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 11 through 20 of 303.00

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  my new car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By shantelly - July 25 - 7:53 am

  it is a great driving experience and the style is nice and sleek. otherwise, the car is great except the fuel intake. i seem to have to fill my tank three through seven days. this car burns alot of gas.

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  No Go in the Snow - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By RN17 - June 9 - 8:30 pm

  I had this car for three years before trading it in for a WRX. There were a couple of reasons for this. First, the WRX is much faster. Now the speed 3 is probably just as fast, but its only offered in a hatchback, which I just dont like. Second, driving in the snow just plain stinks! From a dead stop I could barely get half way through the intersection before the light would turn red again! Tires make a little bit of difference, but not enough to install confidence while driving in the snow.

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  Already Rusting??? - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Nae - February 27 - 11:06 am

  I purchased my 2005 Mazda the winter of 2004 love everything about the car, the feel of the car on the road, the suspension is tight, it has great get up and go for 2.0 and great gas mileage. It could use better interior lighting i.e. the window controls need more lighting and the my cigarette lighter light went out already? In 2007 I noticed my 2005 mazda 3i was beginning to rust around rear wheel wells and the undercarriage. I have taken my car into numerous Mazda dealerships for rust problem and have been told due to environmental factors they will not fix the corrosion? I highly doubt I will purchase another due to exterior quality it sad everything else is great about this little car.

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  This car zips, errr, zooms - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By AtlOutlaw - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as a second vehicle, I have an f 150 supercrew as well and I needed something with better gas mileage for around town. I havent driven my truck in over a week, I love this car so much! It handles very tight and sporty, it has amazing pickup, and it looks great! The gas mileage is a little over double my truck (Im getting almost 30mpg in mixed city/hwy driving). Plus, I routinely leave behind the tricked out imports in my area. The car is fully loaded, leather, automatic with sport mode, xenon and tpms, rear bumper step plates, autodimming mirror with compass/thermometer, cargo mat and net. Its easy to park, rides pretty smoothly and looks great!

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  Great car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By walt - August 15 - 12:23 pm

  This is a great car. It handles well and has a lot of features. It could do better on fuel economy in the city. Also more leg room in the backseat. Other than that, it is a fun car to drive.

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  A Good Hatchback in the Long Run? - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By psychoart - June 7 - 1:56 am

  Not quite a Golf GTI GLX (VR6).Its doesnt feel as comfortable, and as responsive as the VW 4th Generation. Yet, the Mazda3 SP23 may be a better car to keep in the longer run with Xenon HID w/ manual leveling control, some rear LEDs, Bose system, automatic front wiper, audio and cruise controls in the steering wheel, and aluminium 2.3L chassis. The car is somewhat customizable with some aftermarket parts, yet may retain better reliability than the Golf IV in the electronic segment. The engine setup is very strange, and maybe good for some user.At 1k rpm to 2k rpm, the car seems to be on extreme saving mode.Its only near 5k rpm where the car STARTS to kick in. The trunk is well organized.

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  Great car, poor MPG - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Slick26 - November 1 - 7:56 am

  All things considered, I think this has so far been a great car. Build quality and reliability have been superb. As has handling and over-all general performance. My main concerns about this car have been fuel economy and room. Now I knew I was buying a compact car, so I cant complain too much about room. But just take note, if you have kids, especially small kids in car seats, this car gets extremely small in a hurry. Put two car seats in the back and you have no room for anything, and driver and front passenger become very uncomfortable. Now, where I am most disappointed is fuel economy. I cannot get better than 23 mpg hwy/20 city no matter how hard I try. And I drive very conservatively.

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  Stay Away - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By AngryMazxa - October 15 - 8:13 am

  Purchased a 1 year old hatch with 24,000 miles, with 50,000 now, I have had to replace the engine and transmission linkage. I had an Explorer with less problems and that is saying something. Buyer beware of this one.

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  Whats with the brakes? - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda Owner - September 29 - 3:03 pm

  Love my Mazda except for the constant problem with the noisy front brakes. At 4000K had no brake pads and at 8000K had new ones again. Dealership said is is a problem but the new softer pads (sorry dont know the right terms) have reduced this problem. When it is cold outside however, the brakes when backing up scream. The dealership pretty much hates seeing me now, so I have decided to live with the problem. I guess if that is all that is wrong - its a bonus.

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  Utility, sport, and value - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Russell - August 16 - 5:50 pm

  I considered a CPO Acura RSX and new Scion tC, but the 3 was the best compromise between the utility, fun factor, and value that I was looking for. The tC was nice, but the interior cannot compare in terms of space, ease of access, or aesthetics. Cargo volume with the seats down was surprisingly similar. The RSX was ultimately just too small; the rear seat is a shelf for packages, not people. I do, however, wish I had the RSX 5-speed auto and the gas mileage and performance that came with it. Be careful if youre considering the 3 largely on price, especially with the hatch model as it starts at 17k and moves past 20k with a sunroof and ABS. Good value, but hardly inexpensive.