The Third Generation 2012 Toyota Yaris – Car Buying Tips – Brad Your Car Guy

Lean- Tough and Affordable Describes the 2012 Toyota Yaris

The 2012 Toyota Yaris is the entry-level  car line-up and can be purchased either as a 3-door or a 5-door liftback. The model is available in 5 trims starting with the Yaris L and going up to the Yaris SE model. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 The New 2012 Toyota Yaris is now a Third Generation  Yaris  The standard L model is a compact 3-door with 1.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual shift transmission that delivers a very attractive 30mpg in cities and 38mpg on the highway.  The 16-Value Variable Time Engine can generate 106hp and produce 103 pound-foot of torque at 4,200 rpm. The car can be supplied with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission

The 2012  Toyota Yaris is Longer -Wider and Roomier

The 2012 Toyota  Yaris redrafted the outward appearance of the Yaris in the 2012 version, opting to give the car a sportier look than earlier versions, which many felt was a little too feminine.

The new body is also larger both in length and width, making the car roomier than its predecessor. Regardless of the increase in size, this is still a small car and putting three adults in the single unit, fold down rear seat would be uncomfortable on longer journeys.

But who really cares? In this size car the back seat is used less that 30% of the time.

Technology for the 2012 Toyota Yaris

Unusually for a car in its class the:

• Yaris is equipped as standard with the latest technological safety advances in computerised braking and stability control.
• Car can automatically adjust brakes and throttle to help keep directional control as well as helping to prevent wheel spin where traction is a problem.
• Antilock braking system in the 2012 Toyota Yaris  is coupled with both an electronic braking-force distribution system that will maximize each individual wheel’s braking performance,
• Brake Assist System that automatically senses when an emergency stop is required and applies full braking power.
• Rack-and-pinion steering, which is assisted by electrical power, is also standard on the Toyota Yaris.

Inside, the 2012 Toyota Yaris comes with an AM/FM stereo radio and CD Player that can also playback MP3 and WMA  recordings. The unit has a USB  jack with iPhone connectivity. Air-conditioning is standard in the Yaris. The analog fuel gauge, tach and speedometer are complemented by an LCD  that displays other useful information, like fuel consumption and distance to empty, and various warnings. And as a special bonus both front seats are 4-way adjustable.

 The 2012 Toyota Yaris Top of the line 5 Door SE

The top trim in the Yaris range is the 5-door SE that Toyota claims has a sportier look. This is achieved by adding a chrome grille at the front and putting chrome finishes elsewhere on the vehicle as well as a rear spoiler. From a performance point of view, the SE is really no better than the Yaris L.

Both cars use same engine and the extra 1” wheel size on the SE is not going to deliver a noticeable performance boost. Nevertheless, a 1.5-liter engine in a car of this size and weight does deliver sprightly performance, especially when there are no passengers or cargo.

Free Maintenance for Twenty Four Months Comes Standard with the 2012 Toyota Yaris

Toyota cars are renowned for their reliability and dependability but should anything go wrong the Yaris is covered by Toyota’s generous warranty terms. There is a 3-year or 36,000 mile warranty on components. The Powertrain is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. The car is covered for corrosion for 5 years with unlimited mileage. And when bought new, regular scheduled servicing is free for up to 2 years or 25,000 miles, although this offer is not available for some classes of commercial usage.

 

 

 

Popularity: 1% [?]

2012 Toyota Avalon – A Conservative Design that Delivers on the Bottomline

2012 Toyota Avalon – Elegance and Modern Technology Combined

The 2012 Toyota Avalon is the premier sedan manufactured by the Japanese automobile maker in the United States and is Toyota’s flagship sedan in North America as well as the Middle East. The Avalon is a full-sized sedan with plenty of room and a broad range of luxury features which provide a comfortably smooth driving and riding experience. Its size and functionality caters well to people who value comfort and excellent design over raw performance.

