Used 2005 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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1 year Review for my 2005 Mazda3i
Car is quick for a compact sedan. Way more rear legroom than competitors and although some parts are shared between this and the Ford Focus, the Mazda interior styling outshines Corolla, Civic, Focus, Cobalt, but not Jetta. One major reason I decided on a 3 was because of engine performance. It seemed to out perform its competitors in HP at 148. One thing I've noticed about driving and do like is the quick acceleration at higher speeds (60+mph); this car really feels somewhat like a 6 cylinder at these speeds. The low speed acceleration doesn't seem that great. Everyone I know loves the interior, but here is where my complaints lie. The microfiber seats build static on your clothes and the glove compartment squeaks.
Great purchase
Purchased the car in October 2004. The car has GFX package, leather with 5 speed tran. No problems to signal after 8K/7 months of ownership. Car is very stable, feels solid and tight, has a firm but comfortable ride. Engine is very responsive and is a good performer. Car can turn on a dime! , 5 spd tran shifts moothly. Can cruise with ease at 80 + mph.
- i SedanMSRP: $6,499425 mi away
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,999501 mi away
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,888540 mi away
by far the best small car out there
This car is awesome and the only car I've ever had that I have truly loved. Go Mazda go.
Great Value
This car drives and looks like way more than what I paid for it. It is also so much nicer than those in its class.
Hot Lil' Ride
The first time I saw this car I wanted it. I thought it was going to cost more than I could afford. I was shocked at how affordable it is. I was so happy that I didn't have to settle for any bland looking, low horse powered, uncomfortable compact car! The Mazda3 is a blast to drive! It drives very nicely and handles corners like a breeze.
Great Car
I bought this car after comparing it to multiple other cars, and I could not be happier that I went with the Mazda3.
EXCELLENT!!!!!
I bought it last month and i had no problems with this car.This car drives similar to a BMW,including the radio looks like a BMW,Its a really a fun car to drive!!
Mazda 3s
The car is a great car for the $. I only have one real knock against this car; it has too much road noise. Mazda really needs to work on this - it should be a simple solution and would dramatically improve the driving pleasure!
Love This Car!
We needed to downsize from a Z71 4wheel drive Suburban. After checking every option imaginable, I saw this car in a parking lot. I began to research options, etc.. We drove it and loved it. Even the teenager likes it. Roomier than most cars in this category. Many options available. Very, VERY happy.
What a beauty!
This is a wonderful car. I compared it to other similar cars in its class (Civics, Jettas, Golfs, Subarus, Corollas) and the M3 stands above all of them. I am elated to have purchased this car!
Great Car
I've had this car for almost 5 years. During that time I've taken it to the dealers to get fixed twice. One time was so they would tighten the wiper blades and the other was a sensor that was throwing faults. They were both before warranty expired and I haven't had a problem since. I drive 40 miles to work everyday and it does it very well. I've used synthetic fuel since 20K every 7 thousand miles. That may have contributed to the reliability but I doubt it. Mine's a manual transmission too.
Two months into my adventure
My only complaint is that the car seems to hesitate when you applied pressure to the gas....and this is the 2.3
Great little car
I have the very stripped down and base 3 sedan, that means I don't have A/C or any options. Even without A/C and things like that this car is still amazing. No problems with the car since I bought it new. I love the manual transmission, and the build quality of this car. I love my 3 and my next car will be another Mazda.
I LOVE IT
It love my mazda 3!! i got it this summer from my dad for my first car! I got a grey one and i love the automatic/manual feature. I also love the amber lights and the easy-to-use system. It also drives very smooth, and the trunk is very roomy!
New Mazda3 s
Just love this car. Acceleration, albeit not that of a BMW 5 series, is excellent for the class and certainly far more than adequate. Steering is precise and braking is excellent. Engine seems very refined. Love the cruise control and radio controls on steering wheel. Glad I bought her.
