Looking at getting a Mazda 3, anyone have any experience with them

By KingCracker
in The Neobahn

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Neowinian

EricMM

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I have a black 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 with all my windows tinted and I absolutely love it! The interior is beautiful. It is very responsive. It throws you to the back of your seat.

The only real annoying thing about it is when you step on the gas there is a noticeable amount of torque-steer. Also, I am kinda tall (6'4") so it's a small car for a guy my size. It's not uncomfortable though. I drove from California to Michigan in it and didn't really feel crammed. I have to push the seat all the way back, which leaves almost no room for anyone to sit behind me. That's not a problem though because I rarely drive with more than one passenger anyway.

The rear seat folds down and you'd be amazed at how much room you have back there to transport things. I had everything I owned in the back (I got out of the military and I was moving back home) when I traveled from Cali to Mich. Even with the seat up, there is a lot of trunk space in the back.

My headlights have always seemed to shine a tad low to me. I could just adjust them but never got around to it.

I also have the premium Bose sound system and it works GREAT! My brother told me the bass is kind of weak because it doesn't really rattle the car like the woofer does in his car, but I don't really care for that effect anyway.

Did I mention it sounds like a fast car when you start it up? Mine is all stock and I love the way it sounds when I start it up. It has a mean sound, but it's not loud and annoying like a Mustang (Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE fan of Mustangs and I almost bought one when I bought my Speed 3). It really shouldn't be though because it doesn't look like a muscle car AT ALL lol.

It's a small car so it fits pretty much everywhere. I can squeeze between two cars that are cramming the parking space in between most of the time.

All in all, I would highly recommend the Mazdaspeed 3. I'm not sure if you're looking at the speed version or just the base version. It's basically the same car but the Speed 3 obviously has a performance increase, a scoop in front and a slightly different spoiler in back.

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Grand Master

KingCracker

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I have a black 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 with all my windows tinted and I absolutely love it! The interior is beautiful. It is very responsive. It throws you to the back of your seat.

The only real annoying thing about it is when you step on the gas there is a noticeable amount of torque-steer. Also, I am kinda tall (6'4") so it's a small car for a guy my size. It's not uncomfortable though. I drove from California to Michigan in it and didn't really feel crammed. I have to push the seat all the way back, which leaves almost no room for anyone to sit behind me. That's not a problem though because I rarely drive with more than one passenger anyway.

The rear seat folds down and you'd be amazed at how much room you have back there to transport things. I had everything I owned in the back (I got out of the military and I was moving back home) when I traveled from Cali to Mich. Even with the seat up, there is a lot of trunk space in the back.

My headlights have always seemed to shine a tad low to me. I could just adjust them but never got around to it.

I also have the premium Bose sound system and it works GREAT! My brother told me the bass is kind of weak because it doesn't really rattle the car like the woofer does in his car, but I don't really care for that effect anyway.

Did I mention it sounds like a fast car when you start it up? Mine is all stock and I love the way it sounds when I start it up. It has a mean sound, but it's not loud and annoying like a Mustang (Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE fan of Mustangs and I almost bought one when I bought my Speed 3). It really shouldn't be though because it doesn't look like a muscle car AT ALL lol.

It's a small car so it fits pretty much everywhere. I can squeeze between two cars that are cramming the parking space in between most of the time.

All in all, I would highly recommend the Mazdaspeed 3. I'm not sure if you're looking at the speed version or just the base version. It's basically the same car but the Speed 3 obviously has a performance increase, a scoop in front and a slightly different spoiler in back.

I can't afford a speed3 lol my loan only gets me round the price of a regular mazda 3 lol. Well me rephrase that, I don't want to pay higher payments than what the loan will give me. I could afford a speed3 but id rather have comfortable payments.
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Grand Master

spacer

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I have a 2007 6, and I like it. I actually just paid it off too. (woot) The 3s are just the compact version of the 6, and at the time Mazda's build quality was pretty good. I haven't had any issues with my car other than normal wear and tear. I'm not sure how the build quality compares in the 2011/2012s though.

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Grand Master

KingCracker

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I have a 2007 6, and I like it. I actually just paid it off too. (woot) The 3s are just the compact version of the 6, and at the time Mazda's build quality was pretty good. I haven't had any issues with my car other than normal wear and tear. I'm not sure how the build quality compares in the 2011/2012s though.