The 2012 Toyota Avalon will remain unchanged from its 2011 model year, but still offers a wide range of benefits highlighted by the largeness of its space, the comfort it provides and a number of luxury appointments as well. Is there reason to think twice about buying an Avalon then? No and here is why:

2012 Toyota Avalon Exterior – Classic Luxury

The beauty of the 2012 Toyota Avalon is in the simplicity of its design. Compared to its competition, the Avalon lacks sleek lines or strong accented angles. This is a strong point of the Avalon’s design. Instead of imitating modern aesthetics in new vehicles, it relies on the simplicity of its exterior to emit an elegant appeal akin to luxurious classic cars which were very popular in the past. With this in mind, there really is no reason for Toyota to chug out exterior changes every year which may very well alter the uniqueness of the Avalon.

The 2012 Toyota Avalon has a wide wheelbase and with the inclusion of a wide substantial grille that blends with the projector headlamps and the broad hood, the full-sized sedan looks even bigger than it really is. In fact, many people who have had the chance of reviewing the Avalon up close liken the sedan to an outstretched Camry.

The Avalon is equipped with very bright headlamps due to the combination of halogen high beams and halogen low beams producing a light signature that is unique to the vehicle. Its front fog lamps blend well with the trapezoid front bumper to produce lights that cover a wide area. The side mirrors are resistant to glare and are integrated with turn signals.

2012 Toyota Avalon Interior – Elegant Simplicity

Aside from its elegant and classic exterior, the interior design of the 2012 Toyota Avalon is no different. The spacious interior looks very elegant from the inside not to mention comfortable because of the seating and the included amenities. Colors of the materials match well with the wood-grain style materials used to exude the elegance found commonly in luxury sedans.

The gauges are very presentable with white lighting and white pointers enclosed in smoked lenses as well as deep chrome rings that add up to the already luxurious appearance of the interior. To add comfort to luxury, Toyota even included finger tip-controlled control switches that help access other vehicle systems including Bluetooth smartphone connectivity

2012 Toyota Avalon Technology and Gadgetry

Despite exuding a sense of luxury evident in classically modern automobiles, the 2012 Toyota Avalon has a wide array of modern electronic technology to improve the vehicle experience of the driver as well as the passengers. Just some of these features include hands-free phone and music streaming via Bluetooth with a compatible device, auxiliary connectivity for iOS devices, and Sirius XM satellite radio capability among others.

The display system installed in the 2012 Toyota Avalon is not only for DVD playback. Likewise, it is also used by the navigation system and features a keyboard screen much like a personal computer. To provide the best sound quality, Toyota equipped the Avalon with a 9-speaker audio system to produce impressive sound quality. Upgrades to this system can also come in the form of a JBL 12-speaker 660-watt JBL Premium Synthesis audio system that is also fitted with a 2-coil subwoofer.

2012 Toyota Avalon Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency

The 2012 Toyota Avalon is equipped with a 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC engine producing 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 pound-foot of torque at 4,700 RPM. Despite the powerful engine, it is integrated into a 6-speed automatic transmission system to maximize fuel economy. Because of this, the 2012 Toyota Avalon has an EPA rating of 20 miles per gallon on city roads and 29 miles per gallon on highways making it more fuel-efficient than many of the full-size sedans available in the market today.

There are many good reasons why the Avalon has a huge following among the older generation and there is no reason why younger car enthusiasts should not consider transitioning to a more elegant car design in the form of the 2012 Toyota Avalon.

Review and price 2012 Toyota Avalon now.

 

Popularity: 1% [?]

