Finally an American review of the 500 that sees it as it is. Every other American review states how slow it is in comparison to the supercharged Mini, when it is actually faster, only by a few seconds, to the base level Mini and a lot cheaper! Thanks guys for looking at the 500 for what it is and not what it isn't.
@couchkamote The Fiat did surprising well up the steep hills but you really have to rev it and use the stick to get the maximum power out of the 101 HP engine.
You guys know what is a fun factor for a car. I've been driving in EU, US and Japan last 40yrs for my sales job. I drove so many cars mainly rent-a-car. Mazda2 is one of great handling low price cars I have ever driven. I love your vid. Love from JPN. One thing, music for fiat was French.
Does the fiat 500 have a smoother ride? I dislike bumpy harsh rides, I have a 09' nissan altima & it feels like I'm driving a steel box on wheels, + it's got crappy mpgs. So now It's between the mazda 2, fiat 500, and chevrolet spark.
Loving my 2012 Fiat 500 pop. I always keep it in "sport" mode. Much better performance and I still get around 34 mpg mixed driving. Great handling. Roomy interior. High seating position. And if you know how to work a 5-speed manual, you'd be surprised how sprite it is. Easily the most fun car I've ever owned. Ciao.
Suspension that Michelangelo would be proud of? Unlike da Vinci, Michelangelo was really just a artist/sculptor and wouldn't design a very good suspension. xD
No kidding. However, I'm pretty sure they were saying that the Fiat 500's suspension is so good that is a piece of art (or were they saying it was so bad that it was like it was made out of stone lol).
Love this car, driving a red 1.4 2010, its pretty fast for the cars in that range, really fun to drive, and what do i need more than that? a cheap car that looks really damn good that makes me smile every time i get near it, good mileage, nice sound, cheap parts + mostly high reliability (only the Dashboard sometimes having cracking along the front passenger seat air bag), and pretty fast. think ill even replace it in a few more years to the newer model. Edited: im talking about the 500
Oh yes, this is an excellent first car. We have a few reviews of the 500 on TH-cam and all of them are positive. Best of luck with your car and thanks for watching!
Comparing a Mazda 2 with an automatic to anything is basically handing the win to its opponent. The auto transmission is terrible (seriously, if you want an auto get a Fiesta or a Fit), the manual one is a ton of fun.
rented a fiat 500 for vacationing in Arizona, we had the automatic. The auto trans was constantly doing this double downshift when we would go uphill, it was so annoying we just put it in sport mode and used the manual shift. I would get a Honda fit sport instead of this if you are looking at $18k-$22k that is the better buy.
what are those.i see a lot of used 2's as opposed to 500's out there.the fiat's lack of a normal automatic rules it out for me.with a good look around i can go find me a nice 2 used series 1 of a second generation that if looked after well and only driven a handful of times a week for work/church/gym runs/old scholar meetings but i get a bus twice a week makes a better buy than those 15k korean buzz boxes new.
I have a 500 Sport manual and I got a chance to drive a Mazda 2 manual the other day. Same green colour. I will say it felt a little tighter in the corners, but it does have a much longer wheel base. Personally, I don't think it's a very good looking car. But the biggest difference I noticed between the two besides the design, is the steering wheel. The Mazda has a very thin, plastic-y feeling wheel, where as the Fiat's is thick and leather wrapped. It definitely feels more upscale all around.
I'm getting the fiat500 in about 8 or 9 months! It i going to be my first car!!!! I'm do excited! Do you guys think it is a good choice for a 16 year old girl?!
Yup, the Ford Fiesta uses the same platform as the Mazda2, but it has a different (beefier) power-train, interior and electronics. It’s more expensive and offers more options. We don’t have the Mini One here - wish we did. The cheapest Mini is about $20,000.
