Well, I've been asked by my long-time friends at University Mazda in Seattle's U-District (duh) to fill in for some of the sales staff between the holidays. It's been kind of fun actually. I used to work there several years ago and they still use me for these temp assignments and to do things like dealer trades, etc. U-Maz is a unique store, family-owned and a very professional staff. Including yours truly of course.

So, if any of you need a new Mazda, please stop by or give me a call. (206) 634-1191 I'll probably work there for the rest of the week, celebrate New Years with family and then head back to the Hydroplane Museum to start rebuilding engines for the coming season. Maybe I ought say,"learning to rebuild engines".

Give me a few more months at that and I'll hopefully be ready to help any of you who might happen to be having problems starting your P-40, P-38 or your Mustang (P-51, nothing to do with Fords)

Hope you all had a great Christmas and will be safe over the New Year.

Thanks for indulging all my bad humor and ocasional diatribes.

 

You know I'D DO ANYTHING FOR YOU or a Scotch Phil....including sharing your embarassment and keeping this post alive....but just don't need an extra car right now......

How about I bring the Z down tomorrow and park it in the showroom....would that help?

BTW I saw the Mazda America GM online on AutoLine Detroit during the LA Auto show.....if I hear "Zoom Zoom" or DNA" one more time I may give up Irish Whiskey completely.....

Big Love....join us Thursday regardless....or else....seriously, do we need to call it a demo drive...

 

Good deal. Chris is my neighbor and the GM there. Good guy.
I second directing business your way.

Thanks for helping them out and have fun!

Dan
87 GN (quick one)
00 Vette (fast one)

 

Thanks Dan. Yep, I agree. Chris is a remarkable guy. He was practically born to the car business yet defies every stereotype some people try to apply to the business. He is one of those rare individuals who has inate leadership qualities and creates a wonderful work environment. Anyone walking into his Mazda store would likely feel at ease immediately. For a youngish fellow, he knows the value of "old school" relationships in the business, both with his customers and with his employees. He has a boss (owner Chuck Anderson) who reflects the same values and supports him. When I used to work there full-time, I worked hard, had fun and never had a sleepless night over anything that I did that day to sell a Mazda. Chris will not tolerate unethical behavior from any of his employees.

I'm doing the "gig" this week more out of my friendship and respect for Chris, and Barry, his sales manager than I am for income. It is actually fun to work there. None of this, "If I could, Would you" BS that pervades many high volume stores. I think that might be partly the reason why most of the staff has been there for many years and it's not the easiest place to get a job in the car business.

Add to that a product for which I have great affection and I'd probably work there for free, if asked. Come to think of it, if I don't sell something pretty soon, that may be my actual return on this venture.

No worries, I know Chris will take care of me for helping out.

But, tell me, how is he as a neighbor? I'll bet he keeps his yard nice, huh?

 

Oh ya, Chris is a great neighbor. He keeps everything clean and orderly. He has a nice house and yard. He has put a lot of sweat equity to make it nicer than when he moved in. He's also is willing to lend out any tool or whatever a neighbor needs.

It's just too bad Mazda doesn't make any fast production cars he could bring home to race my GN

 

That's our boy, for sure.

I recall he has a nice collection of what may eventually become "classic" Mazdas. Don't remember if he has one of the last gen RX-7s, the twin turbo version, but if so, that may be just the thing to take on the GN. Actually I'm not so sure the Mazdaspeed 3 might not give you a run for the money, provided a few curves get tossed into the mix.

 

Ya he had the turbo RX-7 when he moved in but sold it a few years ago. He doesn't have any more car toys that I know of. I think you should work him over on that one.

The GN is happier in the straights that's for sure...that's why I enjoy the Vette so much. But havin that big turbo spooling-up is a real kick in the pants, literally.