My 86 Experience at Tokyo Dealership. Full TRD trim 86 on display
 

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So I visited a Toyota dealership in Japan for the first time today. Thought I'd share some thoughts with you on the car, dealership differences, parts, the whole enchilada..

Sadly, I'm moving back to the US from Tokyo in about two weeks. I guess the timing could be worse, though, since I'll need a new car, and hey look... that car I've been fantasizing over since hearing about it back in 2008? Yeah, it just came out. Lucky! Anyway, figured I'd head over, get a close up look at the car, and see if there were any TRD parts that'd fit in my suitcase for the flight back (so no, no less expensive coilovers, body-kits, or wheels for me).

At certain Japanese dealerships, they have sections of the showroom floor devoted solely to the 86. It's a place where you can check out the TRD parts first-hand, get info on track days and racing events, and talk to (supposedly) knowledgeable service guys about the upgrading the car and what not. The closest dealership to me that had an Area 86 was over in Shibuya, a relatively upscale and fashionable part of Tokyo, but not too far from where I live.

First of all... holy hell that place was nice! I mean, I've seen Bentley dealerships that were less upscale and clean than this place. Honestly, it was very intimidating. The atmosphere combined with the fact that I speak Japanese at the level of a two year old child made me feel like a hobo walking into the Ritz Carlton; had to keep reminding myself, "It's only a Toyota dealership... you're allowed to be here... they sell iQs here, for chrissake."

The staff treated me as anything BUT a hobo, though! The second I walked i the door, everyone who wasn't with a client greeted and stood up, ready to be of help (god I love Japanese service!) I apologized in advance to the man who greeted me first for my horrible Japanese, and explained to him that I wanted to buy TRD parts. He excused himself, and came back with a wonderful young saleswoman named Kaori who spoke excellent English. Win! She then sent someone off to find one of the Area 86 parts specialist for me to talk with, and then proceeded to translate for me the whole time.

I feel I should emphasize at this point that I told them right away I was simply looking for a door stabilizer, and maybe a shift knob. These are not high-dollar items (total, I'd be spending maybe $350, which is less than some routine service visits), and yet I was already getting more attention and service than I have at ANY American dealership I've been to, and trust me when I say I've been to a lot of them.

About that door stabilizer, though. The parts guy informed me they had a test model there on the floor that had the door stabilizer installed on it, and offered to let me inspect it. To be honest, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I figured it would give a more solid closing-feel to the door, almost like what you would find on more high-end cars. But it didn't seem to be any different than any other new-model Japanese car I've driven, so I really don't know how much of an effect it will have. Still, it's a unique enough part that's not very expensive, I'm going to pick one up to play with. After I've had the car long enough to get a feel for it in the turns, I'll install it and see if it makes any difference. If not, oh well... souvenir from Japan.

This is where the story turns tragic, however. I had told Kaori earlier that I had a deposit on one back in America, even though I'd never gotten a very good look at the car, and certainly hadn't driven it. So after we finished inspecting the door stabilizer, she asked if I wanted to take it for a spin (so cute, because those were her exact words! And her English was decent, but you could tell she was uncertain if she was using that line correctly... kawaii!) I was crushed, because I never got around to getting my car driver's license in Japan, so I had to tell her, "No... no Japanese license." She then says, "Ahh... but you have international license. That's fine!" Argh... again, I have to respond with, "No, sorry... no license at all for driving in Tokyo." She then gave me a look like, "Are you stupid? I wasn't asking about licenses, I was asking if you want to drive this car or not!" Instead, she just said, "Ah... that's too bad."

So despite there being no possibility of a sale, she was willing to let me test drive one of the hottest new sports cars in Japan (possibly even without a license). How many dealerships in America would allow this, ESPECIALLY if you're an obvious foreigner who doesn't speak English well? +Million points for Toyota, Japan. These people made me WANT to give them my money, not feel exploited and dirty like I do at an American style dealership.

