Things you Dislike/Would change.

[lovmyrx7]

Just trying to get some user feedback. I'd greatly like to hear your opinions on what you dislike about your Mazda 2, or what you feel should be changed or updated from the factory. I'll begin (even though I currently don't own one).

1. Rear brake drums
Seriously Mazda? I can't believe some manufactures are still using drums, let's step up and get with program! So many advances have been made and we get drums...don't give me the whole "money is a factor," crap.

 

[christianpm]

1. Forward-head posture headrests in backseat.
A good number of my backseat passengers complain that the headrests are uncomfortable. They all say that it is pushed too far forward. I wouldn't know first-hand though, since I'm always in the driver's seat .

2. Auto up/down window needing programming (occassionally).
So, apparently, if you disconnect the battery or certain situations occur (refer to the owner's manual) the auto up/down feature stops working and needs to be programmed. This is my first time encountering this. has anyone seen this in other cars? I do appreciate the auto up feature, which is uncommon for a car in it's class...

3. Interior lighting is limited.
I'd appreciate a secondary dome light in the middle of the cabin. The front map light just isn't enough to find something at night that has fallen onto the floor in the back. This is, however, easily remedied by a flashlight in the glovebox (which is always a good idea for emergencies) and a good way to prevent backseat pasangers from turning on your interior light without your permission!

With all that said, the sporty nature and fuel efficiency of the car are well worth the lack in these minor details.

In regards to the drum brakes, I wish it had rear discs too. To look at the bright side, it requires less maintenance. Besides, are rear discs gonna really make a difference if you're gonna be on three wheels at every turn anyway?

 

[Sarein]

The boot popper.
Would be so much better under the lip of the boot lid. Have to pull it up from there anyway.

Also not quite a problem with the 2 as such but a hot version of the 2 would be nice.
Something to swap parts over from. A hot version might boost aftermarket parts too

 

[fam]

Needs factory side sills on touring, cars look naked without the under door ground effects. Needs a real bluetooth option. Rear headrests are the devil (I took them out), need redesigned. Rear disc brakes. Factory armrest should have been a no brainer. Projector lenses on North American models, im pissed I cant go to an HID system like I did with the 3 without blinding people. Undercarriage, car is naked and exposed to rust badly, I will have to buy 3 cans of spray rubber just to do what the factory should have done, and it has no engine plastic underneath meaning all the road salt is going to wear away at all the engine components. Antenna is fugly. Option for more power, 6 speed manual. Front fascia is less aggressive than what I have seen from the versions in japan\europe....why?

 

[Richard_rsp]

Interior lighting is limited.
I'd appreciate a secondary dome light in the middle of the cabin. The front map light just isn't enough to find something at night that has fallen onto the floor in the back.

I 2nd this.

Also, Bluetooth and Ipod cable would be nice.

an extra 20hp couldnt hurt either!

 

[Yurich]

More compartments! I need to hide my extra keys, ipod, change, etc, and the glove box is just a tad far. A compartment on top of centre console (a la Mazda6) would have been perfect.

I second the armrest.

Telescoping steering wheel.

 

[industrial]

1. Telescoping steering wheel
2. Auto window up and down timing
3. Seats that fold down flat

This is a fine car. It's fun to drive, has plenty of real world pep and gets awesome mpgs. It's comfortable and holds plenty of cargo. Hate to say it but my biggest issue with it is what it does to my ego. Maybe it's the fact that I can afford so much more or that my friends and colleagues all drive more expensive cars. They all think I'm having some kind of financial hardship. (gossip)

 

[Axela05]

The first 6 items below were already mentioned and I DEFINITELY agree with them. The two items I personally reccomend is #'s 7 & 8.

1. side sills
2. projector lenses
3. armrest
4. telescoping wheel
5. rear disc brakes
6. center cabin map light
7. hook in rear for dry-cleaning
8. sunroof

A sunroof would've made me soooo much more happy when I get into my car everyday.

