Used 3 for sale
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.
First Mazda and loving it!
ffemt86, 06/16/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
30 of 31 people found this review helpful
I have always been a Truck and SUV type guy. Well with the cost of fuel and a hour commute every day to work I had to get rid of the jeep and get a car. I looked and found that the Mazda 3 had more for the buck then other cars. After now having it for 3 months I don't think I could of made a better choice. It has plenty of room for the family and I can even keep 2 strollers in the trunk. I average 30 MPG which is nice on the wallet.
Love This Car
pradis, 07/11/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
37 of 39 people found this review helpful
I have only owned My Mazda3 for a few days now, and I've never owned one before. My previous car was a 2009 Honda Fit. I thought I was very happy with the Fit, but there is little comparison to the Mazda3. I have the 2.5 liter, S trim package with all the bells and whistles. This car feels like one costing much more. I have heard people complain about road noise, but compared to my Fit, it is very quiet. I got 0% financing too which let me upgrade the tech for the car. Road handling, accelaration, and over-all feel are just excellent in the 3. Gas milage is a bit lower than some expect, but my Fit barely got 30mi on the highway. So pretty comparable, and the Mazda is way more fun!
2011 Mazda 3 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 287 listings
- s Sport 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,5002 mi away
- i Sport SedanMSRP: $7,85014 mi away
- s Sport SedanMSRP: $7,38774 mi away
See all 287 listings
To much oil loss
dacrunner, 12/19/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2011 Mazda3 seven months ago, and have 21,000 miles. My local Mazda dealer has changed the oil every 5,000 miles using 5W20F oil. Every oil change the level has been a quart low. At the 10,000 mile change I ask the service manager to check the level before the oil was drained, he did and confirmed it to be a qt. low. At the 15,000 mile changed they again checked the oil and confirmed it to be a qt. low, and that we had an issue. At 20,000 miles they again said it was low but that was acceptable for my engine. The service manager just called me and said he has it in writing that 1 qt./1500 miles is acceptable for my car and I should be very pleased my car does as well as it is.
Really Quite Impressive
beeminbobby, 05/19/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
38 of 41 people found this review helpful
I recently decided to impose some voluntary belt tightening in car payments and gas consumption. Over the past 20 years I've driven a number of BMW's, Audi's and Acura's, but "downgrading" to the Mazda 3 really wasn't a big deal. The car is very comfortable and quiet, is relatively fun to drive, and is for sure more reliable than BMW or Audi. No, it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles", performance capabilities, or panache and ego stroke of a BMW, but I also have a car payment that is less than half of what I used to have! Maybe I can retire 5 years sooner now!!
Sporty and Dependable sedan!
Nadine O., 12/29/2015
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for almost 3 years now, I bought it certified-previously owned at a Mazda Dealership in Saratoga Springs, NY. I've driven it from New York to Arizona, from Arizona to New Mexico (Several times), from Arizona to Utah (Several times), From Utah to Nevada. I currently live in Salt Lake City. I've put several thousand miles on my car since I got it. I started with 30,000 and I am now at 80,000. It has been a phenomenal experience to say the least. Not only is this car reliable, but it's very sleek. I have the 2011 Mazda 3 i Touring, silver with a spoiler. I'm 4'11", so the car seems very spacious to me. My husband is 6' and fits okay, in my car. His head can touch the ceiling (with ease), but even he has taken road trips with me and has grown to love this little car. My father-in-law has a Mazda as well, he has the Mazda 6 because he couldn't quite fit in the Mazda 3 model very well (he's about 6'4" and disabled). One of the greatest things about this car, in my opinion is the reliability. Out of all the usage I've put it through, I have not had to repair anything but the tires. I found this impressive, especially since it's a previously owned car. It's been wonderful to me. I love that I can trust it in the snow, rain, etc. I love the headlight features that turn with the steering wheel and I love that my tires will seemingly "autocorrect" themselves when I'm slipping. It's a wonderful vehicle. I sure love it and I plan to keep it until it completely breaks. The only upgrade I can see myself doing is possibly getting a bigger vehicle when my husband and I decide to have children, but even then, I have transported little ones in the back. Little snug, but still very spacious for the size and abilities of the car. Needless to say, I love this car!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Everything is Great, But...
Mr. Lucas Brice, 07/08/2015
updated 01/18/2018
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I pretty much love everything about this car except for one thing. It's reporting an average of 17 mpg in mostly city (suburb) driving, far from the 22 mpg city it's supposed to get, according to the government. I bought it used in 2014. I brought it to the dealer twice to see why it's getting such poor fuel efficiency and they can't find anything wrong with the car. I use the AC (I live in CA), but I don't drive like a maniac. I wish I would have bought a 2012 with SkyActiv. Other things I don't love about the 2011 Mazda 3: 1. The cabin is noisy. 2. The standard stereo isn’t that great. 3. It took me a while to get used to driving with the car's blind spot. 4. Closing the hatch takes more effort than it should. 5. At the end of 2017, I noticed the seal material around the opening to the cargo area has started to decompose. That’s a trip to the dealer for replacement. 6. The AC is ok, but not great. I had to bring the Mazda3 in for a recall and the dealer gave me a rental. It was a Toyota Corolla. The AC in the Corolla cooled the cabin in no time. The Mazda3 takes a long time to cool.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
High Value
mazdat, 04/04/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Ive heard good things about Mazda cars, and liked the looks of the 3, but never drove a Mazda until my 1997 Honda Accord EX with 200,000 plus miles needed more in repairs than I wanted to spend. The excellent driving dynamics of the 3, zero percent financing, and a great price loaded with options sold me on a 2011 Mazda 3 i Touring. The strengths of the 3 are handling, build quality, interior quality, good mileage, and an excellent Bose sound systems with Bluetooth phone/music player integration. My mileage with the 3 in a mix of city/highway driving was better than expected, returning 37 MPG employing a conservative driving style.
