Used 2005 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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much more than expected
incredible. hats off to mazda for making a fun and a solid-value vehicle. for the price i paid, i got much more than a civic lx. Handles sure-footed around turns and the interior finish is simple but nice.
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.
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,988348 mi away
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,650369 mi away
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,650376 mi away
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Mazda 3
I bought this car for a sales job with lots of miles, it was perfect in every aspect. I especially loved the red dash lights, it made it feel like a small sports car, but it was still roomy enough for the family. My only complaint is that when I totalled it out in December from rear ending a car in front of me, from what should have been little damage (the other car only had a scratch) My Mazda was demolished, over $11,000 in damage and the airbags never deployed. I went to the dealership who said although I hit the other car head on, because the passenger side took the brunt of the force, no air bags deployed. But, as long as you don't wreck it, you'll love it.
Nice Flash
I got a great deal on a loss leader and got the vehicle at below dealer cost which set the pace for an excellent buying experience. The car is only a few months old but has better interior styling, pickup and features package than my Corolla.
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.
This has more zoom-zoom than my 3i!
This car rocks! I have to say I am happy that I traded my 3i manual for it and I love it! I am happy with the pep of the engine and how fuel efficient it is. The ride is not as compliant as my 3i but I love it. It doesn't shake you up or jostle you; it is very inspiring to drive this car into curves. The manual is easy to row and the engine has enough low end grunt, although it needs more torque and lower rpms, but hey, I aint complaining!This has to be the best car for the money. It has power, the interior doesn't look like a 20K car, and the quality of it inside and out, I have to say, is better than Civic, Corolla, or Sentra.
Zoooom
It was a difficult decison, being a Toyota man for over 20 years -- Mazda 3 or Scion TC. 4 doors won out. First two weeks have been fun fun. I use the car to commute 65 miles each day. I recommed the 2.3 engine and all the extras that come with it. Have sun roof and ABS and side and window air bags, all for less than $18 k -- hard to believe
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.
Nice Car
I love my car! The only "bad" things I could consider is the stereo system could be a little better. And I am used to SUV driving in the snow, not such a light car, so that's a switch for me. Has good pep, and nice bright low beams and the temp on the mirror is always nice to indicate whether road conditions are icy, etc. It has fast acceleration (the 2.3) and tight brakes. Good buy, and definitely satisfied.
Amazing 3
My Mazda 3s feels like a BMW in all aspects except price. It fits like a glove, and handles like a slot car on a track. I placed my order after one test drive, and waited 4 months for delivery, but it was worth the wait. Buy one, you will not be disappointed.
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....
Great Little Car
Nice acceleration even with an automatic. Looks great! Turns corners like it's on rails and stops on a dime. And it's decently priced.
Worthy of the All the Praise
Our Mazda3 (S model, nearly all options) has lived up to the hype so far (3,000 miles). This is my (soon-to- be) wife's daily driver and she is constantly speaking of how much fun it is to drive and how many positive remarks she gets from others. The handling is crisp and responsive; the acceleration is better than adequate (some torque-steer present and can bog down at low RPMs). The seating position is a bit higher than I'm used to, but you feel well confined. The A-pillar (along windshield) can obstruct views. The trunk is large (and so is the trunk lid). Our car has the 17" wheels and rides on the rough side. In all, an much more rewarding alternative to the typical commuter sedan.
Great Car with Little Disappointment!
This was my first new car. I wasn't out for a foreign ride but found it to offer the most bang for the buck. The leather and DVD navigation are "must haves." I get many compliments on this car; two people mistook my car for a BMW. It has class, sportiness, and is very fun to drive. The quality is also spectacular for the price. A few quirks: poor gas mileage for the performance and 4-cylinder. Optional 17" wheels equals bouncier ride & poor winter performance. Also, the interior lights (3) must be turned on individually to light cabin. Great options, stereo, and quality for the cost. No regrets!
