A red used car in the last month of my 60th birthday!
After returning from Portugal, I was able to relax in Kyoto for the first time in a while. I also completed some of the homework that had been piling up (planning meetings, garage visits, shop tours, etc.). I was able to fulfill a dinner appointment I had been making for years, and finally met up with someone in Kyoto. Meeting and talking about various things, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for their continued support. But what does it mean that so many attractive red used cars are turning up in the final month of my 60th birthday?
2nd week of December 2025
Monday, December 8, 2025
Corolla Cross and two other cars
I was on location for a serial shoot in the morning. After test driving a Daihatsu Move minicar and a facelifted Toyota Corolla Cross, I headed straight for Kyoto in my BMW X3 20d. The G45-type X3 isn’t bad, but it’s not amazingly good either, especially the ride quality. BMW M Sport’s bad habit is back again. I think the Audi Q5 is a more complete car.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
BMW X3 20d
While I was out on a personal trip, I stopped by Horii Trading, a Kyoto-based shop that specializes in Italian cars for many years. I had previously had my Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider serviced there when the previous model was still in good condition. There, I was captivated by the Alfa 166 Super with a 3.0-liter red manual, the Maserati 3200GT with a red manual, and the Alfa 75 Evo with a red manual… Hmm.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Pure white 930 Turbo RUF spec
A friend of mine came to Kyoto from Yamagata. He told me that a colleague in Kyoto had recently become obsessed with Porsches, so we decided to go and meet him. When we arrived, we found a stylish garage in front of his company. It looked like a glass showcase, and inside was a pure white 930 Turbo RUF specification.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Alfa Romeo Kyoto
Off day. I had a tooth re-treatment that had been neglected for several years. The doctor is the same age as me and a car enthusiast, so we had a great time talking. I picked up my Panda Cross, which had just passed inspection, at Alfa Romeo Kyoto. That evening, we had dinner in Kobe.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Unusually, I spent the whole day writing. I’m often asked, “When exactly do you write?” but the answer is quite simple. In my spare time (laughs). In my case, I can write 400 characters in 15 minutes, so if I use my free time, I can get a lot of work done. While my electric car is charging, in an airport lounge, or after changing at the hotel before going out for dinner. I generally only write in the mornings at my home in Kyoto. The reason is simply because I can get three times as much work done. Conversely, it’s better to plan and search for new ideas in the afternoon and evening. However, on this day, I didn’t have enough time, so I spent the whole day at the keyboard.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
We drove to Cafe Seven and then went to the pre-party for the Kaohsiung Sunday Meeting (TSM). For dinner, we had a wrap with the friends who planned and organized the Kanreki Live.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Alfa Romeo TZ and
The TSM event was held in the afternoon. The event was rescheduled to the afternoon when the weather cleared, resulting in less than half the usual number of attendees. Still, we saw a newly restored Alfa Romeo TZ and a top-of-the-line Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427. I drove a friend’s Audi A2. For some reason, it was right-hand drive and displayed kilometers. Apparently, it was imported experimentally with the aim of full-scale implementation. I was impressed by the ride quality, unusual for a compact car with an ASF body. It’s been over 20 years! That evening, I had dinner with a car enthusiast from Nara whom I recently met and his friends (who even traveled all the way from the Kanto region!). Some of them were fans from my video days, and I was incredibly grateful. Thank you for this year, and I look forward to seeing you again next year.
2025 12/8-12/14
Mileage: Approximately 800km Number of test vehicles: 4
2025 11/1~12/14 cumulative
Total mileage during the serialization period: Approximately 8,700 km Total number of test drive vehicles: 52
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