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BMW-like car for Chevy-like price
For what you get, this car is a steal. For $19k MSRP my car has leather, side/curtain airbags, 17" alloys, CD, air, power everything, a very slick manual. I got about $1k off MSRP (about $700 over invoice) after bargaining HARD with 5 dealers in LA area (the manuals are very hard to get...don't believe forum postings, you won't get close to $300 over invoice on the 5M hatch). After a week, the car has not disappointed. It is simply outstanding. The handling and performance is suprising--very BMW like in its agility and fun factor. The utility is great (I already have done a Home Depot run with the seats folded), and the interior has high style.
This car is truly a zoom....zoom
I have owned this car for only a week and I have had more looks and compliments than any other car I have ever driven. It handles great, drives very smooth and has a lot of features only found in more expensive cars. the 4cyl engine has a lot of pick-up. The dash is very sleek and the radio w/CD player is truly and upscale design. This car has it all.
Mazda's 'zoom zoom' kid
i just had bought this vehicle yesterday, 07/31/2004, and i am pretty happy with it. the handling, quality, build quality and the insurance costs are way lower than the car that i traded it in for, 2004 hyundai accent 4- door. i got cheated into my hyundai so i am never going to shop for a hyundai again. the car is user-friendly and the design just catches your eyes. the feel of the car when driven feels more than the price of it. the engine and the manual are peppy and their are no jiggles here and there. overall i am happy with this car! i love how it looks and feels! mazda does zoom-zoom but with attitude!
good car!!!
Very good car, nothing to say for the price.
MAzda 3-S Sedan Auto
Impressive. Hopefully the Zoom-Zoom feeling will stay throughout the life of the car. What a buy!
Perfect Commuter
Fun, reliable little car that looks good and scores outstanding fuel economy. For the first 1552.5 miles, I've used 49.19 gallons for an average 31.56 mpg. 6-disc changer, power moonroof, comfortable interior and civilized conveniences make this agile little pet an outstanding compromise of affordability and comfort. It's the perfect commuter, and value-priced.
2000 Mile Update
The Mazda 3s Hatchback is the best blend of handling, fun to drive factors and looks for under $20K. In fact, I test drove an Acura TSX, Suburu WRX and Accord EX-L which all cost 2-7K more and couldn't find any compelling reason to pay more. The 3 handles very crisply (See MotorTrend Slalom times) and the acceleration, although not WRX explosive, is quick and linear. Plus, the looks of this car distinguish it from every other car out there. Take a curve at 60 mph and the 3 sucks down onto the road. This type of performance is coupled with good damping so even harsh road surfaces are not too intrusive. The ABS is a must option and I added Xenons,leather and 6
Unreliable so far
Loved this car at first. Fun to look at and fun to drive. However, the automatic transmission failed after 1,500 miles of normal driving, and am currently waiting for a brand new transmission. Overall, the car has good road handling and steering is good.
Best car for the money!
Hey. I just got the new Mazda 3 s 2 days ago, and let me tell you, I love it. My purchase price was around $21,000 because I got it with the Xenon Lights and the 6-disk in dash with the sunroof. You would be amazed on how much better your night time driving is with those xenon lights. The car looks like a 30K+ car for around the 20K mark, I really dont think you can go wrong. The performance is excellent. I was very surprised when I drove one because I was expecting much less from a 4-cyl. Bottom line is: "If your thinking about getting the new 3, go test drive one and that will make up your mind really quick."
my 3
it is a nice car for a student as myself. it gets good gas milage and so far i havent had any problems (ive only have had it for 4 months). other than that i love to drive it and it picks up the ladies, or maybe its just me.
A Great Little Car
Had the for about 2 weeks now, great handling, smooth 5 speed. Still working on the gas mileage part, getting 26/27 on local/highway driving.
This car should be your 1st choice!
This car has exceeded all of my expectations! It is a FUN car to drive. I love the audio controls on the steering wheel and the engine power is perfect. I only test drove this car for comparison purposes and was won over by the comfort and unique design.
Mazda 3 S, the way to go!!!!
I actually just bought it off showroom floor 1 week ago, and love it. It's basically a mazda under a Lexus IS300's skin. IT's got everything and everything you can think off... of course, within reason. Very sporty, it looks excellent.
Very fun car?
I love this car so far. It is really fun, and very helpful for road trips. Even though I have had the check engine light on 3 times for minor problems, its a really neat car. Hatchback is very cool and seats are very comfortable.
excellent
the car is well equiped for all road types including long trips. it is excellent on gas and handling is supurb.
