Cons of the Mazda3

[b3GS]

I only have two complaints thus far after 15,000kms

1. expected better gas mileage
2. A/C is WEAK!!!!! almost useless, I've never experienced any other car with such a weak system

[wantboost]

Here too poor gas mileage!!!

But a/c is cold on mine.

[Bean]

I filled up the car today. It said 650 KM left, Drove 70 KM and it still says 650 KM

Getting close to 34,000 KM on my 2007 GS

[Terrible3]

I filled up the car today. It said 650 KM left, Drove 70 KM and it still says 650 KM

Getting close to 34,000 KM on my 2007 GS

The millage left in your tank is based of the algorithm that determines your average fuel millage. If your car tells you at first you have X KM left, that value can change based on your driving. With that being said I don't think that my millage is too bad. I am getting roughly 630-650 from a tank (mainly town and city driving, no highway). How you drive your car will drastically change your gas millage.

[06Touring3]

my only con with my 3 so far (74,000km)....

STOCK TOYO PROXIES ARE THE WORST SET OF TIRES EVER CREATED!!!

They barely had traction even when they HAD tread...

But i just put on a set of Kumho Ecsta ASX's on wednesday.....beautiful and i don't feel as if my life is in danger driving in the rain (got to test them out in the storm last nite)

A/C could be cooler i guess, but i almost never use it anyway so it's not a big issue

[LockOut]

My biggest con with the MZ3 is that it only has 5 gears... I mean, when you're going 110km/h on the highway and revving at 3000 rpm... That's not right. That's where all the gas is going...

[Bean]

The stupid plastic thing where the clock and fuel display is is squeaking and driving me NUTS. I want to rip it off sometimes.

[TheProfessor]

My wife and I recently sold her MZ3 after about three years of ownership during which time we put on 32,000km. I have to say that during this time, the MZ3 was such a fantastic car. I'm really trying to find fault with it but I just can't.

Our only 'issues' with the car were the lack of certain luxury features that this is an economy car after all and it would be unfair to expect such features at this price range.

During our ownership we did not have a single problem with the car. No undue rattles, no warranty repairs, no nothing. It was just a super dependable, fun to drive, well built car at a fair price.

[KenYork]

The stupid plastic thing where the clock and fuel display is is squeaking and driving me NUTS. I want to rip it off sometimes.

Maybe you could try taking it apart and finding the cause.. or if you're at a meet someone can check it out for you. The front dash assembly is quite simple.

[silvermist99]

These are comments about a stock MS3, they are not in order:

1. poor visibility of the rear/side of the car. I am not short and I find it diffcult to see whats around the back of the car.

2. SUV like turning radius (ms3), I find my dad's honda odyssey easier to do u-turns due to the lack of visbility and big turning circle. Try doing a u-turn in a tight parking lot in a gti or si, by the time you're done and gone the ms3 will still be in reverse and the driver making sure there are no poles around the car.

3. the trunk is tiny for how long the car is. Check out the VW GTI, its is over 10 inch shorter and the trunk is just as big if not bigger. Where did the space go?

4. understeer heavily at the limit. Not as netural as civic si/mini cooper, other fwd cars. **This is good for some people because the car is very predictable at the limit... I personally don't like it.

5. Stiff ride, civic si is far softer but every bit as nimble as MS3, not sure why mazda made the ride so unnecessary stiff.

6. notchy tranny which at times feels like its disconnected from the car, the tranny also grinds easily.

7. the on/off clutch is annoying when not racing(to most that is 99.999999% of the time)

8. Front fenders are too small. I rub the STOCK wheel cornering hard at times in auto-x and i've done it a few times on the street also.

9. It needs a twin scroll turbocharger! there is lag down low.

10. exterior styling of mazdaspeed 3. It is quite hard to distingush a Mazdaspeed3 & a regular 07+ 3 other then the grille. People that can tell difference between impreza & sti etc have a hard time w/ ms3 & mz3 They look too similar. The fenders should be flared out, rise the hood more, dual exhaust etc.

11. Engine/exhaust note inside the car. Its so mono-tone inside the car and all it does is drone after a while. Can't hear the engine at all stock. On the outside the exhaust do sound good! But where is the engine noise?

12. The bose stereo blows.

Thats all I can think of, other then these flaws I have hundreds of things I love about the car which is why I bought it.

[Bean]

Maybe you could try taking it apart and finding the cause.. or if you're at a meet someone can check it out for you. The front dash assembly is quite simple.

Meet eh?? Hmm. I might just have to check that out. Is there one coming up in the Newmarket area anytime soon?

[Soyabean]

i find the fan is really weak. A/C is weak too but i think its cuz the fan doesnt have much power to blow the air out. I have to put it to 3 to get a decent amount of air coming out and 4 is too loud

[Bean]

lately, I have noticed the radio reception is bad. It never used to be.

[x_o_k_x]

lately, I have noticed the radio reception is bad. It never used to be.

yeah whats up with that? I went to Toronto a month ago and tried to listen z103 and all i heard was static and some music in background. It was horrible.

[_3G]

ac is weak

[Canadian GP]

Great thread for someone doing new car research.......thanks.

[ziegs2020]

No mp3 capability.

[alhope34]

A lot of models have MP3 capability.

[omalak]

12,000 km so far on my 2008.5 GS Sedan..

Con

1. NO TRUNK RELEASE!!! didn't think it was a big deal... but when loading groceries you realize how much you need it!

2. Would have like a 5 speed auto on a GS model (not really a con, just a GS issue)

3. Stock tires suck, i hate the 16 inch wheels.. older models had much nicer wheels.

4. No factory alarm system was offered on the GS! (like the GT has)

5. No auto headlight shut off if you leave your lights on ( assuming you dont use the auto feature)

6, With winter here, i hear a few noises while going over bumps ( i think it may be the dash/cowl rattle issue, but need to get it checked)

I think that's it.. very minor issues.. I love my car.. and i would never trade it up for a corolla or a civic.. it's sporty, good on gas ( i get about 650km highway on a tank), it handles well, and it looks great on the inside!

Love it

[wantboost]

I only get 480k highway on my 2.3 before the light goes on, is this normall??

[Thrizzl3]

id say it is..i only get 420 cuz its cold and i have stuff in my trunk..if my car is empty i get 475-520 kms a tank

[wantboost]

this was summer too i was getting that. Kinda low isnt it for the engine size/highway

[Malcolm991]

I get 530-570 city on a full tank and I have done 650 highway but I haven't done a road trip in a while. I wish the car had traction control!

[wantboost]

I get 530-570 city on a full tank and I have done 650 highway but I haven't done a road trip in a while. I wish the car had traction control!

what motor?

[Terrible3]

With the gas prices being so low, am I the only one with their mileage getting worse? Since the gas is cheaper I am subconsciously driving more spirited and am seeing a drop from 570km to 490-500km a tank. Why does it have to be so much more fun to shift at 4k than 2k? Now that I have noticed the big difference I have cut back a little and the mileage has improved slightly.