2008 Mazda 3 GS review from North America

Nothing yet has gone wrong, although I do get a funny smell through the air vents when I go through a car wash with the AC on.

The car has decent handling, but it does feel a little top heavy into the corners; perhaps the wheel base could have been a little wider. I expected more out of a car with 16 inch wheels on it.

I do not recommend the 4 speed auto, the gear ratios are terrible. It accelerates quite well in first, but loses all power when it shifts to second, the RPMs just drop way too low. I should have got the model up with the 5 speed auto, but was not willing to spend another 4k.

The interior and exterior are both really sharp looking, the instrument cluster has very cool blue LEDs that light it up at night.

The seats are not the most comfortable for a taller person; I found them to be short on the legs. I also still have to reach for the wheel when my seat is positioned all the way back with the telescopic wheel adjusted towards me... great head room though.

The sound system is decent. The volume jumps dramatically from 34 to 35, the base goes flat sometimes when listening to MP3s. Aux plug under the arm rest is a nice touch, but I am still wondering why it didn’t come with bluetooth.

The cruise control is terrible on hills, it fluctuates way too much.

I really like the auto head lights and auto windshield wipers.