-Amazing turning radius -European style handling -Refined ride -Interior finishes and designs -Exterior aggressive design -It looks WAY more expensive than it costs

- No trunk latch - No trunk open botton on FOB -Excess break dust build up on rims -A larger moonroof is need to compensate for the dark interior finish of the S model.

I've owned my Mazda for a week now and I'm yearning to drive it more and more everyday. The ride and handling are truly superior to any other car in its class. Everytime I get into it I get this feeling of excitement, especially when Im on the highway! My 3 has all the bells and whistles ,except leather, because the quality isn't good. The navigation system is the most user friendly system I've ever used in a car and the xenon lights brightens up the entire road. The 6 CD changer audio system, although slow at changing CD's, is amazing given that its a factory system. The high end rear of the car also impedes on rear vision, which is a pain when trying to back up or parallel park. My chief complaint is the seat posture. Is it me or does it feel like the seats are throwing you forward? Also, the seats are a little on the firm side but thats not a big deal. From an economical standpoint, gas milage average and could use some improvement. If thats a major importance to you, you could opt for the more subtle 2.0L engine. The 2.3L engine is fairly quiet, peppy and responsive which is great on highway driving or lane changing on city streets. After test driving the Civic, Scion TC and the Acura RSX, the Mazda3 was the only car that gave me that "pumped" feeling when driving. In all, if you're looking for a good value for your money, Mazda3 is the answer

Strong responsive engine, nimble handling, catchy looks with high utility, Firm but supportive seats with holding bolsters. quick 5 speed, EXCELLEMT suspension.

low end weak(keep it in lower gears) red is lit everywhere. brake dust messess up the winning blue paint.

Compared several vehicles out there for the purchase. Ion Red-LIne, NIssan Sentra SER Spec-V, honda civic Si or 4 door, Scion TC. Boilede it down to Scion TC-I know, one is coupe one is hatch, but look at specs-real close. All others out because of poor rep, High-test fuel(you gotta be kidding)or pedestrian looks. So ended up going for the Mazda, difference between a pony(scion), and a big cat(mazda). The Scion is hefty and solid, has great handling, but more sedentary. The Mazda is light on its feet, willing to sway with the road at the command of the driver. Seats hug, shifts smooth, great balance. Revs up quick, and will shift easy with short throws(5 spe4ed was a must). Interior is gutsy, red is a little strong, blue or green would have been nice, but red will do, if too bright, turn it down! Everything lights at night-may Odyssey doesn't do that. Finish is superb, and the center radio will take a few minutes to get used to, but then it has most controls on the wheel. Take this car on a winding back road, yeah you know the kind. Ignore the speedo, and just drive, then notice what you are taking that last turn at-bet its 5 over where you normally would! Take it at night, and take the time to adjust the interior lighting, then hit the road - everything displayed headlights fill the dark, and the corners are even lit. Take the rpm from 2-5k with steady pressure on the pedal on an onramp-yeah you feel it!! NIght or day, I think this is one of the best small vehicles I have thrashed around. Ended up with a Winning Blue Mazda 3S hatch with 5m,ABS package, moonroof package, and xenon light package. MOre than I really wanted, cost and weight wise, but I won't really be racing it! :-)

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1999 & 2004 Honda Odysseys Datsun 260 Z 1976 Fiat 124 S 1996 Sentra 200SX SER 2001 Sentra SE These are not just test drives, and are the most recent.

The basics and also most important. Chasis Borrows Mazda 6 and VolvoS40 parts! Engine Overall Driving Dynamics Accesories Fit and Finish of interior Puts a stupid grin on your face If it had more power it wouldbe a little BMW M3! Feels like a thirty thousand dollar car VALUE

If I was being picky.... Ride may be too stiff for people who beleive that the Honda or Toyota are smoother. Beleive me when I say that the difference is minimal. The Mazda 3 is a smooth riding car. The trade off for great handling is worth it if you beleive your giving something up. Which I don't beleive you are... It's not a Bimmer..(not it's fault)

