Michael’s 2012 Mazda3 i Touring Hatchback

This post is written by Michael (http://motorblogaz.wordpress.com/) about his 2012 Mazda3. You might remember him from his previous post about his Jeep Cherokee.

2012 Mazda Mazda3 iTouring Hatchback Automatic (22,000mi/41,000mi)

When you’re a college student you look for every opportunity to trim your budget. Having moved here from Flagstaff, and still driving my old Jeep approximately 70 miles a day for work, and buying gas at nearly $4 a gallon- my wallet was screaming for mercy. Having been interested in Mazdas since my freshman year in high school, a Mazda dealership was where I started (and ended) my search for a more fuel efficient, comfortable commuter. The date was August 4th, I had gotten off early from work, and figured I’d stop into my local Mazda dealership to see if they had any SkyActiv models I could afford. After narrowing and narrowing the search down to a single car on the lot, my salesman William fetched the keys and we test drove it. After reviewing the costs, and making a few phone calls, I signed the papers and left the dealership in a shiny Sky Blue Mazda3 iTouring hatchback. Coming from a harsh, loud Jeep Cherokee, the much newer Mazda felt like a Rolls-Royce to me. This pretty blue hatchback netted me an average of 35 mpg in mixed condition driving, which was much appreciated for the long commutes my work and school demanded. After 6 months of ownership, I finally broke down and purchased a set of aftermarket wheels for her- 18″ Motegi MR118’s on Yokohamas. Unknowing to me, this would be the only modification she would receive before inevitably being traded in after just over a year of ownership for an Acura ZDX (stay tuned to RNR for a review of this vehicle or check out my blog for a review of all of my vehicles). Over the course of the year of ownership, I attended a few AZMazda club meets and met some AMAZING people, most of which I will still spend time with in the future. My gripes of this car are few- the main one being road noise at freeway speeds- but through it all, this Mazda will always have a place in my heart. Mazda makes one of the best cars for feeling one with the machine- they stick true to their mission “If it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building” I hope to own another Mazda at some point in the future.

Michael,

Thanks for your post. I reviewed both the 1st and 2nd generation of the 3, and I loved them! They really set the benchmark when it comes to driving enjoyment. Thanks for submitting your story! Anybody who wants to submit their story of their car, click here and follow the directions.