2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Consumer Reviews

Fun Daily Driver.

Written by: Luv2drive on 08/03/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have an '06 with a 2.3L engine and manual transmission, and it is one solid, sporty little car. Its interior and exterior styling are, without a doubt, the best in its class. Everyone who rides in it comments about the cool interior. It's way more fun to drive than its price tag might suggest, especially with the manual transmission. The engine is responsive and rev-happy, the steering is precise, and the suspension tears up corners like a sports car. The only reliability issues I've had were minor annoyances related to my own modifications. This is probably the most exciting car you can buy for under $20,000... and it still gets 26/31 mpg!

Favorite Features

Suspension, balance, shifter, overall driving feel, interior styling, exterior styling. The Mazda3 makes its presence known at all times.

Suggested Improvements

A chassis this stiff and balanced simply begs for more power, so if you've got the money, buy a Mazdaspeed3 or a turbo kit and an LSD.

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Quick, cool, and great mileage.

Written by: Mazda Lover on 07/17/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have 34k miles on the car and have not had one problem yet. The car continues to have the same acceleration as the day I bought it (2.3L). The comfort is amazing for a large adult who is 6'4'' tall. I have family members who are taller and enjoy driving it. The suspension is sporty and responsive. I drive on the highway most of the time and get 32-34 mpg. The look of the car is amazing!!

Favorite Features

The sporty suspension and acceleration. The trunk has shocks that hold it open, giving tons more space. Love the stereo controls on the steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

An iPod hookup, which is now available on the newer models. The stock sport tires wear out quick at about 25k, but those can be easily replaced.

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07 Mazda 3

Written by: MAzda3 on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car is great. The paint is terrible. It chips and scratches too easy (my purse chipped my paint). The interior sucks. The floor mats are cheap, the plastic door panels are poorly made, scratch way too easy and the plastic piece around the gear shift, well the silver paint is coming off of that from the heat. So yes I like this car, it runs great but the quality of the interior and the paint is very poor. Although I do like the car I would not buy it brand new again. Go for the used it's not worth as much as it costs. Depreciation on this car is terrible.

Favorite Features

Driving my baby. The car is pretty to look at and drive. They just need to make durability and looks on the same level.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage. Paint. Door panels - actually all the plastic inside stinks. It needs to be a little more durable. Better quality carpet. Paper thin carpet doesn't do me any good.

3 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Zoom - Zoom!

Written by: C. Cox on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Excellent vehicle. Well built, reasonable room for four adults, reliable, economical, very responsive steering and excellent acceleration in a four cylinder auto (2.3L). Just plain fun to drive. Will buy another if it's possible to wear out this one. Zoom-Zoom!

Favorite Features

Smooth ride. Well placed controls.

Suggested Improvements

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Excellent overall

Written by: guinzuz on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The fit an finish on the car is outstanding. Both exterior and interior styling are top-notch. Car is sporty to drive even with the smaller 2.0. Very practical and reliable. Driving position is very comfortable. Visibility is excellent. I would highly recommend this car.

Favorite Features

Interior fit and finish, handling, gearbox, massive glove compartment, visibility, reliability, styling

Suggested Improvements

Just minor things. No aux in, no rear center armrest, trip/fuel economy computer, no trunk release on key fob, trunk is on the small side, fuel economy slightly lower than expected (23 city, 28 mixed) for the 2.0 with 5 speed, stock tires are low quality.

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Ford Engine

Written by: Bernie on 05/21/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

With 12000 miles on our new Mazda, the engine locked up which sent us on a one month "Mazda doesn't want to sell us another car" misery. We found out that Ford builds the engine for our car. We also learned that the problem our car was having was a mystery for Mazda and Mazda engineering would direct our dealer as to what to do next and when. After one month of experimenting with our car and several threats from us that we would not accept the car unless the engine were replaced, Mazda replaced the head and gave us a 100000 mile engine/drive train warranty. If Mazda had been concerned about keeping us happy customers, they woulds have replaced the engine and had our car back to us in a week.

Favorite Features

The car is responsive and fun to drive. The red is really nice.

Suggested Improvements

We get around 29 mpg on the highway- 34 never. The seats become really uncomfortable after you have been sitting for an hour. The rear seats have no adjustment and are in a semi- reclining position which becomes very uncomfortable on a long trip. Also, the rear seat belts are very uncomfortable

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Amazing

Written by: Chelsea on 05/16/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have been in love the mazda 3 for years. So when I had my son, I decided to get rid of my trusty toyota pickup and buy an 06 mazda 3. I must say I am simple amazed still to this day 3 months later, It drives perfect, looks perfect, I just love this car, oh and the fuel economy is wonderful! I live in phoenix and go to LA quite often and I don't even have to fill up once - that's over 400 miles on one tank of gas... AWESOME!

Favorite Features

Everything, mostly how quickly it responds

Suggested Improvements

None

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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An excellent car that's fun to drive...

Written by: natas74 on 05/15/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My 06 Mazda3 GT 5 door has almost 40k miles on it and it's been a great car so far! I read the consumer reviews before purchasing and researched it well. I really enjoy driving this car, it's very responsive and fun to drive. With all the features, I feel it's an excellent value. When folding down the backseat, you get a good amount of cargo room. With the backseat up, you can comfortably seat 4-5 in the car. Overall, the car has a sporty look/handling, but is also a safe family car.

Favorite Features

Xenon headlights. Seat warmers. Handling. Performance/torque. Gas mileage. Tire pressure sensor. Auto wipers. Side impact airbags.

Suggested Improvements

Carpet is thin with cheap quality. iPod plug-in missing with the Bose system. 18" inch rims preferred (like Mazdaspeed3's).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Amazing.

Written by: jason on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Ever since I first saw the Mazda3 I knew I had to have one. So I went about my goal. I had just graduated high school and had saved enough $ for a down payment, so I got the one I wanted. Car is INCREDIBLE. I love everything about it. Looks great, drives great, runs great. Best of all, it has been incredibly reliable - almost 29k miles and NO problems whatsoever. I've had the car for almost 2 years now and can safely say I recommend it to anyone looking for a world-class car at a great price.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy is decent, averaging 28 with mixed driving conditions.

Suggested Improvements

None!

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Mazda3 5 door

Written by: fox on 04/21/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 s Touring 4dr Wagon (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car has had zero problems in 50K miles. It is fun to drive and not a mushmobile like the competition. Great performance for the price! Smooth and quiet engine with a wide torque band. Standard transmission shifts great, precise and easy.

Favorite Features

Real full sized disc brakes on all four was a big selling feature, also the 17" alloy wheels standard.

Suggested Improvements

The center console hits my elbow and the sharp edge of the dash hurts the side of your leg on a long trip. Noisy wheels and suspension with stiff ride but worth it in handling.

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