I have owned 2 Mazda 3's. A 2004 (Auto) MaX Sport and a 2006 (Man) Max. Both cars have been excellent in performance, handling. The Interior and exterior both look great. Car has been very reliable and easy to service. Highly recommend, they are a popular car! It is great on fuel for getting around Sydney. Only problem i find is it revs quite high when doing 80plus on the highway.

I purchased a 2005 Mazda 3 SP23 in September and was pleasantly suprised. The car is quiet while running, has a great amount of pick up and go at the lights and is so smooth to drive. The interior is great, nice colours, durable seat coverings and the dash is well set out. For a hatch its also suprisingly roomy. This is the first Mazda I've owned and when I pass this one to my daughter next year I'll be buying a new one.

I purchased a 2005 model Mazda 3 neo few months back - with some 165000kms on it. Runs like a treat. I was tossing up between this and a Corolla - very happy with my choice! Daily commute to work is about 30 kilometers each way - have had no issues. My mechanic is very happy with the car too!

The build quality is great. The drive is satisfying for a quick spin or a long haul. Fuel economy is great. Ours is 7 years old now and it still feels fresh and new. Fold down the seats to move a desk or bikes. They got the body just right. It still looks modern.

My Mazda 3 Neo is a 2006 model, and it's starting to have some problems I'm getting flashing blue lights and alarm bells keep on going off all the time. The first time it happened was last Tuesday evening, then again today it happens again. I have booked the car in at Slaven Mazda to have it checked out. I hope that it isn't too serious, as my wife and kids and I have to go to the South Coast for 11 days in January, and we don't want it blowing a gasket on the way down, otherwise we wont have any car anymore. I think the Mazda Dearer in Phillip does pretty well at fixing problems on my car. I haven't had any real problems with them.

I had bought this car in 2007, excellent quality product. Apart from low milage, I'm happy with my purchase. This is a great brand and quality car.

Purchased this car few months ago with 120.000 Kms on the clock, beautiful presentation very clean and sporty look, 5 speed manual is a tight gear box but a pleasure, very responsive and quick off the mark, get about 450km out of a tank if driven careful, little pricey on fuel but no biggie, the speedo at night looks very fancy, comfy seats love driving it, reasonable size boot for size of car!!
Sporty look, quick when needed, pleasure to drive, very comforting
FWD is a bit crazy in the wet, slight grind going into 3rd from 4th, radiator hose came off recently will driving simple fix, really needs a boot catch

Mazda 3 SP23, is the best car I have ever owned. It so well balanced and is absolutely a delight to drive. This car handles all types of circumstances with ease. Economy is reasonable. Climate control airconditioning is much more comfortable. For a small car, there is a reasonable amount of room and the boot is generous. Easy to look after.
Steering, engine, brakes and suspension.
Only tyre noise but with Kumho Tyres has reduced.

Bought car new in 2007. Done 150,000km of city driving and done nothing but change the oil. Still has original battery and brakes. Serviced at Mazda for 3 years and now ultra tune to save a few dollars. Upholstery is still like new even with 3 kids climbing in and out each day for school trips and sport runs. Wife loves it and won't let me upgrade. Will just drive it until it's worn out which looks like being years away.
Sporty looks with 18" wheels. Reliability.
Seats are a bit firm.

Brought my Auto Mazda 3 Neo new in 2007. Done 60k so far without any problems what so ever. Haven't replaced anything including the battery. Good quality small to medium car with a reasonable fuel consumption of around 8.1 including city driving. Have owned many other similar size cars but this one is the best.
Very reliable and typical Mazda quality.
Air conditioner could be a little cooler when the cabin is hot.

I bought my 2004 Mazda 3 SP23 sedan with 88K Kms on the clock and they look & feel great. I have owned it for 3 years now and can say above all they are reliable. Fuel efficiency is also very good at 9L/100km.
If you are not sure about buying one don't be too hesitant as this car will serve you well.
Reliable, Sleek appearance, fuel efficient, comfort.
Not much...protect your dashboard in the sun during summer, it will crack.

Couldn't think of a better small car for around town or medium to long trips overall comfort and smooth car to drive.
I love how the car looks, drives, inside comfort of the car, neat looking dash board the red dash lights, stereo is great. Over all a great small car.
The horn could be a bit beefier its a little dinky sounding.

If you have plenty of money and don't mind spending $4k to fix it then the Mazda is fantastic. I want Mazda to come to the party and tell me the truth about this problem.
Up until three weeks ago I loved my Mazda SP23 but for no reason the engine has died and it is going to cost me $4,000.00 to replace it. I have serviced it regularly and I drive it carefully - no hooning, but when I rang Mazda they said this can be caused by not servicing, the wrong engine oil. Excuses, excuses. I want to know it anyone else has had this problem!
The engine in my car died about 3 weeks ago and Mazda take absolutely no responsibility. 120k on the clock and due for its next services in 3k. Go figure.

I bought my Mazda 3 Neo in 2005, The first new car i have owned in many years. Since then it has been a regular little workhorse. Little? Not suited if you have a son 6'3", but Dad is 6'4" and I have no problem with driving room. In the time I have had te car It has travelled 172,000 klms hassle free, the only cost has been regular service (goes without saying) a new battery and relacement rear pads and rotors, the front brakes are not yet 50% worn. When and If I buy another can, It will be a Mazda.
Very reliable, constantly get 7 to 7.5 lts/100 klms

A nice car to drive. No rattles. Good power and handling. However car is now 5 years old and has crack in the dash. This commonly occurs on the 2004-2007 models. Internet research shows Mazda are aware of the problem and acknowledge a design fault but are generally only repairing cars that are under warranty. If you are buying second hand beware of this issue as it is very expensive to repair and likely to develop if not there already. Servicing charges are also high and occur every 6 months.
Nice car to drive. Good power and handling.
Dashboards can develop cracks. Servicing and parts are expensive.

My Mazda 3 Maxx is a fantastic drive - smooth, relatively quiet (quieter than the 2005 model, which my husband drives) great handling and reasonable fuel economy. There's enough space for both my kids in their carseats (one rear-facing), boot is very roomy and fits a large pram with no problems, in addition to other items.
Reliable, great handling, good acceleration, smooth ride, responsive, great boot space for a smaller car, reasonable fuel economy, good sound system, excellent cruise control (best I've ever used) useful steering wheel controls (radio & cruise control) good storage compartments.
Not much to criticize - somewhat expensive servicing.