fun fun fun
baker, 09/08/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I am in my mid 60's===not the typical buyer of this type of car . This car is a hoot to drive . Just a lot of fun . Reminds me of my younger years when I would just go for a ride to have fun . Responsive handling and more than enough power .
All Around Winner
ClausS, 11/21/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
23 of 26 people found this review helpful
To the person that wants rims and not hubcaps--buy ANY trim level except the very cheapest and you have alloys? That's a no brainer - The 2011 is near exactly the same as the 10 but the rear headrests tilt and they added a Moonroof/Bose pac as standard on all GT trims so the only upgrade it the tech which they toyed with by trading the aforementioned for the Xenons, Leds and rain sense wipers + auto headlight. Also switched to Synthetic 0W-20 oil! good move! Great car others pale, a honda fit? please 15" rims -zzz , I love the design as its grown on me and quite frankly I'm sick of insecure people that need mean looking cars , the smile is great! as is the car!
LOVE this Car!!
Q Trombley, 11/09/2016
updated 11/11/2019
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This car is solid. Fast. Sporty. Fun. I honestly look forward to driving this car every day. Can't beat a mazda. 80k mile update. still super strong. I'm sure this thing will go forever. Update 11/2019. I sold this car a while back, never had any issued with it. awesome car. bought a 2015 Mazda 3. One of the best cars i have ever driven. It's so much fun, and the interior is incredible, drivers seat feels like a cockpit of a racecar.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
great car.
mike, 11/30/2016
updated 12/02/2019
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
this is my commuter. i have taken it on only a couple of road trips. on the road trips i used cruise control and watched the gas mileage, and low and behold, it actually does get 29 MPG. not so when commuting though for obvious reasons. i almost have 70,000 on it, and the only problems i have had so far, is the driver side visor clip. the part that holds it in place broke. cost me $2.50 at the dealership and didn't require tools to change. also a few times it hasn't started right up. i know the spark plugs are due to be changed at 75,000 miles so i am guessing that may have something to do with that. i do my own maintenance so i'll change them at the next oil change. stereo is great! love the bluetooth. seats are comfortable. it has a more sporty ride, and has a bit of road noise. but i came out of a mini cooper so this car is softer and quieter than that car. update at 82,753 miles. --------------------------------- still happy with my little car. runs great and no real issues accept the blue tooth in the radio disconnects with my phone a lot. still plays music good, but in the middle of a call it will connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect. not sure why. great car still. comfortable and runs good. --------------------------------------------------------------------- update at 112,062 car still doing ok. plastic interior pieces are breaking. the sun visor stay clip just broke a second time. and the sunroof control panel switches are all broken. i think they used a little too brittle of plastic. mechanically it is doing well. still on original front brake pads! changed the Accessory belt at 100,000. it does grind second gear upon aggressive up-shifting now. i did change the gear oil at the maintenance time with a quality German synthetic oil. how ever i am wondering if maybe i should have bought the oil form Mazda now. time will tell. i now am driving a mega commute. lots of freeway miles running at 70mph. the miles left gauge and mpg gauge are no longer accurate from some reason. says i am getting 31 mpg which i know is not possible.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best Value for My Money - Mazda 3
Brian J, 11/29/2018
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought this car, used, after my daughter bought a hatchback. Hers is an automatic, but I wanted a manual after owning several Mazdas in the past. They don't use the "Zoom Zoom" tag line for nothing! Great car, the Mazda3. I wanted the sedan, to be a little more 'mature', but it lives up to the sporty nature anyway. The Grand Touring trim line is very nice, rivaling much more expensive cars. We love the heated seats and the leather stays cleaner than cloth would. Interior finish is also very nice with usability and function built in. Controls are simple and easy to use. Hands-free driving is must these days! Exterior is easy to maintain, and I love my Copper Red mica paint color! Overall, a great car! Highly recommended!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My first Mazda still going strong at 95,000 miles
Dion Massie, 06/15/2016
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
After extensive research, I settled on this Mazda 3. It's been almost a year and I have to say I LOVE THIS CAR!!! I couldn't find a single bad review and now I know why. When I bought this car 10 months ago it had 71,000 miles. It now has 95,800 (I drive a lot for work) I'm 6 foot 2 and 320lbs and this car fits me like a glove when it comes to everyday driving. Long road trips are another story. The seats are very uncomfortable after about an hour and a half. This car is durable and well built. The only mechanical problem I've had, every now and then it doesn't want to start. It'll takes a few extra seconds to turn over. No one can seem to figure it out. The transmission can be a tad jerky in stop and go freeway traffic but nothing too severe. The only other complaint I have is the fact that theres a satellite radio button but no actual satellite radio installed. I had to buy and aftermarket SiriusXM kit. For my next car I'm thinking either a Mazda CX-5, Volvo XC70 wagon or a VW Jetta wagon. But I have to say for now, I'm pretty satisfied with this Mazda3.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Still in love
klann1246, 04/28/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I was going between the Civic and the 3 and of course I chose the 3 and 9 months later I am still so happy with my decision. The functional, flashy and fun to drive. I feel good walking up to it in a parking lot.
