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183000 miles so far
This car is 9 years old now, so review maybe not relevant. I've owned since New, has been very reliable and all maintenance has been standard as the car ages. Love this car and will be sorry to replace it.
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Replacement Tire Suggestion
With 29,000 miles on the original (junk) equipment tires, I read several tests and found a very good replacement tire for the Mazda3. Try: Continental Extreme Contact DWS (Dry,Wet,Snow) They transformed the car, with much improved wet and light snow traction, much less road noise, better steering feel and much better tar strip and rough road performance. Have 5000 miles on them so far. A very good all performance season tire. Also much cheaper than replacing the factory original (GY) rubbish.
- s Grand Touring SedanMSRP: $2,295103 mi away
- s Sport 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $1,900117 mi away
- s Grand Touring 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,995212 mi away
Better than the competition
Being an engineer, did all the research, looking for the most value and fun without going the the price of the European performance compacts. I've had the car now for a year and a half and, surprisingly, age has made my M3 a better car. Starting off the car can have harsh ride qualities. With age, the ride has mellowed (w/o losing the fun) and the engine performance is still zippy.
Pretty Average
Car looks great and handles well, but... The 2.0, 4 cylinder is low on power. I expected a bit more zip for a small car with almost 150 HP. Gas mileage below avg. for a car this size. Only get a few mpg more than my Toyota Camry V-6. Handles great, but ride suffers. If you like to feel every bump in the road, you will love this car. Replacing the OEM tires helps, especially with road noise. Interior design is nice, but materials are of average quality, which I expect for a car in this category. Developed a few noises & small intermittent rattles not long after purchase. Some I remedied, the dealer fixed one, some remain. A/C is weak & must keep on high during days over 90'
My Mazda 3 Experience
I have owned a Mazda 3 for 2 years now. I can't complain much because it has been a reliable car. It is definitely NOT a family car but when we bought it we jumped quick because our other car was dying. The air conditioner is very sub-par, heat is good. Drives good, Interior is made fairly cheap as we have had several things break. Overall good car-I would recommend this car for a single person or a couple with no kids.
New 2009 Hatchback; SoFar, So Good
Just got the car on 8/22, put on about 450 miles over the week end. About 30 mpg, mixed highway/city driving. Initial impressions: responsive, OK for power, nimble, good turn in with slight understeer (expected with front wheel drive), very good brakes and steering feel. Nice interior layout, good fit and finish. The Bose stereo, wiper controls and trip computer seem rather complex, but I'm on a learning curve. Great cargo and passenger flexibility. I wanted a well made, economical but still fun to drive little car and this fits the bill. At or close to best in class. My other vehicle is a '08 Ford F-150 Limited with a Cobra pack. A great truck, but not the constant $80+ fill ups.
Long Term Honest Review
Mazda 3 Hatchback Pros: Styling and Handling Mechanical Reliability Convenient Hatch Roomy Cons: Cheap Interior Carpet Difficult to clean ! Black plastic has a bleached white look from ONLY using proper Dash + Interior cleaners Original Tires worn out at 20,000 Instrument Cluster Dash visibility is Poor Steering wheel may block view of Gauges for short people Snow belt driving - premature rusting of rear quarter panels and brake rotors Road noise due to cheap tires
a detailed look
I got the '09 M3i, 2.0 manual. I deliver pizza and do a lot of driving. I've driven nice cars; a porche, some bmw's and a few other nice cars so I'm trying to be completely objective with my review and will break down my scoring on the scale above. Performance: zippy, but not real fast, can't hang with the big boys but the handling is superb, which brought the score up to a 7/10. Comfort: I drive for HOURS! I'm never uncomfortable. 7/10. Fuel economy: I avg 27 mpg...depending on the use of AC and if i'm driving like a maniac which i sometimes do. 350-290 miles per tank.(usually around 320). 7/10. Fun to drive: that the handling is so surprisingly responsive combined
Almost 4 years later
I love my Mazda 3 hatchback. I researched this car forever and finally got it Dec. 08. It only had 19 miles on it and now it has 60,000! I had a few glitches my first year. I had the gas cap issue, Mazda service department damanged my body and paint during a recall service and I had to have my car repainted twice (nightmare process). I have repaired all the recalls and so far no major issues. I did have to replace the tires sooner than normal but not a big deal. Everyone tells me they love how my car looks inside and out. The backseat is a little tight but with the seats folded down it carries a ton of stuff, great for camping and road trips. Fun to drive!