Love the car, hate Mazda
The day after I bought my car I was rear-ended. The dealership was very helpful at first and coordinated getting it back to them. It has taken over 5 weeks to get the car back because Mazda does not make replacement parts readily available for this vehicle. I understand it is a new line but I find it ridiculous that Mazda has not been able to improve their parts distribution channels. In addition, the customer service I have received from the Mazda dealership has been terrible. I recommend the car 100% but watch out for idiots trying to hit your car (because Mazda won't be able to fix it for more than a month) AND don't buy th
holly molly
I had a Mazda Protege in 2000, a Protege 5 in 2002, now I just changed for this new Mazda 3.... there is nothing like it... not the same car at all... it has a lot of horse power and feel like a Mazda 6 to drive. go for it!!!
Love the Blue Buggy!
I love this car, we have two children in car seats and there is still enough room for a smaller person to sit between them and being able to take out the back flap over the cargo area gives you way more room than I thought possible.
Mazda3 a 10
Impressive feature set when compared to the price. When you drive the Mazda 3 you can't help but feel like you are in a much more expensive vehicle.
silver 2.3 sedan zoom zoom seattle
Can we saaaay! "zoom zoom yaa this car is fun to drive with the manual tranmssion,the breaking system and car safety is pretty good! how can you go wrong with this car if other countrys has name it car of the year
A Civilized GTI?
Twenty years after the original GTI came out we have a better "pocket rocket" than ever before. I have recently purchased the 5-speed hatchback with few options. Only ABS/Side air bags were added to the base model. There is very little not to love about this car, though it could be better... the price could be another $20,000 too. A TERRIFIC value by todays standards. 17" wheel/tires; A quick shifting/close ratio 5-speed; A taut suspension and seats; Power windows/locks/remote, and the list goes on, it would seem, forever. The A/C is weak. The driving position and view of the instruments could be better. Rear/side view could be better too.
my new mazda 3s
This car is so fun to drive! It handles corners just like you were driving a sports car. Love the fact that the audio controls are also on the steering wheel. Great car!
the mazda 3
I have really done my homework on all the cars in this market and price range and by far the Mazda 3 out classes them all. For over all value and options, the choice is clear its the 3.
2.3 with 5-speed bliss!
5-spd is smooth & fun to flick through the gears. Motor has a sweet spot at 4,000 RPM. I love to rev this baby! It begs to be pushed! Seats are firm and comfortable. I found myself blasting off a country road & onto a highway, changing lanes, and almost planting my front end into a police cruiser. This car is going to get me into trouble. I drove a bonneville before this. I felt age 55. Mazda3 makes me feel 25 (I'm somewhere in between). Big improvement from the Protege (loud, buzzy & underpowered). Mazda3 looks great from almost all angles. This car cuts corners like a henkel carving knife. Fantastic BMW- like driving experience!
Mazda's continued rise to greatness!!
I was originally planning to purchase the new Mazda6 sedan, but when a local dealer got me behind the wheel of the Mazda3, I was hooked. Not only was this car sportier, but it handles better than the 6. It also offers a navigation system, and leather which is unheard of for this class of car (even the 6 didn't offer the navigation system). The engine loves to rev and is incredibly quiet. I've caught myself almost red-lining the engine many times due to the quiet nature of the engine. The 3 also handles like a dream, taking corners with confidence and gives the driver the feeling of complete security even when pushing the car.
I LOVE MY NEW CAR!!!
I wasn't looking to buy a new car but was forced to after I totaled my old one. I only looked at the Corolla, Civic and the Mazda3 and for the money, this car was the best deal! Definitely more bang for your buck! Its a smooth ride and although when standing outside the car, it seems a bit noisy, inside, Sometimes I dont feel or hear anything! I keep thinking it stalled at the stoplight. (oh wait that was my last car! :-) I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, zippy, cute ride! The 6 CD changer is great and the 6 speaker system is quite good. My 5 year old niece says this is the coolest car ever! I have to agree!
Raises the bar for Compact Cars!
Since owning this vehicle i have experienced no problems at all. The engine is great and has excellent gas mileage. The car is refined, and compared to toyota, honda and nissan compacts, this one sets the bar high. It feels to me that Mazda has set the new standard for compact cars, and toyota, honda and nissan better watch out. This car is fun to drive and has a good look to it. I got my 3 in velocity red, with a manual, power package (which included 16" rims, ac, power windows and doorlocks, radio controls on the steering and cruise control), and tilting and telescoping (for this price you dont get that!). good thing i traded my 04 accent in for this car!