6:43 I just can't get past the "rent a car" interior of the Mazda. Why can't manufacturers make the interiors at least half as inspiring as the exteriors? At least Fiat understands that much. There is nothing coming from the Mazda 2 when you're seated inside that says "wow, this is nice." It might as well be the interior from a mid 80's Renault Fuego.
nope.i have been looking at used fiats lately and have been told avoid at all costs.you might get a newer model than the equivalent mazda where i come from(australia)but the upkeep will kill you.
if i was to upgrade from my spark in this class once shes paid off.i would go mazda for sure if and when we see a new generation of 2's next decade.cleaning up after a fiat's oil stains is not much fun.
a mazda 2 from that era.i have driven a yaris when i was a pizza deliverer one of the second generation models a pile of crap,i could not wait to go back to my tiida which is what i was driving between 2006 and 2010.i have a micra these days and finding a successor to it is proving a challenge.i have ruled out any used fiats,renaults,peugeots and volkswagens in the class which means i can get a mazda 2 or 3,a corolla but check the safety specs on the model i am after or anything by hyundai.
I also think that the Mazda2 is better a comparison to Fit and xD by Scion. They all do not have a sunroof in our American market. When you compare a convertible or partial convertible to a non-convertible car, trust me, the non-convertible car is "always" at a disadvantage since a big sunroof or convertible "always" give you an elevated feeling of openness and freedom. Even if you want to compare the 2 with the 500, choose the non-open top Fiat 500 instead.
I think you guys were a little harsh on the Mazda 2 and its automatic transmission. I am someone who usually drives a car with a manual transmission however a good friend purchased a 2012 Mazda 2 with the auto that I have racked up many, many miles driving it. The car handles like a Miata, it is quite quick for the tiny engine that it has and transmission shifts are quick and very good with the auto. The Mazda 2 is a great car for the price.
I ALWAYS wanted a 2 of this generation and am now looking for one.a quick convincing from my mom not to buy a fiat has convinced me mazda is the way to go.we have had rx7's,121 metro's and 323 astina's in our household before defecting to honda and nissan for their replacements and it was the joy i had with the 323 astina all those years ago that prompted me to consider getting a second hand 2.it has to be automatic but for less money even if it's a 2009-2010 model with low mileage relevant to age.i look at all those joke micro cars with their piddly 1.2l to 1.4l 3 or 4 cylinder engines and shocking depreciation new and told myself don't waste your time there.as an alternative to public transport a good one of these is a great choice.
As Usual Roman, and Nathan Love the fun Video and the education on the cars us common people can't get to drive. And what I mean is we all can't test every new car that comes and spend the time you guys do with them. Damn I am jealous. LOL. I have to admit when I first saw the Mazda 2 I thought OMG WTF was Mazda thinking, When we have rivals like the Fiesta and the Cruze and new Accent and Elantra, But if Nathan says it's fun I will take his word. Looking forward to more Roman and Nathan!
Good point. Although I think it's "only" 1.5x as much. But still a lot more. Plus, when you figure in reliability and repair costs, Japanese vs. Italian? Fuggedaboudit! I would go with the Mazda 2, with the 5 speed stick of course. This coming from a lover of Italian cars, who used to own a '71 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 2000.
Gary Winters between my wife and Me (object pronouns come after prepositions, subject pronouns “do” the verb. Examples: My wife and I enjoy tacos. Subject pronouns, Verb: enjoy. Tacos are enjoyed every Tuesday by my wife and me. (By my wife and by me, not by I” )
"What's the most fun car for the fewest dollars" and you test an automatic which cost more and is WAY less fun, involving or quick to drive. I happen to know that Mazda with the manual is great fun and very satisfying to shift. I can only assume you took the auto due to budget constraints but it ruins the whole point of the video which isn't going to help anything in the long run.
it's easier to find a 2 on the used car lots from that era.a good one if you get a 2009/2010 model so 8 or 9 years old with mileage relevant to age if looked after well.price varies according to year but i am hoping to find one second hand all up for around $11,500.compared to all the micro cars out there and in Australia that includes the picanto,spark and mirage and the 500 this has the advantage of a 1.5l motor with the 4 speed automatic and decent power.I always wanted to find me a successor to the 323 Astina I had knew from 2002-2006 in a smaller package but just as much fun.
