Mazda 2 Timing Belt or Chain - Which One Does It Have?

It’s important to understand, but is the engine in your Mazda 2 timing belt or chain driven? That’s because a timing chain should last the life of the car with no extra maintenance, while a timing belt will need to be replaced at regular intervals. If you ignore timing belt changes, the belt can snap in service and destroy the whole engine. Fortunately, the engine in the Mazda 2 uses a timing chain, so should require no special maintenance for as long as the rest of the car is running properly. That gets around the problems of the cam drive belt replacement as well as the associated cost. This advice applies to both engines used in the Mazda 2 since 2002 and covers the ZY-VE engine (2002 to 2014) and the later V-P5 and F-P5 engines. It’s also dependent on regular oil changes and other maintenance having been carried out.

What would be your recommendation when buying a small new car for teenage children learning to drive?

The popular MG3 is the model you’re referring to and you’re right; it hasn’t been locally crash-tested. But it does lack some important safety gear. Enough, we reckon, to knock it off your short-list. The MG lacks, for instance, important driver aids such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance, nor can these features be had by spending more on a fancier version. Which leaves us with your other two choices, the Hyundai i30 and Kia Rio. Even then, you’ll need to option up beyond the base-model to get (some of) those safety features, but these are not expensive cars to begin with, so the jump might not be as bad as you think. The other car to consider would be the SP Pure version of the Mazda 2. At $23,690, it’s not over-priced but it does have low-speed (up to 30km/h) autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning as well as rear cross-traffic alert. And a manual transmission? The MG 3 no longer offers one, both the Hyundai i30 and the Kia Rio are available with a six-speed manual option. The Mazda 2 Pure SP is automatic only, but you can get a six-speed manual on the base-model Mazda 2. I agree that youngsters taught to drive a manual car tend to be better drivers, but that’s not a universally held view these days. And the fact is that most young drivers will never be presented with a clutch pedal in the future, raising the question of why learn in the first place? The reality is that learning to drive a manual car gives you extra mechanical awareness and extra ability to multi-task behind the wheel.

Mazda 9 - Will we ever see a successor to the 929?

Mazda is unlikely to introduce a sedan larger than the Mazda6, due to the declining sales of larger sedans globally in favour of SUVs. However, with Mazda marching upmarket and its ties with Toyota strengthening, a joint-venture project with Toyota or even Lexus, using Mazda's new rear-drive platform and inline six-cylinder engine range, may make a model-sharing luxury flagship – a modern-day 929 in other words – a possibility. But there are currently no plans that we know of pertaining to such a model, sadly. We hope this helps.

Mazda 2 Bluetooth: How to Use Bluetooth in a Mazda 2?

To connect your phone via Bluetooth to the Mazda 2, there’s a simple procedure to follow. The first thing to do is to make sure your phone has Bluetooth enabled and is switched to Visible/Discoverable. The second is to make sure that the car is stationary. The pairing procedure then goes as follows: Select the Settings icon on the info-screen in the car. Then select the Devices tab. Then select Bluetooth and turn the Bluetooth to On. Select Add Device and switch to the device operation. Using your phone, search for the car’s signal which should show as `Mazda’ from the list of devices on your phone’s screen. Depending on your phone, you then need to input the four-digit code (devices with Bluetooth 2.0) or a six-digit code displayed on the car’s screen (Bluetooth 2.1 or higher). That should complete the pairing process and form there you can add functions such as downloading your contact book to the car’s system by following the prompts. For more instructions on how to play music through the system, more setup options, and troubleshooting problems, refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

What car should I buy to replace my 2006 Toyota Corolla?

There are still plenty of great small cars around within your budget, Agnes, and they all have good safety packages (or we wouldn’t recommend them). Look at offerings such as the Suzuki Swift Navigator (with the optional autonomous emergency braking) for around $17,000 (plus on-road costs) or the Kia Rio S at around $19,000 or Kia Picanto S (one size smaller than the Rio) at closer to $16,000. Both the Kias also feature the brand’s excellent seven-year warranty, capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance which is great peace of mind. The Volkswagen Polo is a classy drive but a little more expensive at closer to $21,000 for the 85TSi Comfortline. Actually, to be honest, you’ve missed the boat on bargain small cars by a couple of years. Firm favourites such as the Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 have both been updated relatively recently and have recorded big price jumps in the process. The cheapest Yaris with an automatic transmission is now around $23,000 (it was less than $17,000 back in 2018) while the Mazda 2 Maxx went from being a sub-$17,000 proposition in 2018 to a $23,000 car by the time you add an automatic transmission in 2020.

