2006 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring review from North America

Too new to complain yet, but I am so happy with this car so far I had to say it out loud. The left turn signal light was burnt out in the back, but it's strange how lately I see all models of new cars with burnt out tail lights on the freeway. Weird. Big woo, the dealership changed it and washed my car afterwards.

With the S Grand Touring it's ridiculous how much you get for the money. Leather heated seats, auto wipers, auto interior temp gauge, mine came with a computer thing that tells me how many miles left I have with the gas that's left in the car as well as what my average gas consumption is, auto headlights, xenon lamps (those "cool blue lights" everybody wants, but only BMW's and such used to have!), sunroof (moonroof?). You can also drive the car as a shift without a clutch if you need a little extra zip to pass somebody. The roomiest glovebox you will ever own... my Thomas Guide fits in it and I could still easily fit a large, long loaf of bread in there! The sunroof is quieter open than my VW Jetta was.

Could do without the Bose sound system. I have standards for my automobile music and this system sounds okay at low levels, but it's nothing at all compared to an aftermarket system. You can't really install an aftermarket unless you want to A) rewire the whole thing B) lose your steering wheel controls (there might be a kit at crutchfield for this, but at a price) and c) ruin the flush look to your dash.

Also very lame the cd player dos not play MP3's. If you opt for the dealer MP3 player they will charge you for both the player that came with the car, and the new player, AND charge you to take out the player that came with the car. No thanks.