I wish I had had more time with the Mazda 2. Like all Mazdas it is a driver’s car that also just happens to work in a day-to-day way. It strikes a rare compromise where everyone wins.
In terms of driver enjoyment, the driving position is perfect, even for men who share my ape-like proportions. It manages to give you the stability and confidence of a bigger car, while maintaining a sense of manoeuvrability to ‘zoom-zoom’ about tiny city streets.
The gearbox, found in all Mazda’s, is a joy. It is light and easy to use but gives you a satisfying ‘thunk’ as it goes in and out of each gate. If you enjoy the sensation of driving, it’s worth buying a Mazda just for that. If you don’t think you care about driving, this could turn you. The downside of a sporty-feeling gearbox (because they are usually attached to very torquey engines) is usually a heavy clutch. But the Mazda2’s clutch is light without lacking feel.
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The materials and dashboard design are of the highest quality; every button has a nice texture and just the right spring load to it. Like the driving experience, Mazda have managed to hit a near perfect balance; the interior is understated and classy but it also feels modern. It could benefit from being a bit lighter, perhaps, but then it wouldn’t feel so expensive.
Road holding is superior to much of the rest of the market. The car always feels squat and well-attached to the road. The steering gives precise feedback and the car stays neutral at all times through twisty roads. It draws out the playful spirit in you while making you feel mature; a neat trick.
I would happily take a long journey in this little car because you just know that it will be able to handle itself in fast moving motorway traffic.
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Who is buying them?
Even more than with other brands, the model rather than the Mazda badge is the key defining characteristic. MX-5s, for example, appeal to very different buyers. The previous generation Mazda 2s, while ideal for young families and first-time drivers tended to end up with older buyers. This explains why there are so few on the market; the low mileage older buyer keeps their car longer. But when one does come up, they are also usually well maintained and only lightly used.
What’s the market like?
While there were never very many of the previous Mazda2s on the used market, there are early signs that the new one will prove more popular as a new car. Which will ultimately lead to a bit more choice on the used market. Interestingly there are already 1-year old cars, with 6,000 miles appearing that have clearly been owned by a young and passionate driver: I just don’t believe that any Granddads have run up 6,000 miles in garish green, alloy-wheel clad, go-faster stripe-emblazoned Mazda2s! But there are cars like that on the market already, as well as lots in fun bright reds and various modern shades of blue or silver. This ‘extra interest’ may slightly soften prices, but Mazdas have strong residual values so you shouldn’t be expecting big drops. One year old (new-shape) Mazda 2s are about £2,000 less than new. Which is not too shocking for the new car buyers but a saving worth having.
What else can this budget buy?
£9,000+ buys an awful lot, in all sorts of segments. But focussing on one year old small cars, this represents premium money. In choosing to pay this kind of money you are turning down the likes of Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.
Summary
A little-known and under appreciated, quality small car. It delivers on every level: practicality, quality and fun. It is not cheap, but perhaps you do get what you pay for after all.
By: Matthew Tumbridge