Used 2012 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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I pretty much hate this car...
watyf, 08/10/2013
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 29 people found this review helpful
I had to drive my '98 Civic today because the wife needed the Mazda, and I was literally relieved to not be driving this car. Mainly because it's incredibly uncomfortable. The seats are rock-hard, the whole cabin is cramped, there is NO rear legroom if the front passengers are normal-sized, the steering wheel never stays straight (apparently "sporty handling" means "have to make constant adjustments to the steering wheel even when driving straight"), the headrests are awkward and stiff, and you feel EVERY bump in the road. The little things about this car, like cupholders that a cup gets lost in and a trunk that DOESN'T pop open (unlike every other car I've ever owned), just add to it.
Uncomfortable seats, rattles and weird noises
neems, 01/20/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 26 people found this review helpful
I never thought I would be one of the "those' people that writes unhappy reviews but here I am. 1. The basic cloth seats look good, but they're hard as rock. I don't know if there was some switch-a-roo but my seat barely have any padding and I can feel the seat structure of the chair. 2. For a two week old car, it sure rattles a lot especially on the passenger side 3. There's an unusual humming noise coming from the middle of the car. It doesn't sound like idling or accelerating so I'm concerned.
2012 Mazda 3 for sale near you
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- i Touring 4dr Hatchback w/SKYACTIV-GMSRP: $6,99927 mi away
- i Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback w/SKYACTIV-GMSRP: $9,97794 mi away
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2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv
dgraym3, 11/15/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
great car! love the styling and interior, shifter and clutch are probably the best in its class of cars. I'm easily getting 38-42mpg with mix of country back roads/highway. Why by a boring Yotarolla when you can have something with more style and fun to drive. Being really picky: There is a small light rattle in the passenger front door area that I haven't hunt down yet.
Computer MPG is off
jackstraw22, 11/04/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for about 2 months and while I do enjoy driving it, I've noticed the computer's MPG is off. I've checked it several times by filling up my gas tank, resetting the trip meter and then resetting the computer's MPG. After running it for about 300 miles I filled the tank back up. I then divided the miles on the trip meter by the number of gallons I put in the car. My latest manual observation was 27.2 MPG while the computer's MPG was 29.8. So far my driving has been about 90/10 city/highway, so I'd expect the MPG to be low. But I would have expected the computer's MPG to be more accurate. It's been off on every test I've made.
Cute and dependable
Azash, 06/30/2019
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Had my Mazda 3 (base model) for 5 years and never had any mechanical issues. The fuel efficient was unbelievable (38+). The color was beautiful and it rose all over the Southwest. It held its value over time very well, getting nearly 65% of what I paid for it when I sold it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Strong motor, decor not so much
Mostly love for Mazda, 11/08/2020
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my car used in 2016 with almost 37,000 miles on it. It now has over 93,000 miles.The motor has been strong and reliable with regular maintenance. HOWEVER, if I had researched the vehicle on-line, prior to purchase, I could have had the transmission replaced while it was under warranty. There is a roaring that sounds similar to "road noise" and I have had problems with surging when shifting gears since I purchased it. I had not driven a stick shift in several years and made the mistake of thinking it was "operator error". Now I am just waiting for a major repair and the debate over value versus cost. The cosmetics are not that great. The shift cover has broken apart. The tint is wrinkled and peeling. The steering wheel cover is deteriorating. Also, it doesn't seem to take a lot to bend the control arms. After eating thru a set of tires I discovered that the front control arm was bent. I spent $500 replacing it. Then I ran over the tail of a gator and had to replace a back control arm. Another $500! I wasn't aware that the paint had outlines of leaves on the hood when I bought it. About 2 days later a friend pointed it out. I'm guessing this was from it sitting somewhere for an extended period (according to the CarFax it was a repo).
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Transmission
aluera, 02/25/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/11 (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
When I down shift there's a huge clunk in 3rd and 2nd gear... Not very happy with it at all!!!
Terrible Choice
lsmetan, 08/28/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 34 people found this review helpful
We researched several cars for their gas mileage ability. We chose the Mazda3 Skyactive and within days of driving it off the lot and only realizing an average of 31mpg we were so disappointed. The extremely small trunk and back seat space only added to our disappointment. This car looks appealing, but is not in anyway functional. We are a family of four with two small children we previously drove a jetta and we along with baby gear fit in the jetta, not even close in the Mazda. Also our gas mileage was better in the jetta. After three weeks we pleaded with the dealership who allowed us a straight trade with a new 2012 VW Passat. We all fit & are happily getting 39mpg+ & its not a tdi
Best little car I ever owned
abqrich, 05/29/2013
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love the way this car handles. Great engine coupled with great transmission. I have owned more expensive cars, but I have never enjoyed a car as much as this one
buy one
sorento2006, 01/20/2013
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
just took delivery yesterday of my graphite grey sedan with fog lights,spoiler,bose,sunroof.when i took it for a test drive,going over 60,the computer showed 41.6..wow !on the 30 mile trip home,got 47.8 at 63mph.the ride is tighter than expected,but much better than the 2008 amanti i traded in for this car.lots of features & wow factor.thanks mazda
New 2012 Mazda 3
disasterdawg, 05/25/2013
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought with 3 miles on it. Has been great car. Well designed interior and great styling. Performace and economy are outstanding. Mazda is an under rated company. The value of the this car is amazing compared to other imports. Fit and finish are top notch. Recently the car was struck broadside by and Escalade and walked away scratch free. Airbags did the job. The car almost totaled but did not. A really safe and strong car. I highly recommend Mazda, the entire brand.
Good car for the money
alex_z, 10/26/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/SKYACTIV-G (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The best interior in class. Smooth Transmission. Gives me 400 miles for tank in mix driving. The only complain is that suspension is a way too firm. It drives o.k. on the good road, but once you go to the bumpy one, you will feel every rough in your butt. Althogh it cut corners even without slowing down. I'm not sure if this car good for every day comfortable driving. I would suggest buy mazda 6 for this purpose or toyota is a better choice. Can not say anything about reliability (have only 3K miles). The only problem I had is rear defroster didn't work on the upper side, so went to the local dealer to replace it. Other than this it's a good car for the money with a lot of features.
GREAT CAR!!! FORGET FADING COROLLA AND PLASTIC INJECTED HYUNDAI
zoomhugger, 02/15/2012
2012 Mazda 3 i Touring 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 09/11 (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 29 people found this review helpful
BEST car ever invested with more appreciation to Mazda company than what I expected in other compact cars. NEVER will I own the cliche Toyota or plastic injected Hyundai. Forget about people saying "oh, you have to have car as reliable as Toyota or Honda.. BS. Any car in the Mazda line are much reliable and better built than family picnic Corolla, experimental Elantra, questionable crush proof Civic and BMA wanna-be Jetta also over-compensating interior light show Focus. Very glad to own a car that not what everyone on the road is whining about . I feel totally safe in this car than my Honda. I'd recommend this car to anyone and will continue to follow future Mazda's.