2011 Mazda Mazda2


Due: July 2010

Starting Price: $13,980



For those that like their micro cars with a bit of “zoom-zoom,” Mazda introduces its Mazda2 mini hatchback -- which trumps Toyota’s Yaris in the fun department. The Yaris provides 106 horsepower (six more than the Mazda2), but the Mazda2 is tuned for a more exciting ride. And while the Yaris is no ugly duckling, the Mazda2 is definitely the better-looking of the two. Inside, though, is where the Mazda2 really wins. It features a clean layout and satisfying list of standard features -- including an auxiliary jack for MP3 players and keyless entry. Meanwhile, the Yaris forces folks to pay extra for power door locks and windows, and even an audio system.

Say Goodbye To Fat Boy

I have heard all of the jokes before. Melvin is so fat he shows up on radar. Melvin is so fat he leaves footprints in concrete. Melvin is so fat that when he cut is finger, gravy poured out. Melvin is so fat I jog around him to exercise. I have literally heard them all. I do not see myself as very fat at all, but other people do. My father used to call me "Gut Glut." I did not know what it meant at the time, I thought he was referring to me as some fat superhero. I would lose weight for a little while, than gain it back. You would think running around on a hot car lot all day would keep my weight down. You would think only eating twice a day because I'm just too busy would keep my weight down. You would be wrong on both counts, I have gained more weight. So now after a few health scares I am going to do something about it. For the last 2 weeks I have been doing an exercise routine called "Insanity." It is pure cardio and body resistance. I have been eating alot better. I am down to 207 as of this morning, I started at 218 pounds. I thought if I let everyone know what I am doing, I would do better at it this time. So I will keep everyone up-to-date on my progress or regress.

Toyota In The News...Again!

0% Is 0%!!!

I am sure you have noticed to stimulate car sales for the summer, dealers are offering 0% interest. Mazda is no different, since we have 0% for 7 models. We have 0% for 36 or 60 months depending on the model. Now it does not matter who does the math, I can do it or you can do it, but one thing will not change math is math. Math is an exact science, I hope we agree on that. My calculator is going to come up with the same numbers as yours. You can't trick it or me by coming up with some magical number. If you cannot get to the payment you are wanting it is not the numbers fault it means you picked a car that is too expensive. I however encourage everyone to do 0%. Do not pay cash if someone is offering you 0%. Let your money stay in the bank and earn interest instead of depreciating on a car. Folks, cars do depreciate, so appreciate the fact that you can get 0%. There is no better time to buy than right now!

Toyota Quality Is The Best?...Not!

Alot of people may not know this, but I worked at Toyota for a while. I did not sell them, I built them; I repeat, I built Toyotas! I am surprised their quality has been so good for so long with me working at the plant. I had to put in the steering column (which weighs 35lbs), pop in the ignition switch, and connect the emergency brake; all while sitting on a piece of foam which you could not feel after the 10th car. Now if I had an hour to do those things, I would still be working there. I had to do that in 48 seconds (which they refer to as tact time). With us building over 400 cars a shift, there were bound to be some mistakes. I worked at the plant in Georgetown, Kentucky where Toyota means everything for that area. The poverty is so great in that area that if it were not for Toyota, it would be the poorest state in the Union.

My first day by myself on the production line was the worst day of my life. I remembered everything I had to do; when the line started I had to grab two 3/4" nuts, and the steering column (which weighed 35lbs). In one fail swoop, I had to insert it in the hole and hold it up with my knee, while I hand started the two nuts. I then had to take the pneumatic nut driver and shoot the bolts, hoping all the while I didn't cross thread them. If you cross thread the nuts, you have to back them off and then reshoot two more. Keep in mind that the car is moving the whole time through your designated area. Once you get that done, you have to then take the ignition switch and pop it in to the steering column. Then you had to reach down between the seats and grab the connection for the emergency brake. You are then finished with that car in what is hopefully your area. If not, you have put the next person in line into a bad predicament. Now if you get too far behind, you can pull the Andon cord which will stop the whole line. The more you stop it, the more overtime everyone will have to work. Keep in mind this was my first day, and I had to make this work. I had my family depending on me. I needed this job, it was the best paying job for someone under 25 in Kentucky. I had to do what I could, with every ounce of my being to make this work (I said to myself). All of a sudden, the line started and I grabbed the steering column, I jumped in the car, I put the steering column in the hole, and I hand started the bolts...oops, the bolts. I went back to get the bolts, but the car was now in the next area. I pull the Andon cord to stop the line, the whole line, and nothing but the line. This went on the rest of the night with me pulling the cord 14 times before lunch. I had single-handedly caused us to work 2 hours of overtime. After lunch I didn't even care if I stripped bolts, left the emergency brake unplugged; I didn't care about nothing but not pulling the cord.

