Thinking about another 2... Or maybe a 3.

[Richard_rsp]

Well hello all (again!)!

I am a former 2 owner (2011 Touring) who is looking to get back into a Mazda 2 or maybe a 3 Skyactiv. I have recently turned to the dark side (VW GLI) but miss the feeling of a Mazda and want to get more serious with Autocrossing. So I am thinking of taking a bit of a negative equity hit and purchasing one before the end of the year.

My Choices:
2012 Mazda 2 Touring - 5-speed.
I had a 2011 (with RB Springs and Sways) and loved the car. Very tossible and fun at Autocross. I am a LITTLE concerned about going back to the 1st/2nd rpm bog, and I am afraid that I might be too if of a power jump (going from 200hp GLI to 100hp 2). My wife drives an xD so there is also a little concern of having two econo-cars in the family.

2012 Mazda 3 iTouring (Skyactiv) - 6-speed manual, sedan.
I haven't driven a Mazda3 at Autocross. I used to own a Protege MP3 and would hope I cold get a similar feel out of the 3. The independent rear suspension combined with the 6-speed makes me think that it would do well. 155hp might make the power adjustment more tolerable. Stock Bluetooth is nice too. I'm worried that it won't be as fun as the 2 was.

Overall, the Mazda3 is only $27 more per month over the 2. I'm really on the fence... I posted here, because i want the opinions of those who autocross.... What would you do and why?

 

[eyeballs]

In my experience, a smaller, lighter, and more tossable car is more fun on the autocross course than a heavier more powerful one. Harder to drive quickly but more rewarding when you get it right. My wrx was super easy to drive fast but the 3 cars Ive autocrossed since were more fun. I'm sure the extra room and power of the 3 would be nice but I'd be willing to bet 90% of the time you'd be too busy grinning to notice. Also, intake, exhaust, and a tune help with the dead zone. I've already noticed an improvement with just the full cs exhaust.

Oh, and if your concerned with autocross then do yourself a favor and get some good dampers and decent spring rates...really makes the car feel alive compared with the more common "street/track " setups.

 

[Richard_rsp]

^ I understand your experience... Kinda why I'm not wanting to autox the GLI -too heavy. I guess I'm just thinking the 3 is still pretty light @ ~ 2800lbs. Apparently the MP3 was only around 80lbs less than the Skyactiv 3 sedan, and I KNOW that car was tossible - best handling/feeling car I've ever owned (yes even over the Miatas). Maybe I need to go on an extended test drive in a 3... :-D

The extra space would be nice (and would be less of a change from the GLI).

Im actually ok with the 2's power for autox; just thinking that the extra umph might be nice for daily driving. Normally i run stock class, but have occasionally dipped into ST (including my 2). I've never been much for intakes and exhausts (getting too old I guess) but guess i wouldn't mind upgrading as long as its quiet. I'll look into that.

Thanks for your opinion!

Oh and just a funny note: my wife and I had the same combo as yours in your sig (except my 2 was a 2011)!

 

[Richard_rsp]

Wow... There is a lot of stuff that has happened/been developed since I left the Mazda2 world!.... Poly bushings, former ST nat champ now in a 2, lots of suspension choices.... Very nice - looking good for the 2!

Edit: sorry about the double post

 

[ngd298]

I'm probably biased but I would go with the 2, especially if you plan on doing any autocross. The only situation where I would rather have a 3 is if I did an extreme amount of interstate driving or had rear seat passengers over 6' on a regular basis.

 

[Richard_rsp]

I'm probably biased but I would go with the 2....

That's kinda why I was asking on the 2 forums. I am a former 2 owner and loved that car.... I wanted the view from other people who have lived with a 2 and autocrossed a 2.
(I know over on the Mz3 forum, I would hear "get a 3, yo, the 2 is SO slow, etc" and other bs). I am not saying that 2 owners are necessarily more "true performance" minded than the those that drive 3s, but its easier to sort out who know their stuff versus "slam that junk, YO!".

I was very new to autox when i had mine, so it was not set up near its maximum potential. I don't really know what the potential of the 3 is, but it scares me a bit that it is only classed in HS.

This will be a daily driver, so the larger backseat does help. While I don't see carrying 6-foot people regularly, the occasional road trip from GA to Chicago might be more comfy in the 3 versus a 2 (or my wife's xD).

Since they are classed the same, I guess I'm just wanting to see if people had the opportunity, would they do the 2 again, or go to the 3?

 

[ngd298]

As much as I like the 3, I would get other 2 if I had the opportunity. I know the 3 is a little nicer and gets better highway mileage, but I love the go cart feel of the 2, and considering I live deep in the Appalachian mountains I don't think the heavier 3 could come close to the 2's mileage on these mountain roads. There aren't any autocross or track days around here, but I feel like the 2 could do as good are better than a 3 (it would definitely run circles around my RX7, especially in the turns.)

