Should I buy a Mazda2?

[Neeecolas]

Title says it all just about, but I guess I'll go a little more in depth.(really in depth)

Hey, I'm Neeecolas or Nic. I've been thinking of getting a Mazda2 before the end of the year, but recently have become interested in a Miata. Why should I buy a Mazda2 over an older NC Miata or maybe another car? I would like a daily that I can have fun with and autoX. As far as things going for the Mazda2 I happen to think it is really good looking and love smaller hatchbacks, but hate the fact that it's FWD and four door. The Miata has the aftermarket parts, the prestige, and fun factor, but I hate convertibles and would really love more space. Why did all of you guys buy a Mazda2 over something like a 2006 Miata or another car?

P.S. I don't want a Fiesta.

 

[ngd298]

I had my heart set on an '06 Miata too. I ended up getting the 2 because it was half the price of a new MX-5, and got 10-15 more mpg. Honestly, I'd love to have a Speed3 or Focus ST, but it's twice the price, twice the insurance, and half the mileage. The 2 is the most fun car under $20k, and possibly the most fun for the dollar of any car. I hate to say it, but it's more fun than my RX7 in many ways. Yeah, FWD sucks, but with a rear strut bar and a little extra air in the rear tires I can actually kick the rear out a little, plus there is very little torque steer (of course) and the FWD makes it excellent in snow. Corksport, Font Motorsports, Racing Beat, and a few others sell quite a few awesome aftermarket performance parts, the only thing missing in the Mazda 2 aftermarket are turbo kits. Right now is the perfect time to get one too, there are reports of them being discounted up to $2,000-3,000. I absolutely love my 2 and I can't recommend it enough. If you haven't already, you should definitely try one out.

 

[Jond63]

I agree with what ngd says -- I bought mine because I wanted some utility, better milage than a Miata, and a fixed roof. The 2 is a really fun car though, and with the CorkSport sways, H&R springs, and fat rubber in many ways this thing handles better than my NA Miata, S2000, and STi Subaru I had. Maybe that's because it only has 100hp and I'm not afraid of flying off the road in it, lol; + it has a great chassis I think.

Even with all my mods I'm under what I could have gotten a medium milage NC for around here, especially one with PRHT.

My only gripes are I wish it had more power, better seats, and maybe a better steering wheel. On paper the car isn't much, but behind the wheel it is quite a lot. Every time I worry about the paper specs, I forget about them during the drive.

 

[inspekt]

I completely agree with Jond and NGD. I'm loving mine.

 

[eyeballs]

I sold my '99 miata just after getting my 2, only because I just didn't have the time to drive it anymore. I really only got it in the first place because I wanted a "cheap" extra car for when I was working on my daily driver (heavily modded forester) and my wife really wanted a convertible. That being said, the miata was hands down the most fun street car I've driven (in STR trim). The 2 in no way comes close to the the driving experience of that car.....but the reason I have the 2 is its the most fun, economical, and practical (for driving to/from work and daycare) car with a new car warranty. Don't get me wrong, its a BLAST on mountain roads and autocross as well (which I rarely get to do).

Honestly, the best advice I can give you with what you posted is...NO. If I were in your position and looking for a relatively inexpensive car that doesn't have to have more than 2 seats I probably would not have even thought about the 2. I'd be checking out:

Miatas (NA or NB, lots of mods with your extra money)
S2000
RX-8
350/370Z
BRZ/FR-S (if your budget allows, maybe find a salvage titled vehicle?)
Mini Cooper

If you plan on having kids in the future then get the most fun, most impractical thing you dare to drive right now before its too late!

 

[Red2]

If you can afford a few thousand more for you purchase do so...

 

[Font Motorsports]

All I have to say is Mazda 2 Secret Photo Stash. By the way. There are a lot more after market items for the Mazda 2 than you might think.

 

[Auto-X-er]

All I can do is warn you running STR can get very expensive if you want to be competitive. It also puts you down the path of making the commute much worse. I think STF would strike a better balance if you wanted an everything car. That said, they both can be competitive in their classes. Depends on the driver, but to me you can't beat the fun of RWD... but a STF Mazda2 might be an acceptable compromise.

 

[Neeecolas]

I hate to say it, but I'm in just about the same situation as I was in before still. I guess I'll just have to see what I end up getting when I get it.(hopefully by the end of the month) I'll keep everybody posted. Thank you very much, Mazdas247!

 

[Sgt.PinkiePie]

It is really up to you, take what you feel most comfortable with. However the Madaz2 is a lot more practical.

 

[Ryno666]

Only buy one if you like things that are awesome!

 

[eyeballs]

Do not buy one if you like things that suck. If that is the case, get a dyson.

 

[Corcaa_Mazda2]

I love mine!

 

[genericmoniker]

Picked up the 2 over other cars in the Mazda lineup because of it's price point, and it was pretty much the most fun thing to drive on the lot. I'm in a good place wherein I have a fast car as well, so I was simply looking for a commuter that didn't bore my mind out. I test drove the Fiesta, it felt like a much bigger car, but I felt the drivetrain wasn't as refined. I passed on the Versa, as I'm not a Nissan person, and the Yaris just completely ticked all the wrong boxes (except that it has awesome cup holders). The others in the segment I just wasn't interested in for whatever reason. I also test drove a Fit before even looking at the 2, and it felt like driving a cardboard box, something about it just felt...off.

As for why I didn't go for a used car over the 2? Warranty, and it'd be my first new car. 0% financing, so why not?

 

[Max Archer]

It's got a useable trunk, fits your 6' friends in the back, gets mid-30s MPG on 87, but it's incredible fun. It accelerates quite well considering the power and the handling is identical to a Miata until you're absolutely at the traction limit. I've had FCs, NA Miatas, an S14 240SX, S2000, WRX, E30, AW11, etc etc, and my last daily was an '09 Civic Si sedan. I liked my friend's 2 so much after driving it in the canyons that I bought mine the next week. It's a billion times more practical than a Miata and loses very little in terms of fun unless you're going 10/10ths on the track.

Unlike a lot of people here, I really like having four doors on a car like this. You don't really have any change in weight or size and it makes the car a whole lot more practical. It's still a tiny car with a Miata wheelbase and curb weight, but the back doors mean people can get in the back without a problem and you can actually get your stuff back there.

 

[Joker2]

I have a first gen NA Miata and use it as a weekend toy, Autocross STS, Track day car. It is crazy cheap fun! My M2 is my DD. I have 27k miles in 23 months and it is my FWD Miata! Carried Sheetrock, tiles, went camping, brought home an old secretary two dressers and a bunch of other big stuff. Bike fits in back. It does great in snow with snow tires even though the Miata is more fun on ice and snow. I take the Miata on family visits so I don't have to give rides. Different strokes for different folks.