mazdeuce wrote: Published weight for the 2 is 2305. Andy Hollis weighed his with the spare and a full tank of gas as delivered at 2280. The GRM fiesta without the spare or mats and what not scaled at 2442. They appear to be somewhere between 150 and 200 lbs different for the lightest low option example of both. Power to weight is actually better in the Fiesta.
The GRM weight only had half-tank of gas. So the difference is closer to 200 than 150.
Andy Hollis wrote: That's what I was thinking. Do you know how it mounts? I've seen some pics, but nothing close up on the mount to the trailing arms.
There's the existing hole at the back of the springs. What I saw led me to believe that it just bolted through that. What's your guess, would it be strong enough, or would it rip out. They used rod ends so it should be just shear stress. Might be strong enough.
Just wanted to chime in. I haven't been on the board for a while.
Add me to the M2 GRM list. It's my first new car. Previous cars (in order) were:
1989 Volvo 740 Turbo, 1991 Sentra SE-R, 1994 Sentra SE-R, 1991 Miata (base), 1991 Sentra SE-R, 1992 NX2000
I test drove and checked out a whole bunch of cars in the 16k-17k price range. The M2 was the first on my list going into it, so basically I wasted a whole bunch of time only to end up with my initial gut feeling, haha.
I bought it when Japan was recovering from the tsunami so there was a shortage of cars in the San Francisco bay area. I ended up waiting a few months trying to find the one I wanted. I bought a pearl white touring right off the boat and had it delivered to Dublin Mazda in the valley.
Why did I go with the Mazda 2? Well, it's essentially a mid 90's car wrapped in a modern body. Well at least it felt that way to me. Especially when compared to the Fiesta. Just a simple drivers car... a lot like the B13 Sentra.
skullsroad wrote: J Why did I go with the Mazda 2? Well, it's essentially a mid 90's car wrapped in a modern body.
More like a mid-70's car...Chassis is quite similar to an early VW Rabbit. Strut front, twist rear. Same kinda power output, too.
Weight goal achieved. Ready for Spring Nationals.
Well that's a damn fine number. Very encouraging.
skullsroad wrote: Just wanted to chime in. I haven't been on the board for a while. Add me to the M2 GRM list. It's my first new car. Previous cars (in order) were: 1989 Volvo 740 Turbo, 1991 Sentra SE-R, 1994 Sentra SE-R, 1991 Miata (base), 1991 Sentra SE-R, 1992 NX2000 I test drove and checked out a whole bunch of cars in the 16k-17k price range. The M2 was the first on my list going into it, so basically I wasted a whole bunch of time only to end up with my initial gut feeling, haha. I bought it when Japan was recovering from the tsunami so there was a shortage of cars in the San Francisco bay area. I ended up waiting a few months trying to find the one I wanted. I bought a pearl white touring right off the boat and had it delivered to Dublin Mazda in the valley. Why did I go with the Mazda 2? Well, it's essentially a mid 90's car wrapped in a modern body. Well at least it felt that way to me. Especially when compared to the Fiesta. Just a simple drivers car... a lot like the B13 Sentra.
That's exactly how I (and probably everybody else in the GRM Mz2 club) feel about the car. It's like a car from the 80s or 90s, but with all of the good refinements of a modern car, like ride quality, reliability, and decent audio, without any of the crap that gets in the way of driving it. My last car, an '09 Civic Si with Nav, was like a friggin' Best Buy on wheels, and you were never sure if it was even a car or just some sort of video game that you were driving.
I know how you feel. My brother came home with an 09 Si and I was pumped....until I drove it. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in a car. A lot had to do with the legacy of the Si name and expecting more of the same.
I agree with the last 2 posts. I enjoy small fun to drive cars, the 08 Si that this replaced did not feel small. While it was much better on fuel economy than the 08 MS3 that it replaced it just felt too big. I felt like I was driving a mid 90's Crown Vic or FWD Continental. That & the A-pillar blindspots killed me, I honestly thought driving in Boston a lot that I would hit a pedestrian because of them. The 2 on the other hand (as I found out in NYC) was no worry in city driving.
Anybody know off hand what RPM the VVT changeover occurs. It feels like somewhere between 3300 and 3500. I'm looking at my data from autocross and trying to figure some stuff out.