As long as you are happy rox, but like I said I drove the Abarth, the best 500 and it was showing quality issues at the dealership level....and it felt under powered. Your mpg stats on the 2 are accurate, I was also getting about 38.8 avg in mixed driving. If the 500 gets better mpg, great! But for me the 2 felt way more fun and much higher quality than the 500.
Can't you get a base model 2 for under 12 grand? Otherwise, does not sound like a great value at all. I wish a non power window and locks style car that was fun could be made again like back in the 80's
There's strong rumors that FIAT is bringing the new Panda to the U.S. to compete directly to the Mazda 2 and others, bur again with a low price, I have seen the previous Panda here in Mexico and even if its small its a great value for the money, and the new one is a huge improvement.
my mate has a 2 but it's a base 2 neo and looks great.i am trying to find one in either that spec or a max but as an automatic.a better buy than any new micro car out there and add an alarm get a good one and i am talking 11k to 12k.
I've driven both, and I bought a 500 Sport. Stock for stock, I felt the Mazda handled slightly better, but the interior felt really cheap and econo boxy. Also the exterior styling did nothing for me. Looks like a dinosaur egg. I liked the design of the Fiat much more and the thick leather wrapped steering wheel has a nice feel. I installed a coilover suspension and the thing handles like a go-cart. It corners completely flat and is a blast to drive through the twisties.
I thought the purpose was to compare the best car for the fewest dollars? So you have a 15k Mazda and a 22k Fiat! That Fiat cost 50 percent more than the Mazda! hmmm
i have a mate who has a 2 from that era.great car but shame it's a manual otherwise i would consider buying it off him.none the less i will go to any used section of a mazda dealer and find me a good 2009-2011 model year of the 2.i went in today trying to find a bigger 3 from that era but could not find any so decided to lower my sights.
Hey guys, review the the new Mazda 2 with Kodo design and new premium look interior and heads up display. Looks wise it will now blow the aging Fiat 500 into the Venice canal.
Loved the review so thank you for that. My only concern about the fiat (cause I really want it) is if it would survive our Canadian winter........it's pretty low on the ground so yeah......I'm affraid
Considering the FIAT's 101 hp is reached at the engine's red line, and, 100 hp reached at 6500 rpm (this is the naturally aspirated version), I calculate I rarely use about 85 or 90 hp, if that's what 5000 rpm will get ya ? I find that's plenty with a 5 speed and being quick footed. Today's over medicated drivers are pretty lame in reflexes.
in australia you see ones in mid spec used for around 12k to 15k dependent on age and condition.the newer the year the more it costs.the ones i see for around 12k are most likely 2009/2010's.mid specs,you can go for a base neo and that drops to about 10.5 to 11k.
Extras? In the Mazda? The thing doesn't even have a key slot on the passenger door. But it'll probably last longer. The Fiesta drives just as good as the Mazda2
@WellImHereNow I do agree, the Panda is one of the few reliable cars Italy has, make no mistake I think Italian cars are beautiful, but historically reliability is not their strongest suit, mazda on the other han while not always in the same league as Toyota or Honda for the most part a reliable brand, specially in Europe where their cars are as reliable as any other japanese car...
Reminds me of the scene in "Analyze That" where Paul Vitti says: "Look at the size of this trunk. You can put three bodies in there!" But re: bang per buck, the Mazda costs so much less, I don't see how it wouldn't win that contest. If I'm not mistaken, the Fiat costs 1/3 more than the Mazda.
If they dropped the price just a little and upped the gas mileage and advertise it more it would probably sell better the Mazda 2. They also need to come out with a sedan or a coupe. I love hatchbacks but i believe sedan would probably sell better.