Yeah I've asked this question in different forums and the same answers seem to pop up in that they are reliable cars. I'm not as young as I used to be so I don't need something that absolutely flies, but I want something with a little pep and looks good. I'm not a big car guy so, I might put some subs in it and some rims maybe if I feel aspired to make it look a little better but right now. It's just gonna be a ride back and forth to work.
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Grand Master

Draconian Guppy

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mazda 3 2010 owner just when the switched to the "smile" grill... (which I for one, like...) As stated above, it's a reliable rattle pot, ive barely driven it around 27,000 km around 16,000 miles, i?ve taken it back to the dealer around 5 times for some weird creeks and grinds in the back, which they just can seem to find, very annoying... Also some if the tires aren't wide enough, you will have a little line around the tire edges...

Other than that, I guess it?s been reliable, no major complaints regarding drive train + engine.

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BattleDaggit

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i?ve taken it back to the dealer around 5 times for some weird creeks and grinds in the back, which they just can seem to find, very annoying...

I have an SP25. Is your Mazda 3 a hatch? Have a look at this. It resolved my problem with creaks in the back. I was going nuts replacing shocks and all sorts of other nonsense.

I really like the car, but my experiences with the local dealer have been shocking. I won't buy another Mazda because of them.

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Rookie

notme23

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I had a 2004 3s sedan that i loved. I had it for about 6yrs before i traded it in. No issues at all with the car. One of the reasons i didnt get another 3 was the 'smile' grill. Just felt like i was driving around in a Cars movie. heh. good reliable car though.

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Grand Master

Draconian Guppy

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I have an SP25. Is your Mazda 3 a hatch? Have a look at this. It resolved my problem with creaks in the back. I was going nuts replacing shocks and all sorts of other nonsense.

I really like the car, but my experiences with the local dealer have been shocking. I won't buy another Mazda because of them.

Whoa it's in that exact area! I will be giving this to my dealer! thanks man!

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Enthusiast

ZeroFearX

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I have a Mazda 3 2010 and I really likes it.

To be honest, I prefers my Mazda than my Kia Sorento 2012. I know it is not the same type of car but with the Mazda, I fell I am having a better driving experience.

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Grand Master

Draconian Guppy

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I really like them to be honest, must be the sportier versions though.

You must get it in this color!!

celestialblue-1.jpg

Pfff you got it wrong

Velocity red is where it's at! I For one, Love the grill!

f_246394820-effe9302.jpeg

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Grand Master

Draconian Guppy

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I like the black better, it kinda hides the smiley face.

I've no idea what you are talking about kind sir... ( Though mazda has done this once or twice :rofl: )

31819340349_large.jpg

The miata

129163187032764638.jpg

And a repeat

7a191443-c55a-44b5-a830-768b4da68b46.jpg

129163187032764638.jpg

128806852207592246.jpg

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Mentor

abysal

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The Mazda 3's are reliable. I have experience with my speed 3 and two 2.3 liter 3's (2007 sedan & 2008 hatch), and non had any major issues. The new 2010+ year ones also have nicer interiors.

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Grand Master

LaP

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I have one. 2007 model.

I'm HIGHLY satisfied so far. It's fun to drive for the price. 0 to 60 kmh the perf are good for the price asked. Past 120kmh it's starting to lack some power but still very good. Disc break to all wheels is a must. Automatic lights and wipers is cool and can be turned off if you don't like.

And so far nothing did break or fail. I might have been luckly though ....

[edit]

yeah i forgot they had to grease the transmission shaft last year it did cost me 70$ that's the only money i had to put in the car expect for oil change of course. I'll need to replace the break this fall but that's normal wear.

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Apprentice

picaresqu3

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2006 mazda 3 here - had it for 3 years so far (purchased a used one, obviously :D) and it's been a great car so far.

Those smiley pics are rediculous.

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Experienced

Another Canuck

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The Mazda 3 is notorious for developing a lot of rattling and creaking in the interior after some time.

I would suggest finding a used model (a few years old) to test driver first to see if it annoys your or not.

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