Used 2009 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
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'
- i Touring Value SedanMSRP: $7,40056 mi away
- i Sport SedanMSRP: $4,495144 mi away
- i Touring Value SedanMSRP: $3,495211 mi away
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.
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
'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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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.
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...
Mazda 3 a car to own
Great car good price
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
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.
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
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.
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.
A very disappointing piece of junk.
Admittedly I paid too much for this car as I needed something quickly. It burns a lot of oil and things are falling apart on it. (Heat shield, sway bar link, exhaust hanger.). It also has rust developing above the left rear wheel. I would have given it 1 star but I believe it is somewhat a lack of care from previous owners. It is decent on fuel mileage but lacks features, mpg and reliability of my previous car, a Pontiac Vibe.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Civic Who?
Honestly, best looking interior car in its class - Civic has nothing on this. Exterior is very stylish. 2.3 could do better on fuel economy, but it's still much better than a 6 cylinder. This the best car for bang-for-your-buck. You get so much - safety options, toys and gadgets and styling all in a very reliable lil car.
What a car!
Just bought this vehicle for my wife 3 days ago. Prior she had a 4dr 1995 mazda protege and though she liked all the features what a step up! It matches all her wants and needs. Very sporty in look, feel and handling. Nice sunroof, sound system and interior. Feels like your driving a luxury car. It's also very easy to handle and park. Great value for the money especially since the 2010s are out and dealers are looking to move the 2009s! Highly recommended.
Love my Mazda
Decided to buy my first Mazda after studying Consumer Reports - so far not disappointed. Like others, the road noise is very noticeable but the car is alot of fun to drive. Only have had 2 issues with car so far (very minor). Was told that the brakes accumulate rust every morning with the humidity but after applying the brakes a few times, is gone (was told this was normal with Mazda's)and also thought had problem with braking system (icon was lite) but turned out to be low tire pressure. Icons almost identical (not good) and was told at dealership they get someone everyday with the same issue. Otherwise, this will be a great car for my daughter when she starts driving. (ugh the thought)
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.
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!
typical mazda, great for the $$
Have owned a number of Mazdas over the yrs, all good except the American built 1999 626 - it was junk. Mazda 3 is recommended by me and i do lots of driving. problems ... rear view mirror set too low from dealership, almost wrote off car on third day due to blind spot ... hesitates on a damp mornings going up hills. dealership said knew nothing about it, until i gave them a list of 4 other mazda owners with same problem, and they admitted they all do it. I can live with it, but am careful to put in decent brand name gas, that helps. .... seats are a bit worn after 18 months and underside of glove box all scratched otherwise, its fantastic, too bad they changed the body style this yr
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.
Pretty nice
This is our first foreign car and she's not too bad. We bought the Mazda 3 i Touring edition. You see we drive a 2002 Vette and a 05 Tahoe so we are used to V8s. We looked all over and went through all the motions in comparing the Civic, Nissa Altima, Cobalt, G5 and G6 and the Mazda 3. In the end we decided that the Mazda 3 looked the best and the gas mileage was nearly as good or better than the others. We like the ride, sporty feel and its pretty comfortable. We also bought the version with the Goodyear tires instead of the Toyo for the winter time. I'm a bit disappointed with the mpg so far around 26 but I hear they need to break in so we will see.
Clear headed
This car drove nicely on flat normal freeways. Decent mileage. When driving back from Lake Tahoe on I 80, we experienced an unusual problem. The force exerted by this car, when going down hill on I 80, at or > 60 mph, was quite strong when turning toward the right, ~ 20 to 35 degrees. It felt as though you were going to be pushed out the door of the car. I slowed down and the sensation went away. Thereafter I drove this car at ~ 55 mph when going down hill from Tahoe Our agent said there was no accident with this car, therefore it suggest a stabilizer type problem for this car.
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.
2009 I Touring Value
After my previous kicked the bucket I was in the market for a new car. I test drove a couple of other vehicles but after getting in the 3, I knew it was the vehicle for me. I did quite a lot of research on every possible vehicle and was originally planned on a economy car. However, the price, performance, and quality was exactly what I wanted. The Mazda 3 is a great car, and does exactly what you would like it to. It loves to be driven, it looks beautiful and stands out (without being ostentatious), and is a dream for someone who prefers smaller sized fun driving cars. Sure you could buy a better mpg, economy car. But for the price you will NOT find a more fun to drive vehicle for the money.
Great Bang for the Buck
While I'm a big Honda fan, I've also owned three Mazda and couldn't pass up an end of year deal on my 3. Great exterior styling, this car looks like more money. Handling is a bit stiff but also responsive. Smooth engine but get the manual transmission for the 2.0 engine. While mileage could be better, I can't complain. Just came back from a 500 mile trip to FL with no problems. The instruments and ergonomics are quite good on the Mazda 3. Only niggles I have are the poor OEM/Goodyear tires, minimal grip and lots of noise. Gas mileage could be better and build quality a touch below Honda. But still an amazing deal for the price, I paid under $16K brand new...