Mazda3
I rented this car for a weekend trip to try it out before I bought it. I was surprised how easy it was to drive. I loved the way it handled. It has great pickup. I enjoyed zipping around town in it. It really is fun to drive. I went to the Mazda dealership the day I returned the rental and bought one.
Awesome Ride!!
I LOVE this car!! I have not had any problems with it! I bought it used in 2008 I own the 2005 Mazda3 S. I have had it for a little over a year its almost at 49,000 miles. I have a friend who owns an older Mazda626 which has been an awesome car for them which was one of the reasons I actually considered buying it. I had originally wanted to buy a honda accord but I have actually been happier with my Mazda than I think I would have been with the Honda. It was cheaper but I definitely don't believe its cheap quality. Ford makes Mazda and Ford's are usually pretty dependable however this car is like no Ford that I've ever driven.
Loving my new car!!!
I just bought my 4 door Mazda 3s, and I am loving the drive. I find myself looking forward to driving to and from work because the drive is smooth and effortless. My Mazda 3s has such a luxurious inside and out that it has been compared to some models of Lexus and BMW. For someone that is on a tight budget, I couldn't ask for a better car.
Its all right!
I think my mazda is ok its fun to drive. But there's nothing that keeps me excited about it. Its got average everything, nothing spectacular. The looks are nice but the lack of power even with the 2.3L is a bit disappointing.
great everything
This is a car for everyone. It's powerful, fast, comfortable, reliable, and looks absolutely great. I have a 2005 black Mazda 3s with 6 CD player, moonroof, spoiler, and ABS package. This car is amazing.
I love my Mazda!
I haven't had a single problem with this car. It runs like a champ and looks great. I have kept my car in excellent condition and I keep up with routine maintenece so it runs like it does. I love this car.
ZoomZoom
I have the 05 Mazda3s 4 door and I love it. It's nice on the inside and out and fun to drive. I'm 18 and commute to college on Long Island. I get compliments on it all the time and with the JL audio speaker upgrade and the addition of subs and a 2000 watt amp really makes the difference. I have neon under the dash and in the side door panels with lambo doors. 15% tint all around really looks great on the silver. I got new 17" rims and put the stock tires back on because they were fine. For around $22K with $5K in add ons you can't beat it. I will have this car for a while.
Mazda "Axela" excels competition
The new Mazda 3 puts the competition to shame when you compare it to a Honda Civic or Kia Spectra. I've taken a lot of cars for test drives and none felt quite as solid as the 3, otherwise known as the Axela. The turning ratio and grip to the road is amazing, especially compared to a Dodge/Plymouth Neon or Chevrolet Cavalier. Aside from that, the styling is way more appealing to the eyes than any other car, even more than most in the sport compact class. Another HUGE plus, the interior design, though very race-inspired, is still luxurious and comfortable. On the exterior, there are no lines more than a centimeter away from each other making this car the best choice under 15,000.
Best in Class 3i automatic
55 year old. My last car was a Focus ZX3 5-speed. The quality and attention to detail is incredible. Mine is Rally White with the moon roof, ABS, sport pkg and all the air bags. The car handles much better than the Focus and has the aggressive look of a BMW. Fit and finish is world class and the materials in the interior are light years ahead of any of the products offered by the big 3. I looked at the new Civic and really disliked the new dash layout and that was the only other vehicle that I considered.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL COMPACT SEDAN
This car got me all excited about owning a "compact" car. It's like having a BMW or a Mercedes in terms of look and feel. I have the Mazda3 s 4-door automatic, it came with 8 airbags, 17-inch wheels, power moonroof, and a decent 160 hp from its 2.3 liter variable valve timed engine. From the moment I test drove the car, i fell in love with it, nothing comes close to its style, handling and upscale look in the compact car world. this car is very pretty inside-out. It actually gets plenty of attention whenever I fill up, or when I am at a parking lot, people can't beleive it costs much less than it actually looks. Overall, this car competes with EUROS in style and value.
