Used 2006 Mazda 3 Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Best Car Out There
I bought my 2006 Mazda3 Grand Touring Hatchback new when it first came out in '05 and drove it for about 78,000 miles before a guy lost control of his car on a highway, hit the driver side of my car causing the airbags to deploy and spinning us into a ditch. Because of the high safety standards, we were all able to walk away from the accident with minor injuries, when looking at my car, we should have been on stretchers. My car saved our lives. I loved this car and will be buying a new one just as soon as I can find one. They are so great that no one wants to part with theirs. I recommend this car to everyone. Fun to drive, safe, and reliable.
first newer Mazda for me not bad at all.
I bought the mazda3 from a private seller for $5100 great car get a easy 4.2 out 5 from me stock suspension is comfy, i did install coilovers obviously ride became a bit stiffer but not bad. is been great.
- s Touring 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,295154 mi away
- s 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,244172 mi away
- i SedanMSRP: $1,600210 mi away
Great fun, and reasonably practical
I prefer a standard shift, and so I really enjoy this car. It is the best car I have ever owned, considering it cost me $17k as an "economy car." Great value. Cargo capacity is impressive, comfort is very reasonable, although over time, chintzy interior materials and high maintenance bills disappoint. She eats tires and her tires are expensive; third set within 100k miles at $750 a set. Expensive also was the turn-signal switch replacement with "stealership" labor pricing, as well as a broken motor mount, and failed fuel injector. Downside is, maintenance adds up pretty substantially, IMO. You do pay for the sporty performance eventually. Great fun, versatile and reasonably practical.
blind spots a problem
I needed a small hatchback, and of the ones I compared, liked this one the best (and the price was right). But after driving it a bit, we both were troubled by the blind spots; The window dividers make it difficult to see whats next to you or coming up. We've not had that problem with other cars. We are getting used to it, but its something for others to consider when purchasing this car.
2006 Mazda3 Grand Touring Hatchback
Great little car now with 138K on it. Nice features including the Bose sound, LED lights, adjustable headlights, great styling, etc.
I would buy another one!
After owning this car for 1 year here are my thoughts: 1)Fun to drive everyday 2)Not as much cargo room as you think 3)Breaks a lot! (been in the shop multiple times for bad shocks, replace belts, power steering pump, and many more parts) 4)Good gas mileage but could be better 5)That zoom zoom factor is addicting Simply put, every time I drive this car I fall in love with it a little bit more even though it has it flaws.
Zoom zoom all the way!
I bought this car in January 2015 so I have now owned it for 2 years and feel it deserves a good review. I paid $3800 for it when it had 128000 miles. Now I have 154000 miles and haven't had many repairs at all. I had a transmission sensor that needed to be replaced which was only $40 and an o2 sensor that was only $20. Also had a strut mount break (aluminum which is known for breaking), which was partly my fault for going over railroad tracks too fast. It runs great and shifts good and has plenty of get up and go when you need it. Front row is very comfortable, rear seats are good once you get in, getting in and out of the back can be somewhat difficult. Overall great car and highly recommended!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
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- Value
Another Great Mazda
I've had a bushel of mazda's over the years and this is the best hatchback yet. So much fun to drive. Never been to the shop for more than tires. Plenty of power, better than 30 mpg average, a ton of room, wicked reliable.
Love this car
I used to flip cars very often, had many faster cars. But i always looked up for economy also. This car comes with nice compromise for both. It's sporty, good on gas, has practical hatch and looks good. The main thing is that is very reliable. I'm getting close to 150k miles on this car and has been trouble free. Just tires, brakes, plugs and runs still strong. Have improved radio with navigation system and headlights with HID.
Best Bang for the Buck
Replaced my VW GTI with a MZ3 S hatchback. Was stunned by the test drive. MZ3 handled better than the GTI and was nearly as quick. Very nice interior for the money and a a real back seat with plenty of trunk space to spare. Mileage is also pretty good to unless you really bury your foot in the gas - which is easy to do with the 2.3 motor. Variable valve timing kicks in quickly and the car really takes off when you want it to. I can't imagine doing better with any other car in the $17K range. Fit and finish are exceptional and I suppose only time will tell as to reliability but the car has a great rep and it is built in Japan.
