2007 Mazda 3 from North America - Comments

Check engine light came on at 2000 miles, and then went off.

Hard ride, sloppy transmission shifting, hard to close the trunk, pedals dangerously to close to each other.

This is really a Ford under the skin, so don't think you're buying a import.

Yes, I also found that the distance between the gas pedal and the brake pedal is awfully close to one another and the brake pedal is too high relative to the gas pedal.

I have driven quite a few different types of cars before, either rented ones or those of my friends and relatives. This is the first time I experience this problem.

When I wear a Reebok runner and drive my 2007 Mazda3, from time to time when I move my foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal to brake, the edge of the bottom wedge of the runner would hit the right edge of the brake pedal first and I then have to move my foot and lift it higher before I can locate my foot on the brake pedal.

This is a safety issue that Mazda has to address. In a real emergency situation where one has to brake really quick, one cannot afford to reposition the foot and lift it higher to brake.

Wake up Mazda!!

I completely agree. Mazda do not make cars like they did. I used to own a Mazda 323 for 10 years. Although I had to change all the engine mount bushings and fix 2 cracked front shock "housing" (the top part where the shock bolted to the car), the rest of the car had been relatively reliable and solid.

Please note the word solid. It was by no means a tank but certainly way better than the 2007 Mazda 3 that I own now.

My old 323 after 10 years has less creaking, rattling and squeaking noise than my new Mazda 3.

Same with the transmission. My old 323's transmission was still shifting very smoothly after 10 years but my new Mazda 3 already gives a clunking noise especially when decelerating to a stop and a small "tuck, tuck" noise when accelerate after lifting foot off gas pedal.

Dealer cannot fix most of these noises. The most worrisome being the transmission.

Furthermore the engine of the 323 after 10 years sounded very solid and smooth. The new Mazda 3 already gives rough noises when idling and the valve clearance appears to be out. I still need to take it to dealer to have it checked.

This Mazda 3 has already been to the dealer more times than the 323 to the garage in 3-4 years.

I bought the new Mazda 3 because of my experience with the Mazda 323. I am completely wrong. The Mazda 3 is essentially like having a poorly built NA car under its skin.

Buyers beware!! With some good comments about the car in various reviews, one tend to forget that without luck, one may end up visiting the dealer more than one would like to, and you know what kind of experience that would be.

My daughter has a 2007 Mazda 3 and in 13 months has almost 20,000 trouble free miles. As with any vehicle, not all are perfect. From my readings and research, the 3, overall, is a reliable car.

Purchased our manual trans 2007 5-door "3" in July 07. Now Have 15,000 miles. Car still is rock-solid with absolutely no rattles or squeaks. Could still pass as new! As much as I loved my past Saabs and VW's... this Mazda outclasses both in terms of build quality and pure fun-to-drive performance. Oh yeah... it also gets better mileage and hold its value better too. :-)

The initial reviewer indicated that, "This is really a Ford under the skin, so don't think you're buying a import."

I am going to have to call you out on this one. As far as the platform for the Mazda 3 is concerned you can look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_C1_Platform

The jist of it is that the C1 platform was jointly produced by Volvo, Mazda, and Ford. As far as Ford, the platform is used only on the European Focus (which, is a far better car than the American version). The American Focus will use the older C170 platform until 2009. Other vehicles that use the C1 platform: Mazda 3 (of course), Volvo S40, V50, C70, C30, Mazda 5, and the Ford Kuga (Europe-only crossover)

This C1 platform has proven to be very reliable and stout. The C1 platform includes: "the front- and rear-subframes, suspension, steering, braking, safety, and electrical components..."

The 2.0 and 2.3 liter engines are each a Mazda MZR engine (look it up in wikipedia). Again, Ford EUROPE borrows from this Mazda line-up in some of their vehicles and calls them the DHE-420 and DHE-423 respectively.

The production stickers on the Mazda 3 indicate that they are assembled in Japan.

So the next time you hear something like "it just a Ford in Mazda skin" or "Mazda shares a bunch of parts with Ford", please keep in mind what that means (because the person saying it probably trying to attempt to bash the Mazda).

Hmmmm, come to think of it, if Ford is going to start using the C1 platform (and rumors circulating that they are going to use the Mazda motors) here in America starting next year (2009) the Focus could end up being quite the buy. I'll have to do some more research when the time comes :)