Is the Mazda 2 the right car for me?

[vonfilm]

My wife and I just purchased a new 2015 CX5 and we are extremely pleased with it. She will be the primary driver. Currently I drive a 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280. While picking it up I sat in the 2014 Mazda 2 Sport that was in the showroom. I adjusted the front seat where I was comfortable and then sat in the back seat. I was very surprised to find out that I fit in the back. I am 5 10 and 249 pounds and I was reasonably comfortable back there. It started me to think.
I tend to like to like lightweight coupes and sedans that handle very well and have just enough power. I once had a 83 Volkswagen GTI that suited me wonderfully well. It had 90 hp and would do 0-60 in about 10 seconds. It had great steering and handling, weighed about 2100 pounds and was quite roomy inside. A vintage car that always appealed highly to me was the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sedan which weighed 2200 pounds and would do 0-60 in about 12 seconds. They corner very well and have a wonderful steering feel.
I am not really set up to restore or maintain a vintage car. I have had a hard time finding anything new that really suited me. I have to have a useful back seat and I really prefer a 4 door. I am happy with a simple car if it steers and handles well. Low price and great fuel economy are a big plus too.
I have become intrigued with the Mazda 2 and I am eager to drive one. It seems that this car checks all the right boxes for me.
Is the Mazda 2 the ideal new car for me?

 

[Jwurm12]

Do you like 4 door go carts? If the answer is yes, I think you are about to get a new car.

Take it for a test drive, only you will know what is right for you.

 

[flatlander937]

Its funny you mention the GTI because these are basically a modern Rabbit power, suspension, and weight-wise. Even with the 47 airbags mandated by law :lol:

Its a lot of fun and it sounds like it would be good. Add a rear sway bar to tighten up the suspension a bit and you'll be grinning going around corners... More so with good tires.

 

[utmorpheus]

I agree with flatlander, don't judge by the crappy Yokos that come wrapped around the wheels. If you put some nice summer tires on the car it will completely transform it. The car with sticky tires and a rear sway bar completely changes the driving dynamics for the better...best of all they're CHEAP mods. Beyond that if you need a little more power look to Dynotronics for the tune, but really that's all that's needed to turn this into a terrifically tossable toy that can still perform DD duties exceptionally.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

This is an enthusiasts' blog, so I'm not going to discount the opinions of those whom say the car is great with mod X, Y or Z. However, I think the car is perfectly fine as it comes from the factory. Sure, it's not without its faults (the road noise is a bit on the distressing side, in my opinion) and the engine could have a bit more power, but since you're looking for a simple car that handles well, then I would say the Mazda 2 is an excellent fit. This car is second to none in its class with the handling, mainly because it isn't lugging the weight around that other, "fatter" cars are with various options like heated seats, navigation, etc. It is minimalistic inside, but everything is within easy reach and the driving position is comfortable. The seats also makes the bouncy ride, endemic to most subcompacts, more bearable.

If you're willing to venture into mods, there are quite a few simple and cheap mods that tighten up the feel of the car. Even if you're not, though, this car handles well in pretty much all weather conditions (I weathered the past two Colorado winters with the stock Yokohama all-seasons just fine), and the price is hard to ignore.

One thing to take into consideration: There is a new Mazda 2 coming. Probably not until later next year (if not 2016), but the new 2 will sort out some of the creature comforts the current-gen model is lacking, as well as update the look and adapt the SkyActiv platform. Thus, second-hand values of the current car might dip a little bit. However, since you're in the buying market, now's a good time to get in if you want the current-gen model.

 

[vonfilm]

I was able to test drive a new Mazda 2 yesterday. It was exactly as I expected. I found the steering very quick, precise and responsive. It cornered very well, though I did not drive it fast enough to really test its roadholding. I found the power more than adequate and overall great fun to drive. I think with a few mods like the SRI, the rear torsion bar and some sort of exhaust that it would suit me perfectly.

My wife thinks we should hold off for a while since we just bought the CX5. I may miss out on the good deals available now before the new body style comes out. We shall see.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I was able to test drive a new Mazda 2 yesterday. It was exactly as I expected. I found the steering very quick, precise and responsive. It cornered very well, though I did not drive it fast enough to really test its roadholding. I found the power more than adequate and overall great fun to drive. I think with a few mods like the SRI, the rear torsion bar and some sort of exhaust that it would suit me perfectly.

My wife thinks we should hold off for a while since we just bought the CX5. I may miss out on the good deals available now before the new body style comes out. We shall see.

It's doubtful that you'll miss out on a good deal if you wait. Mazda usually has some sort of incentive going pretty much year-round. There are big deals, sure (Year-end clearance, spring sale, summer events, etc.), but if you go in guns blazing and ready to negotiate, you should be able to get a 2 for a good price.

 

[vonfilm]

I don't think the current body style will be available much longer as a new vehicle. Currently there is a $2,000 clearance incentive plus $500 customer loyalty. Should I expect that kind of deal when the new body style comes out?

I fear the new body style will be heavier, less agile, and more expensive.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I don't think the current body style will be available much longer as a new vehicle. Currently there is a $2,000 clearance incentive plus $500 customer loyalty. Should I expect that kind of deal when the new body style comes out?

I fear the new body style will be heavier, less agile, and more expensive.

Actually, with the new 2 adopting the SkyActiv platform, the new car only gains about 50 pounds over the current one. That's a pretty indistinguishable difference, considering all the new toys. It may be a bit more expensive, but I don't think it'll be too far off the current model (we'll see). I didn't get that good of a deal a couple years ago, so I'm not sure about how long that deal will stick around. Were you looking at a sport or a touring?

 

[vonfilm]

I would prefer a Touring. It's about $1500 more; you seem to get a lot extra for that.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

You get different seats, a rear spoiler, fog lights, alloy wheels, a trip computer, cruise control and steering wheel controls for the stereo. I may have missed something, but you do get quite a bit more. Put it this way, it's cheaper and easier to spend the extra money on the touring than to try and get those features on the sport (I'm learning that the hard way).

 

[deadlydave]

I'm the same height and weight and have had my 2 for a little over a year at this point. My preferences also lean toward more svelte, agile cars. The 2 is a Great car, especially if there's a larger vehicle in your household for hauling stuff/kids etc. I didn't have a model choice when I bought, of the 48 2's in my area when I was shopping, only 1 was manual, a Sport. Most of the Touring features over the sport didn't attract me, and I wasn't going to pay $1500 just for cruise control and a nice leather steering wheel.