Mazda2... Do you think they should bring it here?...

[izzyzz]

Hi Guys,

There seems to be a lot of buzz recently around the new 2008 Mazda2.

Here's just one example...

"...As soon as North American dealers see this, they ask for it,” said Mazda President Hisakazu Imaki. “But from an overall perspective of the brand and profitability, we choose not to market it in North America..."

"...The new Mazda 2 is awesome, especially the new MPS variant that has a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder that puts out 230 horsepower..."

http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/07/should_mazda_bring_the_new_maz.html

Unfortunately (for us), Mazda does not plan to introduce it to North America any time soon.

Personally, I think it looks great and it could kick the crap out of Toyota Yaris/ Honda Fit type cars. The fuel economy is comparable to those two, btw. Dealers want it. From what I've seen, so do the consumers.

Do you think it's worth starting a petition or something?..

http://www.thetorquereport.com/mazda_2_unveiled_geneva_8.jpg
http://www.thetorquereport.com/mazda_2_unveiled_geneva2.jpg
http://www.thetorquereport.com/mazda_2_unveiled_geneva_6.jpg
http://www.thetorquereport.com/mazda_2_unveiled_geneva_1.jpg

[EH100501AC]

It looks pretty good. Start one up lol

[gamer123]

looks great

[thephenom]

Just a matter of time before they bring it over. The only thing I think is slowing down the decision is that the 3 is selling pretty well for Mazda and they don't want to cannibalize the 3 sales with a lower margin 2.

[The_Professor]

I'm fairly confident the MZ2 will make it to NA. I think it's a great idea as most other import car companies are now offering these 'B' spec cars (Yaris, Fit, Versa, etc.).

[rogerrabbit168]

it does look better than the fit/yaris type of cars

[Maxspeed]

i dont like the antenna sticking out infront. That terrible placement.

[JL2002]

looks like a Yaris that melted into the Mazda3....:D

[bionicbadger]

I'd like to see a bunch of the japanese smaller cars and kei cars over here, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.

[Andro]

i like it.....they deffinately should bring one over......however it looks very similar to renault

[Jon Lai]

Except for the headlights and a rounder rear end, it looks exactly like a Yaris..

I'd still get a Yaris. Despite they're both Japanese companies, Toyota still has the higher reliability rating. Plus, the Mazda 2 probably wont' be available in Sedan form, which is what I'd personally prefer.

[izzyzz]

Except for the headlights and a rounder rear end, it looks exactly like a Yaris..

I'd still get a Yaris. Despite they're both Japanese companies, Toyota still has the higher reliability rating. Plus, the Mazda 2 probably wont' be available in Sedan form, which is what I'd personally prefer.

What really annoys me about Yaris is the middle placement of instruments panel. Another thing is Mazda has a turbo charged model which is very cool. :)

I posted some more pics btw, still think it looks waaay better than Yaris/Fit/Aveo.

[gordholio]

It looks okay if you like these super small cars.

By the way, I saw the Accent hatchback (2 door) the other day and I was surprised at how nice looking it is.

[Jon Lai]

What really annoys me about Yaris is the middle placement of instruments panel. Another thing is Mazda has a turbo charged model which is very cool. :)

I posted some more pics btw, still think it looks waaay better than Yaris/Fit/Aveo.

Turbo Charged model? I dont' think you'd expect to be going very fast with econoboxes anyways..

And thanks for the new pictures, yea, too lazy to google them myself. I must say, the dashboard and buttons look almost identical to the Yaris's, even the odometers look the same, the only difference is their placement of the buttons, and of course, as you mentioned, the panel is not in the middle. It doesn't bother me a lot personally though, it's just a different design. I'd still prefer having the option of a sedan than the placement of the panel.

Plus, Yaris starts at just $12995. I doubt Mazda can match that pricing - even the Fit is more than that.

BTW, I think they overdid the buttons a little on the steering wheel..

[afong56]

230hp in a sub compact?

hmmm, by the time it makes it over here, it might be time for a new winter car. . .

[KorruptioN]

Despite they're both Japanese companies, Toyota still has the higher reliability rating.

Just because it's got a Toyota badge on it, right? As in, specific models have no bearings on your fanboy bias?

I like it a lot.

[izzyzz]

Plus, Yaris starts at just $12995. I doubt Mazda can match that pricing - even the Fit is more than that.

Probably true. In Australia, they start at approx. $15,000 CDN. But generally cars tend to be more expensive there -- e.g., Yaris starts at approx. $14,000 CDN. Not much of a difference between the two though.

[cereal83]

They should leave that in Europe imo. If you want a small Mazda, buy a Miata

[afong56]

sounds like the 2 would fall in between the yaris and fit in terms of pricing.

that makes it very, very competitive.

add to that the usual mazda handling and driving experience, and it will do quite well against the fit/yaris.

tack on 230 hp and well, i'm very interested.

let's face it, people don't buy the yaris or fit for style or driving pleasure--they get it for cheapness and fuel economy.

if mazda comes along and gives the market a similar car, but one that has the standard 'zoom zoom', it will probably do as well as the 3

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I can confirm that the Mazda2 will make it to North America, just a matter of time..

