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 131 through 140 of 201.00

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  Had a Mazda 3 sedan 2008 for 9 months in Upstate NY - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By regraphic - April 29 - 6:59 pm

  It was a great car at first and its lasted throughout all of this crazy weather weve been having in the northeast with the hurricane and rain. I purchased the car used at 36,000 miles or so and now has about 44,000. On one occasion I left for a trip over a weekend and the car seemed to be hesitant to start. Again, this past weekend I left it over the weekend, which wasnt especially a record cold temp. weekend and came back to a non-starting vehicle. It sounds like it might be the battery, but I left the car a night and if the lights had been on this annoying buzzer goes on in my car before I remove the keys. Im not sure what it is that is wrong, but I will be bringing it in to find out.

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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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  Honest Assessment from previous BMW own. - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Ben - April 15 - 6:40 pm

  A month ago my cherished 323Ci had a meltdown. Living in L.A., I loved taking it through the mountain twisties on the weekend. With this economy, I decided to be prudent with replacement car. My ratings are based on expectations of the class, and not comparisons to my previous luxury car. Im quite pleased with the handling of this compact. Though somewhat under-tired, it can stand up to a road like decker canyon blvd (23). The clutch is light in feel, but gives you a good sense of its action through your foot, gearbox is excellent. Had the opportunity to test the brakes in a panic stop in my first week of driving, and theyre probably in the top 10 of any car under $100k.

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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.

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  I love my Mazda3 - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Melissa - March 2 - 8:40 pm

  Traded in my extremely basic Chevy Cavalier for a Mazda3 and i Dont regret it one bit. The comfort is spectacular. The Cavalier seats were made of nothing and the Mazda has the adjustable seat height I love it. I love how it lights up red at night. I love the Copper Red Mica Color! Its not as fuel efficient as my cavalier but who cares. I have a/c now and for the texas summers thats a major plus. Minimal road noise. Even though it looks tiny its pretty big on the inside. The glove box is large and the trunk is very deceiving although its short once you pop the trunk it goes back pretty far. I would highly suggest this car to anybody.

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  True zoom zoom - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Paul F - March 2 - 6:30 pm

  I owned a 97 Acura Integra, put 190k miles on it without a problem and thought it was time for something new. Boy was I surprised by the Mazda. It is way better than the Acura in all areas. I did a 1300 mile vacation trip to New England and averaged 34 MPG. The sticker shows 22-29. I was impressed. It is comfortable, peppy and very agile. My only negative remark is the amount of road noise that comes into the cabin, I think Mazda could insulate a bit better. Overall it is a great value and a fun car, I am very happy with it.

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  WOW! Nice car - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mike - February 21 - 9:56 am

  Before you buy a Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. You owe it to yourself to try out the Mazda3. The 3 handles great, incredible brakes! Very comfortable seats. Nice ride. Looks great! The manual mode in the auto shifter is a nice feature.

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  Now I know why they say "Zoom Zoom" - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Amy - January 26 - 9:06 pm

  I LOVE my car!! This is my first Mazda! I had traded in a Chevy Cavalier which I had really enjoyed - until I test drove this car! I have the Grand Touring Hatchback. The moonroof is nice and I love the Bose speakers (the sound quality is excellent) and the leather interior is very comfortable! I drive a lot of city miles and average about 22.5 mpg. When I go on trips though and am on the highway I am getting more like 30 mpg! I am very happy with my purchase!

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  Overall happiness - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By thark57 - January 20 - 3:33 am

  I have 2000 mi. so far. All city miles so far. Mileage has steadily climbed starting at 28.5 to 31 mpg. There seems to be a gearing gap from 1st to 2nd gear. Trunk is roomy and back seats work great for my 7 and 11 yr olds. I think there should be more interior colors available. I wish there was a 6th gear for the highway. Not sure why the a/c turns on when you turn the temperature control know back all the way to cool.

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  1 year of ownership - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By TimL - January 17 - 3:40 am

  At the car lot I jumped in the vehicle to take it for a drive. It seems very very sluggish and was not at all impressed. Then I noticed the brake light was on!!!!!! Well, after taking the E-brake off I realized this car had some serious zip. It handled better than any of my two other previously owned vehicles. I was sold. Last summer I took the vehicle from Oregon to Yellowstone in Montana. When I hit the Rockys I noticed my car did not climb very well. Other vehicles on the road seemed to be responding about the same. I decided to experiment and flipped the stick to Manual and dropped it into third gear. I was easily able to drive uphill at 90mph and still had power left over.