Consolation prize though was getting to sit in one for the first time. Thoughts? "Mmmmmm....", then it gets a little NC-17 after that. The phrase "fits like a glove" gets thrown around a lot, but in this case it's very apt. I now get the reviews where journalists say everything falls immediately to hand; I mean, the car felt like you were sitting in a arcade game seat. The shifter, steering wheel, and handbrake all had that too-perfect feel to them, and the seats? My god, the seats!!! I've owned Recarros and Sparcos that were nowhere NEAR that comfortable or grippy. It was like the car was just... wrapping around you. If they've changed those seats for the American market because our fat asses don't know when to say when at McDonald's, I'm going to be one seriously pissed off car buyer (who will then become a somewhat more broke car-buyer, because I WILL import these seats from Japan!) All in all, the interior is much more upscale than I was expecting. So much so that I'm reconsidering that TRD shift knob and my plans for reupholstering in leather.

This dealership had three 86's on the lot, and there was not a single one I'd turn down if it was the only color available: a red on on the floor, an orange one outside, and a white one in FULL TRD trim. Brakes, wheels, body kit... everything! And they even had that one designated as a test-drive car! I was in shock. Not only had I turned down a test-drive opportunity, but I'd turned down a chance to test drive a TRD version. Sadly I didn't take many photos of the dealership, because I felt enough like a tourist in there as it was. However, I did snap a few of that #2 test drive car before leaving.

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So what was the point of all this rambling, the TL;DR? Toyota 86 = shiny, and gives you hugs. TRD 86 = more shiny. Scion of America sucks compared to Toyota of Japan. No perceivable benefit of TRD door stabilizer while the car is parked, so inconclusive opinions there. And if you're buying an 86 in Tokyo, please buy from Kaori in Shibuya, because she was a freakin' awesome saleslady! :thumbsup:

you should have taken those brakes off the car

LOL... the people at the dealership were so freakin' accommodating and friendly, I think they would have done it for me if I had asked them to. Both Kaori and the parts guy seemed genuinely distraught when I told them we hadn't gotten any TRD parts in America yet, and our cars only came with one interior color choice. I kid you not, my saleslady just kept coming back to that point, like she thought Scion was being deliberately mean to us. "But... picking out colors inside and outside to match, is the most fun of buying a new car!" :cry:

LOL... she was adorable.

I'm 5'10 8% body fat 170 lbs and the seats feel like a glove on me, dont know if you can relate but im not a "fat" guy so-to-say im pretty fit and they fit really well, better than my current seats and i love my current seats in my car

I just recently sat in a BRZ at a local dealer for the first time and my impressions were pretty much the same as yours. Everything just feel RIGHT and is exactly where it is supposed to be. I could close my eyes and reach out and find naturally. Seats feel wonderful!

Did you buy the TRD shift knob? Id so how much? I want one but the price here is the US is $137 which is a bit much for something so simple.

That is so cool, man! I'd kill to go there and check it out. What are you doing in Japan: business, military, other, care not to say?

Nice, nice.

A little off topic. I'm planning on taking a trip to Tokyo in the near future. I know learning English is a big part of Japanese schooling, so can you get around ok with 2nd grade Japanese?

I'm going to be hitting Rosetta Stone hard, but it would be nice to not have to worry too much about it.

Fun story - felt like I was really there! Too bad you didn't get more pictures - I'd like to have more visuals in my brain when dreaming of the non-American car buying experience.

That's fantastic news! Thanks for posting that! Me? Well... let's just say the cheeseburgers haven't been kind over the years, LOL... That's okay, though; can still force myself to fit in Bride buckets when I want to.

They're supposed to call tomorrow to let me know about the door stabilizer kit, and if they have it I'm going to consider picking up the knob at the same time. Honestly, though, $137 is a good price for the U.S. I think it was 11,900 yen here, which is pretty close as makes no difference a direct dollar-to-yen exchange. LOL, I can tell you that my suitcase space is at such a premium right now, my prices would be much, much higher! :D

I had been going to college here, and was planning on finding a job in Japan when I graduated, but I'm having to return to America for the time being for personal reasons. Still, hope to be back here again in a few year's time (and maybe living somewhere in Japan where owning a car isn't an exercise in self-hatred, like it is in Tokyo).

