I decided to purchase my Mazda3 after test-driving several other similar vehicles. I was in the market for a vehicle that could transport me a total of two hours of commute time. For this reason, I was looking for smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles. Because I was just starting my first full-time job, I was financing a car and did not want to spend over 20,000 dollars for the vehicle. I test-drove both the Mazda3 and a Mazda3 hatchback and wound up enjoying the feel of the Mazda3 more. Driving is fun for me, so I was happy to find a car that steers smoothly, can get off the line pretty quickly, and is comfortable to spend long commuting times in. I also enjoyed the comfy but sophisticated look and feel of the interior, as well as the sleek look of the exterior. To me, this car feels like more than a "starter" car! The car also has great visibility in mirrors and windows so I didn't even feel like blind spot monitors were necessary in this model. While I would love to have more space in the car for traveling or carrying more stuff, the smaller Mazda3 was the right choice for me at this time. Someday, I hope to upgrade to a larger crossover-style Mazda to get that extra space.

The car has been very solid overall. As it's an entry-level car, there are some build/trim issues that you have to live with (squeaks, rattles, generally mediocre quality of some parts), but the engine has never missed a beat, and the suspension/handling has been very good. The s Sport has a firm ride, but it's a good highway cruiser with low wind noise. It has not had a serious mechanical issue in the six years that I've owned it and now has 77,000+ miles on it.