Overview & Reviews

Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are now standard on all 's' trim levels.

• Athletic handling, refined and zippy engines, sharp styling, top-notch build and materials quality, sharp styling, hatchback utility, luxury features and ambiance at a budget price.

• So-so fuel economy with 2.3-liter engine, top safety equipment is optional on lower trim levels, tight rear legroom.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 201.00

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  Great Car - not so fuel efficient - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By rsilverst - November 28 - 5:23 am

  I am writing this review as a mostly happy owner of my new Mazda3. After driving my first 1000 miles of mixed highway/city miles, I am a bit disappointed that all 4 tanks of gas have yielded between 23 and 25 miles per gallon. I realize that the car is rated 22/29. Nonetheless, given the highway split, I am a bit surprised its coming in at the low end of middle. This is not a large car, and it surprises me somewhat that my 13 year old Corolla with 155,000 miles on it was getting significantly better mileage. For now, I am very happy with the car - its great fun to drive. But maybe I will end up going for a hybrid in a couple of years.

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  Ive had a few problems - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jessica - November 26 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2002 Civic for my Mazda 3... Ive had 4 Hondas in the past and regret my Mazda purchase some days. To start, the tires had to be replaced at 22,000 miles, my rotors are warped, and my a/c stopped working this summer because I had an issue with the thermostat. The only thing that the warranty has covered is the problem with the thermostat. Its not bad to drive and it starts every morning, but I certainly wont be purchasing another Mazda in the future!

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  Zoom-zoom - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By quicksilver - October 31 - 9:16 am

  Lots of pluses. Zero issues in 1st 7K mls. List of standard amenities is as long as your arm. Since most the positives are listed in the brochures and Mazda info, Ill focus on the stuff they dont tell you. All cars have negatives. Consider if you can tolerate these: 1. factory speakers are horrible. Replaced all 4 with cheapo $26 speakers, for a major improvement. 2. Even understanding that performance uses gas, mileage is less than expected (26- 29 mpg). 3. Stock tires flat spot after sitting and need to warm up before the tiny thumping goes away. Otherwise stock tire performance and noise is fine so far. No need to slow down and brake for corners. That makes it very fun to drive!

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  My experience so far - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jason L - June 22 - 7:36 pm

  Im driving the 2.0 liter 4 speed auto. Before buying this car, I drove a 2000 Toyota Camry CE. Its really amazing the difference in interior quality between a Toyota and a Mazda. Toyota certainly beats the Mazda hands down in terms of build quality inside the car. I.E. Cheap plastics and poor stitching on cloth seats. That being said, the Mazda3 is leaps and bounds more fun to drive than a Camry. Virtually everything in the performance dept is better, with the exception of low end torque. Maybe its only the 2.0 liter, but the low end torque is a little weak. Once it gets into 3rd/4th gear, it accelerates QUITE nicely. When I need a burst of speed, the car definitely delivers.

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  Beauty is in the Eye of Beholder. - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By joe mc govern - May 16 - 5:00 pm

  Car drives excellent on dry pavement. This car isnt a daily commuter if you have snow, the OEM RSA eagles slide all over in 2" of snow. Get snow tires. The car is well worth the money, but a lot of plastic and styrofoam in front end. Insurance is high on this car, but so is the Civic. The 2.0 engine is more frugal on gas than its 2.3 liter. I rented the 2.3 liter HB but it wasnt worth the extra gas money. This car is a sports sedan with the low pro tires and sits higher than a mini and Civic, thats why I bought it. However next year its history Im going with a car that has real carpets, and a more rigid build for safety.There are not enough options on a 2.0 also.

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  Unsatisfied with the Warranty & Dealer - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda3 itouring 4 dr - February 22 - 5:40 am

  I bought this mazda3 new and 3 months later I had brake/rotor problems. I took it to the dealership 3 times in 11 months, they mechanically fixed my rotors and 1 month later the same problem happened. My steering wheel shook every time i braked. I called Mazda one month later and the dealership and Mazda said i was not under warranty. What? Whatever they did to my car was not sufficient. I am still dealing with the problem and found out today i have a manufactures warranty for 3 yrs/36,000 miles. So, everyone lied to me and still nothing.

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  6 months later! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Melissa - December 27 - 10:53 pm

  I wrote a review about a month after I bought the car. I was overall happy with the car and still am. I just notice lots of engine noise. I inquired about Sirius radio and its $715 to install and for parts that is insane. If they put the SAT button on my dash it should have already come installed and only needed activation. The paint chips ever so easily thankfully the touch up paint was only 8 bucks. I think it may be the alloys but when you hit a bump or pot whole the tire feels likes it about to fall off. I drove one with reg hubcaps and didnt feel that! I love everything else about the car and still dont regret trading my Cavalier...although sometimes I do miss her!

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  HappyCamper - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By rocketron - December 25 - 6:36 am

  Ive waited a year to give an accurate review and I have to say I am still very happy with my car. Drives great, looks good, and this summer started getting 30 MPG compared to 25 MPG last fall. Drove well this winter. The traction control got me up a snowy hill when I dont think anything else would. Two other coworkers bought one at the same time and all have been happy. All had low tire pressure 3 months (cold day?) in all tires, but put air in them and no problem. Only issue I have is car is eating factory tires. 14K and looks like I will need 4 new before 2 years old. Warranty is 12K (not kidding) so Mazda planned this. Will spend $450 for new, OUCH.

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  Fun drive but.... - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By CT driver - November 15 - 5:36 pm

  I got this car after my Toyota was involved in an accident. This car is fun to drive and solid. Has decent acceleration and excellent braking steering, cornering. I like the flexibility of the hatchback and its look. The gas mileage is a disappointment only 25 mpg with combined driving (no lead foot). After my Toyota I note too much road noise and feel every seam in the road. Pricing and multiplicity of trim levels is somewhat dubious/confusing.

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  An Okay Vehicle - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Fluffy - July 21 - 10:03 pm

  I have had this car a couple months and it is not a bad car, but it could use a few improvements. The road noise is the worst, esp. when travelling on road paved with recycled blacktop. The carpet is cheap, more like a felt. I probably will go to the 09 Toyota Matrix which is offering Bluetooth and XM. I got a good deal on this car, but I dont think long term that it will hold up.