Hey I'm from the UK and I have a Fiat 500 1.4 Sport and it's a great car . . . would I prefer the Abarth? Sure, but its just outta my price range at this point in time. These cars are seen as hip & trendy here, just like the BMW Mini Cooper was when it first came out. And it doesn't matter if you're Male or Female just buy one if you want one! There are so many about over here & so many options you can get it lookin pretty cool! Hey, the bearded guy is funny, I like the cackle he makes at 1:47!!
who says the fiat costs 22000. i got the sport, with everything including heated seats and I still didn't pay that much. besides fiat comes with pw, power door lock, blue tooth air and bunch of other things that is standard. How can you even compare the style of the fiat and the Mazda? i get asked all the time about the car, people are looking at the car and loving it. I can not say the same thing about the mazda .
Couldn't disagree more, Mazda 2 is far superior, excellent handling, for 6 grand less without the quality issues that still plague Fiat. I test drove the Abarth and the stiching was coming off the shifter...and it just didn't feel like it would hold up over the long haul. Mazda the details are done right, esp the crisp Miata like shifter and handling and I averaged about 38mpg in the 2!
The Mazda with stick shift all day long.
Finally an American review of the 500 that sees it as it is. Every other American review states how slow it is in comparison to the supercharged Mini, when it is actually faster, only by a few seconds, to the base level Mini and a lot cheaper! Thanks guys for looking at the 500 for what it is and not what it isn't.
@couchkamote The Fiat did surprising well up the steep hills but you really have to rev it and use the stick to get the maximum power out of the 101 HP engine.
test the Mazda with a stick and that would be more of a comparison.
You guys know what is a fun factor for a car. I've been driving in EU, US and Japan last 40yrs for my sales job. I drove so many cars mainly rent-a-car. Mazda2 is one of great handling low price cars I have ever driven. I love your vid. Love from JPN. One thing, music for fiat was French.
Does the fiat 500 have a smoother ride? I dislike bumpy harsh rides, I have a 09' nissan altima & it feels like I'm driving a steel box on wheels, + it's got crappy mpgs. So now It's between the mazda 2, fiat 500, and chevrolet spark.
Loving my 2012 Fiat 500 pop. I always keep it in "sport" mode. Much better performance and I still get around 34 mpg mixed driving. Great handling. Roomy interior. High seating position. And if you know how to work a 5-speed manual, you'd be surprised how sprite it is. Easily the most fun car I've ever owned. Ciao.
I bet the Mazda 2 is still running well now with allot less mechanical problems.
@laloc36 Except that the MINI can easily cost twice as much as a Fiat 500. That's not really a fair comparison.
Funny thing is the 5 speed Mazda 2 is quicker 0-60 than the Fiat 500 and quicker than the Civic EX automatic....and far more fun in handling.
Suspension that Michelangelo would be proud of? Unlike da Vinci, Michelangelo was really just a artist/sculptor and wouldn't design a very good suspension. xD
No kidding. However, I'm pretty sure they were saying that the Fiat 500's suspension is so good that is a piece of art (or were they saying it was so bad that it was like it was made out of stone lol).
Love this car, driving a red 1.4 2010, its pretty fast for the cars in that range, really fun to drive, and what do i need more than that? a cheap car that looks really damn good that makes me smile every time i get near it, good mileage, nice sound, cheap parts + mostly high reliability (only the Dashboard sometimes having cracking along the front passenger seat air bag), and pretty fast.
think ill even replace it in a few more years to the newer model.
Edited: im talking about the 500
Which car do you have the mazda or the fiat?
The Fiat, forgot to mention that :P
In 5 years which will be running flawlessly and not falling apart? Mazda...
no worries! Hey how about that Scion IQ? looks pretty cool much better than the Smart Car!
Oh yes, this is an excellent first car. We have a few reviews of the 500 on TH-cam and all of them are positive. Best of luck with your car and thanks for watching!
Comparing a Mazda 2 with an automatic to anything is basically handing the win to its opponent. The auto transmission is terrible (seriously, if you want an auto get a Fiesta or a Fit), the manual one is a ton of fun.
