Mazda 3 Saloon (2004-)

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  • Economy

    Value

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Excellent value for all of the kit that you get on the sport trim - shame the earlier models did not have the Bose system.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Fixed priced servicing is reasonable and I am averaging 35mpg which is great for a 2litre car.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Good driving position, agile chassis, easy to place where you want it on the road, good grip in the dry and can be flung about quite happily without ending up in the hedgerow!

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Can be quick if revved hard and kept in the lower gears. Also very easy to drive slowly too.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Had a couple of problems which have been sorted under warranty.

    Image

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Saloons are not normally UK's favourite choice but I think this looks better than the hatch.

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Fairly stiff suspension at low speeds but gets better at speed but that is expected of a sport trim model, fairly quiet and refined at low speeds but can be noisier at higher speeds. Seats supportive over a long period too.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Full Thatcham Cat 1 alarm - but having tested it, it sounds rather feeble!

    Service

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Service has been excellent - nothing has been too much trouble.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Other

    Electrical fault with self levelling xenon lights, annoying clonking noise going round corners which has been explained at being the stability system working, rattle from speakers.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes