2010 Mazda MAZDA3 User Reviews

Pros

Good Design, Performance

Cons

Road Noise, Suspension

Purchased As New

This was the first new car I've ever owned, so this may be a little bias...For the money spent, it is (based of my research) the best small car for the money. I test drove civics, Scion Tc's, and Jettas, as I drive roughly 100 miles daily, and I owned a SUV prior to purchasing my Mazda3. It offers more options and comfort, than its competitors. The upgraded Bose sound system is great, as well as the directional headlights and ambient interior lighting at night. The 3 has many "auto" functions that make driving convenient, however can be a bit annoying at times (i.e. with frost on the windshield, the wipers continue to stay on, even though there is nothing to wipe off; and the automatic headlights may go on when not needed, causing all the displays to be dim and hard to read), however it is rectified by being able to turn them off easily. Gas mileage is OK, could be better, but as I said in the beginning: compared to my former SUV, I love it. If driven correctly in clutch-less manual mode (an option with the auto-trans), mileage improves. Heated seats are fast, but only heat the center, which can be a bit uncomfortable when really cold. The styling is a great improvement in my opinion, although some people do not like the "smiling" grill, however I have only received complements on it. The ride can be a little rough at higher speeds, especially if you live in Metro Detroit for two reasons: first, our roads are constantly under construction, however always seem to be tore up--Michigan is a horrible place to drive. Second, with living in Michigan, 40-50% of people drive like asses around you simply because they don't like you driving a car that wasn't manufactured in Detroit (Even though, lets face it--our cars aren't made the best...I can say that, I've owned three: all taken care off very well, and all requiring major repair work, that shouldn't be required after 50k miles...) The last "con" I will say is about road noise, its not horrible, but it could be less. I don't notice it too much, unless a window is down, but thats to be expected.

Overall, a great car for the money so far. Fun to drive, great pick-up, shift-timing, style, comfort and decent gas mileage. I would recommend for anyone looking who drives above-average to high amounts per year....read morehide

Pros

Good car overall.

Cons

Need more attention to small details. Fuel economy can be better.

Purchased As New

I?ll try to bring the most objective view coming from a car enthusiast as I am. I bought this car for my wife nearly two months and 1500 miles ago. I?ve chosen this car for its sporty appearance yet everyday driving abilities. It is not mainstream everyday boring Jap car as Toyota, Honda or Nissan.
What I love about this car is how the engine is ?talking? to the transmission. They?re a perfect match. Up-shifts and down-shifts are tuned perfectly, together with the engine revolutions. 5-speed transmission is just right for this car. Even in ?D? mode it shifts perfectly just on time, and when you need to increase speed while passing, or climbing uphill, the power is there. The car is doing it without hesitating, as some others four cylinder cars do. The engine revolutions are pretty much in the range of 6 cylinders car ? normally at 2500 RP/M?s when going 70 MPH and 3000 when around 85 MPH. My 06 BMW 330i was running in the same range (90 mph in 3000 rpm) but my other 4 cyl cars which I or my daughters had, ran much higher, (like 3000 in 70 mph.). Nevertheless it takes 24 mp/g in overall driving which is in the range of 6 cyl cars, and more than other new 4 cyl cars do. My 330i was doing the same having 6 cylinders.
In manual mode ? you?re your own boss. Keep it in one gear lower than the ?auto? would do under normal driving, and this car will never let you down. Down-shift, up-shift whenever you need, and the power is always there regardless of its 167 horses.
If you?re a car enthusiast as I am ? you can outbeat drivers in Lexus IS 250 or BMW 328, in any driving conditions.
Sitting position is excellent. The sides are always hugging your back and holding you from rolling sideways in sharp turns. Body roll is also acceptable giving its not-so sporty suspensions. Although the ride is more on a sport side than not, yet not as bumpy as a sport cars are, and for every day driving ? it feels just right. .
Yes, it is not a BMW, but for the price you shouldn?t expect it to be one.

Now about the not so pleasant facts.
The body integrity feels light ? you don?t feel that the car is very steady on the road (like ?hugging? the road as BMW does). The steering feels mushy and not incredibly precise. But this is typical to most (if not all) Japanese cars, even expensive ones. Some pronounce tire noise especially on not so newly pawed roads is coming to the cabine. The car architects could have put more attentions to the small details: heated seats are a good feature but the heat does not has a flow comming in the sides of the seat. Since the sides are so in contact with you ? it is somewhat unpleasant when you?re sitting on a warm middle and your upper legs are getting this cold from the leather. Not a pleasant contrast.
Plastic which covers doors, handles, dash, all around the gear knob ? feels too chip. Computer display screen is for some reason white on a dark screen, while the rest of displays are having such a vivid amber color. It?s just kind of stands out from the rest, looks out of place, and doesn?t go with the overall lighting color. You can turn on and off this computer display, (which is a good feature) but you?ll loose the clock and the outside temp.
I can?t stop wondering why they didn?t put the clock at the same panel where the climate control is, so it will stay on all the time. Also, the rear view mirror with compass, garage opener and a dimmer should be included in the Grand Turing package. Never less, I was willing to pay $250 for it, but they didn?t have a car which would have the GT package and this kind of a mirror? Passenger seat should not be all manual in this package ether.