@belkan the fiat with an auto trans. is 17000 not 22000.
rented a fiat 500 for vacationing in Arizona, we had the automatic. The auto trans was constantly doing this double downshift when we would go uphill, it was so annoying we just put it in sport mode and used the manual shift. I would get a Honda fit sport instead of this if you are looking at $18k-$22k that is the better buy.
Agreed! Mazda 2 handling is amazing.
I had a 2005 Scion xA, and it was great to drive! Very direct steering, firm suspension, and a blast on the corners. And it was only $5,500.
what are those.i see a lot of used 2's as opposed to 500's out there.the fiat's lack of a normal automatic rules it out for me.with a good look around i can go find me a nice 2 used series 1 of a second generation that if looked after well and only driven a handful of times a week for work/church/gym runs/old scholar meetings but i get a bus twice a week makes a better buy than those 15k korean buzz boxes new.
@metroperson That was the only Mazda2 in the test fleet. We did test a 5-speed manual in November and again in June, so we know how both perform.
I have a 500 Sport manual and I got a chance to drive a Mazda 2 manual the other day. Same green colour. I will say it felt a little tighter in the corners, but it does have a much longer wheel base. Personally, I don't think it's a very good looking car. But the biggest difference I noticed between the two besides the design, is the steering wheel. The Mazda has a very thin, plastic-y feeling wheel, where as the Fiat's is thick and leather wrapped. It definitely feels more upscale all around.
I'm getting the fiat500 in about 8 or 9 months! It i going to be my first car!!!! I'm do excited! Do you guys think it is a good choice for a 16 year old girl?!
I had my fiat 500 for 5 years. I was literally stuck with that thing until it was fully paid off because it depreciated its value so fast.
Why on earth didn't you get a manual transmission Mazda 2 for the comparison?
But can you imagine it slowly falling apart? I test drove an Abarth and it felt loose and I noticed quality issues....at the dealership level.
Yup, the Ford Fiesta uses the same platform as the Mazda2, but it has a different (beefier) power-train, interior and electronics. It’s more expensive and offers more options. We don’t have the Mini One here - wish we did. The cheapest Mini is about $20,000.
First family?
Pickup trucks
how'd the fiat do on the steeper climbs?
I don’t know out of Florida State but I don’t see to many Mazdas 2 over here… love both ❤
why was the Mazda an automatic??
6:43 I just can't get past the "rent a car" interior of the Mazda. Why can't manufacturers make the interiors at least half as inspiring as the exteriors? At least Fiat understands that much. There is nothing coming from the Mazda 2 when you're seated inside that says "wow, this is nice." It might as well be the interior from a mid 80's Renault Fuego.
Mazda is the way to go. And thats a fact.
Got one myself and I've never ever regret my decision
I wonder if the Fiat (tho pretty car) will be as reliable as the Mazda... what you say?
nope.i have been looking at used fiats lately and have been told avoid at all costs.you might get a newer model than the equivalent mazda where i come from(australia)but the upkeep will kill you.
You compare a base automatic with a loaded manual? Seriously guys.
why did you not bring the Fiesta or even the MINI One?
so what one is better?? im looking at both...if only the fiat was in 4 doors. i wold totally get that . hence why im leaning more towards the mazda
if i was to upgrade from my spark in this class once shes paid off.i would go mazda for sure if and when we see a new generation of 2's next decade.cleaning up after a fiat's oil stains is not much fun.
Still gotta love my fiat ❤️ they have the Fiat 500L it’s a 4 door :)
What about between the Mazda 2 and the Yaris, which one would you take?
a mazda 2 from that era.i have driven a yaris when i was a pizza deliverer one of the second generation models a pile of crap,i could not wait to go back to my tiida which is what i was driving between 2006 and 2010.i have a micra these days and finding a successor to it is proving a challenge.i have ruled out any used fiats,renaults,peugeots and volkswagens in the class which means i can get a mazda 2 or 3,a corolla but check the safety specs on the model i am after or anything by hyundai.
