I am currently looking at the Mazda 3. I want something sporty, small, with good gas mileage. Am looking at the 2.3 hatchback, with leather and automatic.

Anyone have one? If so, how do you like it? Any info you are willing to share is appreciated.

 

You should visit www.mazda3forums.com and ask people there. They sure look nice and that big mazda badge on the back can be seen from an airplane. Very proud.

 

the 3 is the best compact car out there. steering is phenomenal. the 2.3 is smooth at high rpms, fast enough for spirited driving. i've taken 2 road trips, 6 hrs and 12 hours, in my friends' with manual tranny and love them every time.

i don't like like the I/P red lighting (i have a hard time reading the lettering since i'm color blind) and the blue gauge lighting isn't for me. also don't like the pods of the gauges. but mechanically the car is hard to beat.

i'm in the market for a bigger or faster car, so i'm waiting for the mazdaspeed version of the 6 to come out and see how that drives. either that, the sti, or a g35 wagon i heard is supposed to be coming out.

 

I know it ain't kewl to like any car that 'Consumers' likes, but -

This months CR rates the small cars, the Mazda 3i automatic beats the Focus, Civic, Prius, Corolla and Jetta - nimble, quick, quiet and fuel efficient!

The manual version is rated even higher, beating the Mini and the Golf TDI, and getting better mileage, costing less, and being more reliable than either!

The '3 is now their top-rated small car.
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doc

 

Thanks for all the comments. I am looking at the 3, and the Scion TC. Both look to be great little cars.

 

I really like the mazda 3 as well. I am looking for a car to share miles with my rx8, but the mazda 3 isn't in the cards for me. The main reason is the fact that it just looks too similiar to the rx8. As beautiful as the mazda lineup is, the fact that they based all their cars on the rx8 design, and the rx8 is no longer as unique as it was from the previous generations, I'd prefer to own a different car that has a completely different look. Either way, it's a super machine, so if the resemblence doesn't bother you, go for it.

 

I've driven a 3 several times now, practicing for the Rev-It-Up finals. Great little car - I'd certainly consider it if I was in the market for a good-handling, economical little runabout.

 

If you're going for the Mazda3, be certain to check out how comfortable your right leg is in relation to the center console. The console on the 3 extends out quite a bit and can really cut off room for your knee, and cause your leg to twist at strange angles. I had a MT Mazda3 for a while...the accelerator is literally parked right up against the console. Last time I looked, it's about the same for the AT Mazda3 as well. I and others found the seats to be quite hard as well. I certainly wasn't able to really get comfortable in the seats without an extra pillow or something.

Other then that...for its price, it's an incredible car. It has amazing handling, is damn quiet, has a very cool looking interior, and looks very sharp with the sports package + spoiler. Really wanted to keep mine as it was just gorgeous in Winning Blue, but the way the pedal spacing/console was designed, and me just not getting used to the MT, didn't work out for me.

 

I just bought one for my girlfriend and she loves it. It really looked better after we tinted the windows and painted the calipers. We looked at other cars but this was best for the money and all extra features.

Good Luck.

 

My girlfriend bought the 3 in April, and she loves it. I like driving it too (not as much as the 8 though It's got great handling, great suspension, nice gas mileage, and it's just plain fun to drive. If you're looking for a small car, you can't beat it. She has a sedan, BTW, and I would recommend it over the hatchback, I just think it looks better personally. But that's just me - if you're into hatchbacks, go for it.

-arattle