23rd Aug 2007, 18:19
Very helpful review! No less than 4 people I know have 3s (ranging from 2004 to 2006 models) and they all love them... So I'm seriously thinking of getting one myself... I need to go drive one asap... Thanks again for the great review! Cheers!
19th Nov 2007, 15:40
Great review! I actually went and looked at the Mazda3 back in June to consider as a purchase for my next car - and walked away with a Mazda3i Touring 5MT! :) I'm getting great mileage when I want to - 42+ MPG all city - and the car loves carving corners when I push it. Thank you!
10th Dec 2007, 02:21
You're mis-calculating your fuel mileage. There's absolutely no way you're getting around 42mpg in city driving. Either your gas gauge isn't terribly accurate or you did the math wrong. You can expect about half that number in the city.
26th Jan 2008, 22:37
I'm in agreement with the previous comment re: fuel economy. I have an '06 AND an '07 Mazda 3 and bought them despite the lackluster fuel economy. We range between 19-24 mpg in town with mixed drivers. We love both cars and would buy them again in a heartbeat. If I didn't need the carpool sticker in SoCal, I'd trade my Prius in and get another Mazda 3.
25th Mar 2008, 02:15
I am not quite in agreement with your review. I just posted the following comment on a latter review titled "Not worth the trouble". It is as follow:
I have the same problem with my new 2007 Mazda3. There are so many clicking, rattling, creaking and squeaking noises from the car that it is unreal. Most of the noise started when the cold weather sets in but some started when I first got the car new last summer, 2007. Sometimes the whole car kind of give this shaking feel over larger bumps as if it is a ten year old car and it only has 11,500km (~7000miles) on it (noise started way before this mileage). It gives you the feel of a flimsy built car.
What really bothers me is that sometimes the noises do not show up when I take it to the dealer and reappears again after driving it away, and I had to keep on taking it back in until it shows up when tested by the dealer.
The transmission also clunks over especially when decelerating. Dealer has updated the software for the transmission but I still occasionally feel a light clunk when stopping.
There is also a small clicking noise when I accelerate after lifting my foot off the gas pedal.
There appears to have a rough idling engine noise already and it only has about 11500km (~7000miles) on it. I still have to take it in to the dealer to have this checked out.
This car had supposedly been assembled in Japan which was one of the reasons I bought it.
Will I buy another Mazda again? Probably not.
30th Apr 2008, 09:03
If you want a car that stands out from the crowd - and owning anything from Merc to BMW is a dream far fetched - then a MAZDA 3 is the answer!!
I bought mine a 1.6 L semi auto in 2004 and waited til now to find another car that will overshine it. From the time when the Nissan Latio was revealed, through to Hyundai Avante, Nissan Slyphy, new Honda Civic and the 2008 Corolla Altis, I still think that my Mazda3 looks way better than all the others. European and continental cars from Citroen, Opel, Chevrolet, Fiat all look weird and bulky, and the Honda Odyssey (new one) looked like a herse???!!
In terms of Handling, if I give 9/10 to a BMW 3 series, Mazda3 will definitely be 10/10.
Oh another thing, only recently while traveling in a local expressway, a Corolla Altis was tailing me at 110km/h, I got frustrated and shifted down to gear 3 at a bend and accelerated to 140km/h within 3 seconds - that left the Altis driver confused and stunned, and he did not tailgate anymore, despite the space between us when I slowed down to 90km/h - probably frustrated and angry at his cheap machine. LOL. MAZDA lives!!!
3rd Jul 2008, 15:26
Fuel mileage;
Use the trip/fuel computer "set" button on your stereo head unit. It is probably more accurate than filing up and counting your miles... BTW if the dealer left it locked, Google it, you'll find the way to activate "unlock" this feature.
Awesome car!
24th Aug 2008, 12:00
I agree with the previous comment. I have a Mazda 3i, I do love driving it, it's a great car to drive around. Few of my friends have the same model, none of them have had this problem. The problem I have with it is the power steering pump, the dealership has replaced it three times so far, but it keeps making a squeaking noise after a week of changing it. I am planning on keeping for another year (Since its under the manufacture warranty) and trade it before it expires. I will buy a another Mazda 3 but will be really careful.
26th Jan 2009, 17:51
I had the chance to drive this car as a one-day rental and would buy one, were I not a broke grad student.
I took the rental from upstate NY to eastern Long Island. It handled the mountain highways with ease (and a lot of git-up-and-go!) and was both solid and nimble enough to handle the dreaded Cross-Bronx Expressway.
Once my car (a 1997 Ford Escort) finally gives out on me (pray it doesn't) and I have a steady job and income (pray I do), I will be purchasing a Mazda 3.
6th Apr 2009, 12:29
I just brought this car, a 07 Mazda 3i, in GA a week ago today. I used to have a 04 Mazda 3, I love the Mazda cars. I can't complain.
I love the way it drives, smooth. I love to go around corners without no problem. It has no power locks/windows though, but I can adjust.
My dealer didn't want me to get it, because on the 04 Mazda 3 the transmission went out while on factory warranty.
The gas is great, if it's close to E it takes $15 to fill up. Love it!
The radio sounds a little weird; I can hear it clearly when it's up on vol7, then again it might be my ears.
I like the comments; there weren't a lot of bad ones so that gave me some confidence that Mazda's are off the chain.
I worry about the interior because it's cream and I am clumsy with food. It's the perfect size for me. I would recommend it to anyone.
Overall the car is GREAT!
15th Sep 2009, 09:27
That was a great review. I drive a 2009 Mazda 3i and I totally lived your car shopping experience.
Initially I was dead-set on buying a Honda Civic for the reliability, but after driving one, I realized it's WAY overpriced for the amount of car you get. Plus the Honda interior was bare bones basic.
The Mazda 3i was the exact opposite. Styling, cool bells & whistles, amazing handling & zoom zoom performance in a much more athletic car at an amazing price. That was 6 months ago, and I still get excited every time I drive my 3i.
27th Jun 2007, 09:59
Yahooo! Totally agree with your review! I bought the exact mazda3 you did 2 days ago! Same engine, color and package. I love it and can't wait to drive it every morning when I go to work. 18k here in utah also! It's worth the price thou.