New car

[Ron Reefman]

I haven't been very active here at R2R for awhile. I've downsized from 600g of saltwater in our house to just a 40g aio tank with everything but fish in it. And we don't go snorkeling in the Keys as much as we used to because we are now traveling all over the country on our vacations. But 2 interests in my life haven't changed. I still love photography... maybe more than ever now that I have the time (retired).




The other interest that hasn't changed is sports cars. I just bought a 2025 Toyota Supra. This isn't it because I don't have mine yet. But it should look like this.



It was an ordeal trying to buy one. My local dealership, AutoNation Toyota, wanted $10,000 over MSRP and also tried to force me to take almost $2,500 in VERY over priced extras I don't want. Oh, and it would be 3 to 6 months before it came in! They also told me all the Toyota dealers are doing the same thing. So, I called Gettlel Toyota in Punta Gorda (the next town north of us) and they don't do any of that! But I'd need to put $1000 down (non-refundable) and the new car would take 3 to 6 months to arrive. If it took over 6 months, I could drop the order and get my $1000 back. Better than AutoNation, but still not the deal for me.

Then I found out Toyota has an 'Inventory' website where you can see all the dealership inventory within 500 miles of your zip code. It also shows car 'in route' and cars 'in build' in Japan that have already been assigned to a dealer. They also show approximate delivery dates! So I picked zip codes from all over the country, east of the Rocky Mountains and did inventory searches.

I found 2 cars that are exactly what I want (black and with a manual transmission). One is going to southern Ohio and delivery is in 2 to 3 months (it's just being built in Japan). The other is going to Atlanta and delivery is in 7 to 10 days! I called and they confirmed that the car is coming and they would sell it to me for the MSRP plus $499 'document fee'.

I'm waiting for their phone call telling me the car is in. Then I plan to drive a rental car there, spend a night, and then pick it up the next morning and drive it 600 miles back home!

Anybody interested in a 2021 Mazda MX5 (Miata) with just 25,000 miles?

 

[shakacuz]

i'm saving to get an imported RHD honda s2000 from japan or europe. been my dream car for as long as i can remember!

both of those cars look beautiful!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

keep taking pictures! you do an amazing job!

 

[Ron Reefman]

i'm saving to get an imported RHD honda s2000 from japan or europe. been my dream car for as long as i can remember!

both of those cars look beautiful!

Thanks. I drove the new Supra 600+ miles home from the dealership on Sunday. What a car! Compared to my Miata, is has horsepower and torque to spare. At 70MPH in 6th gear, I just stepped on the gas and I was doing 100mph so fast I couldn't believe it! It's quieter inside than even my hardtop Miata, yet it makes a bit more noise on the outside. And the driver's seat/position is really good. The side bolsters and lumbar support are both adjustable as well as the other basic seat location adjustments. And the steering wheel both tilts and telescopes... perfect! The only thing I didn't like is the shifter seems a bit too far back in the console and my elbow ends up on top of the cup holders. It's OK unless you have a cup of coffee or a soda in the cup holder! But all things considered, I think it will be a wonderful relationship!

 

[Ron Reefman]

keep taking pictures! you do an amazing job!

Thanks. I've always enjoyed photography. The digital age makes it so much less expensive to just shoot and shoot. It's also easier to manipulate with a computer rather than a darkroom and an enlarger! Being retired and having the time also helps!

Here are 2 from a visit last weekend to a local park.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'd love to get my hands on a 90's supra. Always been my dream car.
Love your car, thats beautiful!

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'd love to get my hands on a 90's supra. Always been my dream car.
Love your car, thats beautiful!

Thanks. I already have a Mazda MX5 (Miata) that I really love. It's great fun to drive and handle great. And the retractable hardtop is a nice luxury! But after 4+ years with it, I want something more. I'd like a bit more luxury in the car, more of the modern tech and even more power. The Toyota Supra does all of those. Some thanks to Toyota interior, body and transmission. The rest is due to BMW's chassis, 285hp engine and electronics.

Both cars sat in the driveway yesterday afternoon and I took a few photos. I have to admit that i still like the styling, size and classic looks of the Miata. But the acceleration of the Toyota is intoxicating! Zero to 60mph in 3.9 seconds and with all of the seat and steering adjustments, the driving position can be made absolutely perfect.

As a 75 year old kid, I'm going to enjoy the crap out of this car!

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

I'd love to get my hands on a 90's supra. Always been my dream car.
Love your car, thats beautiful!

My father had a 90 white Supra turbo model. Everything was fine until he gave it to my brother. If I got it I would still have it. You would be going 90+ on the freeway and not even know it.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

I sat in the new at the time Toyota Supra when it just came back out at the Car Show, my friend had to pull me out, I am simply to big for that car, height that is.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I sat in the new at the time Toyota Supra when it just came back out at the Car Show, my friend had to pull me out, I am simply to big for that car, height that is.

Good god man, how tall are you? I'm 6' and I have 4 or 5" between my head and the roof.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Good god man, how tall are you? I'm 6' and I have 4 or 5" between my head and the roof.

Well I am 6'2", so weird that I had so much trouble exiting the car. I can't say age because I wasn't that old, mid 50's , so maybe chalk it up to being pathetic. I did own a Fiesta ST and I did not have a problem in that car.