Handling, acceleration, comfort, fit & finish, exterior and interior design, reliability, price/value, versatility (with the hatch back)

Snow traction (If you live in a snowy climate, snow tires will solve this problem perfectly)

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.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Chrysler PT Cruiser

It really doesn't have any weaknesses, besides the puny engine and the tires. Very nice interior, very nice ride, car looks really good...

Engine could use a boost..hint hint Mazda, tires wore out quickly, no trunk release on key fob

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.

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Mitsubishi Lancer, Dodge Neon

style,design, engine, handling and transmission (manuel)

air conditioner (can not keep up with Fla summers) tires (18 inch) wear out every 23-25k , carpet wears out quick also , all black interior

Had this car three years and like other reviews state it is the "poor mans" BMW. Handling awesome, gets lots of "nice car" from strangers and still love it myself have had tons of fun hitting the curves and twists in roads even take the long way home just to take it thru the paces.

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BMW 318

Acceleration, brakes, styling, plenty of room in 5 door, sound system.

Not much I can think of.....

I previously had am Acura RSX & considered that to be a great car but the Mazda3 5door is even better.

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2003 Acura RSX

Smooth engine, smooth ride, great handling, great braking, stylish interior, awesome odometers, amazing radio design + sound quality, stylish exterior....I can keep going if you want.

No trunk release, cheap visors, road noise is a little bit louder compared to more expensive cars. I'm really trying to think of stuff here...

Because this car is so much better than a Civic or a Corolla, I'm going to compare it to a car it most resembles: a 35k BMW 3 series.

I drove the Mazda 3 side by side with my sister's 07 BMW 3 series. The BMW was a bit more powerful, a bit more quiet, and a bit stiffer. It's also almost two times more expensive :).

The Mazda 3 did outshine the bimmer in a few areas. The Mazda 3 had better braking. It also had a much better radio overall, including better sound than the BMW's upgraded Harmon Kardon speakers. I was using Mazda's default 6 speaker unit, not the Bose. Skip the Bose.

Overall, the BMW had a few more fancy features than the Mazda 3, but overall both delivered amazing driving experiences. The Mazda 3's parts are Japanese. Very reliable. The German engineered 3 series is great, but they also spend some time in the shop. The Germans need to refine their electronics a bit.

Similar Products Used:

BMW 3 series / Civic / Corolla

Pick-up, interiors, steering, body style

none

Great car. Sexy interiors, it can beat BMW worth $ 40,000. Great pick-up and comfortable ride.
Aweosme catch in the price and it is far better and cheaper than Honda Civic.

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Honda Civic- very expensive with the options

Engine, MPG, Radio, Seats, Cup Holders (there are 6), Glove box, Trunk, Head & Tail Lights, Sunroof & six CD changer.

Sun Visor!!!!! CHEAP! Hate Them! Key Fob doesn't have trunk release.

I bought this car yesterday! And I love it to death! This is my 4th car and I'm only 18, a little spoiled but thats a differnt story, This car gives me the best of all the other cars I had, first it drives like a sports car like my 92 Honda Civic Hatch, But is surprizing HUGE on the inside like my 00 Izusu Rodeo, has the big wide opening in the back like my 03 PT Cruiser, But has nothing bad from them like road noice for the Civic, MPG for the Rodeo, and huge turning radius like the PT. I love everything about it. It's fun to drive and fun to look at. My great grandpa retired from Ford so I got the "S Plan" on this Mazda which saved me some money. The car drives nothing like a ford and you cant hear the road noice or engine, which I love. This is my first new car and I plan to keep it in new condition. The MPG is great and yet you still have the thrill I love in my Turbo Charged PT. Everyone loves to drive my car, my mom (41) dad (38) and sister (17) and lets not forget the sales guy at Mazda Mark. This car is for everyone who wants a fun to drive car that gets great MPG! Very Happy Car! Cute!

Similar Products Used:

PT Cruiser, Izuse Rodeo,Honda Civic (Hatchback)!

Economical and reliable!

Had to get seat covers and mats due to the poor quality of the originals.

Wrote a review already sometime ago (review #52)and this is an update: Still love the car after just over a year now with 17,000 miles after buying it new and still looks great! Not a problem yet! Am glad I got it and hope to keep it well after its paid off.
Quick, and easy to handle and good gas mileage. Lots of wear left on tires.

Cargo Room(Hatch and Glove comp.), Comfort, Fuel Consumption, Acceleration.
PrICE
EVERYTHING.

Manumatic Trans use a little more effort to switch from DRIVE to MANUAL. I slide it in to MANUAL by mistake too many times.

Amazing car to drive. Has the acceleration I crave and suprisingly easy to drive @ the speed limits.(saves me from my speeding tickets)

Only downside I feel is the Manumatic styled transmission. I have my right hand on the shifter mostly at all times (for Comfort) but it is too easy to mistakenly slide into MANUAL-MODE when holding the shifter around a tight turn.
Kinda wish I stuck with my first choice of STANDARD trans. but aw well.

Cargo:
Can fight more than enough GOLF-BAGS in the hatch with the back seats flipped up.
Can fit 18 of my favorite canned beverage in the glove compartment.

Audio:
Pumping on the inside, Surprisingly silent on the outside. Doesn't disturb the neighbourhood :D.

Handling, braking, and performance of a BMW at half the price. Great value with loads of high end content. Fit and finish are first rate. 16K miles with no problems whatsoever - haven't been back to the dealer, hooray. You'll have Fun-Fun while you're Zoom-Zooming.

The sunvisors and carpeting are standouts in the package by virtue of the fact that they scream cheap, economy car. These are the only elements of the execution that are uneven. The OEM Goodyear tires are dreadful; short-lived, noisy, and expensive, (a triple threat). I would have appreciated a power remote trunk release.

This car is flat out fun to drive. The driving dynamics are simply outstanding, and a clear standout in it's competitive segment. Its evident that nobody ever told the 3 that it was an entry level economy car because it has the look and feel of a car costing $10K more. Handling is dialed-in and direct, and the brakes haul the car down in very short order. That the car has a vibrant and sporty soul is evident from the moment you get behind the wheel. The 2.3 liter engine supplies good torque and responsive acceleration.
I love the 'styling on steroids' inside and out. Mazda has simply done an outstanding job. If you are looking for a sporty compact with knockout looks and fun to drive, the Mazda 3 should be your date with destiny.

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Volvo S80 T6 (traded-in on the Mazda), Toyota Prius, Honda Odyssey