No regrets! Love this car!
After much research, I bought a Mazda3 hatch, LOVE it, decided to write a review since reviews helped me pick the 3. Comfortable ride, though can hear/feel road more than in some cars. 28mpg mixed driving, 36mpg highway on a recent 1,300 mile trip. Engine labored a bit going thru mountains, cruise control liked to rev 5mph at top of hils. Cruise control and audio controls on the steering wheel are great! Some reviews complain about the A/C--comfortable for the front seat, airflow to rear not as good but tolerable. (Change cabin air filter since this keeps the A/C at peak performance.) Nice hatch for extra cargo. Super 'compromise' for a racecar--sporty performance/handling, fun to drive!
Outstanding Car
Bought this in July 06 to replace a gas guzzling Pathfinder. We had 1 Mazda before, an older Protege 5. This does not get the mileage the Pro 5 got (31/35), but that was also underpowered and the M3 has the bigger engine. We have the manual with the moonroof. I put an iPod module in it, and to my surprise you can run the iPod off the steering wheel. We drive a lot, and it's very comfortable on long rides. No road noise, handles great in good and bad weather (Good in New England snow too). If you're worried about safetly don't be. My wife has been hit 3 times and this car is rock solid, surprising for a small car. All in all, very very dependable sporty car. Buy one!
Bottom engine protector
We have torn two under guards off because of the low clearance on this vehicle. As a consequence we have gone with out this under guard and now see some pulleys & belts with wear & tear. My wife and 16 yr old really like it, me? I'm on the fence.
Easily the best compact for the money
I fell in love with the car when it first came out, replacing the interesting Protege 5 with a more substantial car with a much beefier engine. The Mazda3 5-door brings fun, quality, and style to the compact market without sacrificing price and fuel economy too much. I tend to get 23-27MPG in the city with fairly aggressive acceleration. The seats in the 5-doors are a high quality cloth, with a great look and feel. I am tall at 6'2", and I fit comfortably in the driver seat. I even have it forward a click, and if I do not recline my seat too much, I can get a 6 foot person behind me. Much more room than my friend's 04 Jetta. Overall, it is a great car with features and quality to boot.
2006 Mazda3 Hatchback
A great small car. Fun to drive, always reliable. Totaled. Replaced by 2013 Mazda3 details of new car below. Still love the car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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.
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.
Not as great as I thought
I have 4000 miles now on my Mazda. The suspension or something creaks really bad and my brakes are very noisy. The A/C is very weak for Texas heat; takes forever to cool. It is a fun car but I need all the moans and groans checked out.
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.
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.
I'm impressed!
5K miles in on a 06 fully loaded S hatch. So far I'm impressed and quite proud to drive it. I came from the 4X4 scene but the fuel just got too much to deal with. This is quick, comfortable and fun to drive. Too small for ski trips, but excellent for 98% of my requirements. I would definitely recommend.
Great little car
I've put about 4600 miles on this car, and I love it. All my complaints so far are pretty trivial - a little too much engine noise, the interior clock isn't that accurate . . . nothing to keep you from buying the car. Before buying, I read reviews that mentioned excessive brake noise - I test drove a couple of 3's, and the brake noise only occurred in the automatic. I was really unimpressed with the automatic - it felt sluggish compared to the manual. I get good mileage - average 23-27 MPG driving in traffic in Northern Virginia, and I don't drive it gently. I averaged over 31 for the tank during a weekend trip spent doing a lot of driving on country highways.
Can't Get Enough!
I went from a 1990 V8 Ford Mustang to this car. All I can say is WOW! Although there is a drop in horsepower from the Ford to the Mazda3, I hardly notice it. The car handles much better and the features can't be beat. The automatic transmission is fun to drive as well. I'm always looking for an excuse to drive my car. The fuel economy is so-so, but an improvement over my last vehicle. All-in-all, this is a must drive. The only gripes I have are that my right knee rests a little uncomfortably on the center console and the sun visors are too small.
