Used 2006 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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my car
Great car, nice look -- sporty but professional.
Very Happy
Just bought a 2006 Mazda 3 Grand Touring. Only one day old so all I can say is so far so good. The "bells and whistles" are the best part along with solid driving feel. I love the manual choice on the automatic. Dealer said if you use it consistently you can dramatically improve gas mileage. Need to see if that's true. I bargained hard for this car and you can get it for invoice if you wait and compete for different bids.
- i Touring SedanMSRP: $2,999166 mi away
- i SedanMSRP: $3,799181 mi away
- s SedanMSRP: $3,799181 mi away
I love this car
I love this car also, almost bought a Honda civic, so glad I bought this one. I never had a Mazda car before but I love this one and might just stick with Mazda from now on. I got the Strato Blue, looks purple at times.
Snappy
I bought the car because the 17mph I was getting was crazy at $3.50 a gal. I looked at Honda and Nissan, but the performance sold me, as well as the 4 yr., 50k warranty. It still surprises me everytime I put my foot into it. The car rockets to the 6500 redline, and there is a huge torque leap at about 3500. You have to watch your speed though because the car gives alot and can surprise you with its agility and handling. I do a 90-mile round trip about 6 times a month, and I'm used to getting about 29 mpg, lead foot and all. Inside it has the feel of a small BMW and all the bells and whistles too. This is one fun "economy" car! Zoom, zoom.
Brand new, and extremely impressed!
2.0 VVT is lively with a stick. Air, in spite of past complaints, worked fine today in 88 degree, sunny and muggy day. Gearshift is smooth and direct. Steering is very secure; interior plastics have high quality feel to the touch. Engine feels very refined. Got 31 mpg on first gas tank in 50 50 city/highway driving (remember, still brand new, has 400 miles on car!) - can't wait until break in period is over!
I love my Mazda 3!
I compared the 3i with the Corolla and the Civic. The 3 had the quietest ride, best handling and was the roomiest of the choices. My only concern was gas mileage, but through the first 2 tanks I'm at about 28 MPG with an auto for hurry-up and stop driving. Very comfortable interior with a pretty decent factory sound system.
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.
Good buy for your $
I love my mazda 3GT. (2.3) It's a great car for someone who is single or with a small family. It HANDLES VERY WELL..the manual transmission shifts nicely and the power-performance is surprising for a smaller car. I drove a a civic (exc SI), Corolla and Calliber and for about the same price ...it is by far a better buy!!!!
I love this car!
I love the '06 Mazda 3! I have been reviewing lots of info and many other reviews on this car. They have helped me out so much! In the '05 model, many complained about the bad A/C. It HAS been corrected. That was my main worry and now it's so cold it'll freeze you out ... and I'm from Texas so that is mandatory! The new models also feature an outside temp gauge which the '05's did not. Overall this is a great car. I love it.
sporty econo car
I traded a 99 Mazda Protege with a Mazda 3 and although the review for the last generation Protege were great, the Mazda 3 is far greater car in handling and driveability. I think the switch to the 2 liter is the key. I can now zoom-zoom with the upscale midsize sedans like the Accord, Camry, and yes the Mazda 6. Great car driving experience for the money. Definitely test drive one; it drives like a big car.
Yup - I love it
I replaced a 1999 Audi A4 ($35K+) with a new Mazda3, GT, Bose, Nav. This car has more features than the A4, is just as much fun to drive and cost almost half as much!
Style,engineering,economy at good price
Enjoyable to drive. Solid build and handling. Looks sexy. I bought this car last February and so far it's been a good choice when comparing to Nissan, Honda and Toyota. More bang for the buck. I'm planning to hang on to this vehicle for as long as possible since I fear future cars may look like upscale golf carts.
Fun To Drive ... Zoom Zoom*
I LOVE my Mazda3. It handles well for a car in this class, love the stereo controls and cruise control on the steering wheel. Seats are so comfy, huge glove box, tons of storage for bottles, maps, books, CD's, tapes, etc. Great stereo system. The exterior looks so cool. I have the Nordic green, it is almost a green/black color and I have seen people stop to look at my car on the highway. If my stupid neighbor didn't hit it 7 days after I bought it I would be even more happy with it. I will get it back from having it fixed and painted tomorrow, can't wait, I miss my baby. Anyway, if you have a choice in buying a economy car, this is luxury all the way for a car in this class!
Nice Little Car
Very snappy, fun to drive, easy on the pocketbook with the great gas mileage. Perfect car for the teen to drive around town.