I LOVE my M3
It's Zoom Zoom Zoom to the fullest! Fantastic Car and so much fun to drive. If you can, get the S edition (Grand Touring for the '06 models). The 4 door S sedan in Rally White is what I have with all 4 packages. The leather in the Mazda 3 smells so so good! :-)
My Experience with my Mazda 3
The Mazda 3s is as fun to drive as their brand phrase "Zoom-Zoom". Even though this car has only 160hps it is still very fun to drive. The audio system is configured to give you the most of convenience while you are driving this car.
Mazda3 Is Awesome!
Lets face it, if your budget is 17000 and you want a new fun, reliable car there's not much to choose from. Thank God for the Mazda3. So much power for the money. If you want a $17000 car why would you want any more or less than 160horses. It's perfect. Great acceleration and decent fuel economy. Interior is great. Winning Blue metallic gets everyone staring, fun to drive stick, great handling and so smooth and quiet for a compact, build quality inside and out is far beyond standard-- IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN
'05 Mazda 3
For a small car, the front seats have plenty of room for my 6'4" frame. Love the steering wheel audio controls, snazzy interior, and good stereo system. I added a mask on the front and graphics on the side and frequently get comments on its looks. I've put 26,000 miles on it in my first year of ownership and LOVE driving it. My 3 has the the 17" wheels and the handling is great. I love zoom zooming around curves.
A College Student's Dream
I have had my mazda 3 for almost a year now and I love it. I've driven it from the coast of California to the coast of Florida and I couldn't ask for anything better. The ride is smooth, reliable, and enjoyable.
Good times
It's a great car. I have loved every minute of it. The drive is fun and the manual is smooth.
love this car!!!!!
just purchased my 3 yesterday, dealership approximately 60 miles from my home, loved the ride back, very comfortable, feels like you're driving a BMW, looks like a 325i from a distance, the car looks really expensinve, interior is beautiful, shoppped around for about 8 other cars but this one kept jumping at me, finally decided to shop for this car, once i test drove it, I WAS SOLD !!!!
This Car saved our lives.
I was recently in a car accident in my new Mazda3. This car was so amazing and so safe (I had the side airbags and ABS option) that we were told by several authorities that it was a miracle that we walked away from the scene, with just bumps and bruises at that! The car was totaled, but we were in very good condition. I owe my life to this car and wouldn't even consider buying a different model now.
I love my 3
This car is a blast. It has about every feature you could want standard.It also has the best horsepower to gas mileage ratio. I think I'm gonna buy another one.
I LOVE this car
I bought this car in college over 5 years ago and put 85,000 miles on it - no mechanical problems whatsoever. It's extremely reliable, inexpensive to maintain, handles well, plenty of storage area, and has good gas mileage.
Hats off to Mazda
Mazda's redesign of its previous compact is right on the money. The 160 hp engine fits the size of this car. Not only is it is peppy and fun to drive, it looks like a car that would sell at twice its price. Congratulations to Madza.
solid
i recommend it, my only complaint is that it is a tad noisy, but it is expected w/any car in this class
Mazda 3
Everyone of my friends are jealous of my car. It's cute, reasonably priced, and safe, PLUS it drives like a dream!!
Mzda3 "s" is GREAT!!!!!
I recently purchased this car in early November--a 5 speed manual, 2005 model w/ airbags/ABS/moonroof package. This car has very few faults. For the money, this is like driving a 'mini' Infiniti G35 (because we own one of them as well). I put in a nice alarm system, added rear tint, and upgraded the weak factory stereo system. Overall, Mazda 3 s .......I'm impressed!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
This Mazda has earned its slogan. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. It handles like an expensive sports car. Functions like a compact family car. It has looks and style. Big bang for the buck. I love it more than my Lexus. Need I say more?
ZOOM-ZOOM-ZOOM
After owning two BMW's Its a pleasure to find a quality car at this price that doesnt sacrifice handling or safety. My hats off to Mazda.
