Presto - Toronto Transit card

17.06.26: Is it just me or is this the strangest credit type card ever?

I received a card about a year ago and still cannot use it.

As a very infrequent user, I have tried registering it a few times and tried adding funds a few times.

As it turns out, because I still have not physically used the card, it won't show funds added. And because I haven't used it in 30 days, I needed to register again.

Here is what I now understand the process to be:

1. sign up online (the only easy step)

2. load the card (add funds to the card online)

3. you won't see any funds added, as you haven't physically used the card

4. USE THE CARD (must be done - after 24 hours and within 30 days - or card will become deactivated and you must start again)

As I have no idea when I will use the card, they have one exception (for people like me). You can tap the card without any/enough funds and it will be accepted once ... thereby activating (completing the registration) the card.

MX-5 RF GT 2017

17.03.20 Received this little 2-seater Feb 13th. It is the launch edition (only 1000 available for pre-purchase).

It all started with an email from Mazda in November adveretising the limited availability of their new MX-5 for 2017.

My current MX-5 suited me verey nicely but it was now 10 years old.
More importantly, i was at the age where a new car is probably my last car purchase.

Normally, I would have been quite happy to continue with my 2007 MX-5, as it suited me and was in excellent condition.

However, five items peaked my interest in a replacement:
1. The fact the launch edition was limited,
2. The characteristics could be quite unique and interesting (specific later in this blog item),
3. I could customize my vehiclr yo my tastes,
4. Could I get a good price on a trade-in,
5. I could easily retrieve my refundable $500 deposit.

Having invested very little, I customized and placed the order:
1. GT version
2. Nappa leather
3. Brembo brakes
4. my personal external colour (blue reflex mica)
5. Launch edition with black top and black rear view mirrors

I was now waiting to see what would be delivered and fully aware it would not be good enough to proceed ... two nagging concerns were convertible vs targa and head room.

Early February and I was advised, by my local Mazda dealer, "my car" would be delivered to the dealership in one week. They actually showed me a picture of my vehicle being off-loaded from a ship in Vancouver (complete with the VIN).

No problem, as I knew my deposit was refundable and It would come down to my comfort level, a performance test and total cost.

As you might anticipate, the dealership wanted to confirm payment
arrangements prior to arrival of the vehicle ... and i complied (knowing I could extricate myself from the agreement easily).

The car arrived and I took it for a test drive and was delighted.

OK, I am now on the purchase path.

The first and only problem was it was the wrong colour from my pre-launch purchase order agreement.

The dealership agreed to waive the additional cost of the external colour  and we completed the deal.

Specifics of this Vehicle:

1. unique colour scheme (black top and black rear view mirrors)
2. GT (Grand Touring) version
3. Nappa leather
4. Brembo brakes
5. Only 50 available (in Canada)
I have now had the car for more than a month and continue to be pleased with performance characteristics (including lights, brakes, acceleration, balance, and technology).

Here is a utube video of a trek thru London at night