THE first Mazda3 did not quite match up to the 6 on which its chassis was based but later cars are much better and make it one of my favorite smaller family cars.
Like the 6, it’s a great car to drive in every way and again the later models are great looking to my eye.
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 2.0-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.
Build quality is superb and the performance in the 2.0-litre petrol is absolutely wonderful. The diesel is more expensive but does have excellent economy.
Interior
The driving position is excellent, the gearchange superb and the clutch light. The front seats have excellent adjustment and the cabin feels up-market.
Rear legroom is among the best in class, equipment is generous in all models and the boot is a very good size.
FAST FACTS
Mazda3
Price: Pay about £3,800 for an ’05 05-reg TS, £7,500 for an ’08 58-reg Sport.
Mechanical: 103bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 114mph
0-62mph: 12.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 44
Insurance group: 4
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: VW Golf