Open Road review Fiesta and Mazda 2

vegabass · 14-03-2009, 12:28 PM

Today I have just read the latest Open Road that reviewed the Mazda 2 and the new Fiesta. I have to honestly say what a poop of a review. The bloke’s perspective is pretty much spot on, with the things tested. However the ditzy bimbo had no idea and clearly has brand loyalty or the narrow mindedness of "oh that colour is nice" and "I like it because it’s Shiny".

One quote from, the article. "She could forgive any shortfall in the mazda2's performance because she felt much happier driving the car". She probably owns a 94 Excel and is stoked about driving a new car.

With that said by the female tester instantly makes the review bias and crap. There is also a section at the end where some professional (who knows they could be 85 years old) said in regards to the handling that "the Fiesta felt nervous through fast tight corners where as the mazda handled better". Now when I took the base model for a test drive I never once felt the car beg for forgiveness, infact it reminded me more of a Mini Cooper S and laughed at me saying is that all you got you wimp?

After talking about how good the fiesta is and giving the impression that the mazda has a few too many shortfalls, they said the fiesta didn’t have enough to take the top spot in the small car bracket. WTF

:

I should stop rambling and ask your opinion.

Oh I should mention that my mother in-law just bought a Mazda 3 and I very much like it. I’m not a knob who bags any other brands but this review was just pure horse manure.

Candyman2 · 14-03-2009, 02:00 PM

I don't care much for reviews.

I and the wife have driven them back to back quite a few times and the Fiesta creams the Mazda 2 in all areas, all.

I own a Golf 08 GTI and I've said before, the Fiesta turns in better, runs flatter and is more nimble. Says a lot about the Fiesta given the GTI is a little pearl.

The Mazda2 is a great little shopping car and prior to the WS was a class leader but it is a distant second now.

greenfoam · 14-03-2009, 05:58 PM

Yep the Mazda 2 is great but the Fiesta does everything it does and a little bit more. They are basically the same car in the end just that the Fiesta is an improved evolution

vegabass · 14-03-2009, 06:03 PM

So evolved its not even close to being the same car lol

My father in-law has a bran new Pirelli GTI and that handles great. I sold my partner’s cousin a Mitsi Ralliart Colt which is an animal and the god parents of my child (who are members here) have a Mini Cooper S (and had an assortment of FPV's)

The Cooper S is just first class engineering as when you drive flat out all you have to think about is the front, the back feels invisible and you never have to think about it. The Ralliart is similar but very different, not as forgiving as the Cooper but being so stiff with the extra bracing it will cop a flogging.

The fiesta on the other hand is a mix of both, more comfortable to drive due to the softer suspension but when driving flat out it behaves like the cooper but with the rear end feel of the mitsi. Now obviously if the Fiesta had an extra 15kw or let’s say closer to the 180-200nm mark (152nm stock) then the fiesta would surprise even the most confident medium size cars.
I just can’t see how the mazda even competes with the fiesta, from the cheap plastic feel, the lack of power, the higher fuel consumption and the higher purchase price etc etc . I wonder how much Mazda paid the bimbo to say the things she did.

When my Zetec arrives the first thing added will be a truck load of dynamat because I can’t stand the road noise!

Swordsman88 · 14-03-2009, 07:41 PM

Does anyone have an online linky to this??? Open Road, can't say i'm familiar with that publication anyway. My personal view is that while both are great cars, on balance for most buyers the fiesta is better. I wouldn't be against either car, but the Fiesta is a newer, better tuned and frankly better value version. I also think it is less feminine, which is an issue the mazda styling has for mine. I wouldn't be totally comfortable driving a Mazda 2 because it feels kinda girly, a fiesta is pretty much gender neutral (like most fords).

Piotr · 15-03-2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegabass

The fiesta on the other hand is a mix of both, more comfortable to drive due to the softer suspension but when driving flat out it behaves like the cooper but with the rear end feel of the mitsi. Now obviously if the Fiesta had an extra 15kw or let’s say closer to the 180-200nm mark (152nm stock) then the fiesta would surprise even the most confident medium size cars.