This car is awesome. I have the 2.0 liter engine with the manual and it has plenty of pop especially in 2nd and 3rd. The handling is unbeleivable for an "econo box". No car in this price range should handle like this. Smooth, precise, good on the highway, awesome when pushed. I've heard many reviewers complain about ride stiffness. Unless you're driving a Lexus or a Bimmer the average car enthusiast won't notice the difference between this car and the Civic or Corolla as far as smoothness goes. Unless you drive one after the other. Even then all in the same class in my opinion. The only differnece being this car is actually fun to drive. If the reliability of this vehicle is comparable to the Civic or ever so boring Corolla it wins by a landslide. The interior mops up the competition too. Have you looked inside a Honda lately? Not a pretty sight. As functional as it is it doesn't prevoke any kind of driving emotion out of me. It makes me feel empty. Even a little sad! I used to work in a Toyota factory building the Matrix and the Corolla and let me tell you they are a great car. I just wouldn't get one because I hate the way the company treats their staff. And it's also a below boring transportation means. No personality. I know a lot about cars. This ones the best for the price in this segment.

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Toyota Matrix Civic Elantra Grand-Prix Talon

-fun to drive!! -good steering feel/handling -good brakes! abs with ebfd -sweet-looking 17" rims -gauge tells you what gear is selected in a nice digital read-out (P,D,N,R,1,2,etc) -steering mounted audio controls (verycool) -huge glove compartment -quality of interior materials, especially cloth on the seats -big trunk -no hinges on trunk to damage big products (it uses shocks which dont intrude into trunkspace-very clever) -Friendly "Hello" message appears when you turn it on -Tilt/Telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel -Made in Japan... -Get more for your $ than similar cars from honda/nissan/toyota

-auto gearbox feels weak even with 2.3litre engine -not as fun to drive as a protege 5 (but still FUN) -poor gas mileage (compared to corolla/civic) -incredibly uncomfortable seats!! -need more leg support on seats -red gauges are so over-used (how about blue next time?) -no handle for trunk -no remote trunk release on key fob -rearview mirror kinda small and a little flimsy (cheap-feeling) -horn sounds WAY too wimpy (sounds like roadrunners "meep-meep") -engine interior looks cluttered and unorganized (compared with corolla); wires hanging everywhere. very messy. -trunk opening seems narrow -Centre console makes it difficult to add aftermarket stereo -Too many buttons on centre console (keep it simple!) -Nice range of colours (i like the orange) -Long-term reliability still to be proven -Americans get more options (HID, TPMS,etc). wtf is up with that? -people singing you the zoom zoom song when you tell them you drive a mazda

Well, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me to purchase this car. Ever since i layed eyes on it in late 2003, i knew i wanted one. The styling is aggressive and not overly done, while still maintaining that fun-to-driveness thats so lacking in cars of this price range. Its a four door thats feels like a sports car. Comparing with other cars in this segment, In my opinion, civics are good, but there are just too damn many of them on the road. the corolla is nice, refined, good on gas, but no fun. the sentra falls somewhere between civic and corolla, it's bland and not much fun to drive. With great mazda-typical styling (inside and out), this car is a perfect match for anyone who loves to drive a responsive car! If you dont care about aesthetics/handling/drivability, stick with a corolla or civic or sentra. If you're a fool, buy something american made;) The strengths/weaknesses I listed below are just personal opinions and quirks which are unique to myself. I can be quite a picky bstrd some times.

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1999 Toyota Camry 2003 Toyota Corolla S 2002 Mazda Protege 5 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier 1996 Honda Civic

Style, available options, smooth rides and easy handles.

Quality, minor mechanical problems, auto shift tends to have a long reaction time. Poor customer supports.

The car has an unique look and nice values with all the options (HID light, 6 cd in-dash, tire-pressure monitoring system....etc). The ride is smooth, and the interior is fairly comfortable in its class. However, quality and mechanical problems remain an issue. The serivce support is less than satisifed.

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VW GTI GLS 1.8 T

Speed, style, room, CD Player

The rotors on the tire rust easily if you are not careful with cleaning.

I love this car! I purchased a Mazda 3s with the sport package, moonroof and foglights on May 24, 2004. It's a very nice car...very classy. It rides nicely and is surprisingly roomy. I'm 5'11 and I have to pull the seat up to drive. Everyone loves the lighting of the dash and cd player. It's red...it would have been even nicer in blue, but it's blue and red at night so I can't complain. Much more stylish than the Civic, Corolla and other compact cars in its class.