The 2012 Toyota Camry – Reliability, performance and economy in a midsize sedan

The Toyota Camry is one of the best selling cars in the midsize range. Its reputation is one of solid, consistent performance, roomy interior, and excellent fuel economy all combined with the ability to deliver power when required. The 2012 version of the Camry has been totally redesigned, but Toyota has held on to all the features that have made it such a popular car. Toyota has received some criticism in the motoring press for not giving the car a racier appearance, but these journalists seem to be missing Toyota’s point. The Camry is aimed at buyers who want to feel they are investing in a safe, reliable vehicle and the Camry’s exterior conveys exactly that image. The new Camry also sports a much more refined interior than previous models and features the new Web-based Entune system that integrates audio, infotainment and navigation.

2012 Toyota Camry Trim Levels

The Toyota Camry model is available in six different trims, two of which are hybrid versions. The entry-level car is the Camry L, which, at under $23,000 MSRP, represents excellent value for a car of this size and class. This trim, and the other standard engine trims, is sold with a 2.5-liter engine that delivers an impressive 268 horsepower to the front-wheel drive with a torque rating of 248 pound-feet at 4,800 rpm. The power available makes the car very comfortable when overtaking, and is all the more pleasing because the gas consumption level is surprisingly low. Consumption has been rated in all trims with standard engines at 25-mpg city and 35-mpg highway, excellent value for the money in a car of this size.

For those who want even more oomph, the Camry SE and XLE trims can be bought with a heftier 3.5-liter, V6 engine that, as you would expect, is less fuel efficient but still quite impressive at 21/30mpg. If fuel efficiency in a city environment is a key requirement, then the Hybrid LE (43/39mpg) and Hybrid XLE (40/38) are available. These are shipped with a 2.5-liter, hybrid engine with a combined horsepower rating of 200. All of the standard engine trims come with 6-speed automatic transmission while the Hybrids use the automatic electronic variable transmission.

2012 Toyota Camry Warranty and Toyota Care

While virtually all Toyota cars can be expected to offer trouble-free performance, there is always the chance that something will go wrong, so Toyota bundles a warranty package with its Camry range. Components and build benefit from a 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty while the powertrain is guaranteed for 5 years or 60,000 miles. The car is supplied with an anti-rust warranty for 5 years with unlimited mileage. The company also offers its Toyota Care package with new vehicles. This provides free regular scheduled maintenance up to 25,000 miles or 2 years.

2012 Toyota Camry Interior Refinement

Inside, the car feels spacious and comfortable. Toyota has modified both the base and slope of the rear window as well as the seating to give more space and the car provides a comfortable ride for three average adults in the rear. When carrying only two rear passengers, there is a pull-down central armrest with cup holders.

As you would expect, the higher priced trims deliver more in terms of style and features. The XLE comes with a 6.1-inch display with touchscreen for managing on-board entertainment as well as providing a navigation unit and Internet access.

Look for another post in the near future on Toyota’s Entune system.

For more information or pricing, please click here.

 

Popularity: 2% [?]

How the Car Business is Changing

Change: “to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone…”

This is the first in a series of short posts on change in the car business. Some changes are obvious. Some changes are hidden. As a third generation car dealer, I believe that our business is entering a period of the most profound and rapid change we have ever experienced — and that is saying something.  Of course, we’re not alone in this. The entire world is experiencing the same thing. My hope is to help you as a consumer to understand the changes going on in the car business, so that you will be empowered to make the best decisions for your own particular situation.

Transparency

Transparency is explained by Wikipedia as follows. Transparency, as used in the humanities, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning used in the physical sciences: a “transparent” object is one that can be seen through.

In the car business, access to information and an increasingly efficient market is driving increased transparency.  As a consumer you have access to more information than ever before. Just “Google” whatever you drive now. A search just a moment ago for “2008 Toyota Camry” resulted in 5,580,000 results (that’s way more than the number of Camry’s sold that year!). As you know the quality of the information you have can make a big difference. Automotive consumers have more choices and increased access to information, which leads to a more efficient market. You wouldn’t pay more than the going rate for a publicly traded stock.  Until relatively recently, consumers and dealers alike didn’t have access to this kind of information that they could count on to be accurate.

