Test drive in Japan

[irove86]

Hello everyone,

Been trolling the launch of this car and thought its time to share.

Got to test drive the car whilst on Holiday here in Japan. Great car for the price and hope other car manufacturers are watching *cough* Honda!

Here's a long version for those interested in the process of a car purchase in Japan.

Original plan was to test drive the car @ Toyota's Megaweb in Odaiba. Toyota's own dedicated exhibition for their cars! Its Massive! From new cars, future model cars and with a test drive circuit to try out any model cars you want. Stupid me I left my driver's licence at home that day! I did get to see an RC Spec model on display which has pretty much nothing on it. Un-painted bumpers, no stereo etc. for racing purpose.

Mega Web
Toyota 86 RC Front
Toyota 86 RC Back

Decided to drop into a local Toyota dealer here in Niigata (wife's hometown) to check out a GT model as I haven't seen one in person. They didn't have one on display but asked me if I wanted to *test drive one which they could arrange at another dealer? YES Please!!

Btw, I actually work in new car sales back home in Australia! Thought it would be an interesting exsercise!

Arrived at the next dealer and there was a red GT Limited parked outside ready to drive. The last time I was this excited was when they launched the DC2R in Australia back in 1999! Had a staff greet us when we parked the car and walked us into the showroom where all the rest of the staff greeted us! "Irasshaimase" Very warm welcoming atmosphere! There were about 10 cars on display, only one that caught my eye was the 86! It does look better in person.
They also had an awesome kids play area (tv, slide, colouring books, toys) which my little girls found straight away. For people with little kids, this is gold! Which hardly any dealers back home have these days!

Toyota 86 GT Limited

They had a young guy look after me assuming He knew a lot about the 86 until he realised I couldnt speak Japanese. So they put me onto a female sales person (Mika) which had limted english! They didn't ask for my drivers licence or qualified to see if I was a serious buyer, just went straight for the test drive!

Left the wife and kids behind as Mika had to come along. Besides, my little girls (5&3yr/old) could barely fit in the rear seats! Mika is in her mid 20's, only just started as a trainee. Quite attractive but had to remind myself I have kids waiting back at the showroom. She guided me through some city roads and onto the freeway which had a speed limit of 80km/h. Didn't get to thrash the car or get it sideways! But did give it a boot full of WOT which got her heart pumping! Lol the look on her face!
I'm very impressed with the car. Last sports car I had was a DC2 Integra Type-R. Nothing after the DC2 has caught my attention (sub 40k). It was a short drive so it's hard to comment about everything. If anything, it could use with a little more power and some more leg room in the back! Hard to justify to the wife which such a purchase! Overall, 9/10 from me.

What impressed me most was after the test drive. She had me sit at a table with my wife. Offered us cool refreshments of our choice. Then came to the table with a laptop and a huge briefcase which looked like it weighed a tonne.

She started pricing up the car, which model? Colour of seats? Colour of car? Spare tyre? Which Navigation system? ETC toll? Paint protection?...
then she pulls out a TRD+Others accessories booklet! Anymore option? Wow! How cool is this! Options fitted from the factory! Like getting a special order from the factory!
With all the options asked for, the GT model worked out just over 3mil Yen. *They also have good finance options, but I had to remind myself I'm only visiting! She then pulls out a portable printer from her brief case and printed out the quote! I jokingly say "you discount me 50%??!?" She giggled and said "maybe discount accessories!" Felt bad for wasting her time but was really nice to experience the whole sale/customer process!
Never was pushy throughout the whole time. No managers to double close. Just to serve! Actually helps me to do my job better!

She did tell me there were none in stock and had to wait until August for delivery!

Have pictures on my phone but dunno how to upload via phone. No pc/laptop atm.

irove86