My Long Term Review After 1 Year
This is an update to my review back in 4/2009, after 1 year plus few months of ownership of my Maz3. The car's still in excellent shape after more than 23k miles of hard driving, mostly long distance highway miles. No major repairs needed besides routine maintenance and oil changes. Overall I have no regret for my ownership. The most major complain though, is from the P205/50VR17 stock tires and Maz3's stiff suspension. The tires are almost worn out (should last 30k miles). They are very noisy. They are all-season tires, but absolutely horrible for driving in snow! Unfortunately, I've moved to a potholes-ridden and snowy state. That proved to be the most unforgiven condition for my Maz3.
'09 Mazda 3 GT automatic
Owned BMWs for 11-yrs; got tired of expensive fixes. The Mazda has creature comforts not typically found in this class. Leather, heated seats, remote starter, Bose upgraded stereo, 4-wheel disc brakes. Very fun to drive, way better looking than anything in it's class (Honda Fit, Corolla, Civic). Fuel economy could be better, but a small price to pay with all the features and drivability. The interior fit and finish matches BMWs I've owned. I researched cars for about a week solid before purchasing and nothing comes close to the bang for the buck. The one major complaint - the horn sounds like something from a clown car.
Great Ride, Great Drive, Annoying Gas Cap...
I have always been a Toyota admirer, until I saw the sharp styling of the Mazda 3, and once I noticed how highly rated they are and the gas mileage, I was interested. I got mine about 6 months ago, and I have loved it ever since. The only issue I had was with the dealership not wanting to replace the recalled gas cap. I had it too tight one time, and they had to take it off and I notified them of it and I was ignored. About a month later, (a week ago from now) it had broken off when I tried to fuel up. Other than this issue, I have been driving this car back and forth from home to class, and have had no other issues. The ride is very smooth, I get great gas mileage (23 city, 32 highway)
What did I buy?
I bought this vehicle 2 weeks ago and it has already been in the service dept. 4 times. Dead battery, electrical problems, transmission failed. I would stick to the 2008 model as it seems like there are some severe issues with the '09s.
Awesome car.
This is my first car, and as such I am simply glad to have one, but I have fallen in love with pretty much every aspect of the car. It has very good handling and a fairly peppy engine, although it is not a Corvette by any means. The aesthetics are very high quality and good looking both inside and out. Mine came with a 4 speaker audio system, but for a 4 speaker, the sound output is very high quality with rumbling bass and clear trebles. The only gripe I have is that power windows/door locks are only available in higher trim levels costing almost $3000 more. I have also had to replace the gas cap, but apparently this has been redesigned and will not get stuck as my old one did.
Fantastic car and a blast to drive!
I've had my 2009 Mazda 3 S-Touring for just 3 wks. and a little over 1,000 miles, but so far, I love this car! I commute 50-miles per day roundtrip to work and traded in a 2004 Ford Ranger for the Mazda 3 in order to save gas money. So far, the car is averaging 29.5 mpg, and on the highway trip home from the dealership, the first tank of gas got 33.5 mpg, which is outstanding. The car is a blast to drive, especially on country back roads with a lot of turns. The exterior is very sporty compared to all the other economy cars. The interior appears very upscale and the seats are quite comfortable. Stereo system is also great & auxiliary jack for iPod is very handy. Great acceleration w/ 2.3L.
I Absolutely Love It!
