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2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

4dr Sdn Auto s Sport

Starting at $11,675 | Starting at 22 MPG City - 29 MPG Highway

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$11,675 average Retail
$18,485 original MSRP

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Overview
Reviews
Safety
Warranties
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Printable Version

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

Available in a broad range of trim levels, in either a four door Sedan or Hatchback body style, the 2008 MAZDA3 is a sporty compact offering plenty of positives as economy cars go. In addition to responsive power under the hood and a solid build, the MAZDA3 comes equipped with a base 148 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or a 156 horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with adequate comfort and convenience features like air conditioning, front bucket seats, steering wheel audio controls and AM/FM/CD/MP3/Satellite radio. Safety features include front and side-impact airbags.

Benefits of Driving a 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

The 2008 MAZDA3 is one of the most nimble, best-handling small cars on the market, and the five-door models especially stand out among competing models for their sporty silhouette and hatchback convenience. Both the i and s models have impressive fuel economy and the MAZDASPEED3 is one of the most powerful front-wheel-drive cars available, as well as one of the fastest cars in its affordable price range.

What's new for 2008?

For 2008, the popular MAZDA3 sees an important safety upgrade: standard on all s trim cars will be front seat side-impact air bags, as well as full-length side curtain air bags.

Model Strengths

Fuel efficiency
sporty handling
flexible five-door body style
performance for the money (MAZDASPEED3).

Model Review

The sporty and fuel-efficient 2008 MAZDA3 is offered in three trim levels (Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring) and in two different body styles (a sedan and a sleek five-door hatchback).

Printable Version

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

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Flash Drive: 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Source: MSN Autos

The Mazda3 5-door hatchback is already a sporty and practical little wagon that's fun to drive. When you add a 263-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter, 6-speed manual transmission, tuned suspension and better brakes, the MAZDASPEED3 is a hot hatch to rival the best from Europe or Asia. It's a blast to drive with quick acceleration, crisp steering, good brakes and supportive sport seats, and still delivers fuel economy in the mid 20s. The turbocharged engine provides a wide torque band for decent acceleration in any gear, at any speed. Balanced and predictable on the track, in the real world putting all that power through the front wheels means dealing with torque steer. Though tweaked with wider front fenders, 18-inch alloy wheels, aggressive spoilers and aerodynamic rocker panels, it's still pretty stealth for the level of performance it delivers. - Mike Meredith

The 2009 Mazda Speed3 is a certifiable pocket rocket. Unleashing 263 horsepower through the front wheels provides plenty of excitement, and Mazda did a great job of controlling the torque steer. Launching onto a freeway on-ramp is a great way to see the car's strong acceleration capability. The turbo boost comes on lightning quick at 3000 rpm, and the rush of the boost lasts until up shifting at 6000 rpm. The Speed3's interior adds sporty red stitching around the seats and steering wheel, while aluminum pedals complete the race-inspired look. The trunk has enough capacity for a weekend trip and the rear seats accommodate 6-foot tall passengers comfortably. At a well-equipped price of $23,000, this Mazda is a strong candidate for the best 'bang-for-the-buck' under $25K. - Joe Chulick

The MAZDASPEED3 "hot hatch" delivers the performance that has always been promised by the aggressive styling of the regular Mazda 3. Here the 2.3 liter engine delivers big horsepower and big torque from a big turbocharger. The turbo dominates the character of this car, and benefits from a free-flowing exhaust (which you can clearly hear) to maximize power. The boosted-mill provides addictive acceleration in a relatively narrow band from 3500 to about 5000 rpm, forcing frequent gear changes to keep this engine in the heart of the power. Fortunately the shifter and transmission feel great and are fun to use. A car for enthusiasts, the interior even echoes themes from KITT of Knight Rider fame, with red strobe lights on the stereo. - Paul Hagger

It may look like a pedestrian Mazda3 with some additional baubles like big wheels and a rear spoiler, but it's anything but standard. Start up this hot hatchback and the low exhaust note makes it sounds as if it had a visit to a tuner shop. And this car is fast - if you can keep it on the road. The turbocharged engine under the hood is putting out more than 100 additional horses than the standard Mazda3, which is a lot of power for a front-wheel-drive car. Shifting into second under full throttle is the Mazdaspeed's signal to turn left. But if you're smooth with your right foot, the car is great fun to drive. It grips well in turns and that power is available in any gear. On the freeway at 70 mph in 6^th, put your foot down and speed builds surprisingly fast. The best part is you still get all the versatility of a 4-door hatchback as well as rather respectable fuel economy. - Perry Stern

Printable Version

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Passenger Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Rollover Resistance	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review

Safety Features & Equipment

Braking & Traction
4-Wheel ABS	Std
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	Std

Passenger Restraint
Driver Air Bag	Std
Passenger Air Bag	Std
Side Air Bag	Std
Side Head Air Bag	Std
Rear Head side Air Bag	Std
Child Safety Locks	Std

Road Visibility
Fog Lamps	Std
Electrochromic Rearview Mirror	Opt
Intermittent Wipers	Std
Variable Inter. Wipers	Std

Security
Anti-theft System	Std

Printable Version

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Sedan

Original Warranty Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.	Miles	Months
Basic	36,000	36
Drivetrain	60,000	60
Roadside Assistance	36,000	36

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Certified Pre-Owned Warranty To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points. Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer. Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include: Age/Mileage Eligibility To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers. Lease Term Certified Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less. Point Inspection These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details. Return/Exchange Program Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car. Roadside Assistance Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty. Special Financing Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers. Transferable Warranty When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect. Warranty Deductible This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.
12-Month / 12,000 Mile Vehicle Limited Warranty* 7-Year / 100,000 Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty** Whichever comes first from the certified pre-owned retail sales date. *Whichever comes first from the original new retail sales date.
Age/Mileage Eligibility	5 model years or newer
Lease Term Certified	No
Point Inspection	150-Point Detailed Inspection Autocheck® Vehicle History Report
Return/Exchange Program	No
Roadside Assistance	24hr Roadside Assistance for the life of the Powertrain Limited Warranty offers confidence on the road around the clock.
Special Financing	Yes, see your Mazda dealer for details.
Transferrable Warranty	Yes
Warranty Deductible	$0