Used 2011 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews

First Mazda and loving it!

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.

To much oil loss

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

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!

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!

High Value

I’ve 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.

Still in love

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.

My first Mazda still going strong at 95,000 miles

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.

Best Value for My Money - Mazda 3

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!

More than I expected

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.

Nice car, just not for me.

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.

One of the best cars in its class.

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.

2011 Mazda MAZDA3 i touring

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.

Awesome First Car...Zippy Driving:)

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.

I love this car

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.

My Little Tank!

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.

Zoom Zoom - My third Mazda!

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

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

Excellent car, fun to drive

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.

7 years old and still a great car

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.

Great Sporty Car at a Great Price!

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)

ZooM ZooM!

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.

Best purchase ever made

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.

King of the Compact Sports sedan

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

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

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

Mazda 3-A great little car

For a 4 cylinder auto it has quite good pickup. The interior is tight but comfortable and the dash board is easy to see. I have gotten as much as 36mpg on the highway and 28 in the city. I have owned this car for 5 years and would definitely purchase another. It is a great little car.

Has now earned my #1 spot of all cars/all time!

This is an incredible vehicle for both comfort and safety! Recently purchased my first Mazda 3 in February 2020. By August of this year we had a vehicle enter the highway we were traveling on from a residential drive way. I had a very short time to react, due to our highway speed, yet we still were able to avoid a t-bone impact, which could have harmed the other driver greatly. Both front airbags deployed in the vehicle, and we are convinced this saved our lives! Although, there was great frontal damage, there was very little actual "intrusion" into the interior of the vehicle. Amazing design and perfect crumple features have definitely given this vehicle it's amazing safety rating! If you are considering a vehicle for a dependent or just for someone you want to keep safe... PLEASE consider the Mazda 3. **yes, I bought another Mazda 3 with my insurance payment... Couldn't see it any other way.

I love my mazda3.

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.

It worth every $ I paid

My 2010 Mazda3 saved my life during an accident, so I decided to buy another Mazda. Finally choose this old model because I cannot trust 2012 SkyActiv tech. It took me a month getting used to this car since it is much bumpier then previous model. After test-driving VW GTi, I was assured the car was just tuned as it is. This car handles exceptionally well. Clutch synchronizer is smoother than my 2010 model. I get 30-32mpg, better than my 2010 model.

Great performer

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.

Great car! I recommend it.

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!

Still in the honeymoon phase!!

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"

Almost Perfect

I bought my 2011 Mazda3 iSport certified pre-owned from an awesome dealership and have never regretted the decision for a second! I'm a no-nonsense guy, it doesn't have cruise control, no keyless entry, no bluetooth, no options whatsoever. None of those things ever bothered me. I was so glad to have low miles and long-term peace of mind. I've put just under 100k miles on it and it has never - NEVER - needed a single repair. I've done all of the preventative maintenance on schedule and it has rewarded me with a fun, reliable, lovable driving experience. BUT It's too small for our growing family (FORGET about putting a rear-facing car seat in the back with two front seat passengers). So I'm getting a larger SUV. This little scrappy Mazda3 has become a part of me and I'm so sad to see it go - like a pet you have to get rid of because you're moving. It sucks. I love this thing.

This car laughs @ Corolla and Civic

This automobile is exactly what I wanted. It handles well, comfortable and well designed and executed car, loaded with all main safety features. It has a pleasant growl during acceleration. The shifter is nothing short of magic. The exterior is perfect (besides the smile). It feels nothing short of German sedan, especially at night when the dash goes red with bunch of lights. You feel the road and you feel as part of this car when you drive it. Seat has good lumbar support. Ergonomics are good. Ride not worse then in Civic EX. Fuel economy should hit 30 mpg combined. Build quality is top notch. Headlights are super bright at night. Protege beat Civic/Corolla 12yrs ago for me and did it again

A fun, happy car

I've had this car for about 5 years now, and it's been such a pleasure to own. I have had to replace some suspension and brake components, but it's 10 years old now, so I'm not really shocked or surprised. The interior has held up really well, with no cracks or tears on the leather seats, only some mild discoloration on the painted silver plastic pieces. The AC and stereo still work, which is great! And the powertrain and electronics have given me no trouble. The interior is a really happy place to be with the sunroof. Well-designed aesthetically with a spunky, timeless look. Lots of buttons and knobs and lights-- really stands out from the dreary interiors of today. The Bluetooth integration is truly set-and-forget. Play Spotify on your phone and pick up where you left off with no muss and fuss. Change the songs with your steering wheel controls and make calls using Google Assistant-- no need to fiddle with any distracting and annoying touchscreens. And when you forget your phone or lose service, enjoy listening to your favorite CDs with the in-dash disc changer, something you really can't get in a newer car. I'm 5'5" and 140 pounds, and I feel like this car was designed for me. The seats hug my curves, hold me in, and I can rest my arms comfortably on the armrests. I find the seats to be incredibly comfortable on long drives, but larger people may not fit as well, unfortunately. This car has very responsive and enjoyable driving characteristics for an economy sedan. The steering feel is great-- not too stiff, not too light, with a good amount of feedback. It's fun to whip around corners and take down a nice country road, but there is a bit of body roll (it's no sports car, after all.) Still, I tend to drive a bit... athletically, and the roads here are very curvy, and the seats do a good job of holding me and all my stuff in place. The engine and transmission accelerate smoothly and respond quickly, even at higher speeds. The ride is on the firm side, but I personally like to "feel the road" a bit when I'm driving, and I wouldn't describe it as aggressively so. I would say the one bad thing about the car is that it's a bit prone to dings and dents. I parked under a hickory tree with no problem in my 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix, but the hood of my Mazda is pretty pockmarked. There are other dents around the car from gravel and road debris, but I'm more concerned about interior condition than exterior condition, so I don't mind too much. The clearcoat and paint have otherwise held up really well, with no fading, cracking, bubbling, or other issues. If you live in a rural area with a lot of dirt/gravel roads, it's something to consider, though. This car has spoiled me because I have no idea what I would buy next, when the time comes. It has all the modern features I want (Bluetooth, safety) without all of the annoyances in modern cars (touchscreens, driver assist). I would recommend this car to anyone looking for something reliable and fun, with a lot of character.

