My Mazda 3 SP23

[Bjorn]

I sold my Hilux this weekend as it was depressingly slow, noisy and was no good for long journeys. We drive down to Brisbane quite a bit and 7 hrs in a 16 years old Hilux was tiring.

Wanted to replace it with something a bit more comfortable, maybe a newer Hilux or a Navara but just cant afford the prices out here for that, looking at $30,000 for a 5 year old Hilux.

So, we found a Mazda 3 SP23, fairly local to us (2 hr drive) which seemed to be in good condition for an '04. It's definately not a car i'd pick normally, but it will do to get around.
Drove up to Rockhampton, test drove it and did a deal at $12,000. Paying that much for an 8 year old Mazda hurt, but that Australia for you :S

Its quite spacious, so we can get most of our camping gear in there for weekends away and its actually fairly sprightly.

Anyway, some photos:

 

[Bjorn]

Would it look crap if i put spacers on it without lowering? It just loooks a bit weak, from the front especially.

 

[Scrooge]

I like Mazda 3s, It definitely needs spacers at the rear.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Why are cars so expensive over there?

 

[ch!ppen]

Hopefully these don't rust as much in your warm climate. They're all rotten at 5 year old over here!

 

[Bjorn]

I like Mazda 3s, It definitely needs spacers at the rear.

Agreed, but im thinking ill have to lower too. The roads up in central QLD arent great.

Why are cars so expensive over there?

Everything is more expensive. I paid £5 for 4 tomatoes today!

Hopefully these don't rust as much in your warm climate. They're all rotten at 5 year old over here!

All seems good mate.

 

[Scrooge]

A nice set of Eibach springs would probably be perfect mate.

 

[Bjorn]

A nice set of Eibach springs would probably be perfect mate.

Think your right mate, springs, spacers and a splitter and it'll look a bit better.

 

[_Tom]

Why are cars so expensive over there?

Because Australia are sensible and look after their car market. If you want to import a car from say the UK and to Australia you have to be able to prove you have owned and used it for a period of 1 year outside Australia.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

Look after their car market? So $12,000 is reasonable for an 8 year old Mazda? I sincerley hope you're taking the absolute piss?

 

[_Tom]

Look after their car market? So $12,000 is reasonable for an 8 year old Mazda? I sincerley hope you're taking the absolute piss?

How am i taking the piss? How much more tax would you pay on a car that costs 12k than 3k? If it's hard to import a car cheap, where are you going to buy it?

 

[Don]

Look after their car market? So $12,000 is reasonable for an 8 year old Mazda? I sincerley hope you're taking the absolute piss?

How am i taking the piss? How much more tax would you pay on a car that costs 12k than 3k? If it's hard to import a car cheap, where are you going to buy it?

Think Tom means that Aus are trying to keep their own car market protected from imports (like UK/EU tried to do years ago) so that the Holdens and Fords are able to sell without such heavy taxation. It is the Aus Government doing it, not the motor industry.

 

[Fletcher]

I prefered the hilux.

 

[Andy93]

Cars don't degrade as quickly as they do in the UK. When I moved here I was surprised at how many really old cars are on the road (80s and early 90s models), the fact that they last so long means they depreciate less quickly.

I'm guessing it would've been circa $40,000 new so it's worth roughly 30% of that now. Insurance is loads cheaper here too, swings and roundabouts.

Edit: a tidy 182 cup will cost anywhere up to $15k in today's market! :O

 

[.GAZ.]

I prefered the hilux.

This.

 

[Ian_182]

I am shocked by the price of that 2nd hand mazda

 

[.GAZ.]

I am shocked by the price of that 2nd hand mazda

I'm more shocked that 4 tomato's cost £5 when Aus use Dollars.

 

[xx777]

I am shocked by the price of that 2nd hand mazda

Head to www.redbook.com.au and take a look at the values of our cars. You will shed a tear for us.

 

[.GAZ.]

FFS!! My X5 was $157k new LOL!

 

[Ian_182]

Jesus those prices are a joke...lol

 

[Aussie Greg]

Luckily we earn an average of $60k a year or about £40k a year (using the current exchange rate). So it evens out. We can afford it!!

 

[Bjorn]

Its crazy, having lived in UK and Europe all my life i just cant bring myself to spend the money for a decent car here. I sold my 1996 Hilux for $9,000!!

 

[xx777]

My new Clio was GBP25.5k. Hilarious.