With regards to the previous comment, I live in the UK and have a Mazda 3 2.0 148bhp manual transmission. It's a fantastic car however on a few occasions it has not started as easily as it could do, but it's always been the first time- it's just taken a while to fire. I think it's to do with the type of fuel station you visit- the quality of fuel. Esso for instance doesn't seem to do it any good whereas other brands seem OK. I actually work for Honda and whilst I agree that their products are brilliant in terms of build quality, engines and interior design, my Mazda 3 is a far superior car in terms of steering, handling, brakes and styling. The new Civic has just been launched in the UK and it's a big improvement drive wise, but the interior is extremely cheap with hard edges to some of the textures and lots of flimsy, thin, brittle, hard plastics. Not the norm for Honda. I would definitely recommend the Mazda 3, it's very different to the Ford Focus and I struggle to see any similarites. I disagree that the interior is cheap feeling, sit in a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic and the 3 is certainly no cheaper in feel. In 2004, Whatcar? magazine said the "Mazda 3 sets the standards for interior quality." Need I Say more? The 2.0 engine is the biggest unit in the UK and is quick enough, but it can get very noisy above 110mph, the car could really do with a V6 unit from the Millenia/Xedos 6/9 models. Some extra sound proofing from road noise and a slightly softer ride are the only improvements I think could be made. Oh and the interior lighting could be marginally better, i.e. illuminated vanity mirrors and door puddle lights as well as brighter cabin lights would all help. Also, theres no option of cruise control over here. But it's a highly recommended car, even the 1.4 engine in the UK is quick enough. I can't understand why people in the US keep commenting on cheap plastics, are you comparing the car to a Lexus or BMW? I cant understand why this car is so well priced, like the RX-8. Rivals from Audi and VW charge so much more for a product that isn't half as radical or well built (check this site for reviews if you dispute this!)
I think the engine issue is just the dealer giving you FUD (fear, uncertainly, doubt) so you'll buy the Honda. The new Civic is a great car, but nowhere near as fun (except for the Si) as the Mazda. The Honda also has a better interior.
But Mazda engines, excluding rotary ones, have been very reliable. My Ford Festiva (built by Kia) had an engine that would take anything, and that's because it came from Mazda.
If driving fun isn't a priority get the Honda since it has the better interior. But if you like having a great ball while doing mundane driving chores, the Mazda is the only choice in this field. Just get the "S" engine.
Oh come on! those dealership guys will tell you anythign to get you to buy their cars!!! the best way to see what problems are prevalent on a car, I use this site, combined with consumer reports. So far I've had 4 different cars 2 BMW's. a 97 Escort and an 86 nova, and all have been remarkable cars.
Those dealership guys are out just to make $$$, its plain and simple!!
Um dummy...you've already answered your own question...oops, I meen "kweshtyun"
When you say the new Civic has a "better interior." How do you define "better?" Are you talking better quality or a more radical design? There is no doubting that the new Civic has the more radical interior, but its ergonomically flawed and the lack of rear wiper is a stupid, dangerous omission. The new Civic could make the Mazda's interior seem old hat, but in my view I'd rather be sitting in an environment with solid quality, fit and finish rather than one surrounded by a few flimsy loose plastics that don't even fit in place properly. If Honda can make an interior as good as the Jazz, what on earth has happened to the new Civic? Sitting behind the wheel of the Mazda3, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla or Honda Jazz make you realise how cars should be built, unfortunately the new Civic gives a singularly cheap impression. The best thing about the new Civic is the steering which is probably the best in class.
I guess you must not be from America since there are no hatchback Civics here and I know of no current sedan that offers a rear windshield wiper.
American-sold Civics have much better, more upgraded interiors than Mazda3s. The Mazda is more on par with my Subaru or any Nissan - okay, but not great.
That said, the Mazda is a far superior driving car in all aspects and that is why it will probably replace my Impreza next year, possibly with the MazdaSpeed version.
Go for the 3. I had an 05 hatch in the 1.4 comfort model last year and found it very good. I changed this year to 06 1.6 touring model. Much better response with the bigger engine.
I have always driven Mazda and find them very reliable. As far as the interior goes, I think Mazda have improved 100%.
Brilliant after sales service too.
Just a warning. All I hear are rave reviews about this car. I loved it when I first bought it too. at 13,000miles the purge valve broke, replaced under warranty. At 13,500 miles, the fuel pump died, also replaced under warranty. At 23,000miles the fan belt came off on the highway, replaced under warranty, but Mazda towed it to the nearest dealer which was 175 miles from my house, so I had to get a ride home to go to work, then take the rental back to my car and then drive home. Very poor customer service. My tires sound funny during slow turns. The service guy here can hear it, but he can't diagnose. Basically, I'm trading the car in for something else. I have service records for all of these repairs for those that don't believe. I had a 84 Mazda 323 before, which is why I bought this 2004 Mazda 3s. That 84 was great, the muffler got riped off by a steep driveway, and the repair was more than the cars value (in 2004). Car still ran great. My mothers 91 miata still runs, although she's starting to have engine trouble.
