarket compared to other more popular cars their is an aftermarket. I see it this way. No one has a super awesome Mazda 2 rollin' around in your neighborhood do they? Do you ever see a hooked up 2 around? No. I'd rather be that guy than just another Civic with a loud exhaust.

 

[inspekt]

It's really up to you Grasshopper-son. Although it's a small aftermarket compared to other more popular cars their is an aftermarket. I see it this way. No one has a super awesome Mazda 2 rollin' around in your neighborhood do they? Do you ever see a hooked up 2 around? No. I'd rather be that guy than just another Civic with a loud exhaust.

THIS ^

The 2 is limited in many ways. That's obvious from the get-go. But the fun is in how it feels much more everything than the numbers say it should. It's simple. It's basic. But it's really fun and tossable, and doesn't seem precious like a GTI or mini, etc..

My only real complaint about the car is that absolutely f*cking inexcusable piece of bottom-market junk they put in for the floor console. For me, it single-handedly drags the interior back down into "don't forget you are in an ECONOMY car" territory. Seriously. There is no self-respecting excuse that can be made there. It's horrible. There desperately needs to be a better solution for the floor console. Firstly look at the ergonomics, it doesn't make any sense, cupholders in the wrong spots, cubbies the wrong size and in weird places. I could go on and on. It's really really horrible. Did I mention that I hate it? Other than that, I can live with all the other shortcomings because they ultimately don't really matter to me.

I actually don't think the aftermarket is that limited for this car. Yes, there aren't many manufacturers doing it, but CS alone offers as many real quantifiably performance-increasing upgrades for the 2 than most other cars ever get from the aftermarket!

 

[GrasshopperCO]

It's really up to you Grasshopper-son. Although it's a small aftermarket compared to other more popular cars their is an aftermarket. I see it this way. No one has a super awesome Mazda 2 rollin' around in your neighborhood do they? Do you ever see a hooked up 2 around? No. I'd rather be that guy than just another Civic with a loud exhaust.

The only place I've seen really awesome Mazda 2s rolling around is on this forum. I agree with you on the Civic part - I think Mazda owners have a respect for their cars that young Honda owners don't - we modify mostly in pursuit of greater honing that "fun to drive" trait that most Mazdas are known for. For most young Honda drivers, louder is better, often to the detriment of the car's performance and longevity. I'd rather have a car that sounds like a car than a barely-contained explosion.

THIS ^

The 2 is limited in many ways. That's obvious from the get-go. But the fun is in how it feels much more everything than the numbers say it should. It's simple. It's basic. But it's really fun and tossable, and doesn't seem precious like a GTI or mini, etc..

My only real complaint about the car is that absolutely f*cking inexcusable piece of bottom-market junk they put in for the floor console. For me, it single-handedly drags the interior back down into "don't forget you are in an ECONOMY car" territory. Seriously. There is no self-respecting excuse that can be made there. It's horrible. There desperately needs to be a better solution for the floor console. Firstly look at the ergonomics, it doesn't make any sense, cupholders in the wrong spots, cubbies the wrong size and in weird places. I could go on and on. It's really really horrible. Did I mention that I hate it? Other than that, I can live with all the other shortcomings because they ultimately don't really matter to me.

I actually don't think the aftermarket is that limited for this car. Yes, there aren't many manufacturers doing it, but CS alone offers as many real quantifiably performance-increasing upgrades for the 2 than most other cars ever get from the aftermarket!

I do like that our cars have an honest simplicity that other cars in the class have lost. I think Ford has done a pretty good job with the Fiesta (and since Ford and Mazda co-designed the platform, we get a bit of the Fiesta DNA in our cars...or I guess you could say Fiesta drivers get a bit of Mazda DNA..but I digress,) and the Fiesta ST looks like a very fun car while also being civilized. The Kia Rio still looks just a bit wrong and it's heavy and slow. I didn't use the GTI or the Mini as worthwhile comparisons because they're both at least $5,000 more expensive. And they are pretentious

Our center console is awful, I do agree there. Seeing as our shifter is up on the dash, like Hondas have it, I feel they can come forward without you knocking your drink over when you go to change gear. And it is very cheap. I think getting the optional center console armrest can do a bit to alleviate that complaint, but I agree that is definitely where Mazda saved money.

I saw a post recently where one of the members levied a complaint against CorkSport, stating how they aren't coming out with new parts, and Derrick responded that it's hard to justify the costs of doing so when the car doesn't sell well. I can see that, and that's what worries me a bit, especially if Mazda doesn't bring the soon-to-be-facelifted '2 to the U.S.

The main reason I bring this up is because I'm torn on whether to continue modifying my '2 or save up the money to trade my car in on a Mazda 3, which is a WAY better seller, or wait for the replacement for the RX-8 to come out in a couple years. And there's always the danger of modifying your car to such an extent that you can't sell it to as wide a market or trade it in anymore.