Excellent car, minor improvements needed
The car is a joy to drive. Haven't had a chance to rev the engine yet since I'm under the 600 mile break-in period. The acceleration and braking are very good. The gas mileage could be a little better though especially when compared to the Honda Civic.
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.
Expectations Met
Before purchasing MAZDA3 i, I owned "Toyota Corolla S" for 2 years. I was very unhappy with it, because it was a simple basic car with very low power, and was expensive. MAZDA3 i met all my expectations. At this price range, I would definitely recommend this vehicle. It has a quiet and smooth ride, and great corner handling. Compared to others at this price range, Mazda3 has much more power and still very fuel efficient. Unbelievable. In real-world driving, with 12 gallons of gas, I went 430 miles. I loved the exterior design. I really enjoy driving this vehicle. If you are looking for a car for $16,500, I would recommend MAZDA3 i. For this price, this is the total package today.
Performance and Good MPG
You don't have to sacrifice performance for good gas mileage. I have gotten 30-33 MPG on my first three tanks of gas. The engine isn't even broken in yet. I commute 120 miles per day and so far that car has been great.
Awesome Car
I got my Mazda almost 2 months ago. It is my first car, and I absolutely love it. Everybody is jealous! It gets great gas mileage around town, and the interstate mileage isn't bad either. It is a really great car, and it's the best to drive. I recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a sporty sedan. It has plenty of room for you and 4 other people. For all the options that you get compared to other cars in its class, it is a number one pick, especially for the price.
excellent vehicle
This is a fun car to drive and it the quality of build is high. It is priced to beat the overly popular Civic.
Sweet Ride
Have owned an '06 3i Touring for a month. With automatic transmission, a/c, power package, alloy wheels, sunroof, 6 CD 6 speaker stereo. Great car. Cool looks, with silver exterior and black with gray interior. The interior layout, textures, design and feel is superb. The driver does not feel cramped or cheated, making it a pleasure and plain fun to drive. It is not a soft nor plush ride, but rather firm and sporty. Just right. The handling is top notch. 34 mpg my last fill up. We are big Toyota fans, but the Corolla is a dud compared to this, and we even liked it better than the newest Camry even though we love our current Camry. All the awards are well justified. Kudos to Mazda. Terrific car.
Good Purchase
After one month of driving this car I have never had a more pleasurable experience with a small car than this one. Economy is great at just over 300 miles per tank on the 2.0L engine. The steering control is instantaneous in bad situations. Overall, I love the look and feel of every aspect of the Mazda3.
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!!
Tough choice, but went with the Mazda
Mazda vs. Honda. Mazda won. Great European inspired design, comfortable interior, peppy engine, appears to be solidly built, and pretty smooth ride for this type of car. Nice little surprises like a radio that finds the stations with the strongest signals and programs them into a separate location. Great for when you're in unfamiliar territory. Wish it had better gas mileage (only 35 highway compared to the Civic's 40) and I wish ABS/SAB/SAC were standard (ended up getting the package...well worth it). Jury's still out on it's reliability, I suppose. Hope it lasts for decades, otherwise I'll be upset that I didn't go with the Honda. Tough for Honda to beat the overall package.
I LOVE IT
I just bought this car 3 days ago and I am falling more and more in love with it every day. It's fun to drive has tons of space seating and trunk and I love the sleek body style. It's an awesome buy and I am a proud and very happy owner!
Wonderful Car
I leased my Mazda3 3 years ago. The lease is up next week and let me tell you I'll miss it. Unfortunately, space wise, it's not up to my standards anymore since I now have a 2 yr. old daughter. It was a true joy having this car. Excellent gas mileage, cute, sporty, peppy (I have a manual) and durable. My right front tire leaks air faster than the others but aside from that I haven't had ONE ISSUE!!! Whoever is lucky enough to get this car after me is buying a dream!
Best choice EVER
I did my fair share of researching on this car and to my delight, it was everything I hoped for. It handles very well and has enough "get up and go" to keep me smiling. The smaller engine is fine for me due to the high gas prices. I still can't believe they packed all this fun into under $20,000.
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.
Wow, it's a winner!
This is an excellent car. It is our second Mazda3, we also own a 2004 model which has given excellent service. I'm averaging better than 32 MPG in mostly mixed driving. Steering and handling are at a level well above what would be considered acceptable for an economy compact. This car is more of a sport sedan than some cars costing thousands more.