I lasted only a month at Toyota Manufacturing, hating every minute of it 48 seconds at a time. I still to this day will not ride in or drive a 95 Toyota Camry or Avalon. My quality sucked then, so you can imagine how amazed I am that they lasted this long without any problems. I wish them the best, I really do, but in the meantime...buy a Mazda. Zoom-zoom. forever.

2009...A Year I Want To Forget

A New Year is upon us, and it is time to review 2009...my way.

• We got a new President named Barack Obama. He is doing great, in his first 11 months? Yes, that is a question, because I do not know the answer.
• "Soul Food," was finally added to the menu in the White House. It was only a matter of time!
• The Balloon Boy captured our imagination, while the police captured his parents.
• Tiger Woods has an affair with Jaimee Grubbs.
• We got more stimulus checks, only to have the Government ask for some of them back due to overpayment.
• SAAB, Pontiac, and Saturn shut their doors forever. Hummer was forced out of the States only to return as a Chinese car manufacturer. Can you say "Sichuan Tengzhong?" Neither can I, but I think it means, "Good riddance, gas hog," in Chinese.
• Tiger Woods has an affair with Rachel Uchitel.
• The Swine Flu started to attack our Mexican brothers and sisters. We fought back with the H1N1 Virus. However, we have not come up with an effective way to kill the almighty cockroach.
• Tiger Woods has an affair with Kalika Moquin, while having an affair with Holly Sampson.
• Michael Jackson...enough said!
• Obama gets awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Obama said he was, "surprised and humbled." We are still surprised; who was he going up against, "the Washington Sniper?"
• Speaking of the "Washington Sniper," he was executed.
• Tiger Woods has an affair with everybody.
• "Cash for Clunkers" rejuvenated car sales for 3 short weeks.
• Car sales hit an all-time low in November of 2009. Thank you, "Cash for Clunkers!"
• Transformers 2 was the number 1 movie of the year.
• Kanye West set black people back 30 years with his insensitive remarks.
• Elin Nordgren files for divorce from Tiger Woods.

This is one of those years personally, that I can't wait to forget. It was the worst year in the car business since I have been in it. Mazda, however, made a profit; so all is right with the world...zoom-zoom.forever.

All I Want For Christmas....

All I want for Christmas is to sell some cars. It has been one trying year in the car business. We have seen bailouts, Cash for Clunkers, bank failures, slow sales, no sales, manufacturers closing, dealers being forced to close, Hummers turning Chinese, Saturns becoming extinct, and a partridge and a pear tree.

I have made my list; now I am checking it twice. I would love to get the Wii for Christmas since you can get one now at Wal-Mart for $150. I have not seen a Sears Catalog in years, do they still make that? I would love to get a new LED/LCD TV before that technology changes next month. I would love the new touch-screen HP computer before that technology changes next week. I would love to hear my wife say, "He went to Jared." My kids are at the stage now they want cell phones; I am not ready for them to grow up that fast yet. It was just yesterday they were riding Big Wheels! There have been times I have definitely over did it at Christmas. This year will not be one of those times, especially if I do not sell any cars. If I do not sell cars, we don't eat. If I do not sell cars, we dip below the proverty line. If I do not sell cars, there will be no Santa Claus! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS TO SELL SOME CARS! We have great specials this month on new and used vehicles. Mazda is offering great rates and loyalty incentives. I will put a bow on it if you would like. I will drive it to your house on Christmas day if you would like. I will hide it at my house if you would like. I will drive to Kentucky to pick it up so you can have it for Christmas. I will take a post-dated check. I will take Monopoly money! You too can help feed and clothe 5 kids in Mansfield for about $350 a month (or for whatever your car payment will come out to be). Just hear my plea, buy a car from me this Christmas. If it sounds like I am begging, it is because I am; it has been that kind of year.