Best small hatch under $30,000?

The Mazda 2 is a great choice. It has always been towards the front of the small hatchbacks when it comes to safety and is definitely one of the better littlies to actually drive, too. Mazda facelifted the 2 in 2017 and took the opportunity to add blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert to the vehicle at that point in time. The catch is that the safety tech was only standard on the more expensive models and both the Neo and Maxx versions missed out. You could option that package when you ordered a Neo or Maxx, but it cost extra, and some people didn’t see the value in it. So, if you’re shopping for a second-hand Mazda 2 Neo or Maxx, make sure you check carefully that the options you want are fitted. If you’re buying brand-new, no problem, because the most recent upgrade to the 2 saw rear-cross traffic alert and blind-sport monitoring become standard across the range. Lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist also became standard at that time. Significantly, autonomous emergency braking was standard on all Mazda 2s built after the 2017 facelift, making the car a very safe package. As for alternatives, the world is your oyster with $30,000 in your pocket. There are lots of really good, safe cars out there in that price bracket, but, again, the Mazda 2 should definitely be on your short-list.

Is the Mazda 2 Neo a reliable car?

The Mazda 2 certainly meets your requirements of safety and reliability, but so too does the Toyota Yaris or Corolla, Hyundai i30, Kia Picanto or Rio.

Mazda 2 2011: What is the blue water symbol?

It’s indicating that the coolant isn’t yet up to temperature. Once the engine is warmed up the light will go out.

Mazda 2: Replacement key cost

Its hard to know how much it will be without knowing what year the car is, but if you want to know more about replacing your car keys you can read this.

The recommended tyre pressures for your car are shown in the owner’s manual, and on a sticker on the body, either on passenger’s side front door pillar or in the glove box.

Mazda 2 2014 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Mazda 2 2014 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Safe hatchbacks for a learner driver?

Answered by CarsGuide 19 Jun 2017

If it were my daughter I would be looking for safety and reliability as top priorities in a first car. With your budget I would be looking at a 2013/14 Mazda2, a 2014/15 Kia Rio, and a 2014 Toyota Yaris.

Used Mazda 2 review: 2002-2016

15 Aug 2016 · by Ewan Kennedy

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, ...

Good replacement for Golf?

Answered by CarsGuide 22 Dec 2014

The Polo is the best car on your list — and until the end of the year it is selling for $15,990 driveaway — but you should include the Honda Jazz, which is even better value for money.

Good second-hand car for $20,000?

Answered by CarsGuide 15 Dec 2014

I'm doing the same thing with my mother-in-law. A new car will be best with great value and excellent warranties. The three cars she needs to drive are the Honda Jazz, Mazda2 and Volkswagen Polo. All three get The Tick so go for her personal favourite. I'd go for the Jazz.

Small reliable car options

Answered by CarsGuide 1 Dec 2014

The two new arrivals this year, the Mazda2 and Jazz, both get The Tick from me. The Jazz is better value in the basic car and the Mazda rival has a more substantial feel. Go for the Honda.

Best second hand 5-door car for $8000?

Answered by CarsGuide 14 Nov 2014

You could look at all small models from the mainstream carmakers, like Mazda, and you won’t go wrong. The Mazda2 is a good choice, but you could also look at the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio.

Mazda 2 best small car?

Answered by CarsGuide 10 Nov 2014

All three get The Tick, which is unusual for me. The Polo is slightly better as a car but the Mazda2 beats it on value thanks to reliability and dealer back-up. The Jazz, in third, isn't disgraced.

Replacing an aged Pulsar?

Answered by CarsGuide 27 Oct 2014

None of the above. It's the Volkswagen Polo, which recently had a significant price cut, that gets The Tick from me.

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