Brian Bernier
- Comment
While the throttle response is a bit lacking with the 2.0, if the driver gets the car going, it loves to be tossed around the corners, in typical Mazda fashion. The 6 speed transmission had me searching for gears at times in the first couple weeks of ownership, where the refinement of the chassis actually got in the way of the experience. For a relatively inexpensive car, it is well made, very quiet and smooth. So well, in fact, that passengers or even those directly outside the car would ask if it was on while it was running (a problem recently rectified with a full Corksport exhaust). Very little engine feel is transmitted back, via the pedals, shifter, or chassis. Great for a simple commuter car, terrible if you want to experienced spirited driving on the back roads.
After the transmission motor mount was installed, it was a whole different car. Upon start up, the engine note was noticeable inside the car, on a background level. It was also possible to feel a mild vibration as it was transmitted to the chassis. It was neither violent nor obtrusive, but made it obvious the motor was running.
Shifting seemed to be a bit more precise, or maybe it was a byproduct of it being so much easier to realize the rpm level the motor was working at. It is even possible to hear the synchros in the transmission engaging. Slop was minimized quite a bit upon take off and changing gears, as the car responded with more vigor and in a much more linear fashion. Just adding this level of engagement made the car feel more peppy and responsive. After about 8000 miles of use, it is still one of my favorite modifications. Driving feel and sound level have remained constant, with only one instance of excess vibration that was quickly solved by shifting. Apparently at a certain rpm range the car has a off balanced feel that is easily avoided once noticed.