While I'm not denying your claims, you can't blame Mazda for the fact you live nearly 200 miles from the nearest dealership. I wouldn't buy any car that didn't have a dealership within 20 miles of me.
Not that there is any excuse, but first year models are always the worst ones, although Mazdas seem to be better than most.
So here I am again, the writer of the original article.
The Mazda3 is now 2 and a half years old and is now the fastest selling car in Israel. Another 6 months and it goes back to the leasing company from where it came and I look foward to this day as I have never felt really happy with the car, a rattle here or a broken this or that has never allowed me to feel "content" with the car.
Don't misunderstand me there have been no major failures other than noisy drive shafts, its the constant stream of small quality derived issues that really take the fun out of this potentially great car.
Issues are;
Engine rattles like a diesel at 53000km! I am 40 not 18 and am kind to the car.
Never cured flatspot.
Cloth trim on all 4 doors is coming off and needs gluing back.
Unreasonable wear to the drivers seat.
2 Broken air vents.
Sterio replaced twice, still skipping on CD's (CDR's also NOT supported!!!) and refusing eject CD's. Speakers now starting to "fizz"
Front doors have annoying sound of movement over rough roads.
Climate control temperature knob stopped working - car was at dealer over 3 WEEKS!!
According to fuel logs, the car is HEAVY on gas compared to my wifes Corolla even on same journey same drive.
So in conclusion, no huge problems, but not the joy I thought it might have been, all small issues, all quality related - I shudder to think how the interior will look when the car is 5 years old. Would I have another? - No I don't think so.
What's funny, is that I just had my purge valve replaced in my 2006 Mazda 3s GT, which only has 14.9k miles on it. According to a few posts up, my next problem will be my fuel pump dying :- (Haha.
Also, what sucks is I hear a squeak in my seat when I'm going on bumpy roads, something strange there...
Also, I regularly maintain the car and use fuel injector cleaner, but the MPG is slowly creeping down. My old Saturn SC1 never lost fuel economy all the way up till the time I traded it in.
Other than that, I love my Mazda. It handles great, the Nav. system is superb, and the stereo system is awesome.
Oh which reminds me.. about 1 week after I bought the car, the 6 CD player jammed and had to be replaced :-) GOOD TIMES!
This is issue of the seat squeaking when driving over bumpy roads is a fairly common -yet unanswered- issue. The only 'speculative' answer I have heard (so far) is that the squeak comes form the area where the seat belt clicks into the seat. One thing I will add, is that this problem is definitely worse in cold or damp weather.
Hey guys, I'm on my second Mazda 3 Sp23 in Australia. By far and away, they to my opinion are the best rated car of it's size in Australia. My recent buy, a 2006 Mazda 3 SP23, 6spd manual is fantastic, rated at 115kw with just a tad over 203nm, it rocks. I've made some adjustments to make the car easier to drive, as a lot of torque is based in the low rev ranges in first, terrible torque steer!
I have a new ECU-P chip placed in the car, it has a USB slide port, which allows me to control the power output from the the 3, and place it in areas where there are flat spots, or lulls. The result is a fantastic power deliver off the mark, no flat spots in 2-3-5-6.
I did however think the std SP23 needed some things to make it stand out which I added, Tints, bigger footprint, 235/45/18, which I added the nice 3-MPS rims to it, worked out a treat.
What I have now is possibly in my opinion anyways (bias) is one of the best 3's non-turbo on the roads, from a balance and power output stance.
Spec's Now.
132kw - at 232nm @ 5600 rpm.
Makes for a nice tourer! oh! and the cruise control is perfect match, and good addition!
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one having this purge valve issue with the '06 Mazda 3! I had the purge valve replaced 2 weeks ago under warranty... only to have the check engine light come on again and the dealership told me they have to replace the purge valve again. I'm thinking-- the same part in 2 weeks?! Very inconvenient. But here in Alabama, at least the guys at the dealership are super friendly/helpful/understanding... but even that fact doesn't curb my annoyance with this issue. The car has 27,000 miles on it.
Bought a 2007 3i in 12/06. Brake sensors clogged with snow causing an idiot light in 3/07 @ 3k miles. No big deal, but annoying. Now in 7/07 the idiot light is on again at 5k, dealership says it is a faulty purge valve, and are replacing under warranty. Mazda has been very good with service and questions, but it would be nice if things would work as intended in the first place.
Side note, in 4/07 our garage door spring broke and smacked the roof of the new 3i. Make sure you have safety cables running through those things, they can be costly (or deadly)!