s 4dr Hatchback
2005 Mazda Mazda3 Review
When a new vehicle comes your way, there is often a honeymoon period. It's a time to feel the car out, figure how it
works and get comfortable. The first day often includes unnecessary swerving, aggressive braking, and uncouth
application of accelerator. Not the most scientific review methodology, but we got to feel these things out the best we
can. Once you get the general feel about how the vehicle responds, you're generally more comfortable with wringing the
most out of it.
Welcome to the interior of the magnificent Mazda3 wagon. Sure, superlatives might be a little
early but even in the first day superlatives are all that came to mind. Regardless, once this auto nut slid into
that seat it became apparent the honeymoon period was unnecessary. With the seat and tilt/telescoping steering wheel in
position, the Mazda3 felt more like a trusted friend even before turning the key. Once underway, the reassuring
steering feedback, strong power delivery, and responsive ride all combined to provide that warm and fuzzy welcome home
feeling that a gear head raised on sport compacts hasn?t felt in many moons. Is it yum-yum or zoom-zoom?
We had picked the Mazda up a little off the beaten path, and the ride home was dreaded as it was close to twilight
when we left. The Mazda performed admirable on the drive home. Three hours of high speed, lane changing good time in
the Mazda3 certainly helped combat any highway hypnosis. How poignant after a week in Germany and their high speed
Autobahn? A European influence seems have found its way into this Asian compact. The whole package at this point seems
well thought out and sorted. You can certainly ascertain why other automotive journalists have heaped so much praise on
this Mazda. Its comfortable, high quality interior and its driving dynamics all create a great sense of value when
compared against the sub-$19,000 price tag.
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