I haven't had mine for very long so maybe i'm not the best person to answer this BUT... from hanging out here on the forums it seems like most of the kinks and issues have been fixed on the 2007s so i can't think of any "problems" so to speak... Nothing mechanical at least . All i hear are gripes about little things

Here's some of the common complaints i hear about the new 3's

- I've heard the factory Goodyear Eagle tires are crap
- Some people complain about the gas mileage [but i get what i'm supposed to get on my 2007... if not better.]
- The interior carpet and ceiling material is kinda weak [peach fuzz] ..the factory mats are fine...just the stuff below it that sucks.
- There isn't any automatic trunk release on the keychain.

Other than those minor things... I think the new 3's are close to perfect.
:klavergreg:

 

My problems of note:

1) Poor rear brake performance.

2) Poor rear leg room.

#1 can be solved but #2 is like being born with an ugly face

 

when i put the car in 1st gear and gun it like instantly, the car thinks im in reverse and sends me flying backwards.

just kidding.

the car is just fine to me. its a car! man made, aint gonna be uber perfect, but this car is very top notch for the price. any other car at around the same price doesnt compare.

 

the car is just fine to me. its a car! man made, aint gonna be uber perfect, but this car is very top notch for the price. any other car at around the same price doesnt compare.

+1

 

a bunch of them only have 4 doors.

 

Some of the 06 s models had a defect where the clock would lose time..... dealer took care of it in no time..... and a weak battery to boot..... everything else is good though... lotso power

 

[quote author=John_in_the_LBC link=topic=78084.msg1428709#msg1428709 date=1179807899]
a bunch of them only have 4 doors.
[/quote]

only? oh you drive a hatch. you guys must be addicted to doors.



the battery stock was fine for me.

 

We got our '07 hatch in January. It's never been back to the dealer--everything worked at delivery, everything still works, nothing has fallen off. The OEM Goodyears aren't that bad; they're noisy on some types of pavement surfaces and they don't ride very well, but they stick OK for all-seasons and let go progressively. My only complaints: the outside mirrors cause wind noise over 70 mph, the brake pedal is too soft for my taste, and the 17" wheels are absurdly large/heavy. Fuel mileage is acceptable if not heroic, but use cruise control for best results. My other car is a Miata, yet I don't mind driving the 3 at all. Zoom-zoom!

 

Not quite problems per se, but the two biggest dramabombs with this car are the break-in/door lock issue, and the potential for screwing up the oil change on the 2.3 cars, which can in the worst case scenario, kill the engine.

The door lock issue is mainly an issue in areas of Canada due to thieves specifically targetting those cars, and the majority of oil change problems have arisen from getting the oil changed at jiffy lube or similar places, where the techs have reassembled the cartridge filter incorrectly.

There's a problem which affects some cars, causing vibration at ~55mph. There's an updated engine mount to fix this though, which should be done under warranty.

Other than some cars experiencing interior rattles and squeaks, there hasn't seemed to be any repots of major nightmare issues (like the e36/46 BMW subframe issues you mentioned).

Do expect to replace the stock carpet mats though, they're laughably poor (mine had worn through after only 1300 miles or so).

There's a few other trivial personal gripes, but none I would really call problems with the car.

 

Yes the carpet between the dead pedal area and the clutch has ripped and torn from my heavy foot....

 

I have 37,000 Miles.

Minor rattle in glovebox I don't notice anymore.
Lots of brake dust.
Rubber around sunroof needed lubrication.
Relatively disappointing Fuel Economy for an economy car, which trades off for a zoom zoom experience.
Cheap floor carpeting and relatively thin floormats.
Door plastics scratch easily, although the past year i havent seen any new scratches.
Paint seems to be soft, although the past year I have not gotten any new chips.