 

[eyeballs]

Certainly take an extended test drive with the 3. Personally, if I had a "do-over" I wouldn't hesitate before getting a 2 again. Although I do wish I didn't have to get rid of my str '99 miata. THAT was a fun car. And age is no excuse to avoid breathing mods! If anything aged ears should be less likely to notice the extra decibels!

 

[Ryno666]

Same here, I like both cars but given the choice the the didn't offer any more even with a family.

 

[eyeballs]

Yea it is amazing how well the 2 handles family duties. I've got two baby seats in back, and the rear facing seat is actually on the driver's side. A double stoller even fits in back (though I do have to remove the detachable tray). That's actually why I got the 2, as I breifly contemplated a BRZ but the idea of puting kids in and out of the back seats of a coupe does not seem back-friendly.

 

[Andy Hollis]

I love my 2. It was a great autocross car for the year that we ran it (and quite successful), but even more fun as a daily now. I hammer it hard every day on the local twisties. Sure, it isn't a rocket ship. But a CAI and catback exhaust (removing the second cat) makes a big difference in usuable power w/o being annoying (Corksport can hook you up here). I also highly recommend the AWR motor mount, and whiteline/powerflex front bushings. Racing beat rear bar, coilovers, and the right tires/wheels turn it into a handling machine.

Great mileage, too. Just took a trip the other day and got 35 mpg while driving 75-80 mph on the highway. Driving at more normal speeds, I can easily get up to 40 mpg.

 

[Ryno666]

Yea it is amazing how well the 2 handles family duties. I've got two baby seats in back, and the rear facing seat is actually on the driver's side. A double stoller even fits in back (though I do have to remove the detachable tray). That's actually why I got the 2, as I breifly contemplated a BRZ but the idea of puting kids in and out of the back seats of a coupe does not seem back-friendly.

Man two baby seats! Was your TV broken? JK. I have a wife and three kids 14, 11, and 7 we all fit if we have to, but I dont recommend it. Anyway that's what our 5 is for.

 

[ksconekiller]

I'll try to help. I have a 2012 3 sedan, and I've spent a decent amount of time in a 2 as well. Since you said you don't routinely need the backseat space, I would say to go with the 2. If the situation came up that you needed more luggage capacity, you could use the backseat for that. For me, the 3 made more sense because I usually have my 2 kids in the back and need some cargo space. I think the 2 makes a fine road car for long trips, so don't let that sway you; Andy said he just made a trip in his, and his has pretty stiff springs. If I would not have needed the people and cargo capacity at the same time, there would be a 2 in my garage now instead of the 3.

 

[eyeballs]

Man two baby seats! Was your TV broken? JK. I have a wife and three kids 14, 11, and 7 we all fit if we have to, but I dont recommend it. Anyway that's what our 5 is for.

The idea was to have them close together (they are 21 mos apart) and suffer for a few years so that once they get old enough for the fun stuff there's no going back to square 1. Plus it'll be healthy competition I think. And to add insult to injury we just got a new puppy, so I really have 3 little ones. My time in the office is really just vacation from the family. We use my wife's 5 for the longer trips and when relatives are in town (and since its got the roof rack I borrow it for kayaking and mountain biking).

 

[Joker2]

Get the Sport instead of the Touring and use the 1500 bucks you save to get decent rubber and some wheels. I have not needed the cruise, nor the extra speakers nor the junky aluminum wheels that the touring package offers. If you shop well, you should be able to get a Sport for about 12-12.5K.

 

[Richard_rsp]

Just an update: This is kind of a null-post. I test-drove a Mazda3 i Touring... yeah, not my cup of tea. Therefore, I am on the lookout for a Mazda 2 again. Looking to ditch the GLI ASAP and working with dealers at the moment. Negitive equity? Yes. But it is worth it to be back in a car that I am comfortable autocrossing/daily driving.

Obviously I didnt make the end-of-the year cutoff, but I am finding some decent deals on 2013s...

Get the Sport instead of the Touring and use the 1500 bucks you save to get decent rubber and some wheels. I have not needed the cruise, nor the extra speakers nor the junky aluminum wheels that the touring package offers. If you shop well, you should be able to get a Sport for about 12-12.5K.

^ I actually use cruise control quite a bit and like most of the additions of the Touring.

But no worries, either way, I will pick up wheels and good tires for a Touring or a Sport. (2thumbs)

 

[eyeballs]

I was wondering what you ended up doing. Don't forget to check out truecar when you pull the trigger. No need to negotiate, and in most cases saving a bunch of money.

 

[DrWebster]

I suspect the deals on 2's will get better as we get closer to summer. Mazda's doing 0% financing right now; I wouldn't be surprised if they added on some factory incentives around June.

 

[scoobs]

I traded my mazdaspeed3 for a Mazda2 touring, best move I ever made. I found the 2 more fun to push around and in the snow it's a blast. The Mazdaspeed3 was always fighting me and the esp drove me nuts.

Now I just need to drop the MZ2, add CBE, intake, wheels and my job is done