Good for 30,000, then all heck breaks loose
lunaris, 12/03/2012
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
27 of 33 people found this review helpful
I don't generally review cars, but my experience with this vehicle was so horrible that I felt motivated to counter some of the shameless praise the Mazda 3 receives on this website. To put it bluntly, my Mazda 3 was a troubled vehicle. It was loud from the first day (I knew it would be), but the noise level rose as time passed. The tires wore down very quickly, and were extremely expensive to replace. But, what ultimately killed me was the clutch. Just over 41k miles, the clutch began acting up. I know a fair bit about cars and realized what it was immediately. Come to find that the clutch is a chronic issue for this car -- with many failing far earlier. And even at 15 or 18k, Mazda...
Great except for the GPS...zero support from Mazda
jsites, 01/01/2013
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Great little car. Except the built-in GPS which is a rip-off. My brand new grand touring Mazda 3 came with outdated 2009 copy right maps on and SD card. After having a number of problems and fails with this GPS outdated maps (can't find direct route to the dealership for one thing.) I have attempted to get updated maps..... I am even willing to pay the hideously over-priced fee of $200 to get updated maps, they are simply not available (I was promised by the dealer when I bought these maps were easily upgradeable) The OEM supplier Denso says they are "out of stock", they do not respond to multiple emails I've sent, they refer me back to Mazda, which refers me back to Denso..... what a joke!
Nice car, just not for me.
margaretanne, 06/03/2012
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new a year ago, and traded it in today. Really like the exterior on this car: fun design, sporty look. It was just not for me and I began feeling claustrophobic and cramped. The seat belts were extremely difficult to buckle ~ the buckle was placed REALLY low, esp. in the driver's seat. My kids couldn't buckle the belts for themselves and we would have to dig for the buckles under the booster seat. The fabric on the seats started wearing badly, and the finish was bad on the console. I would buy this again, for a young adult. Not really for a family.
Zoom up and down the road.
Drive drive drive, 11/02/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I decided to replace my 2007 Focus. Looked at 2010 Corrola, 2010 Civic and Accord. After reading reviews people said to look at the mazda3. I drive around 30k just to work and I wanted a fun but good car to drive. After test driving all of them the mazda3 was the one for me. The Toyota was the best deal for the money but felt numb to drive. Honda was nice but lacked bluetooth and nice radio. I got a great deal on a 2011 mazda3 s sport with Bose/roof package. I love how it drives. I hope it will give me the 200k+ miles I am looking for. So far getting 30 mpg on highway. And me driving so many miles I wanted fun to drive.
Great Car for the Money
darth_flatus, 09/12/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought my 5 door Grand Touring new about a month ago. Absolutely love this car. I consider myself a car "junkie" who loves to drive. I drive about 1,000 miles per month for work, and let me tell you, this car makes it a completely different experience to drive. The handling is great, the 2.5L engine feels like a V6, the seats are comfy...I could go on and on. My friends, family, and neighbors are all intrigued by the look of the car and once they get in and ride in it they walk away impressed. The backseat is a little tight on leg room, but, my kids fit just fine. Averaging 25 MPG do far with mixed but mostly city driving. Good numbers when you consider the power the engine puts out.
More than I expected
Joeymann, 12/05/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
When I test drove this car I was impressed, but after purchaseing and driving it every day I am amazed at what a great car this is. My wife loves it and we both love driving it. A FUN car ! Tons of standard equipment and a very reasonable price. A no brainer if you are looking for a compact with pretty good gas mileage and lots of zoom zoom.
An excellent, beautiful handling car for the money
ohioan2, 09/21/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Two-plus months and 2,900 miles on my Velocity Red hatch and I'm loving it. Fun to drive, handles like a dream and I enjoy my daily commute in comfort and style. Plenty of power when needed, with great torque, on the 2.5. You're giving up some gas mileage, but I'll pay for the trade off. Still averaging 30-32 mph with mix of highway/city driving, much better than my old V-6. It's nice to be crusing in something different and sporty in the sea of Civics and Corollas. Looks aggressive with those 17-inch alloys, side body crease swoop and is ready to prance. Even the smiley grill is growing on me, although the fog lighs and front license plate wipe off some of the smile.
2011 Mazda MAZDA3 i touring
galego, 08/26/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I just got my new mazda and I have to say this is a really nice car. I am 18 year old male that is 5' 10" and it has plenty of room. I was originally wanted the 2012 Ford Focus, but after they did not come down on their price I went with the mazda. I am not dissapointed at all with my purchase I got an excellent deal on the car. Now when i drive i drive it like a mazda not a commuter car and i average about 25 miles per gallon. Before i bought the mazda I was driving a 1997 f-150 so the gas miledge to me is much better improvement.