 

[lovmyrx7]

The first 6 items below were already mentioned and I DEFINITELY agree with them. The two items I personally reccomend is #'s 7 & 8.

1. side sills
2. projector lenses
3. armrest
4. telescoping wheel
5. rear disc brakes
6. center cabin map light
7. hook in rear for dry-cleaning
8. sunroof

A sunroof would've made me soooo much more happy when I get into my car everyday.

Good list, I could live without number 7 for sure. But the rest would have been nice from the factory. I'm very surprised a sunroof wasn't an option for the 2. Even I don't know what's in store for the 2012 models.

 

[Axela05]

Good list, I could live without number 7 for sure. But the rest would have been nice from the factory. I'm very surprised a sunroof wasn't an option for the 2. Even I don't know what's in store for the 2012 models.

Ya know, I honestly didn't think I'd ever care about that small little hook but whenever I travel somewhere for Holidays, events and such, that little hook really helps out, lol.

 

[lovmyrx7]

Ya know, I honestly didn't think I'd ever care about that small little hook but whenever I travel somewhere for Holidays, events and such, that little hook really helps out, lol.

I guess I just don't have any nice clothes...lol. Well, I guess it would come in handy when I carry my Class-A or Dress Blues around. Now that I think about it! Just JB weld one on there, that's what bubba would do...

 

[Racebrewer]

On the flip side....... And, IMHO.....

Oddly, on the northern border rear disk brakes are a pain in the butt. Rear brakes on a FWD, front heavy car, don't do an awful lot. As a result, rear calipers tend to freeze up, from rust due to salt and wet, at 40-50 thousand miles (rotors and re-man calipers $200-$300). Rear drum brakes go 150,000 miles without issues.

However, I would like better fog lights, better/more interior lighting, lumbar support in the seats, more interior storage, more cup holders (my wife's Fit has cup holders incorporated into the dash-incredibly handy), and a temperature gauge.

What's 'dry-cleaning'? Just kidding--I'm retired. No more dry-cleaning........

John

 

[DrWebster]

...and a temperature gauge.

For the engine, or for outside temperature? If the latter, Touring models come with one (you have to cycle through the info display screens to see it).

 

[Slow Paul]

I would just ask for sportier front seats. The seats aren't bad, they held up well on a 1000 mile road trip my wife and I took. It's when your approaching a green left hand arrow and you punch it and take the corner where the seats fall flat to me.

 

[ddawson]

Less spread between 1st and 2nd. 20 more HP/TQ
As said Bluetooth would have been nice. I had to buy a BlueAnt speaker.

 

[christianpm]

...a temperature gauge...

I agree. I forgot to mention that in my list... Why have manufacturers moved from gauges to idiot lamps???

 

[dsgrey]

1) Lower placement of the speedo. My desired setting for the tilt wheel blocks the top portion of the speedo so I had to adjust to see highway speeds.
2) More forward placement of the power window buttons. 2nd car I've seen lately where I have to pull my arm back to work the power windows.
3) I have a stick but if I really wanted the automatic, a tranny built/designed in this century beyond the old 4-speed auto.

 

[Racebrewer]

Hi DrW,


Engine temperature gauge ! ! ! ! I've had aluminum cylinder head engines since 1971. Rising temps due to leaks, etc, etc, causes head gaskets to blow and heads to warp.

To me, a temperature gauge is the only real warning. (huh)

John

 

[zps2004]

My only two complaints are that the shift between 1st and 2nd is awefull. They rest are ok though.

Other than that when autocrossing I would appreciate better ABS programming. If you have driven a 06+ civic Si you know what good ABS programming is like. The 2 is annoying when autocrossing. I am really hoping that it isn't reading the rear wheels when one is in the air. I am hopping that the rear wheel speed is only for the stability not the ABS.

Rear disks are not needed on a car like this.

Most of the other things i would improve I know would have made the car more expensive, which I wouldn't have liked.

 

[Spindog]

I read that the 2012 M2 will offer a telescoping wheel. Not much else will change.