I refer to the Mazda 2 as my funky green machine. It is the most spacious small car of its kind and the most enjoyable to drive. No wonder it won 2008 World Car of the Year. Its rather small 1.5L engine produces enough power to handle highway driving. Mazda has made a light, sturdy chassis that is still surprisingly safe, receiving an NCAP 5 star crash rating. Being a 6 foot 2 man I am looking for a small car with plenty of head and leg room and good vision through the front window. The Mazda 2 certainly meets those criteria and also has the funkiest color of Spirited Green. The driving position is low giving the car a sporty feel and good aerodynamics. The seats are quite comfortable and softer than most other small cars. The Maxx model includes rear spoiler, alloy wheels, six stacker CD player and steering wheel controls for the stereo. The base model Neo still has all the creature comforts and is very good value for money. For those who like to stand out the Genki model has side skirts, larger alloys and fog lights.This car drives exceptionally well and out performs its competitors. It has electric assist steering which gives the car light steering at low speeds and firmer steering at high speeds. I find the steering to be a bit lighter than some of the other small cars making it easier to manouvere and park. The steering is very direct and this makes the car a joy to drive. The suspension is good but as with most small cars it gives a firm ride. I find the suspension and ride smoother than its competitors. The car brakes well and the brakes aren’t too firm like some of its competitors. Those wanting extra safety can purchase a safety pack with ESP, Traction control and six airbags for about $1000. Without the safety pack the car has two airbags. I don’t have the safety pack and am still happy with the drive quality. It may be of use in wet conditions or if you are worried about crashing.I have already mentioned the power output of the car. It has 76 kw of power and this is enough to handle all driving conditions. You can sit on the highway at 110km/hr and the tachometer reads 3000 rpm. I have the automatic which is more comfortable to drive in the city and revs high enough to give smooth, swift acceleration. It would be handy to have a sports mode transmission but it is not necessary. The car doesn’t have cruise control but I have never used cruise control much so it doesn’t bother me.As already mentioned the Mazda 2 is the most spacious car of its kind. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society