My daily driver is a 2011 Mazda2 Sport (the cheap model). Fun little car! Yes, it's underpowered and has absolutely no balls under 3000 RPM, but it has a good suspension, steering, and brakes right out of the box. Among the B-Spec cars (including Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, and Toyota Yaris - I've driven all three of those), it's the most "driver's car" of the bunch. That's why I bought it. Plus, it was cheap!

I've autocrossed it (did OK!) and will be doing a trackday with it next Sunday.

Regarding the Mazdaspeed2, I've not heard any indication that Mazda will build such a car. I hope they do build it. Maybe turbo the engine? Dave, what can you tell us?

Here's me autocrossing my Mazda2:




Earlier in the day, a local hotshoe (Nationals-level autocrosser) did a couple of runs in the car and put down some really good times.

The secret to autocrossing the Mazda2 is to never lift off the gas, haha! (only somewhat joking)

Quote
SteelSolutions

Quote

the st kit is lame!!! the only sweet spot is the rockin gear kit and trans parts,
and there price is going rate for any front wheel trans.
Brake Bias Valve – X System (VO) £176.05
Braided Brake Lines Kit £409.85
Competition Brake Pads Set
(Gravel / Tarmac)
£133.09
hahaha really? $800 for pads lines and valve!

No that's $1156 for brake lines, limited valve, and pads.

WoW! Whadda deal but hey its all race proven and says M-sport so it must be worth itt. I can't understand why Timmay hasn't scrapped his horrible old corolla and built a Fiesta---its all developed!!!!!!!

Quote

its cool its done and you put it together I'm not saying its bad stuff just
thats a shit load of money!!!!! you can get a focus do the front wheel
gear kit in a mtx75 and diff and work the suspension and put on some
real brakes you would be in to it 15,000 with car and have all the
same parts almost 200 hp and then some?

But Ford is using the Fiesta now in WRC, just look on TV!!

And how would you keep it down to only 200bhp?

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Back when the R2 kit came out, I picked and choose parts I wanted to try and save money.

It turns out I ended up spending close to the original price tag. So might has well spent a few more £ and got the whole kit. Now finding that money is going to be a different story...

I still think the MS1 kit is pretty nice. 155hp with cams. 4.6 final gives you just over 110mph in 5th. You could probably go as far as pulling the euro gears, which I hear are closer ratio than the USDM gears. All that in a car that you can apparently get to 2266lbs race ready?

It's going to be what the Focus is now in something like 5-6 years. You'll be able to pick up used cars for cheap.








P.S. I decided I'm buying the Madza2 and driving it to the ground. I'll probably pick up a used Fiesta once getting parts for my Honda get harder. My future plan is to re-shell it at least once, if not again.

Quote
BillyElliot

P.S. I decided I'm buying the Madza2 and driving it to the ground. I'll probably pick up a used Fiesta once getting parts for my Honda get harder. My future plan is to re-shell it at least once, if not again.

If you are just going to drive something into the ground why would you buy a new car and pay new car insurance, absorb the depreciation? Why not buy something like a focus or a Mazda 3 or some of if you want a b car get a used yaris / fit and run that into the ground. Even if you have to finance it, the financials will almost always work out in favor of the used car.

Quote
Andrew_Frick

Quote
BillyElliot

P.S. I decided I'm buying the Madza2 and driving it to the ground. I'll probably pick up a used Fiesta once getting parts for my Honda get harder. My future plan is to re-shell it at least once, if not again.

If you are just going to drive something into the ground why would you buy a new car and pay new car insurance, absorb the depreciation? Why not buy something like a focus or a Mazda 3 or some of if you want a b car get a used yaris / fit and run that into the ground. Even if you have to finance it, the financials will almost always work out in favor of the used car.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Why buy new?

Mazda2s are cheap (as far as new cars go), you get the full warranty, as the first owner you know the history of the car, everything is fresh, it's a safe, modern car, etc. Sometimes buying new is the way to go. To each, his/her own.

Also, have you priced a used Honda Fit (say, 2008-2010). They're more expensive than a new Mazda2!

BTW, Insurance for my 2004 F-150 is more expensive than my 2011 Mazda2.

Plus, by buying a new Mazda, we get to keep Dave Coleman gainfully employed. ;-)

And one of the perks of being a Mazda Motorsports member is you get a discount on new cars, which is nice.

http://www.drivingsports.com/site/2011/11/subaru-brz-sti-lexus-g350-mazda-turbo2/

Just saw this today. A turbo mazda 2 seems pretty fun...