Best vehicle for the money
Amazing car for the money. Looked at Corolla, Cobalt, Civic, RSX but this car had everything for the right price. Drive feels very firm, like an Audi A4 or Volvo S70 that I have driven. Interior is very comfortable and exterior is gorgeous.
Solid and stylish and fun to drive
Loving this car. I've had it for 1/2 a year now and it still feels and looks brand new. It's very roomy for a compact. (I'm 6'5" and there are still a few inches of room above my head.) My biggest gripe with the car is the road noise. It's invasive at times. There's no wind noise and the engine is quiet and responsive and the car handles extremely well. My last car was a 1990 Mazda MX-6 and it performed well for 14 years with minimal repairs. I'm hoping this car will last as long.
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!
A gamble over the Civic and Corolla
I gambled by purchasing the 3 over the Corolla and the Civic and it has paid off so far. Never before have I owned a vehicle that is this fun to drive and with the features that came on my vehicle I really feel special. Xenon lamps, navigation, it has it all. It's reliable, has "giddi-up" and is a real looker too. I am very happy with my purchase.
Great Car For Anyone
I have had this car for 4 months, and it has been great. Reliable, quick, economical, and good looking. What more can you ask for?
This car is amazing
I bought my brand new mazda 3 a week ago. So far the car has been amazing. Its such a smooth ride and very sporty. I do suggest putting leather into the car. I did, and it was well worth it.
Oh What Fun It Is To Ride....!
Looked at it for the styling; bought it for the performance. Anyone looking at this car should strongly consider it.
I just bought it but I already love it
People are so in love with their cars and with this car I'm no exception. I bought a base "s" -- no options at all -- and it is still a lot of car! Power locks, windows, tilt and telescope wheel, keyless entry, GREAT stereo, etc. And the engine is fantastic. You really need to be in above 4k RPMs before it really kicks in, but that is pretty normal for all them 2ish liter 4 cylinders that get max power aroun 6-7k RPM. And when it kicks in it really kicks. Keeping it in third around town and in fourth on the highway keeps the RPMs at a very responsive level. etc. etc. Also it's quite roomy by small car standards, but I would't take a long trip with large men in the back!
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
2005 Mazda M3 - all around great car
I just bought a new, off the lot, M3 from a local dealership. My motive to buy was to own a more economical vehicle - i was driving an F150. This vehicle handles great. I got the sport package which comes w/ 17" wheels - it really grips the road. It performs much better than my needs, and also cruises on the interstate very comfortably. The external styling is superb, w/ a noticable euro-style feel to it. The interior features are also great, although just a step up from adequate. It has a super sharp feel and look when sitting in the driver's seat - all primary and 2ndary controls are at easy reach and visible. Overall I am extreemly pleased with the purchase.
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.
Zoom Zoom....OH YEA!
I totally love this car. My brother actually wants to drive it over his Miata with a brand new mazdaspeed engine in it...go figure. Awesome handling, great for pulling high speed corners on New England on/off ramps. Drove to Virginia and back getting 35 mpg on regular gas! I am still in college, and this is the perfect car for someone who is on a budget but wants a new, stylish, sporty car that is reliable. Still runs just as good now, as it did 18 months ago, and it has 28,000 miles on it! I love the looks I get from people when I drive around campus or into Boston....so many people are shocked to see the Mazda symbol....Zoom Zoom!
3i Sedan
I have about 1500 miles on my 3i sedan with manual transmission. Mileage is good - about 33 mpg around the suburbs. It's hard to not put your foot down (which is, of course, bad for mileage) - this car begs to be driven! First car I've had in years with enough leg room (I'm 6'2") - I don't even have to put the seat all the way back. Easy to set up a good driving position with the adjustable steering wheel. Transmission has a nice feel and short throw. I have found the A/C more than adequate for my area (Virginia). Big trunk and lots of little cubbies for storing stuff (huge glove box).
I love my "Baby"
Great car, fun to drive. Handles well. Many amenities that other cars in its class don't even offer. Drive it so you can see!