Usually, their reviews are MUCH better than this one was. I agree very much that this review left much to be desired.
I also think that the Mazda2 is better a comparison to Fit and xD by Scion. They all do not have a sunroof in our American market. When you compare a convertible or partial convertible to a non-convertible car, trust me, the non-convertible car is "always" at a disadvantage since a big sunroof or convertible "always" give you an elevated feeling of openness and freedom. Even if you want to compare the 2 with the 500, choose the non-open top Fiat 500 instead.
I think you guys were a little harsh on the Mazda 2 and its automatic transmission. I am someone who usually drives a car with a manual transmission however a good friend purchased a 2012 Mazda 2 with the auto that I have racked up many, many miles driving it. The car handles like a Miata, it is quite quick for the tiny engine that it has and transmission shifts are quick and very good with the auto. The Mazda 2 is a great car for the price.
I ALWAYS wanted a 2 of this generation and am now looking for one.a quick convincing from my mom not to buy a fiat has convinced me mazda is the way to go.we have had rx7's,121 metro's and 323 astina's in our household before defecting to honda and nissan for their replacements and it was the joy i had with the 323 astina all those years ago that prompted me to consider getting a second hand 2.it has to be automatic but for less money even if it's a 2009-2010 model with low mileage relevant to age.i look at all those joke micro cars with their piddly 1.2l to 1.4l 3 or 4 cylinder engines and shocking depreciation new and told myself don't waste your time there.as an alternative to public transport a good one of these is a great choice.
hey whats the name of the song playing at the last part
Is there a name to the song starting at 2:20?
Ive been averaging 40.5 mpg in the city with my 2013 500 pop with the heavy steel wheels
I like the Mazda, however I will take the Fiat over the Mazda in a heartbeat.
if i had known anything about cars mazda for me but i chose a spark.maybe i might look at a current shape 2 on the used market.
As Usual Roman, and Nathan Love the fun Video and the education on the cars us common people can't get to drive. And what I mean is we all can't test every new car that comes and spend the time you guys do with them. Damn I am jealous. LOL. I have to admit when I first saw the Mazda 2 I thought OMG WTF was Mazda thinking, When we have rivals like the Fiesta and the Cruze and new Accent and Elantra, But if Nathan says it's fun I will take his word. Looking forward to more Roman and Nathan!
comparison should be between a fiat 500 and a mini cooper
would have been a lot better if you compared the mazda 2 with 5 speed standard
Btw Nathan said Auf Wiedersehn in the Fiat 500 boot which is German not Italian! haha
Good point.
Although I think it's "only" 1.5x as much. But still a lot more.
Plus, when you figure in reliability and repair costs, Japanese vs. Italian? Fuggedaboudit!
I would go with the Mazda 2, with the 5 speed stick of course.
This coming from a lover of Italian cars, who used to own a '71 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 2000.
I've had 4 Fiats (between my wife and I) since they were reintroduced. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Gary Winters between my wife and Me (object pronouns come after prepositions, subject pronouns “do” the verb. Examples:
My wife and I enjoy tacos.
Subject pronouns,
Verb: enjoy.
Tacos are enjoyed every Tuesday by my wife and me.
(By my wife and by me,
not by I” )
"What's the most fun car for the fewest dollars" and you test an automatic which cost more and is WAY less fun, involving or quick to drive. I happen to know that Mazda with the manual is great fun and very satisfying to shift. I can only assume you took the auto due to budget constraints but it ruins the whole point of the video which isn't going to help anything in the long run.
Mazda is better for your wallet! Fiat loves the garage al lot!
how do you know its all new and different , so far has never had a days problem , plus its great in the snow!,
brad dovel because i read some tests about both cars.
