RX8 @ the US Border: Convo w/ Custom Officer
 

So, i went to states this weekend for a family thing. It was a 4hr drive from 'sauga to Troy, Michigan and I had to cross the Sarnia border - which I might add is a tough border to cross when entering US as they grill you left and right.

So there is me and my sis on our way and the rx8 is packed with clothes, suits, and some cooked food (and lots of it). Also, u can smell the food when i lower the windows.

So, I get to the border and am expecting to be grilled! In the lane I am in and almost all the other lanes, almost every car had been checked from the inside where they opened up the trunk and the bags.

Now its my turn and i go up to the officer and here is my converstion:

Officer: Nationality?
Me: Canadian
Officer: ID?
Me: here you go.
Officer: Nice car.. what is it?
Me: Mazda RX8
Officer: Cool car. When did you get it?
Me: I got it last year. Bought it brand new from the dealership
Officer: How's the car?
Me: a great car.. I love it. it is a rotary engine .... blah blah blah (engine details)... The funny part is when i was at the dealership, I knew more abt the car than the sales guys.
Officer: I know.. dont you just hate it. When I bought my car in 92, I had to tell the sales guys and educate them about the car.
Me: O yes... i agree. There were some recalls on my car which had to be done and they would not believe me. I had to show them the notice from Mazda.
Officer: So, did the dealership finally do the recalls? what kind of recal was it?
Me: Yes the dealership did. And the recall is about getting better spark plugs and check the engine.
Officer: Back in '72, I had bought the RX3 that came out and I remember them having a problem with the engine seals blowing off. Did they address it this time?
Me: Yes officer. The seals are great in this renesis engine. At 10000 rpm, seals wont blow.
Officer: you seem to be loving talking about the car.
Me: Ofcourse. I love this car
Officer: You have a great evening.
Me: Thank you. You have a great night.

.... and off i go.
So, of all the 100's of times i had crossed the sarnia border, I have always been grilled left and right and car been opened 2 times. But thanks to my lovely RX8, the actual conversation was 10 seconds of security stuff and 4mins 50 seconds of RX8 zoom zoom!

On our way back, the Canadian border is much easier to deal with and they let me in by asking 3 basic questions (and nothing about the car).

Also, in states, i got a LOT of stares and ppl checking out the car. I did find a black RX8 on the hwy there but the lady driver did not acknowledge the wave!

PS: I love my car!

don't u wish the conversation lasted longer? ;)

Our custom people don't really care. Like you said, they'll ask you 3 questions and just let you in.

The Americans you have to sweet talk your way into the country... ;)

They have customs officers for the canadian side? jus kiddin

haha I remember going to Florida two years ago. We flew from Buffalo cuz it was a lot cheaper. On our way back the customs guy was like "you have any alcohol or shit like that" I said no and he sent us on our way...

Great story!

I'm crossing over at Sarnia on Wednesday on my way to the USGP...I hope it goes like that. :)

(I wonder if the Cubans will fit in the sunglasses holder...) :smoker:

Heh, I remember coming back into Canada at Pearson after 9/11. The custom guy was all smiling "welcome back, hope you had a good trip" and waved me through. I could have brought a few kilos of coke and he wouldn't have cared. And now you don't even need to have a co-signer for passport applications anymore. I guess they finally realized what a farce that was.