OK, I'll spill the beans.

Some of you know that Yoshi Nagura is my son-in-law, and has worked for Nissan for the last 7 years as a mechanic and parts specialist. Last September Nissan shipped him off to Japan for some technical training on several high performance engines and car models, including the 2010 Skyline GT-R that is supposed to come to America with insane horsepower.

Well, the end of November Nissan cancelled the entire program, ending the specialized training of more than 300 mechanics, and putting many of them, including Yoshi, out of a job. They didn't even provide the promised airfare back home for many of those students. Thank God Yoshi's 'ol lady, my kid, has the bucks. She flew him and two others home from Japan last week without saying (or signing) a thing to me about it.

Yoshi called me a bit ago, they went to SoCal essentially to go to Dizzyland, Letgoland and Dingle Berry Farm to decompress. What he was actually doing was interviewing with TRD in Costa Mesa and their engine tech department for Toyota. This evening he learned not only did he get the job but they are paying him a recruitment bonus and paying for his relocation. He starts work January 5th and will make a very nice 5-figure income, which he says is about $20K a year than Nissan was going to pay him. Who said anything about downsizing?

Tomorrow they're going to a Toyota dealership in Costa Mesa down the street from TRD and trading in his Z-car on a $37,000 fully loaded Venza, and getting employee discounting. Kid(s) on the way and a sports car is no place to raise a family.

I tell you, Nissan's screw up is Toyota's gain, even if I do lose my daughter to the fast paced LA lifestyle. I wonder what they'll give me for my '08 Ranger....

One door closes, another one opens. :thumbsup:
Coool - Good Luck to Yoshi. :)

MAN! Now that is awesome Pete!! I've always been a Chevy guy...heck, I own two 1963 Corvettes even....but back in 2002 I decided to try my luck on these new Tundras that came out. Compared to my Chevy trucks and cars, these things have been hands down the best vehicle I've owned! And the funny thing is that some of the parts in the truck are almost direct replacements with Chevy parts!

I think that Nissan screwed up bad on this deal! Yoshi, congrats on the move to a leader in that car industry and a company that is going places with their line of cars! You will not be disappointed.

Now how about getting us some pit passes for a couple of the NASCAR races?? hehehehehehe

PD2:thumbsup:

Man, that's messed up what Nissan did to them guys!! Not right at all!! Then again, what comes around, goes around... Toyota wins and Nissan loses!! Sure has been a roller coaster year for you guys!!! At least L A is closer than Japan though. After all the downs this year, things are swinging back up and we're ending the year on the good side.. I hope next year is way better for all of you!!! Good luck with the new job, Yoshi, and congrats to all of you on the expected new arrival (s) for 2009!!! :woohoo:

UtherJoe

We got to talk this morning, he will be working with intake and exhaust techs on TRD street applications, I assume for 2F2F types of cars. It's not the Skunkworks sort of thing Nissan was doing but with his knowledge of CADCAM and experience with Nissan he should do just fine. Chances are he would have wound up in the LA area anyway once he was done with his training. This is good, now I have a place in SoCal to hang out when it's too cold up here.

This is good, now I have a place in SoCal to hang out when it's too cold up here.

Pete,
Nothing wrong with that plan! :thumbsup::thumbsup: rr

Congrats to you and yours, Pete! :thumbsup:

Pete,

Don't worry about the kids moving to LA. I've been here for 22 years and look how normal I am.

:drunk::hat::freak::dude:

Yeah, well you could be the exception to the rule. X2 lives near 91 and Artesia in Carson, and she definately has problems.

Hey, tell Yoshi he has to find out how the heck Toyota takes a 190ci motor like the Supra and with keeping almost everything stock except a different turbo and a few other parts, generates almost 600HP for drag racing! Buddy of mine was telling me about this car at the track where he is and we were just blown away! The Supra is probably the top end of the TRD, but man, to produce what most big blocks are looking for in that small of a motor is amazing!

PD2:thumbsup:

Paul, I know, I've seen some pretty healthy Celica's around here. My Ranger will be getting a performance intake and a Flowmaster this summer, Yoshi is supposed to do all of my exhaust tubing for me. It should boost my towing capability some.

Paul I had a 350Z with a supercharger running four over and oversize valve heads and was making 400 hp on 91 octane pump gas. I also had a 300ZX that was a twin turbo, intercooled and had a twin shot that would make nearly 550 on just the motor. I could run 12's pretty easy with that one. My days of going fast, and sideways for that matter, are behind me I think.

Well, I would not say behind you - maybe on the side for now, but never behind you. ;)

Like I said, I would have never thought I would have been a big Toyota advocate, but I just love the one I have and have had no where near the issues I did with my Chevy! The only money I put into the truck is standard maintenance items. And the thing runs as solid as the day I bought - still great response and compression and just tight all the way around! Of course, we are talking about a truck and not a Celica or Supra, but still, comparing truck to truck, my Chevy would be needing all sorts of repairs to keep it running, let alone keep it performing at the same level.

I think you are going to do awesome in your new gig. Yeah, its down in LA, but like UtherJoe said, its not Japan - a 12 hour plane ride away!

Congrats Yoshi! Hope you and your new Bride enjoy the new path and door that has opened for you guys!

PD2:thumbsup: