ah yeah the newer cars do recommend 5K, and thats under best conditions. Technically most of us drive under what they call 'severe'/special driving conditions where it says we should change our oil and other stuff sooner than 'normal'.
If you wish to spend the extra on more than often needed synthetic oil changes than be my guest, but check the oil at 3K on the dipstick and see if it warrant's a change. Also im curious as to what oil filter you've been using and do you have the v6 or the i4 engine?
If you did your services relgiously at the dealerships they should have helped you replace your engine or at least warned you at oil changes that you should go in more often.
But it sounds like you've been a DIY kind of guy.

 

YeahI agree like I said it doesn't hurt anything to change the oil every 3k with that said have you ever noticed why your car drives better when the oil is changed? um a question mark on that one right. so yes its a good thing.

 

Unless your one of the few that had the sludge problem then 3k or even 5k is a complete waste of money. I've done 15-25k oil changes for the last 13 years with no problems whatsoever. All you have to do is get oil analysis done a few times on your particular vehicle and you will know what oil change intervals you should do. I normally change my filters at the 5-7k mark. Check oul www.bobistheoilguy.com. You will find more information on that site than you will ever need for oil related questions. Normal dino oil can do 5k without a problem, even under severe stop and go driving. The only exception would be a turbocharged or diesel engine.