Faults:

Air con dead, rear electric windows won't work, many suspension and exhaust parts replaced at my last MOT and service.

I look after the car - it gets the service and oil changes and belts it needs as per schedule. Some rust is starting on the front arches, acceptable at 10 years old, but Mazda of this generation is known to rust a little early. Mechanic assures me the under-body and sub frame are in good order despite this surface/cosmetic rust.

General Comments:

My Mazda 3 "Venture" is very smart looking in black - it has black wheels, tints, black exterior and interior.

1.6 petrol is a little slow but you can get 40 mpg + out of it. Tax and insurance are cheap enough. I would recommend it over the diesel - friend has the same car and has had diesel problems with his, but my petrol engine has been very reliable.

Fun to drive, handles nicely, decent amount of space for a mid range hatch.

Equipment levels are good - I have electrics all round and heated seats.

Basically this car is a good alternative to the more common hatchbacks you see about on the road. If buying used watch for rust; if it looks OK and the car has full history, go for it, this car has never let me down.

Faults:

Driver's seat belt from new.

Gearbox leak at 40,000 km.

General Comments:

Comfortable seats and driving position.

A driver's car, but smooth for passengers also.

Hugs the road in most conditions and is fun to drive.

The 1.6L engine is adequate for both town and intercity driving, and not especially under powered as some claim.

Poor petrol consumption in town - 7-8 km per litre (18-19 MPG) - even with gentle speed, acceleration and braking, but remarkably better on a long run with 20-25km per litre (50 MPG ++) possible. I average 27-31 MPG with mixed motoring.

Faults:

Nothing

General Comments:

Very quick indeed, but not very economical for a diesel (my Volvo V70 D5 was better in that respect).

A bit of a disappointment in respect of the things that were standard on the previous Mazda 3 Sport, but are now absent e.g.

No headlamp washers anymore.

No Xenon headlights anymore.

No one touch control of the windows (apart from driver's window) anymore.

No windscreen washer fluid level warning light anymore.

Limited adjustment of the seats.

No Skyactiv engine in Europe, despite the rest of the world markets having it.

Expensive metallic paint; it's standard in the USA!

No engine temperature gauge anymore.

Very small satnav screen with no speed indication.

Very noisy Toyo tyres.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong, but I have started to notice it is very easy for the car to pop out of gear. And it can be difficult to change gear.

General Comments:

Very quick, handles well for a car of its size.

Very roomy, great Bose system, MPG is OK, but could be better (I average 25 driving mostly 90% highway).

Faults:

Nothing as of yet (I've owned the car for two weeks).

General Comments:

Great car so far! The gas mileage is terrific! I am averaging about 40 MPG with the six speed automatic transmission.

The heated leather driver and passenger seats are nice on those chilly evenings and cold mornings. The interior is quiet, and everything is easy to reach and see.

Faults:

Nothing, it is new.

General Comments:

The car gets 41 MPG. It is fast, fun to drive, and holy cow is it cheap to operate. Did I mention it gets 41 MPG and I don't take it easy on the car?

I am extremely pleased. I will continue to update this as the car gets older.

Faults:

Heat shield nuts fell off and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This car has quite a bit of room for a smaller car, and there is plenty of power.

The car handles very well on wet and dry roads. For a lot of snow driving, I would change to a different tire.

I am very pleased with this car so far.

The little light that glows on the ceiling can be a little too much. I just put a tiny piece of tape over mine.