Had an opportunity not long ago to have dinner with the President of Mazda Canada, Don Romano, and his wife. One thing he was passionate about was the 2 and bringing it to the Canadian/US market..

It is coming, but it may take a couple of years.

[sonick]

They should leave that in Europe imo. If you want a small Mazda, buy a MiataThe Miata and the Mazda2 are two ENTIRELY different animals.

Lets see you take a shopping trip to IKEA or Home Depot in a Miata. Or move out of your dorm at the end of a semester in a Miata.

The Mazda2 is marketed to an ENTIRELY different demographic than the Miata in North America.

[googoo]

"By the way, I saw the Accent hatchback (2 door) the other day and I was surprised at how nice looking it is."

Agreed, the only thing it's missing is cruise control, and slightly higher residual otherwise it would be in little book of my "possible" next car choices.

Brent

[cereal83]

The Miata and the Mazda2 are two ENTIRELY different animals.

Lets see you take a shopping trip to IKEA or Home Depot in a Miata. Or move out of your dorm at the end of a semester in a Miata.

The Mazda2 is marketed to an ENTIRELY different demographic than the Miata in North America.

True but the Mazda2 is not much bigger then a Miata meaning that it will not carry too much more stuff. You also don't buy a Miata to have a convenient car

[sonick]

True but the Mazda2 is not much bigger then a Miata meaning that it will not carry too much more stuff. You also don't buy a Miata to have a convenient carThe Miata merely has a trunk. The Mazda2 is a hatcback, meaning it provides MUCH more interior storage space than the Miata does.

With the rear seats UP, the Mazda2 has 250 cubic litres of cargo space (source: http://wizvax.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-mazda2.html), the Miata has 161 litres of cargo space (converted to 5.3 cubic feet, source: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/mazda/mx5miata/100764532/specs.html)

Nearly 100 litres MORE of cargo/luggage space. You're right, people don't buy a Miata to have a convenient car, but people DO buy Mazda2's to have a convenient car. Which is why recommending somebody a Miata when they are looking at a Mazda2 is absurd./

[Jon Lai]

Just because it's got a Toyota badge on it, right? As in, specific models have no bearings on your fanboy bias?

I like it a lot.

No fanboyism or bias here, brand loyalty at best. Plus, I'm back by international reports that state Toyotas are the most reliable brand of cars. Does that mean all of their models are equally reliable? No, but it means the people behind Toyota are more concerned about reliability than other manufacturers, and of course ESPECIALLY more than domestic manufacturers ;)

[KorruptioN]

No fanboyism or bias here, brand loyalty at best. Plus, I'm back by international reports that state Toyotas are the most reliable brand of cars. Does that mean all of their models are equally reliable? No, but it means the people behind Toyota are more concerned about reliability than other manufacturers, and of course ESPECIALLY more than domestic manufacturers ;)

Blind loyalty, I think.

The newest Camrys and Lexus ES' are affected by poor six-speed transmissions. I've heard of a lot of them dying. What about the famed sludge issue of the 1MZ-FE? Or what about the head gasket design flaw that affected MKIII Supras and most '90-92 Cressidas? Not to mention the huge rot affecting most older Toyotas.

What reports do you speak of? You failed to link to any. The fact that you claim Toyotas are more reliable than all domestic manufacturers just shows you are blindly following a brand based on it's overall image. You're no mechanic.

[sshe11]

tack on 230 hp and well, i'm very interested.


Look what we have here !

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/japan/japan-report-mazda2-mps-in-the-wings/

[afong56]

Look what we have here !

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/japan/japan-report-mazda2-mps-in-the-wings/


looks great, except the part where it says:

"The bad news? It’s almost certainly not coming to the States". . .

which means the chances of canada getting the ms2 is pretty low (not impossible, just highly improbable)

now that sucks. . .

[sshe11]

looks great, except the part where it says:

"The bad news? It’s almost certainly not coming to the States". . .

which means the chances of canada getting the ms2 is pretty low (not impossible, just highly improbable)

now that sucks. . .

Yeah ... I hope it does :)

[Badman]

Just a matter of time before they bring it over. The only thing I think is slowing down the decision is that the 3 is selling pretty well for Mazda and they don't want to cannibalize the 3 sales with a lower margin 2.

I think you nailed it right there. Thats exactly what i was thinking.

[Jon Lai]

Blind loyalty, I think.

The newest Camrys and Lexus ES' are affected by poor six-speed transmissions. I've heard of a lot of them dying. What about the famed sludge issue of the 1MZ-FE? Or what about the head gasket design flaw that affected MKIII Supras and most '90-92 Cressidas? Not to mention the huge rot affecting most older Toyotas.

What reports do you speak of? You failed to link to any. The fact that you claim Toyotas are more reliable than all domestic manufacturers just shows you are blindly following a brand based on it's overall image. You're no mechanic.

Google makes searching really easy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4779229.stm

I haven't tried the newer Camry's or ES's so I'm not going to comment on them, but we have an 06' Camry and there's nothing I can complain about it. It was worth every penny.