One of the best cars in its class.
pezzy669, 03/25/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
After 8 months with my Mazda 3 Grand Touring sedan I am still extremely happy with my purchase. Of the 5 cars I have owned over my lifetime this is the best car I have owned. The fun to drive quotient of this car should be the benchmark in its class. It does mean a firmer ride but for myself it is in no way objectionable. The interior features are astounding. Bluetooth, Bose stereo, heated seats, leather, etc. make for a very nice place to be. Overall you cannot go wrong with the Mazda 3, it is definitely a worthwhile competitor in the segment and in my opinion leaps and bounds better than the Civic and Corolla.
Fun to drive but noisy.
mka2, 06/13/2012
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought the car at the end of 2011 and currently have 10k miles on it. It's fun to drive, corners on a dime, very responsive and accelerate smoothly. The interior is nice however the seats are not comfortable. Controls are well placed and the car has a lot of nice technology. The GPS is difficult to operate and very annoying. A $200 aftermarket GPS will solve this problem. From day one, I thought the road noise is a bit much however after the first tire rotation the noise became unbearable. Mazda is aware of the quick tread loss and will not do anything about it.
Awesome First Car...Zippy Driving:)
Josiah Klossner, 01/23/2016
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
This car is the first one I have owned and I actually like it a ton! It's light on it's feet and fun to whip around corners. I often describe it as zippy! The acceleration is really only okay since I have the 148hp 2 liter engine (it goes from zero to 60 in about 8.7 seconds). That being said, it's a heck of a lot better than some of the cars my friends drive that are older and under powered. I always say that the great thing about having a car that isn't too powerful is that you can slam on the gas and hear the engine roar for a bit without going to much above the speed limit and thus receiving a speeding ticket. Overall though, I can't complain about acceleration, it doesn't take that much effort on the pedal to perform normal highway and thruway driving.The steering feel is my favorite part as it is responsive and engaging. In the winter, as long as I drive like a grandma on snowy roads I'm good! Tokyo drifting is sometimes fun though! However, steep driveways aren't fun. To be fair though, I have all seasons and haven't put forth the $$$ to invest in winter tires. As far as the interior goes, it definitely seems to have a better quality to it than other compact cars that I've been in of it's generation. The dash has a softer feel and the body panels on the doors seem to be in there pretty tight! Some of the door panels in the back feel a bit cheap, but they are of sound construction which is all I care about since I spend all my time in the drivers seat! My only real gripe is that a small bit of the dashboard above the radio/time display has managed to detach itself from the top of the display, leaving a small gap there. It's easy enough to ignore, but it's still a tad annoying. Other than that, the seats in the front do a good job of holding you in and making you feel comfortable! I can't quite say the same for the rear seats, leg room is rather tight and if you're fully loaded with passengers in the back, woe to the poor chap who is in the middle as there is a significant hump on the floor. The trunk is sufficient for me, a single college student, and it usually holds my stuff for most trips. If I'm driving two people on a trip though, I usually have to use the back seat as well (not everyone packs as light as me either). As far as fuel economy goes...it could be better. Considering fuel economy scores of other compact sedans of my car's generation, this one isn't really too fantastic, but it ain't bad either! As a poor college student I don't mind the loss of a few mpg, it makes up for that with its driving dynamics. I probably average 28-29 mpg in the summer. That drops to about 23-25mpg in the winter (although it's January and I got 27mpg on my last fill-up). again, I really can't complain considering the fuel economy of some of my friends under powered rides...hehe! As far as repairs go, I've had tie rods replaced three times!!!! THREE! I got the left outer one replaced for my inspection in 2014, my inner left one replaced for the 2015 inspection, and I got my inner right one replaced this past December (2015). I'm currently bracing my bank account for the outer right tie rod come next inspection! Other than that, I had my rotors replaced for my first inspection in 2013, and new brake pads. Other than that, it's just been regular maintenance. Although there are some other problems due to the previous owner to whom I want to walk up to someday and say....YOU FOOL!! Seeing as most people haven't had any issues with tie rods on their Mazda3, it looks like it's a wonderful model as a whole for reliability! there are some possibilities for why my tie rods keep needing replacement. 1. my mechanic is a horrible person, 2. I go around corners like a maniac too often, or 3. I got a lemon Mazda3 with sucky tie rods. So overall, it is a wonderful, fun to drive, economy car! I don't regret getting one and despite its flaws in my particular circumstances, I really really like it! If you're looking for a used economy car that's cost effective and this model is one of them and you like cars that aren't boring to drive....don't second guess yourself! That was totally a run-on sentence.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
New clutch at 20k miles
chris_1, 07/30/2013
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
I first took my car in to the dealer when I noticed the clutch slipping after I shifted or when I accelerated at freeway speeds. Now, after 16 days, I finally have my 2011 Mazda 3 back with a completely new clutch assembly. Mazda paid 50%, not including the rental car. My final bill: $700 (not including the rental car cost for this time). They replaced not only the clutch disc, but the flywheel and associated bearings and parts. Apparently they consider replacing the clutch at 2 years / 20k miles to be "normal wear and tear" and not under warranty. In my opinion, the fact that it wore out so quickly, in itself, means it was defective.
My Little Tank!
