Mazda 2

[Daedroth]

Hey people. I'm planning on buying a second hand 2010/2011 Mazda 2 from a proper dealer in the near future. Its to replace my dying 2007 1L Vauxhall corsa (new shape) as the engine has basically blown.

Here's a link to one I've seen: http://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/used-car/489100/mazda-2-1-3-ts2-5dr-petrol-hatchback

I have test driven one and I did like it very much, but is it classed as a girls car?

What are peoples views on this car? In terms of cost (?7000 for a mid model with under 20,000 miles) and reliability?

[BGM]

mmm.. potentially could class it as a 'girls' car, but then realisticly anything in it's class runs the same risk..

tbh if you like it and it still has some warranty left then go for it, on the face of it though ?7k does seem a little steep, i purchased a high spec 3yr old golf once for only ?2k more

got a link to it?

[Daedroth]

Thanks for the reply. I've added a link into my original post. I do like the looks of the car. It looks a lot like my current corsa, which i think is one reason why i want one

[BGM]

just a quick look on autotrader... you don't really get a whole lot for ?7k these days for something from 2011... :(

going a wee bit older, i found this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301245034589/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-from/5000/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/price-to/7000/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/gu149fl?logcode=p

that scuff would only cost about ?300 to respray the whole bumper, and you could probably haggle that off the asking price...

just a thought :)

[Daedroth]

I can't afford to go through private sales, I need to rely on monthly repayments, which is why I am targeting dealerships. Plus I need to trade my current car in, as it still has finance owed on it, which I can't afford to pay off yet.

[BGM]

I can't afford to go through private sales, I need to rely on monthly repayments, which is why I am targeting dealerships.

you can privately finance too.. i use these guys for my cars sometimes: http://www.oraclefinance.co.uk

oh, they do 'normal' cars too! :D

Edit: oh with the add info, it makes buying private a pain in the ass.. i see your issue.

[Daedroth]

you can privately finance too.. i use these guys for my cars sometimes: http://www.oraclefinance.co.uk

I guess, but I think going through a dealership makes it easier. Plus I need to trade in my current car, which has finance on it.

[BGM]

ok, so i've just had another quick ganders on autotrader... just limiting on ?6k-?7k, there are a fair few latest shape Polos on there typically at independent dealers, so that's all good.

I started looking at the polos because the angular shape makes it look much less of a 'girls car' while still being tiny... there's a couple o nthere, although they do seem to be like in scotland etc, but then again i don't know your location :)

others i noticed were the old shape vauxall astra.. defo not girly, it was from a dealer though might be an idea.

as for the original question. Honestly, it could be considered a bit feminine, but i guess you have to compromise somewhere... i'd say go take a look at it, take a friend and decide with them if the image of the car matters that much to you.

hth :)

[Daedroth]

Well I'm in Birmingham so I'm not going to Scotland! :p

I don't really like polos, i think theyre too boring looking. However they are better for fuel. I do a 30 mile round trip per day for work, and there's a lot of stop start due to lights and roundabouts.

[akaladis Veteran]

Wow, you still haven't decided... I remember a similar thread here about dumping the Corsa and going to a Mazda... Anyway, here are some thoughts:

1. How the hell does a 2007 car get the engine blown?

2. Then again, it's a Vauxhall, so not really surprising. (we call them Opel here, but they're the same, well, how do I put this without getting swear-filtered... yeah, you get the idea...)

3. I drive a 2008 Mazda2, so far I've done 85000km on it (that's almost 53000 miles) so how's the reliability? Well, when I bought it, I was expecting something good, but certainly not *that* good! 53000 miles later I am very happy to have chosen it.

4. Is it a girl's car? Demographics are probably 50/50 here. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, it really depends who you ask. The question for me is:

a. Would I make my decision on a car based on such a perception (OK, I wouldn't buy a pink car, but you get my point)

b. As a driver who appreciated a good handling car, would I sacrifice that for a lousy handling macho car?

[Daedroth]

Wow, you still haven't decided... I remember a similar thread here about dumping the Corsa and going to a Mazda... Anyway, here are some thoughts:

1. How the hell does a 2007 car get the engine blown?

2. Then again, it's a Vauxhall, so not really surprising. (we call them Opel here, but they're the same, well, how do I put this without getting swear-filtered... yeah, you get the idea...)

3. I drive a 2008 Mazda2, so far I've done 85000km on it (that's almost 53000 miles) so how's the reliability? Well, when I bought it, I was expecting something good, but certainly not *that* good! 53000 miles later I am very happy to have chosen it.