So far so good, maybe I got a Wednesday car?
brad dovel I hope you have al lot of fun with him! I like the 500.
it's easier to find a 2 on the used car lots from that era.a good one if you get a 2009/2010 model so 8 or 9 years old with mileage relevant to age if looked after well.price varies according to year but i am hoping to find one second hand all up for around $11,500.compared to all the micro cars out there and in Australia that includes the picanto,spark and mirage and the 500 this has the advantage of a 1.5l motor with the 4 speed automatic and decent power.I always wanted to find me a successor to the 323 Astina I had knew from 2002-2006 in a smaller package but just as much fun.
@boy638 the mini one is just a concept car
As long as you are happy rox, but like I said I drove the Abarth, the best 500 and it was showing quality issues at the dealership level....and it felt under powered. Your mpg stats on the 2 are accurate, I was also getting about 38.8 avg in mixed driving. If the 500 gets better mpg, great! But for me the 2 felt way more fun and much higher quality than the 500.
Concerned about the blind spot int the Fiat. Some reviews are saying that its quite big. Any response?
I have a 2015 FIAT 500 and there is virtually no blind spot because there is a blind spot mirror built in on the drivers side.
Can't you get a base model 2 for under 12 grand? Otherwise, does not sound like a great value at all. I wish a non power window and locks style car that was fun could be made again like back in the 80's
I have seen so many of those new Fiats around. I'm beginning to like them.
Nismofury. 500C: $22K. Base 500: $15.5K. If your're looking for Euro style and loads of fun with a low buy-in, the 500 can't be beat!
Hahahaha oh my actual god! I can't believe Nathan wearing a Yugo Tee! Greeting from a proud Zastava owner :-D
There's strong rumors that FIAT is bringing the new Panda to the U.S. to compete directly to the Mazda 2 and others, bur again with a low price, I have seen the previous Panda here in Mexico and even if its small its a great value for the money, and the new one is a huge improvement.
I have a 2011 mazda 2 sport and i love it....but the fiats look cute too but not enough room.
my mate has a 2 but it's a base 2 neo and looks great.i am trying to find one in either that spec or a max but as an automatic.a better buy than any new micro car out there and add an alarm get a good one and i am talking 11k to 12k.
I've driven both, and I bought a 500 Sport. Stock for stock, I felt the Mazda handled slightly better, but the interior felt really cheap and econo boxy. Also the exterior styling did nothing for me. Looks like a dinosaur egg. I liked the design of the Fiat much more and the thick leather wrapped steering wheel has a nice feel. I installed a coilover suspension and the thing handles like a go-cart. It corners completely flat and is a blast to drive through the twisties.
I thought the purpose was to compare the best car for the fewest dollars? So you have a 15k Mazda and a 22k Fiat! That Fiat cost 50 percent more than the Mazda! hmmm
i have a mate who has a 2 from that era.great car but shame it's a manual otherwise i would consider buying it off him.none the less i will go to any used section of a mazda dealer and find me a good 2009-2011 model year of the 2.i went in today trying to find a bigger 3 from that era but could not find any so decided to lower my sights.
@carguy379 no no the MINI One is the very base MINI model with just a 1.6 :)
Hey guys, review the the new Mazda 2 with Kodo design and new premium look interior and heads up display. Looks wise it will now blow the aging Fiat 500 into the Venice canal.
Loved the review so thank you for that. My only concern about the fiat (cause I really want it) is if it would survive our Canadian winter........it's pretty low on the ground so yeah......I'm affraid
Thanks guys !!!
A much and a lot better review/test than from your colleagues because everything is true.
Nathan said it was a 2011 Mazda 2, and the title says 2012 Mazda 2. -_-
You guys are Wrong, the Mazda 2 is a redesigned Ford FESTIVA.
NOT the Fiesta.
Where did you get the "Yugo" shirt!? :D
my bf says my 500 is a golf cart -_-
What do you think of the driver blind spot?
or the ford fiesta is a redisigned mazda2 XD they actually worked on the cars together
Considering the FIAT's 101 hp is reached at the engine's red line, and, 100 hp reached at 6500 rpm (this is the naturally aspirated version), I calculate I rarely use about 85 or 90 hp, if that's what 5000 rpm will get ya ? I find that's plenty with a 5 speed and being quick footed. Today's over medicated drivers are pretty lame in reflexes.
