2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

Best car for the buck!

Written by: lucaspl88 on 06/06/2008

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I recently bought a mazda 3 hatchback with manual transmission. It was a used car, and the only words that came out of my mouth when I drove it for the first time were OH WOW!! Car is incredibly fun to drive, great gas mileage, and it also looks great. Great torque, no need to down-shift when passing someone up on the expressway. Great car, fits all my friends, and the most important, fits my personality.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage, I get around 28-30 in the city, and around 34-37 on the highway, and its still a 2.3L. Really comfortable, great looks, and really practical with a lot of trunk space.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe slightly more power :)... cant afford mazdaspeed yet :)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome car

Written by: Frank Rizzo on 03/23/2008

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I just love this car. It is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. And I have owned quite a few cars over the last few years. This car is very reliable and a pleasure to drive. I drive about 100 miles a day and when I get out of work it is a pleasure to drive 50 miles to get home. This car also handles great, last weekend I got off an exit ramp with a speed limit of 40 mph while going close to 100 mph, unreal handling, sure my wife's hair was standing on end and the three kids were screaming in the back seat, but what fun. Great car, highly recommended.

Favorite Features

Love the way the 4dr wagon looks.

Suggested Improvements

Don't change a thing.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Mazda3 for me

Written by: travisthomas on 01/15/2008

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

In March I will have had this car for 4 years. To this date the only complaint I have is the cloth interior tends to fray with use. The carpet as well could be a little more durable. A driver's foot rest would be nice. Typically after 2 years I tend to get tired of a car. But after four years I am still in love with this car. Mazda has a winner with this car. In this time of high gas prices it is nice to find a car that looks great, fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. My 5 speed tends to get 38 to 40 mpg on the highway and 33 to 35 mpg in the city which is full of stops and goes.

Favorite Features

Volume controls on the steering wheel. Side blinker lights. Sporty styling

Suggested Improvements

Mure durable carpet and seat fabric

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Nice car

Written by: john bell on 10/30/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought a 2004 Mazda 3 hatch new in December of '04 . I was impressed by the way it looks and the way it grabs the road. Good engine, good brakes, great stereo system and enough room for 4 adults. A few things that made it un-perfect : the transmission had to be replaced (under warranty ) after only 2000 miles and the fuel economy was nowhere near the stated. I was getting only about 17 city/ 22 highway. The dealer said there is nothing wrong with the car, it's the way i drive. A great car for the money, a real "pocket rocket" as they say.

Favorite Features

Leather, sunroof, 6 CD changer, body style.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy!!

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Redefining the Economy Car

Written by: takeaphoto on 10/21/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After close to two years on the car hunt, I finally settled upon purchasing a used Mazda3. I discovered a great deal on a five-door model about 200 miles from home and had to get it. I love everything about my Mazda3 hatchback. It has a remarkably sleek look that doesn't appear to busy in styling. The five-door model has plenty of room for all my tennis gear, as well as my friends and their stuff. The interior is very well designed and ergonomic. The glove box and console are very useful in terms of storage and convenience. The 17" alloy wheels look incredible, and I can't help but wonder how anybody could choose another economy car. It is fun to drive and quite reliable. Great mpg, too!

Favorite Features

Alloy wheels, steering wheel controls for audio, tinted windows, storage compartments in the cargo area, great interior, supportive seats, fun to drive, good gas mileage, great value.

Suggested Improvements

Easier aftermarket stereo installation.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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So much fun to drive

Written by: jim foehner on 08/19/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I never dreamed that a 4 cylinder car could combine great gas mileage and power. In town handling is superb and it's so easy to maneuver through city traffic. Since I live in a small town, most of my driving is on the highways and back roads which is so much fun. Before you know it, I'm hitting 80 mph. You don't feel the speed like most other small cars. I've taken 1500 mile trips out to New Mexico and the comfort level is outstanding. It just glides along the road and I don't get the least bit tired or stiff between fuel stops. Oh, I've owned 47 autos and the Mazda3 is in the top 3 of my favorite cars. The other two were a 1956 Chevy and 1965 Mustang - cars of my youth.

Favorite Features

1. Comfort on long trips and road handling 2. Gas mileage: 25 town and 31 highway 3. Very dependable 4. Maintenance free after 31000 miles 5. Interior and exterior styling.

Suggested Improvements

Since I live in the hot Southwest I'd like to see lighter interior colors offered. Black just soaks up too much heat in the summer.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Zoom-Zoom!!! No regrets

Written by: Alex on 08/13/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought mine in September 2004. Put 50000 miles on it -no problems!! Just changed oil and brake pads. I live in Colorado and go up in the mountains a lot. This car amazed me with its peppy engine and fast down shifting when going uphills. My wife chose the car - I was kinda reluctant first but after driving, I fell in love. Man, I love Mazda! Looking to buy manual 2.3S hatchback model for myself now :).

Favorite Features

Responsive transmission, sporty handling, built quality.

Suggested Improvements

Rear leg room, cloth interior coming off doors.

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Awesome Car

Written by: Jeremy on 06/24/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car in 2004 and have not been disappointed at all. I average 30 mpg city/highway and when I am doing only highway driving I easily get 33 mpg at 75 mph. The steering on the car is great and it will take corners faster than most cars. I took a 45 mph curve at 90 mph and didn't spin out. The braking distance and power of the car is amazing. You barely have to hit the brake pedal for the brakes to engage and going on to different cars feels like you have to stand on the brakes in those other cars. Overall this is an excellent car and I would recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great Value

Written by: Dan on 06/03/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've driven this car from RI to California and back, then from RI to Florida and back twice. I've logged lots of miles, and the reliability and ease of maintenance is awesome.

Favorite Features

Durability, body integrity, timing chain instead of belt, seating space and design.

Suggested Improvements

Trunk width, it is not easy to fit a set of golf clubs, never mind two.

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Worth it

Written by: vimalxxx on 05/05/2007

Vehicle

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 s 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Overall a really nice car. Had a few problems at the start like dusty back brakes. ECU had to be reflashed twice and thermosat went bad but the dealership took care of it. A-

Favorite Features

Dash panel.

Suggested Improvements

Changing the oil filter is difficult and the light switch is too soft. Rear hatch needs a remote opening.

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