Honestly? Learn how to say "sorry" (sumimasen), "thank you" (arigatou), and "please" (onegaishimasu), and so long as you're not too proud to pantomime or point at things you want, you'll be fine. A lot of Japanese people understand *some* basic English, they just hesitate on using it because they don't feel they're very good (as if though my Japanese was perfect... HA!) Also, the tourist heavy industries like hotels and what not have a lot of English-speaking staff around. Just don't act like you expect them to know English, and show that you're willing to try speaking Japanese, and they'll treat you fine.

Yeah, sorry! I can't emphasize enough how out-of-place I felt there! I really did feel like a 16-year-old kid walking into a Ferrari dealership. And the whole staff was just so helpful, it was slightly off-putting. I mean, I had my own little entourage of staff following me around just in case I needed anything, so I was self-concious as hell as it was without being Captain Tourist-Guy on top of that, LOL...

If they can get that door stabilizer kit in before I have to leave the country, I'll take more pictures when I go back. Might have to put on my suit and get a hair-cut to get the confidence to do it, but hey... anything for this community! LOL... :thumbsup:

This thread just reminded me that I need to get off my ass and send in my international driver's permit for my trip to Japan in August (JDM girlfriend ftw). We already have plans to visit Mega Web's "Ride One" test course to try out both the 86 as well as RHD. I would never forgive myself if I didn't get around to obtaining the permit.

Yes! If you tell them their dealership is more fun and interesting than your US dealership, they will better understand and probably pose for photos with you. :thumbsup:

Dear Toyota NA/ Scion.
How do I put this. I WANT THIS CAR exactly how it is in this photo. I am willing to pay you money to have this car. Its a real easy equation, I pay you money, you make profit, I get the car I want. It really pisses me off seeing the rest of the world getting MORE options for this car, than the supposed "totally customizable" Scion version. This is why Scion does not sell well in this country, because for some reason Toyota NA thinks the American market is only interested in Pep Boys shift knobs and carbon fiber appliques. Sorry for the rant, but I needed to get that off my chest. I have been waiting for this car since they discontinued the Celica back in 2005. Then I get all hyped up for the TRD version, and all these options, that I will probably never see. So listen up Scion/Toyota NA. It's cool to have a mono-spec mantra and all, but how about giving your consumer the option to buy "OPTIONS". And by options I'm not talking about pioneer head units, shift knobs, etc, I can buy that on my own from Pep Boys (not a fan of them either by the way). I want what everyone else around the world appears to be getting. If a customer want no options, that's fine. But what about the rest of us who would actually like all, if not most, of the factory options offered to us. I mean look at MINI. They have the same one spec mantra and EVERYTHING they offer is an option. The damn things can get well into the 40k range. And I am 100% sure they don't have trouble selling cars (and they're rated dead last in reliability by the way). So in closing...
Offer me this car and you have my business.

Sincerely,
A loyal Toyota Owner

There is nothing in what you just said that I don't agree with. The parts guy actually busted up laughing when I told him in my horrible Japanese, "Honto, America no Toyota kaisha wa zenbu baka desu!" ("Really, Toyota of America are all a bunch of idiots!", give or take a bit on the translating.) He didn't seem to understand why we had a Scion brand at all.

It's a real shame. Toyota might think they're going to get more youth business by marketing it as a Scion, but I feel that a lot more people won't take this car seriously as a result. Look at the Toyota.jp page for the 86 sometime, or their catalogues; they're as classy and upscale as you could ever want. Now look at any of Scion's marketing. <sigh> Try as I want, I just can't bring myself to hate on people who won't own this car because they don't want to be seen in a Scion. :(

Oh well... armchair CEO strategizing over. I'm an enthusiast, and I'll drive this car whether it says Subaru, Scion, Chevy, or Yugo; and I've yet to see an option on the Japanese car that's beyond the reach of a dedicated modder! :happy0180:

I miss Japan :(........