I have to say all this is a good thing for our business. The car business needs to change and quickly. We have to develop new ways to do business that meet our customers’ needs.

At Doenges Toyota Ford Lincoln Mercury we talk about this all the time. We strive to be leaders in increased transparency of a car deal and upfront dealings with our customers. For an example of how this might work check out our “shopping cart” for automotive e-commerce at http://www.aidealer.com/AiDealerProduction/DealershipInventorySearch.aspx?DealershipId=28

The nuts and bolts of a car deal is just math. The real magic in our business comes from helping people.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Doenges Ford-Bartlesville Oklahoma-a Genuine Legacy

By Russ Mullin Guest Contributor

To Live-To Love-To Learn-To Leave a Legacy. The term legacy implies leaving something of value for others to enjoy and or benefit from. Before you can pass along or bequeath value you have to earn the value. True value is earned by design, desire, vision, sacrifice, giving, learning , passion and hard work.

Giving Back to the Community. We hear this term a lot and at times  “giving back to the community” echos  a shallow rhetoric theme.  Some businesses have no idea what giving to their community really is. I have seen ads in different forms of media proclaim “We give back to the community”.  Action speaks louder than words.  The business that really gives back value does so incognito. You don’t need to brag about it.

A local, hometown business is dependent on the local population for survival and success. The business must offer their products at a fair price and excellence in service after the sell.  Excellent service is another over used and abused word. When we discuss the  equation of a Legacy  the terms service and excellence must be defined.

What is Excellence in Service? To achieve excellence does this mean satisfy 100% of your customers 100% of the time?  I think we would both agree this is a fantasy. No one person or company is 100% .  But 97% or 98% is a fantastic number to shoot for.

The 3% Brain Damage  Rule. I have found in my business career that there are three people out of every one-hundred I cannot satisfy regardless of what I do.  Sometimes I think these three customers are people who’s  sole goal in life is to complain and spread misery, they are radioactive in any environment they occupy. If you work in any customer service environment you will meet three jerks out of every 100 customers you encounter. To prevent brain damage when you encounter a jerk just say to yourself “one down two to go”.

Excellent Service is Not A Destination. Now I don’t want to leave the impression that the other 97 customers are always in the “hunky-dory” mode. We have our service problems but I can tell you we solve 99%  of all service issues.  You may ask well how about the other 1% ?  Well there is at least one loon out there  for every 100 customers who will never be satisfied. I call it one of  life’s mystery that will never be solved.

So What Does All of This Have to do With The Doenges Legacy? Before you can even be considered a Legacy excellent service needs to be an integral function and part of you business DNA. Excellent Service covers a wide net. You need to think in terms of Service in the following four areas.

• Excellence in Service to Your Customers
• Excellence in service to Your Employees
• Excellence in Service to Your Vendors
• Excellence in Service to Your Community

To build a legacy you need to hit the ball out of the park on all four of these service levels. Then you have to do it for five or more consecutive years.

The Doenges Family has been an Excellent Service Provider in All Four Arenas For the Last 69 Years! The Doenges team has mastered these  four areas of Exemplary Service for 69 years. How many other enterprises, nationwide,  have achieved this plateau of distinction? Well we both know that answer, few and far between. 

Awards Should  be  Designed to Recognize Superlative Achievement. One proud community in Northeast Oklahoma hosts a prestigious Award Program called the Legacy Hall of Fame . According to Julia Crouch the Bartlesville Community Foundation that produces the event; The  2010 Legacy Hall of Fame honoree, the Bill Doenges family, represent generations of giving back to the community of Bartlesville.

Bill Meets Bert 69 Years Ago-The Start of Another Bartlesville Legacy. Crouch  continues, the Doenges family story came to life in Bartlesville in 1941, when William C. “Bill” Doenges, purchased the Ford dealership from Bert Gaddis. Bill had already been working in the car business for over twenty years, operating numerous dealerships, including Tonkawa and Coffeyville. Bill continued to expand his business and bought the Ford agency in Tulsa in 1948.

