Used 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Continually amazed by great performance
DARIN, 07/06/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car can be summed up in one word - tight. It is one well built car, and I knew this the minute I shut the door after the first test-drive. It drives circles around the Civic. The interior is roomy, and all the gauges are fun to look at. This car is the Swiss Army knife of cars, it can do so many things. Coming from a VW, this car is light years ahead of VW in performance, and reliability. Just in case, Mazda includes a 5 year, 50,000 warranty. The engine just purrs. I have a manual, and is it so fun and easy to shift. If you are looking for reliability, great looks, and some power to haul the family around with, the M3 is it.
Car Washing Is Fun Again!
Sh0kker, 07/06/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When the car was introduced in 04, I knew I'd own one. I waited for any "beginner" bugs to be worked out & bought the GREAT reviewed 05 model. To date, I have no complaints. The style, the power & the extras can't be compared with any other car in the $20k range. I also looked at the Civic, Corolla, Focus, Matrix & Jetta. It may get beat in gas milage, but the other cars are boring & plain. Besides, I see a few dozen of those other cars on the road everyday. This car is a head- turner. I go hiking, The Sport AT transmission is great for climbing the big hills & it makes it FUN. Lots of cargo room. The exterior/interior styling is great. Lots of room for my sports stuff & the kids stuff!
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Great deal for a great car
t. p., 07/20/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first new car purchase. I've had this car for 3 weeks now and it is great. I enjoy driving it everyday (plus you don't feel so bad b/c it gets very good gas mileage). Mine has ABS/sideairbags, moonroof, 6 disk, tpms, 5 spd, xenon,step plates, wheel moldings and diffuserplate. I would suggest finding one with ABS/airbags b/c tests show poor side impact ratings w/o sideairbags. ABS brakes feel great stopping the car. Step plates are good cheap option for protecting rear bumper. I would not suggest buying arch moldings or diffuser since they are non- functional. Ride is firm which I like. I highly recommend this vehicle. Get the stick if you can; manumatic will not allow downshifting as i wish
Great commuter car, Good for tall people
twozeroone, 07/29/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2005 Hatchback Automatic 2.3S. Great little car. Fun as can be to drive alone on long windy roads with lots of tight turns. Very good handling, similar to BMW. Built extremely well with many stock features. I am about 6'3" tall and had a tough time finding a car I was comfortable in which was good on gas. I drove the 5 speed and was a little tight due to the clutch, but the automatic has a perfect spot where the clutch would be that is empty and I can extend my legs all the way to the fire wall. Great car for tall people like me. The seats hold you in position good on fast turns.
The best small car under 20,000
Joel D. , 07/28/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I chose the Mazda 3s 5-door hatchback for a number of reasons.It is practical and more dramatic-looking than the sedan. It's delightful to drive and pleasing to look at both inside and out.It has a commodious cargo hold. The most exciting thing about this cabin is the list of available options including navigation system, Xenon HID headlights side curtain airbags, and a tire- pessure monitoring system. Mazda 3 brings exciting features to the class of economy cars. On the road, the 3 has enough power to please an econo- excitement. The car handled twisted road with ease. It has a firm suspension. The seats are supportive, and with telescoping/tilt wheel, it's easy find a driving position.
Mazda3 rules
yoda, 08/02/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I want to say that I love this car. I bought mine with a special package. I see that I'm the only Mazda3 out there that has Injen Intake system in it and dual chrome exhaust pipes. I still love this machine no matter what. For the review, it handles very well. Far better than my old car. Boxy. I love the space it has in front for the driver and passenger. I love how they made the Mazda3 with the controls for the radio and CD player on the steering wheel with the cruise control as well. I also like that this Mazda3 has more than 2 cup holders. More storage space. The most comfortable seats ever.
BEST BUY FOR YOUR MONEY
ROBERT, 08/03/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Drives great, this 2.3 engine is fast with the 5 speed. Nice looking for a 5 door. Close ratio gears makes it easy to shift.