All kidding aside, we at Hiley Mazda of Hurst would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I think we all need for 2010 to be a better year.

Mazda on "The Biggest Loser"?

So you think you're fat? You need to lose about 220 pounds? Well, let Mazda show you how! Mazda has just announced that they are actually going to trim the fat off of their lineup. They will be reducing the weight of their cars by an average of 220 pounds. They are using lighter but stronger high tensile steel, and reducing their product's dimensions across the board. I guess this was a problem? Someone actually complained that their car was too fat? Now correct me if I am wrong, but I never noticed. I like a car with a little meat on its bones. I have not had a problem being seen in my CX-9. I just try not to bring the weight issue up to her. She still handles very well, and she doesn't drink that much gas. I try to get her out everyday so she doesn't just sit around watching traffic go by. She is definitely the most attractive car I have had in awhile. I took her to my mom's and she fell in love with her; so much so that she got one herself!

2011 Mazda2... Coming Soon to Hiley Mazda of Hurst!

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for Mazda to introduce another new car to the American public. This time, however, we are finally competing with the Rabbit's, Yaris', Fit's, and Versa's of the world. Now you already know if it is a Mazda, it is going to have better styling than any of the aforementioned; it is also going to have more "Zoom-Zoom" as well. I do not know all of the particulars, but what I can tell you from what I have read is that it will average 40mpg from a 1.6 liter engine, and produce around 120 hp with about that many lb-ft of torque. I want one; I have been waiting for us to come out with something really inexpensive that I can use as a commuter. Do not get me wrong; I love my Mazda6 and my CX-9 but I need something smaller since my kids will not ride with me because of my random fits of "road rage." This car will also fit in my garage with all the excess stuff my wife won't throw away. It will fit snugly up against our ice cream maker and "bicyle built for two" that we swore we would use. I can actually start putting spare change in my car again to spend on gas instead of lottery tickets. The best thing of all is that I will actually now have a decent car payment instead of the $500 plus payments of the present. The MSRP of the new Mazda2 will be around the $14,000 to $16,000 range. I am truly excited about this vehicle, and you will be too!

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

I am going to get a car today. I deserve it, I work hard, I am always looking out for everyone else; now I need to treat myself. I want a Mazda3, I love the way it looks and I have to just drive one to see if it is the car for me. I will do that, I will go to Hiley Mazda of Hurst and see what they have to offer.

Feb. 3, 2009

Dear Diary,

I went in to Hiley Mazda of Hurst today and fell in love with the Mazda3. They told me I could get one for $375 a month. I can afford that, I really can, I deserve it. I want that car!

Feb 4, 2009

Dear Diary,

On my way to the dealership to pick up my new Mazda3, I saw a Honda dealership. I thought I would go and try the Civic. I must say that was a nice car. Not as fast as the Mazda3, but you know, it is a Honda. They gave me a great payment on it as well. I will make up my mind tomorrow.

Feb 6, 2009

Dear Diary,

I went to drive both the Mazda3 and the Civic today . You have to do that, you know. I am still undecided. While I was test driving today, I saw a Jeep Wrangler. Hmm, that would be fun. I will visit a Jeep dealer tomorrow.

Feb 8, 2009

Dear Diary,

I read some reviews today on the Jeep and noticed they do not have very good ratings. Sure, I may be able to ride with the top down, but that is about it. I am going back to Mazda. I want a 3, I deserve a Mazda3!

Feb 12, 2009

Dear Diary,

I was on my way to Hiley Mazda of Hurst and this beautiful car passed be me. It said, "Mazda3" on the back. It did not look like the one I test drove. I got in to the dealership and they told me it was the 2010 model. I really like the 2009, but that 2010 had bluetooth, I really like the bluetooth because I do like to talk..alot. I will make my decision tomorrow.

Feb 24, 2009

Dear Diary,

I spent so much time looking for a car that I lost my job today. I was going to get that 2010 Mazda3 because I deserved it. I called the salesman and told him I will have to put off my purchase today, because I lost my job. He told me if I bought a car from him, he would get me a job at the dealership. I think I will do just that, I will sell the car I love, the Mazda3.

Feb 26,2009

Dear Diary,

Today was supposed to be my first day at Hiley Mazda of Hurst. On the way there I saw a "help wanted" sign ......