Do you like the 3?

[Tali]

Hi all.
I'm in the market for a new car (I've been waiting years for my '92 Subaru to break down. The moment has finally come) and am thinking about getting the Mazda3 Sport.
Any thoughts about the car? Does it drive well? Will I have any problems with it, like rattles or something? Any suggestions?
Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[dulog]

Overall I like mine a lot and am happy with my choice. In this price range there isn't a car I'd want more. It's very practical, fun, insurance is low, mileage is decent and I like the styling inside and out. It gets lots of complements. I've taken it on 1000+ mile trips and it's been very comfortable. It also felt really strong and handled well going up/down mountain passes. Nothing is perfect, here are gripes I can think of:

-Though it seems really solid, on rough highways I now have a rattle up in the headliner behind the sunroof. I haven't seen others post about having one in this spot though so I'm thinking this isn't the norm.
-Speaking of the sunroof, I wish it was a little bigger. Not enough to make me want a different car though.
-Wish the horn wasn't so winmpy, not that big a deal for me.
-Paint seems rather delicate. Got a couple of rock chips in front after just a month or so. I just had a clear bra along with window tint installed. Wish I would have done the clear bra day 1.
-If there's loose gravel on the road you really seem to hear it with this car. Here all these pings underneath all over the place and it lingers a bit past where the dirt is on the road. I avoid construction areas and what not and if I have to drive through one I go through really slowly, but still, I seem to notice the noise from it way more in this car than anything else I've ever been in.
-need a special cartridge oil filter and o rings to change the oil, can't just go into Napa or Autozone or something and get what you need. Also, you can't just go to a quick lube place for that matter either.

 

[torque222]

cool car... get one and slap in a big turbo...zoooooooooooooooom

 

[Crusher]

It's a great car, especially for the price. No complaints here

 

[hworth18]

I love my 3s.. The sunroof is plenty big enough for me and the leather interior is really nice.
The only complaint I have is that the air conditioner could be better..

 

[RonH]

No complaints for mine.

 

[malebastard]

I don't like my 3...

I LOVE my 3!!!

very nice car and you won't be disappointed!

 

[fam]

i sold a 2000 mustang with every available option to have this car. Other than 0-60, the 3 is easily the better car.

 

[550Joe]

I have so far put 8K on mine and love it

 

[Howdy]

Like it? I love it. Best combination of fun, economy and refinement all-around, IMHO.

 

[Roywhitep5]

if only i could get the 2.3l in my car

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

...

-Though it seems really solid, on rough highways I now have a rattle up in the headliner behind the sunroof. I haven't seen others post about having one in this spot though so I'm thinking this isn't the norm.

I have rattling there as well. I usually get it to go away by pushing up gently on the roof right behind the sunroof. It's something that seems to start rattling only after a couple of days and then shuts up... maybe just some wires to the dome lamp shifting?

Otherwise, I love my mz3!!!
My paint seems to be solid, because I have no chips and am approaching 12K... I don't seem to have and dents or scrapes either... (knocks particle board) and really, the biggest gripes I have seen are with the A/C (which I read as a consequence of having black dash and waiting on the a/c to cool it down rather than trying to tint the windows and/or getting a reflector...) and the brake dust on the rear wheels. Which seems to be much better on the first model run than things like failing parts and components.

 

[torque222]

give it a big turbo and daddy likes

 

[Airman Jack]

nope, I hate the 3... absolutely hate it... especially when you're driving it... *lol* almost 20,000 km and 8 months later I love the beast I'm a really big guy (6'6") and the seats have been fantastic, very comfortable for very long drives (made it from Winnipeg to Toronto in 2 days driving through the states). Too bad I blew out the muffler at a track day in august!

 

[dulog]

I have rattling there as well. I usually get it to go away by pushing up gently on the roof right behind the sunroof. It's something that seems to start rattling only after a couple of days and then shuts up... maybe just some wires to the dome lamp shifting?

Otherwise, I love my mz3!!!
My paint seems to be solid, because I have no chips and am approaching 12K... I don't seem to have and dents or scrapes either... (knocks particle board) and really, the biggest gripes I have seen are with the A/C (which I read as a consequence of having black dash and waiting on the a/c to cool it down rather than trying to tint the windows and/or getting a reflector...) and the brake dust on the rear wheels. Which seems to be much better on the first model run than things like failing parts and components.

Yes pushing up on the roof espcically where the lamp is behind the moonroof gets it to go away from me, but only while I hold my hand there with some pressure. Once I take my hand away it comes back within seconds. It's definately not something in the lamp mechanism itself. While my wife was driving on this one hwy that it rattles on I popped out that plastic lamp box and held it tight, meanwhile the roof kept rattling away. It doesn't occur on most roads, but on ones that it does it is fairly constant. Other than that I'm still really liking my car. If I could get this rattle taken care of I'd be so happy, everything else with it is so minor.

 

[anthony2558]

Love It (rockon)

 

[ham]

yup... great car

I'd say after our research and now having put on over 8,000 km (mostly highway)... we're very happy with our choice (3 Sport GT w/ auto tranny, loaded except leather). We've found it to have just enough space for longer road trips (luggage, golf clubs, etc) and it scores well in terms of fuel economy (both big drivers in our purchase decision). No rattles or odd noises to date and I find the ride on the highway very quiet. I do suggest getting the clear bra put on from day one (but not at your dealership unless they give you a spanking good deal on it)

Here are the downsides we've experienced to date:
- the a/c is not great
- no option for side curtain airbags (I would have paid a fair amount for this if the option was available)
- the brakes are both soft and squeaky but I expect with better after market pads (when the OEM pads are cooked) this will go away
- the OEM goodyear rubber (for the 17" wheels) is garbage... perhaps your dealership will give you a credit for the stock tires when you negotiate the deal and you can put something good on from the start
- the plastic, silver plate around the shifter scratches really easily and starts to look beat up very quick... I've looked in the windows of a lot of others as well and see the same issue (I know this sounds niggly but I like to keep my car looking nice inside)

One last thing - I think the Titanium is the best colour but it does show absoluetly every spot, so be prepared to wash frequently (not that that's a problem if you're as obsessed as we are).

Buy it and you'll love it.

cheers,
ham

Hi all.
I'm in the market for a new car (I've been waiting years for my '92 Subaru to break down. The moment has finally come) and am thinking about getting the Mazda3 Sport.
Any thoughts about the car? Does it drive well? Will I have any problems with it, like rattles or something? Any suggestions?
Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Acerone]

Agree.... Two thumbs up

It's a great car, especially for the price. No complaints here

 

[hworth18]

After putting 5000 miles on my car, I can actually say I still LOVE it!!!
The A/C has gotten better with time/use...
Now my only complaint is with the service dept..We only have one dealer here and it's service dept/parts dept is like an afterthought or a joke.. Something they had to put in because they were selling cars..........................................................
Hopefully things will get better.. (hand)

 

[Newf]

One last thing - I think the Titanium is the best colour but it does show absoluetly every spot, so be prepared to wash frequently (not that that's a problem if you're as obsessed as we are).
ham

Are you cray???? While I agree with titanium looking good ( although for some reason I don't like it as much on the 3, and like the blue better on the 3) it does not show dirt bad at all. MAtter of fact, it has rained here for near 2 weeks straight, and unless your standing right next to my car, it looks clean. You just can't see dust and dirt on it. it's just not as shiney. It also hides swirls, fine scratches, chips very well. I have owned just about every color of car, and I would say the titanium is the best color paint I've owned for taking care of. And I'm picky about my paint.

Worse colors would be black of course, red, yellow and sometimes white.