Living Up to most of the other reviews
I found the Madda 3i touring Value Sedan had the best overall interior quality look and feel, and the standard equipment package included everything I wanted. Driving it over the past few weeks confirmed that I made the right choice. The seats are very comfortable, the car is nimble, very maneuverable and a pleasure to drive.
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Recent Purchase-So far, so Good.
Have this car for about a month. So far, wife and I are very pleased with the seat comfort,interior materials and design. I also like the quick pick up from a red light that makes it seem as if there's a much larger engine than the 2.0 L 148 HP standard mill. Very nimble cornering and turning... I avoided a stuck car in the middle lane of a major highway with it's quick steering response, but steering is too sensitive at 60 mph + and requires constant minor corrections to stay in lane.
Best bang for your buck
Test drove the Civic before deciding on the mazda 3. It is faster, more fun, better build quality, and does not feel like you are driving a spaceship. If you want to be bored of your car, buy a corolla. Civic is still a good well built car but nowhere near as much fun as they used to be. The engine is very strong for its class and is just a great example of how good Mazda is.
Great inexpensive car
If you are looking for an inexpensive car with lots of features for your money, then this is the car for you. Handling is good, but you have to watch it in the snow belt when the rear end would like to trade places with the front on snowy roads due to it's light weight. Acceleration is adequate with the 2.0 engine. There is plenty of leg room up front for 6ft. tall drivers. Trunk space for a car this size is good. Fit and finish is exceptionally good.
Try To Beat It.!
If you like sporty cars, you can't beat this one for the money. Blows away all the competition. This is my third Mazda of this type (323, Protege, and now Mazda3). All the performance features (brakes, acceleration, handling) are top-notch. The I-Value package gives you all you need. BMW for a cheaspskate.
Okay Car, Not Built as well as Protege.
Owned previous vehicle(Oldsmobile)7 years, owned this vehicle only 6 months. Purchased because we were very happy with our 2003 Mazda Protege. Interior quality lacking relative to Protege. Plastic scuffs easily and rear seat fabric fraying after only 2,000 miles and 3 months. Fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons. Reads 3/4 full after 2 gallons used and 1/2 full after 5 gallons used. Road noise evident. Extremely small trunk relative to competition and other Mazda. As a conservative driver highway mpg is great at 35 mpg, but local mpg at times in low 20's. Audio system subpar relative to other Mazda. A/C does not blow very cold compared to older Mazda. Dealer service was terrible on issues.
Fun to drive but mileage suffers
Previous to this, I had a Mazda Protege5 and that was fun and I had gotten great gas mileage regardless of how I drove it. Recently I got a Mazda 3s and it is fun to drive but my protege was more fun. The biggest issue I have with it is yes, we get more performance but your gas mileage suffers greatly depending on how you drive. My style of driving has been the same and yet I'm getting just barely 22 mpg around town and if I'm lucky I'll get 28 on the highway. The car is a blast to drive but the 16in rims and tires make the car feel less responsive but otherwise it's a great car.
Sporty Looks and a Quality Drive
Bought this car a couple weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I bought the 3i Touring Value Edition in Galaxy Grey Color and paid 16489 before taxes and tags. The engine is very upbeat and peppy. Pretty good acceleration for only the 2.0L engine but I think its helped by a manual transmission. It handles very well with a tight wheel that is very quick to respond. I've been getting about 35 mpg on the highway. Gearbox is very smooth. Although on very steep hills there could be a little more torque in 2nd gear. The TVE upgrade comes with 17" alloy rims which are great looking. Ride is a little on the louder side, but feels like a sports car. Bottom line is great buy for the price.
Love my M3
My Mazda M3 is more than I could ask for in value. As a previous Protege Owner the M3 is great. I am having problems with the clutch pedal position and think other comments about finding the gears is from the pedal being too far forward and you have to lift your from the left side foot rest. I am looking for an alternate pedal or will actually modify it myself. The pedal needs to be further back behind the foot rest so you can pivot with your heal, and not have to lift your foot forward and bring your knee up. That is why people are having a hard time finding the gear because they are clutching the way they should but the throw is off on the pedal/
2009 mazda3 2.0L 5spd
It seems to be a great little car. I purchased it because its a bargain. I won't mention what I paid for it, but I will say it was more than $2,000 less than the corolla, and the cobalt. Interior and exterior are better looking than the aforementioned vehicles. The gas mileage could be better.
Best car ever
Great car, fun to drive.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value