Mazda2 used car review
Mazda’s original 2 compact car was a bit of a smash hit, raising our expectations of what the sub-$20,000 market sector of that time had to offer.
Mazda’s original 2 compact car was a bit of a smash hit, raising our expectations of what the sub-$20,000 market sector of that time had to offer.
So the stakes were pretty high when, in 2007, Mazda replaced the 2.
There was an awareness within Mazda that fuel economy was becoming ever more important, but also that buyers were demanding more and more.
So, Mazda summoned its brightest and best and came up with a replacement that was not only better to drive, but also better equipped and yet weighed less and was a fraction smaller in the interests of inner-city parking.
If you look closely you can see where Mazda pulled some weight (and cost) out of the car – in the thin strip of painted metal in the hatch area, for instance – but overall, the 2 still had a quality look and feel.
On the economy front, Mazda was slightly less successful and the 2 remains one of the thirstier compact cars.
Cars like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz can be more frugal, but we’re talking degrees here and you’ll still beat seven litres per 100km on a highway cruise in the Mazda.
And, unlike some of the competition, the Mazda was actually quite at home at higher speeds on the freeway.
It drove well, too, with probably the most logical, most natural feeling clutch-throttle relationship in manual form of all its peers and, even though it had just a four-speed automatic, it was definitely one of the better small autos to pilot.
Despite being lightweight and having a smaller footprint than before, the 2 also rode and handled very well.
In fact, its ride quality was that of a car a full size bigger, and that’s always a huge compliment to any car.
The downside of all that weight saving is that transmitted noise levels are quite high.
Okay, that’s a theme in compact city cars, but it remains that the Mazda can be a bit tiring over long distances.
The engine, too, can start to feel a bit strained when you ask the big questions of it.
So the Mazda is pretty much the perfect car for a younger, inexperienced driver then?
Maybe, maybe not.
The caveat is that you must find one with the optional safety pack fitted.
Back in the day, this was an $1100 option that brought with it side and curtain airbags and, crucially, stability control.
Add that to the standard-fitment anti-lock brakes, brake-force distribution, brake-assist and two front air-bags, and you had yourself a very safe package within the confines of such a small, light car.
The problem is that not everybody buying a Mazda 2 brand-new back in the day was quite so interested in safety.
So plenty out there haven’t got the safety pack.
Cars with the package are identifiable by the air-bag logos in the roof/pillar lining and the DSC switch on the dashboard.
The good news now is that the price difference between a car with and one without the safety package won’t be huge, so definitely take the time to find an example of the former.
Other pre-purchase checks include evidence of misuse and abuse.
Because the 2 was so popular with younger drivers, it tended to get crashed a bit.
The metallic colours that were so popular can also be very difficult to match, so a car that’s been repaired on the cheap might not be looking so hot in 2014.
Make sure the colour of each panel matches its neighbour in strong sunlight and that all the bumpers and trim pieces line up.
Don’t however, be too concerned if the colour match between, say, the metal bonnet and the plastic bumper isn’t great.
Plastic and metal parts painted with the same paint on the same day are notorious for turning out different colours, so the Mazda is certainly not alone there.
The 2’s reputation for toughness and value also meant many fleet buyers became interested in the model.
Everybody from the big rental fleets to small business took the 2 to their hearts, so if you’re buying an ex-renter or ex-flower-delivery vehicle, make sure you know as much.
The plastics that made up the 2’s interior could be a bit prone to scratching and chipping, so that’s your first check.
Ex-fleet cars can be good value and they’ve usually been serviced by the book, but some have led hard lives and you wouldn’t want to buy one accidentally.
Check for shadows on the paintwork where company decals might have once been applied.
Depending on how old the car is you’re looking at, it could have some of Mazda’s three-year factory warranty remaining.
That’s good news, but it’s entirely dependent on the car in question having a full service history.
Speaking of servicing, the 2 has a 10,000km service interval which, naturally, includes an oil change and a new oil filter.
If this is skipped, sludge can build up in the engine and destroy it in a fairly short space of time.
This is not a Mazda 2-specific thing, but early symptoms include a ticking noise from the engine when it’s first started from cold in the morning.
Our rating: 4.5/5
Nuts and bolts
Engine/s: 1.5 4-cyl
Transmissions: 5-man/4-auto
Fuel economy (combined): 6.8 litres per 100km
Safety rating (courtesy of www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au): 4 stars (pre-2012)/5 stars (post-2011)
Likes:
- Good sized package for city work. Roomy inside for its footprint.
- Drives extremely well. Among the best in class dynamically.
- Great reputation.
- Seems pretty bullet-proof.
Dislikes:
- Can feel a bit tinny if you’ve jumped out of something bigger/heavier.
- Some painted metal inside cabin indicates cost-cutting.
- Some are ex-fleet cars or delivery vehicles.
- Young owners aren’t always careful owners.
Competitors:
Honda Jazz – Very clever interior trumps everything else in the class for versatility. Smaller of the two engines needs to be worked pretty hard to keep up. Five-speed auto a nice touch at this price. 4 stars
Ford Fiesta – Probably the most dynamically adept car in its class. Ford really understands how to make small cars work, but its dealers don’t know how to sell them. Under-rated. 4 stars
Hyundai Getz – Reliable and bomb-proof for the most part. Looks the goods and seems to deliver them, too. Beware of ex-renters and cars that have been used hard by businesses. 3.5 stars
What to pay (courtesy of Glass’s Guide):
Model Year New Now
Neo 2007 $18150 $6300
Neo 2008 $18150 $7100
Neo 2009 $18595 $7700
Neo 2010 $18595 $8300
Neo 2011 $17440 $9100
Neo 2012 $17440 $9800
Neo 2013 $17440 $11400
Maxx 2007 $20360 $7100
Maxx 2008 $20360 $8000
Maxx 2009 $20705 $8800
Maxx 2010 $20705 $9500
Maxx 2011 $19340 $11000
Maxx 2012 $19340 $11800
Maxx 2013 $19340 $13200
Genki 2007 $22495 $7800
Genki 2008 $22495 $9000
Genki 2009 $22885 $9700
Genki 2010 $22885 $10800
Genki 2011 $22145 $12700
Genki 2012 $22145 $14000
Genki 2013 $22145 $15500