That is exactly right - the 2 is a like a 90s being sold in new in 2012 but in a good way. Probably why it was one of the few new cars I liked.The fact that it didn't have 18" rims and tires was another plus for me. Who wants to replace expensive tires on a modest car.
Thanks for the great write ups. I still need something to replace the speed protege.
So I put the Lamin-X on the fogs a week after I bought it & finally got around to taking a quick camera phone shot since it was clean. I loved the look on the Speed3, not a fan of round fog lamps but it could grow on me.
Black is a good color.
Just found out over the weekend that my brother in law picked up a red Touring 5 speed last month. Jellus!
The money he is saving in gas is paying for the car. He was DD-ing his Mustang GT before. (long commute)
mazdeuce wrote: Anybody know off hand what RPM the VVT changeover occurs. It feels like somewhere between 3300 and 3500. I'm looking at my data from autocross and trying to figure some stuff out.
You don't understand Mazda VVT.
It is not the same as Honda's VTEC, which is a dual-lobe cam that has a switchover point (usually based on RPM, but potentially load-driven, also).
VVT, as implemented in Mazdas, is continuously variable cam timing modulation. The intake cam is rotated within a range to alter its relationship to the fixed exhaust cam. The allows precise control over the intake valve closing point which controls overlap. This means the same cams can be tuned for emissions in certain situations, but also for WOT performance.
Several elements are primary in determining the actual cam position, including RPM and load. Also, it works via a closed-loop feedback system. Cam advancements/retards are requested, and a sensor reads current position.
The Service Highlights Manual for the 2001 Miata has a great write-up of how it all works, and that system continues to be used in subsequent Mazdas.
BTW, here's a pic of mine...
I get a kick out of the class of STF(U).
Reminds me "the boy scout class" of B-Prepared.
jrw1621 wrote: I get a kick out of the class of STF(U). Reminds me "the boy scout class" of B-Prepared.
Sure beats the heck out of STUL (say it out loud).
Andy Hollis wrote: You don't understand Mazda VVT.
Thank you. I really did not understand what Mazda was up to. I do understand how the systems work, but for some reason I was unaware that's what was on this car. Makes more sense now. Also makes sense that you're so interested in getting control of it through software. What do the Miata guys (or anybody else who uses a similar system) get out of being able to mess with it?
mazdeuce wrote: . What do the Miata guys (or anybody else who uses a similar system) get out of being able to mess with it?
More mid-range through more aggressive tune. Hi-rpm WOT is usually pegged already, but there is typically something left on the table in the middle. Pushing it closer to the edge recovers that.
I've been noticing that my car has a pretty noticeable amount of center play in the steering. It occurs to me that steering rack bushings and maybe aftermarket tie rods would probably cure that, and increase feedback at the same time. Has anybody looked into this yet?
Max_Archer wrote: I've been noticing that my car has a pretty noticeable amount of center play in the steering. It occurs to me that steering rack bushings and maybe aftermarket tie rods would probably cure that, and increase feedback at the same time. Has anybody looked into this yet?
Sounds broken to me.
Mine has no play at all.
On a maybe related note, and I feel sort of crazy asking this, but does the column on the 2 not lock? Mine doesn't lock when the key is out and that sort of surprised me. It's been convenient, but......unexpected.
Cruising the firsta forums today and I came across this:
http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstM-FR3-FAEB.pdf
which is the instructions for installing the fiesta b-spec kit. The most interesting part is the instructions for removing the rear twist beam and filling the holes in the bushings with epoxy to stiffen them. Very grassroots instructions by ford racing.
I also dig the aluminum upper strut mount. It's fairly awesome looking.
mazdeuce wrote: Cruising the firsta forums today and I came across this: http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/instructionsheets/FordInstM-FR3-FAEB.pdf which is the instructions for installing the fiesta b-spec kit. The most interesting part is the instructions for removing the rear twist beam and filling the holes in the bushings with epoxy to stiffen them. Very grassroots instructions by ford racing. I also dig the aluminum upper strut mount. It's fairly awesome looking.
Interesting.
We have the more traditional Powerflex urethane bushing kit on the way via Vorshlag.
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