Dear Celicadude, it's Scion. We don't give a damn. We believe in the communist model of minimal options. We want to be known as a cheap brand for mostly dumb children. Offering popular and useful options instead of stupid underglow and ridiculous body kits would only confuse our mentally challenged American customers. Also, as a rule of thumb we try to do what we can to minimize sales and profits. We have implemented mono-price and mono-spec to try and make sure that our cars are not customized to fit your wants and needs and we work hard with dealers to ensure the prices are always high and non-negotiable. So in closing, we don't care for your business, it's our way or the highway. K thx bye.

LMAO... nice!! :lol:

Lol :lol:

Yeah, I've been on the Japanese site the UK and france sites, all looks way better and offer so much more. Don't get me wrong I could care less about a badge, that can easily be removed. What got me pissed off is that Toyota/Scion refuse to acknowledge that maybe not everyone that buys their cars is 18 and well off. I'm about to be 31, finally got a good paying job and was looking forward to getting a nice rwd sports car to replace the celica. The BRZ is nice, and will probably end up being my final choice, but it's a shame that Toyota is dropping the ball on what could be a profitable car for them (if not at least turnaround it's brand image problems). I'm fine driving a stock car for a while, but i'd rather invest my money into performance upgrades, rather than trying to source parts that should have been on the car in the first place. Side note though, a friend of mine lives in Tokyo and recently moved to a bigger place, so looks like I might be making a road trip out there next year, (Might even scoop up some parts while I'm there).

Buy a bunch of headlights and bring them back to the US with you. Make a killing selling them. Who cares if the cutoff is on the wrong side? :D

Ship your lightweight clothes home via FedEX, and pack the heavy coilovers and brakes in your luggage (with just enough clothes to keep them stable.

Awesome story!

That TRD setup is drop-dead gorgeous. I wonder if I can convince it to marry me?

@ OP - Nice post tomodachi! TRD in my color, I have drool all over my keyboard.

This reminds me of the time my father and I went to a Honda dealership in Tokyo, we were looking at a Honda Ra***a (R a f a g a) - wth profanitly filter... anyways... at the time, and everything you said gave me memories of the immaculate showroom floor, and more than willing and very polite sales people.

I got so jealous when you said the 86 had it's own area in the dealership, like it is in a sacred temple shrine!!! I miss Japan so much, and it's culture. I am so sad and disappointed that we Americans get the leftovers, but maybe I should be happy they even let us have this car in the first place. God knows they like to keep "the good stuff" to themselves, export the trash, then laugh at us.

When was the last time you visited an Autobacs motorsport boutique? God I miss those, they are like Toy's R Us only for cars lol... /cry

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6vRVohFuEs"]Super Autobacs Kashiwa, Japan - YouTube[/ame]

I want to marry Kaori! :wub:

I remember when I first read the announcement that the FT86 would be under the Scion brand, and ************* made this banner:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/scionwhy.jpg

I KNEW this was going to be a problem when they decided to make it a mono-spec Scion!!! I just want a TOYOTA 86. I want the high spec model with all the toys, and I want to pay FULL PRICE for it! I also want to give Toyota and TRD LOTS OF MONEY for parts and accessories. LOTS of money. Is anyone listening??!!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/20387461.jpg

Because SCION.

HOLY ...... Place like this exist.... On earth.... Whhhaaaaaaaaaaaa:drool:

Japanese service is really amazing.

back when i had a JDM Honda Civic Type R (EP3), i visited a Honda dealer at Osaka for some small parts. i personally speak zero Japanese and unfortunately there wasn't any staff that speak much English. a lady invited me to sit down at a desk and offered my a drink. then i said in English i wanted to buy some parts and she introduced a guy from parts and sat down with me. i tried explaining what i want (i searched for pic off the net etc and saved them in my iphone to show them) and we chatted using translation app on the iphone. it took us 2 hours of chatting to finally order 30,000 yen worth of parts and organised postage to my hotel. they never showed any sign of impatient etc and i felt sorry for wasting so much time during the process but they were very accomodating. so wish the dealers in Australia are as good as them.

