Mazda 3 Sport hatchback Euro version
 

For all of you considering the new 3, stateside prices are a helluva good deal.

In Switzerland, you'd pay 33,130 Swiss francs for the Mazda 3 hatchback Sport with a 2.0L, 150 horse engine and mica metallic paint. That paint is 480 francs extra--$600.

By the way, the total cost of the car at today's foreign exchange rate works out to be $41,412 in yankee play money, which has lost 27% of its value compared to the Swiss franc in less than three years.

Insurance on the Sport 3 would be in the area of $4,500 a year, assuming you were over 21 and had a squeeky clean MVR.

The huge variety of rides in Europe is very kewl, but you need huge pockets to get into some and keep it running with fuel at $3 or more a gallon. :(