I never thought I would buy a Mazda but I am sure glad I did. This car is a lot of fun to drive & handles the road quite well. Extremely smooth ride more so than my 04 Honda Accord. I find myself sitting in the car after parking just to listen to the stereo (which I've never done in the past). I would highly recommend this great build of a vehicle. I plan on getting some options added later because I know I purchased a great car that I plan on keeping forever! :o)
Made of Win
Love my car, it is a beast, so glad I got the manual trans though, without it I could imagine this machine being a little sluggish for my tastes. I wanted a car I would enjoy for many years to come and I think I have it. Excellent gas mileage, even considering how I drive it at times, got 39 recently, mix of highway and back roads, and I tend to drive fast, needless to say, impressed with the zoom zoom. This car is a flat out awesome for its price, and has a lot of potential and I just got the base line model!
Zoom zoomin
I am a Mazda guy. I love Mazdas. My first van was a used Mazda MPV and when I sold it, I got 500 dollars with 340,000 miles on it. I recently had a 95 MX-5 and absolutely loved to just drive drive drive. Then I had kids. So I went out and bought a SUV. (stupid me.) So I drove this SUV for 1.5 years and it was dull. plus it didnt help that I was getting 11 miles per gallon during hard times. So guess what I did? I comprimised and shopped around test drove. I got a Mazda 3 Hatchback. I love it,love it, love it. Beautiful car, fast and fun to drive. plenty of room for kids. So so happy with it. And no I don't work for Mazda.
Poor gas mileage
I've had this car for almost 2 years and haven't had any major issues so far. All the maintenance is done regularly, but the car still gets only 24-25 MPG in the mixed cycle. I guess all of Mazda3 have this issue with the power steering pump, which I had to replace under recall. Interior looks kinda cheap.
Great dynamics, so-so build quality
The driving dynamics of the car are hard to beat. Snappy transmission, soft clutch, responsive steering, linear brakes, and agile suspension. The engine power is adequate, but well matched to the car. The interior is well appointed with leather seating, heated seats, moon roof, premium stereo (which is decent, but not great), and HID headlights. The materials feel of high grade, and the design is sharp. The only gaff is the crammed info LCD. The build quality leaves something to be desired. The interior looks fine and the gaps are minimal, but after only 400 miles, I've already got a ridiculous windshield rattle (ticking might be more apt) and buzz in the headliner near the moonroof.
rattle trap
Bought the mazda3 about a year ago and have driven it 26,000 miles never had a major problem with it other than a rattle in the trunk area cant seem to locate it and the dealer couldn't find either the tires that came on it new were horrible they wore out at 17,000 miles
Excellent Car!
My last car was a VW Golf. It served me well for 10+ years. It was a fun-to-drive machine, but quite costly to maintain, especially with age. So I decided it's time for a new car. I test drove 3 hot hatches: new Toyota Matrix (158hp/4cyl); VW Rabbit (170hp/5cyl); Mazda3 5dr (156hp/4cyl). Here's my little comparo. 3rd place, Matrix. Highs: big cargo room, Toyota reliability. Lows: Mazda3 copy cat, dull handling, peculiar styling, high price (23k for XRS), poor corner visibility due to large A pillar. 2nd place, VW Rabbit. Highs: big engine, VW fun, quality interior. Lows: uncomfortable seat (angled too much), confusing controls, strange "wall" under windshield, questionable reliability.
The Right Choice
I believe the Mazda3 is the best buy for the buck. Great acceleration and just simply fun to drive. Highly recommended.
Zoom zoom Mazda3
I’ve owned this vehicle for almost 2 years now and in those 2 years it’s been in the shop for motor mounts and Ac compressor but all which have been paid through my extended warranty but all in all it’s been reliable and never left me stranded I love the sunroof and 6cd changer and the auxiliary input that my vehicle has but I’m satisfied with my purchase but the only negative is the gas mileage for me is not as good as some owners combined but on the highway I get always 31-34 mpg
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Do not try to drive this if you are 5'7''or taller
That is is fine for a city car but gets uncomfortable quick. The steering wheel is hard, the seats are uncomfortable. Within mos of buying it the visor broke off, the truck interior latch broke. I had a wreck in my neighborhood (a lady pulled away from the curb right into me), I was going no more than 15 MPH and the whole left front end crumpled in. Pretty scary.