What a blast
kmh030, 08/11/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This thing is so much fun to drive. Get the 2.3 motor (not the 2.0). It is so much fun to drive everyday. I couldn't ask for more car at $18,600. It's well built, handles like a dream, quick off the line and you can fit a piano in the back. Big strong brakes and a great chassis offers a stiff yet surprisingly smooth ride. The automatic transmission could be a bit more smooth but it's not bad. It boots around the city and whips easily into any parking spot. On the down side the seats are not comfortable. The seat hurts after 1.5 hours and it gets worse. I'm going to buy an aftermarket seat. The cockpit ergonomics could be better too. But I don't care and you shouldn't either.
Fabulous Car
Gary, 09/06/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Mazda 3 wagon is the coolest car I have ever owned. It is fabulous and I would highly recommend it. It drives like a sports car; it has ample room for passengers and gear. On a recent road trip I consistently got 33-35 mpg. (typically, 27 around town.) Yet is has plenty of power and cruises very comfortably while relaxing and listening to the CD.
FUN! FUN! FUN!
fotojournalist, 09/06/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
What an incredible vehicle! So sporty, so fun! Solar Yellow is THE only color to have. The metal flake in the paint is what makes the color pop. Comfortable and a great price. ZOOM! ZOOM!
Best in the bunch
Richard Casserly, 09/08/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have enjoyed this car from the day I first drove it at the dealership as a test drive. My first Mazda was the Protégé 5 which was a practical and inexpensive spacious car. Mazda has not lost that theme with the 3 but has risen the bar in this category.
Awesome Performance
Surgio, 11/12/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Recently purchased a Mazda 3s hatchback. Fun car to drive, very responsive manual transmission, great handling. Plenty room in hatch, especially with flip down seats. Awesome interior, well "thought" out. If you are looking for an awesome car all the way around I recommend you stop by your Mazda dealer and take one for a spin.
2nd Time Around
Bill, 11/10/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd Mazda. We owned a '03 Protege 5 prior to buying our '05 Mazda 3. Overall the '03 seemed more solid, however the '05 features, options and power make up for it. Loaded the '05 up and enjoy all the options. Would have bought the yellow over the white, but it was not as nice as the yellow on our '03.
Great Value
Jeff, 02/12/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really made the right decision with the charcoal grey 5 door S. Black leather, sunroof, 6 disk in dash, 17" wheels and a very nicely done interior make this car a pleasure. I have read about people's winter issues and I live in the NE and believe the fault is more the Goodyear tires that come standard. I recently put a set of Nokian WRs on the car and have had no problems whatsoever in the winter. The handling of this car is great! The feedback through the steering wheel keeps the driver in tune with the car at all times. One word for the car is tight! Int/Ext styling are sharp, hatchback holds a ton of stuff. Best car around for the money! Gets 28mpg with spirited driving. Go get one!
LOVE MY 3
G-MAN, 04/13/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Love this car. Bought the lava orange with a five speed and have no complaints. Had a Jeep and just could not afford the fuel to drive it. I drive at least 60 miles a day to and from work. Been on a vacation to New Jersey with my fiance and our two friends with a baby; we live in Ohio.
Mazda 3s hatchback hard to beat
Bob Lenburg, 05/16/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The handling is terrific, fun to drive, gets reasonable mileage even with the 2.3 s model, very comfortable and the interior space and quality exceeded my expectations. The larger brakes on the s model stop the car in such short distances that I have to re-adjust my following distance when driving my other vehicle. For the money, this car is a well kept secret. I had a 2001 Miata which was great fun to drive, but had inherent safety issues of a convertible. The Mazda 3s is nearly as much fun to drive (actually, accelerates quicker) and can be driven year-round. If BMW made this exact car their new entry level vehicle they could not make enough of them at $27K price.
A car I can appreciate every time
crazyjerry, 05/31/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After owning the car for a year, the only car I wish to have instead is the newer 2006 Mazda 3 which added a trip computer. By all mean, this is a car I would otherwise pay additional $5k for, of course with a few more bells and whistles. But the basic feeling and driving is all there to it. This car is not just one step ahead but way better than any other new compact car in this price range. I stick with the basic features for the best value. Skip the ABS...this car stops well in the rain. Choose manual tranny and you won't be disappointed with the performance and gas mileage.
Zoomin' Fun
ANPope, 09/25/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My last car was an Audi A4. When it was time for a new car I went with the Mazda3. It's fun to drive and responsive, with decent handling for this price range. The only handling problem is the tendency to spin the front tires when making a 90 degree turn from a stop onto wet roads. It affords good visibility and I never have a problem merging quickly into traffic. I get 30 to 31 MPG on the highway even with the larger engine and automatic transmission, although you can knock 2 MPG off that when running the AC.
