Used 2004 Mazda 3 Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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No regrets!
Bought my 2004 in 2006 while still under warranty, and 9 years and 138000 miles later am only now thinking of upgrading. Longest I've ever driven one particular vehicle. The most cost comes with replacing the low profile tires so frequently but otherwise has been essentially maintenance free with giving it regular oil changes and routine checkups. I absolutely love this solid little car. I even discovered I could camp in it. As I age I need slightly better front seats for comfort and therefore am also looking to upgrade to maybe a Mazda CX-5. I love hatchbacks, I don't like SUVs, vans and sedans and this car is perfect.
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Bet Car Purchase Ever
Bought this car new in 2004 and approaching 90k miles. Every mile has been enjoyable. Thought about getting a newer car with better performance and luxury, but decided that this car so perfectly meets my needs, I'm going to drive it into the ground. No major problems (aside from nasty pothole related suspension stuff) and has maintained high 20's combined mileage while remaining fun to drive. Won't win a drag race, but can slalom with many "performance" cars. Definitely recommend upgrading stock rubber to slightly wider, stickier set. On my third set of BFG's 215/45R17 rubber. Great tires for this car.
16 years and counting
I purchased my car with 4 miles on it and now am nearing 250,000. Maintenance has been next to nothing. With regular oil changes, check-ups and tires, I would say that I've averaged $300/year maintenance. And, since I paid the car off 12 years ago, this Mazda has been one of the best investments that I have ever made. The last few years have brought wear and tear issues on appearance items such as the paint beginning to fail and the seams of the seats coming apart. It is about time to invest in a new car and with no car payment for the last 10 years I have plenty of money saved to pay cash for the next one!
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Wish I still had it!
I purchased my Mazda in 2014 with 110k miles. She was a one owner car before me and they took very good care of her. I'm sad to say I totaled her at 140k miles. She never broke down on me. I did treat her well and got routine maintenance done. The worst thing about her was the road noise and she was a little bit of a bumpy ride. When the air bag went off it exploded and filled my car with smoke. I hit a car in front of me on highway 405 going about 35 miles per hour. If i had the choice having her back I would.
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Nightmare
This beautiful new Mazda might as well be a trojan horse of horror in a pretty package. After 3 attempts to fix my car, I had to have it replaced for being a lemon. 4 days after acquiring my replacement I was being towed because my clutch broke. So as hot looking as this new Mazda is& as fun& exciting it is to drive; my question is, how long will the fun last for you?
Very good car
This is one GREAT car. Very stable cutting corners. Here are only few "negative" observations; everything else is GREAT. Headrest is a bit awkward as it pushes your head towards the front (I was told this is good in the case of a crash?). Snow handling is very poor. My old Protege w/Michellin X1s could go up a steep hill covered with 7 inches of snow without a problem. My new M3 has a very hard time handing smallest amount of snow. OK it has sportier tires but I wish I did not have to get winter tires. Air bag light (red one in front of the driver) just started coming on (will have to investigate if this is a known problem).
Still brand new after 5 yrs
I love this car. I bought it new 5 years ago and I still get a thrill driving it. The car hugs the road, has lots of power, and is a super easy stick shift to drive. My wife hated sticks until this car. It gets me to work without costing too much, it gets the entire family around comfortably, and I can load it up with junk from Home Depot. The versatility combined with a car that's a joy to drive makes it a no-brainer car to buy. I average 27 mpg in traffic, and 30-31 mpg highway.
An Audi for 20K less . . .
I've driven many compact and midsize cars over the years, including the Sentra, Civic, Focus, Cavalier, Lancer, and Corolla, as well as the Accord, Camry, and Mazda 6. I will honestly tell you that very few cars come close to the value and quality of this car. Whether you choose the smooth 5 speed or convenient 4 speed, you can't go wrong. This car has the poise to perform in stop and go city traffic, the ability to break free on the open road and through the twisties, and has the build quality to rival cars that cost 10-20K more. With the orange/red accents, you feel like you're in an Audi A4 instead of a Mazda.
Highly recommended
A fun car to drive with the optional 2.3 liter engine. I prefer manual transmission, but the automatic was good because of the manual shift feature. Fit and finish were very good. Good room (we had the hatchback), handing and steering tight and nimble. Only problem was with one window that quit working, but our local dealer fixed under warrantee with no issues. Local dealer experience very good. They offered free tires and battery for the life of the car if regular scheduled maintenance done. Good fuel economy, we actually got better than what's posted on the window sticker. A good car for the money, don't even bother with any comparable American-made compacts.
2 year review
have owned for 2 years now - no unscheduled trips to dealer. Great reliability, very comfortable, the 4 doors and hatchback are very useful. Only wishes - about 40 more horsepower, a better stereo, and a 5 speed auto.