4. Is it a girl's car? Demographics are probably 50/50 here. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, it really depends who you ask. The question for me is:

a. Would I make my decision on a car based on such a perception (OK, I wouldn't buy a pink car, but you get my point)

b. As a driver who appreciated a good handling car, would I sacrifice that for a lousy handling macho car?

Thanks very much for your reply. I couldn't remember if I'd made a thread previously, i thought i hadn't.

The 1L Corsa 2007 has a plastic screw connecting the coolant overflow tank to the engine block. That screw snapped while at high speeds and it caused the coolant to escape and the engine to overheat. Which in turn blew the headgasket and piston rings and filled the valves with water.

As for your Mazda 2...what is it like at high speeds? I've heard they are loud due to high wind noise.

[Andre S. Veteran]

I was looking for a used subcompact recently and read lots of reviews about these cars. The Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta, which are extremely similar, have excellent handling characteristics, however the rear seat space is quite limited. As I was personally more concerned with comfortably lodging several passengers and luggage, I went for the Nissan Versa instead of the Mazda2 or Ford Fiesta; it was simply more affordable as well. I'm using it since then for my daily commute (~20km in heavy traffic) and I'm extremely happy with it. It's silent and comfortable (as much as you can expect from such a small car) up to 120km, and I was able to get a model with CVT transmission, tinted windows, 6 cd charger, ABS brakes, heated mirrors and all those high-end options for a base price of 8800$CAD (2008).

[akaladis Veteran]

How high is high? :)

I don't really know how to answer this. Truth is I haven't seen "high speeds" from Corsas. When I give mine the beans, it is a little loud, but...

a. I don't really notice as usually there's music on

b. It doesn't bother me, as it's got a nice pitch

Also, keep in mind that a lot comes down to tires...

To sum up, it's not annoying. Of course it's not as quiet as our other cars (Skoda Octavia, Volvo S40). Maybe you can find in-car high speed videos on youtube?

Oh and to answer part of the question, you feel "safe" up to 160km/h (about 100mph). Above that speed it starts to feel too light and too bouncy. And yes, it *can* go even faster ;)

[Daedroth]

By high speeds i actually meant about 70! I guess that tells you about my driving style. :p

[spikey_richie]

http://www.autotrade...rom/5000/page/2

What about the KA?

Or this fiesta http://www.autotrade...us/30?logcode=p

Or a Clio http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201245491508879/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_2_years_old/price-to/7000/price-from/5000/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/30/postcode/b57az/page/7?logcode=p

[akaladis Veteran]

Well at 70mph you shouldn't have any problems ;)

My sister drives a 2010 Ford Ka. A lot more noise there. And the handling is awful when you're used to Mazdas ;)

[Daedroth]

I don't really like the looks of the fiesta or the ka. Plus they are both expensive for what you get, compared to say the Mazda 2. Plus I've heard bad things about clios. A colleague has one and he wouldn't recommend one.

[spikey_richie]

Sounds like you're going to discount everything except the Mazda... so this thread may as well be closed.

[akaladis Veteran]

Actually, I'd say you get more from a Fiesta than from a Mazda2, at least on paper. For instance, bluetooth, ipod connectivity and such.

Don't expect to find too much "multimedia" options in the Mazda2. Then again, as I say to people giving me weird looks when I say my car doesn't have such gizmos, I like a car that focuses on the driving pleasure, not being an mp3 player on wheels.

[Daedroth]

I do seem focused on getting a Mazda 2, but I'm just trying to reassure myself that they are worth getting for that price. Basically for extras i want maybe alloys, aux input as i don't have an ipod and maybe steering wheel controls. The TS2 model has all of those.

[spikey_richie]

How about this then?

http://www.parkers.c...ems=49266,57295

The fiesta will be cheaper to insure... mind you, the Mazda actually has better standard equipment. I think the Zetec comes with a lot more than what's listed on that article, so compare it against the advert I posted before.

[akaladis Veteran]

Anyway, just make sure it's stock and it's been treated well.

[akaladis Veteran]

I will agree on a negative point from the link above... Very firm ride! Mostly due to low profile tires and big rims. It's good for handling, but you really need to be careful on bumpy roads!

[Daedroth]

Just thought I'd update this thread. I've put a deposit down on a Mazda 2!

It's a green Mazda 2 Tamura 1.3L 2010, 11,100 miles, for under ?7000. Its in good condition and I'll be giving it a test drive next week and going from there. I'm pretty excited!

[cashman Veteran]

Hope I'm not ressurecting the thread too much but wanted to know how you are getting on with your Mazda2? I have an 08 Mazda 2 Sport and I still love it. Zero problems with it since I got it brand new. Think I will be buying Mazda again next time as their new engines seem amazingly frugal.