USED Mazda 3 Hatchback (04 - 09)

My car

It's slightly difficult to judge for parking through the rear window.

The 1600 engine is very good, with quick acceteration in lower gears.

It's very comfy in front with plenty of space for rear passengers.

The boot slightly narrower than expected but very spacious compared with other cars of a similar size.

My car

I bought my blue Mazda 3 Sport last September. It replaced my 1.8 Nissan Almera Sport which I liked a lot.

The Mazda is streets ahead. The styling, build quality, fully adjustable driving position, superbly designed intererior, excellent seats, (although the new Citroen C1's seats are even better!), all make for a wonderful driving experience. I love the extensive kit, the very lively engine, the climate control, and so on and so on!

Everyone says my 2.0 litre is not so economical - they're right! Luckily my children have grown up, my house is paid for, (and so is the Mazda), and my pension is good - so I can afford to subsidise the flowing power and lovely acceleration.

What don't I like? Erm ... the gear lever is a bit far over to the left, (to make room for extra switches which I don't have). Also, as the rear number plate is set low down I've had to buy a detachable ball towbar to fit my cycle carrier onto - and they're much dearer than a fixed towball - but so much neater! Not towing or using cycle carrier? Take towball off - look no towbar visible at all.

What else? Well I woudn't have minded having the side luggage nets in the boot that the Almera had to stop odd bottles rolling about, but against that, the Mazda has a fitted tray under the boot floor. Why did I only give it 4 stars for

"What's it like to drive?"? Well I reckon I could have paid 3 or 4 thousand more and got a better drive!

My car

I have had a Winning Blue TS2 for over a year now. I Love the car, my mates love the car, my wife loves the car, my 2-year-old son loves the car and always wants to be in it and my sister loved the car so much she went out and bought one.

The only problem I have is the dealer - the service department don't seem to want to know!!!!!

Apart from that I would buy another, but with it being Japanese it will probably last forever and I will never have to change it.

Thanks Mazda for a great car!

My car

The car is well built, fun to drive, and reasonably priced. There is alot of road noise at low speed, though. The 1.4 model is very sluggish, probably due to the fact the car is heavy compared to the power delivered from the engine. On the whole, a good car.