1. getting up to 60mph in no time, 2. ahwsome body style 3. horse power for the price. 4. really bright night time driving lights even w/o the fogs on you can see the street surface really well. 5. Cup holders galooor. 6. already low to ground w/ little wheel to wheel well gap.

1. acceleration in 5th gear. 2. drive is a little bit rough it your not use to low-pro tires. 3. color of the gauges, not a big fan of red.

Just bought the Mazda3-5door(6/10/04). Blk.5spd.w/ the 6cd & moon roof. It took 3weeks of calling dealerships and waiting for the car the come in w/ all the options that I wanted in it. I've been driving it around for a week now and have already put 400miles on it. It has great acceleration espeacially in 2,3,4 gear. I really like the body style of the 5doors. But I have a new baby soo I needed a 4door. Stereo system is great, no need for an after market radio. I get alot of heads turning while driving it around town, I'm not sure if it's a new car that people really haven't seen or it's the great styling of the mazda3. Overall I've very pleased that I have it.

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VW golf - but it only has 115hp. VW gti -only a 2door but has 180hp + turbo fed. Honda Civic SI - but it's only a 2dr.

Strong brakes, lively engine, INCREDIBLE handling, good stereo, huge trunk and glovebox. Very innovative and aethetic styling inside and out, cupholders galore (and not the flimsy Toyota ones).

This is NOT a cushy ride, but it's not rough at all. No trunk opener on keyless FOB. Hard to get one with the options you want available (they're selling so fast!)

Incredible packaging, clever design, something you wouldn't expect from a $18,000 car. I often get comments on the styling from people watching, and comments on the people riding about the handling and cruising.

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Toyota Avalon XLS, Honda Civic, Acura RSX

Awesome engine Amazing handling High quality design and build inside and out

Not a lot of torque sub 1500 rpm No power seats, even with leather Small reflection of dash in the windshield Not a lot of leg room when the front seats are pushed back (still better than a jetta)

I just purchased a Titanium colored Mazda 3S 4dr sedan. Manual drive with plenty of options. I am loving this car. The engine has plenty of power, and the shifting is silky. The handling is second only to the miata. (I was just out last night on some mountain roads taking sharp corners at 40-60 mph, tires didn't even squeak once, oh ya - get the sports package).You can reach 60 in about 7 secs. The 2.3 engine has a great roar as it speeds up, but is very quiet once you reach your prefered speed, even at 80mph. I have found myself going much faster than it feels, takes some getting used to; but clearly shows how good the suspension is. The headlights on this car are REALLY bright and well focused. I didn't even get the xenon lights... so don't waste your money on them unless you want the bragging rights. Moonroof is a bit loud without the wind deflector as well. The interior is tres sweet. The radio is about the best around, the shifter is very stylish, radio controls on the leather wrap steering wheel are very nice. Every door has cup holders, with two cup holders on the console. The night time light up is so Euro, I love it. A cool mix of red and blue glow all around the black interior. There is even a subtle blue light glowing down on the shifter and over the arm rest. The look of the dash/radio/ac/readouts is very solid, elegant, and functional. Seat room will depend on how big you are. I am only 5'8 and feel the leg room is more than I need, even in the back with the front seats pushed back. Just remember that it isn't a large sedan, if you want the large sedan car think about the Mazda 6 or a accord. The headroom is terrific. The trunk in the 3 is pretty big. The car is very safe also. Get the abs package and you get more safety... hurts vehicle performance a little though. Overall, this is a great car for someone who loves speed and handling; but needs a 4dr and wants some style with luxury. Truly a sedan with the soul of a sports car.

Gas mileage, looks, great package for the price

High clutch pedal took a few days to get used to, but otherwise, no complaints.

After researching all others this size (Corolla, Sentra etc), nothing could beat this car on price, package and warranty. I bought this Mazda about 2 weeks ago and it has been nothing but great gas mileage, nice ride, more than enough power and loads of compliments on the exterior.

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