N. Rhodes, 12/16/2018
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
80,000 miles, 7 years of ownership and zero issues - I call my Mazda 2011 "my little tank" because she's never once let me down. I absolutely love my Mazda! I bought this 2011 Mazda sport in a rush with zero research after my last car (my beloved 1996 RAV4 with 180k miles on it and still going strong) unexpectedly sold the same day I placed the car ad, leaving me carless. I cabbed it to the nearest dealership and test drove 3 brand-new cars - a Ford Focus, which drove like a slug with a brick tied to it, a Kia Sportage, which had brakes so grabby I almost ejected myself through the front windscreen the first time I hit a Stop sign - and a Mazda 2011. From the moment I first put my foot on the gas I was in love, and bought it on the spot. The difference in driving experience is night and day between any other car I've ever driven. My Mazda is, to put it simply, SO much fun to drive. She is light and nimble while at the same time being solidly planted, a smooth ride on freeways, firm and zippy around corners, and fast as a whip. Driving performance is important to me because I drive A LOT. I have a 50 mile daily commute along a notorious toll road (241>>133 through the heart of Orange County, California) which starts with an engine-frying 3-mile climb up a 30 degree mountain gradient, a brake-melting roller-coaster descent down into a valley on the other side, then a 20-mile twisting, rolling series of loops and bends alongside an unfenced mountain road to rival any you see in a car commercial - and combine all of the above with the heaviest commuter traffic in Orange County, sometimes extreme Santa Ana crosswinds in winter, and the fact that every driver likes to do 80mph *at all times* on the toll roads. It's been my twice-daily obstacle course for the last 5 years, and the Mazda eats it up like it's nothing. I dream about driving this car - the driving feel is hard to describe; it's solid and very satisfying (almost manual-feeling) at lower speeds, but at high speeds she takes off and literally floats over the road, putting a huge grin on your face.... while at the same time you have absolute confidence in the well-dialed steering and handling to do exactly what you tell them to, giving one of the most precise driving experiences I've felt. In the city, the Mazda excels. She turns on a dime, fits into the tiniest parking spots, and yet can pull out some serious accelerating power in a crunch - I credit my Mazda for saving my bacon on one particular occasion involving a big-rig driver on his cellphone doing 70mph alongside a merging lane, pulling suddenly left and not noticing me caught between 5 tons of speeding steel and the concrete freeway side-wall. Thank you Mazda for that (literally) life-saving turbo-booster that got me quickly out of harm's way! Economy-wise, I get about 23 city/28 highway, although that number was a few MPG higher in the first 5 years of owning her. She goes through brake pads pretty heavily, but that's mainly to do with the hilly local terrain and my annual 1000-mile round-trips to Yosemite! Grumbles? Of course I have some. The built-in MP3 player is so low capacity as to be worthless and I still haven't figured out what any of the giant buttons on it do after nearly a decade of hopefully poking at them. I recently ripped out the whole system to replace with a modern touchscreen with iPod interface and Bluetooth. Much better. Also - the welded-in-place metal trunk frame/cargo bay divider should (in my opinion) be shot into space, as it severely limits the height of long items that can be carried in the trunk with the back seats down. Sure, it's a big trunk with a wide 'frog mouth' opening and both back seats lay almost flat, but at the back of the trunk you've got this solid inverted U-shaped truck divider at the top which the back seats rest on, which means anything longer than the trunk has to be less than 15 inches high at its tallest point or it won't fit under the gap. A recent cat tree purchase, for example, was a huge struggle. Hoping Mazda fixes this with its newer models. This car (minus optional add-on packages) is also not an all-weather vehicle. In sunny CA it's fine, but in a rare heavy downpour the light weight of the car will make her scrabble for traction at every stop light unless you remember to apply the gas ever so gently. There is also (stupidly) no rear wiper, though the rear heating element does work well to unfog the back window. The low-tire-pressure warning system does a good job of warning you when your tires drop below recommended pressure. Regardless, the Mazda 2011 is still a car that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a practical, solid, fun, yet trustworthy sedan that won't break the bank and will put a smile on your face even on your worst commutes. Its dependability also makes a great choice for a 'first car' for new/ young drivers. I hope to be driving this little car with a big heart for many years to come.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I love this car
Karen R., 06/06/2016
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
My dad bought me this car and fixed it up so its a rebuilt title. i love the confort of this car when taking it out for a ride. this is our road trip car cause its just so smooth. love the bluetooth sometimes my friends say its hard to hear me when i am using it though. the back seats have less space wish they used a little from the tunk space cause the truck has alot. wish it had a little more storage space. but overall this car has never given me trouble. best car ever.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
First new used car, and I love it!
jugar123, 08/09/2014
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I've bought this car about a month ago and put about 2,000 miles, and let me say, its amazing to drive. It handles the taconic curves like nobodies business. I love the bucket seats, makes the car feel like a sports car. I do have to admit, the back seat is a little tight for tall passengers, but its not a big deal at all. It's a perfect commuter car in my opinion. I average out 28-30, while doing 75-80 with the AC which is amazing. A full tank gets me about 450-500 miles that's mostly highway mileage . Great car.
