2008 Mazda 2 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2016 Mazda 2 as a used buy. While the Mazda 3 and CX-3 have been grabbing all the headlines in the sales race, the smallest model of all, the little Mazda 2 hatchback has been quietly working away in the background and keeping its end up. The Mazda2 is quite

Mazda has been the standout performer over the last decade or so when its cars have gone from "who cares" to "must haves" in a very short period of time. New It began with the ground breaking 3, continued with the 6, and then followed on with the mini 2. Sales of small cars like the Mazda2 have soared as Australians

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2002-2013 Mazda2.

IT wasn't too long ago that the cheapest class of new car was something of a driveaway then chuckaway choice.Hyundai's Excel was a game-changing device that appealed not so much for its compact, urban-friendly size, but because here was a functional new car for $13,990 with five years' warranty coverage. If it was a rudimentary device, it was also less than half the price of a new Commodore or Falcon -- the default choices in those days. Great numbers of these were used, abused (many a bonnet was never so much as opened, let alone routine maintenance performed) and, yes, chucked away for whatever trade-in or private buy could be eked. Much has changed.While still driven by price -- a new Suzuki Alto has an $11,790 starting price -- the city car segment is no more driven by that than any. These are proper cars, stuffed with the technical, safety and feature comfort equipment of anything bigger and more expensive -- think the full outfit of airbags, the latest engines and Bluetooth streaming.At least the most recent are, which is why those you see on this page are no more than five years old. Competition is feverish for the 130,000-odd annual sales in this segment.As the weekday traffic conditions of Melbourne and Sydney have increasingly come to resemble those of Rome or London, it's started to dawn on us that small of size (less than 4m long) and frugal of thirst (under 6L/100km) is just what's required for a commute that's typically less than 15km.They're also sound family second cars, useful for a dash down the shops, and ideal for the leaner driver in your clan. Being small and not over imbued with power, a city car is a great starting point for the L-Plater to acquire the basics.HOT TIPSManuals almost always work better with small engines.Cheap cars aren't always maintained so buy from a dealer.Ensure your selection has the latest safety upgrades -- they used to be optional on city cars.2011 Honda Jazz GLI GEEngine: 1.3-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 6.6L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe spacious and practical Jazz is a favourite for its use of interior space. The 2011 safety upgrades bring it up to class standard.2007 Toyota YarisEngine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed manualThirst: 5.8L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThere's been a new generation Yaris since but it retains much of this car's hardware. Indeed, some argue the interior fit and finish is superior on the older car. If this automatic sedan is about to see 100,000km, we know owners who are happily north of 150,000 with nothing to complain of.2008 Mazda 2 GenkiEngine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 6.8L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe first of Mazda's jellybean 2s still sells on looks alone five years after it replaced the staid, boxy first generation model. The 100K on the clock is generally no big deal. Against the high klicks is the kit of the top spec Genki, which came with the full complement of safety kit airbags which were originally optional on the lesser variances.

It's hard to believe given its strong recent performance that Mazda was struggling to survive in the Australian market just a few years ago. That was before a remarkable rebirth following the launch of a whole new range of models and a catchy "Zoom Zoom" theme.NEWIn the last 10 years or so we have seen the 3 become one of the most popular cars on the local market and other models, such as the 2, also grow in market acceptance. The 2 launched here in 2002 and won over the small car crowd with its style, quality and economy.An upgrade in 2005 added to its appeal, and a new model in 2007 cemented its place on the pop charts. Initially launched as a five-door hatch, a three-door hatch was added in 2008, but that was replaced in 2010 by a four-door sedan. Three models made up the offering, starting with the Neo as the base model, then the sporty Maxx and the range-topping Genki.Mazda optimised the cabin to make it as roomy, and as comfortable as possible given the 2's modest exterior dimensions.  With its upright seating positions and high roofline it could accommodate four adults in acceptable comfort.There was plenty of scope for moving the front seats back and forth to find a comfortable position for the driver and front seat passenger, and the rear seat occupants could also adjust their seat fore and aft as well as being able to adjust the rake. The boot is small, but given the size of the 2 it still holds a reasonable amount of gear.The performance is quite strong across all situations with its 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine showing plenty of pulling power and response across a broad range of engine speeds. Buyers could choose between a four-speed auto and a five-speed manual.The manual was the one to go for if you wanted the best get up and go, but the auto was the best overall choice even if it dulled the performance a little. The 2005 upgrade brought manual shifting to the auto, which made it a much more attractive option.On the road the 2 was highly rated for its ride and handling. Its roadholding and cornering were exemplary and the ride was firm but comfortable. The new model in 2007 brought bolder lines that made the 2 more appealing, the only downside being the slightly restricted rear vision with the revised beltline.NOWThe low complaint rate at Carsguide is an indicator that Mazda has got it pretty right with its new generation models. It's a solidly built car with a sound mechanical package and little seems to go wrong with it, at least of a serious nature.That's a good starting point, but that's all it ism as each cars needs to be thoroughly inspected before any money changes hands. The 2 is still relatively young, the earliest cars have only done 150,000 km or so, and later ones have yet to reach 50,000 km, but it's important to check the service history of any car under consideration.Oil changes are scheduled for every 10,000 km and it's vital that this routine is kept up. For some owners, the reliability of the 2 is an invitation to skip services and rely on the next owner to catch up. It doesn't work that way; only buy a car with a service history that stacks up.SMITHY SAYSIt's a keeper and you can buy with confidence. 4 stars.Mazda 2 2002-2011Price new: $6500 to $20,000Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder, 82 kW/141 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 7.0 L/100 kmBody: 3-door hatch, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchVariants: Neo, Maxx, GenkiSafety: 4-star ANCAP  

