Used 2006 Mazda 3 Consumer Reviews

Baby BMW

This is one of the best small car on the market. The interior is well appointed, the seats are comfortable, and the stereo system is excellent. Close the doors and you hear a tump not a rattle like most small cars. The performance is great, and the handling is on the level of high ends vehicles. I have owned over 20 cars in my life time. I call it my baby BMW. I have owned two Bimmers and I enjoy this car better. I can't say more; I bought it for my wife, but I gave her my Expedition to drive and I take the Mazda. If you buy one you won't be dissatisfied.

Simply The Best

I cannot stop smiling. I drive from Lake Arrowhead down the hill 5 days a week and have never had so much fun doing so. Like many of my neighbors I bought a Subaru WRX (fast & good in the snow, but mediocre handling.) Test driving the Mazda3 pretty much sold me. My salesman took me on a 12 mile back road course with tons of turns to demo the cars ability and even left the A/C on so I could see how well it could take a hill. All in all I am highly impressed. I drove the Civic, GTI, RSX & TSX, TC, G6, Ion and none even came close to this thing. I'm hooked.

I LOVE it - Nothing Better

I purchased a 3s Touring 4 door manual sedan, with leather and sunroof in winning blue. I absolutely love it; it handles better than any other car I test drove (Corolla, Civic, Jetta). The interior styling is far above average, due to the use of higher quality plastics and attention to composition/arrangement of controls. The car feels very sporty, looks sporty, and drives it too. The harder than usual suspension might be too rough for some, but no doubt is crucial to its better handling. I have no doubt that given its competition and price range, it is the best car in its class - superior handling, styling, and performance; I've heard it called the BMW of the compact class.

In love from the first moment!

I replaced my 2003 Ford Ranger Edge with the Mazda3 and couldn't be happier. The Mazda3 is by far the most sport tuned compact in its class. No car can compare. I continue to be shocked by the performance from such an inexpensive compact car. The seats are firm but comfortable. The ride sound is a little louder than most but I was willing to compromise for the 17 inch wheels and sport suspension. My $19,000 car has more options, bigger wheels, better acceleration, better handling and the same reliability as my mother's $28,000 Honda Accord. You can't go wrong with the Mazda3.

lives up to zoom zoom slogan

Went on a 2000 mile holiday through mountains, foothills and plains and the Mazda 3's performance blew me away. I could downshift at high speeds and get a instant surge of power and acceleration because of its smooth high revving motor. Wind noise is low and car handled tight curves with control and confidence. Steering feel is accurate and tight. The dash appointments, layout and interior comfort is topnotch.The hatch with the 60-40 fold down seat is versatile and spacious. The styling of the car is eye catching and impressive. One of the most impressive options is the 5 speed automatic transmission with the manual override feature that I used all the time. I didn't miss the clutch at all.

Fun car, minor annoyances

This is a fun car to drive, quick and handles well. Has a solid build feel and lots of bells and whistles. Having said that i am already thinking of getting rid of it, heres why: I am tall, 6'6" and with the sunroof the car is for a 6'5" tall person. The steering wheel does not have a comfy place for your hand on long drives. There is no remote truck release. I bought this instead of a Civic for fun factor and it is fun. I get 30 mpg average which is also great considering the way I drive. Leather is cheap almost like plastic, but the heated seats are great; heated mirrors would have been nice, but you can't have it all.

Poor gas milage

although i love everything about this car. i bought it for the gas milage and the gas mileage is disgusting. so now im locked into a 5 year 13k mistake.

LOVE my MAZDA

Gas mileage is great, getting 34 mpg, city. I have no complaints. Great value for the money!

Mazda 3i Touring

I purchased this car about 3 weeks ago. I really like the vehicle. It has numerous options at a great price. Only two complaints; one is that the muffler had surface rust on it. I thought that was odd for a 2006 with 5 miles on it. Also, due to some bad luck in the past for a family member, I had the battery tested prior to driving off the lot. Guess what? The battery failed the test! I would have been stranded somewhere for sure after a couple days/weeks. So I had to have the battery replaced before I actually took the car home. I found that quite disturbing. Most people probably don't ever think of doing such a thing but look at what happened. No a bad idea for others to try.

