2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

Fun car to drive-excellent car

Written by: Luis on 06/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New i Touring Value 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I was looking into getting rid of my chevy s-10 truck and getting a reliable sedan. Mazda is that car and more. I love the car and have owned it for 1 week. It drives like an expensive sports car and the feel on the road is excellent. You cant beat the price and the extras that the car comes with. If you need or are looking into a new car, test drive a Mazda and you will see what I mean. Love my Mazda 3.

Favorite Features

Handling, speed, comfort, looks, mpg

Suggested Improvements

Trunk release on remote - that is all!!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Looks good. Runs good. Excellent value.

Written by: Bestdaddyo on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Grand Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I like driving this car, even though I generally dislike automatic transmissions. I bought this mainly for my daughter, but she's away at college 7 months out of the year, so I get to drive it often. It shifts smoothly and quietly. Has plenty of quickness and power, and doesn't feel too small, like the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Scion xD. Excellent steering/handling. Plus, the gas mileage is pretty decent. I drive 90% city, and average 26.2 mpg. Road noise is a little high, but not a big distraction. It has every comfort and convenience feature one could ask for, yet the price is ridiculously low. Heck, in a BMW, you could spend the price of this car in accessories alone!

Favorite Features

The leather steering wheel and heated leather seats. The iPod aux. jack & power outlet in the center console. The decent stock stereo with steering wheel controls. The xenon auto headlights & auto wipers. The excellent gas mileage. The nice stock wheels & tires. It looks expensive!

Suggested Improvements

Use better carpeting. A little more sound proofing. Turn the speedometer markings 90 degrees clockwise, it's weird having 60 mph at the 9 o'clock mark.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I love my Mazda3

Written by: Melissa on 06/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New i Touring Value 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Traded in my extremely basic Chevy Cavalier for a Mazda3 and i Dont regret it one bit. The comfort is spectacular. The Cavalier seats were made of nothing and the Mazda has the adjustable seat height I love it. I love how it lights up red at night. I love the Copper Red Mica Color! Its not as fuel efficient as my cavalier but who cares. I have a/c now and for the texas summers thats a major plus. Minimal road noise. Even though it looks tiny it's pretty big on the inside. The glove box is large and the trunk is very deceiving although it's short once you pop the trunk it goes back pretty far. I would highly suggest this car to anybody.

Favorite Features

The power windows and locks. The controls on the steering wheel and the sportmatic, even though I dont know how to use the manual side. The adjustable seat height.

Suggested Improvements

None

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love this car!

Written by: Chris on 06/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Grand Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Traded in my 2003 Mustang GT convertible for this vehicle and I must say I love this car. Even with going from 8 cyl down to 4, I still get plenty of power and pickup from this car, especially from a stop. Ride is great, very quiet and tight. Bose stereo system is very nice as well. This is a great car for someone looking to get a small car, but still wants to spend a little money for comforts and options (auto lights and wipers are cool!). The only "complaint" is the somewhat low MPG for such a small vehicle. I have been averaging 26-28 MPG combined according to the onboard computer (if I calculate it the old fashioned way, I estimate 28-30 MPG).

Favorite Features

Stereo, performance, auto wipers/headlights.

Suggested Improvements

Improved MPG, trunk is just a hair small (hard to fit even a set of golf clubs), doors won't lock with remote until they are all closed, need to separate clock from computer so I can have MPG and clock up at the same time.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Loving it

Written by: CJRZOOM on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New i Touring Value 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased my 3i Touring Value last Saturday. I have gotten nothing but compliments on the car. It has great acceleration, nice looks, has a moonroof and a 6-cd changer. The 5 spd has a good gear ratio and the engine rides smoothly, particularly above 55 mph. Handling is superb and on par with German sedans costing nearly twice as much. I was originally going for the 5dr, but did not want to sacrifice fuel economy. Car is still new, so can't judge everything just yet but it is near perfect and I have no regrets.

Favorite Features

The iPod jack, moonroof, leather wrapped wheel and gear shift, wheel-mounted audio controls, foglights, lumbar supportive seats, telescoping wheel, visibility, alloys.

Suggested Improvements

Trunk release on key fob, blue tooth compatibility, better speakers.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Mazda 3

Written by: DannySyr on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Excellent car. Very good balance between style, performance, comfort and reliability. Sporty and fun to drive.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mazda 3 = Good Choice

Written by: anb153 on 06/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New i Touring Value 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Ever since I first saw the Mazda 3, I knew I wanted one. As soon as I saw the interior and took it for a test drive, I knew I wanted it. I was a little worried about the way the car sounded on the road, but I'm used to it now. For all of the features, I think this car is at the perfect price. My friends and family love riding in my car, and it is definitely more fuel efficient than my old accord!

Favorite Features

Good factory sound system, dash lights, big trunk, stereo/cruise controls on steering wheel, exterior has an excellent look.

Suggested Improvements

The wheels are supposed to be high performance, but at high speeds the car tends to sway. Horn sounds silly.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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2008 Mazda 3 S Touring 5dr 2.3L Manual

Written by: jfahl on 06/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I traded my beloved 04 Toyota 4Runner SR (V8 4WD) for the Mazda 3 and really though I would miss it. It's only been a short-time but so far the 3 has been so much fun to drive that I haven't missed the big SUV. With 31 Cu Ft of cargo space (seats folded down) I should be able to transport my kids back and forth to college with ease. So far I have been saving ($4.20 per gallon) $36 per week on fuel.

Favorite Features

Everything... sunroof, stereo controls on steering wheel, storage compartments and cargo space. My three teenagers can sit in the back seat and are not crammed in.

Suggested Improvements

Remote hatchback release. Instant fuel economy / distance to empty display

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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No Compromise

Written by: Montana Driver on 06/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Traded my 2002 Miata SE for this car. Wanted an all season car without giving up much handling and fun to drive. Shopped Civic Si, WRX, Altima Coupe, Mazdaspeed 3 and GTI; chose a Mica Copper Red Mazda3s Touring 5M for price, fuel mileage (premium fuel not required) and versatility. Figured I was making a compromise for enconomics sake. My 1st drive was over a winding mountain pass here in Montana and I haven't smiled like that since I got the Miata. Of course it doesn't have the kick in the pants acceleration of a WRX or V-6 Nissan, but the handling and transmission is more then up to the task. I'm 6'4" (yes I fit in the Miata) and found the front seats as comfortable as any I tested.

Favorite Features

Handling, comfort, looks, versatility, fuel mileage.

Suggested Improvements

A little less road noise, cheaper iPod connection ($524), automatic headlights on Touring.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Zoom Zoom Zoom

Written by: sc on 06/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Just purchased pleased with look and interior wish it was a little more comfortable. I am average height 5'10" and is a little crampted. Fuel economy is not bad. I wish it was closer to 32- 35 the I have read about. Average is about 30 mpg. Warranty is ok, changed in the last few years I noticed. I am pleased, it's a good car smart buy.

Favorite Features

Trendy style. Small compartment below arm rest.

Suggested Improvements

More leg room, smoother shifting on automatic. Holder for gas cap to rest upon when filling. Work out check engine light warning if you do not tighten gas cap. holder for mp 3 since aux jack is included

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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