Zoom Zoom - My third Mazda!
dwaine1958, 05/15/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Our Mazda 3SGT is equipped with the graphite mica color, has black leather seats, and is fully loaded with the tech package. Since the front grill and the car color are the same, the smiley face is subdued and not as obvious as most of the other colors. The car handles very well, has great road centering and quickly responds to steeering input. I find the sporty seats very comfortable but I'm surprised they don't have any lumbar adjustment. The Bose sound system is great when turned load, but doesn't have any loudness setting that would give a more full sound at lower volume levels. The engine exhaust sounds very sporty during highway acceleration, but is quiet while cruising. The gas mileage is similar to the EPA estimates. Potential buyers of S sedan version need to look at this car as a sporty compact sedan and not as an economy car (if you just want an economy car buy the 3i). The 3SGT is a hybrid between a small performance sedan (like a BMW 3) and an economy car like a Corolla. Since its also priced in between those two vehicles, you get what you pay for Also, the initial quality is top notch. Since I only have around 3500 miles on the vehicle - long term reliability will need to be determined over time. The breaks are very good and road noise is subdued. These two qualities are often criticized in reviews of the vehicle, but I think the car is quiet while cruising down the road and stops quickly and easily. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall and my head is close to the roof, so taller folks may find the head room tight especially when purchased with the moon roof. Otherwise, the front seat legroom is excellent since the front seats slide back much more then they did in our old Corolla. Therefore the back seat legroom gets a little tight, but remember this a compact car, not a midsize. Overall, this is a wonderful car!
Great Economy Car
ingersom, 12/07/2012
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
the exterior of the car for this price range is fantastic! the subtle lines the beautiful headlights are a total turn on, however the interior is bland using black cloth and some silver trim throughout the whole car. you can be sure its not luxury. the features of the car are pretty limited but it does have bluetooth which is now a must have and pretty much all i needed... the ride is very stiff so if u frequent crappy roads u will feel every bump but when u get it out on a smooth fresh paved road with plenty of curves well... theres a reason why i have 4 tickets. road noise is pretty high especially in the backseat but at least while your back there you will have plenty of leg room
Well I have owned 2 that should say something
Kevin Spears, 11/28/2016
updated 06/05/2019
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My first mazda 3 was an 08 2.3L hatch. great car did not have cool tech features like the newer one but reliable and fun to drive, got totaled in a wreck so I decided to buy another. The 2011 is a big step forward tech wise, granted I cannot fairly compare as the 08 was a touring (middle trim) and the 11 is a Grand Touring(Top trim and fully loaded on top of that) but the HID lighting is superb(did run into a rather expensive issue right after purchasing the car used with the HID assembly leaking water but it was fixed and just a seal issue that can be remedied easily by a home mechanic or shop), lights up the night very well the adaptive HID is nice it turns with the steering and has auto height and vertical adjustment built in. LED tail lights are nice, less maintenance more brightness for people behind to see. The bose stereo is really nice has good mix of treble mid and bass and plays loud for a oe stereo. bluetooth pairing is easy and has not given me any problems on the car end (all my issue have been phone compatibility and minor, more like things my phone cant do) the 6 cd changer does mp3 cds which is nice the sat radio is great (bought used and it functions, for now will not buy it when it stops though) the nav screen is too small for a nav screen (newer 3's have better screens, and i did not care mine even had this) and updates for the maps in the nav are $200 from mazda so its practically useless, the fuel economy, range and maintenance reminder are much more useful features this screen displays, it can also display music info their as well. it gets what i expected and a little bit better mpg wise, its not as good as other cars this size but not the worst, and the fun driving experience is worth some extra gas. it has a ton of "personalization" features but only a handful can be changed without a special computer plug in at the dealer costing $125 locally at the time of writing. the power driver seat is nice and comfortable, the leather seems to be of good to great quality especially at this cars' original msrp. the dash is rubbery and feels solid and upmarket, the materials inside are nice and seem to last, the exterior paint is good, gets rock chips on the front somewhat easy but nothing bad. it handles excellent, my 08 was a 5 speed manual and unfortunately I could not find a good manual one this time so the 11 is an auto but it shifts smooth and decently fast, the manual mode helps alot and be warned it acts like a manual and will let you over rev. the brakes are about my only bad spot, as they seem a little weak, However after doing further research the car has a pressure sensitive pedal, not really a pedal position sensitive so the feel is just different than I have been used to, its part of the brake assist. I went and tested and sure enough if you hit the pedal hard but don't push it far it responds more than if you push it far but light. I think the brand and hardness of the ceramic on the pads I put on right after purchase affect this as well and will probably change to different pad material next time. on my star ratings newer mazdas after 2014 are far better not using ford parts for headlights and engine mounts among various other items the ford made headlights were the reason i got rid of this car 6 months after buying it but would not hesitate to buy a non HID equipped mazda 3 from before 2014 or any 2014+ mazda with HIDs
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
7 years old and still a great car
Tom Cornwell, 04/08/2016
updated 04/11/2018
2011 Mazda 3 i SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car brand new in 2010 as a graduation gift for my son. It is now 7 years old and has about 82000 miles on it. We had to replace a sensor associated with the transmission last year. That has been the only mechanical problem with the car. It has never broken down or been unreliable. We do the recommended maintenance of oil changes, tires etc... It had a tune up around 69,000 miles. This car still has a lot of get up and go, great fuel economy and continues to perform well. We have 3 other vehicles in our household and this one has been the best buy for the money. I would certainly consider buying another Mazda 3 in the future.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car for the money
Tom, 11/28/2018
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in early 2012. It's been mostly wonderful and the review on Edmunds is fair. It's super peppy, handles great and is fun to drive... especially considering it was $21,000. The rear foot space is small, but the trunk is huge and more importantly it opens really big so you can fit a lot of things in it (think a mountain bike, kayak, dresser, tv stand, etc.) Overall the vehicle is very versatile, parks easily in the city, and I can't imagine you could do much better at this price point. Here are my only negatives: MPG is worse than stated on here. The car tracks it for you, and my 6+ year average is 25.3mpg. Now I live in a city and I probably step on the gas a bit (its a fun car to drive), but even on the highway you aren't getting 30mpg. The original Hancook tires were CRAP! The fronts wore out in 32k miles and the rears were gone before 40k. They're also horrible in the winter. I've since replaced them with Hercules tires and the first time I drove with the new tires it was like being in a cushy SUV! Finally, the button to the hatchback broke after just a few years and minimal use. The dealership charged me nearly $300 for it. Finally, I opted for the basic stereo instead of the Bose package and that was a mistake. They're pretty bad. If there's two things I could change about this car would be the bad stereo speakers and the lack of 4WD/AWD. Overall, I really like the car. It's been a great value and I hope to keep it 5 more years. At which point I'll be too old for a small hatchback and I'll get a comfy SUV or large sedan.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent car, fun to drive
mjs23, 10/09/2012
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 2011 Mazda3 for about a month, and I have never been happier with a car. I purchased it after a bad car accident, at a time when I never thought I'd feel safe or happy driving again. This car has changed my mind. I was drawn to it because of the great safety ratings, and the test drive I took it on sealed the deal. I average about 32 mpg, for a mixture of city and hwy. The road noise can seem a little loud sometimes, but not too bad. Nice acceleration, the handling feels almost sporty and it corners on a dime. The ride feels comfortable to me as well. Finally, I love the way the car looks inside and out, and my friends are always commenting on how nice it is.