How Bill and Elizabeth Spreed the Wealth. Crouch added , the car business wasn’t the only love that Bill Doenges passed on to his family. He and his wife Elizabeth really cared about this community. Through their leadership and financial support for dozens of organizations, sports teams, and causes, the couple set a great example for others to follow. That spirit of generosity is seen in present-day Bartlesville, as the Doenges family continues to invest quietly in valuable programs and community projects, including being the longest-running sponsor of an American Legion baseball team in the United States.

Today, two generations later, Doenges Toyota Ford Lincoln Mercury continues its success as a premier auto dealership in Bartlesville.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Doenges Toyota Ford in Bartlesville C.A.R.S Update #1

The C.A.R.S (Cash Allowance Rebate System) started today.

For the first time in recent history it becomes your patriotic duty to purchase a vehicle and get rewarded for it.

The reward? $3,500 to $4,500 (Thirty-Five to Forty-Five Hundred Dollars.)

With any government program there is paper work.

• In this case the hassle is worth your time.
• Real, in the pocket savings, up to $10,000 on new Ford, Lincoln Mercury or Toyota’s.
• We (the dealer) will do 97% of the paper work for you.
• Our job is to make the entire process EZ-EZ-EZ.
• Any new Ford, Lincoln, Mercury or Toyota is eligible.
• Every eligible vehicle has some type of manufacturer cash incentive or rebate as an additional bonus.
• Add in Dealer Discounts and you can drive off in a new vehicle with a $10,000 no B.S. Discount.
• For more details call Tina at 918-333-0900 or Click-on “Ask Brad“, type in your question and I will send you a reply ASAP.

For best selection go to your local Ford Lincoln Mercury Toyota dealer now or Doenges Ford Lincoln Mercury Toyota in Bartlesville Oklahoma.

Popularity: 83% [?]

2009 Toyota Yaris: Economy, Style and Fun

Fuel Economy Without Hybrid Price Tags

These days, those who are looking for a car that gets excellent mileage often turn to hybrid vehicles. For many, however, the added cost of hybrid technology puts what is supposed to be an economical vehicle out of their price range. If you are one of these people, have no fear. Hybrids aren’t the only way to get great fuel mileage. There are still great economy cars out there that can deliver the fuel mileage your looking for.

Welcome to the 2009 Toyota Yaris.

2009 Toyota Yaris

The 2009 Toyota Yaris is the sub compact economy car from the manufacturer who made their name with economy cars. And by economy I don’t mean cheap. Though frugal both in sticker price and fuel bills this little commuter offers all the styling, room, features and attention to detail that one would expect from a car sporting the Toyota badge. Add to this Toyota’s solid reputation for reliability and quality and what you get in the 2009 Yaris is a lot of bang for surprisingly little bucks.

2009 Yaris Body styles

This 2009 Toyota subcompact offering is available in one of three body styles. Whether you choose the three-door hatchback, the five-door hatchback or the four-door sedan, if you like cute, you’ll love this car.

Kelley Blue Book points out that the liftback makes the more expressive design statement and they are right. Somewhat beetle like in its shape the three and five door hatchbacks are the ultimate in urban geek chic. Headlights and tailights stand out looking bulbous and over-sized and fit nicely with the rounded edges that dominate this car. Get the S-trim package and the to add even more funky flare with 15 inch steel wheels and a ground effects body kit.

Toyota Yaris Interior

Where the hatchback stands out in exterior style, the sedan makes its statement in interior room. With an additional 20 inches of body length the four door sedan Yaris is one of the more roomy subcompacts to be found on today’s market.

For those who love the hatchbacks bulbous cuteness, though, you will be happy to see the focus on young fun styling continue into the Yaris’ interior. A narrow center stack, three glove boxes, and center mounted instruments combine to keep the Yaris’ playful style consistent inside and out. Toyota also offers the option of sliding and reclining rear seats to help overcome the tighter confines of the hatchbacks smaller size.

