The Itouring 2.0 with the safety package is the best selling Mazda in the chicago area. (Where I'm from) My dealer, the one I actual trust, keeps saying that I should save money and buy the 2.0 because there really is not that big of a difference. He said that if you didn't know which one you were driving, you'd never be able to tell.

The 2.0 also has better gas milage. I'm strongly considering it. Even though the S sport isn't that much more expensive, any money I can save is huge. Has anyone driven both of them? Is there really a huge difference? I live in the city which is mostly stop and go, I'm not sure if I need the 2.3...although it would be nice.

Does anyone have love for the 2.0? Let it be heard!!!

 

i drive a 2.3 liter mz3 wagon and my sister drives a 2.0 liter mz3 sedan. her 2.0 liter seems frustratingly slow compared with my 2.3 liter.
im very pleased with the gas mileage the 2.3 liter gets.

 

haha i never drove the 2.3 liter but couldnt afford it anyway. i thinka bout it this way... driving my grandmas 1.7 EL compared to my 2.0 mazda motor. and i always think my car is peppy enough compared to any of my friends cars. but thats also because they have ****ty engines. but does the .3 litres reaaaaaaaaly make a difference. however the el is an auto and my car is 5spd. is your sisters car an automatic or manual?

 

I work with a vendor who's wife bought an '07 2.0 3i. Then it was time for my friend to trade in his Honda, so he traded in the Honda on a 3s that his wife was intended to use while he drove the 3i.
While he likes it better than his former Civic, he also tell's me that the
re is a hugh difference in the way the 2 perform.
Y'see, both engins share the same bore, but the4 2.3has a much longer stroke affording much more torque. And if you're driving on city streets, the torque is what you will be relying on motly to get you going and out of other ppl's way.
I you can afford the difference, get the 2.3 s model.
BTW: I now have +/-35K on mine and the mileage has never been better. This summer, with the A/C running most of the time... and my heavy acceleration foot in tow, I achieved an average of 27MPG, and had tons of fun doing it too. Last summer, same scenario, 24-25MPG.
Get the 2.3.

 

Oh, n
and BTW (off-topic too) Jaime, I haven't been on for a week and you STILL have a Looonnnnggg, LOOOONNNNNGGGG way to go to catch up to me.

 

then stop posting jokes jokes jokes. butt im getting up there im at 512

 

I own an M3 with a 2.0, I am very happy with the 2.0. When I bought it, I had to wait a couple weeks, because the dealership was low on M3's with the 2.0 engine. The fuel economy with the 2.0 is markedly better versus the 2.3. In the real world, you'll get 3-5 mpg better with a 2.0 versus the 2.3. A phrase I'veread online numerous timesis the 2.3 gives you v6 level fuel economy.

 

I had a 3i 2.0L 5-speed stick. It was a great car and I averaged 29 mpg, with a high of 35 mpg. I should note I have a heavy foot and could have easily gotten much better mileage than I got. I know a ton of people with the 2.3L and I didn't really see that much difference in performance, and it seemed like they were always in the 25-26 mpg range.

 

hmmm i dont know once again as ive said is it reallly a big difference between the .3 litres... i thought about a 2.3 but you know what. better fuel economy with the 2.0 and thats what makes the difference for me. considering im young and have no money cuz im paying off my car. but i saw one i really wanted.. the 04 mazda3 GT 2.3. oh wow i should have bought it. it was like 16000 and fully loaded with 79500 KM on it. but ahhhhhhhh im keepign my car. monday gotta get the door seal fixed because it came loose because of cold weatherand it sticks . ahhhh welll thank god for warranty .

 

The engine is not the only difference between the two. With the 2.3 you get a stiffer suspension, different interior and slight changes in the exterior. Since you live in Chicago and its flat all around you, you dont needthe sport-tuned suspension.If you don't need all of the bells and whistles and you just want a fun car that gets good gas mileage and small enoughfor the city, the 2.0 is perfect. I have an 05 2.3 and i never test drove the 2.0, so i cant tell you if there is a huge difference.But, with the big difference in gas mileage, the 2.3 mustbe more peppy. I average approx. 27mpg, but with winter coming i get around 23mpg (heavy foot). I love my 2.3 and im sure you will love the 3 you get. Good luck