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An all around great car
I bought this car after a lot of research and test driving (I think I drove the dealers nuts with all my questions!) and I have to say I am satisfied. The car is so much fun to drive and looks beautiful. I almost didn't get the S GT but was talked into it by another mazda owner. Am I glad I did! The heated seats are great, the Bose sound system is wonderful, and I love my sun roof. Don't bother getting the auto dimming rear view mirror, it's a waste of money. Although if I would do it again I would have gotten heated mirrors. If you throw snow tires on it it can also manage the nasty New England winters pretty well.
Love it!
Performance is right in with Mazda ZOOM_ZOOM. Maintenance is an oil change and occasional go over by your trusty mechanic. Almost 50 years of driving under my belt this has been the most pleasure filled and simplest to own, not to mention the Bose stereo system.
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Love it!
I owned a 95 Mazda Protege for 13 years before getting my Mazda 3. I am really enjoying this new car. Looks nice and I receive many compliments on it. Rides wonderful and handles wonderful....sporty feel. My hubby remarked how comfortable the front passenger seat is, and he's a big guy. Love the stereo system. Only thing it needs improvement on is gas mileage. Could also use a little more room in back seat. Don't know what the reliability will turn out to be, but gave it a high score based on my 95 Protege. Test drove 5 cars in its class, and this one, by far, was the best. Some felt junky, cheap interiors, handled lousy, or too expensive. This one is best value for the money.
Best I could do to replace Acura Integra
After owning Integra for 17.8 years, finally found something to replace it with. Nice size for one person, nice luxury features. Not as fun to drive as Integra but handles just as well, even better on fast curves, like it's on rails. Quietness masks real acceleration compared to Integra which was "throatier". A lot has changed in cars since 1991 so I'm still getting used to things like position of steering wheel (further away), thickness of steering column (limits leg room), the explosion of new technology, and in my case, four doors. Bose stereo is good but I do have to have the volume way up to level 40+ hear details (deaf in one ear so this may be me not the car). Mileage in upper 20s.
Long Trips, Varied Conditions
Follow up to my 8/26/08 posting. Just took the car from MI on a trip to Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Back to MI, then over to Ontario and around Georgian Bay. Put on 4800 miles in 12 days through varied terrain. Got 31.6 mpg for the overall trip, car ran great, handled well and was very comfortable. Power is adequate 90% of the time. Cruised very well at the 75mph (maybe just a bit over)speed limit in WY and SD. The fully reclining & heated passenger seat is great for rest area naps. Bose stereo is very good. Strong crosswinds in SD (from Ike) could certainly be felt, but not too bad. Very good visibility.
Great car for a great price
I put 211,000 miles on my 1993 Protege without a fault. Bought a 2008 Honda Fit Sport 14 months ago and it was totaled. Drove the 2009 Fit Sport, Saturn Astra, and Mazda3 5dr and the game was over. The Mazda is much more car than the Honda and much nicer. The Astra is nice but awkward and the lack of an aux input for the MP3 player just shows a lack of consumer focus. The Honda feels "empty" and lacking when compared to the Mazda. The prices are all very close so it's a good comparison in my book. I'd like the sunroof to be an option by itself.
Best vehicle out there for the money
I purchased this vehicle at the very beginning of January this year (so it is difficult to estimate items like "reliability" and "build quality." I have thoroughly enjoyed everything about it so far. It's very stylish exterior is, in my opinion, best in class. It is fun to drive, handles well, and the 2.0L engine feels like a sizable step up from the 1.8L of my former Corolla. The interior is well-designed and comfortable, and the dash looks sleek (and the controls are easy to use, contrary to what I have seen in reviews). The fuel economy is perfect for me, even if not the best in its class. I get almost 30MPG off freeway. The value here is undeniable, so why wait? Get one now!
