- hatchback 131,000
- Oklahoma City, OK
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- autoshopper.com
2008 mazda mazda3 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Sporty with worldly charm. introductionthe mazda3 is a true world car. It's space-efficient and exciting to drive like a european car. It's practical and economical like a japanese car. And like an american car, it's available with a surprising list of comfort and luxury features. the mazda 3, or mazda3, was developed on three continents, by various international subsidiaries of the ford motor company, which owns 33. 4 percent of mazda motor corporation. Volvo developed the mazda3's body. Ford itself contributed the suspension design and sophisticated electronics. This is a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features. There's nothing austere, basic or cheap about it. The seats are supportive and comfortable, good for long drives. sedan and hatchback versions look quite different. The five-door hatchback is like the high-fashion station wagons from european manufacturers, offering the practicality of the five-door configuration with an emphasis on a premium driving experience. The mazda3 is a good choice for drivers who have friends or lots of stuff: the sedan and hatchback excel at back-seat roominess when compared with the honda civic and other competition, and the hatchback excels at cargo space. there's a high-performance version called mazdaspeed3, motivated by 263 turbocharged horsepower. launched as a 2004 model, the mazda3 was extensively updated and upgraded for 2007, with a revised appearance inside and out. Reinforcements to the body shell improved overall chassis rigidity. Suspension damping was re-tuned to quicken steering response and reduce understeer. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist were made standard for all s-models and optional for the i-model. Traction control and stability control became available. And an auxiliary audio input with 12-volt power outlet made the mazda3 ipod-friendly. All-season 195/65hr15 tires mount on steel wheels. The 3s sport hatchback 17,925) is similarly equipped, but rolls on 205/50vr17 tires on 17-inch alloy rims. A long list of extras, including the cd changer 500) and sirius radio 430), can also be installed as dealer accessories. the mazdaspeed3 sport hatchback 22,430) comes with a 263-hp turbocharged 2. 3-liter inline-4, six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, sport seats, aluminum pedals, unique red-and-black cloth interior trim, and 215/45yr18 tires. The only significant factory option is the navigation/sirius package 1950), although again, dealer-installed accessories are available. safety features that come on all mazda3 models include front airbags, an energy-absorbing brake pedal, and a tire-pressure monitor. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist are standard on 3s, as are side airbags and head-protection curtain airbags. All of these features are offered as a package 395) on 3i models with air conditioning. The designers worked hard to give this car the kind of character that will set it apart from other compact cars, and the result is a surprisingly bold look. The whole front fascia is unique, and the rear taillights and chrome exhaust tips set it apart as well. Big 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels clearly identify this as a high-performance car. interiorwhen it comes to compact cars, the game is all about space efficiency. The mazda and the honda are close in front-seat room, with mazda providing a bit less leg room but a bit more width. In the rear seat, however, the mazda is significantly larger, most notably in leg room and shoulder room. The back of the rear seat doesn't quite fold flat, but it's close. Thanks to this design, the mazda3 five-door will accommodate 43. 8 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats when the second seat is folded down. the mazda3 seats themselves are supportive without being confining, and the use of high-quality foam in the bolsters makes them very comfortable during long drives. Every version of the mazda3 except for the entry-level sedan features a height adjuster for the driver's seat, and this works with the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel to enable a wide range of drivers to get a good fit with the controls. For 3s, a brushed aluminum surface lends some drama to the dashboard, as do red-orange electro-luminescent numerals with blue-tinted dials. Mazda 3i sedans feature wood trim for the dash and white-faced instruments. the mazda3 affords plenty of practical storage space, notably a cavernous glovebox. Two cupholders are integrated into the center console, while a small but deep box separates the seats. The navigation system's controls are located in the center console, however, and they're small and fussy enough (especially the joystick control) to be a chore to operate. But the mazda3 is one of the very few cars in this price class to offer a navigation system. the mazdaspeed3's interior has the same overall look as its siblings, but red.
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