2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

I LOVE MY MAZDA3

Written by: Dobermanlvr on 11/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my MAZDA3 about 3 months ago and I love it. It is a pleasure to drive every time I get in and start the engine. My husband has a new 4 door jeep and he even loves driving my smaller economy car. The pick-up is fantastic and the exterior styling is so attractive! I could not have purchased a better vehicle!!!!

Favorite Features

Pickup, handling, wonderful A/C & heater, HUGE glove box and trunk.

Suggested Improvements

A trunk opener on the keyless entry clicker. More safety features on lower models.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Fun to Drive!!

Written by: mark on 10/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Been driving my Mazda3 for over a year now, and absolutely no complaints. It's a ball to drive, and the 2.0L 5 spd, packs quite a punch as well. MPG are an awesome benefit, have averaged 36 mpg for the summer & 28 mpg for the winter. Took a road trip to the smokies this past summer, and the car handled awesomely in the S-turns thru the mountains. I am very happy to be driving/owning my Mazda3!

Favorite Features

IPod integration, 2.0L 5spd manual, MPG! Good stock sound system.

Suggested Improvements

Make HID lights standard on all vehicles.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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15 years NO MORE HONDA

Written by: Mom2DrewAidan on 10/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

After 15 years of Honda's I have moved on. I gave my husband the 2004 Honda Element which is still a great vehicle for driving around with kids and everything at Lowe's. But mom wanted a sporty fun car for the commute to work and pick the kids up in school. LOVE IT. Great gas mileage. Pulled ahead during the gas shortage in the Atlanta area.

Favorite Features

Sticks to the road driving, rims and low profile tires. The contrast light beige interior with black dash.

Suggested Improvements

Just would like this edition to open trunk with the key fob.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Glad I Bought It

Written by: Penten15 on 10/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

When I bought my Mazda3 it was actually my first new car. It is very fun to drive and the steering is more precise than anything I have ever driven. The leather is very comfortable although the dark leather certainly keeps the car warm. Fortunately the AC is amazing. Fuel economy is good but not amazing, but the car is more fun than anything that that gets better gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Steering, acceleration, makes you want to drive for fun.

Suggested Improvements

Could use better tires, the grip is good but could be better, tread life is not so good. My car is at 16,000 miles and the tires are more than half gone.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Overall happiness

Written by: thark57 on 10/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive. Good mileage. Looks great.

Suggested Improvements

Horn is really weak. Add a 6th gear and spread out gear ratios across the spectrum. Radio reception could be better. Cigarette lighter will not charge phone unless motor is running. More interior colors.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Fun, Value, Economy, Pesonality

Written by: woofer on 10/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

So far I'm impressed. My 3 may be described as a Japanese VW based on certain similarities. Handling is great, interior quality is great, and engine is smooth with better than expected torque and a great sound. A driver's car at a low price. Beats Civic and Corolla for personality. Thus far got 34 MPG. 5-spd is fun to shift. Body metal feels thinner and structure is less strong than my superb Golf TDI (which I kept); cheaper build, cheaper paint, but the price is lower.

Favorite Features

Drivers car at bargain price. Good balance of performance, economy, fun and practicality. Engine feel. Overall very good value.

Suggested Improvements

Dislike that air conditioner turns on when heat or defrost is selected and cannot be defeated. So-so audio.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love my Zoom Zoom

Written by: Nicole on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After weeks and weeks of research, I narrowed it down to a Toyota and a Mazda. I purchased my Mazda3 about 4 hours away from home and had so much fun driving it on the highway! It will really get up and go! I don't find the road noise to be a problem. I love the leather interior! And the adjustable headlights are AMAZING! I was amazed at how much I like the auto wipers and lights! This is a great car and I totally recommend it! I'm getting about 25 mpg in town.

Favorite Features

Bose sound, auto lights and wipers, adjustable headlights

Suggested Improvements

trunk opener on key fob

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Better than expected

Written by: Bob on 10/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Grand Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Having driven mini-vans for 20+ years, I wanted something more economical (MPG) but still had some room to haul things. I also wanted to stay with Japanese. The M3 wasn't on my radar screen until pretty late in the game. I'm embarrassed to say this but the heated seats sealed the deal for me. The price was VERY attractive, too. Now that I've had the car for a few months and have put 6,000 miles on it, I'm quite enamored with it. Great amenities. It's fun too drive -- too fun maybe. I often have a hard time going easy for the better MPG. I miss the space/convenience of a mini-van but life is all about tradeoffs. Bottom line: no regrets, at least so far.

Favorite Features

Handling, 5AT, Headlights -- we live in the woods, Media interface - used with my GPSw/XM-WX, Trip computer -- helps me keep my speed down! I've always had basic vehicles -- I'm enjoying the (unnecessary) bells & whistles a lot.

Suggested Improvements

Heated seats with two heat settings and that shut off automatically (minor). No others -- I like this car a LOT!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Most fun and utility for the money!

Written by: DAVID A on 09/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 New s Grand Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I got the top of the line, hatch back, leather, heated seat, cd, iPod link, manual shift, 2.3 liters, etc. Lots of fun to drive, great looking car, not the most economic small car though. In the city I average 22 mpg. Test drove other similar cars, like Civic etc, M3 is the most fun to drive. I love the hatch back. I have loaded things in the back of this car that I could not have done with any other 4 doors car, Hatch back are considered 5 doors! It should have a roof rack! That is a great let down for me on this car. I learned that it is not available from factory after I bought the car. Now I have a thule, but it is not the same as having a factory one!

Favorite Features

Great looking interior and exterior. Very useful extra space with the hatch back. Good fuel economy for the fun. I have a trailer hitch installed

Suggested Improvements

Driver seat not very comfortable for a wide person. It is fine for short rides. Front seats have a type of "side support" that actually will bother you on a long ride. My wife is overweight and she rates riding with me because of the seat. I wish gas mph would be better than 22 mpg in city!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Jack Rabbit 3i

Written by: PnBoo on 09/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Bought the car for my 25 mile (one way) trip to work. After 8,000 miles, could not be happier. Averages about 32 MPG on highway. Very agile and turning radius is incredible. I test drove a few other small cars; this is the only one I felt a smirk come across my face during the test. I wish I had purchased the manual transmission. Only initial complaint was the seats, I had to use a seat cushion to be comfortable (very minor).

Favorite Features

Controls on steering wheel. Also, the steering and handling.

Suggested Improvements

More comfortable seats and a larger trunk. Also, I don't like how the air conditioner automatically comes on when you turn the thermostat all of the way to cold.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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