Its called an XR4 but 25kw more not 15

Candyman2 · 15-03-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Its called an XR4 but 25kw more not 15

Except the XR4 does not exist in the WS model ....

The old XR4 was a rough little car. Hopefully Fod do a better job when they release the RS version of the new Fiesta

eleusis · 15-03-2009, 11:29 AM

Speaking of which: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/r...ta-st-shelved/

Hmm, actually, what's the diff between XR4, ST & RS? :P

BlackLS · 15-03-2009, 11:36 AM

She probably couldn't get her head around the left side indicator. I can just imagine "wah wah wah I don't like change"

BlackLS · 15-03-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candyman2

I don't care much for reviews.

What about Top Gears review?

Candyman2 · 15-03-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

What about Top Gears review?

As entertainment, great.

As a review, no use to me at all.

Candyman2 · 15-03-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleusis

Speaking of which: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/r...ta-st-shelved/

In the UK yes.

Ford Australia are still evaluating it as it is being touted as an option at the new Chinese plant.

Quote:

Hmm, actually, what's the diff between XR4, ST & RS? :P

In the WS, rather difficult eh ...

Piotr · 15-03-2009, 06:18 PM

Team RS make the ST models. The new ST have been scraped, the chinese plant won't be making one.

Why do you consider the XR4 a rough car?

Candyman2 · 15-03-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Team RS make the ST models. The new ST have been scraped, the chinese plant won't be making one.

All the news reports, incl Fords own bulletins say it is on hold until 2012, not scrapped at all. Due to the European car market slump (which drives sales).

Given that the new Fiesta broke records for Ford in Europe, it would be highly likely to see the other models. We are also getting the sedan in Australia - confirmed.

The Chinese plant will be offering an S pack - all bolt on (but yes, only cosmetic). They will have full manufacturing capability, exceeding what Cologne offer so I would not discount local aftermarket tuning capability for local markets.

Killarney's kit alone would adapt well to the new Fiesta

As for the current XR4, it is rough, versus the WS.

Piotr · 15-03-2009, 07:03 PM

An ST is not and never will be a bolt on cosmetic package

greenfoam · 15-03-2009, 08:16 PM

Isn't the Chinese plant only making cars for China? we are getting them from the Thai plant that's going to build both Mazda 2's and Fiestas in the same factory. Or are we going to get Hatches from Thailand and Sedans from China?

Candyman2 · 15-03-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

An ST is not and never will be a bolt on cosmetic package

Didn't say it was ???

:

oldsoftboss · 17-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Maybe this will balance the argument...

http://www.caradvice.com.au/20722/fo...rm-conclusion/

zetec jim · 18-03-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleusis

Speaking of which: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/05/r...ta-st-shelved/

Hmm, actually, what's the diff between XR4, ST & RS? :P

RS is Ford europes Rallye Sport, responsible for the old escort rally cars etc and the new and old focus RS which haven't come out in aus.
XR4 is just the name ford aus gave the fiesta here to fit into production line... IE XR6, XR5 etc... Although they did have similar model names in Europe (XR2).

ST is Ford Europes own sport brand, similar too HSV or FPV here...

Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

crispymk2 · 20-03-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candyman2

Except the XR4 does not exist in the WS model ....

The old XR4 was a rough little car. Hopefully Fod do a better job when they release the RS version of the new Fiesta

Beg to differ... Mine is ultra smooth and planted when cruising around town and comes alive when giving it the boot. It gets a bit of a raspy "growl" but I would never describe it a rough.

As above, there will be no RS version and the ST version looks very uncertain for the UK and therefore even more unlikely we will see it in Oz...

Candyman2 · 20-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispymk2

Beg to differ... Mine is ultra smooth and planted when cruising around town and comes alive when giving it the boot. It gets a bit of a raspy "growl" but I would never describe it a rough.

Was referring the build although always found the powerplant to be rough around the edges as well.

An XR4 coming alive would be a sight to see indeed ....