Value, mileage, fun to drive, space, looks, comfort, etc.

Well, thinking hard here, you can hear all the sand and gravel tinking up in the wheel wells - could use more sound insulation - however not really that much of an issue.

Purchased a Black Mazda 3 hatch with the sunroof / 6cd with manual transmission and have been very pleased. Quick, nimble, comfortable and to date very reliable. I enjoy on and off ramps, and found that driving is fun again. Even with fairly aggressive driving, average 28 mpg with city / highway commute. Every person I have given a ride has commented how nice the car is, especially given the price.

Backseat is plenty spacious for even several hour stint. Trunk / hatch space is more than adequate and the car is quite attractive (especially in black).

Have been very pleased with the car and even more pleased with the value it has provided.

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Corrolla, PT Cruiser, Chevy Cobalt - none compared.
Drove my 1996 Toyota Tacoma to 230K miles, but couldn't carry car seat with baby - she had to be replaced.

Handles like its on rails. real peppy in traffic. the steering wheel controls. the tilting/telescoping steering wheel. and did I mention how it handles and performs?

Fuel economy is nowhere near what it was advertised. avg 18/26 city/hwy. The dashboard lights a blue or, pale green, option would be nice.

I've driven this for a little over a year, and honestly I haven't grown tired of driving it yet. I still look forward to getting behind the wheel as when I first started driving it last year.

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'05 Toyota Corolla
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'03 Honda Civic

handling,,zoomzoomzoom..

replacing a tire will cost you about $220..each..yeah ouch..im finding alot of interior "noise"random rattleing from inside the dash and sometimes the doors..like i said though..random..one day its there the next its not..

great ride for the price..

Its the best car I've driven. It's reliable, appeace is sleak, classy and smooth, ride quality and comfort is awesome. Handing is another plus with the mazda three, it can take 90 degree curves at 35-45mph(no problem)I could complete U-turns on two-lane highways. All accessories add to the fun of my driving experience. The engine is silent and smooth and responds readily when acceleration without going crazy like that of a trans-am or acting subburn like a honda civic dx/lx. The fuel economy of the mazda 3 I is unbelievable. I drove a 100 mile round trip after I filled the tank and the guage was slightly under full after I completed my trip. My 3s is beautiful with a nice glossy gray pain finsh and clear, glossy and smooth tail lights. I don't have to apply body kits or after market rims to enhence the appeace of this car like I did with my civic and the miata. The keyless entery is just too convient. At a push of a butten, the door unlocks and locks. The guage rings inside the car are deep ringed and the face lights up with a white, blue and orange color combination when the car starts up. This car also has a warm blue LED that lights up in the consule when the head and tail lights are turned on. The radio controls are self explainitory. The stearing wheel has controls capable of tuning the radio and cd player. My car rocks!!!!!!!!!

I don't know of any except for the "ok" fuel economy with my 3s. Aftermarket proformace parts are limited for this make and model. I wish the moon roof could open upward more than it does. No latch to pop open the back trunk. These are all minor problems. No major weaknesses.

November I purchased a titamium gray mazda 3 s sadan equiped with auto-trans. 2.3 liter engine displacement with 160hp and 150lb/ft of torque. Other options include a moon roof, 6 cd-changer system and antilock brakes. I've added colored interior overcam lights, a twin charger intake system (replacing the factory air filter), a sports package with 17" rims,(replacing the origional 16" rims), interior neons and exterior LEDs.

