Mazda2 to Launch in Thailand…Philippines next?

One encouriging bit of news is that Mazda has decided to sell the Mazda2 (JDM: Demio) in Thailand. While no specific dates were given, this does offer some hope that someone can bring over a viable alternative to the over-boring Yaris and over-priced Jazz.

 

How far has performance come?

Looking at used 80’s-era Ferrari prices, it still amazes me how much performance has actually become affordable. For example, a 1985 Ferrari 328 came with 270bhp. Brand new and in 2008 dollars, it was priced at $115,000. Fast forward to 2009, and we have the Mazdaspeed 3 with 263bhp and priced at around $25,000. If someone had told back in 1985 that someday a Mazda hatchback would have the almost the same horsepower as a Ferrari I wouldn’t have believed it.

A couple more Ferrari’s:
1987 Ferrari F40 471bhp ($747,000*)
1995 Ferrari F50 513bhp ($665,000*)
2008 Chevrolet Corvette 638bhp ($115,000)

1989 Ferrari 512 434bhp ($319,000*)
2008 Nissan GT-R 480bhp ($78,000)

*Adjusted to 2008 inflation.