Positive Review
To start off I purchased the 2014 Mazda 3 Sport grand Touring. My previous vehicle was the past generation 2010 Mazda Sport Grand Touring. First comes first, this new generation is absolutely fantastic! Everything about the car screams quality, fit and finish, and a company thats dedicated to their customers and really listens to what WE want in our cars. This car has exceeded every expectation I had including ones I didn't even know I should of had. The design is stunning, I get compliments everywhere I go and everyone seems to be amazed when they sit in my car and find out it's a Mazda. The interior quality is best in class, and it's worth every bit of the premium I paid for the GT version. The leather is soft and the red stitching really makes it pop. The dash design is awesome, and it takes queues from Audi, and Bmw. The ride quality is also very good, soft when it should be, and rough when you want to step on the gas. Fuel efficiently isn't something I really worry about since I have a lead foot but according to the car I am already getting better then my "old" Mazda. Now, I had the option to get the Audi or Bmw, but I kept having my doubts about so many complaints owners were having with their cars and it took me about since this car launched to officially decide to do away with the higher end cars and stick to Mazda. I am so glad I did because I know in the long run this car will have cheap maintenance and be very fun to drive without having to give up on those luxury features of todays times. The navigation infotainment system is really nice to use, the car looks great, drives great, is reliable, and will continue to put a smile on my face when I get inside and put it in drive. My suggestion is if you can afford the SGT model, I would definitely go for it you will not be disappointed and it's really worth what you pay for it. Highly recommend this car and I really appreciate whoever takes the time to read this novel of a review! Enjoy your Zoom Zoom everyone!
Critical Review
I have the hatch version, 2.0L engine for roughly 6 months with one oil change from the dealer. So far the car was great. However it does have flaws, and I only give it 3/5 star. The one that border me most is the alignment problem. When going 60mph on highway, this car keeps leaning to the left by itself. I have to steer to keep it in the lane, that makes other drivers behind me think I'm drunk or something. Also, strong wind really got this car good.
Showing 8 of 170 reviews.
Practical, economic, compact
Low power
Overall it's a practical and economic car that gets you from A to B. At less than 50 miles the tension belt is leaking which is a know manufacturer issue, as well as a glitchy information screen.
Great gas mileage. Low maintenance costs
none
This has been a great car for me. Very dependable with very little maintenance costs. Gas mileage is very good, and I love the way it handles.
Tightness, great mpg, comfortable
A little noisy
This Mazda 3 Sport model I own has 82K on it and not ONE rattle or squeak! They redesigned the car from the year before. The 2013's were known as being a tight car but for 2014 they improved the tightness a full 30% more! The skyactive engine really is something to write home about as it gets better mileage than any other car w/ a 4 cylinder w/out a turbo that I have owned. Two trips to the beach w/ my wife got me a full 41 mpg both times! The engine idles smooth as butter. Everything uncluding doors are very tight. The redesign for 2014 made this car look more like a BMW with the interior much more stylish than the 2013's and under. I did buy my Mazda with a reconstructed title 2 1/2 years ago after my other car got totaled. So I actually paid 8700.00 far under what a non totaled car would be which was 14-15K dollars. I have NEVER regretted buying it as my dad had his own car lots so I learned a lot about checking them out. I would highly recommend buying an OBD2 analyzer for not much money. You set it up with an app on your phone. It will show you a lot as far as any issues. Not everything but very valuable to have when shopping for a car. Mazda by the way has not been really good at figuring out how to market to an American buying public so prices are not in the Toyota or Honda range but somewhat less. But the reliability is almost as good so you get a better deal as long as the car was maintained properly. The Mazda 3 is not complicated to do maintanece on so another advantage. I also love the longer hood which they needed to do on the redesign in order to accomodate the longer exhaust manifold. But that redesign gives it a more sleeker look and maybe more sportier. When you lock your car and walk away if you stop and look back at your car you know your in love! And I still am! The one somewhat negative thing is that it is a little noisy from the inside when driving especially on the freeway. So I bought 6 large spray tar cans plus about 50.00 of soundproofing which did my trunk completely plus inside all 4 doors. The spray took care of all wheelwells plus the underside. The underside probably wasn't necessary as it has a solid plastic panel over much of the underside. I should have done the floor but I have gotten good results from what I did so haven't done that. The noise is quite a bit reduced but insulating the floor would get you most all the way there. And closing the doors gives you a "clunk" sound instead of a "chink" sound, makes you feel like your driving a higher priced car, well worth it. I did it myself but my last car I paid almost 1K to do mostly the same thing. It just takes some time to do. Bottom line, I wholeheartedly recommend this car!
Reliable, good performance
A bit small inside for more than two people
Solid well built and reliable. What more could you want?? Excellent fuel economy is a bonus. High 30's mpg running at 80 mph! Remarkable. Have about 50k miles with zero problems. 1 battery and 1 set of tires; nothing else after 8.5 years of ownership. Great car for one or two passengers. Added a trailer hitch to carry bike rack. Adequate power will keep up with any traffic situation. Paint work is amazing.
Steering, gas mileage, comfortable seats, style
Road noise
This was the first Mazda I have ever owned and I was not persuaded by a dealer. It was a car guy that driven many cars for the insurance company. I use to have a BMW and paid much more money than I needed on that car. When I had tried 11 other cars and took this one for a test drive, I knew this car I could drive day to day. I did get the S3 with all the bells and whistles though. I have been vey happy with this car for the past 7 years. Only complaint was hearing the road noise through this model. This car was good on gas and virtually maintenance free. On schedule changing oils and fluids. of course tires and brake pads periodic replacement needed. The S3 Mazda is a car to be driven not just to your destination but to be enjoyed on the way to your destination.
too many to list
I'll think of one, eventually. ...speed traps?
I've been driving little Mazdas since 1986, when I bought a new 4-door Mazda 323 for the wife. As time went by, and the kids got bigger, the time came for her to upgrade to a minivan. By then, I enjoyed driving "her car" so much I figured I'll just inherit that ride from her, and just sold mine. This became the first car to survive my tough driving (think x-country outback rally), and it didn't need a new clutch (it was stick) after my first 20,000 miles driving it. I drove it through 215,000 miles on the odometer. I got another little Mazda, and by then they were known as the "3". That replacement Mazda had to be automatic bcs I'd developed "clutch foot". Fast forward to my 2010 Mazda 3 and I got the pleasant surprise of the most amazing 6-speed automatic ever made, which allowed shifting without a clutch. By the time I got the 2018 model I'm driving now, it had all become second nature to me: we had become one, a modern-day centaur. My dealer wants to buy it back from me. Can't believe what Kelley Blue Book tells me it's worth. But, hell, she's part of the family now and there's no one on this Earth coming between us. <3 :)
Very well taking care of
It has a hole on the back area.
This Mazda is in good shape, has only 73000 miles, I bought it 2 years ago from a dealer in Steven Creek. I am selling the car because I am moviing out of the country, If I get an offer the potential buyer should knoow that the car would be ready for delivery by the end of March
Best of class small FWD car
Really none. It's a small car but comfortable.
Super fun to drive, flawless reliability, comfortable for 2 people and luggage even on long trips and 30+ MPG. Love this car. The 2.5 engine in sport mode with paddle shifters is great fun with good front wheel drive handling.