I just traded in my Mazda 3 neo after having this car for 4 years. I had travelled approx 85,000 kms at trade in. I was the first owner, bought it from new and always maintained dealership servicing. This car was initially great, but its poorly made. The reasons for getting rid of it outweighed the reasons for keeping it. The headlights and reverse lights (at night) are woeful, particularly on low beam in poorly lit areas or country driving. I was not able to see anything. Candles would have been more efficient than low beam. The auto trans w...Read more

This was my very first car - brand new in 2009. I had seen these around and wanted one for a long time. I adored it at first and 5 years on, I still do but I'm not looking through rose-coloured glasses anymore. It's not perfect. For one, I was crazy to spend the amount I did and get a 4-star car where the most luxurious feature is power windows. My model was the last batch before they added on things like bluetooth, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, 6 air bags, ESC, etc.

It also seems very low to the ground and I scrape the fron...Read more

I have a MY2012 Mazda 3 Neo purchased new to replace my old runabout which was consigned to car heaven. During the test drive, I was impressed that the Neo was so zippy and had relatively good handling so I bought the car. My first impressions after taking delivery was that the car was lethargic and nowhere near the zippy car that I tested and I was questioning if I had actually tested an Sp25 or the test car was re-tuned. At the first service, I was told perhaps it was the cheap fuel, tyres and engine not wearing-in which would play a part....Read more

Purchase my Mazda 3 Neo hatchback March 2012 after a previous vehicle was written off.

I shopped around for about three weeks test driving until I couldn't test drive another car. The Mazda represented great value compared to the competition. Since I have owned the Mazda, the following have been addressed at my local dealership (John Newell Mazda, Alexandria Sydney).

- issues with the Bluetooth audio streaming function. Vehicle returned three times, they finally replaced module.

- left side speakers would not work when making or receiving a phone call. Issue rectified.

- drivers sun visor replaced and plastic was bubbling.
...Read more

Prior to my Mazda 3 SP25 I had the previous model Mazda 3 SP23. The SP23 was faultless. I kept it for three years and was magnificent. Prior to that I had a VW Golf - I wanted reliability and something enjoyable to drive. Golfs great to drive but unreliable (gearbox, electrics - you name it). The Mazda 3 on the other hand is very reliable, I think they are pretty bullet proof. I traded up to the newer model SP25 18 months ago and this car is a step up in terms of smoothness on the road, comfort (the leather seats are to die for) and the BOSE so...Read more

I bought my late 2010 model Mazda 3 Neo Hatch early 2011 brand new from the dealer. This was my first new car so I wanted to make sure it was a good buy which it was! Since then we have started a family and the Mazda 3 is perfect for the three of us. Small enough for my partner to feel confident driving and parking around the city and big enough for us to drive up to Queensland three times in the last year. The cruise control is a great option for long road trips and is a plus having it standard in the manual range which I prefer and havent see...Read more

Purchased this car new in early 2010 at Mazda dealer as replacement for 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES.
Split decision between this and fully optioned Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire which was other vehicle under consideration at time of purchase.

Options selected: 2.5ltr engine, Aluminium paint, Sunroof, Tinted windows, Bose premium sound system, Tiptronic style auto with paddles on steering wheel, Leather seats & Trim, Cruise control, Custom floor mats and boot protection tray, Alloy rims. Paint, interior protection by Wax Guard.
The car is a joy ...Read more

Bought a new 2011 Neo 6 spd - mainly for work purposes. 48,000k in first year economy has averaged 7.9l/100k and definitely has zoom zoom, particularly brakes & turn-in to curves/corners. Gearbox is rubbish, very weak to non existent synchro on 2nd gear, clutch has wide takeup & engine 'hangs' onto revs too long leading to very lurchy forward progress in heavy traffic. Just got word from my mechanic that at the 50,000k service the clunking sound I've been hearing on gear changes is a shot engine mount, I wonder what the dealer will say about ...Read more

We've been a Mazda family for years, firstly owning a little "jellybean" 121, then a used 1997 626 which we still have, then our son bought a new Mazda 2 Neo and our daughter followed the trend with her cute bright green Mazda 2 Neo, so when we bought a 2010 Mazda 3 Neo hatch brand new we were sure we'd made the right decision. From driving out of the dealership until now, it's behaved brilliantly. It's spacious inside and has plenty of head room and in the back it has enough space for anything we've had to carry in it. With the seats down, it'...Read more

I bought my 2009 mazda 3 (newer shape) second hand with 25 thousand kms on it - its very nice inside and drives very smoothly but i spent alot on a car because i commute and drive 200kms a day so wanted something reliable and not high maintenance. a few months in and the car was revving very low and jolting quite sharp when accelerating. took it to a mazda dealer to find that the transmission mount was faulty - so luckily that was fixed under warranty. and now just recenetly its shuttering a lot when taking off and accelerating gently. took it ...Read more

I have a 2009 mazda3 2.0 diesel; I have just being advised that this car has a DPF in the exhaust, and that I MUST have the computer reset at every oil change(only at Mazda dealers mind you); also if the light flashes I must take it again to a dealer; I mean ;what the hell! ; So for the life of the car its must be serviced every 10K at a dealer; surely this is not correct. I bought this car to do big K's economically;

Now the good bit!

The light is flashing "DPF" so away to dealer; no I am told this DPF has "woofed its cookies" and tha...Read more