Owner Review: Looking for a car that gets the job done while offering decent handling - My 2011 Mazda 3 Sedan

Basic information

2011 Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0L

Reasons why I bought this car

• To go work to office
• Occasional road trips

Car selection process

• I had a budget of RM45k
• Models that I have considered include: Civic FD 2.0L

I chose the Mazda 3 because:

• Price to value ratio (Bought my Mazda 3 at RM38k, similar year/condition/mileage civic FD 2.0L cost about RM 60k at that time)
• Probably will suffer a low amount of depreciation in next 3-5years
• The previous owner fully serviced at Mazda service center
• Black paint & rims & interior, leather interior
• Have some headroom, as I'm getting married soon (If I were to buy a new car with RM 45k, it will be a smaller car)

User experience

• I have already done about 11,000 km (Oct2018 till Oct2020)
• It's a car that gets the job done, and still fun to drive once in a while
• Decent comfort, handling and practicality
• Fuel economy around 11L/100km (90% KL traffic, a bit heavy foot). But, I don't really mind it, since I only drive 6k-7k km per year anyways.
• I like the old school radio because it's simple, quick and gets the job done. I use radio, aux cable input, and has 3 CDs in it (it can fit 6 CDs). (My mum drives a BMW, I have tried the iDrive, I personally don't like it)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Decent handling (for occasional spirited driving)
• Feels fun at 4k-5.5k rpm, and the car is still willing to run
• Very wide center armrest
• The leather seat still in good condition

Cons

• Tyre noise is a bit obvious
• Very wide center console (less side knee room for the driver and front passenger
• Front bumper very low, even though I didn't lower it. And scraps very easily

Ratings

Total Score: 4 

Performance: 4

Quality & Features: 4

Space: 4

Ride Comfort: 4

Fuel Economy: 2

Price & Cost: 5

Summary

I'm an early 90s kid, looking for a car, that gets the job done for the next 3-5years, and that can be continuously driven for many more years if I wanted to. And I feel my Mazda 3 certainly delivers it, and I will continue to take good care of it. And the value I get for the price I pay, there is nothing more I could ask for.

Lastly, some interesting events during my use

• Before buying it, I went online to look for, how to inspect/check a second-hand car. I have seen 7 units of Mazda 3, this is the one I felt condition is the best, then arrange a test drive to my foreman's shop to let the foreman check. (used car dealer at old klang road, my foreman's shop at kuchai lama, the salesperson is fine with it).
• I once fell asleep once in a traffic jam, at the left lane. Woke up in the middle lane, gently kissed the car in front of me, turns out, she was a friend of mine which didn't contact for many years.
• Early 2019, front absorber has some karak karak sound, needs to be replaced. So I told the foreman might replace the rear absorbers as well, since the car was about 8years old. (Change 4x absorbers cost about RM2k+) Then foreman shows me some other parts under the chassis, that are not crucial but would be good if replace, and I replace those as well. So, end up total billed about RM3.5k. Because my budget was RM45k for the car, I have some budget, might as well replace it and enjoy early (Chinese saying, 早买早享受, buy early, enjoy it early)
• Early 2020, Changed 4x Conti MC6 Tyres, around RM1.4k
• Aug2020, replace driver side door lock actuator at Mazda service center, about RM400+
• Apart from that, are just normal engine oil/oil filter service every 8-9month. I use full synthetic oil.