Disappointing Fuel Economy

Bought the 2006 Mazda 3i Touring after owning a Honda Accord for 12 years. Drove it as a rental in 2005 and was impressed. I bought the smaller engine because of the variable valve timing and have been underwhelmed with the pick up and MPG. Have not gotten better than 23MPG in the city or 25MPG highway. Has a tendency to throttle down while holding accelerator in 50- 60mph range. I think this is what kills the mileage. Hopefully it's only a sensor that needs adjusting.

Heart of a Sports Car - Sleek Looks

I have 25,000 miles on my winning blue hatchback and am very satisified with my purchase. It accelerates fast and handles like a Porsche. It looks great on the road (especially with tint). It could use slightly better gas mileage, but it's not too bad. One complaint is the tires - the Goodyear Eagle RSAs it comes with from the factory are pretty great in the summer but useless in the winter. The hard rubber freezes up and is dangerous with even an inch of snow on the ground. I frequently got stuck in the snow. After purchasing Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires for the winter, I'm very satisfied. I recommend doing the same.

One great car

My previous car was a 1992 Acura Integra which I really enjoyed. When I started looking for a new car I wanted a sporty 4 door at a good price. After driving the 3s I knew that it was the one for me. I bought a 2006 3s Touring with 5 speed manual in January and still think it is a great car. I love the 5 speed manual and the acceleration it has. I especially enjoy taking it out on the nearby windy roads. The car handles great. You definitely get the Zoom Zoom out of this one.

Cheap Thrills

This is a terrific car. Outstanding chassis and suspension and tight steering lead to amazing handling and stability. The ride is firm but not harsh. The 2.3L 4 cyl runs strong. I love the 5 sp auto-stick. In 2nd and 3rd gears it pulls like crazy, maxing out the torque. For a small car, it feels very solid on the interstate at speed. Disappointments include gas mileage in city @ 20 mpg; original tires wore out at 20,000 mi; and I just replaced the rotors at 25,000 mi. re: rotors, ironically, the pads were fine. Otherwise zero issues. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

HATE MY MAZDA3!!!

Ever since I bought my Mazda 3 I have regretted it! Before this car I owned an Infiniti and before that a Honda, but nothing compares to this. It is by far the worst car I have ever purchased! If I could go back I would. It is loud, small and cheaply made. The only thing going for this car is the gas mileage and the overall exterior look.

commuting car

Love my Mazda 3

I've had this car for over two weeks and really like it. It has great acceleration, good braking distance and is very responsive. The interior is great and I really want to push the car, but I'm trying to discipline myself.

2006 Mazda 3

I love this vehicle. It's stylish and runs great. I've had zero problems with it since I bought in 2006. I owned a Honda Civic before, but the Mazda 3 is definitely beats it out on performance and pricing. I recommend this vehicle to first time buyers since is affordable, stylish, and runs great.

Nice little car

Only a month under the belt, but I'm a fan of my new Mazda3i touring sedan. Fun to drive and comfortable. The back seat has enough room, but getting in and out is a bit of a challenge due to the sharp rake on the tops of the doors. The AT is responsive and solid, but I wish the extra gear was paired with the 2.0 and not just the 2.3. I just didn't feel the extra torque was worth the big drop in fuel economy. Once you move to the 2.3s, there are a lot of cars in the price range.

I No Longer Desire An Audi

I researched and researched this car and decided to get it. It's awesome in everyway, and I've had no problems with it. My dream car is the Audi A3...but now I don't know. I'm very happy with this car in everyway. I drove from NC to Toronto, Ontario and had the best drive.

Zippy & Fun

This vehicle is surprisingly peppy for a four cylinder. The handling and response are first rate. Automatic transaxle shifts smoothly. Very sharp looking car with a lot of thought put into the interior. Comfortable and user friendly instrumentation. Locking gas cap a big plus. Two trip odometers. Large trunk capacity. Tight turning radius. Would highly recommend to all!

4th car, now my primary one.

Great car. It's comfortable to drive and has an outstanding 4-speed automatic transmission. Best manual climate control system I have ever seen - very precise controls over temperature. The 2.0l has lots of power for any type of driving and is very smooth and quite. First few tanks of gas exceeded 30+ mpg in mixed driving. This is my 4th car but the one I now drive the most.

Zoom-Zoom A+

I have owned 8 new cars including a BMW, Acura, Jeep, and a few GM's. My Mazda 3 has been my favorite car and the best value by far. To date I have over 100,000 miles and have replaced only the front brakes, windshield wipers, and one set of tires. I can't say enough good about this car it still as tight and rattle free as the day I bought it. I recently loaned it to a friend and they were amazed at how quiet it still rides and what a solid car it is. I have consistently gotten 32 MPG in mixed driving.

Zoom-Zoom 3

I love this car! My 3 is the best car I have ever owned. I get looks almost everywhere I go. Everyone loves this car, Can't say I blame them because I love it too. I would not trade this car for anything - it's one in a million.

Fun to Drive and Cool for the Price

This car is very fun to drive, especially with the 5 speed manual. Ride is firm and sporty, it sticks to the road like gum. Interior is cool to look at and feel of materials is up to par with other Japanese makers. The design is the best for cars in this group! Check engine light came on about 1500 miles, but that was just a gas cap issue, no problem. Although the 12v outlet did blow a fuse, replaced of course, again no big deal.

Love at first drive

Bought this car with 8,000 miles from private owner, although I test drove a new one and my son owned a 2004 that I liked very much. From the first day I loved everything about this little car. There's plenty of room with the seats down and that's how I normally drive to accommodate my three dogs. Fun to drive, with no effort. It's almost like virtual driving compared to other cars I tested. The body style is attractive and Mazda apparently offers a nearly endless list of options as this car has it all. My next vehicle will be one just like this. I do suggest purchasing a set of winter tires that adds confidence to winter driving and makes the zoom zoom last all year.

Loaded for the money

I cant believe the bells and whistles this car comes with and still is incredibly low priced,add to that the build quality,you cant go wrong.This car is great for a first time buyer or for someone who realizes that BMW has very little on this mazda.

40 MPG Gotta luv that.

I have put 20,000 highway miles on this vehicle during the last 6 months. It is as smooth now as the day I bought it. I love the body style and the thrill of driving such a stylish yet affordable vehicle.

Mazda 3S Touring

I have recently purchased a 2006 Mazda3S Touring Manual w/ added rear wing spoiler, 6 disc-changer, moonroof ... and thanks to edmunds.com, I was able to become a smart buyer and purchased it at $17,915 (before taxes ... about $200 under invoice!). I did my research and it paid off. I did most of my research and dealing online and over the phone. So far, I love my ride and I am thankful for spending some time doing my research. Hope this helps... Zoom zoom zoom.

A bit under the MPG in the first tank

1st tank was only 23 MPG and I was expecting 25-31 MPG. I am hoping the MPG goes up during break-in. So far very satisfied with the car. Plenty of HP and FT-LB to move around well. Very quiet car, without checking the speedometer you'll be doing 80 MPH on the freeway with no effort. Perhaps the performance is the reason for the lower MPG. We'll do better the 2nd tank. The interior is roomy, the trunk cavernous. Love the euro style looks. Test drove a Jetta TDI and considered a Toyota Corolla ... certainly made the correct decision. Performance of the Mazda3 is far superior. Instrumentation is a.o.k. The Bose sound system is lacking. Too much "hiss" when music stops. Premium? Not quite.

ZZZZOOM

I ordered my 2006 3i Touring Sedan at the beginning of September 2005 and got it October 11th 2005. The best value for the money in its class. Be sure to get the optional side airbags/ABS package. I have over 3000 miles on it so far. I'm getting 34MPG with the 5 speed manual transmission. This car cruises very nicely at 70mph. The overall fit and finish is excellent except for the cheap material used for the carpeting. The seat are comfortable but I would have paid extra for a 6 way power seat option. Get the beige interior. It is much nicer looking than the black interior.

Quick, cool, and great mileage.