Smooth city car
Great car! I did a ton of research before buying this car and drove just about everything I could find (Toyota/Scion,Honda,Chevy,Ford....). Nothing felt as solid and responsive as the 3. So far (4,000 miles) this car is great; it's smooth, well built, the fuel economy isn't spectacular but it is reasonably good (25-28). It is a little too easy to speed.The clutch is good and the shifter is excellent. I can actually lay down in back to sleep! And I'm 6ft tall! I highly recommend this car. Bargain for the price.
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.
Mazda3 very Audi-like
Replaced a 2002 Infiniti Q45 with this little gem, which has almost as many "goodies" at about 1/3rd the price. Was looking for a disposable "commuter car" with decent mileage and some measure of driving fun. I considered Prius (boring), Civic Hybrid (cheesy), Audi A3 & A4 (great cars for people that like to drive), Acura TSX (just a fancy Accord), and BMW 3 (too, well, pretentious) before trying the Mazda, and had just about settled on the Audi A3. I had never driven a Mazda and was very pleasantly surprised. Good (not great, but considering the price, good) performance and handling, gorgeous interior, and enough electronic toys to make the morning commute almost entertaining. Two thumbs up.
My second Mazda3!
I bought my 06 GT 5-door to replace my 04 3 sedan, which I loved aside from the cargo carrying limitations. I have 3 dogs, and occasionally have to transport them 150 miles to visit my mom. I also went for the GT hatch because of the new features (for me anyway) such as leather (heated) seats, auto climate control, information center, auto lights/wipers, and 5 speed auto.
Copper-Hatch
Bought my '06 Mazda3 Hatchback in October '05. Thought about getting a Toyota Corolla S, but after trying with several Toyota dealerships they couldn't get the options that I wanted. So far the Mazda3 has been a fun, reliable, good looking car. This is my first Mazda and so far a good car, I'm a Toyota kind of guy, but decided to give Mazda a chance.
Closest to a Mini 5 door Wagon !
I traded in my beloved '03 Mini Cooper. Loved that car, but utility demands forced to sell. But not disappointed so far, M3s is more versatile and has more pickup than my CVT Mini. I also note that the more "bang for buck" features were appealing. This is my second Mazda experience; my first was a '88 RX-7 convertible and it had no problems.. The only gripe so far is that the car doesn't have autolocks and the MPG's could be better. Also obviously the handling is not quite up to the Mini, more lean in corners than the Mini. But I find that the Mazda 3S is much more compliant and comfy on the poor roads in Hawaii. Sporty with a good cross of features and added utility just makes sense.
I LOVE my Mazda3
I have been driving trucks for the last 6 years and just bought my Mazda3. Before that I had some very fast sporty cars (Mustang LX 5.0 and Pontiac Tran Am) and as far as just plain fun to drive cars go, this one is great.
I was hooked on Toyota's ... not anymore
I've owned the Mazda3 hatch (in the attention commanding Winning Blue, of course) for 6 months and I am VERY impressed. I've never considered vehicles outside of Toyota or Honda and am so glad I took the leap. I've never had better handling. I saw this car on the road and HAD to have it. I spent just a little extra to get the moonroof/6 cd package, rear bumper step plate, moonroof wind deflector, cargo tray, cassette player, and autodim mirror. Coming in at exactly $20k, every option was well worth it and, since I purchased them with the vehicle, they are warrantied for 50k miles too. Only thing to add now is the $700 Phatnoise MP3 system. Mazda is smooth to offer this voice activated system.
The BEST Little Wagon
Before purchasing the Mazda3 wagon, I compared it to the PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, and the Subaru Outback. The Mazda3 no doubt had the best performance, interior and exterior design, and unique features not found on the others. Acceleration is smooth and easy, but also has great pick up and go. Handling is tight and nimble; a breeze around corners. The stereo has a great sound, and the gauges are easy to read and a definite eye catcher. Many people believe that it is a higher priced vehicle that it really is!