A nice change

Bought this last month and has put on 600 miles. Had to say goodbye to our 2000 year Ford Taurus, it's working fine but we relocated to SF bay area and parking was a headache. My wife is the main driver and she feels happy to make this "size" change: enough acceleration, relative spacious interior and trunk, stylish inside and out, and the parking can never be easier. The first two tanks averaged ~25MPG, mostly local with heavy traffics. Looking to keep this car for long time and we expect it to be no less reliable as the previous taurus. Good car for a budget-limited young couple!

I love this car!

Drives great. i purchased this car a month ago and I'm very satisfied with it so far. The backseat is a little snug but its no big deal. The sound system is great and I love that the bluetooth automatically connects when i turn on the car.

A few faults but at 85K miles she runs great

Driver's side window vibrates with bass music on my vehicle so if you are looking to buy one you might want to crank up the bass with the window up before you buy it.

131000 good !

Bought Brand New. Good fuel economy. Drives good. Paint inside and out held up good. Still looks good. AS for brake repairs- use only OEM Because cheap brand leaves duty wheels. Replaced AC about 111000. Other than that it’s been a good car.

Excellent Car!

I bought my Mazda 3 brand new 7 months ago, and don't have a single regret. I love the handling, and wanted a manual, but decided an automatic was better suited to my long commute which often leaves me sitting in traffic. Everything has worked perfectly, and other than routine maintenance I haven't had it to the dealer for anything.

Awesome little car!

I purchased this car 9 months ago and I couldn't be more happy with it! After trading in a 2000 Volvo S80 that was falling apart after almost 120K miles, I decided to get this car because I didn't want to pay any more repair costs. I haven't had one problem with this car yet! I got the i Sport 2.0L auto version, didn't come with all the bells and whistles, but since it's only me driving it and I was looking for economy rather than luxury, I decided to go with this model. But even for the standard edition it has plenty of features and feels like a luxury car. I plan on keeping this car for a long time!

Bumpy ride in Mazda 3 2011

Just (within past two days) leased a 2011 Mazda3 i touring and absolutely hate the ride! I felt every tiny bump in the road....stressful and uncomfortable!! Also noticed handling on turns was odd...not smooth by any means. Looks great and nice features, but going to call dealer and see what my options are.

Having fun already!

First Mazda ever and I am happy to say I am loving the car already. I am coming out of a Mitsu Lancer Evo 2008 which was an excellent car but too pricey. I commute a few times per week to work & appts so I wanted something reliable but affordable. So far I am enjoying the ride, fit (I'm 6'2", 200 lbs), and styling. I looked at a 2010 model but decided on the 2011. Build quality is excellent. The ride is as advertised and the interior is awesome. I would highly recommend this vehicle for anyone looking for a sedan with ample room and comfort. Can't go wrong with resale value either.

best car of its class, maybe other class as well

bought my self this Mazda 3 and just loving it. the look, handling, everthing about it is great. this is actually a COOL car to drive and to look at. interior is much better than a lot of more expensive cars. exteior also polished! it is a cool car for cool people. it is not a car that tries to be cool. ( corolla s and civic) anyway, very happy with purchase. at last, great price!

great car for traveling

Mazda 3

Great car!!! Lots of fun to drive

Brakes

The brakes is making noise

Fun little car to drive

Just bought an i Touring sedan and it is a blast to drive. This car replaces a worn out Cadillac Catera, so I'm expecting much better service than the often broke down Catera. Haven't had it long enough to report on gas mileage, but the acceleration is great for a small 4 cylinder car. Cabin is a bit on the smaller side but we do not anticipate having back seat passengers very often. The fit and finish is very good for a car in this price category. Good job Mazda. The wife and I are enjoying our 3.

So far so good

Owned my Mazda3 about 1 month now. Everything is fantastic. Surprisingly large in the front seats. I would not personally feel comfortable sitting in the back seat, but since I never do, it is not an issue. Great gas mileage. Fun to drive. Well priced compared to similar sedans I looked at. Looking forward to having this car for a while.

Ms. Jazz

i have purchase my 2011 Mazda 3 back new and it be nothing but a amazing car since day 1!! now it has 145k miles on it and it runs just as great as the day i brought her home!! If you want a very very reliable car and give you performance and luxury at the same time- CHECK OUT THE MAZDA 3- ANY YEAR IS A GREAT CAR!!