2004 - 2008 Mazda 3 review

Strengths

- Sharp sporty design
- Rich-looking practical interior
- Fun to drive
- Peppy engine
- Tight turning radius
- Comes as sedan or hatchback
- Available Bose audio system
- Huge glove box

Weaknesses

- Road noise
- Models without side airbags scored poorly in side impact crash tests
- No trunk release on the remote.
- Some interior materials are not of top quality (e.g. carpet)

Overall

If you need a sharp-looking fun-to-drive sporty yet practical compact car, Mazda 3 is one of the best choices on the market. The 2004-08 Mazda 3 offers spirited performance, great handling and generous list of standard equipment, yet it's practical, fairly economical and reasonably priced vehicle. You can choose between sedan or hatchback body styles. Overall, Mazda 3 is a pretty good small car, but don't expect it to be completely trouble-free; lack of maintenance could easily lead to problems. Look for 2005 and newer models - as with any car, first year models tend to have more issues. Consider an extended warranty, at least for the powertrain.
Check more used small car reviews

What to look for buying a used Mazda 3

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, rental use, etc. Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the condition of the wheel rims.
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- Low engine oil level may indicate excessive oil consumption.
- Vibration in a powertrain could be caused by bad engine mounts.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a dealer before buying a car; in worst cases the repair might be very expensive.
Make sure to test the air conditioner operation.
- Blue smoke at start-up may indicate engine problems - avoid such a car.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in good shape.
- Check engine oil level regularly - running the engine low on oil could lead to serious problems.
- Synthetic oil can offer extra protection for the engine.
- Change transmission fluid regularly using only original Mazda transmission fluid.
- Stick with original Mazda parts.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. ball joints, brakes, steering) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more Car maintenance tips

2007 Mazda 3 specifications (US model)

Links

Where to find repair information

If you need a repair manual with diagnostic procedures, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc, follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin