The Mazda 2 trully the FWD Miata NA!
 

I've been meaning to get around to driving this car,and to say it exceeded my expectations is a huge understatement. 1st let me start with the steering its a electric and FWD so that kinda seems doomed before you turn the ignition on,but it only took rolling about 10 feet to realize Mazda really hit the jackpot right here. Roadfeel and transitions are the best i've ever felt in a FWD car with only very very few rwd cars that feel this good,can you believe this coming from a FWD and electronic steering!!

Next up the shifter as far as new cars only the FRS/BRZ and the Mx5 Miata feel better and very very slightly so the S2000 is the extreme best i've felt with the 1.6B6 Miata right after it...The FRS/BRZ and MX5 Miata more so because of their shorter throws. Never the less since the car really does have to be reved its a blast going threw the gears and reving that famliar BP family like growl it does feel faster than it is,this is the most fun i've had in a fwd car since the original Rabbit GTI,theres plenty of suspension mods out and even a tune that yields 18 whp. This is seriously the drivers car gem,i thought i was in a 91 Miata with a roof and 4doors even in stock form understeer was minimal.

I've come to a crossroads i can get the top of the line touring model for $14k...and i think im gonna do it,will be a helluva fun holdover until the ND Miata comes out and seeing if a more powerful version of the FRS/BRZ comes out,2300 pounds is a blast even with weed whacker power,thanks for listening everyone have fun!:happy0180:

I had hoped to get an econobox and play with mods (I figured the low entry price freed up a lot of money for add-ons) but my wife fell in love with the FRS. I guess I can't really complain. If I need a commuter, the 2 is on the short list.

-Justin

I trully understand....the 2 feels remarkably similar to the Twins and all the Miata's actually even tho its FWD its only car made at the moment that does give you thier kind of driving dynamics maybe a Mini Cooper actually even if i had a FRS i would still want a 2....;)

I've always thought the Mazda2 was like this! I havn't driven one but i played around the idea of modding those fun-looking things! They don't look too bad either :thumbsup:

Yeah a sweet little mazdaspeed body kit,H&R springs,racing beat sways,tune, corksport exhaust ,intake and some UL6's wrapped in sticky rubber and your good to go...:thumbsup:

Fixed. ;)

Awesome cars they are! :D

hahaha, ive been meaning to check them out myself, guess i really should!

I've considered getting into a Mazda2 in the recent past... Never took the opportunity to test-drive it... But the way Mazda designs their cars, I'm sure it has a lively feel & connection to the overall driving experience.

Thanks for sharing, OP. :)

Add me to the list of people that have a soft spot for this car. I find it very compelling.

thank you....:D

I think im gonna buy a pearl white 1...gonna go see how much i can get a 2012 for...car enthusiast should really go drive this thing i cant get it out of my head..with 3 people in the car it still felt like a peppy gocart...can only imagine the drives i would have by myself...:burnrubber:

:thumbsup:

Yes you should!!:party0030:

Very curious about this. Can you post a link?

I'll look for it...12-18 depending on the octane...

Aren't there already Mazda 2s in the SCCA and NASA? I was thinking they were in the same class as Grassroots Motorsports' Fiesta build(?)

I concur. The Mazda2 reminds me of what the Si and GTI used to be... Happy-looking fun-to-drive FWD econobox hatches that could be incredibly mean when they wanted to. Unfortunately now, both have become dull, disconnected and bloated...

The 2 is a step in the right direction.

I tested a Mazda2 maybe a year back and I wasn't so impressed.... the clutch was dull feeling, and I couldn't figure out how to shift smoothly on it......

Rumor is, Mazda is considering discontinuing the 2 due to low sales so get one while you can.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/29/s...newed-for-u-s/

Had to register just to share my thoughts on the 2.

I've owned 5 Miatas (91, 93, 95, 99, and 04 supercharged)
Driving the 2 is like driving a 1.6L (90-93) Miata

Could use a smidge more power, but handling is spot on. Add a front and rear sway and it's an absolute blast.

You can tell by my license plate how I think the car drives...

http://gapmiatas.com/gallery/albums/...8Custom%29.JPG

My girlfriend has a 2010 Mazda 2 and I concur that the steering and road feel are superb for such a cheap car.

It's really lightweight too I quite enjoy driving it. Just a shame that her car is an auto. it really feels like a fun zippy little car that's been caged and held back by the slushbox.

I drove one as a rental. It's good. Steering is weighted at moderate speeds and light at parking speeds. Pedals have some weight to them, engine is responsive, transmission even downshifts quickly.

Gears are WIDE with the automatic but it didn't hesitate to accelerate or feel sluggish even with all seats occupied. :iono: It doesn't have any sort of manual shifting or MPG readouts like upper level cars. The upper trim is pretty basic anyway but it has the essentials. Too bad they're rare with manual in upper trim. Might have made a good fuel saver around town.

The front end noise is loud at anything but low speeds, eg <35mph.

I tracked down a manual Touring model for the minor upgrades (alloy wheels, fog lights, 2 extra speakers, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, rear spoiler, different interior, fancy chrome exhaust tip). There is a fuel computer on the dash. Current MPG, Avg MPG, Range, Temperature, and average speed.

I haven't noticed any front end noise so far... have had a couple problems with the stereo though. :mad0259:

If I was to get a case of the gheyz....it would be the new 1.0L ecoboost fiesta. That has potential for a shit box!

I had a Mazda 2 as a car rental once. Fun car around town, especially with the quick steering response/turn-in. Reminded me of driving a Mini Cooper, just with more body roll.

Didn't love it on the highway though. I put 500 miles on it over a weekend and it didn't feel that stable at high speed. Twitchy steering and also got blown around by cross-winds.