Bittersweet
holybull, 01/29/2014
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I wasn't totally in love with the looks of this car but I do like hatches so I test drove it and fell for it right away. It fit me like a glove. A tailored glove. Handling is the best that could be expected from a front-wheel-drive compact. Engine has 175 HP and plenty of torque. The cosmetics are a different story. Windows rattling after not too long of owning it. Cylinder key lock in steering column replaced twice. And now, as if that weren't enough, I've been told I have a cracked piston ring and the thing is SLURPING oil. Not good for a car with only 51000 miles. Never again do I buy a Mazda. first and last. I'm spending more and getting a mini next.
Great Sporty Car at a Great Price!
gigit, 03/16/2013
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I loved my Mazda 3, which I recently gave to my husband when I bought a new Corolla. It looks so nice, I'm crazy about the style of it. It's a fun ride as well, and it's at a great price. We have had a few repairs on it. The front and back brakes went out very early and the horn broke, but these are minor problems. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the jet black interior. It's a great car and I'd definitely recommend getting one. Gas mileage isn't as good as what I hoped for, but it's not terrible either. I think the new Mazda's with Skyactiv technology get better gas mileage. I also find that the paint chips easily (I have a white model)
Nice but not for me.....
pure_hp, 09/27/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I purchased the Sport hatchback, automatic. I love the bluetooth and the way it drives, lots of fun. Unfortunately, the wheel doesn't telescope out far enough for me without me being on top of the steering wheel, I'm 6'1. Because of this, the window switches are too far up the door handle; I'm constantly letting the rear windows down.
Fun, excellent performance
crystal, 10/21/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Like reviewer Tom Tom, I was looking at a Honda Fit. I chose this Mazda 3 because it drove better: smooth and responsive, quietly powerful, nimble and sexy. I almost got the touring model, but in Seattle, not much need for a moon roof. It feels luxurious inside and a lot better maneuverability than a Fit. Great trunk space.
Bang for the Buck...
kurtri, 02/02/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I wanted a small car, with utility options, to replace an Audi A4. Like many people, I am trying to stay financially keen in current times. Is there a car with semi-luxury features, good safety reviews, acceptable gas mileage - all within the Compact $ range? Yes - the Mazda 3. The car handles nearly as well as my Audi and has respectable power. The front seats are very spacious and I do not feel 'jammed' in like the Audi. The seats are comfortable and the dash controls are intuitive. The Mazda 3 is larger on the inside and the versatility of the hatchback was a key factor for me. Looking for more personality than a ho-hum Civic? Give the Mazda 3 a try! 26 MPG mixed driving.
Fun, flexibile little car; great value
cheddar_brett, 04/16/2012
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car punches above its price. As I write this, I've had the car for about a year and have but 16K miles on. I wanted a wagon or hatch that was fun to drive. This was cheaper than the alternatives I considered. This car replaced my 2-door 2004 Accord EX V6 coupe, and with 2-kids and a hatch for their stuff and my hobbies, a nice upgrade. A smaller overall car, but bigger on the inside than the Accord. It is great for what I need - commuting (including dropping kids at school), weekend run-about car with the fam, occasional weekend trips, and space for chores and hobbies. It's been a year, and I'm thrilled with this car.
Best purchase ever made
amati5, 01/13/2012
2011 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is the only car we bought without going back to the dealer in almost a year. In the past 6-7 years, we bought 4 cars (Toy, Hon, Nissan, Maz) and the other 3 had to return to dealer for some dumb repairs within the first year. This little car is perfect in every way: the price, the sporty ride and no rattle even in the cold weather and with the firm suspension. The 2 liters is tuned for low end torque and exteemly responsive. I guess this is the reason it has less gas mileage compared to others in the same class. A couple of less mpg but totaly worth it. The Turanza tires came with the car are very noisy so be patient or switch them out. Bluetooth works very well. Nice dashboard.
