If your driving the 2009 (older model), I agree the this Mazda 3 version has an exceptional drive. In fact, I'm a Volkswagen driver for years, and I own a 2009 TDI Jetta. I drive rental cars quite frequently, and I happened to have a 2009 Mazda 3 this week. Until now, I was quite convinced the Jetta had the smoothest and most comfortable ride in small and mid-size cars, and that's after driving a Caliber, Impala, and a few others. But now I think the 2009 Mazda ride is better than the VW. Hard to believe a car this size can drive so well. BUT be careful: I've also driven 2010 Mazda 3 a couple of times. 2010 Mazda is also a good car, but the drive and stability in no way compares to the 2009. The car is too jerky. Good to ride to the grocery store, but you will be deceived at the end of a 3 hour drive.

What horn did you replace the stock with, and how hard was it to go, cause I hate the horn in my 3 too, it's so wimpy sounding.

I replaced the Mazda 3 OEM horn with a Wolo Badboy compact air horn. It's loud. Google the web for how to do it. The horn is plug and play, but the Mazda 3 horn is not easy to get to. It is located directly behind the front bumper on the driver's side right above the fog light. It is accessible by removing the left front wheel, and then removing several screws and pulling back the black plastic wheel well liner to reveal the left fog light and horn. Some prefer to remove the entire front bumper, but I am not that brave. Buy some 16 gauge wire and connectors too. Alternately, you can just add another cheapo horn with the lower tone for a normal sounding horn, but if you're going to do a modification, you might as well make it cool and unique.

Does any body have any problem with this car's brake pads or brake system as a whole?