Not very Impressed
I've had my Mazda3 for a little over a year and I have had some issues with the car that should not be present with only 15,000 miles on the odometer. The brake system make an awful growling noise each time I back it out of my garage. Sevice engine light came on at 13,000 miles, was told that the gas cap needs replaced, replaced it and at 14,000 miles the light came back on. I will have to replace the tires soon, wore out way to soon. Road noise is very annoying, seems to get worse as the tires quickly wear. The whole Mazda experience has not been very good for me, zoom-zoom-BOOM?
Piece OF CRAP
Sorry to say i made the biggest mistake of my life buying this pice of crap. It had 13 miles when i bought it, now its at 42k and this is what i had to fix.... tires were fully bald and chap after a year... power steering pump blew up on me not once but twice... brakes were shacking the steering wheel so i had to fix the roters then they pully blew up and i had to replace the whole brake system.... hydraulic motor mount blew up and spilled oil eveywhere... and now to the good part... brakes need full replacement again and brake flush... rear strut is going out .... so ya Mazda should be ashamed to make this car ... biggest regret of my life ... i should have bought impreza...
I love this sporty little car!
I am a 50 year old driver and have owned several cars for 12+ years so I was looking for a practical & reliable car. Boring right? Well, the Mazda 3i is all about practical & reliable...but the cool factor is off the chart too. I compared sevaral cars in the class for the following features: independent suspension & abs disk brakes on all 4 wheels, twin cam 4 cylinder, alloys, 4 doors, timing chain (not belt), cruise, curtain airbags, nice sounding sound system. I got all this and lots more at a much better price than I thought possible with the 3i value package. The 3 is assembled in japan which, in my experience, means very high quality. This car rocks.
Mazda 3 a car to own
Great car good price
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Great car
I bought this car after being very disappointed with my 2008 Civic. I absolutely LOVE my mazda and would not trade it for anything. However, I have had a few issues. The power steering has gone out twice, the wiper motor has gone out, and the side trim has peeled off twice. But Ive been rear ended and hit head on pretty hard, and theres not a scratch on this car. Honestly, Id say this car is worth the money, Very fun to drive, just make sure you get the extended 100k/mile warranty.
Love My 3
I bought my 3 last summer at 13k miles and have loved it since. it handles very well even at over 100+ mph, with previous racing experience and looking for a practical college car I found my baby. attractive enough to get compliments from others and with the 2.0 I, engine speeds up considerately enough to drive on the freeway with confidence (better torque and pick up with the 2.3 engines though, take note to that!). I often forget im going 90 because i dont even notice!?, cabin is quiet without its oem wheels and very stable driving. snow was no problem and neither hills. still loving my car looks cool but not overbearing.
2009 Mazda3 GT (Sedan): Quick Review
I purchased the 2009 Mazda3 GT w/ Luxury Package in September '08. I have put close to 4k KMs on it since. I had compared it to several other cars in its price range; overall I am very pleased with my purchase. The combination of sleek exterior design, modern interior loaded with standard features, and quick and agile response and handling make this car a pleasure to drive. Features included with the GT trim w/ luxury package (i.e. moonroof, leather interior, Bose audio, heated seats, chrome door handles, modern interior and exterior trim/dash design, climate control, nice front grill, curvy where it counts) support the feeling that I got a ton of value for my dollar.
2009 Mazda 3 5 spd. 2.3 review
Big problem with this car from warranty period to present is tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Have had to replace sensors multiple times. Dealer would never cover under warranty.
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Low quality Mazda
I made the mistake and believed Edmunds when they talked up the Mazda3. I bought a 2009 Mazda3 with 10K miles. I am very sorry I did. The car is covered with very low quality materials. Some examples... The carpet and upholstery are of the lowest quality I have ever seen. The body panels are like aluminum foil. You do not want to lean on your car. The trunk latch is all plastic. The huge irritant I have now is the driver's seat. It squeaks horribly whenever I adjust my position even a little bit. Dealer can't fix and Mazda refuses to replace seat. I am looking for a after-market replacement. Do not buy any Mazda if you care about quality. Thanks, Edmunds, for nothing.