Mazda3 Pretty Decent Vehicle
I was suspect not having owned such a small car, as a daily driver, for over twenty years. I was also suspect about the Ford connection with Mazda. So far, I haven't had any concerns and I can be pretty picky. The car delivers 23MPG with mixed driving and about 27-28 MPG strictly highway. The automatic tranny is fine and I have the slapstick manual option which is nice. I am wondering how it will handle New England winters, especially with 17" speed-rated tires. The vehicle does have one quirk; in idle, the heat vents blow cold air, even with a warm engine. When moving, the heat is strong. Makes it difficult to warm up the car in the morning since it only will blow cold until driving.
This is entry level?!
I didn't actually buy this car yet, but have been looking at it for several days and like what I see so far. Debating between this or a 2003 Protege5. The 3 has huge power increase over the Pro5, but overall does not handle as tightly. Very nice acceleration in 1st gear, but 2nd seems sluggish. Still a nice car, with great styling for entry level economy car.
201,895 original miles!
I bought the '04 2.3 hatchbck manual brand new. Hwy driving t wrk 100 miles a day 4 the past 11yrs. Yes the ck engine lite does come on alot but that is its job t alert you-usually small fixes. Tires are expensive t replace & the pax headlight. Only major work was recently ignition coils replacement wear & tear.t
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100k and going strong
A quick update, I've posted before. Now over 100k miles in under 6 years, my Mazda3 is still going strong, with no major issues. I am still on the stock, original clutch- though it's pretty worn right now. Timing belt is due- which requires pulling the engine. :( With just oil changes and lots of miles, I wouldn't complain about a few more hp to match the superb suspension. Lifetime best tank of 38mpg, typical 30mpg highway biased driving, but not especially gentle. I absolutely love the great visibility from HIDs, and very comfortable seats for long drives. Cupholders and right elbow support could be improved for better ergos, but overall excellent. No regrets about this purchase.
Mazda 3s - 5-door hatch
Great looking and driving car. 2.3 I-4 with variable valve timing is very versatile -- rev to 6000+ RPM on a beltway on-ramp or cruise in 5th gear at low speeds on level terrain. EPA estimate is 32 mpg highway. I have only achieved that rating once or twice (long distances at speeds under 60 mph). Rpm kills mpg. It needs a 6th gear. In 5th, it revs 3000 rpm at 70 mph and fuel mileage suffers (avg 28-29 mpg hwy). Otherwise, it is great fun to drive. It goes where you point it. 4-wheel disc brakes are outstanding. Oil is a pain to change, with an aero pan that needs to be removed for filter access and filters available only from Mazda. 17" 50 series Goodyear RS-As are NOT snow tires.
New 3, 5 door
I hadnt seen or heard anything about the 3 untill i saw 1 as i drove by the dealership yesterday. I test drove it and loved it. I have driven the Mazdaspeed protege and the SER spec V The 3 feels like it has more power than the nissan, i havent got to drive it hard yet because of the "break in" period. I love the way it rides and everyone else seems to love the way it looks. I have only had it for about 24 hours so i dont know about gas mileage or reliability. I would also highly recomend Royal Moore dealerships in Hillsboro OR, they were awsome to deal with.
what a fun ride!!!!!
I have had this car for 3 weeks now and have NO regrets. Despite the fact that it is brand new and new style I purchased for well under invoice using my Edmunds research. I am happy with my purchase..its fun to drive..looks good and has heads turning. The power is GREAT for a small car. It handles like a sports car. This is a classy small car. I've waited so long for another "great little car". I'm a loyal Mazda owner and have enjoyed their reliability for years now....I am now so excited to have not only the reliability but the LOOKS! Mazda just gets better and better!! I look forward to owning this vehicle for years to come.
Best car for the buck!
I recently bought a mazda 3 hatchback with manual transmission. It was a used car, and the only words that came out of my mouth when I drove it for the first time were OH WOW!! Car is incredibly fun to drive, great gas mileage, and it also looks great. Great torque, no need to down-shift when passing someone up on the expressway. Great car, fits all my friends, and the most important, fits my personality.
Best car under 25k
Car is good and fast it is really quick besides my mercades this is the fastest car I own
It's a Canadian Lemon
By far the worst example of customer service I'e ever experienced. Car is 9 months old, had a hesitation problem from day 1. Been in the shop 6 times for 23 days, couldn't fix the problem then Mazda said it was normal. I requested a replacement and they refused. Went through arbitration, an independent test was ordered and confirmed my complaint that it doesn't run properly. Mazda Canada was ordered to buy back the car. I wanted to purchase another but Mazda Canada is refusing to lease me another because "they're all like that and I wouldn't be happy with another" Bull, I've driven 6 others and they were fine. Mazda won't refund the $450.00 extended warranty!
