History
Bought new from Parkland Mazda in Cannington, WA, on 21 December 2006. A delightful hatch that was a shining example of dynamic prowess in its category, as well as being throughly reliable and practical for my needs.
With just over 4-and-a-half years and 98 000 kilometres on the clock, the Purple Beast met an untimely fate in an accident on 29 July 2011, of which it was deemed a write-off. Fatal to the car, but I walked away with little more than light tissue soreness on my neck, so at least it was safe too!
Though I am now thoroughly fascinated by my '02 Audi S3 (a.k.a. The Bee), this car is somewhat missed...the things I miss most about it, relative to the S3, are the direct and feelsome steering, no turbo-lag (this was a classic case of the maxim "no replacement for displacement") and extra room. But I don't exactly miss its choppy ride (the S3 also rides on 17s and is definitely firm, but never feels skittish), cabin and tyre noise, nor some of the plasticky trim elements that belies its mass-market origins.
Modifications
Totally stock-standard and very well-optioned when bought new. Even replaced the tyres with the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE040s...grippy as anything!
