i'm sorta looking at some.

mazda3club is a ghost town, and it's really kind of hard to find aout much about them (problems, etc).

i really just want to know how reliable they are and what's the best, most stripped down one i can use for autox (i want a hatch, pre-2010). i don't quite want a mazdaspeed3 , but i wouldn't rule it out if i found one for a good price. i don't want one weighed down with all kinds of electronic crap i'm never going to use (navi, etc).

if anyone has owned one or does own one, any guidance would be appreciated.

 

also sorta looking for a 2008 or 2009.

 

My wife drives a 2004 hatchback with a 5 speed. We've got 82k miles on it now and it's still going strong. Reliability hasn't been a problem at all. I just recently replaced the shocks and will likely change out the brakes soon.

The 2.3 liter engine moves the car nicely, and it's light enough to never feel underpowered. The suspension is also tighter and more fun than other cars in this class. You would have fun AutoX-ing it as is, but with a couple suspension mods it could be really good.

 

my sister has a 3 and all i can say is its a really good car especially for her first car!

 

My gf drives a 2008 mazdaspeed 3 with 5k on it so far, i think its a realy nice car. It feels like a little rocket compare with my 8,,,

 

Not the best or cheapest FWD auto-x car, but decent.

If you are set on getting one of the mazda 3 hatchbacks, get the one with 2.3 litre 4 banger, I think all the s model comes with the 2.3 litre.

Or you can spend less money, and just get a Focus SVT, a good auto-x hatchback, and can be had for thousands less. Handles better too, in my humbled opinion.

 

you should check out the MOCC Forums. lots of 3 guys that can help.

 

My girlfriend has had a 2006 2.0l for about 6 months now and it's been great. If you're looking for a more active 3 forum, check:

http://www.mazda3forums.com/

 

I've heard very little about reliability issues with the 3. The 2.3 is a nice engine for a car that size.

With a turbo on it, um, well...

 

thanks, guys.

the only really bad thing i've read about them is that they suffer from mazda paint syndrome, something that our cars dodged.

i think i'm going to go and look at one this weekend. i really want a bright red or white one. silver would be ok, too. gonna reinforce the **** out of it.

 

Had a 2005 , got the job done , personally Im no fan of the new one's , but o'well . I traded in for my 8 .

 

Better forum @ http://www.mazda3forums.com/

My wife has a MY04 2.3 S Sedan. She loves it. No major issues. Minor annoyances is a noisy steering rack at very low speed turns, which causes the headlights to dim. The only complaint so far.

 

About half my friends have Mazda 3s and they've all been quite reliable - a couple of them are even on their seconds. I think it's really one of the best driving economy cars on the market right now, I have a very hard time recommending anything else to my friends and family. I say if you're interested, get one.

 

I had a 2005 2.0 with 4spd AT. The tranny blew up in 07, and got replaced. The engine started idling a bit funny before I traded her in last month. The inside had also developed quite a few rattles and squeaks.

I believe in 06, they killed of the 4spd AT, and all models got the 5spd AT. ...So don't get a used 2.0 4spd AT, imo.

 

I have owned and autocrossed a Mazdaspeed 3 and my step dad owned (and I autocrossed) a regular 3 hatchback, both great cars, and the regular 3 is a great H stock car for autocross. I drove the Speed for over a year with no problems, and my step-dad never had any major problems with his. Great cars IMO

 

Lots of companies make compact sedans: few make really good ones.

Car enthusiasts on a budget who need the practicality of a four-door
car need look no further than the Mazda3. What distinguishes Mazda’s
entry-level sedan from its competitors is performance akin to more
expensive European models.

 

i really just need a compromise car more than anything; it won't strictly be used for autocross by any means.

and yeah, lol, i'll put a squid jig in my dickhole before i buy an automatic in any car.

i can't really justify having two cars anymore, so i need... a compromise. i'll definitely be looking for a 2.3 GT hatchback.

 

Consider the Mazdaspeed if you really want a nice compromise between the RX8 and an economy car. I bet you can find them used in the low to mid teens if you do some looking around and have some patience. The jump from the normal sedan to the Mazdaspeed is so huge that you'll really be shocked - I know I was.

 

+1 And you can get good gas mileage out of either the Speed or the 3