Well, for the money this car is ok. 21500 + tax and fees comes up to 24k with change, and for a car lovers - it is a better choice than other mainstream cars on the road. It is not a BMW in any way, but still not without a fun-to-drive factor. Hey - everything in life is balanced, (is that right??)....read morehide

Pros

nice stereo, comfortable, nice interior

Cons

cabin noise, no keyless entry upgrade, need more room, need better fuel economy, a little bumpy

Purchased As New

It's a great car, gunmetal blue color is the best, nice design, if you get this car be aware that it doesn't have keyless entry. Overall, I still love the car.

Pros

Esthetic appeal, design, user friendly gauges/knobs, excellent gas mileage!

Cons

Road noise, driver's door controls up too far on door ledge (have to reach forward).

Purchased As New

This is by far the best sporty car I have ever test-driven and then purchased! I love the color (silver), the design, the positioning of the dash controls and gauges, the luminescent red and blue lighting on dash and gauges, the VERY (yes, VERY) deep glove box WITH 2 SHELVES! How ingenious! The trunk is deceivingly roomy and the rear passenger seat folds down allowing ample room for longer items to fit between rear seat and trunk. It is quick, precise, sharp turns, speedy when you need it, excellent gas mileage (I get 32 mpg city), I can't say enough. I absolutely love it. My only regret is I wanted the completely "decked out" version, which I would have had to wait for and risk losing my "cash for clunkers" incentive. I am already planning to purchase this car again in about 2 years as long as they maintain the sporty design. My entire family loves this car. And Mazda Corporation is right there for everything (questions/answers). They even set up a web site for you that is only for you. This MAZDA is a WIN/WIN....read morehide

Pros

Loved the Design

Cons

Not reliable

Purchased As New

Before I bought a car I did a lot of research before I bought one and mazda seemed to be the best choice. Well now that I'm having so many problems with my mazda did even more research and there are a lot of people out there having the same problem I am.... Mazda transmissions don't last and go out at very low miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worst part is even if a small part goes out in the transmission mazda doesn't replace just that piece they replace the whole transmission... which for someone like me is very expensive since I don't have an extra 2600 bucks laying around!!!!!! So right now my car is 3 yrs old and it's having it's 3rd transmission because apparently the one they got to replace the first was a lemon! If I knew three years ago what I know now I would never have bought a Mazda! Maybe that's why Mazda now does 50,000 mile powertrain instead of 100,000.... Mine went out at 68,000....read morehide

Pros

Tight Turning, mpg 35

Cons

Little rough at high speeds, comfort is bad for a 6'5" person

Purchased As Used

I bought this car used in 2005, only had 15,500 miles and have never had a problem. Have over 140,000 miles on this car still no major problems! Only problem I had was the oil filter cap is made of some cheap plastic. Its really reliable.

This car is used for work mostly, from Pa to Ks to Fl toTx.

Comfort level is low on trips longer than 6 hrs...read morehide

Pros

great gas mileage and roomy

Cons

little bit of road noise

Purchased As New

I owned a gas guzzler SUV (Range Rover) for hauling erscue dogs, and a Honda Civic for gas mileage (I commute 85 miles a day). I traded both for a 2008 Mazda3 hatchbask (S model) and I can now accomplish both tasks. Great mileage and room for the dogs. Great little car.

Pros

Fun - Sporty - Storage Room - Performance

Cons

Road Noise

Purchased As New

I traded in a clunker for the 2010 Mazda3 5 door. I was looking for an inexpensive vehicle to carry a family of 4, a fun sporty car for myself, and a vehicle that could handle carrying hockey goalie gear. I got what I needed in the Mazda3. I wanted to get the MazdaSpeed3 but I knew my wife would blow out the clutch. The Mazda3 has the Auto for her and I have the manual shift feature. I had a tough time getting into a comfortable driving position but once I did the experience has been nothing but fun. I am hoping the mileage will come up though. I am averaging 24 mpg in mixed driving....read morehide

Pros

Handling engine power, comfort

Cons

slows down with A/C

Purchased As New

I got stolen my 2007 Mazda 3 and guess what I bought again, a Mazda 3. I love its sporty look, its handling and engine power ahen I need it. The sportstronic gear change it is fun and useful in the highway. I also like the sound system and its ipod aux. Great car, I´ll keep it for years!!.

Pros

great mileage, large trunk, good excelleration, sporty looking car

Cons

would like cruise control to be standard on all models

Purchased As New

I have had my 2010 Mazda 3 for 3 months and love it. My wife drove a 99' Protege for 9 years and we had great performance from it; never had any serious mechanical trouble with it even after 150,000 miles. We also have a 2009 Mazda 6 so you can see we highly recommend Mazdas.