Good Looking Mazda 3
Just bought a new mazda 3. Nice car, but cheap
Fun Family Wagon
Bought new in July 2004. Very fun to drive, and it looks great for a 5 door wagon. Good amount of pep and corners flat with a lot of grip. Good cargo space, once fit an armchair in the back with the seats folded. Rear is a little tight with a rear facing child seat, but otherwise good for two adults. I'm 6'3" and fit very comfortably with only a little rubbing on the center console. MPG are a little less than expected, partly because it is so easy to drive fast. My 2004 only has a 4 speed auto so RPM are a little high on the freeway. Negatives include weak AC, high road noise, ride can be firm on broken pavement, only one intermittent wiper speed, tires are expensive to replace
200,000 miles of absolute hate
I bought this car with 100,000 miles on it. It was decent at the time. I hate it. It makes weird noises, the a/c is terrible even with all new equipment. The design of the front bumper is [non-permissible content removed] with the mounting being built into the bumper with plastic so when they break, you have to replace the bumper. The A/C compressor makes noise that make it seem like its going to die. The intake manifold ticks, the SRS system is so poorly designed you can cause your air bag warning light to come on just by adjusting the drivers seat. The A/C controlls are so crappy that sometimes I have to slap the hell out of the panel to get the a/c to click on. The brake system works atleast. The seats are not comfortable on long trips leaving the lumbar support as a non helpful adjustment.
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too fast too furious
awsome ride. awesome speed. out of the box performance that rivials all of the tricked out street racers. it's got big rims, low profile tires, a fast engine and tons of features.
Must See, Must Buy
The Mazda3 is an awesome car. They look very aggresive and even have a little growl from the factory. I rate the safety very well since I wrecked mine doing rolls at 75+mph. My friend and I were okay and walked about 5 miles to my friends house for the night. I had a sore shoulder for about 2 months after but by judging by the car its a miracle we made it out alive. It's a clean, and stylish car with good performance and mileage all in one. I wouls recommend this to tuners, youngerr crowd, and parents with no more than 2 kids. The trunk is BIG so I cant figure why the back seat is small.
Very capable
This car has a solid feel, crisp handling and good seat comfort. I feel confident behind the wheel and there's plenty of back seat and hatchback utility in this fun package. I paid full boat retail and don't regret it. Our other car is a Miata and it's hard to compare these two but it is sporty enough that I don't jones to get back in the sports car. It's really great.
my zoom
I have not had any problems with this car. I currently have just about 25,000 miles on it. Fun to drive.
GREAT CAR!
This car has it all. Its not expensive at all and has all the best features. The interior is absolutely beautiful. The exterior is flawless and sporty looking and performance is all I ask for. I got the automatic but the dealership didnt have manual yet. GO GET ONE!
Zippy 3
I love my new car. It has all the features of a luxury car, yet it comes in a small package (easy to park)and at a reasonable price. The navigation is great, and the utility of the hatchback comes in handy.
ZOOM ZOOM
I still walk backwards to look at my car in parking lots. This is by far the most fun to drive car Ive owned in ten years. Bang for the buck is an understatement when it comes to the Mazda3. Nothing can touch it!
Got Problems?
I've had the car for close to a year now. Yesterday was my 5th or 6th check engine light. If it is anything like the others it will be a problem with the evap system. The gas mileage isn't as good as I had expected. I am averaging 23mpg and on a good tank 25mpg. These issues have been disappointing. That being said, I really like this car. It is fun to drive. In the first few months I would volunteer to go to the store for my wife. We have even had races to get into the driver's seat first. The red sparkles at the right angle. It has muscular contours, very attractive. I have looked at "luxury" cars and don't feel like I am missing anything, especially my money. This car wants to be driven.
best car out there
very Sporty, great looks and and awsome price
White Mazda 3s 5 door
Bought my Mazda3 5 door after I got into a major highway accident. Forced into shopping for a new car in 3 days but luckily my wife already owned a 3 4 door. Very good car for the price and size. Excellent fit and finish, build quality and ergonomics. A bit snug for me in the drivers seat since I am 6'2", 210 but very good commuter and short distance car. Put over 9,000 miles on it and it is performing well with no complaints. Shows all the other manufacturers how to design and execute a top quality car instead of the junk they try to pass off on consumers. Well done, Mazda!
Cute and Fun Car!
