[TheMAN]

I would stay away from the mazda3, except for maybe the MPS (which is bloody too expensive, and no go for a P plater)... it's a lot harder to modify them... too many electronics, too much emissions crap

the Protege/Astina were among the last Mazdas that are fairly easy to modify
parts are hard to get for you aussies because nobody really cares about these cars down under, but rest assured, with money, you can import many awesome parts for the car from USA or Japan!