Mazda 3 Hatchback (2004 - 2008) 2.0 Sport (04/08-09/08) 5d Owner Review

This is the sport model that we have. 2.0 petrol, 5 door. It hasn't ever put a foot wrong, except the a/c not working, well it works but may need re-gassing. My partner drives it very unforgivably, it gets a hammering, inside and out. Up curbs, through rubbish, never cleaned, kids stuff all over. It really is abused. However, it never fails, it still looks pretty good and it is fast, much faster than the figures say on here. It definitely feels much more than 138lbs/ft of torque and 147bhp, and the power is accessed really low down the rev range. It is very quick off the mark, the traction control light is often flickering when pulling away quickly from junctions etc. It averages about 32mpg and that is purely urban driving, it never goes on the motorway, or if it does it is very rare. The handling is great, very taught, and everything in side is wearing very well, although it is very busy with all of the buttons on the dash. We seem to have got one that isn't showing any rust either, which is rare for a Mazda of this vintage. Yet, for £600 (no service history) we really cannot complain. In fact, I quite like it myself so am looking at another to use instead of my ageing Audi A4.