What is your opinion on the MAZDA 3?

Question

I am planning on purchasing one. I am a girl and have no idea what to look for when purchasing a car. Please HELP!!

Answer 1

I bought a Mazda3 Sedan on Friday. It was between the Civic or the Mazda3. A lot of it comes down to preference.... if you are worried about the car in general then don't worry. I've done the research and the Mazda reliability and reputation are worthy of your business.

Do worry about value, as that is usually the greatest thing about Mazda. Great features and options for a great price.
Get ready to decline things like etching fees, fabric protection, insurances etc. Try to find the car invoice price and haggle them. You can usually buy for dealer price +$500.

There is a "rough guide" mazda purchase spreadsheet listed here:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21997

Very useful for playing with the numbers.

Answer 2

You'll love it. That or get a Civic or TC coupe. The Mazda 3 is cheaper but it is just as reliable and everything runs smoothly. It has great reviews from most car mags. Everything seems well built and doesnt feel cheap either....such as hard plastic. I hate those.

Plus it's a very decent looking little car. The hatchback is more usable but the coupe looks nice too. You cant go wrong with any of the 3 choices. If you are buying from a dealership, now is the best time. Good time to haggle. Just do it by email and tell them who you've been emailing prices with.
Let them fight it out.

Answer 3

When my sister was in the market for a new car, she researched the heck out of small cars, and test drove most makes - the Mazda 3 blew the competition away. She's put over 50,000 trouble-free miles on it, and now hubby drives one, too.

But don't take my word for it. From a universally trusted source:

"There's a reason why the Mazda 3 has been selected Edmunds.com's Most Wanted Sedan or Wagon for four years in a row. No other car in the segment provides as much performance and driving fun for the money."
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3/review.html

Answer 4

The Mazda 3 is a great car, I bought a new 2004 and after a few bugs got worked out it ran great. Great gas mileage (about 25-28 mpg).

The interior is also better than a lot of the other cars in that price range.

The only reason I sold it was to get a bigger vehicle.

Answer 5

It is a nice little car and is very reliable. Mazda3 together with the Volvo S40/C30/V50 and the Euro Focus has one of the best and most substantial platform in small call today. You won't be disappointed. If you want opinion from real owners, go to:

http://www.carsurvey.org/

Also, join a forum and many can tell you their experience (and some tips on modifying the car):

http://www.mazda3forums.com/
http://www.mazda247.com/

Added: For what it's worth, when Toyota was redesigning its Corolla for 2009, they said they would study the Mazda3! If Toyota is trying to copy the Mazda3, Mazda must be doing something right.

Answer 6

the mazda 3 is a really cool car. i almost bought one but choose the scion tc instead. the back seats in the 3 is pretty small but the trunk is pretty big. the interior of the car is pretty cool 2. if i was u i would wait a few months and wait 4 the new models to come out. the new 2008 models should be out soon and i think they're gonna change the body 2...so i would wait if i was u.

Answer 7

Have heard really good things from my car buddies about the Mazda 3 cars.

Answer 8

The Mazda 3 is rated higher than the Honda Civic. Cost's less, has more horsepower, looks better, and has more interior room. If you are in Michigan let me know and I can help you get a Mazda 3.

Answer 9

Excellent car. If your willing to pay a little more, try going for the Mazdaspeed3. Its the sport tuned version of the regular Mazda3 and has a turbocharged engine. The engine has about 239hp and you get almost the exact miles per galon.

Answer 10

I test drove the 5-door version and it did OK. A little hard to heel-and-toe in though, because the brake pedal is higher than the accelerator. Not as bad at a Dodge Neon though

But still, nothing compares to my RX7, with its 1.3L Rotary engine. With the rotary engines, there's a big commitment on maintenence. But with that, 85mph feels like 35mph.