Cheap Alternative to Cargo Mat

[Mike]

Just want to share my idea for a cheap alternative to a cargo mat.
I just went to home depot and bought a length of grey outdoor carpet. Rubber on the bottom, carpet on the top. Cut it to length. I made two parts. One for the trunk that's permanently in, and one for when the seats are down. I usually leave the two piece in the trunk anyway, but you can decide.
Anyway, it's about twenty bucks total and about 20 minutes of labour to cut it to fit. I think it doesn't look bad at all and protects really well. I used the same system in a previous car and it worked really well over time. I put lots of wet and dirty gear in the trunk usually.
Hope it will be useful to someone. See pics below.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/2402060778_955a970407.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/2402060840_af3854a981.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2402060922_c2769979d8.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2402060982_e37196966e.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2385/2401232817_87a84fd82c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2402061154_0a769926c7.jpg?v=0

[Pimpin_29y]

Great idea! I'll do something like that for next years winter. My floor mats always get too wet and overflow to the carpet.

Thanks for sharing!

[Notorious MS3]

Pretty cheap and effective alternative to the cargo mat, looks pretty good too. I just wish I had thought of that last winter.

[Cardinal Fang]

First the Home Depot Lip and now this. Well done.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Kudos....

Group Buy on Astro turf

[mEtH]

I still would prefer the cargo matt in the hatch because it has about 1 1/2 - 2 inch lip all the way around. Great idea to keep dirt out but I am more worried about sand and spills.

[Mike]

I think you are referring to the cargo tray which is definitely more heavy duty then the cargo mat and better adapted to spill. It would be nice if they would have a cargo tray option that would go on top of the back seat when folded... and I'm still disappointed that the back seats don't fold flat.
Mazda Cargo Mat:
http://mazdagear.com/ProductImages/mazda3/5dr/04_M3_5Door_CargoMat.jpg
Marzda Cargo Tray:
http://mazdagear.com/ProductImages/mazda3/5dr/04_M3_5Door_CargoTray.jpg