As far as reliability goes, Mazda blows away Fiat.
i have a 2012 FIAT 500C with over 50k miles. not one problem. just oil changes.
I have a 2011 100K Mazda 2 with no problems that has gone through 3 sets of tires.
Facts
No only because the guy picked a higher end trim. They said it starts at 15.5k
in australia you see ones in mid spec used for around 12k to 15k dependent on age and condition.the newer the year the more it costs.the ones i see for around 12k are most likely 2009/2010's.mid specs,you can go for a base neo and that drops to about 10.5 to 11k.
I have a 15k fiat, and I can not imagine a more fun and attractive car for the money!
Extras? In the Mazda? The thing doesn't even have a key slot on the passenger door. But it'll probably last longer. The Fiesta drives just as good as the Mazda2
filoIII Key Slot ? In 2012 and forward? Remote controlled Lock and Unlock Fob is how to gauge quality today- not some analog 1993 key slot
@WellImHereNow I do agree, the Panda is one of the few reliable cars Italy has, make no mistake I think Italian cars are beautiful, but historically reliability is not their strongest suit, mazda on the other han while not always in the same league as Toyota or Honda for the most part a reliable brand, specially in Europe where their cars are as reliable as any other japanese car...
hey guys! welcome to this new test! we're comparing apples to oranges, enjoy!
idk, multiair is some pretty good technology they made
Reminds me of the scene in "Analyze That" where Paul Vitti says:
"Look at the size of this trunk. You can put three bodies in there!"
But re: bang per buck, the Mazda costs so much less, I don't see how it wouldn't win that contest.
If I'm not mistaken, the Fiat costs 1/3 more than the Mazda.
@boy638 oh a thought that that was the new smaller mini concept
not true, he's using a normal 500, which goes for 16K or 17K. the Abarth goes for 22K.
why are they compared a $22k spec out Fiat to a $14k under spec Mazda 2?? that's kinda unfair.
being able to put a body in the trunk is a very important to us in New England..now that's Italian..
If they dropped the price just a little and upped the gas mileage and advertise it more it would probably sell better the Mazda 2. They also need to come out with a sedan or a coupe. I love hatchbacks but i believe sedan would probably sell better.
I would love to have a new fiat 500 and the classic one in my garage
$22,000 vs $14,000? Totally unfair fight. Stupid comparison. Useless video.
107k on my 2011 Mazda 2. Delivered pizza in it for years with nothing but oil changes and brake pads.
You were not paying attention to Roman when he says "...I have the CABRIOLET..." see segment at 2:10
Forgot the vw up!
Hey I'm from the UK and I have a Fiat 500 1.4 Sport and it's a great car . . . would I prefer the Abarth? Sure, but its just outta my price range at this point in time. These cars are seen as hip & trendy here, just like the BMW Mini Cooper was when it first came out. And it doesn't matter if you're Male or Female just buy one if you want one! There are so many about over here & so many options you can get it lookin pretty cool! Hey, the bearded guy is funny, I like the cackle he makes at 1:47!!
Good review, thanks
There is no car more fun to drive and shift than a Mazda MX-5!
Thanks for the video, very entertaining
who says the fiat costs 22000. i got the sport, with everything including heated seats and I still didn't pay that much. besides fiat comes with pw, power door lock, blue tooth air and bunch of other things that is standard. How can you even compare the style of the fiat and the Mazda? i get asked all the time about the car, people are looking at the car and loving it. I can not say the same thing about the mazda .
Couldn't disagree more, Mazda 2 is far superior, excellent handling, for 6 grand less without the quality issues that still plague Fiat.
I test drove the Abarth and the stiching was coming off the shifter...and it just didn't feel like it would hold up over the long haul. Mazda the details are done right, esp the crisp Miata like shifter and handling and I averaged about 38mpg in the 2!
ocean?
@tylers1800 yea, they're the same