Would buy again. In fact, about to!
Interior & exterior look stylish & expensive: people often assume it cost $10k more. Fast, with good midrange power (though more at low RPM would be nice). Manual tranny feels good (but improved clutch feel would permit smoother launches, and the too-tall 2nd gear ratio drops you out of the engine's sweet spot around town unless you wring it out in 1st.) Precise handling, yet good comfort (although more steering feel and suspension travel would be nice). Road noise seems excessive but that's partly because the engine is so quiet (silent idle, & easy to forget to shift to 5th). Brakes are fantastic (though the rotors eventually warp, as they seem to on all modern cars).
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.
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.
wow
This is the best small car out there. After driving a Toyota Matrix and Mazda3 back to back I bought the 3 on the spot. This car is fun. I love the stereo, the interior, and the 17" wheels. Handles like a dream and my bike fits in the back.
My first Mazda
Wow, this car is fun to drive! I can definitely tell a power difference between it and some other cars at which I was looking. I can't believe the acceleration from a 4-cylinder engine! I also enjoy being able to change to manual shifting for winding roads. It is also a plus for cruising on the Interstate when approaching a big hill ... just drop it down into 4th gear and there's no loss of speed. I am impressed with how quiet the engine and road noise are at 80 MPH. In addition, the extra storage space will come in handy after the after market stereo and speakers are installed. This was a big problem with my previous car ... I lost all of my trunk space. The headlights are awesome!
Drives like a go-kart!
I upgraded my car from a very practical and fuel-efficient Honda Civic. I LOVE driving the Mazda 3--not just because of its unique styling, but also because of its incredible handling. I rarely brake around corners anymore--it drives like a go-kart. Very stable, incredible handling. The only thing I don't like about my car is the poor gas mileage. Other than that, it really is Zoom Zoom.
luxury finnaly at a reasonably price
Very impressed with this car, my friend had the mazdaspeed3 and I drove it one time and thats what got me into it, I couldn't afford the speed3 but got a 06 hatchback gt, I must say the interior has nothin to envy thus of a Lexus. Performance is great ride is great, only thing I'm waiting is for repairs hoping since is a Japanese car it might be expensive.
Mazda 3 for me
Great feel, fun to drive, handles well, solid braking, and plenty of pickup, especially with the 5 speed. Nice features, great sound, easy to operate.
Terrific Value
I'm amazed with the level of equipment that comes with this car, for the price (I got the car at invoice). I have the 5 speed automatic, which includes sport shift. Love the looks, ride, handling, and utility. The car is a lot of fun and the gas mileage pretty good -- about 28.5 after two fill-ups.
impressive...very impressive
My wife and I own a dog, and with our first child on the way, we desired a vehicle that would allow us to keep the dog away from the baby, and have the space to carry a pack 'n' play crib when we drive to visit our relatives, that still gave us decent gas mileage (i.e. SUV's were out). We researched the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, VW Jetta Wagon, and the Mazda 3 wagon. After test-driving all vehicles, the 3 stood head and shoulders above the rest in regards to performance, comfort and styling. We are very impressed with our 3!
Fun to drive, stylish and fast
Compared with other cars, I decided that is the best value for your money, very comfortable, quality, leather and sunroof a must. 5 speed manual transmission, one of the best.
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.
I love my car
I love this car so much...has so much pep for an economy sedan. It's extremely fun to drive...has great pickup on the highway and responds to steering input beautifully...manumatic is also fun to drive. I wasn't so happy with fuel economy, but then I realized that it's about 2/3 the size of my old Camry tank and that was why I wasn't getting as many miles to a tank. After doing the math, I now get in the mid to high 20s mpg, which I think is decent.
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.
Zoom!
I love mine! It handles so sweetly, and the sporty feel is unbelievable for a compact...which it doesn't really feel like at all. Strong, fast, tight...who could as for more?
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!
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.
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!)