The weather for most of Golden Week this year has been wonderful. Unfortunately, I was sick for the entire week, caught a pretty bad cold, and besides going to see Spiderman 3 and helping my friends move house, I didn’t do anything except stay at home, read books, watch movies. Pretty boring, huh? Actually, I’m trying to save money so that when I get my new roadster I’ll be able to afford going somewhere. I’m thinking about taking a road trip to Hokkaido in July if I can get some days off.
So anyways today, a rather miserable and rainy day, I had to go out to see my Mazda dealer about some business. After a 30 minute bus ride to the dealer in Senzoku, I waited around for another 2 hours while my guy tended to an older couple looking to purchase a Premacy, that’s Mazda 5 in other countries. In Japan, if you go to a car dealer on weekends or during holidays like Golden Week, they will always give you some free stuff just for visiting. Even if you aren’t interested in buying, just drop into a car dealership, talk to the guy a bit and he’ll give you stuff. In the past, I’ve gotten a stuffed toy pig, saran wrap, balloons, dishes, a mouse pad, a key chain, a christmas tree, toilet paper and a remote control toy roadster. This time they gave me some wet tissues, a couple energy jelly packs AND a big can of protein (above). How cool is that?
While I was waiting, they let me test drive a Copper Red AT base model roadster that happened to be in the Pit. I ended up driving it all the way out to Haneda Airport and back. They must have thought I stole it since I was away for more than an hour. It was the first time for me to really try out the auto transmission which I find to be actually very good. I think I’ll be using the paddle shifters and driving it in manual mode most of the time. When I got back, I was told that my roadster will be going on the assembly line at the end of May so I can expect to get my RHT roadster in June, a month earlier than expected! Yay! Life is good.
Hi Roy, if you feel lack in Roadster stuff while you’re waiting for the AT NC take a look at the latest R&S magazine - it comes with a DVD (50th mag anniversary)
That’s nice. Go to the dealership, get saran wrap!
Actually, considering that you’re sick, it’s nice you got the “health pack”. Canned protein and energy jelly! Yum!
If you go to dealerships here and you don’t look like a sucker (one who pays full sticker AND markup without haggling), all you get are dirty looks and non-existent service…and no canned protein!
Looking forward to your new roadster next month!
Speaking of Hokkaido, I saw this program where there is a special train from Ueno to Sapporo, with sleeping bunks. Guess it’ll be a dfffernt experience to drive all the way though. You’ll need to stop at some inns along the way, no?
Roy - Thanks for the weekend giveaway tip! I usually visit a few Toyota dealerships when I visit Japan and occasional got stuff - last time it was a box of Donuts in a special box (full of Toyota pix), and friends have gotten stuffed toys and toy cars (which they passed along to me). I never realized (paid attention) that it was a weekend ‘thing’ Since I’m headed back to Tokyo in June, I’ll make sure to visit some dealers on the weekends that I’m there!!
Roy-you will love the paddle shifters. I love the DSG in my GTI.
Practice your left foot braking and you will be real quick. :)
I love my Mazda 3 (Axela) and hope to get a Mazda in Okinawa.
ZOOM ZOOM!
Dare I say it……….get a Subaru Impreza WRX Sti. You will not be disappointed. Of course, de-badging it is a good idea unless you want police watching you constantly.
I just have the base Impreza, and that’s enough power for me.
I prefer the Legacy Sedan. But I’m biased toward Mazda.
I used to get free stuff like that when I was a university student at UCSB. I’d go to the Nissan dealership and test drive a car, and walk out with a new messenger bag or a watch. Sometimes they gave me free movie tickets, too. (Lord of the Rings for free with a date!)
Hi Roy,
You’ll love the DSG paddle shifters. I just came back from a trip to Narita earlier today to meet a friend, so was busy using the paddle shifting MT all the time. Because I “broke” the 1000km “barrier” recently, I managed to rev my engine a bit more — it makes my TT sound so aggressive. ;)
Looking forward to seeing pics of your new wheels in June!!