Engine gets more powerful throughout the miles, transmission is smooth as hell (automatic) and the suspension never gives in. The reality of it is the car isn't perfect, however this has been the experience with the car. I'm sure other cars have just as much if not more issues, if you want to call most of my list "issues"

 

I have <18,000 miles on my 2006 hatchback. My only issues have been:

-tearing on the driver's side floor/carpet panel (where the hook is)
-my clock was losing time for a while, but that somehow stopped happening lately
-replacing my tires is expensive (but after I got over the sticker shock, the handling is AWESOME!)
-my passenger window was a little bit off track, making a THUNK when I rolled it up. Took it back to the dealer and it hasn't happened since.

My only regret: I wish I'd bought the Sirius & Nav options.

 

[quote author=wolfe link=topic=78084.msg1430314#msg1430314 date=1179885582]
Not quite problems per se, but the two biggest dramabombs with this car are the break-in/door lock issue, and the potential for screwing up the oil change on the 2.3 cars, which can in the worst case scenario, kill the engine.
[/quote]
+1 & +1.

There is no way I'd take my 3 for an oil change other than to the dealer. They will screw it up. I have no problem taking a camry or an accord to a non-delaer.

Poor mileage in the city. Zoom zoom!

Main complaint is lack of choices. No 16" wheels for the hatch. You can have any interior color as long as it's black for the GT.

 

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=78084.msg1428681#msg1428681 date=1179807046]
My problems of note:

1) Poor rear brake performance.
[/quote]

the 3s's 60-0 is 118ft while a civic ex is 130ft. poor braking feel could be attributed by the crappy rsa tires the 3 comes with.


everyone's mentioning minor stuff. The only major issues the 3 has is the purge control valve and the door lock.

we also have a sticky for what owners don't like about the 3..
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=34790.0

 

[quote author=thebeansoldier link=topic=78084.msg1441717#msg1441717 date=1180337593]
[quote author=NoVa link=topic=78084.msg1428681#msg1428681 date=1179807046]
My problems of note:

1) Poor rear brake performance.
[/quote]

the 3s's 60-0 is 118ft while a civic ex is 130ft. poor braking feel could be attributed by the crappy rsa tires the 3 comes with.


[/quote]

It is occuring on my 3 even after switching to new different tires & replacing brake fluid & pads & rotors.

 

~ 5200 miles.
You got to be a rock star to own it. Super noisy car.
Engine blown and replaced a few months ago. Engine mount broken too.
Other than those major things, I don't have any minor stuff as other menbers here mentioning.
My car is great to look at though.

 

Owner experience and common problems aren't always the same, but here are the most common "problems" and Mazda's fixes for them: http://www.finishlineperformance.com/mazda3/bulletins.html

 

just past 40,000 and haven't had a single defect.

Tires are rubbish, yes, and a bit expensive to replace, but I don't mind. Brakes are even still good.

 

only thing on mine is in one year im on my 3rd factory radio due to the cd changer motor quitting. all reaplaced free under warranty work though of course.

 

Got a 2006 Mazda 3 2.3L with Sport AT on October 2006, it got 25,000 miles already, and the right front shock absorber blown out completely leaving a massive strut fluid leak all over the wheel rim. It was replaced under warranty but have to question why a practically brand new car is suffering from this. I switched from Mitsubishi looking for something different but I regret not buying a 2006 Lancer GTS. It looks better that this one. Fuel consumption is a killer too. I missed my 95 Mitsubishi Mirage LS sedan, it was a hell of a car.

 

its slow

 

3i & user error= slow

 

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=78084.msg1652056#msg1652056 date=1187502597]
3i & user error= slow
[/quote]

lol for real though i've got a 5spd reg 3 and if i run it hard its still pretty slow lol

 

Chair / Centre console SQUEAKS. Moonroof making weird noise when opening in tilt mode. Easily scratched interiors. Crappy RSA stock tires.

dL

 

-weak a/c
-broken transmission or engine mount (car would make grinding noise when i popped it in reverse)
-thin carpeting
-no dead pedal
-windshield wipers had to be replaced after 1000 miles
-clock loses track of time and displays wrong time
-glovebox rattle. fixed itself and is fine now

still love the car. most of these issues are minor and are subjective