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 1 through 10 of 303.00

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  Cheap Fun Car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Chris - October 10 - 7:16 pm

  This car is the most fun car for the money I have had. It is not the best car you can have for any given situation but it is likely the best car for the money. Handling is great, performance is decent, the car has nice features like xenon lights, 6 disc CD etc. I dont think this car would be half as much fun without the 5 speed which makes you feel like it is going faster than it is. The wagon gives you a little more cargo but it still is a tight squeeze to get your golf clubs in with the seats up. I could have gotten a more expensive car but chose the Mazda. There are better cars out there but looking only at the car, few are better for the price

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  What a blast - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By kmh030 - July 1 - 7:26 pm

  This thing is so much fun to drive. Get the 2.3 motor (not the 2.0). It is so much fun to drive everyday. I couldnt ask for more car at $18,600. Its well built, handles like a dream, quick off the line and you can fit a piano in the back. Big strong brakes and a great chassis offers a stiff yet surprisingly smooth ride. The automatic transmission could be a bit more smooth but its not bad. It boots around the city and whips easily into any parking spot. On the down side the seats are not comfortable. The seat hurts after 1.5 hours and it gets worse. Im going to buy an aftermarket seat. The cockpit ergonomics could be better too. But I dont care and you shouldnt either.

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  More fun than a Civic or Corolla - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By gantw - February 16 - 5:53 pm

  I bought my Mazda3 after owning two Honda Civics and a Toyota Corolla. The Mazda feels like a race car in comparison: peppy 2.3L engine, strong 4-wheel disc brakes, quick steering, precise clutch/ shifter, and firm suspension/tight handling. I plan to drive my car in autocross races -- its handling is that good. On the flip side, my Mazda3s build quality is poor compared to Honda or Toyota standards. After just four months and 5,000 miles, my car has more rattles in the dash and doors than one of my Civics had after eight years and 110,000 miles! My cars fuel economy (2.3L engine/manual trans./moderate throttle) has been 25-27 mpg city (A/C on) to 30-31 mpg city (A/C off).

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  Park it in the Winter - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By mike volsch - November 24 - 2:03 am

  I have enjoyed this car throughout the summer and fall months. Gas mileage is great, fit and finish are of good quality and it looks great. But I have found its downfall. Without a doubt this is the worst car I have ever driven in ice/snow. If a hill gets in your way you better better have up a good head of steam because if you dont you will be going backwards. A set of snow tires on it may help but without them this car goes to the garage until the sun shines and the grass is green.

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  Many problems! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By artiesmartie - November 20 - 7:10 am

  I am very dissapointed with my Mazda3! Ive had it for 6 months and Ive had many problems with it. I live in Ottawa, Canada and winters here are quite cold. The car never started on the first try on a cold day, no hot air (there is a defect in all 2004s that no one knows about), there is noise when one turns (most likely from the axles), interior rattles quite often, and the biggest frustration is the vibrations from under the seat. Ive been fighting with my dealership to fix these problems, but so far they do not have any clue what causes such things. The replaced my axles, brake pads, heating system, and nothing has been FIXED! Be warned about this car.

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  SP23 is a Great Start - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Norman Fowler - October 29 - 6:43 pm

  I have owned my SP23 Mazda 3 Hatchback now for seven months. It was the most difficult new car I ever purchased because it is a limited edition model. With that said it was worth the effort and time. My Mazda dealer was great and worked very hard to secure this car. It is a very fun car to drive but could use more horsepower. The carpets are real low grade and that was a surprise. The Bose sound system is awesome and the standard features of this car are worth the price of the car. Best value for the dollar. Plenty of storage space and with the split rear seats you have plenty of options. Need to make available more choices of of exterior colors.

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  FUN CAR!! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mike C. - August 14 - 1:36 am

  I bought an "i" model for an outside sales job 3 months ago and have over 10k on it already. This car has had no problems at all. Interior, stereo, handling and exterior are all better than I had in my 01 Civic. It really carves up the road if you push it. At many speeds it will not downshift without use of the manumatic and that gets a little frustrating, it has very little torque. Produces a lot of brake dust but only on the rear wheels. I am very disappointed in the gas mileage. 90% of my driving is highway and I get between 28-29 miles per gallon. My Civic alway got over 36. If you want the feel of a Bimmer on the cheap, this is the car for you!

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  Friday afternoon car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Allen G - April 29 - 10:10 pm

  Purchased brand new. Looked great, sporty, fun to drive, typical great Mazda clutch. However, I feel my car was built on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon, I had nothing but problems with it in the year & a half I owned it. Pieces of trim falling off, just about every sensor/idiot light would come, check engine, air bag, etc. needing a trip to the dealership. One time it would not start and had to be towed to the dealership, luckily it was in my driveway at the time. I was very fortunate that the dealership/Mazda had a loaner car program, which I needed on several occasions, otherwise those expenses would have added up, but I still had to take time off for drop off/pickup.

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  Zoom-zoom... for under 20K! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By L. Wilson - March 7 - 3:53 pm

  My beloved Honda Prelude was on its last legs. In a search for a new vehicle I discovered its next to impossible to get away from the boring design, cheap construction, and gutless performance of new vehicles out today. Fortunately, I came across the Mazda 3. It handles better than many cars I’ve driven and the 2.3L engine is a nice bonus for someone who likes a little get-up-and-go. The brakes are good, however we also own an RX8 that has the best brakes I’ve ever tested. I love the styling of the hatchback and the interior is comfotrable. Fuel economy is great as well, considering our RX8 gets 16mpg!! For the money the 3 is a great value.

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  Its all right! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tucker72 - December 21 - 7:40 am

  I think my mazda is ok its fun to drive. But theres nothing that keeps me excited about it. Its got average everything, nothing spectacular. The looks are nice but the lack of power even with the 2.3L is a bit disappointing.