Skip to main content

Used 2005 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
189 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
4.75 out of 5 stars

2005 3 S With Automatic Tranny

Sandy, 07/07/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just got this car last Saturday, and it's pretty awesome. Took about 4 days to get the car in the color we wanted...Sunlight Silver. The 3 with the 2.3 L engine has plenty of power and it shifts so smoothly. The interior looks like it came from a more upscale car. The two tone seating fabric is pretty grippy and the leather steering wheel and shifter just add to the upscale feeling. This is our 1st Mazda and we are thrilled with the car since we've had it. Zoom Zoom!

Report Abuse

4.13 out of 5 stars

How fast am I driving?

Waldemar, 06/29/2005
2005 Mazda 3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Mazda3 is fun to drive and gets good mileage. I bought it fully loaded with automatic, ABS, and side air bags. I like the car's handling, feel for the road, and the manual mode on the automatic transmission. On the other hand, a nearly fatal flaw is that the speedometer and other gauges are so far recessed into the instrument panel and unlit that they're extremely difficult and tiresome to read on sunny days within 3 hours of sunrise/set or driving in and out of shade. I have to stare at the instrument panel for a second or two to let my eyes adjust to the darkness before I know how fast I'm going. The gauges are fine on cloudy days and fantastic at night.

Report Abuse
2005 Mazda 3 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 31 listings
See all 31 listings

5 out of 5 stars

Miata-class fun, Audi A4 practicality

Bryan in Central VA, 06/16/2005
2005 Mazda 3 SP23 Special Edition 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Plenty of creature comforts (heated leather, Bose, Xenons, ABS, steering wheel controls)...looks like a little BMW 325. I wanted something japanses to replace my service issues on my last three Audis and two Passats. This car is smaller and less expensive but even more fun to drive. Strong engine (w/5- spd) loses steam at 65 mph+ 9great around town baut looses punch on highway. SP23 was ltd edition and I have not seen another in 3 months of ownership. I would not have considered its "peer economy" competitors. Buy it for style & handling - not price. SP23 thinks its all grown up. A relative bargain for a "euro" sedan. Combination of Jetta/A4 and Miata. Practical fun with reliability.

Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Well Done!

J Delo, 07/27/2010
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I have an 05 Mazda 3 S and I just hit 170,000 miles. I purchased my Mazda new in Nov of 04. I am a rough on the vehicles I use and I needed something that could handle my "abuse". The Mazda 3 stood up to the test. I have literally run the engine to its limits. Note that even though I am bad about performing regular maintenance, the Mazda still survived and continued to run well. I thought in the beginning that this vehicle may not handle me as an owner. I am proud to say Bravo Mazda 3! Well done!

Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Has everything for little money

zoomer, 08/02/2008
2005 Mazda 3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

This car had everything I was looking for: wonderful manual transmission that is extremely fun to drive, enough oomph, horsepower, great gas mileage, cool looks, plenty of space for the family of four, great value for the dollar. I still love it.

Report Abuse
4.38 out of 5 stars

Great Outside, Cheap Inside

Good but Cheap, 07/28/2009
2005 Mazda 3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have owned this Mazda for 3 years. Its a good car. Engine is quite and peppy. Very reliable. Just add gas, change to oil regulary and go. The thing that gets me about it the cheap and tough to clean interrior. In typical Japanese automotive fashion, its cheap and plastic. The cloth on the sests attract any dirt and I always have to use a sweater shaver on them to get rid of the fuzzballs the fabric makes. The fabric trim on the door came loose. (Repaired under warranty) The carpet is difficult to vacuum, hold objects like velcro. The air conditioning could use more power. The horn needs a boost too. The windshield wipers need a intermittent adj. The tires wore out at 30,000 miles.

Report Abuse
4.88 out of 5 stars

What a beauty!

Markus Thormann, 03/01/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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!

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

fun car to cruise in

Larry, 03/29/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

So far my experience has been excellent. I love the way it handles, and it gets great gas mileage. For a 4 cylinder it's got some power. I would definitely buy another one in the future.

Report Abuse
4.88 out of 5 stars

Great little car

skyrkt, 10/15/2009
2005 Mazda 3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

Report Abuse
2.88 out of 5 stars

2.3 Manual Trans Rebuilt at 11000 Miles

golfdoc, 03/29/2005
2005 Mazda 3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought the Mazda 3 after years of owning Toyota's & Honda's. I have never had any major mechanical problems with any of these vehicles. Was I surprised when after owning my 2004 Mazda 3 2.3, my manual transmission was stuck in second gear. Now after 16 months and 11,000 miles my 3 is at a dealership getting the transmission rebuilt. It's had 2 recalls and is also waiting for the glove box to be replaced at another dealership because it sticks. The only plus is Mazda paid for the tow and the dealer is paying for my rental car. I will NEVER buy another vehicle manufactured by FORD motor company. There is definitely truth in the saying you that a FORD will be (F)ound (O)n the (R)oad (D)ead.

Report Abuse
Items per page:
10