So far no problems (although it's still new). I am hoping that its flawless performance continues throughout the ownership cycle -- recent reliability surveys have rated the 3 quite highly so I am optimistic.
Wow! I didn't even have this car on my shopping list when I first started looking, but it made such an impression on an unscheduled visit to a Mazda dealer that I bought one.
I had suffered with a Suzuki Reno hatchback that first started out reliable, but eventually started to have a weekly trip to the dealer for warranty service and recalls. After they finally fixed the last "bugs," the Suzuki was driving OK, but I decided I wanted something with more road cred and better handling.
So I narrowed my choices down to the Nissan Versa, the Honda Civic, the Dodge Caliber, and the Toyota Corolla/Matrix twins.
I became depressed.
The Versa was spacious, but the handling was sub-par and the Renault heritage of the vehicle (it's basically a Euro-market Renault Clio with a Nissan engine) made me wonder about reliability. Nissan has had some great reliability marks and some atrocious ones in other areas -- seemed a bit like a crap-shoot and after experiencing some reliability issues that took a while to iron out with my Suzuki, I didn't feel like re-entering the lottery.
The Civic was lovely -- handled great, nice interior, quiet, comfortable to drive. Oh, and WAY overpriced for what you got. Reliability was unquestionable though -- Hondas last forever.
Caliber was actually not too bad -- Chrysler did a great job with this car. However, I'd had some negative experiences with Chrysler products in the recent past, including Chrysler's unwillingness to admit common problems and fix them, and so felt a bit too burnt to take a chance on another Chrysler product -- especially one that was only a model year old. The interior was also laughably cheap -- the rumor being that Chrysler's then-owner Mercedes wanted to ensure people bought a Merc if they wanted a car with a nice interior. Scratch the Dodge off my list.
Both the Toyotas were snooze-fests -- they felt cheap, tinny, and old-fashioned. The Corolla handled like an Oldsmobile. The Matrix felt tall and boxy inside with lousy handling. About the only thing going for these cars was fuel economy -- and Toyota's reputation for reliability (which is getting increasingly tarnished -- I certainly didn't view the Corolla or Matrix as "quality feeling" cars. In fact, the Dodge felt better built and more substantial.
Feeling defeated, I sulked away to consider whether I'd get the Nissan or dig deep to get the Honda when I had a conversation with a friend who asked me if I'd tried a Mazda.
Stupid me! Mazda hadn't even been on my list -- and it should have been.
One trip to the dealer and I was behind the wheel of the Mazda 3. And let me tell you, this car is a breath of fresh air in every way.
Let's start with the interior. It's easily the highest-quality feeling of the bunch I'd tested, besting even the cool Honda cockpit. Covered in textured grey and black plastic, it's got lots of soft-touch surfaces, an innovative radio-control with lights that sync with volume changes (a visually cool feature) and it's built super-tight. The whole car, from the cockpit, screams "upscale sport sedan," from the cockpit feel of the interior to the iPod audio-in jack in the armrest (complete with an extra power adaptor space to keep it powered!) Even the hard plastic is textured in such a way that it doesn't look "cheap." Chrysler and Toyota take note -- it's possible to build an economy car with a great interior.
On the down side, the cloth seats worry me a bit -- I wonder how long they'll weather being sat on (the cloth is very soft). That said, they're comfortable and the front seat handles my 6'2" height without problems.
The 3 is sold as a sedan or hatch. The sedan edition is cheaper and available with a 2.0L engine as well as a 2.3. I test drove both, and while the 2.3 has more torque, the 2.0 is perfectly good for highway and city driving. It has good acceleration, a good power band, and I'm averaging 36 MPG in a mix of city and highway driving. What's not to love? Compared to the anemic 1.8 in the Versa, this engine rocks.
Oh, and handling? This car handles like a little sports coupe. It loves twisty turns, it brakes on a dime (with very responsive 4 wheel disk brakes). Throwing it around a tight curve on one of California's mountain roads is a joy. It makes me smile to drive it.
The trunk is a bit on the small side, but not so much so that I cannot deal with it. It doesn't open using the key fob (an odd exclusion on Mazda's part), so you'll need to unlock it the old-fashioned way with the key to get access.
Style-wise, this car is not for everyone. I like the styling -- the understated chrome grille, the chrome-tipped exhaust, the "high butt" and low front end. Other people say it looks a bit strange. Judge for yourself -- all I can say is that in dark-grey like mine, it looks wicked... and the "sport" tailights and headlamps (standard!) look classy, not boy racer-esque.
Overall, I am delighted with this car. It's a standout in every way -- handling, fuel economy, ride, space, interior quality, build quality. It blows away the competition.
But I saved the best part for last -- Mazda's pricing is (at least in California) quite aggressive. I paid about $18K for the 3i sedan, which includes standard automatic with autostick (a decent transmission), ABS and 4-wheel disk brakes, power windows/locks, AC, and CD-radio. Compare that to the $22K I would have spent on a lower-spec, lower-powered Honda and it's a no brainer.