ZooM ZooM!
dssomerville, 10/17/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've only had my 2011 Mazda 3 for a few days. I'm starting to like it more and more everyday. It can get up and go if i want it to and looks amazing as well.
King of the Compact Sports sedan
Moses Tunde, 10/29/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
It took me a while to decide on Mazda.It was my son who opened my eyes to the aesthetic masterpiece of the mazda3 design. After getting past the grinning front end, everything about mazda is sophisticated.I have the 6speed manual, which was a little hard to obtain.My car tackles corners with unparalleled confidence. The gearbox was a close ratio one and the best any car manufacturer ever invented.The ride is supple, yet not floaty; brake is very assuring, yet not blunt; Four wheel independent suspension indulges me, yet not compromising in handling. I do not have any gripe with my new mazda. Not only is the interior the highest quality of any car in it class, everything came standard! Bravo! mazda.
Zoom to the Front
NateM, 10/10/2010
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
This is my first brand new car and after a year of researching cars I couldn't help but go with the Mazda. I owned a '90 MX-6 that had 261k on it when I sold it. This car gets compliments at gas stations and in drive-thru's. The gauge cluster invites you into a cockpit that tells you this car wants driven. Handling is world class, power is peppy, and people are amazed when I tell them I have the 6 spd Manual. Love love this car.
At 219000+ miles, finally the end
Bob Issensee, 08/13/2018
updated 08/16/2022
2011 Mazda 3 i SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have had no problems with this car. It has not let me down at any time. needed only to change oil, replace tires (on 4th set), brakes (third set) and wheel bearings(at around 120K . at ~ 220000 miles the alternator failed, then the clutch hydraulics. At this point i decided to give up on it. The engine ran fine, I gave it to my mechanic to sell
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car! I recommend it.
pwrofjoe, 01/27/2011
2011 Mazda 3 s Sport 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I was caught between buying a Honda Civic, VW Jetta or the Mazda3. The Civic lacked substance.. it was simple, not sporty, lacked knobs and features. The VW fell in the same category as the Civic, it was just blah. Dont get me wrong, they are great cars, but their design lacks a statement. It's just another car parked at the grocery store. The Mazda3 has great design, modern and a nice body kit. The interior feels solid and luxurious. Some people like the the front grill and others dont. In all honesty, if you dont sport a turbo charger, a big block engine or some NA performance engine, you dont need to have an aggressive front grill. The Mazda3 is a fun car and should be smiling! Enjoy!
I love my mazda3.
rob917305, 02/18/2011
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my first mazda and I'm very happy. I got my mazda3 two weeks ago and totally love it more everyday. It handles superb. Very nimble, lightweight, and sporty suspension. The manual feature is like a turbo magic button. This is the best designed compact economy sedan that drives like a mini bmw, is cool looking, and not boxy. Oh and forgot to mention, priced right.
Still in the honeymoon phase!!
John Schink, 01/23/2016
updated 07/29/2016
2011 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
It's almost 8 months later and still loving this car. No issues [kinda]! Fun to drive. The only cons I have about it is the highway noise and wobbly drivers seat. Not sure if it's the tires or the nature of the car, but it's loud at 75 mph. The electric drivers seat rocks back when accelerating. It's annoying. The only work around for it is to lower the seat all the way to the floor. I wouldn't expect these annoyances from a "touring" model. I still recommend this year and model. Go get one. ------------ Original post: I came from a Prius. That was a great car. No issues, great fuel economy, easy to drive and moderately fun :). The lease was up and I wanted to find something different. I wasn't shopping for a Mazda; in fact I was looking specifically for a Honda Element or Subaru. The car came to my attention by fate - it seems. I've driven a few other Mazdas after finding this Mazda 3 GT initially, which I ultimately purchased. I drove newer ones with Skyactiv and some older ones. Those were 2L engines and had noisy motors. Some were sport models (base) and some were Touring . This 2.5L in my GT is not like that. It has a soft huskiness to it. The others had interior materials that felt lower quality. This car has it ALL, too. Most bells and whistles you could ever imagine, except for a backup camera (that would be icing on the cake). I got the car as Certified that carries 7 years 100K miles and 1 yr bumper to bumper. I couldn't be happier. The team at Groove Mazda Centennial Colorado, where I got the car, are great people and easy to talk with and in working through a deal. The thing that first got my attention in driving the car is the nimble steering. I love the responsiveness, tight turns, and ease in which it corners. The motor is the strongest, but it is fun when it pulls you up to speed. The leather seats are snug and keep you in place. The moon roof is quiet and perfect on most any day to have cracked open. There is some road noise that you won't hear in a Mazda 6, but it's not off the chart by any means. The leg room in the back is less than the Prius I had, which was pretty roomy. Larger adults will bump their knees. The ride has firm suspension and makes it feel more sporty. It's a Consumer Reports top rated car. For me, this car is fun for an A to B drive, getting kids to their games, running errands, hopping between cities in Colorado. We may take it cross country in the summer - we'll see :) I see why Mazda coined "zoom zoom"
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great performer
Ted, 10/08/2018
2011 Mazda 3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My 2011 3 Sport has 96,000 miles on it and it runs like new car. I've maintained it well and have experienced no major problems whatsoever. Runs like the day I bought it. Peppy, great handling car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value