Great Car
What a wonderful car! I have enjoyed every minute driving it. The handling is spectacular and I love the tight shifting of the 5-speed manual transmission. The salesman at the dealership here in Orlando, Florida, Cory Fairbanks Mazda, was great. I will forewarn ANYONE trying to finance through Cory Fairbanks though, DO NOT!!! Their finance staff was beyond rude, including name calling, ignorant about the product as well as the federal regulations pertaining to financing a vehicle and lied about several details.
IT WILL TURN HEADS
this was my first new car and all i can say is wow,i took my new car to virginia and got 32 mpg there and 29mpg on the way back,every where i go people turn their heads especially with the sport 17 inch rims.And at a good price range also u really cant go wrong.if u want a sporty car that turns heads,looks like a million bucks and feels great to drive then this would be it.
Sweet ride for the family & under $17000
WOW, what a ride for $16962.00 out the door. 17" allow's on a great looking sports car, big enough for a family. No minivan for this family with two kids under 5. After 6 months I still love to get into the 3 and drop the clutch. Mazda scored huge with this one.
TOP RIDE TO HAVE
This car is one of the best out at this year. The cool low sleek design on the outside and the sporty, modern/futureistic design on the inside make for one of the best (of all things a hatchback) all around vehical for a younger gerneration. Another great thing about the mazda 3 is that it is one of the smothest, most quiet rides that I have ever owned, cutting road noise to almost a minimum and taking turns, bumps, and rough driving to another level (very comfortable)!!! This is the top ride to have if you are wanting heads to turn as you dirve by. Mazda definatly lives up to Zoom Zoom in this car.
Mazda 3
I dont own one of these yet, but I have looked at them and I have to say they are very nice looking. Inside they have all the features you would expect from a compact, and it is pretty comfortable. I didnt get a chance to drive it because the dealer didnt have the model I was looking for, and why waste time on one I'm not going to buy. Thats all I have to say on it now.
New Protege...No Way!
I just picked up my new 3 (hatchback), and there is no comparing this car and the car it replaced, the long-lived Protege. Everything about this car is great! The styling, the interior, and all of the standard features! I traded in my 2002 PR5 without a second thought. After one test drive I had already made up my mind! The car is so great in the styling department...It's almost like BMW and a Benz got together and produced the new Mazda 3. Excellent build quality and materials. To drive it, is to love it!
Don't pass this up!
All The previous reviews say it all. This is probable the best car you can get for the money right now. I think Mazda went all out on this model to cut into the Honda Civic's dominance of the class. They came up with a winner.
After testing othwer cars...
Being 51, I am not ready to give up fun for a Buick just yet. I tested many vehicles in the last 3 months and gave each one a very thorough review. Honda, Toyota, Scion, and Nissan were included in the mix. The Mazda3 won hands down in a class that used to be dominated by Honda and Toyota. I have owned 2 Hondas and a Nissan before, but they never gave me the rush that this gem does. Its just plain fun to drive and handles like a dream. Zoom Zoom...
Indiana resident review
After 3 months of research, this was my choice over a the Civic, Matrix, Focus ZX5, Corolla, and Protege 5 (although the protege was a close one, due to the lower price) Haven't regretted it at all, not for anything. Just wish I'd had the cash to spring for the Navigation option, as geeky as that seemed at first, after using an aftermarket one for a few months, i'm completely hooked, even though i'm just a normal joe- shmoe with a 30k salary. if you can swing it, get the gps navigation
none
Love it so far. Just wish the milage would be better.
Perfectly Perfect!
After driving a gas guzzing, bulky SUV for the last two years I was unsure how I would respond to going back to driving a compact sedan again. I couldn't be happier with my choice! I researched several different cars in this category & was preparing to join the carbon copy car owenership world of Hondas & Toyotas. Price was an issue & I thought those were my only options. Thankfully the Mazda 3 passed me on the street during my search. I was thrilled to find out that it fit perfectly into my price range. The design is sleek & original. It turns heads wherever I go. It definitely stands out among the others. Test drive it, you will fall in love!
Had Mine For 6 Months
Love my car. More than enough power to pass cars quickly even with A/C on. Extremely manueverable, great handling. You get a lot for the money. It's the best value car out there, and I looked at them all in this car class. Very good room inside. Very good attention to detail. Velocity red is metallic, very hot paint. You can spin the tires on dry pavement in this car. Car can do 80mph as easily as it does 40mph. This car will move.