2009 Yaris Performance and Economy

A 1.5 liter four cylinder motor powers all Yaris models. This little powerplant delivers 106 ponies and 103 lb-ft of torque to the Yaris’ front wheels via a standard five speed manual or optional four speed automatic transmission and manages to deliver respectable acceleration for a subcompact economy car.

As should be expected in the subcompact economy class, however, this car is all about fuel economy. Posting a miserly 29 city 36 highway with the standard transmission and 29 city 35 highway with the automatic the 2009 Toyota Yaris delivers where subcompact consumers want it most, at the gas pump.

2009 Toyota Yaris Safety

Where subcompact consumers often expect their cars to deliver least is in safety. Toyota doesn’t think one should have to sacrifice safety for economy, however, and in the 2009 Toyota Yaris they made sure that safety was a primary focus.

With standard safety features one would expect in much pricier cars, like side curtain airbags and ABS, the 2009 Toyota Yaris managed to earn four of five stars for the front occupant and five stars for driver in frontal crash tests. The car was also rated good by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in both frontal offset and side impact tests.

A Great Little Subcompact Economy Car

As you can see, in the 2009 Toyota Yaris, Toyota has made a great little subcompact economy car. If you would like a quote on a new 2009 Toyota Yaris fell free to contact me through my quick quote form. You can also browse my entire inventory of new and used offerings from Ford Toyota Lincoln and Mercury on my Bartlesville lot. I will be more than happy to assist you in any way I can.

I hope that if you are in the market for a subcompact car you will give the Toyota Yaris serious consideration. Until tomorrow, have a great day!

Popularity: 25% [?]

2009 Toyota Avalon: Luxury, Power, Economy, Safety

2009 Toyota Avalon; #1 Affordable Large Sedan

The Toyota Avalon may not be the first car most people think of when they are asked to name a great large sedan. However, according to U.S. News and World Report, it probably should be.

In this year’s rankings U.S. News and World Report have the 2009 Toyota Avalon ranked as the number one affordable large car. The ranking is based on analysis of 55 published reviews and test drives of the car as well as safety and reliability data. So, apparently there are a lot of reviewers who consider the Avalon to be the tops in its class. Maybe this car deserves more attention than it gets.

Let’s take a look and see what all this praise is about.

2009 Toyota Avalon

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Popularity: 94% [?]

What is the Right Car for Me? 10 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Car

Which Ford or Toyota Vehicle is Right for Me?

Not long ago I wrote an article entitled “15 Things to Do Before You Buy a Car” to give readers an overview of all the things they needed to consider and research before actually making a trip to the dealer lot to purchase a new car, truck, SUV or crossover vehicle. Among the fifteen items were a couple dealing with selecting the actual vehicle that is right for you. Since the article was an overview of the many things you need to do, I did not go into detail as to how to actually decide which vehicle is right for you. That’s where today’s post comes in.

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Popularity: 20% [?]

2009 Toyota Venza Videos

More Venza for Bartlesville Toyota fans

Not long ago I wrote a review of the 2009 Toyota Venza titled “Toyota venza: A Great CUV for the Bartlesville Mom”. In the past few days that post has been receiving a lot of views and even managed to creep into my top ten most popular posts as you can see by the “most Popular Posts” list in the right hand sidebar. Well, since there is so much interest in this car, I thought I might offer a little more on the 2009 Venza today.

I think we pretty much covered the stats on the car and all the great qualities you will find in this brand new model of CUV. So, today I’ve gone out and found some video fro Toyota that will allow you to get to know the car even better. These videos come from Toyota’s YouTube channel and are just a few of many videos Toyota offers to help consumers get to know there products a little better without having to take a trip to the lot.

Toyota on Youtube

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Popularity: 16% [?]

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