Great car, poor MPG
Slick26, 10/18/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
All things considered, I think this has so far been a great car. Build quality and reliability have been superb. As has handling and over-all general performance. My main concerns about this car have been fuel economy and room. Now I knew I was buying a compact car, so I can't complain too much about room. But just take note, if you have kids, especially small kids in car seats, this car gets extremely small in a hurry. Put two car seats in the back and you have no room for anything, and driver and front passenger become very uncomfortable. Now, where I am most disappointed is fuel economy. I cannot get better than 23 mpg hwy/20 city no matter how hard I try. And I drive very conservatively.
Mazda 3, 5 door 2.3 liter
Thom , 11/23/2006
2005 Mazda 3 SP23 Special Edition 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have owned for approximately 1 year and have had no trouble with it at all. We traded from a large SUV to this car and my wife loves it. Mileage is obviously much better. She loves handling and fun factor. SUV was larger and I thought safer, but in truth Montero SUV would have possibly rolled in emergency situation. This car handles like a slot car and I think would be safer under an unexpected situation and my wife could avoid a potential accident.
125,000 miles and going strong
michdude, 01/08/2012
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2005 Mazda 3 as a used, certified car with 48,000 one owner miles on it. I had just started a new job which is 25 miles one way so I needed a reliable, fairly fuel efficient car that looked sharp, was fun to drive and could seat four adults when needed. I'm 6'3" tall so I also needed a car that could handle my lanky frame. I have to say my Mazda 3 has been a pleasure to drive over the past three years. It has also been reliable. The only mechanical failures I've had are the serpentine belt tension pulley and the drivers side front wheel bearing. I have replaced the brake rotors and pads and bought new tires (Continental ExtremeContact DWS. Overall I love my 3!!!!!!!
Great handling car
Dom, 05/12/2007
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have driven small sports cars or SUVs my whole life. This is the best blend of performance driving and utility that you can get, even if it is front wheel drive. The interior is fantastic and the electro-hydraulic steering is an undersold point in these cars. It's a very smooth driving car that livens up the instant you begin to push it. Awesome throttle response in 5th gear on the highway for a 4cyl. The seats are the quality that you find in much more expensive cars. Gripes: speed sensitive volume control on the stereo is useless, power windows/sunroof only work with ignition on, not accessory.
I found THE car!!
I found THE car!!!, 07/26/2007
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I test drove this car I knew that I would like to own it, and that I would enjoy driving it. I didnt realize that I would love it. For me, everything about this car is great. I'm going to own this car for a long time (300k miles or more). Gas mileage could be better, but it is still decent. I get 26-27 around town. I think it would help if I would keep my foot out of it though. I added an iPod integration kit, and now the sound system is the bomb. Mine is not the 6 CD changer, but I dont use CDs anyway since I have the iPod kit now. I think the stock speakers are really good, but some audiophiles might want to upgrade. Buy the car, don't hesitate. Get the 5 speed!
Awesome car
me, 05/23/2008
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is just a terrific car. Reliability has been very good except for shocks and battery been replaced at 24k (Puerto Rico roads are awful), otherwise excellent. Power is impressive for a 4 cyl engine, and ride comfort is acceptable despite having 17's on 50 series tires. Handling is awesome, it just sticks like glue. In the end, the best compact you can buy today
Zoomzoom
Marko, 02/26/2019
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A great car. I have 220 000.00 miles and just had the transmission checked. AOL. I've always had Fords but love my Mazda 3 5door hatchback
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Take It From Me
TRO, 06/08/2008
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have been an auto detailer for years, and just started college in Oregon. I needed a reliable car with good gas mileage to drive from Washington. This car is everything and more. I have the 2.3 Mazda 3 Hatch S. On average, now this is average about 28 miles per gallon. On highway only I have averaged about 36. I know it's insane. Driving on the highway the noise is actually very quiet. This car has tons of room and very spacious. The manual transmission is very smooth along with the steering. Easy to use controls on the steering wheel. I would recommend this car to ANYONE. I have driven hundreds of other cars through my auto detailing, and nothing compares to a Mazda. Nothing.