I hear ya friend. There is a lot to be said for having proper support and focusing on the drive. I hope that, even though Toyota isn't offering it's full lineup of accessories here in the USDM, you will still be able to outfit your car to your liking and enjoy it fully.

for those who are looking to visit a dealer in Japan to buy some parts/accessories. make sure u plan to go at the beginning of your trip as many dealers dont stock parts and may take a few days before they are available. they are usually happy to courier the parts to your hotel if you pay for it. you will need to tell the hotel about this in advance and some hotels may charge a small handling fee to collect parcels for guest.

this also applies to car parts shops like Autobacs as well.

On the one hand, it is already in white. On the other hand though, I saw what she was doing with every potential customer who walked through the door. That's not the car you take home to mom. (Hmm, but on the, uh... third hand?... though, if I could marry that car, I wonder if I get Japanese citizenship?) :brokenheart:

I know. I keep trying to remind myself that it wasn't that long ago we got stiffed entirely on a lot of cars. The Silvia got neutered and sold as the 240sx for only two generations, the third-gen RX-7 was only on sale for two years, the classic Skyline GT-R's never made it to the states at all (except for shady, questionably-legal import shops who overcharged obscenely on them). Even the non-mega-performance rides like the Daihatsu Copen or Suzuki Cappuccino failed to make it over. So I'm trying to be happy that we are getting the car at all, and in a trim that's relatively decent; I mean, ours is closer to the GT trim level than to the G or RC forms.

Still, I'm fully expecting in the next few years they'll release a D1GP edition, or the Akina Model, or S20M edition... something which will be so incredibly drool-worthy, and fast, that we'll be knocking each other down trying to sell our kidneys to afford it. And that care won't make it to America. :(

Why, Japan? Why you gotta be like that? :cry:

Hey now, hey now, hey now!!! I posted this thread to let you all know how happy I was, not so you could go stealing my Kaori-chan! Go find your own super-cute, incredibly friendly JDM saleslady! LOL... :mad0260::paddle:

LOL... I like that banner! Sums up perfectly how I felt, that's for sure.

<sigh> It is frustrating, though, that America seems to continuously get the crap-end of the stick when it comes to import cars. I've got a theory on that, though: in most parts of America, we have to own a car. Public transit doesn't exist for large parts of America, and where it does it's a joke. So if you live someplace like the suburbs of Kansas City or middle of nowhere west-Texas, a car is a necessary part of life.

But in places like Japan, owning a car is nothing more than a luxury. Something like 75% of the country lives in Tokyo, and their trains are so well organized and well run that you can live your whole life here without so much as learning to ride a bicycle just fine. Same goes for some parts of Europe, as well.

They don't have dealerships here with giant lots of cars ready to go the minute you decide on a model, and thus can't prey on the emotions of buyers (something which accounts for like 80% of the American car-buyer's decision making). Therefore, they have to market their products more aggressively, and offer more for the money to make the sale. I mean, look at the ads for ANY of the cars on the Japanese Toyota website; it's never "everyday people doing everyday things". They all speak to luxury, and affluence (and serenity... Japanese people always look like the product has brought them nirvana in their ads, whether it's green tea, makeup, or a car.) To sell a car like the 86 here, they have to give you more options. They have to offer the RC trim for those who are just going to go racing; the G for those who want a stereo but are poor; the GT-Limited for those who can't easily justify the cost of owning a somewhat impractical car in Tokyo, and are concerned more with image and comfort than performance. Because at any point in the buying process, you can come to your senses and say, "Wait a minute... I'm not happy with this. I'll take the train to work till the S-16 Silvia comes along." No car in front of you to entice you with immediate gratification, so why not?