If you're looking for a compact "economy" car that's spacious, well-built, doesn't feel "cheap," that is both sporty and good-looking, add the Mazda3 to your list. You'll be glad you did. And chances are, you'll drive away with one like I did!
I think that this is a great review and a great car!
*****************************************************
We bought the 2.0L, 4 Dr, 5speed. I confirm that this is the best small car we have ever bought
... best 5 speed & clutch
... best brakes
... BEST visibility
... Very good seating
... trunk is fine too -- but you stack cases vertically.
Plus to the author's list of great attributes I'd add:
-- It really is very quiet
-- Very strong and energetic pickup
-- 2007 carries 6 air bags.
But (as the song goes) "...if I were a rich man..." and if we were not all tossing tons of CO2 into the air I'd consider a slightly heavier car with a slightly longer wheelbase:
* for a more plated ride at speed / unsettled roads
* and a smoother ride for back seat passengers.
Otherwise, the 2007 Mazda 3 is one of those rare cars that seem to have gotten everything right.
Yahooo! Totally agree with your review! I bought the exact mazda3 you did 2 days ago! Same engine, color and package. I love it and can't wait to drive it every morning when I go to work. 18k here in utah also! It's worth the price thou.
Very helpful review! No less than 4 people I know have 3s (ranging from 2004 to 2006 models) and they all love them... So I'm seriously thinking of getting one myself... I need to go drive one asap... Thanks again for the great review! Cheers!
Great review! I actually went and looked at the Mazda3 back in June to consider as a purchase for my next car - and walked away with a Mazda3i Touring 5MT! :) I'm getting great mileage when I want to - 42+ MPG all city - and the car loves carving corners when I push it. Thank you!
You're mis-calculating your fuel mileage. There's absolutely no way you're getting around 42mpg in city driving. Either your gas gauge isn't terribly accurate or you did the math wrong. You can expect about half that number in the city.
I'm in agreement with the previous comment re: fuel economy. I have an '06 AND an '07 Mazda 3 and bought them despite the lackluster fuel economy. We range between 19-24 mpg in town with mixed drivers. We love both cars and would buy them again in a heartbeat. If I didn't need the carpool sticker in SoCal, I'd trade my Prius in and get another Mazda 3.
I am not quite in agreement with your review. I just posted the following comment on a latter review titled "Not worth the trouble". It is as follow:
I have the same problem with my new 2007 Mazda3. There are so many clicking, rattling, creaking and squeaking noises from the car that it is unreal. Most of the noise started when the cold weather sets in but some started when I first got the car new last summer, 2007. Sometimes the whole car kind of give this shaking feel over larger bumps as if it is a ten year old car and it only has 11,500km (~7000miles) on it (noise started way before this mileage). It gives you the feel of a flimsy built car.
What really bothers me is that sometimes the noises do not show up when I take it to the dealer and reappears again after driving it away, and I had to keep on taking it back in until it shows up when tested by the dealer.
The transmission also clunks over especially when decelerating. Dealer has updated the software for the transmission but I still occasionally feel a light clunk when stopping.
There is also a small clicking noise when I accelerate after lifting my foot off the gas pedal.
There appears to have a rough idling engine noise already and it only has about 11500km (~7000miles) on it. I still have to take it in to the dealer to have this checked out.
This car had supposedly been assembled in Japan which was one of the reasons I bought it.
Will I buy another Mazda again? Probably not.
If you want a car that stands out from the crowd - and owning anything from Merc to BMW is a dream far fetched - then a MAZDA 3 is the answer!!
I bought mine a 1.6 L semi auto in 2004 and waited til now to find another car that will overshine it. From the time when the Nissan Latio was revealed, through to Hyundai Avante, Nissan Slyphy, new Honda Civic and the 2008 Corolla Altis, I still think that my Mazda3 looks way better than all the others. European and continental cars from Citroen, Opel, Chevrolet, Fiat all look weird and bulky, and the Honda Odyssey (new one) looked like a herse???!!
In terms of Handling, if I give 9/10 to a BMW 3 series, Mazda3 will definitely be 10/10.
Oh another thing, only recently while traveling in a local expressway, a Corolla Altis was tailing me at 110km/h, I got frustrated and shifted down to gear 3 at a bend and accelerated to 140km/h within 3 seconds - that left the Altis driver confused and stunned, and he did not tailgate anymore, despite the space between us when I slowed down to 90km/h - probably frustrated and angry at his cheap machine. LOL. MAZDA lives!!!
Fuel mileage;
Use the trip/fuel computer "set" button on your stereo head unit. It is probably more accurate than filing up and counting your miles... BTW if the dealer left it locked, Google it, you'll find the way to activate "unlock" this feature.
Awesome car!
I agree with the previous comment. I have a Mazda 3i, I do love driving it, it's a great car to drive around. Few of my friends have the same model, none of them have had this problem. The problem I have with it is the power steering pump, the dealership has replaced it three times so far, but it keeps making a squeaking noise after a week of changing it. I am planning on keeping for another year (Since its under the manufacture warranty) and trade it before it expires. I will buy a another Mazda 3 but will be really careful.
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