Overview & Reviews
Mazda has a tradition of building entertaining small cars, and the Mazda 3 fits right in with its sharp handling and engaging nature. But it's also a practical, affordable runabout that's available as either a sedan or a handy four-door hatchback. A Mazda 3 of any vintage is worth consideration, but the 3's interior quality has improved dramatically over time. Likewise, fuel economy has emerged as a real strength in recent years.
Introduced in 2004, the Mazda 3 has always been one of those cars that feels a little bit special when you get behind the wheel. Some shoppers might find the ride too firm, but if you like to drive, you'll probably take a shine to this compact Mazda. Passenger room is the same in the sedan and hatchback, but the latter offers more cargo room. If fuel economy is a priority, note that 2012 and later models benefit from updated engine technology that helps the car return significantly better mileage.
User Reviews:
Showing 991 through 1000 of 2,343.00-
Very Fun Car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
By Jerdawn282 - October 21 - 10:00 amI am very happy with this car so far. Great handling with good balance and sharp turn in. Ride is on the firm side, but soaks up bumps nicely and doesnt get upset by our bad SC roads. Im 63" and still have head room to spare and dont feel claustrophobic. Moved a desk and a bunch of boxes with no problems with the seat down. Car is solid, looks and feels more expensive than it is. I love the feel of the meaty steering wheel and seats are supportive. Maybe Im biased because I used to drive an eight year old Dodge Neon, and just about anything is better than that, but this is just a great car.
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Smiley Face for a Reason - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
By Hanky-pooh - October 21 - 9:26 am1st off,Id like to applaude Mazda for having the balls to design a car that isnt a corporate cookie cutter boring mainstream offering to the 90% of boring humans that are the status-quo! I think the smiley-face grill is awesome and evokes a fun feeling to the car.Im from Chicago,but got a great deal from a dealer from Omaha and drove my Audi quattro to get it.On the way back with the 3,we literally drove thru a blizzard thru Des Moines and we passed many ditched suvs without a hitch!Also,after 7 hours the seats were incredible!If this car is even remotely reliable,Ill consider it the best purchase of all of my auto life...including several Benzs and Audis!Bravo.....go check it out..
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Find a better car for the money buy it!! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
By Sam - October 17 - 1:53 amOdometer just turned 61k. Has not been to the garage for anything. Stay below 70 MPH in the highway and youll get 30+ MPG. Aside from the "cheapy" wiper blade used and easily worn seat upholstery, the car is still in perfect shape or showroom quality. It is fun to drive an a windy and twisty roads. It also goes 110 MPH+, just do it safely. I do my own maintenance and been using hi-grade synthetic oil and K&N air filter. If you can find a better car value than Mazda 3, buy it.. it will be hard to find one. PS, check your battery water periodically. Enjoy!
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In front of the pack - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
By Pizzle - October 16 - 10:00 amI researched compact cars for over a year before I purchsed my red Mazda3 hatchback. What an amazing car! I cant count how many complements I have received at traffic lights and toll booths. More importantly, the car is comfortable, reliable and a pure pleasure to drive. I commute 30 miles to work everyday and enjoy every mile thoroughly. The Civic and Corolla are great cars...but the Mazda3 is greater. The exterior and interior are fantastic for this class of vehicle. The styling is very Euro inspired. If you want a great car for under $20000 this is the winner hands down. One test drive will speak volumes!!!
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Stay Away - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
By AngryMazxa - October 15 - 8:13 amPurchased 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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Great Car! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
By Draygonia - October 14 - 4:20 pmGreat value and if you can skip the tech package, it is an even better value! Nice entry-level luxury car. Fun to drive, but I would have opted for the automatic. Very, very reliable, very sturdy. I feel as if I can get many miles out of this thing before it dies.
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4,000 miles in a month!! - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
By kfishy76 - October 13 - 7:37 pmYes this car is that fun to drive while also being frugal. Im averaging 35mpg combined. The sport mode when left in drive shifts like a dual clutch (it keeps its torque converter locked all the time) the interior could be at home in a German sedan. It gets looks everywhere. Basically a smaller Mazda 6. Only complaint is the almond leather which stains on the left thigh bolster from jeans. I clean it once a week. Side mirrors are noisy due to wind (they are big!) sometimes the voice recognition for nav doesnt understand a full address. Sunroof is noisy at freeway speeds when open. Can be pricy fully loaded like mine. Close to $30k. But its a lot of car for $$ refined, sporty & FUN!!!
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Zoom Zoom - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
By ZOOM ZOOM - October 13 - 11:00 am--A+-- I researched cars for months drove 1/2 dozen others in the class, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Kia and ended up selling myself on a Mazda3 before I ever drove one. Started out considering larger vehicles, but when gas prices shot up once again and my path was clear, I commute 60 miles a day and had to consider mileage. When I did test drive my Mazda3 it was clear, this was my car, only decision left was color. Problem now is that I like it so much I dont want to put big miles on it so fast (this was a replacing my 1999 nissan P/U which already has over 170,000/miles!). Ive started sharing the commute load between all 3 of my cars so the Mazda3 is in my driveway for years
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Clear headed - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
By JIBMRJ4W - October 9 - 1:46 pmThis car drove nicely on flat normal freeways. Decent mileage. When driving back from Lake Tahoe on I 80, we experienced an unusual problem. The force exerted by this car, when going down hill on I 80, at or > 60 mph, was quite strong when turning toward the right, ~ 20 to 35 degrees. It felt as though you were going to be pushed out the door of the car. I slowed down and the sensation went away. Thereafter I drove this car at ~ 55 mph when going down hill from Tahoe Our agent said there was no accident with this car, therefore it suggest a stabilizer type problem for this car.
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Great fun, great value! - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
By Bobbi - October 9 - 11:40 amOverall, a great balance between fun driving and economy. MPG seems closely tied to temperature - I got as low as 25 mpg last winter w/ mostly city driving, but had it up as high as 35 mpg in the summer, even w/ AC on. The steering is a little looser than Id like, but handling is sharp, otherwise. Road/engine noise actually arent bad - its a *sporty* car, folks. Back seat is apparently comfy enough for my friends to fall asleep in it on a 3-hour trip. Interior was a little squeaky for the first several months, but that seems to have gone away. Better in the snow than I expected w/ this kind of HP. Engine is way forward of front axle - I suspect to deal w/ torque steering.
