RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I just realized I forgot to post about it.

When my wife did the test drive, after that I spent about 15 minutes poking around the engine bay, and I was really impressed. I think Mazda may have learned a few things about how to make an engine easy to work on, as well as other performance things.

Like, the intake. It is even less complicated than the RX-8's intake. It's maybe 2 feet long from the UIM to the opening where the air goes in, and almost entirely straight. It would be VERY hard to make a better aftermarket intake for it.

The engine has allt he components bolted to it, rather than everything else around, so you actually have 3 to 6 inches around the engine to the side of the engine bay in most cases. Like an old muscle car. I could easily reach my hand to most sections of the engine and transmission without getting cramped, burned, caught on wires or belts or hoses, etc... A very compact engine sitting on a compact transmission, both much smaller than they have to be given the engine bay size. Of course, if they filled it out more, it would be heavier, but then, it makes a larger engine possible if they are going to offer an MS version.

Or if they turbo it, there is TONS of room for the plumbing.

Spin9k

If they actually sold a car like that...that could be interesting...avail in several wheel-color matched graphics adorned shades. But as is with a 0-60 of 10+ seconds, and looking a bit of a green teacup with wheels....I'll pass...at least until they bring a more powerful MS version, not just the faux prettied up girlfriend MS version w/no performance upgrade that's most likely to show up on our shores.

ASH8

Gee RIWWP you can't compare a FWD 2 engine bay to the RWD RX-8..

One has a near perfect weight distribution, the other with ALL of the drive/engine weight across the front wheels...

Chalk and cheese.....

But yes...I sort of know what you mean ..I think..when I drove the 2 a few years back I was very impressed, it is a far better car then the previous Mazda 2 (Box)...

04blue beauty

for anybody who's interested, I had an opportunity to drive both the 5sp & Auto versions of the Mazda 2 today, and found both trannys very impressive, but the 5sp. is the best shifts soooooo smooth! ~wow~ The little beastie turns on a dime, is very responsive and quick, has decent elbow room and cargo space, does the tightest figure 8s that I've experienced since my one time in a smartfortwo....and I don't care who builds that one, but the Mazda beats it hands down. The 2 c orners almost as nice as anRX8, a 'Speed version of this car would be an amazing and mind-blowing experience, hope it happens. Will probably get the green in Touring version w/5sp when ready to do this, if a 'Speed doesn't happen first.!