 

[deadlydave]

To improve it so it punches above its weight. That way, you can get some of the "classy" amenities provided by our cars' rivals while maintaining its enthusiastic driving characteristics.

I picked the '2 over the other cars in the class because it was the most fun and had the least 'fancy crap' to go wrong. The only things I'm lacking in the interior is a center console and leather-wrapped wheel, both an easy fix. I took the car in for a free dealer service, and the tech was lamenting that nobody was trading them in, so he couldn't get a cheap one.

I think it is. I am enjoying the fact that there isn't a strong aftermarket

This is exactly how I feel. I used to have the most maligned subaru of all time, the Baja, so I'm a sucker for the less loved cases. Granted, it was a turbo with a 5-speed, but it was widely regarded as joke. And with only 2 mods, it was completely unique, the world over.

The main reason I bring this up is because I'm torn on whether to continue modifying my '2 or save up the money to trade my car in on a Mazda 3, which is a WAY better seller, or wait for the replacement for the RX-8 to come out in a couple years. And there's always the danger of modifying your car to such an extent that you can't sell it to as wide a market or trade it in anymore.

I think that unless you plan to keep it and track it(or show it), that there's no point in modifying a 2 to that extent. It's counter to the spirit of the car for an owner of normal means to 'go crazy' with fabrication and modification. It's tossable, fun, and reliable. Getting too 'serious', in my opinion, ruins it. After nearly a decade in the Subaru community, I can say the same thing about those cars. Sure a 500whp monster sounds awesome, but when you're on your 3rd engine and 7th turbo, it gets old. An Impreza that costs as much as a house doesn't seem that enjoyable to me.


If you can enjoy your 2 with just a few bolt-ons, I say it's worth it. If you really think you're missing out on something cool, you're probably off with a car that better aligns with your goals. I got my 2 specifically not to dump tons of money into it. I can do a little dress up and suspension and be perfectly happy, and save the big money/time waste for my WRX.

 

[DrWebster]

The thing that caused us to buy two 2's is the car's charm. No, it's not fast, and it's basic (though I don't think it's cheap), but there's this "hey, can we go for a drive?" charm that the car exudes. I think a lot of it comes back to its Japanese roots; over there the Demio a common sight and people from all walks of life own them. As an all-around mode of transportation it's really well-executed, I think, considering that it's trying to be many things to many people -- a commuting, grocery-getting, occasional-Ikea-furniture-hauling economy car. That it's as fun to drive as it is, is where the charm comes from. It's a testament to Mazda's engineers to be able to bake in as much fun into the car as they were able to.

As for modding, I'm all in favor of it within reasonable limits. Swapping in a turbo'd DISI is going too far and ruins the car for me. But suspension, tires, exhaust? Game on. To me the car is a cruiser and not a speed demon, but that doesn't mean it can't kick ass at autocross.

 

[mykflo]

I think it is worth modding.. even small stuff.. For me, originally, I purchased the cheapest, 4 door, manual car I could find but it had to be fun to drive. the mazda2 and the Honda Fit were my options. I had an 07 honda fit and loved it but it got totalled. after a few other vehicles.. civic si/ nissan titan/ hyundai sonata.. i came came back to a small fun to drive car. I really liked my Fit and has a huge aftermarket support.. but the basic, simpleness and go-kart spirit of the 2 won me over.. plus the 0% financing. Once I bought it, my goal was to mod it and spend the least amount of money doing it. I wanted to show that you can have a fun original car without spending a lot of money on Rays TE37s, some expensive Bride seats etc.. etc.. Corksport has come through with some great inexpensive products.. i got my Kosei wheels for $99 each.. and I think my car has come along nicely. For a small budget, you can mod your car AND have a goal to get a faster/higher end car. If I never turbo my 2 I'm ok. It serves its purpose as my very fun to drive and park daily driver.

 

[Font Motorsports]

I didn't really get the sense that you hate the center center console.... Not to mention it doesn't come with the center arm rest. Mine didn't anyways. Looks a lot better with the Boomerang center arm rest though.

The most desperate after market parts missing for the 2 are go fast parts. There are some, but I'm talkin' turbo and anything else that adds REAL horsepower.

THIS ^

The 2 is limited in many ways. That's obvious from the get-go. But the fun is in how it feels much more everything than the numbers say it should. It's simple. It's basic. But it's really fun and tossable, and doesn't seem precious like a GTI or mini, etc..

