Mazdaspeed2

Anyone else waiting for news on this one? It seems like it would be a really good idea but Mazda isn't really talking about it yet.

Do you think they'll build one? The plain 2 is already a lot of fun in a little, practical package, I wonder what the mix would be like with a little turbocharged engine.

I think they're waiting on the Sky engines (Mazda's in-house designed next-gen engines) to debute first. It would certainly be a cool car!

Funny...I touched on a similar topic in my counterpoint for this week's new car review.

I think whoever puts a decent product in the "fast economy car" category first will win. (Just ask MINI.) A Mazdaspeed2 could pry open my wallet. Maybe.

In reply to Tom Heath:

It'd be an interesting car, but it's a bit on the small side to get my wallet open. It looks like my next car is going to be some sort of wagon or small MPV

Boy if Mazda keeps making fun cars like that and then makes them fast I may just have to buy one.

I would be up for that one and I agree with Tom. The only problem with the MINI is the price. It's easy to get an "S" into the 30K range while a Mazdaspeed2 would likely be in the upper teens. I like them both.

Tom Heath wrote: Funny...I touched on a similar topic in my counterpoint for this week's new car review.

I agree w/ David that Nissan needs to fit that motor in a CAR--like a 5-door hatch of some sort. That would rock.

The MS2 sounds like such a feasible, great idea. The era of super hot hatches could really be right around the corner.

Oh--I'll say it again--Honda needs to figure out a Fit with 4-wheel discs, a Type R-style factory dropped suspension and 160-180hp.

That chassis is so great as-is--all it needs is a bit of OE tweaking to be epic (and then we'd see another high-theft Honda )

I'd punch a nun if the made it look half as cool as this:

Appleseed wrote: I'd punch a nun if they made it look half as cool as this:

As a former Catholic school inmate and current Mazda fan, that statement hits home on so many levels.

If somebody sold a 2 door hatch that made good power, they'd have a big winner.

This is supposed to be 1.8, or 1.4 turbo powered with 6 spd. manual. Still a 4 door, but at least they try to hide it a bit. A step in the right direction, IMO

Why is the Fiat 500 Abarth esse esse not here yet?!?!

thats the one I'm waiting to see at chrysler dealers, then maybe I'd have a reason to go there to buy a car.....

In reply to Zomby woof:

+1 on the 2-door hatch. I get tired of the mini station wagons. I want a proper 2-door hatch.

Said it before, but it bears repeating.

Take 1 Mazda2. Take 1 Mazda 2.5L from Mazda3. Add suspension tuning. Add good-bolstered seats. Decant to remove any converted torque.

Done.

Zomby woof wrote: If somebody sold a 2 door hatch that made good power, they'd have a big winner. This is supposed to be 1.8, or 1.4 turbo powered with 6 spd. manual. Still a 4 door, but at least they try to hide it a bit. A step in the right direction, IMO

What's that supposed to weigh? With 136hp from the 1.8 and 138hp from the 1.4, weight might be the determining factor as to how lively it is to drive.

In reply to Appleseed:

Honestly, I'd punch you if you ever punched a nun.

bravenrace wrote: What's that supposed to weigh? With 136hp from the 1.8 and 138hp from the 1.4, weight might be the determining factor as to how lively it is to drive.

It'll be too heavy, but probably no more so than the other cars in it's class.

148 lb/ft torque won't hurt.

2012 Rio w/ 140hp and some sub-3000lb weight as mentioned recently seems like another great option. Something closer to 2600lb would be better but I doubt they hit that number.

scardeal wrote: I'd punch you if you ever punched a nun.

Eight years of Catholic School in the late 1960's - 1970's taught me to not mess with Nuns.

However I find the "Sound of Music" scene funny when the Nuns pulled the ignition wires on the Nazi cars.

In reply to scardeal:

Actually, Jesus wouldn't want you to:

Matthew 5:38-29

Matthew 5:43-44

Your intentions to protect/help someone is good. Just doesn't look good talking about punching people with a Jesus avatar. Well, back to the thread...sorry.

ReverendDexter wrote: Said it before, but it bears repeating. Take 1 Mazda2. Take 1 Mazda 2.5L from Mazda3. Add suspension tuning. Add good-bolstered seats. Decant to remove any converted torque. Done.

The 2.5L?

You want the 2.3L!

Naw. You want the 2.3T. :)

pres589 wrote: 2012 Rio w/ 140hp and some sub-3000lb weight as mentioned recently seems like another great option. Something closer to 2600lb would be better but I doubt they hit that number.

Is the answer "Veloster"?

z31maniac wrote: The 2.5L? You want the 2.3L!

Sure. I'm not familiar enough with those motors to make a real judgement as to which is actually better, so I went with the newer/bigger one.

Though I can say that in the 2, I would honestly prefer the N/A 2.3L to the turbo. 150 ft-lbs in that car would be fun and something you could push on the street a little bit. 280 lb-ft and it's too fast to be fun anymore unless you're on track.

Relax gentlemen.

Definition of EUPHEMISM : the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant; also : the expression so substituted