In reply to Knurled:
i dont think it would work that well on the ST since iirc the brakes are larger and it has rear disks while the Fiesta and 2 are both drum rear
In reply to Knurled:
i dont think it would work that well on the ST since iirc the brakes are larger and it has rear disks while the Fiesta and 2 are both drum rear
Found this thread because I am looking at picking up a 2011 hatch, 120k, 5spd, $4400.
This one has complete and totally original suspension on it, never been touched except for front discs and pads, filters, and fluids. The tires are nearly dead and the rears have some feathering. There's a little bit of a hum on the highway, and a little front end vibration but you only feel it in your ass, not the steering wheel. I'm guessing four tires, four shocks, and maybe a tie rod end or two and it will be good to go?
WOW are they a nice little car inside for $5k and 45 mpg. i wish it was quieter inside but hey, it's a B-spec car that is quieter than my mazda3. Close enough.
I keep looking for one at that price point too. I was going back and forth between these and a Civic Si a few generations older but Mrs. Deuce put the hammer down and demanded the more modern safety with the Deucelings driving soon. Trying to be patient and score one for $4k flat.
That suspension package is supported by many owners as being the best thing that ever happened.
Slightly lower and stiffer with improved ride.
Not sure but I think it may be eligible for SCCA stock class.
Corksport has a nice rear sway bar. You have to order for the Mazda 2.
In reply to iceracer:
So the link isnt working but i assume that is the $800 b spec kit? Does it REALLY ride better than stock? I just cant see 450 lb springs being as comfy as OEM no matter how the shocks are valved.
Edit: got to a desktop, link works. Man, that looks tasty. I was planning to spend $220 on four plain jane shocks anyway.
In reply to RedGT:
Just a Ford Performance Parts package for $290, search for M-FR3-FA
Got it. Any knowledge of how it rides over rough streets relative to stock? I am finding glowing reviews but from enthusiasts, not from wives who don't even like orange Konis on their husbands' Mazda3's...
Red GT: you may be thinking of the B Spec kit. It definitely is not for the street.
There was another kit. Coil overs. I don't know if it is still available.
The M-FR3-FA kit is definitely streetable.
Thanks. I did a bit more digging and it sounds like that was either the standard euro suspension or some mild sporty kit. For just $30 more than generic KYB struts, why the heck not?
The trigger has been pulled.
mazdeuce, your turn!
A hatch for that money! Dude! I've only seen sedans in that price range. Need to keep searching.
My 1.0 is averaging 41ish mpg on good tires(kumho ecsta 4x) with something like 1500 feet of elevation change one way on my commute.
In reply to mazdeuce:
'round here a real manual trans is a deterrent. And honestly KBB private party (always high, right?) comes up at $4472 for the car I just bought in excellent condition. As far as they are concerned I overpaid because it needs tires and shocks. 
In reply to RedGT:
that makes me depressed to look up the value for my 15 fiesta.
Clean Fiesta hatch, manual, <$5k
Holy crap...didn't realize these were so affordable.
In reply to MrChaos: We are dealing with cars that had 20-30k miles/year so far in this thread.
You can see that greenville one started at $5500 30 days ago and no one wants it. I think they might be a little in-between market places right now. New ones are what, $15k? I know from our point of view, on a tight budget, stretching to $5k (after the tag & title place whacks you for $450) for a Fiesta was a little unusual compared to spending that money on a larger, 'nicer', 2005-2008 era car. If we had money to spare we would have bought a 2012+ Focus. If we had $4k and didn't notice Fiesta pricing, we'd have bought a 10 year old something or other. Was not even on my radar 3 weeks ago.
That's what was mentioned two posts up :p
More local to me:
2013 69k $4900 I imagine that has got to be sold though.
2011 115k $4000 but not local enough to be easy and didn't want the leather
These are looking more and more enticing as a cheap rallycross car. I've seen Fits with higher mileage dipping down into this price range too. Bring on the cheap subcompacts!
The pricing on these is insane. Are Mazda 2s fallowing the same depreciation? I can't find any of those for sale around here.
In reply to tuna55:
According to NADA, yep. I guess it's a good thing I'm happy with mine because it looks like I'd get nearly nothing for it.
RedGT wrote: In reply to MrChaos: We are dealing with cars that had 20-30k miles/year so far in this thread. You can see that greenville one started at $5500 30 days ago and no one wants it. I think they might be a little in-between market places right now. New ones are what, $15k? I know from our point of view, on a tight budget, stretching to $5k (after the tag & title place whacks you for $450) for a Fiesta was a little unusual compared to spending that money on a larger, 'nicer', 2005-2008 era car. If we had money to spare we would have bought a 2012+ Focus. If we had $4k and didn't notice Fiesta pricing, we'd have bought a 10 year old something or other. Was not even on my radar 3 weeks ago.
im close to 20k/year on mine. new ones are 14k-19k mine was 18k msrp
In reply to tuna55:
Down here in Houston the 2 seems to have a premium over the Fiesta. I think it's just a numbers game. There are a billion Fiestas and not that many 2's. The Fiesta hatches are also more than the sedans.
There are just not a lot of Mazda2s out there. I think the production numbers are only about 60k of them from 2011-2014 in the US.
Also there is/was some speculation that all of the Fiesta Handling Pack(The <$300 kit from Ford) is actually just OEM Mazda2 parts. I'm not sure that's the case but could be, you'd have to look at the parts side by side to know for sure. There is a difference in the lower spring seat for the front struts(and coil springs) that would be the tell-tale.
You'll need to log in to post.