My only real complaint about the car is that absolutely f*cking inexcusable piece of bottom-market junk they put in for the floor console. For me, it single-handedly drags the interior back down into "don't forget you are in an ECONOMY car" territory. Seriously. There is no self-respecting excuse that can be made there. It's horrible. There desperately needs to be a better solution for the floor console. Firstly look at the ergonomics, it doesn't make any sense, cupholders in the wrong spots, cubbies the wrong size and in weird places. I could go on and on. It's really really horrible. Did I mention that I hate it? Other than that, I can live with all the other shortcomings because they ultimately don't really matter to me.

I actually don't think the aftermarket is that limited for this car. Yes, there aren't many manufacturers doing it, but CS alone offers as many real quantifiably performance-increasing upgrades for the 2 than most other cars ever get from the aftermarket!

 

[Font Motorsports]

it's hard to justify the costs of doing so when the car doesn't sell well.

Is it that it doesn't' sell well or is it that most people that buy a Mazda 2 don't give a crap about the aftermarket?

Here in Miami i see plenty of 2's around but none are modified and none are driven by someone like me. It's usually someone old or someone very young. Mazda in my opinion screwed the Mazda 2's chances in the US because of zero marketing and also because they complete stripped it down of mostly anything that makes it a premium hatchback in other countries. As in the UK.

I see the Mazda 2 as the 90's Civic Hatchback. Affordable, lightweight and fun to drive. No one else other than Mazda 2 owners even realize this. Which is annoying to me. Not even Maita guys give us props. What's the deal?

 

[GrasshopperCO]

They don't market the 2 because they make more money marketing the 3 and the 6. I think the 90's Civic comparison is an apt one. I think just aiming for an extra 15-20 hp will do me just fine, and give it a little more zoom-zoom without compromising any internal components.

One that Mazda does do particularly well is manual gearboxes. Despite the lack of the short throw shift plate and the stiffer engine mount to make the changes a bit crisper, the 5-speed does kind of make up for the lack of overall power. I think I'll be a lot happier if I get the Grasshopper some new tires. Some new shoes will be in order in a couple months

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I think it is worth modding.. even small stuff.. For me, originally, I purchased the cheapest, 4 door, manual car I could find but it had to be fun to drive. the mazda2 and the Honda Fit were my options. I had an 07 honda fit and loved it but it got totalled. after a few other vehicles.. civic si/ nissan titan/ hyundai sonata.. i came came back to a small fun to drive car. I really liked my Fit and has a huge aftermarket support.. but the basic, simpleness and go-kart spirit of the 2 won me over.. plus the 0% financing. Once I bought it, my goal was to mod it and spend the least amount of money doing it. I wanted to show that you can have a fun original car without spending a lot of money on Rays TE37s, some expensive Bride seats etc.. etc.. Corksport has come through with some great inexpensive products.. i got my Kosei wheels for $99 each.. and I think my car has come along nicely. For a small budget, you can mod your car AND have a goal to get a faster/higher end car. If I never turbo my 2 I'm ok. It serves its purpose as my very fun to drive and park daily driver.

Your post is good incentive to keep modding. I did get my wheels for around the same price, and they are sharp and give a better feel on the road. I like the Fit, but it is expensive for a subcompact (at least if you get the higher trim levels), and the 2 spoke to me well since I got mine for under $14k brand new. I'm a first-time new car buyer, however, so I didn't qualify for the 0% APR....but it's still a good deal, considering the money I save on gas and costly repairs. I owned a '97 Ford Explorer before I got my 2, so...you know. LOL

 

[ScorpioGTX1]

I like having a car that's unique. I don't see many 2s around my city, and when I do, none of them are modified. I considered trading up to a Fiesta ST, but when you factor in the depreciation of my 2 and the added cost of the ST, it would end up costing me far more money than I would ever spend on mods. For $5k spread over a few years, I can get this car pretty well modded up to a point where I'm happy. Also it's worth noting that I could have bought an FR-S (the ST wasn't out yet) when I was looking for my first car, but the 2 was all I really needed. I couldn't justify the added expense.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I did see quite a few 2s around where I live today, and I'm glad I've done what I have to my car. It does look a bit unique and cooler among the dull masses of unmodified 2s. I think I'm going to keep modding it and making it better! Next two things: New tires and dropping it with the CorkSport springs/struts/shocks combo.

 

[Spinitsidewayz]

I did see quite a few 2s around where I live today, and I'm glad I've done what I have to my car. It does look a bit unique and cooler among the dull masses of unmodified 2s. I think I'm going to keep modding it and making it better! Next two things: New tires and dropping it with the CorkSport springs/struts/shocks combo.

IMO, your next 2 planned mods will definitely put a smile on your face. As far as mods, that's where most of my mod money went. And it's easily reversible.

Everyone has their own idea to what our cars should be, but in my opinion gobs of horsepower/showiness wouldn't fit the 2 particularly well. I love its small modest demeanor. Makes it much more satisfying when I put down faster raw autoX times over cars with 200+ hp.