http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ad_test_update

 

WHEN are Americans going to learn HOW to use a Clutch Pedal properly...

The Mazda 2 like the 3 has a fantastic light clutch...

BTW...the Audio Issue has been rectified almost 6 months ago!..
See TSB.

 

sadly, In America, only a handful of people can drive stick, too spoiled by the Automatics.

lol @ the Audio TSB. man, That should cost Mazda some money. They gotta replace the whole unit cuz the manufacture used something cheap inside ... jeeze.

 

the supplier will eat those parts and pay for part if not all of the hours to do the swaps.

 

and the radio thing. if they put in the be all end all integrated ipod blutooth etc etc they will complain about how hard it is to modify. by giving it the minimum it allows the youngins the opportunity to fix up the audio to their hearts content. but they bag on them for it.

 

Only manual? They should have auto to increase sales.

 

They (MNAO) do off an Automatic..4-speed electronically controlled overdrive.

 

I often forget how many people do not drive manual transmissions in this country. The Arizona Mazda Club is probably 90% manual transmission vehicles and out of our probably 100 member base we have a small handful of wierdo's that bought automatics for one reason or another.

I love C&D's Save the Manual's campaign and their reasons why owning a manual is better than an auto.

I've started car shopping myself and finding a manual in nearly anything is really tough. I've been looking into this car with great interest.

...and no I'm not giving up the RX8. She's undergoing a major summer project.

 

Suggest you take a 2 for a spin, I had one for a week and they are GREAT!..

The interior is roomy for it's size, not overdone but simple, functional and a little Euro.
Looks great for it's size and is low cost to run.

I think I would wait until the SKY-G engines arrive for the 2, sometime late next year is my tip...3.3litres gas per 100 KMS is outstanding economy.

 

The mazda 2 is an amazing city car, hands down. Well built, nice and fun to drive. The only bad thing is that the stereo is not that comfortable to operate, really!

 

I probably would if I could extend my time frame. Though one of our guys here is getting 40 - 45 mpg on highway driving which is nearly hybrid territory.

We've also had a couple local racers that have driven one and had really great things to say.

 

Yup, in my latest issue they bashed on the MS3 quite heavily as well, knocking on the feel of the clutch and the terrible gas mileage (lol)

 

The article stating the radio problem was released in March, so that's the disconnect you see.

BC.

 

It is a LONG TERM Test, the C&D Test Update was dated..Date: June 2011..

There is no "disconnect"...

Mazda recognised the Audio issue by TSB back in December 2010...at which time C&D took original delivery of this long term Mazda 2 also in Dec 2010..

So somewhere there has been a let down in communique...

 

The Mazda 2 and 3 are nice, but here's my take on the Mazda lineup. Since the 09 Mazda6 was introduced, there's been a huge gap between the 3 and 6. It seems like the Mazda 5 needs to get the axe, and a Mazda 4 (the eruo 6) needs to be introduced to compete with the Altima. My RX-8 is getting repaired now, and the dealer gave me a 4 cylinder Mazda6 loaner, and its way to feminine, big, and underpowered for my taste. At the same time, the 3 is way to small and makes a Civic feel spacious. It would be cool to have a car in the lineup the size of the European 6 with the drive and feel of a Mazda 3. An AWD turbo 4 Euro 6 would be sex. That's actually type of car I'm looking to add to my stable, but sadly it doesn't exist.

 

why would the Maxda 5 get the axe? its absolutely loved by owners AND it sales have increased year on year ever since it was launched. it hasnt had a down quarter yet.

the reason or the large difference in size between 3 and 6 is because they were too close before. previously when they were so close people would try both and buy the 3 because it cost less for "nearly the same size". the next 6 will be smaller though. more like the current euro 6 because they will share the same skyactive chassis.

 

Well, if they received the car in December, then chances are it was originally built in September. Then, on top of that, we know that not all dealers are going to perform TSB work on a car before it is sold, if even then.

But, here's my response to the first part of your reply to me:



Radio issue noted on page two, which was written in March, not June.

Now, had they gone and talked to a Mazda dealer, and had the TSB performed?
Probably not.

They probably just saw that other forum members were having the problem.
And then made an assumption.

But you are correct that Mazda had released a TSB to fix the issue about the same time they received it. They just didn't know about it when they wrote their article.

BC.

 

I guess I chose the 5 because its not the best looking Mazda imo, but looks are subjective. Its great that sales have increased . More sales for other Mazda models mean its more likely Mazda will invest in a new RX, so I'm all for it.

 

The thing I hate about everyone driving automatics is that no one thinks about other people driving manuals. It's not a huge problem, but when you're stuck at a red light on a steep incline and the car behind you pulls up too close, it's hard to not get a little nervous.

I haven't driven a MT 3 or 2, so I can't say how that clutch feels but I know the feeling they described and it can be pretty annoying.

 

I test drove a Mazda2 MT before, it feels almost the same as driving my now-gone GD Honda FIT

I got Mazda3 Automatic ... cuz gf is retarded.

 

hand brake. learn to use it.

 

Amen. You don't really need it but it helps if it's slippery, says the man from the seven hills of Rome lol

 

I've never had an issue with it really, but that doesn't stop me from being paranoid. It's generally a good idea to leave space when at a stop anyways. I've known how to deal with it for a while, but it's always nice to see the person behind me leave enough space that I don't have to worry about it at all.

 

Very similar though I think the exterior styling of the Mazda2 is better but I like the interior styling of the Honda FIT.

I can say this much...the European version of the Mazda2 looks SO much better than the USDM version.

Either way, I picked up a Silver Mazda2 on Friday evening and it should be here from California on Wednesday.

I wonder how long I can go before modifying it?

 

What is the difference Todd?, both come out of the same plant.

I thought the US spec model was the same, perhaps the seat trim and door trim fabric designs "may" be slightly different, but the dash layout and body are the same.