Used 2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Inconsistent build, very underwhelming
Thaddeus Mack, 11/23/2017
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought this car used with around 91K miles on it. Based on reviews, I thought it would be a good commuter vehicle and get good gas mileage. The bad: I mostly drive on highways, but haven't been able to break 23mpg. Apparently people can get upwards of 30, however driving like an old grandpa still gets me a whopping 23mpg. I even threw in an OBDII scanner connected to my phone and what the sensors gather for outputs on mileage is not what the odometer and tank show. The brakes are odd in that I slid once and the ABS activated and now they're spongy and very unresponsive (no leaks from the pump or lines though). The engine compartment looks like a 3 year old tried to go fishing and you get to untangle the mess of cables and wires (try changing the air filter in this car and you'll understand). The factory radio is AWFUL so if you're planning to buy this, set aside a few hundred dollars to replace the deck and speakers. The windshield wipers have one intermittent speed, which I am shocked by. The good: It's a fun car to drive when it's working right. The engine is responsive and passing cars is a breeze. The handling is superb and because the wheels are placed at the corners, parking in tight spaces is easy. The drivers seat is comfortable and has a good amount of headroom. The car is fairly quiet, even when blasting down the highway at 80mph. The trunk in the hatchback has several dividers and below deck storage compartments. The layout is all straight forward and easy to use. All in all, I would not buy this car again. The performance and handling perks can be found in many other cars which are better built and get better mileage. The stereo sounds so awful in this car, the engineer who developed it should be banished from earth. I was hopeful for more from Mazda but apparently was sadly mistaken.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
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Think before you buy
Not Happy, 02/10/2006
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Car handles great and has some nice options that are included. Power is lacking and intermittent - not what I expected from a 2.3L engine. Posted mpg on the 2.3 wagon is a joke - I average 20mpg. A few issues and the Mazda dealers don't want to deal with it and Mazda Customer Care line is useless also.
Not Satisfied
Tom, 08/21/2005
2005 Mazda 3 SP23 Special Edition 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Seats are very uncomfortable on trips over 4 hours. Steering is too light, comes off center too readily and has too much oversteer. Switches are not easy to operate or intuitive. Rear cargo area has very limiting width. Dashboard displays are gimmicky. Engine, transmission and A/C are rather noisy. Owner's manual is lacking on important details but abounds with information on overly elaborate audio system. Fuel consumption is mediocre. Clutch engagement is not easy from a start, especially on hills. Gear selection is difficult. I have driven manual transmissions for 40 years, this is the worst. Sorry I bought this car and will dump it in 3-4 years. It is highly over rated.
Style but serious flaws
rconn2, 03/12/2005
2005 Mazda 3 SP23 Special Edition 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I just bought the 2005 Special Edition Mazda3, with SP2 Security Package, Moonroof and Navigation. I have decidedly mixed feelings; am actually considering selling (and have had less than 2 weeks). Why? Despite researching and reading all I could, you don't really know until you buy. 1. There are many posts on the internet saying this car is awful in the snow... the worst they've driven in 40 years... an embarrassment. Some say it's the tires, some the wheels and tires. Who knows. 2. Fuel economy is poor -- especially with the automatic transmission. Lots of complaints here too. Like in the low 20's. 3. Consumer Reports just dropped it. 4. Nav system is featureless.
BMW's handling, unmatched in its class!!
Euro Auto Lover, 03/28/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I used to lease a BMW 328i. I've spend 3 months looking for my next car to purchase. Gee, I no longer need the European cars since I found that Mazda 3 and 6 closely match the European handling!!!! Not the Matrix, not the Civic, not the Scion, this Mazda3 tops my driving test scores in styling, handling, power and price. The steering is top-notch, it is even better than my previous heavier 328i. The handling is just as good as the BMWs. I don't put my food on the brake going around corners, I even accelerate out of corners in the 3!!! Cars disappear in the rear-view mirror!!! Braking is top-notch, no fading whatsoever during hard braking!!!! It is a MUSH-HAVE fun-to-drive machine!