The 4 cylinder engine has a quiet sound at idle and a smooth hum sound effect with acceleration. The power and torque out proforms most competing cars in its class, ex: honda civic DX/LX/EX, Toyata corola, ford focus and hondyui elantra, with faster acceleration. The load trims of the nission sentra and subaru impreza rs and above out competes the mazda 3. the Mazda 3 also is the only compact car type to include a GPS navigation system without being charactorized as a luxury car like a BMW 3 seris. The 3 again is the one and only to inlude a 6 cd changer along with a moon roof unlike most cars in its class. This car cost no more than $22, 000 for all options included in the SP23 trim. The 3 is sold as a I, S and SP23 in a sadan or a hatchback version(expect for the I) the feul economy ranges from 25-32mpg(city-highway)with the s trim and above to 29-35mpg with the I trim. The mazda 3 is ideal for a first time buyer or for a customer who is looking to get the most fun and luxery out of his/her driving experience without having to pay a large amount of money. This car has all good things that come in small packages!

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2.3 L, 160HP, Radio and Cruise controls on steering wheel. Electoluminescent gauges in orange with blue backlight in nighttime mode is easy and soothing on the eyes. Driver seat controls include lumbar support and adjustable height. Stock stereo system can handle Crystal Method with awesome bass response quality.

Gas mileage when compared with Toyota Corolla is about 30% less. Insurance runs a little higher on the MZ3.

The configuration I purchased is a Black Mica Mazda 3 s, 5 door (hatchback), 5 speed MT. The power, torque, smooth clutch and shifting of this vehicle are phenomenal. It is not only more smooth than my previous car (TOY Corolla), but for the extra 0.3 liters it is much more peppy. It's stylishly sexy, drawing the gazes of bystanders in a way that rivals Porsche and Mercedes.

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Great pick up!
Decent gas mileage
Love the lights and interior!
Nice and roomy, and definitely ready for the kids we want to have!

Squeaky brakes when it rains.
A/C can be a bit weak in the middle of August in Atlanta!

I wasn't sure about this car when my hubby and I began our search last summer. We looked at all the comparable cars from different makers, and drove a few as well. His brother bought a Mazda 3 and talked us into going to test drive one, and I fell in love!

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Accelerates quickly good city mileage looks sharp manual/automatic options

I get great mileage city driving, as soon as I get on the freeway the car guzzles gas At times the car idles loudly, knocking in engine

I bought my Mazda 6 months ago and I have enjoyed driving ever since! The car looks and handles well. I have about 8000 miles on it and have had no problems. I get great mileage when driving in the city but gas mileage on the freeway fell far below my expectations. Occasionally the car will idle loudly and I'll hear a knocking in the engine but I don't know much about cars so I don't know what would cause this and I haven't heard it in a while. Other than those two inconveniences I have no complaints. It's a great car; lots of room, comfortable interior good stereo.

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Last car was a Jeep Grand Cherokee with 250,000 miles - no comparison!

looks great

1)breaks squeal like a baby thats hungry 2)engine losses power after 30000 km 3)quality is equal to the dollar store products/seats are crap 4)steering is all messsed up 5)car drives like a tank on high way all over the road and the wind blows the car around like a plactic bag 6)service people dont know what they are doing/ replaced the wrong parts on my car that werent broke 7)mazda canada head office is like trying to talk to the prime minister you cant never talk to any one in charge or they dont reply back to you 8)if your car needs to be serive get ready to take the bus because they dont give you a loner car un less the car is there for more then 5 days. 9)mazda is pumping these cars out to fast and the problems prove my point. 10)if u get this car i hope you dont get one like mine or you will be able to call the service people by their first names.

car looks great but wait until you drive it and the problems start

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more power than the previews designed, quite ride, pretty much everything

slugish uphill, air conditioning is weak on a hot summer day, and squeeky brakes

This car is amazing for it's price. It has lot of power and very responsive engine. not much really have to say about this car. It's near perfect! ! !

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mazda protege 5 hatch back

Styling Performance Competitive price

Could use higher quality carpeting (all Mazdas). Brake squeal problem.

Outstanding car! Great looks and performance. Fit and finish are excellent. Ergonomics great. Five Speed auto is smooth and quick shifting. Only problem to date (5,000 miles)is VERY LOUD brake squeal at startup reported by several owners. Will have to see how well it ages, but initial quality appears very good.

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