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 91 through 100 of 201.00

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  Great purchase - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By retiredinaz1 - August 22 - 2:01 pm

  I bought new in May of 2008 when I moved to AZ. I only have 43,200 miles on it and it still runs like new. I did have to replace leaky shocks once but that was only problem. I change oil every 3,000 miles so believe that helps. I LOVE this car and hope it lasts me another 6 years!

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  Cant get a better car for the money - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By jjinqueens - August 11 - 8:56 am

  I have had the car for 2 months (sometime in that 2 months they started calling it a wagon, not a hatch?). I bought it in Feb, during some of the worst driving weather possible, and it handled as though it were a dry sunny day. I love the performance, and the stability control in the Touring model really helps grip the road (we have some tricky ones in the mountains). My husband loved it so much he bought the same in an automatic, which also handles beautifully. We wish we got better mileage (I get about 27 mpg) for a small car, but the emissions ratings are good. We recently had 3 teens, 2 adults, and all the teens college gear in the Mazda, no problem!! Cargo space is great.

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  The road car - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By willie robinson - August 3 - 6:10 am

  After test driving Honda,Toyota. Nissan, BMW, Volvo, Mitsu, the Mazda 3 came out on top for me to replace my wifes G35 and we were not disappointed. Put about 400 miles in three days and what a road car we got - every thing in it but the nav. My wife said its quick and fast, love the car, do your research and test drive all the rest, but you will love the 3 trust me.

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  Great Ride - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Wayne - August 1 - 10:33 am

  A very fun car to drive. Great handling and one of the peppiest in its class. My only inconvenience with this model is that the headrests block the rear view mirrors view and the side window design makes it challenging to see cars in either lane when changing lanes. Took a little bit of adjustment to turn my head more to the sides before changing lanes to catch the blind spot. Cant say enough good about his car. Ive had Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas and the Protege before, and this car is by far the best for handing, acceleration, and just pure fun. The other did however have better fuel economy.

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  Handles great, but not perfect - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By kyjd75 - June 15 - 9:33 am

  This car handles fabulously! Ive owned great handling cars for years (BMW 528, Nissan Zs, Mustang GTs, etc.). This car can hold its own with any of them--that makes it worth it for me. However, it is not perfect. Ive had some problems, such as air bag system failure, peculiar engine noises at idle, and paint chipping. It also has lots of road noise as well. Also, gas mileage is good but not great (24 mpg overall). I bought this car for my wife as a supplemental car to her Mustang GT convertible (didnt want to drive it in bad weather). It serves well in that role. Overall, I would recommend this car, but you need to understand what you are getting.

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  Best Car I have Owned - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Kevin - June 15 - 6:43 am

  I traded my 3 series BMW for the 08 S-GT Hatchback . Got it loaded with the Bose Audio, front Spoiler and the base accessories are mind boggling , Xenons, Leather , Roof , Power all around , heated seats . It was an outstanding value and now that they changed the body in 2009 I realize what a masterpiece of beauty this body style is. Designed By the Jaguar designer and he did a top notch job I must say. It launches with ease cruises at 90 not even breathing and has the suspension to match.After I hit 30K had the fuel injectors cleand and the throttle body and after that the car was like new and started giving me an extra 3 mpg on the fwy with more power. Dealer said stop using 91 it worked!

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  Mazda3 - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By MazdaOwner - June 2 - 3:06 pm

  Looked at several small cars mainly due to the high fuel prices. The Mazdas always were rated excellent. Also we had a Mazda 323 forever with no problems. After test driving several cars I kept coming back to the Mazda3. Im not sure if its because it looks so good, or because its so much fun to drive. We looked at used ones, but they were close to the price of a new one, so we bought new. So far we love it! 1st tank calculated 25.8 MPG with that being about 60% city driving.

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  Adorable, sport, fun - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazda owner - April 30 - 5:10 am

  I was looking for a more fuel efficient vehicle than my Toyota Sequoia. Ive always owned Toyotas and test drove the new 09 Matrix. I wasnt impressed with the responsiveness or the overall looks. I test drove the Mazda 3 and was immediately impressed. The 3 has a very sporty look, its comfortable, responsive, handles well, holds the road well in curves and has lots of features standard safety and otherwise. This car has more standard features than the Matrix such as stereo & cruise control on the steering wheel, and 17" alloy wheels. I sacrificed a little gas mileage between the Matrix 1.8L 4 speed and the Mazda 2.3L 5 speed but I ended up with a car thats a lot more fun to drive.

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  Road Hugger - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Paul D. - April 17 - 7:46 pm

  This car doesnt seem to lack all that much. Best priced in its class. Ample power from the 2.0 engine. The stiffer suspension allows the car to hug turns in the road like a nothing else Ive driven except a corvette. Fun to drive.Road noise is a bit above average on the highway. Stock Goodyear tires are junk. The wear way to fast and are no good in light snow. MPG is not bad Ive gotten 26 mpg combined many times. Interior is smartly designed and comfortable for a small car. Base sound system sounds good but aftermarket speakers dramatically improves sound. If youre looking for a sport compact without a high price, this is the car.

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  M3 5 door--Budget Sports Hatchback - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By B. Hunt - March 20 - 5:20 am

  The only car in its class that I seriously considered. I wanted a real nice, fast, sporty handling hatchback with great reliability and decent fuel economy that wasnt more than $21,000 in my driveway. Thats what I got with the Mazda 3 GT 5-door.