http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/j...-in-the-works/

please bring this state-side!

 

I have a whole list of small hothatches I'd like to see over here, but they don't have a chance because the industry thinks there's no market for them.

But then the Honda Fit comes out and sells so well dealers ask $6K over MSRP...?

Something's wrong!

 

Photo of MPS version.
Another one.
Another one.
Dash-mounted shifter?

 

I don't see how there wouldn't be a market. Don't we already have lots of small cars that sell well here?
I seem to see plenty of Mini Coopers, Fits, Echoes and other such cars, and lots of older 323s, which were way smaller than the Mazda3.

Compared to alot of car companies, Mazda doesn't really have a small car anymore (stateside), as the 3 aint too small imo.

 

there's no market cuz the accord and the camry are so huge, their predecessors were once smaller than the current civics. just ask lutz what awesome sales numbers they have for the aveo. or how about the ever popular hyundai accent? and while mazda seems to be doing very well in the 5-door/hatch segment in the US, its still chump change for the big 3 or the big 3J

 

True, but surely theres a market besides the midsize sedan. The mz3 is too expensive for a base model. It's like all Mazdas start in the midrange for pricing and performance. Wheres the discount model like the old 323 hatch?

 

Especially since the industry in so globalized, like the Mazda3 is the European Ford Focus is the Volvo S40. There are tons of small cars available in Asia and Europe--it seems it would be relatively easy to offer them in the USDM. Just shows they don't predict high profits on small car sales. It's a pity.

 

The Mazda2 is coming here...As a Ford....

 

From an aritcle in Car and Driver:

"Mazda is resisting saying it will bring the car over here, saying instead that it is waiting to see how the 2’s competitors—mainly the Fit and the Toyota Yaris—fare here."

Well, the Fit's doing well...

 

The Ford Verve sedan....Mazda2 sister car...will be coming to the US next year

 

Ford took a purple dump on the Mazda2.

Sorry, that wasn't very nice. But the Verve isn't pretty, IMO.

 

The Mazda2 is brilliant, no way in hell would I buy the ford though.. the Verve pictured is a concept car as well, the 2 looks sexy in real life

in these pics the green is the lower trim level (obviously not base, doesn't have steelies lol) and the gray is the uplevel one





And the sedan that was unveiled a couple days ago (for sale in China)




I don't normally trust autoblog (www.thetruthaboutcars.com, www.leftlanenews.com, www.thewindingroad.com are way way better) but they got their info from Winding Road.. but 230hp in a Mazda2? the car is a friggin featherweight, 230hp would be stupid. Just give it a slightly modded 2.0, like say 160hp, and it would be fast. Right now I think the most powerful engine option (not that this gen is on sale yet) is a 105hp 1.5litre.

and yes, the Mazda2 is on my list of dream cars. If they would sell it here, it would be my next car, no doubt about it, even though it doesn't have independent rear suspension! Of course I'd also have a miata but yeah.. the 2 is sick!!

 

not diggin the interior at all...

 

compared to the yaris I love it.. yeah the weird bulgy sphere thing is.. well weird, and not good for putting in an aftermarket audio system, but it's not a horrid interior for a crazy cheap little car.

at least it isn't boring like the rio?

 

I would buy one of those in about a second.
My plan was to hopefully buy a 2 as a commuter car to replace my Protege, and
then get a Rex for fun. If Mazda doesn't bring the 2 here then I may end up getting a
Swift when they arrive next year. I love little liftbacks, especially when they are quick and maneuverable.

BTW, I just bought a Yaris for my Toyota-loving wife a few weeks ago. It's a little weird-looking but for overall reliablility and build-quality, Toyotas are hard to beat.
Mazdas will always be my first choice though.