You know it’s one of those days when you’re driving a nice borrowed test unit which arrived with nearly a full tank of gas.

Then you get the green light at virtually every intersection. No yellows or reds to slow you down to work that you enjoy so well. Okay, the work is blessed but not the pay.

Every other vehicle on the road seems to be driven by courteous, defensive drivers, who readily yield the right of way to you — including passenger buses, jeepneys, semis hauling containers, even tricycles.

And village security guards wave you by the gate without hesitation. Even parking lot guards forego the perfunctory inspection of the trunk.

We experienced that over the weekend when we got the Nissan Cefiro 300EX.

We can’t be sure if it’s the Cefiro looking rich and stately with a deep shiny black paint job and security tint all over. Or just the planets and stars configured to favor an arthritic Capricorn or a rheumatic Wood Rat (the X-ray results of an aching pelvis haven’t come in).

But out of fear of getting this column and the hack who’s writing this getting burned in the pulpit and in real life for espousing something that goes against the Church and the Bible, we’ll attribute those special days to the Cefiro.

While we couldn’t explain away the green lights that seem to go on everytime the Cefiro arrived at intersections, we can argue mightily that Nissan’s executive sedan, although it really hasn’t changed its looks for years, can still intimidate guards and prompt respect from other drivers who can’t see the big wig behind the wide dark tinted windows.

There’s no gain in saying that the Cefiro still retains a haughty look with the hood ornament on its wide lippy facade. Other exterior features are cornering lamps and front fog lamps.

While some may no longer be impressed by the standard luxury features in the Cefiro, to someone who’s daily taste of luxury is riding in public utility vehicles with aircon fully-charged with HFC and working shock absorbers, Nissan’s flagship sedan is heaven.

The rich leather upholstery and trim, the wood accents, the elegant analogue clock, the 60/40 split-fold rear bench, the heads-up digital speedometer display on windshield corner, metal scuff plates are all just gravy.

The audio system with seven speakers spread around the very roomy cabin and the 12-disc changer in the trunk seems dated in these days of multiple-disc front loaders and iPod docks but it was better than listening to Love FM radio static in cramped FX shuttles.

Our loaned Cefiro also had an overhead DVD monitor but being allergic to all gadgets developed in the new millennium, we didn’t even attempt to find out how to use the damn thing. The same was true with the controls mounted on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

We also didn’t play around with the memory settings for the electronically adjustable seats although we think all tsupers of powerful executives should be so blessed.

But we really felt blessed just driving to work for a change, especially with the smooth VQ engine and the solid comfortable ride. Among Japanese cars, Nissan comes closest to the ride and handling characteristics of European executive sedans.