Mazda was once one of the innovators in the car industry, but somewhere in the '90s it became a follower. In short it lost its way. Fast-forward to the noughties and it had rediscovered its mojo with trendsetting models like the '6', '3' and baby '2'. By 2007 when it launched the revamped '2' the Mazda brand was

The company has sold 28,439 new cars so far in 2008 - 10 per cent ahead of the same period last year and more than the 27,505 new vehicles it sold in an entire year in 2000.

The Mazda 2's raging success since its release last September is down to chucking desirability and driveability into the mix; it goes as sweetly as it looks and it does look awfully sweet.The first-gen model 2 went almost as well, but was something of a caravan aesthetically. That you can't shove as much stuff into the sharply sculpted newcomer has affected sales not at all adversely. Indeed it's proved a fillip to the extent Mazda this week released an even less practical and even prettier 2, one that out of sheer personality as much as performance removes the grimness from the daily grind of a city where traffic is in perennial gridlock.“It's the sporty-looking alternative to the five door, for people who really don't see the need for the extra doors,” Mazda's Glenn Butler says.“The previous Mazda2 headroom was in the realm of ridiculous; you had enough to wear two top hats. So how much do you really need? We were able to pare back the dimensions and the three-door is simply the next logical extension of ramping up the visual appeal.”And as we say, that appeal marries blissfully to dynamics and handling that are clearly at the fore of a class that in addition to the usual appliances from Toyota and Nissan, also includes such game offerings as Ford's Fiesta and Suzuki's Swift.The stipulation — stumbling block for too many punters - is that 2's ability is best unlocked with a five-speed manual; the four cog auto pushes the curb over the tonne and denudes the sense of involvement and sheer fun.The current carryover 1.5-litre DOHC petrol four does enough to get the manual to 100km/h from standing in about 10 seconds and is sufficiently tractable to avoid constant cog swapping.Well behaved and compliant over Sydney's conspicuously deteriorating roads, the 2 comes into its own through the tight and curly stuff, enormously agile and rewarding for something so modest.The electrically assisted steering, though slightly numb, is direct and accurate. So capable is the 2 that, in typical Mazda fashion, it could easily handle more urge. Indeed a turbo-charged version is inevitable.“The Mazda2 three-door would make a great basis for an MPS, wouldn't it?” Butler asks.And with the world having been cruelly denied a hot 6, he adds with emphasis that Mazda Australia “are certainly agitating” for just such a super-mini.At $15,750 for the entry-level manual Neo, the Mazda2 three-door slides in $750 under the least expensive five-door. The $17,960 Maxx saves the same amount on its five-door sibling.Nice prices, made only slightly less so by the $1100 required for the comprehensive safety packs that add side and curtain SRS airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control system. Do please tick this box.The five-door Maxx that scored high last year in Carsguide Car Of The Year judging was considered only with this potentially life-saving addition. The fully-equipped version won the maximum crash-safety rating of five stars at the latest round of Euro NCAP testing.For that alone, the 2 justifies the hefty premium over the $13,990 drive away Holden Barina, that little re-badged Daewoo with its two-star safety rating. Even at a gnat's chuff over $19K plus on roads (and another $1500 if you must have an auto) the Maxx with safety pack, in which we've spent the past week, is outstanding value, especially as it is the best car in the class.The captivating exterior statement continues within, with styling that's distinctive but subtle next to, say, Fiat's fetishist 500. The white dials light up in orange at night and are at all times pleasant and easy to the eye. Visibility from the driver's seat isn't brilliant in the rear three quarters, what with the 2's high and flat bum (“Looks kind of like Beyonce,” says a young female colleague) and small wing mirrors. Neither that, or the lack of telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, seriously compromise the driving position.The forward seats are firm but supportive; the back ones are easily accessible through the elongated doors and accommodate we burly types comfortably enough. And speaking of size, Butler notes: “The first quarter of this year is the first time that I can recall when light cars have outsold large cars. Large cars used to be number one, now they're number three, so Australians are voting with their coin.”And given the 2 now comes in slightly cheaper still, you can get two new fully-equipped Mazdas for the price of one locally made land barge that costs twice the money to run.It's difficult to see the Mazda2, in either form, as anything other than the car of the moment.