Mazda 2
2011 Mazda 2 - Long-Term
Date: March 2011
Months in Fleet: 3 months
Current Mileage: 4550 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 29 mpg
Range: 328 miles
Service: $0
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0
The 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon we just added to our fleet is one of the most powerful cars for sale in the U.S., full stop. To offset this, we’ve added a very different five-door, stick-shift, fun-to-drive car to our lot: a 2011 Mazda 2. With 100 hp on tap, the only production vehicle sold in the U.S. over which the 2 maintains power bragging rights is the 70-hp Smart Fortwo—until the Scion iQ launches later this year and the 2’s dominion doubles in size.
The entry-level Mazda 2 is called the Sport. At $14,975, it is fairly well equipped for such a tiny machine, packing power windows and locks, power side mirrors, a 60/40-folding rear seatback, six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Being the classy folks we are, we opted instead for the up-level Touring trim. Doing so glams up our 2’s Liquid Silver Metallic exterior with fog lights, aluminum wheels in place of the Sport’s steelies (both wheels measure 15 inches), a rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust tip. We were more interested in the interior upgrades, primarily the leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and the six-speaker stereo, which replaces the Sport’s four-speaker system. The Touring package adds red piping to the black cloth seats. Outside these trim-level variations, the 2’s options list is thinner than a runway model. We never considered the tolerable-but-sacrilegious four-speed auto, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror for $295 didn’t seem necessary. With an $80 rear-bumper guard added to the sticker, our 2 rang up for a reasonable $16,510—earning it a second superlative: It is the least-expensive car in our lot, as well as the least powerful.
What a ____ Little Car!
Thus far, our opinions on the 2 are split. Some drivers describe it as a “great little car.” Others insist it’s a “wonderful little car.” Suffice it to say, we all agree it’s a little car—and a darn good one at that. We love the 2’s light, direct steering and slick, precise shifter, which is reminiscent of the Miata’s. Even though the 1.5-liter four makes only 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque, that’s enough to motivate the 2291-pound car around town. At the test track, the 2 turned in an unimpressive 0-to-60 run of 9.2 seconds and a not-so-hot quarter-mile of 17.0 at 81 mph. But it feels quicker on the road. Unlike the monster V wagon, you can drive the snot out of the 2, zinging the needle around the tach and never breaking the speed limit. Wintry conditions kept the 2 off the skidpad on its initial track visit, but we’re eager to swap out the Blizzak snow tires and toss the car around the circle when the Michigan snow clears sometime in August.
Still, we have a few gripes. Even though it’s not unusually short for the class, the 2’s 98.0-inch wheelbase has its limitations. The highway ride can be bouncy, and less enthusiastic drivers might not like the 2’s proclivity to snap its back end around during aggressive driving. In addition, several drivers have been less than thrilled with the 2’s numb clutch pedal. We’re hoping the lack of feel doesn’t lead to the same premature wear as we experienced with our long-term Mazda 3, but even if it doesn’t, using the car as an instructional tool almost certainly will.
As you can see from the photos, our Mazda 2 is wearing a little more than its factory paint. The exterior is wrapped in Save the Manuals! livery in preparation for an upcoming StM guerrilla campaign. The goal: teach people to drive a manual. The tool: this very Mazda 2. Watch this space for updates on our progress.
Small Car, Minor Issue
One small—but odd—problem has cropped up a couple of times with the stereo. On bitter 10-degree mornings, the head unit turns on but the speakers don’t pump out any sound until the car warms up. A quick search of some Mazda enthusiast forums tells us other 2 owners are experiencing the same intermittent problem. Mazda has yet to issue a fix.
Stereo concern notwithstanding, we’re having a delightful time with our wonderful little car, and the next 35,000 miles should pass quickly, albeit not at the same speed as the CTS-V’s.
2011 Mazda 2 - Long-Term
Date: March 2011
Months in Fleet: 3 months
Current Mileage: 4550 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 29 mpg
Range: 328 miles
Service: $0
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0
The 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon we just added to our fleet is one of the most powerful cars for sale in the U.S., full stop. To offset this, we’ve added a very different five-door, stick-shift, fun-to-drive car to our lot: a 2011 Mazda 2. With 100 hp on tap, the only production vehicle sold in the U.S. over which the 2 maintains power bragging rights is the 70-hp Smart Fortwo—until the Scion iQ launches later this year and the 2’s dominion doubles in size.
The entry-level Mazda 2 is called the Sport. At $14,975, it is fairly well equipped for such a tiny machine, packing power windows and locks, power side mirrors, a 60/40-folding rear seatback, six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Being the classy folks we are, we opted instead for the up-level Touring trim. Doing so glams up our 2’s Liquid Silver Metallic exterior with fog lights, aluminum wheels in place of the Sport’s steelies (both wheels measure 15 inches), a rear spoiler, and a chrome exhaust tip. We were more interested in the interior upgrades, primarily the leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and the six-speaker stereo, which replaces the Sport’s four-speaker system. The Touring package adds red piping to the black cloth seats. Outside these trim-level variations, the 2’s options list is thinner than a runway model. We never considered the tolerable-but-sacrilegious four-speed auto, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror for $295 didn’t seem necessary. With an $80 rear-bumper guard added to the sticker, our 2 rang up for a reasonable $16,510—earning it a second superlative: It is the least-expensive car in our lot, as well as the least powerful.
What a ____ Little Car!
Thus far, our opinions on the 2 are split. Some drivers describe it as a “great little car.” Others insist it’s a “wonderful little car.” Suffice it to say, we all agree it’s a little car—and a darn good one at that. We love the 2’s light, direct steering and slick, precise shifter, which is reminiscent of the Miata’s. Even though the 1.5-liter four makes only 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque, that’s enough to motivate the 2291-pound car around town. At the test track, the 2 turned in an unimpressive 0-to-60 run of 9.2 seconds and a not-so-hot quarter-mile of 17.0 at 81 mph. But it feels quicker on the road. Unlike the monster V wagon, you can drive the snot out of the 2, zinging the needle around the tach and never breaking the speed limit. Wintry conditions kept the 2 off the skidpad on its initial track visit, but we’re eager to swap out the Blizzak snow tires and toss the car around the circle when the Michigan snow clears sometime in August.
Still, we have a few gripes. Even though it’s not unusually short for the class, the 2’s 98.0-inch wheelbase has its limitations. The highway ride can be bouncy, and less enthusiastic drivers might not like the 2’s proclivity to snap its back end around during aggressive driving. In addition, several drivers have been less than thrilled with the 2’s numb clutch pedal. We’re hoping the lack of feel doesn’t lead to the same premature wear as we experienced with our long-term Mazda 3, but even if it doesn’t, using the car as an instructional tool almost certainly will.
As you can see from the photos, our Mazda 2 is wearing a little more than its factory paint. The exterior is wrapped in Save the Manuals! livery in preparation for an upcoming StM guerrilla campaign. The goal: teach people to drive a manual. The tool: this very Mazda 2. Watch this space for updates on our progress.
Small Car, Minor Issue
One small—but odd—problem has cropped up a couple of times with the stereo. On bitter 10-degree mornings, the head unit turns on but the speakers don’t pump out any sound until the car warms up. A quick search of some Mazda enthusiast forums tells us other 2 owners are experiencing the same intermittent problem. Mazda has yet to issue a fix.
Stereo concern notwithstanding, we’re having a delightful time with our wonderful little car, and the next 35,000 miles should pass quickly, albeit not at the same speed as the CTS-V’s.
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