Mazda 3 Rocks
It is 2004 and would it be too much to ask for a compact that doesn't wimp out. Finally it was Mazda that delivered. I just got the Mazda 3s hatchback in Velocity Red with Black-Red Cloth interior, Auto, ABS/SBS, Moonroof/6-CD package. All for $500 over invoice. I bought it primarily as a commute car for myself and my little daughter. She absolutely loves it too. I suggest this as a great little runabout around town in style and comfort without looking/feeling like a harrier mom.
Love My Mazda 6
I have nothing but praise about my mazda 6. It's a great looking car and is really fun to drive. You get alot for the price. An excellent value.
Zoom Zoom!!
I was driving a 2002 Corolla when a sudden need of a second car made me to decide for one. Well, it did not take much time for me to decide about the Mazda3 (I/Auto/AC). I negotiated through Edmunds.com, went to the dealership, test drove and came out driving my new Mazda3. The very first drive back home made me realize that I did not make any mistake by not comparing or test driving other cars.
Protege of the Protege, But Better
I just picked up my Black Mica Mazda 3i a few days ago and I have been thoroughly impressed. The 2.0 Liter Duratec 20 gave me exceptional gas mileage and tons of power. Shifting was very smooth and the transmission moved between gears flawlessly. The ride is very smooth for the compact class and steering conveyed only confidence. Inside, the car was built to incredible quality. plastic graining was attractive and subtle. The cloth seats were very supportive and easy to adjust. The 3i is also very ergonomic inside with all controls easy to reach. I must say, this has to be the best car since the 6 and proves that Mazda, is back!
Mazda 3i
Excellent vehicle to drive in, it's fun to drive, quite interior, with 4 wheel disk brakes, and 15" tires. A lot's of space for a compact car. No problem getting on the freeway. There are two suggestion I would like Mazda to look in to it's dash light. 1st, the red color light display on dash made my eyes uncomforable after a while and, 2nd the driver/passanger seat need some improvement for back support. Other than that, the Mazda 3i is a fine automobile. Suggestion: Get the car with power door locks. You will want it later if don't buy it with the options, belive me. Over all, I feel it is a better car to drive than, a corolla.
Best Under 20K ever & better, some over
We are approaching 3 weeks of ownership and while we only have about 450 miles on the car. It's a blast to drive and great for different sizes of drivers. I'm 6"+ & she is 5"2'. We're both comfortable driving the car. Feels more like a BMW 3 series or an Acura TSX other than a bit of wind noise. Great road feel without being harsh. 5 speed is great! Plus, it doesn't look like everybody elses car on the road here in So. Cal. We didn't want to be one of the many Honda and Toyota Clones on the road. Mazda did this one RIGHT! A lot of thought went into how this car is put together.
Just Simply Awesome Car
I will just tell you that I sell cars for a living. I want say what brand but lets just say Honda makers love them. This Mazda m3s 5 speed I just bought is awesome. Awesome styling, awesome ride, and a hoot to drive. The looks are going to drive compact car makers to the limit to catch up. If you want a great quality built car for 17,000.00, this is it.
Tens all around
The Mazda 3 is an excellent car! It gets terrific gas mileage, runs well, and with DOHC has great power. It's entirely reliable, and very roomy, yet with a compact, sleek look to it. Many people have asked me if my car is an Audi from looking at the exterior of it! I got a classy look, for a fraction of the price!
Compact....??? I say it's a sport.
I’ve spent about 3 months looking for a compact. What I found? Good cars, reasonable prices, and a total lack of attention to the small segment of cars. Mazda certainly created another concept for compact cars. I bought an M 3i sedan with power package, ac, sport/auto transmission and it is worthy everything single penny I spent. It is incredible to drive; it has an amazing design (exterior and interior), and an engine that needs no comments. The car is unquestionably the best in its segment
Great affordable car
Just bought the mazda 3i today, and drove all over 100 miles for fun. Handles great, smooth ride, and suprise on the acceleration. Drives like a sports car, but only a compact. The 3s have more add ins, but the price of the 3i you cant beat.
A Bullet with a Smile!
Love at first sight was just the begining. Sunlight Silver, Black Leather Interior, MoonRoof! What more could I say. The car just purrs like a kitten and is so silky smooth when accelerating I just have to keep an eye on the tach. As for the Hugging around bends and corners, off/on ramps.... just blew me away. 17" wheels and this car were ment to be. Even at highway cruising speeds this car is such a pleasure and a dream to be a part of I just can't say more.