PERHAPS because it is smaller and lighter, the ride of the Mazda 3 never quite matches up to the bigger Mazda 6.
The lighter weight seems to change the ride quality and gives it quite a different feel.
Like the 6, it's still a great car to drive in every way, and does everything else so well that it can be forgiven this small quirk which many owners would not notice.
Mazdas have one of the best reliability records of any car on the market, so, as long as you get the service history, you are pretty safe buying one second-hand.
Engines are 1.4 82bhp, 1.6 103bhp and two-litre 147bhp petrol, or there is also a very good 1.6 diesel with 107bhp. All have excellent, very well balanced handling and marvellous grip so that a twisting road is huge fun.
Mazdas have excellent build quality so there is little to worry about.
Interior
The driving position is excellent, the gearchange is superb and the clutch light. The cabin is a great place to be, rear legroom is among the best in class and equipment is generous.
FAST FACTS
Mazda3
Price: Pay about £4,400 for an '04 04-reg S, £6,300 for an '05 55-reg TS, or £8,800 for an '07 07-reg TS2
Mechanical: 103bhp, 1598cc, 4 cylinder diesel engine driving the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
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