Way Over Rated
The build quality seems cheap. It feels like some one built it out of legos. Lots of road noise, and not very comfortable. Best gas milage was 26 mpg. The suspension is rickety as well. Within 3000 miles, it was in the dealership because it was pulling to the right. They did the alignment for me and sent me on my way. A month later I had it back in for the same issue. This time I was accused of putting the car in the ditch since they found mud under the fenders. I live a mile up a dirt road, and it rains alot. The dealer tried saying that this is not normal wear and tear. After an argument and a threat to call BBB, they fixed it again. Now the transmission is shifting hard. Car has 60k mile
Zoom Zoom
I bought this car a month ago and, am very happy I did, it's such a fun car to drive its pretty zippy and the interior is very nice it has a lot of features for the price, love the 17'' alloy wheels, and it feels very smooth on the road and highway. LOVE MY MAZDA3 Zoom Zoom.
Zoomin' on Oah'u
I recently purchased my Mazda3 (5 dr hatch, 5 spd auto - Copper Red Mica) within the last month, after I checked out comparable models like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic and determined they didn't compare. In my personal opinion neither were anywhere near the Mazda3 in quality of build, handling, response and overall driving satisfaction (definite zoom-zoom factor). The car seems like its rarin' to go right now but I want to ease into it and not push it too early. I am getting great mileage so far, especially with gas the way it is, and am very pleased overall. If you're looking for a great compact car with a lot to give - the Mazda3 is the "Ticket".
Zoom Zoom
I test drove just about every small car available. None drove like the Mazda 3 Grand Tourer. This vehicle is just snick, snick great. The interior especially is upscale for a small car. If you are looking for value and a not just another boring econobox check this baby out.
I love the 09 i touring value!!
There is no better looking car in this class, or more fun. The engine, even at 2.0, is peppy, fast and ready to go. I love how sporty it is, both outside and inside. Lots of headroom for a car this size. Feels and handles like a BMW 3 series, but you are paying $10-$15K cheaper! Its sporty and fast enough and yet, it still gets good gas mileage. Between city and highway, I averaged 29- 31/gal. and the stereo which comes with the i touring sounds really good, nice acoustic and full bass. I am 6'1 and I bump my head when getting into a BMW 3 series, but no problem at all with the Mazda 3. Its tight, its firm, and feel you are in control all the time. Its just an awesome car all around!
Good value
Bought the car and immediately went on a road trip. Handled well, many creature comforts for a car in this price point. MP3 Jack in center console is awesome. Glove box is huge. Average 33 mpg on hwy. Road noise is excessive and suspension is stiff, but sporty.
Maza wasn't even on my radar screen
I test drove a 2009 Corolla and Honda Civic and this Mazda 3 offered more of what I wanted than either of those cars. The gauges are easy to read, the buttons make sense on the dashboard. The Honda Civic has a tachometer as big as a pie plate behind the steering wheel taking up a sizable portion of the dash. Maybe that is great if you are a 16 year old boy, but as a middle aged female I didn't like it and I thought it was a stupid design placement. The Mazda, on the other hand, is user friendly in terms of the interior and had more personality on the exterior than Corolla or Civic. I got a great (GREAT!) deal on my car and I may be a Mazda fan for life now.
So far so good.
All of the features have been covered in other reviews but have two complaints. 1. Someone else mentioned the dirt/rocks issue....for some reason, on this vehicle, the rocks and dirt you pick up from the road rolls around in the wheel wells and is very audible..more so then any other vehicle I have had, even a Toyota Pick UP..so that can be somewhat annoying..I purposely avoid sandy parts of the road cuz I don't want to hear the rocks rattling around for the next 10 seconds.
Best new car value
Bought the car last week and have put 600 miles on it. The 17" wheels and independent front and rear suspension provide unsurpassed handling for a car in this price range. The 156 hp engine provides adequate power and acceleration. The 5 spd manual gear box is smooth and predictable, seats are firm and supportive while still being very comfortable. Smooth and straight on the highway at 80 mph. The car gets a little sketchy when manuevering through the twistys on uneven pavement. The stock goodyear tires are hard and noisy, but provide adequate grip on dry roads. Braking is superb and this is one super fun car to drive for under $17k.