Excellent
I love my Mazda 3. I would buy another one any day. It is a very good car and handles well. I get a lot of complements on how pretty my car is. You really don't see many Mazda 3s on the road. That is also why I love my car.
Great Car
Great handling and good power. Comfortable and attractive seats, roomy backseat. Cockpit is a little narrow. Quality materials and finish. Cheaper plastic on the lower console is prone to scratching, but it's black. Stereo does sound a little muddy, controls on the steering wheel are a nice touch though. Great trunk space. Tons of fun to drive. This is a drivers' car.
A blast to drive
You won't find a sportier car in this price range. The stiff suspension and quick acceleration make this car a blast to drive. However, if you're looking for a luxurious, comfortable ride, you may want to consider a Civic because the stiff suspension in the M3 makes for a bumpy ride. I personally don't mind it because I bought the car for its superior handling and acceleration and so far I absolutely love the car.
In limbo...
I had been looking at a Mazda 3 for about a year, and finally purchased mine back in May- it's beautiful and gets a lot of looks around town. Moving from a Pontiac Grand Am GT1 to this car took a bit of getting used to, but I really enjoy my new car. If they could fix the AC problem with this model, this car would be absolutely perfect!
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.
KB's Review
I bought an all-new 2005 Mazda 3s, 2.3L, 4-speed automatic transmission. It is the sunlight silver metallic paint with the black w/ red interior cloth. I got every option package on the car (ABS/SAB/SAC Package, Moonroof & 6CD Package, Sport Package, Xenon & TPMS Package, plus the rear wing spoiler). I am in love with my car right now. One problem though, is that after I got my new after-market sound system put in, because of the load in my trunk, now the rear tires are rubbing against the top of the rear wheel wells.
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.
Awesome car
I bought the Mazda3 after spending countless hours online researching similar vehicles. Once I went to the dealership and finally took one out for a spin I was hooked! It's got great get-up and the interior is hot. I have already put almost 2,000 miles on my new baby in the first month. I guess I should cool it, but i just have so much fun driving this car.
Great Car
It's a great car. I've only had it for a little while and I love it. Very fun to drive. Lots of head and leg room, very comfortable. Sporty looking.
Great Vehicle
I had researched this car before I purchased and found it to be the best buy for the money. This car has great pickup and is fun to drive.
Love my Mazda 3
I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 unexpectedly. Thought I liked the Mazda Protege,and test drove their new model. I liked it more than the Protege. I have it over a year, no problems, no complaints. A great car for the money. Very reliable. Fun to drive. Cute too!
Believe the hype!
I just picked up my new M3 last night, and it is awesome. While I have not had the chance to really open her up, I could tell just by my ride home that this is a sweet ride. Quite a few of my coworkers have compared it to a BMW 3-series after taking a spin in it. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.
My SECOND Mazda3 in 2 MONTHS!
I bought the Mazda3 s 2.3 in April of '05. Got into a head on collision, and walked away without a scratch. Since my new baby was totaled, I went out and bought a new one, except I bought the Special Edition (SP23). I loved the BOSE system, the Leather and the Heated Seates. Also has 17" Alloys instead of the 16" on the other one. I can't be more happy with this car. It truly is the best car in its class for the value. Holds a corner like it is on rails!
SO HAPPY!
I've only had the car for 24 hrs but it drives spectacular! Inside, people say it's more luxurious than my cousins 2002 BMW 330! I have saddle brown leather and navigation in mine. The auto shifts super smooth and the manual mode is nice. Another cousin of mine says it's quieter than his '04 RX- 8. I just love the car. A bit pricey for it's segment $23,700 was my final deal..but I did get every option available (sunroof, nav, spoiler and aluminun gas cap). The rims look nicer than the RX-8's too!!! My sis has a Corolla S '04 and the ride in my 3 is so much sportier but not too sporty. I'd recomend this to anyone wanting beamer quality 4 around 23k. Back seats both fold for a HUGE trunk 2!! :)