The 2008 MAZDA3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, or wagon, available in 8 trims, ranging from
The 2008 MAZDA3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, or wagon, available in 8 trims, ranging from the i Sport 4-Door to the s Grand Touring 5-Door.
Upon introduction, the i Sport 4-Door is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 148-horsepower engine that achieves 24-mpg in the city and 32-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The s Grand Touring 5-Door is equipped with a standard 2.3-liter, I4, 156-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
The 2008 MAZDA3 is a carryover from 2007.
CarReview's expert review of the Mazdaspeed 3 is available HERE See pictures of the Mazdaspeed 3 posted in the photo gallery
Year / Model Reviewed: 2008 Mazda3 4 door iTouring
Summary: Well I tried out the Corolla, Civic and the Sentra. They can't even begin to compare. While the others would have been good reliable cars. My wife and I both took turns driving the Mazda3 and within 10 miles we turned around and went back and bought it!
The 3 is in a class above compared to the other cars in it's class. The driving experience is just awesome.
Anyone looking for a compact car, you really owe it to yourself to try it out.
Year / Model Reviewed: 2008 Mazada3 Grand Touring Hatchback
Summary: I'm a bus driver and i have noticed this little car for awhile now. My wife kept bugging me about a new car that she was tire of putting 65 bucks in the tank of our ls lexus. She was actually asking for a Corolla. I decided to surprise her with this brand new Mazada3 5 door loaded GPS Sirus radio the works. Wanted the turbo but not the price of using premium fuel plus its for my wife not me but boy i should have gotten it for myself i love this little car. The engine and tranny is in perfect sync together, very smooth.Its not Porche fast or anything like that but it has plenty of punch and is heck of fun on the turns. who needs to go 0-60 in 5secs 9.5 secs is fine with me and it will smoke alot of those cars that are much faster on turns which is alot more fun anyway. I got the automatic because of my wife. I did my research on this car and it is a great buy and design. The body was designed by Volvo giving it a european feel & safety the suspension was designed by Ford giving it the American sports car handling and the engine was designed by Mazada giving it the Japanese reliability.
Summary: Overall a nice car. I drove the '08 Jetta, '08 Impreza, and '07 Camry before deciding on the Mazda. My old car was an '05 Corolla XRS. Although this car is a bit slower and not as great in the handling, it drives so much better in the winter than the XRS. Interior is nice, a little too much red though (lights). Nice instrument cluster and the stock 6 speaker stereo system sounds great with the iPod adapter. If you live in the snowy states, spring for the traction control and/or stability control system. The rear end tends to whip out when making sharp turns. But its not essential.
Strengths: Nice looking interior, great sounding radio, engine is quiet, and the manual shift function works well (even if you forget you are in that mode)
Weaknesses: Tranny ALWAYS wants to stay in 4th gear unless you really mash the gas. Although it has a stiff suspension, i feel the center of gravity is off in the car and high speed turning (on ramps to a freeway for example) the car really leans on that front tire. The dealer had to install all the options i wanted, i.e. Fog lamps, daytime running lights, rain sensors, spoiler, ect. Which required another trip to the dealership a week after i bought it.
Similar Products Used: 2005 Corolla XRS, 2008 Jetta and Impreza, Camry.
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Summary: This is really an amazing car to drive. The driving position is excellent, the seats supportive, the engine smooth and responsive and it is still one of the best designs on the road today. The interior design is clean and appealing. I've tested other vehicles in this category and none can match the smooth "zoom" of the engine. I recently had to try a Honda Civic to compare and I have to say the Mazda3 was superior in every way. The steering and handling are far superior to any vehicle I have driven. It is great in the city but also on the highway. We have made numerous trips up Highway #3 in BC, Canada and it pulls strong and smooth up the mountain passes over 100 KM/HR. There are lots of little features that are nice too like the automatic headlights and automatic windshield wipers. We are looking at getting a second car and the Mazda is, simply, at the top of the list. I hope this review helps you in your car buying decision.
Strengths: Handling, acceleration, comfort, fit & finish, exterior and interior design, reliability, price/value, versatility (with the hatch back)
Weaknesses: Snow traction (If you live in a snowy climate, snow tires will solve this problem perfectly)
Similar Products Used: Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Chrysler PT Cruiser
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Summary: This is primarily my wife's car, but I do drive it occasionally. Overall, it's a great little car. It's loaded with about everything you could want (GPS, 6 disc, sat. radio, leather) at a really good price. She had a Mitsu Lancer prior to this and loved that car, but loves this one more. Handles really well, but the engine's kind of wimpy. I'm a bigger guy (6' 240#) and I ride comfortably, even with a car seat in the back. Trunk space is sufficient as well. Only had two relatively minor mechanical issues. Really, the only complaint we have is the tires wore out at 25k.
Strengths: It really doesn't have any weaknesses, besides the puny engine and the tires. Very nice interior, very nice ride, car looks really good...
Weaknesses: Engine could use a boost..hint hint Mazda, tires wore out quickly, no trunk release on key fob
Similar Products Used: Mitsubishi Lancer, Dodge Neon
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