I don't think I ever said "all" domestic manufacturers, rather, I said, on a general level, Toyota, or any Japanese make, is generally more reliable than any domenstic make. I don't think there's any denying in that.

And back to the topic. I have nothing against Mazda. Heck, I like them more than Hondas. I was just stating that I'd rather have a econobox sedan than a hatchback, so I prefer the Yaris. Simple as that.

[The_Professor]

Jon, while you may think the Yaris is a superior car, I can tell you for certain the Mazda2 will be a much more fun to drive car. They'll both be practical, and if the Mazda2 is made in Japan like the Mazda3 reliability will not be an issue.

cereal, you comparing the Mazda2 to a Miata tells me you know very little about cars. They are two totally seperate cars serving two totally different markets. By your logic, why would somebody by a Porsche Boxster when it has as much room in it as a Yaris?

WHEN Mazda brings the Mazda2 to NA, it will likely sell very well because it looks good, will likely start in the low teens (Mazda3 starts at $16K) and will be very economical/practical to own/drive.

[Coolme]

No, but it means the people behind Toyota are more concerned about reliability than other manufacturers, and of course ESPECIALLY more than domestic manufacturers

I don't think I ever said "all" domestic manufacturers, rather, I said, on a general level, Toyota, or any Japanese make, is generally more reliable than any domenstic make. I don't think there's any denying in that.

Although I am sure that's what you meant, say what you mean next time. Don't keep us guessing what you mean.

[TerryB]

Ford is bringing the platform here soon I hear...under Ford name of course.

[ShadowVlican]

they should bring it here

we need more small cars vs large SUV/vans that i see everywhere

[Jon Lai]

Ford is bringing the platform here soon I hear...under Ford name of course.

Are you serious? Under the Ford name? That just drives me away from considering one...

[jcon]

I doubt they would bring the turbo version of this car to NA.

People looking at this class of vehicle want fuel economy to be tops. A Turbo engine, would not qualify for the Green Tax rebate like the Yaris (and new Fit) does, which would put it in a difficult market position.

Mazda sold about ~4700 '3s' in July. I think the 2 might cut into those sales and be a deterrent to bringing it over.

[gordholio]

"By the way, I saw the Accent hatchback (2 door) the other day and I was surprised at how nice looking it is."

Agreed, the only thing it's missing is cruise control, and slightly higher residual otherwise it would be in little book of my "possible" next car choices.

Brent

Yeah, the Accent is really nice looking. Looks really solid and it's classified as a compact, rather than a sub-compact now.
Starting to see quite a few of them around.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Are you serious? Under the Ford name? That just drives me away from considering one...

It must really chaff your shorts to know that it's actually based on the Ford Fiesta platform, eh?

[maniacshopper]

The Miata merely has a trunk. The Mazda2 is a hatcback, meaning it provides MUCH more interior storage space than the Miata does.

With the rear seats UP, the Mazda2 has 250 cubic litres of cargo space (source: http://wizvax.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-mazda2.html), the Miata has 161 litres of cargo space (converted to 5.3 cubic feet, source: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/mazda/mx5miata/100764532/specs.html)

Nearly 100 litres MORE of cargo/luggage space. You're right, people don't buy a Miata to have a convenient car, but people DO buy Mazda2's to have a convenient car. Which is why recommending somebody a Miata when they are looking at a Mazda2 is absurd./

Too bad not coming to NA. Just like the Honda Civic Type-R hatch in europe and Asia. So practical. I'd buy it for $30k.

[ES_Revenge]

Yaris reincarnate??!?! Hell no! Keep that thing away from here!

[ES_Revenge]

Are you serious? Under the Ford name? That just drives me away from considering one...
Do these silly comments never end? It's like you're such an import fanboy that even the exact same car with a Ford badge slapped on it, makes it bad somehow :rolleyes: I mean here you are asking if someone else is serious, but I mean with comments like these how can you expect to be taken seriously yourself? :confused:

I don't think I ever said "all" domestic manufacturers, rather, I said, on a general level, Toyota, or any Japanese make, is generally more reliable than any domenstic make. I don't think there's any denying in that.
:rolleyes: Do you yourself actually believe the unknowledgeable nonsense you post?

Lemme guess the Toyota Matrix is probably a great car, while the Pontiac Vibe is a POS, right? LOL.

[The Destroyer]

I'd definitely like to see the 2 make its way stateside. I've been looking into this model and with the expected fuel economy and the turbo 230hp engine, its got me very interested. As a current Mazda owner, I'm happy with the reliability of their cars as this point, just some of the parts costs are ridiculous. But when it comes time for me to decide on a replacement for it, years down the road, I'm hoping the 2 is an available option.

[jcon]

If the 2 comes over you won't be able to get the turbo engine. Basic 4-cyl.

There would be no need to cannibalize their own sales of the Speed 3.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Do you yourself actually believe the unknowledgeable nonsense you post?

The great thing is that if you believe his professed taste in cars - Reliable, boring, cheap maintainance, that he interjects into every single sports car discussion, he should really be driving a Buick W-body, or maybe a fleet-retired Ford Panther platform . Nothing like a pushrod 90 degree V6 and 4 sp auto transmission to keep you out of trouble.