Comments on: Roadster Weekend

By: Roy

Roy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:37:59 +0000

Another Ben, buying a car here is not unlike buying a car anywhere else in the world, I suppose. There seems to be more consistency about price between dealers though because all dosmetic cars are made to order so the manufacturers control the price. Dealers use financing and dealer options as the main weapon of negotiation.

By: Roy

Roy — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:16:34 +0000

How much what?

By: Senis

Senis — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 06:39:01 +0000

Hey Roy,
How much?
Thanks

By: Another Ben

Another Ben — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 05:56:19 +0000

Hi,

I’m a new reader from the US here. Great site!

I was wondering if you could tell us a little more about the negotiation process in Japan. It can get pretty ugly here in the States. There’s the expectation that you can buy the car for “invoice price” and very little trust between seller and salesman.

A few years ago, Mazda miscalculated the hp on the Miata, and had to revise all their official numbers. A Mazda salesman I went to tried to tell me that it was because the car was heavier than the previous version!

Thanks.

By: timothy

timothy — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:13:58 +0000

I can testify that Roy is a remarkable fellow. And it was a great adventure to visit a Mazda dealer with him. The moments of silence as he let the dealer wait. Was it an act? Was it brinkmanship? Was it deep thought? All I know; I was witnessing something that will take a chapter in my memoirs. I owe him much. Ride on, Roy.

By: Roy

Roy — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:45:18 +0000

Mike, roadster is the perfect for driving like a sports car within legal limits.

Ben, let your wife test drive it. She’ll be converted.

Kamepo, pray for good weather.

Leo, it’s a sign.

J., those are dealer plates.

By: J.

J. — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:05:27 +0000

The car in the last two pictures has a special license plate. Something I have not seen before. What does this plate indicate?

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:55:07 +0000

Its funny, I’ve been seeing more and more Roadsters/Miatas every where I go. I think this must be a sign as to what my next vehicle purchase will be. It was the same way when I bought my truck.

By: kamepo

kamepo — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:30:05 +0000

Lucky to get the new toy in June.
I hope it would not rain on the delivery day.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:11:33 +0000

Roy, I definitely _won’t_ be bored with pics of the new car. The more the merrier I say. ;-)

You’ve convinced me to test-drive the same setup down here in Oz (paddle-shift auto PRHT), in fact.

Wife is yet to be convinced - who knows? maybe test-drive will change her mind.

So, I look forward to getting your reports on the car.

Ben.