I just bought the M3 today and have already had a lot of fun driving it. Besides being inexpensive, it is stylish and easy to drive. I actually bought the car for my teenage son, but he may never get to use it because I am enjoying it so much! When I went to the dealer I was going to buy a Mazda 6 but I found this to be almost as nice, much more interesting to look at, and about $7,000 cheaper! I think this will be a hit with the teens and college students.
GO MAZDA!
I love the new Mazda3 5 door. I think the regular sedan looks like it had its back cut off. Beyond that it is an awesome car!
My Little Mazda
I bought my Mazda3 in Nebraska and drove it back to Vegas. That's 1255 miles. I got an average of 24-26mpg the whole way. Not bad, but definitely could be better. This includes the driving in Colorado. If anybody has driven through there, you know what I mean. I got about 24 in that area. Your auto-stick really comes in handy up those hills. I was in 3rd gear up most of them. While in Nebraska, it was really cold. For some reason it didn't want to start early in the morning at 0 degrees. Not sure. After it was started, everything was fine. Took a couple times, but it did start. I tried putting heet in the gas tank, but didn't seem to do anything. The tail end likes to slide in the snow. A+
The Surprise Winner
I decided to test drive the Mazda 3 just to be sure that I did not overlook anything before I dropped 20K. This car out drove anything else I drove (Jetta, Civic, Altima and Matrix). Shifting is simple and precise, not the sluggish start of the other cars I drove. The engine revs freely and clutch is very smooth. Steering is a bit light but provides a good sense of the road. The car interior is well laid out though a bit quirky in its styling. The result is that I bought the car. Mazda really has delivered a drivers car at a reasonable price.
Poor Man's Luxury Sedan
Hot little vehicle with a decent price tag.
Awesome Car!
This is truly a fun car to drive! The interior is comfortable yet sporty. It handles very well. The highway ride is smooth and quiet. The car can be customized to fit your peferences, while remaining affordable. I would highly recommend it!
Very Impressive!!!
I bought the titanium grey with the ABS brakes and xenon light options. So far my wife and I absolutely love it. It has a very sporty look to it and I get alot of "it looks like a mini Lexus or a Infinity FX". The ride is awesome with ample power and the interior has a nice feel and look to it. The 17" stock rims are definetly a plus! If you are in the market for a small sedan, you should check this vehicle out. You will be impressed.
Titanium3
Great car. Went with fully loaded options and still got a great price!!!!
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!
Drives like a zoom out of Hades
Continue to be amazed by thoughtfulness of detail and quality of fit and finish. Drives like a go-cart and turns quite a few heads as I pass them. The dealer sold two more of them while I was buying mine. Another winner for Mazda.
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.
The alternate to my Corvette
I love driving a Corvette on the weekend, but the Mazda 3 makes my 80 mile workday commute more than enjoyable. Over the years, I've also owned an RX-7 and a Protege, and this Mazda is another winner. My 5 speed wagon has leather, sunroof and 6 CD player, and no problems to report at 80K. Excellent car and looking to replace it with either the MX-5 or a Mazdaspeed 3.
Fantastic vehicle
I found my 2004 Yellow Mazda3 Hatch at the dealership just calling out my name. The previous owner apparently wanted a MazdaSpeed3 and this was what they traded in. Mine is a 5-speed manual and extremely fun to drive and tour with. Great gas mileage helps me save on my commute to work, and to say that my car turns heads would be an understatement. The ONLY complaint I have on this vehicle is that the stock tires that come with it are HORRIBLE in adverse weather (snow and/or rain). Got 4 new tires and the difference is amazing. Only one issue in 2 years (seat belt sensor) was fixed immediately and has not reappeared.
Great new car to start with!
iT WAS SO FUN TO DRIVE. Taking turns was like a race car game. And best of all, I paid Invoice for it. Pickup is excellent, even uphill and the AT transmission switching to manual for pasing rocks.
Mazda 3 S
Great power delivery: it almost feels like a V6 engine (very similar to a VR6 Jetta I used to own). Great handling: Its roadholding is 0.87g according to C/D mag. That is close to Infiniti G35(0.88) and higher than Acura TSX (0.85). Interior: The individually sunk dashboard looks spectacular especially at night. Remote radio controls placed on the steering wheel comes in handy. Exterior: It looks a little chunky from certain angles but overall looks very sharp.
If you're tired of Hondas Get the Mazda3
Just bought it!! I love the way it handles. Has great get up and go! Interior is awesome! If you are tired of seeing the same old Honda on the street...this is the car for you! I love Mazdas so I may be a bit impartial. I would give it a nine out of ten on an overall scale.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
This is a great car at a great price. When i saw the features and the styling of this car i almost over looked it thinking it whould be in the mid to high 20's i took a look at the sticker price, drove it, bought all in one night... AWESOME VEHICLE.....