I have 34k miles on the car and have not had one problem yet. The car continues to have the same acceleration as the day I bought it (2.3L). The comfort is amazing for a large adult who is 6'4'' tall. I have family members who are taller and enjoy driving it. The suspension is sporty and responsive. I drive on the highway most of the time and get 32-34 mpg. The look of the car is amazing!!

SAYYYWEEETTTT!!!!

I purchased this brand new, loaded. I drove 500mi a week to and from work..this car is AWESOME!! It was red mica w/ black leather. I just sold this car to a family member and REGRET doing so. Only complaint is i was on my 3rd set of tires (low profile).. other than that NO problems.. I was averaging 29-32mpg with regular gas.. S Grand Touring(loaded)is the way to go.. Bi-xenion headlights DO make a difference.. especially in fog and with deer... Kids are comfy in backseat, big adults may not be as comfortable.. Great economical and reliable car.. Mazda got it right with this one!!! LOVED IT!!!

I can't believe it's under 20k!

This car has been a blast to drive. Anyone looking for a sub-20 car should certainly consider this car. No other car in my eyes measured up in terms of the visual appeal or build quality. After careful deliberation, I arrived at the decision to buy it after driving the competition. The difference was so obvious I immediately sought out a 3 for myself. Just drive it.

Best Small Car by Far

We've had our car for about three weeks and couldn't be happier with it. The performance and comfort is great for a small car. Interior is roomy and the controls are well laid out. For the money you can't beat this car. Mazda really did a great job.

Much sharper than my Civic

I just bought this car and gave my '01 Civic to my teenage sons. I have the fully loaded version with automatic transmission, leather seats, moon-roof etc. Drive is very smooth and has great pick-up for a four cylinder. Looks very sharp. I really wanted a small car with heated leather seats and it is very hard to find unless you want to step up to a luxury car in the $35K plus range. Surprisingly the gas mileage is not good. I get about 19 MPG (mostly city driving - I average 17 MPH). I was hoping for a little better than that. Car looks more expensive but everyone knows how much it costs so that doesn't mean much.

Gimme a break

I like the car but the brakes are a problem. Sometimes the brakes go down to the floor, sometimes it feels like it is hitting metal and sometimes it feels like I am hitting an empty box. The dealer out of a courtesy changed the front pads only as they were worn 30 percent. The rear pads are worn 50% and they refused to change them. I will see if this repair helps with my problem. I never know when my brakes will go out on me.

I love it.

Purchased used w/21K miles, fell in love immediately. Worst fuel mileage 30, best 45 on a leisurely trip on state highways with 60 or lower speed limits. Key to good mileage is to not run the RPM's up in every gear, let the torque work for you. Before you get the impression I am a slow driver, I have had this well over the speed limits plenty of times, I love to let it go, but I also enjoy getting good mileage. Last trip to Florida got me 39mpg average between state highways and interstate up to 72mph. Almost 30K miles so the noisy OEM tires will be replaced with quieter good tires. Yes, a remote trunk opener would be great, but it's still one of the better cars I have owned.

What's up with these tires!!!!!! Help!

I love my Mazda3 hatchback but, I can not seem to keep the tires from "cupping". I am replacing tires about every 25,000 miles, this is getting expensive. My dealer has replaced tires for me twice but, has never actually come up with a solution to the problem.

I love it

The car drives amazing, is very comfortable, is extremely stylish for its class and price, and provides an experience that I have yet to feel in a car less than $30,000. Mazda love is hard to comprehend until you own one and realize the value you get, and the experience you get is unmatched. I bought it for the looks, fell in love with the drive, and have absolutely no issues with reliability. I've owned it a year and have already put well over 20,000 miles on it and it has had no servicing needed besides basic oil changes, ect.

Most fun car I've ever owned

This is my first Mazda, after driving Hondas for the past 14 years. The exceptional handling, performance and design of the 3 won out over the improved fuel economy of the Honda. I feel like I'm driving a $30k car, not an $18k one. Everyone who rides in or drives it, loves it!

