The 2009 MAZDA3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, or wagon, available in 8 trims, ranging from
The 2009 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.
Summary: 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.
Strengths: 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.
Weaknesses: 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...
Similar Products Used: BMW 3 series / Civic / Corolla
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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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Rating Reviewed by: Mike(Unregistered User)
Review Date May 6, 2008
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 2.70 of 5,
10.00 votes
Review 3 of 109
Price Paid:
$19800.00
from Goodwin Mazda
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 Mazda3 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 Mazda3 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 Mazda giving it the Japanese reliability.
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