Not quite a Christmas Tree

But it is green...

Nice! Is there more to the story?

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

Nice! Is there more to the story?

Started out looking for a used "fun" car mid summer. Not so nice used GR86 prices seemed really close to new and then I got to reading about the coming Hakone Edition. Called local dealer to inquire about availability and was told "we can get you one". Gave them a deposit, optioned the way I wanted and will take delivery later this week. First new car I have ever owned and I'm no spring chicken.! I'm told it's the first one in the area and one of five that this dealer will get during the next year. All in all, a good dealer experience, too. Photo is just as it came off the transport.

Congrats on the purchase!

Way cool.

With red ornaments!

What a good looking car!!  Congratulations 

Congrats!  Is there a delivery option to peel your own plastic?

Tyler H said:

Congrats!  Is there a delivery option to peel your own plastic?

I didn't ask, but already agreed on price so presumably they have it figured into their overhead What's kinda weird is I'm paying them to put some plastic back on via PPF.

I was thinking about something else last night, though. I do most of my own service because I know the wrench really well. Toyota includes 2 years of "service", which is, at least, oil changes. From online auctions, I gather that people like to see these historical service records. When I sell the car, that puts me in the strange position of adding value via dealer service record or goodness via my own undocumented work. Hmmm...

carbidetooth said:

I was thinking about something else last night, though. I do most of my own service because I know the wrench really well. Toyota includes 2 years of "service", which is, at least, oil changes. From online auctions, I gather that people like to see these historical service records. When I sell the car, that puts me in the strange position of adding value via dealer service record or goodness via my own undocumented work. Hmmm...

You could always keep detailed records of DIY service.  Date, mileage, work done, parts / supplies used (with receipt), etc. 

rslifkin said:

carbidetooth said:

I was thinking about something else last night, though. I do most of my own service because I know the wrench really well. Toyota includes 2 years of "service", which is, at least, oil changes. From online auctions, I gather that people like to see these historical service records. When I sell the car, that puts me in the strange position of adding value via dealer service record or goodness via my own undocumented work. Hmmm...

You could always keep detailed records of DIY service.  Date, mileage, work done, parts / supplies used (with receipt), etc. 

Which I will do. The weirdness for me comes in that it's apparently assumed that wrenches in businesses do better work than DIYs. While it has no real basis, it is a largely held belief. Often, I see this quantified in ads with "mechanic owned". That raises the question of what qualifies one as a "mechanic"? Case in point, I spent a good chunk of my career wrenching but it wasn't on cars. Am I qualified? I have no credentials that would assuage people's concerns. 

For me, this is somewhat defined by buying a car remotely and kinda hands off vs face to face or, at least, a conversation with owner. I can better assess mechanical prowess with the latter. Perhaps I overthink, but that's just how I'm wired! 

rslifkin said:

carbidetooth said:

I was thinking about something else last night, though. I do most of my own service because I know the wrench really well. Toyota includes 2 years of "service", which is, at least, oil changes. From online auctions, I gather that people like to see these historical service records. When I sell the car, that puts me in the strange position of adding value via dealer service record or goodness via my own undocumented work. Hmmm...

You could always keep detailed records of DIY service.  Date, mileage, work done, parts / supplies used (with receipt), etc. 

That doesn't show up on a Carfax, though.  Dealer service, and service by independent shops that are integrated with the system, do show up.  If you pull the Carfax on a vehicle that we've serviced, you see every oil change, fluid exchange, brake or suspension repair, computer reflash, emissions test, etc.

It goes on your cars PERMANENT RECORD just like getting caught chewing gum in class in the 3rd grade, except it's for real 

In a private party sale, a folder full of physical permanent records works wonders too.  Then the new owner can continue the documented history of the car through them and on to the next.