Great car for the price
I must admit, I own a Miata so I expected a great car from Mazda. I am not disappointed! From the time I walked in to now I have had a blast! The car rides much better then expected. Turning is great, the noise level from outside is very low compared to other's in the price range. The bottle holder in the door panel is great as it keeps it out of the way, very nice little touch. The interior is much better then any car in the price range and may rival cars in higher prices ranges. Gas mileage is good, not what I expected but I drive hard and still get in the 28 range in city. Would have like a higher front seat. Clearly recommend this car. Zoom-Zoom
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.
Great Car
Although I've only put less than 500 miles on my car, it has exceeded my expectations. The handling is superb, braking is excellent, and acceleration (4 speed auto, 2.0 145hp) is not rocket-like, but I can enter California freeways above freeway speeds with power to spare. Interior and exterior details make it look like its much more expensive then it really is. So far so good. Good Job Mazda!
Poor Man's BMW
Have owned this car almost 3 yrs. No mechanical/quality problems. Routine service only. Handles similar to my drowned BMW 325i, despite that it is FWD (specs for size wt and interior dimensions close, but definitely not nearly as refined as BMW, but ok for ~1/2 the price. Excellent outward visibility. Mileage ~22 mpg city and high 20's hwy. Good looking, especially to the younger set. Lots of amenities, leather, rain-sensing wipers, 5 speed auto with manual mode, atuo on-off headlights, side air bags, CD, heated seats, and more. Would definitely recomend this model for someone who wants a fun to drive, economical, utilitarian and reliable car that runs on regular gas. It is a GLC as in great little car.
This car has soul!
Mazda is the under appreciated Japanese brand, but they are the most fun to drive. I needed a commuting car and chose this as a nice balance between completely boring fuel economy and something that I would like to drive since I spend about 2 hrs and 20 min in it every workday. It is very reliable and you won't be disappointed if you buy one used. I am giving mine up to my 16 yr-old daughter and feel comfortable with her driving it.
Very sporty, fuel-efficient vehicle
Traded in a 1998 Mazda 626 with 130 hp 4-cylinder engine in which I averaged 27 mpg. The Mazda3 has 20 more hp and I've been averaging 32 mpg! This car has really good acceleration and handles even better.
Mazda 2006
We are so happy with our new Mazda. We wouldn't of thought that our Mazda would make such a difference in our lives. We absolutely love driving it and going for car rides. It is exactly of what we wanted from a car and now we would recommend it for anyone to own. We will have this car for a long time. It drives so smooth and has power when it needs to go. It looks sporty enough plus it's economical. I drive it to and from work and get about 35 mpg on a 5 speed transmission. We are so happy with it and wouldn't trade it for the world.
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!
Six months in
Updating my earlier review: I have had my Mazda 3 i Touring (with manual transmission) for six months now (just over 7500 miles). I am still very happy. Fuel economy has actually gotten better! And that's with running the A/C much more. I am getting around 31-32 around town and 34-35 on the highway. It is still a solid performer and just as much fun to drive.
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.
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.
Fun To Drive
I put a lot of miles on my car a year; in my 7 1/2 months of ownership I have logged 22,000 miles on the car thus far. This car is a blast to drive; it's nice to just turn the stereo off, roll the windows down, and listen to the engine while driving.
Hot
A blast to drive, between 31-35 mpg on highway 29 city, sporty, nimble, fun!
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.
Mazda 3S
Wife and I have been looking for a new car for more than a year. Test drove Honda, Toyota and the Mazda 3S. Didn't take very long to fall in love with this car. More solid from stem to stern. Handling, braking and road authority in a different league. Very smooth, fast and safe. Begs to be driven. Mazda must have taken apart a BMW 3 series. This car must be German. A lot of car for $18K! We'll see how reliable it is over time. Paid extra for the 100 K warranty.
Mazda3 Review
The manual car is fun to drive. Sometimes changing the gear is not smooth. The fuel economy is not so great but you forget about it once you start driving the car. The interior design is better than Civic and Corolla in my opinion. The price is reasonable compared to a Civic.
Excellent overall
The fit an finish on the car is outstanding. Both exterior and interior styling are top-notch. Car is sporty to drive even with the smaller 2.0. Very practical and reliable. Driving position is very comfortable. Visibility is excellent. I would highly recommend this car.
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!
Best value in America
I have had this car for 2 1/2 years and it is a great car. I have never had a problem with it and I must have gotten a freak because it gets 35 mpg highway and almost 30 in everyday driving (which is a combo of highway and city). I am looking forward to trading it in on a new 2010 model Mazda 3.
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.
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.