Mazda 3 Saloon 2.0 Sport 4d (2004/54) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
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
Fixed priced servicing is reasonable and I am averaging 35mpg which is great for a 2litre car.
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On the road
Driving
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
Can be quick if revved hard and kept in the lower gears. Also very easy to drive slowly too.
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Living with it
Reliability
Had a couple of problems which have been sorted under warranty.
Image
Saloons are not normally UK's favourite choice but I think this looks better than the hatch.
Comfort
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.
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Security and Service
Security
Full Thatcham Cat 1 alarm - but having tested it, it sounds rather feeble!
Service
Service has been excellent - nothing has been too much trouble.
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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