Mazda 3 is a fairly popular car in Russia. Some love him for his attractive appearance, while others value reliability. This car has become a bestseller due to several factors. Japanese engineers managed to create an inexpensive car with a modern and sporty design, as well as a reliable engine. According to reviews, the Mazda 3 is an inexpensive car to maintain. Should I buy this car? The features of the "troika" and technical characteristics will be considered in our article.
Appearance
The design of the car is recognized as one of the most successful in the class. According to reviews, Mazda 3 is great for both boys and girls. The main body colors are red, white, black and blue. In any of them, the car looks bright and attractive. Even now, after years, many people pay attention to this car. Tuning "Mazda 3" is also popular. Often, owners install wider and larger wheels on low-profile rubber, as well as various plastic body kits. Such a car has a sporty and aggressive look.
What are the problems on the body of this model? According to the reviews of the owners, Mazda 3 has low-quality glass on the headlights. They fade over time. Polishing is only a temporary solution to the problem. There are also questions about the taillights. They accumulate moisture inside. Because of this, some bulbs may burn out and not shine.
Now about corrosion. As noted by owners, “Mazda 3” has the following problem areas. This is the bottom of the doors and the boot lid, as well as the rear wheel arches and front fenders. This is especially true for pre-styling versions. It is important to remember that many models have already been in traffic accidents. And not every one of them was restored by technology. Often there are models where dents were straightened with a thick layer of putty. Because of this, cracks and other defects appear on the paint over time. There are also “shaded” specimens that were pulled on a slipway. It is worth giving up buying such cars. After all, the metal on the side members has already “played” on collapse and is unlikely to absorb a part of the energy upon a second impact.
As for the paintwork on the Mazda 3, reviews say that paint can swell over the years. This is especially true for arches and sills.
Sizes, clearance
Despite its compact size, this car has quite serious dimensions. So, in the hatchback body, this car has a length of 4.46 meters. The sedan is a little longer - 4.58 meters. The width and height of these cars is the same and is 1.75 and 1.47 meters, respectively. But even with such dimensions, driving a car in tight streets is easy. At the wheel you quickly get used to the dimensions - say the reviews.
But as for clearance, it is frankly small. On standard 16-inch wheels, the ground clearance is 15 centimeters. In the summer, driving with such clearance is still bearable, but in the winter you often have to shuffle the bottom - say the reviews. It is also worth remembering that when installing aerodynamic weather-cloths this clearance decreases to 12-13 centimeters.
Salon
The interior design is arranged very successfully. Inside, the Mazda resembles a sports car - a compact three-spoke steering wheel and a dashboard with three "wells" and red lights will not leave anyone indifferent. Even now, the interior does not look outdated or dull. On the center console there is a small glove box. Conveniently located alarm button, as well as the climate control unit. But the handbrake is shifted towards the passenger. The seats in the Mazda are fabric, but with good lateral support. As a decorative finish, plastic is used, stylized in chrome and aluminum. According to reviews, the Mazda 3 has good visibility. No less informative here and side mirrors. They are adjustable with a button and equipped with electric heating.
The back of the sofa is designed for three people. A headrest is provided for each. The seats have minimal lateral support. Among the disadvantages - too close a distance between the front and rear row. Therefore, rear passengers will lack space in the knee area. In the central seat there is a folding armrest. Behind it is a hatch for skis and other long lengths.
Among the significant deficiencies in the interior in the Mazda 3 1.6 reviews note the low quality of the plastic. He is tough enough and begins to creak over the years. Also, plastic rattles on the bumps. Poor insulation in the area of wheel arches. Squeaks mainly occur in two places. This is the center of the torpedo and the area near the rear window. Usually these sounds appear in extreme heat or in frost. To provide at least some kind of acoustic comfort, the owners make additional sound insulation. If you do it yourself, this revision will cost about 8 thousand rubles. However, to achieve maximum silence, you will have to paste over the floor - for this you need to almost completely disassemble the interior.
Trunk
The size of the trunk is different depending on the bodywork. If we consider the sedan, then the volume is always stable - 420 liters. The rear seatbacks do not add up - you have to be content only with a ski hatch. As for the five-door sedan, its trunk is designed for an even smaller volume - 314 liters. But it can be expanded by folding the backs of the rear seats. As a result, the volume increases to 1228 liters. Since most owners of such cars are people under 30 years old, you can often see a subwoofer in the trunk. He hides a significant amount of space in the trunk, so in order to enjoy the music to the full, you have to sacrifice volume.
Among the pitfalls, it is worth noting such a problem as the water in the trunk. It accumulates inside even after light rain. Owners recommend sealing off those areas where wiring passes into the body. Otherwise, moisture gets oxidized. This wiring can be found behind the boot lining, on the left side.
Specifications
Two main motors were supplied to Russia. Both petrol, 16-valve, without turbine. So, the base engine is 1.6 liters. With its volume, it develops 105 horsepower. In the top trim levels, a two-liter gasoline engine with 150 horsepower was provided.
What do they say about the engine 1.6 "Mazda 3" reviews? The owners note that you should not expect any profitability from this motor. Since this engine is equipped with an old 4-speed automatic transmission, the flow rate can reach 14 liters. But on the mechanics, the flow rate is not significantly lower. According to reviews, Mazda 3 -2008 (1.6, mechanics) spends about 12 liters per hundred. Two-liter engines consume about 10 percent more.
Transmission
What do the reviews say about the Mazda 3 machine itself? Owners note the following problem. After a while, the “Parking” mode does not turn on in the automatic transmission or the indicator for this mode does not light. To fix this, you need to adjust the lever cable. To do this, you have to remove the lining of the box, remove the cup holders and unscrew a couple of screws. Next, the latch is removed from the cable, and then you can perform the adjustment.
Otherwise, as noted by the owners, “Mazda 3” (1.6, automatic) does not cause problems. Thus, the most unpleasant moments are the “Parking” mode and high fuel consumption.
The mechanics in this regard are more reliable - say the reviews. Only periodic maintenance is necessary here. This is an oil change every 100 thousand kilometers and a replacement clutch release. The service life of the friction disc directly depends on the driving style of the owner. If the car often started to slip, the drive "came" already to 60 thousand. With a calm driving style, he nurses up to 150 or more thousand kilometers. The clutch basket rarely fails.
Starter
Sometimes owners encounter a starter malfunction. The car starts poorly or does not start at all.
The reason for this is a malfunction of the bendix or a blockage inside the case. Also, the problem may be hidden in the retractor connector.
Chassis
The suspension design is quite simple. Front - MacPherson struts, and rear - beam. On some versions, a rear double-link independent suspension could be installed. The Mazda chassis of the third model is tuned for a dynamic driving style. The car is very maneuverable and quick on the road - say the reviews. She really gives driving pleasure. However, you should not rely on special smoothness. This is especially true for those who install large wheels on low-profile rubber. Due to the short base and short suspension moves, pits and road joints are noticeably felt.
If we talk about "sores", among them reviews say:
- Racks of the rear anti-roll bar.
- Support bearings of the front struts.
- Wishbones (applies to versions with independent rear suspension).
The brakes in the car are very tenacious, which is the advantage of the Mazda 3. Mazda reviews also say that the car is controlled predictably and does not look for the road at speed.
Conclusion
So, we found out what this car is. As you can see, the model is not without flaws. But is it worth buying this car? Oddly enough, but it can be recommended for purchase. Mazda 3 is a leader among golf cars. If purchased, then only a two-liter car on a manual transmission.