Exceeded Tough Expectations
I needed a daily driver so I could keep my sports car for the weekend. I didn't really expect the daily driver to be as much fun as the Mazda 3 is. I do believe it's not only the best compact sedan to come out recently, but one of the best overall. I've always been an auto enthusiast so I'm quite picky when I test drive a vehicle. With better than expected acceleration, great gas mileage, low costing insurance, clean looking interior, attractive exterior, you won't do better near this price point.
More than your money's worth
From the time I received the email reply from my dealer to this review, 1 month after driving it home, I've enjoyed every minute owning my Mazda3s! For well under $20,000 I bought a car that performs, looks and feels like a $25,000 luxury car! It's fast enough to satisfy my demanding driving style, it's contruction is solid to the point that I feel isolated from the outside on 90% of all roads and the upgradability of the car easily matches that of any Honda! The driving environment is encapsulating while nowhere near suffocating and my 5'8" frame feels right at home in the driver's seat! The only thing I regret is not putting down the money sooner!
Great Car/Great Value
Bought the SP23 model with manual 5sp. Great fun to drive and has been 100% reliable. 31 MPG on the highway, going 80 MPH (yes, we can do that in Montana). Excellent room, particulary for tall drivers. Rear seat not bad. Seats provide good back and leg support. Relatively quiet until you hit around 70MPH and then you hear more road noise.
I am amazed!!!
I have been a mustang driver since I have been driving. I chose the mazda3 because of my current job. I do alot of traveling and needed better gas mileage. It is fun to drive, looks great, and with all the sport options it has this car is a real head turner. I am still a mustang guy deep down, but I could get used to this. Mazda hit a home run with this one. With their motto "The Soul of a Sports Car", it makes losing my beloved LEGEND easier.
Best thing ever!!!!!!!!!
I purchased a Mazda 3i about a year ago ,and i love it! Very very fun to drive, and you cannot get all of the same features at a better price. Mine has the power pkg, Moonroof+6CD. I also ordered mine with the tiptronic auto, very cool. Overall I love it would defiently get one again.
Best Bang for the buck
After doing a lot of research I bought mine brand new and after 4 years it still puts a smile on my face. I have no plans to sell this car anytime soon. Mechanically the car has been sound. A couple of sensors had to be replaced under warranty, no big deal. Performs well for 4 door sedan and is a blast to drive on the twisties. Interior is fine for a under 20k car and more than one passenger has commented on the lighting and sleek interior design.
I love my Mazda3!
This is my first car ever, my grandparents bought it for me for my 16th birthday, and I absolutely love it! I have the i 4dr Sedan in silver with a manual transmission. I have had so much fun in this car that I never want to drive an automatic or anything other than a Mazda ever again! My brother, who is 6'1, has more legroom in my Mazda3 than he does in his Honda Civic, and the trunk is as big as my dad's Toyota Camry. All of my friends are jealous of the interior that lights up in red, and the chic design of it. I haven't had a single problem with my Mazda3 (other than stalling out when I was learning how to drive the stick). I named my car Dolce, and it really is very sweet!
Very good but not great
I bought this Mazda after trading in my 1999 Protege ES (which I loved)with 110K miles. There are a few things I notice with the 3 that aren't as good as the Protege. First is the stereo. The new one is VERY weak. That was one of the impressive things about the Protege - given that it was a small economy car. Second are small things like the window controls and vanity mirrors. The quality isn't the same. It seems like the new version uses cheaper, flimsy parts. The leather wrapped steering wheel feels like sandpaper. The old one felt great. The AC in this car is extremely weak. I could run it on full blast all day and never get really cold. Back seat is not as roomy.
A Great Car
I have only had my car for a week, but I've never enjoyed driving more! I was looking at a Mini initially, but it was just a little out of my price range. I then found this online, and chose it because of its looks. I'm telling you, Mazda doesn't play when they say Zoom- Zoom! Just to give you a taste of how awesome the gas mileage is: it was filled up and driven 250 miles with the air conditioning on the entire time, and it still had half a tank left in it! Don't take the price for this "beginner" model for granted; you get a lot of bang for your buck. With gas prices as high as they are, I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a car that has plenty of horsepower and is on a tight budget....