Closing the Deal - Part 2

So as you can see from my posts so far, something that should be as easy as buying any other consumer good can be a complete pain in the you know where, here in Japan.  Too much paperwork and regulations, and thus things can take time.  However, sometimes these delays can work in your favor.

During my visit to the local dealership after checking out the car in Saitama, I had then asked the Lexus salesman how most people in Japan pay, expecting him to say "cash" but he told me that actually many people (Lexus customers probably) use their credit cards - because they can then get airline mileage points.  Inspired, I had immediately contacted my airline mileage credit card company to see if I could raise the limit to cover the cost of the car.  A few days later, I was approved with a much higher limit.

So, I let my local dealership know that I wanted to pay for at least part of the car, with my airline credit card.  At the same time, I had to figure out where to go for my car insurance.

In Japan, there are two types: mandatory and optional.  The mandatory insurance is part of the purchase price of the car - the car simply cannot be registered without a showing of this insurance.  This "Japanese Compulsory Insurance" or JCI isn't too expensive - it's designed to provide coverage if you cause injury or death to other people driving your motor vehicle. But it doesn't cover damage to property, yours or a third party's, nor does it cover for theft, vandalism, self-imposed accidents etc.  So the optional insurance really is a must.

Of course Lexus has a "Lexus Owner's Club" insurance, but it ended up about 2000 yen more per month than what my current insurance broker could get me.

So, the following Saturday when the final invoice was ready (including recycling fee, personalized license plate, etc.)  I visited my local dealership again, this time to pay for the car as well as to check out the car itself.

Upon arrival, I saw that the CPO RC F had still not been sold. And had been unceremoniously removed from its place inside a glass enclosed room at the dealership (an older couple were picking up their brand new RC F and so that was under a cloth, in that room - ready for the unveiling and photo ceremony, etc.).

A good looking car, especially in this color, which I think works better than than the ISF

I then sat down and, being a hot day was offered some ice coffee and a Japanese frozen dessert.

 Meanwhile, they asked me if I wanted to check out my car again.  Of course I said "yes" and so while I checked out some of the displayed goodies, they got the car down from their indoor parking lot.

Serves to remind people of the Toyota+ BBS relationship

Actually, if they had the for the ISF I would consider it. Did wonders on my GT-R!
(note: Turns out that TRD does offer it!)

Finally, I went and paid a part of the car's purchase price with my airline miles credit card. After which I then noticed my car sitting outside.

First, I checked out something which had been bothering me:

This is the "shaken-sho" case - all cars in Japan must be inspected every 2 years and the proof of that (which also serves as the car's registration) is supposed to be in the car. Along with insurance papers, maintenance log, etc.
There are universal cases, but in this case, a nice custom leather one! Yay!

Despite the dirt on the car - notably where the license plates had been, I was happy with how it looked.  The car had been brought down by transport (no additional mileage allowed from what it was advertised to have).

Paint is in great condition! Despite the many apologies from the salesman that the car wasn't prepped...still looks good.

One interesting thing - I could not believe the lack of space between the top of the rear tire and the rear fender. There was maybe 2 fingers worth of a gap - about 3.5cm! Is this normal?

The salesman opined that, the car had been lowered in the back.
BUT, don't worry he said it's a CPO car...I have to figure out what that means....

Compared to the front:

Three fingers is roughly 5.5-6.0 cm...and it looks "normal"

In any case, I was happy to see this and figured it would make for a good last photo for the day:

Looking closely at this now, yes I can see the dust and dirt... 

But, delivery of the car itself was still the following weekend...first they had to still get the license plates and then arrange for the optional insurance, with my insurance agent. Then due to my schedule as well as the salesman's (he is booked solid) we agreed to pick the car up at 6pm on the following Saturday. Can't wait!!

In my next post, I'll cover what it's like to take delivery of the car from a Japanese Lexus dealership...