Overview & Reviews

All new for 2004, the Mazda 3 receives only minor changes for 2005. The four-door "i" model gets a new 15-inch wheel cover design, and Sirius Satellite Radio is now available on all models.

• Fun-to-drive character, stylish interior design, strong engines, hatchback utility.

• Ride might be too stiff for some, a few ergonomic quirks, tight rear legroom.

User Reviews:

Showing 161 through 170 of 303.00

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  Best Hatchback ever - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By x2choctaw - December 18 - 6:40 pm

  I love driving my new Mazda 3. It has so much more power than my recent car and it handles so well in the corners. There is nothing that I can find wrong with this car.

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  Great Car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By gburns - November 27 - 7:03 pm

  I bought this car after comparing it to multiple other cars, and I could not be happier that I went with the Mazda3.

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  BEST car in class - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Sergio - November 14 - 11:10 pm

  Easily best car for the money (reliability to be seen). The car is very quick with excellent handling with 205/55R16 tires. I opted for the 2.0 for the mileage (28 MPG city driving on 1700 miles). Very nice and roomy interior. I will echo the complaints about the weak A/C, and the remote trunk opening, but they are not show stoppers. Seats are a little hard and the doors do not auto-lock when the car is started.

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  Style but serious flaws - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By rconn2 - November 4 - 4:26 am

  I just bought the 2005 Special Edition Mazda3, with SP2 Security Package, Moonroof and Navigation. I have decidedly mixed feelings; am actually considering selling (and have had less than 2 weeks). Why? Despite researching and reading all I could, you dont really know until you buy. 1. There are many posts on the internet saying this car is awful in the snow... the worst theyve driven in 40 years... an embarrassment. Some say its the tires, some the wheels and tires. Who knows. 2. Fuel economy is poor -- especially with the automatic transmission. Lots of complaints here too. Like in the low 20s. 3. Consumer Reports just dropped it. 4. Nav system is featureless.

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  Zoomin Fun - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By ANPope - October 22 - 12:50 am

  My last car was an Audi A4. When it was time for a new car I went with the Mazda3. Its fun to drive and responsive, with decent handling for this price range. The only handling problem is the tendency to spin the front tires when making a 90 degree turn from a stop onto wet roads. It affords good visibility and I never have a problem merging quickly into traffic. I get 30 to 31 MPG on the highway even with the larger engine and automatic transmission, although you can knock 2 MPG off that when running the AC.

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  Great Experience - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bryan - October 20 - 10:33 pm

  This car has turned a couple 34+ year olds with two children into the youthful spirits we had be yearning for. The car is fun to drive. I have experienced few better handling cars. The 5-doors styling turns heads everywhere we go. Lower the windows, pull back the sunroof..adjust the leather seats, switch to manual transmission mode..turn the 6-disk stereo up and...zoom,zoom.

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  Overrated - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Eddie Money - October 9 - 11:03 am

  I traded in my Subaru WRX to save some money with lower payments, lower insurance and to get better mileage, plus the WRX required premium gas. I just wanted a nice commuter & I even bought an A/T car for the first time in 15 yrs. I like the styling and a lot of the accessories, but what really bugs me is all the loose things on the car. Lots of interior squeaks and there is a clunking in the back after only two weeks. I think the build quality is mediocre. The power sunroof is almost worthless because it makes such an annoying sound when driving down the road at 40-45, it goes away on the freeway.

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  Excellent car but.... - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By tnmats - October 2 - 5:16 pm

  The 3 is a fun car to drive; call it a BMW 3 on the cheap. Mine has the 4 speed auto, which while detracting a bit in the fun-to-drive area, still is a blast to drive. Steering is tight, handling is crisp. Its just right. The main gripe is the pathetic air conditioner. That is one known issue with this car, and so far Mazda hasnt really addressed it properly. Outside of that, the fuel mileage could be better for its size.

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  Great Value and Performance - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Lance - September 19 - 2:43 pm

  I have owned more cars than I care to say, but I must say that this little wagon is great. I still cant get over the look of the thing, and the performance is better than most in its class with exception of the WRX. The fit and finnish is way above the norm compaired to the Hondas and Toyotas that we considered.

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  Mazda 3 Review - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Andrew Marino - September 15 - 10:26 pm

  Hot looking car. Extremely fun to drive. Outstanding gas mileage. Great performance from the engine. Comfortable in the front, a little tight in the back. Good storage space for a compact. I get compliments on the outside appearance of the car as well as the interior. Best purchase Ive ever made.