The paradox is because America is such a car-dependent country, we get less selection and less shiny vehicles. Stupid American dealership models, and their stupid emotional selling practices, and stupid international business practices, with its stupid international economics and marketing... :sigh:

That's just what I think. Thoughts?

LOL... your post reminds me of the local Honda motorcycle shop. I needed some wheels for while I was here (once a gear-head, always a gear-head), so I got a little 400cc motorcycle. The few times I took it in for service, there was nobody at the shop who spoke English, and my Japanese was even worse at that time. But the lady who met with customers had no problem pointing and pantomiming, and I had no problem doing the same. So for people watching the two of us the time I was trying to explain what services I needed done (oil change, chain-lube, tire air-pressure, etc...), as well as trying to ask if they would wash the bike or not... they must have thought the circus had come to town! LOL...

God I'm going to miss this country. My FR-S is going to be working double-time to try and console me. :thumbsup:

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Japan is a very accommodating place for foreigners, especially in Tokyo. Many signs are in both Japanese and English, and a surprising number of people know at least a little English. As you move into more remote parts of Japan it's harder to find signs in English. My Japanese is probably at the level of a fifth grader now (sad, since it was my first language), and I got aroung just fine the last time I was there.

That's a factor, true. But also keep in mind that the US is a GIGANTIC market that doe NOT pay a lot for cars. Releasing a car here has a potential to backfire in a big way. Because of the instant-gratification nature of dealerships, a car manufacturer has to put a car on almost every lot, sometimes several.

And they have to do that while selling the car for some of the lowest prices in the world. For instance, our BRZ Limited which is equipped nearly the same as the top model Type-S in Japan (2.7M Yen) is priced at only 2.2M Yen. That's somewhere between the stripper RA (2.4M) and R(2.0M) models.

So bringing a specialty model that may not sell and may not make much money isn't financially feasible.

Now that's not to say there aren't solutions that they are overlooking.

Enthusiasts will pay a premium for specialty PARTS. It's tough to sell a high end car at a $5K premium when it's just a couple aero pieces, springs, and stickers. But enthusiasts will drop that or more to add on later. So they could import conversion kits at a financially secure price, and offer them per-order.

I think there would be enough of a market to justify being able to walk into a Toyota dealership and buying a complete "TRD Performance" or "GT-Apex" kit that has everything needed to turn a FR-S into the equivalent specialty model from Japan. And even some dealerships would install the kits in-house if they think they can sell the car at a profitable premium.

But ultimately, we're too big for our own good when it comes to cool stuff.

Mm... good points.

I think major car manufacturers are, or have been, hesitant to go full bore (no pun intended) with offering after-purchase modifications is to avoid dealing with the legal issues that could arise as a result. Not just from lawsuits of people who may run themselves off the road after installing factory-offered lowering kits or superchargers, but also from the government. I'm about as far from being the "eek, big brother's watching you! ...freeeeeedom!!!" type as you can get, but it's not outside the realm of possibility to imagine the NHTSA accusing major manufacturers of using after-sales parts to skirt federally required vehicle safety and emissions tests, should they start moving such products in large enough volume to attract attention (or one pretty blonde gets in an accident with such a car). Kudos to TRD and Nismo in particular for offering what they have so far in such an environment, but you'll notice their products are still on the milder side of mild.

I'm sure the insane diversity of America and American car culture can't make it easy for the marketing heads here to figure out what exactly they should be exporting either. :iono:

I agree with you 1000 percent! Damn you Scion!

How awesome is that! Thanks for sharing! :happy0180:

Certainly this is one piece of the bigger picture, but let's remember -- If they saw enough dollar signs in it, they'd make it happen. We hardcore enthusiasts are a lively bunch but we're still a very small niche market when compared to the entire American driving populous.

Imagine the outcry if people saw a $36k full-tilt FRS at their local dealership.

I wish it wasn't this way, but I understand why it is.