A Best Kept Secret

It has been 3 years, and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.Who would have thought that an inexpensive grocery-getter (which is why I bought it) would handle like a $30K-$40K car? It does not perform like a high end performance car because it is not supposed to. The 2.0 liter 4-banger is loads of fun because I can keep my foot in it if I want to play. For my normal commute I average 29-33 mpg mixed driving. on the Freeway, it's around 37 mpg. But the HANDLING!!! OMG! This has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in America! Would I like more power? Sure, but not at the cost of mpg. The fit and finish on this little gem is excellent. And for $18K out the door! I'm a happy camper.

Tire issues

So I am having a similar problem, alignments off, and I am not rough on driving. The tires won't last long and I have gone with several brands, they still couple. (sp) I will say Dealership was great with belts and replacement pricing. That was Gainesville GA Mazda. Cheaper than my normal mechanic. shocking.

zoom zoom

Bought this for my wife as a xmas present. Have not driven it too much -- about 300 miles, but I love this car. Fun to drive, fast, holds the road, great looks sporty. Have not found any flaws with it yet, not sure how the gas mileage will be. I’m sure if I kept my foot off the gas it would be about what they say, love the 2.3. Matched great with AT.

Excellent Car in its Class

I purchased a 2006 Mazda3 after looking at all of its competitors in its class. For the money I paid, I really feel like I got a steal. This is a fun car to drive and it looks and feels like I paid a lot more than I did. I highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a great car at a great price.

2006 Mazda 3

The driving of this car is great, handles curves very well and is all around a very fun car to drive. Gets great gas mileage. First Mazda we have owned but it wont be the last. I purchased this car from Gerald Jones Mazda in Augusta, Ga. and used Charlie Royal. He was impressed me with all the ins and outs of the car and made the process very easy. I highly recommend him and this dealership to any one looking for a new or used Mazda. I can definitely say it wont be our last Mazda.

awesome value

Traded my '05 Subaru Legacy GT for this car, and don't miss it at all! Has nearly all the same features (minus the thirsty engine and squeaky interior) for a lot less dough. Handles curvy roads like a mountain goat and tracks beautifully on the interstate too. Engine has nice pep and awesome fuel economy too (got 40mpg on a recent road trip, 55-65mph nearly constant cruising). Manual transmission is the best I've ever driven. Seats are very comfy and the design of the interior speaks of a much more expensive car. Some of the plastics are on the hard side, but the fit is terrific, as is the overall layout. How great to drive an economy car and not feel like you're driving a box on wheels

Fun and spacious little car!

I really love this little car. It fits my mastiff, and adults with ease. It looks very small on the outside, but has a HUGE interior! Insurance is dirt cheap too (almost half of what my Civic cost!)

Fun Daily Driver.

I have an '06 with a 2.3L engine and manual transmission, and it is one solid, sporty little car. Its interior and exterior styling are, without a doubt, the best in its class. Everyone who rides in it comments about the cool interior. It's way more fun to drive than its price tag might suggest, especially with the manual transmission. The engine is responsive and rev-happy, the steering is precise, and the suspension tears up corners like a sports car. The only reliability issues I've had were minor annoyances related to my own modifications. This is probably the most exciting car you can buy for under $20,000... and it still gets 26/31 mpg!

A Great Value and Car

I bought my 3s new in 2006 and am very happy with the car. It looks great inside and out. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. I get about 32mpg on the highway and about 28mpg with all around driving. The access to the trunk is a little small so I can't fit things like my guitar amp in there but that's not a big deal. Tires lasted as expected and wore out around 42000 or so. I changed from the Goodyear Eagle RSA to Yokohama S.Drive. The new tires cost less and grip the road even better than the original tires. The seats are very comfortable especially on long trips. It's a great car and all for less than $20k brand new. I did add a cold air intake and catback to the car too.

All Around Winner

Nearly 3 years and 38000 miles later this car still puts a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. You simply won't find a better balance of economy and performance in it's class. Interior fit and finish have been excellent with the only beef being a floormat that has worn out already. Manual Tranny and brakes are top notch in operation and feel. Worst mileage: 26 mpg. Best Mileage: 33 mpg Suspension may be a little rough for the sensitive, but the dividends pay off in the handling department. If you want a plush cruiser this is not the car for you. This vehicle is built for those who like to be involved and take pleasure in the driving experience.