tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19076294551735691142024-03-13T16:23:15.838-05:00Toyota Talk BlogSt. Louis based blog for Lou Fusz Toyota, covering interesting news on cars like the Camry and Prius to Scion and everything in between.Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-23517727522486127522013-10-18T09:15:00.000-05:002013-10-18T09:15:12.381-05:002014 Corolla finalist for "Green Car of the Year" awardWhat vehicle has made the most environmental impact this year while also being easily available to the average American? There are five different nominees up for the title of "Green Car of the Year", an award being presented at the LA Auto show on November 20th.<br />
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A panel of judges, including Jay Leno, Ocean Futures Society president Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune will bestow the title to one of the following contenders:</div>
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The Audi A6 TDI ($58,395), which utilizes a diesel engine to improve fuel efficiency.</div>
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The BMW 328d ($38,600), which also has a diesel engine and 45 estimated highway MPG.</div>
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The Honda Accord ($29,945), which has become available as a hybrid for 2014.</div>
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The Mazda3 ($27,595), which offers a unique i-Eloop energy saving system on the top-of-the-line s Grand S touring model. i-Eloop stores up electric energy when the driver lets off the gas, saving it for later use.</div>
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The Toyota Corolla ($18,700), which was completely redesigned for 2014 and offers a LE Eco model that uses improved aerodynamics and unique CVTi-S (continuously variable transmission) tuning to achieve 42 MPG on the highway.</div>
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The big factor at play here is determining which car is raising the bar when it comes to promoting efficiency, while also being most likely to show up in someone's driveway. Based on price alone (and the impressive fuel economy in the 40's) my vote would be for the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/blog/video/2013/october/17/2014-Toyota-Corolla-Kirkwood-MO-995a41e70a0a00641456e11a5ead5db5.htm" target="_blank">2014 Corolla</a>. However, according to<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/10/17/green-car-of-the-year-finalists/2999021/" target="_blank"> USA Today</a>, "The variety of cars in the finals shows how driving an ecological car can mean different things to different drivers, with their variety of needs."</div>
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Do you agree with that statement? Which car has your vote? </div>
Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-50381003775380619072013-10-11T09:28:00.001-05:002013-10-11T09:41:51.021-05:00Oculus Rift meets the 2014 Toyota Corolla If you grew up in the 90's, chances are you have fond memories for a lot of things—Pogs, Ecto Cooler, and Super Soakers, just to name a few. Remember visiting arcades and playing every single racing game there was? Cruisin' USA, Ridge Racer, Sega Rally Championship...the amount of great games (with equally impressive 3D environments, or so we thought at the time) seemed endless.<br />
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Those were certainly the days, and Toyota seems to have gotten a kick of that nostalgia recently, too. They tasked Ogeeku, a team of game developers, to re-create those memories using the <a href="http://www.oculusvr.com/" target="_blank">Oculus Rift</a> tool, a virtual reality headset for gaming. However, unlike most racing games where the goal is to accelerate as fast as possible, they wanted the emphasis to be on what it feels like to actually drive a car. To accomplish that, they modeled everything after the driving experience of the all-new, redesigned <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/" target="_blank">2014 Toyota Corolla.</a> The end result? A retro yet futuristic simulation they're referring to as "CorollaCade"!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV6IT0TYGI789sLpkN_lVU69ebMf1xyqLHywenW0flhbIJM3MFXABS8OBtQ7dcRrByaEcjzC4iFhIfavOLPGj6sUTbn_Xtx1lVoVKbt2tcEqlayIR9Yq9yz3EdmuAyOTJ7LCaAjBBRhE/s1600/CorollaCade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CorollaCade, Oculus Rift, Virtual reality test drive" border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV6IT0TYGI789sLpkN_lVU69ebMf1xyqLHywenW0flhbIJM3MFXABS8OBtQ7dcRrByaEcjzC4iFhIfavOLPGj6sUTbn_Xtx1lVoVKbt2tcEqlayIR9Yq9yz3EdmuAyOTJ7LCaAjBBRhE/s400/CorollaCade.jpg" title="Testing out CorollaCade, an experimental driving simulator using the 2014 Toyota Corolla and the Oculus Rift." width="500" /></a></div>
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The team put everything together in just under a month. Take a look at the video below to see how they did it-<br />
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Besides the amazing trip down memory lane, the other great news about CorollaCade being built is that Toyota hopes to make additional machines in the future (likely with more resources and development time) that the public could use to get the experience of a virtual reality test drive.<br />
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Think the CorollaCade takes four quarters to play? What Toyota should they feature for their next virtual reality simulation?Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-20690698464563892502013-10-04T09:38:00.000-05:002013-10-22T12:13:21.687-05:00Is a hybrid in your future? The father of the Prius thinks so.There's been a lot of talk in the past year about the future of automobiles and how we all need to prepare ourselves for the day of the "<a href="http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-take-the-wheel-on-driverless-cars-85899493304" target="_blank">driver-less</a>" car. Automakers and even tech giants like Google are working on their own versions of cars that pilot themselves, and claim that they could be ready in the next 10 years. Hop in, tell it where you want to go, and watch in amazement as the vehicle drives you to your destination. Sounds like science fiction, right? Would you trust a computer system to make all of your driving decisions?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22m3r8_DbIuDOvCfMgka5fhXiMJqL8HmQ2QwlOOV311NOLlRkIiHQMUTvZOe8-8_HhiyaTCKSGVlH2m4KJpx0EvW12sOBZ7aHLAHIwQxNMW1vdYnHdzLwEB1LAIPwgQdGe00DMzRWMRg/s1600/Prius+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota Prius, Takeshi Uchiyamada, Self-driving car" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22m3r8_DbIuDOvCfMgka5fhXiMJqL8HmQ2QwlOOV311NOLlRkIiHQMUTvZOe8-8_HhiyaTCKSGVlH2m4KJpx0EvW12sOBZ7aHLAHIwQxNMW1vdYnHdzLwEB1LAIPwgQdGe00DMzRWMRg/s400/Prius+bridge.jpg" title="Toyota Prius- bridge to the future?" width="400" /></a></div>
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Toyota's chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was one of the pioneers of the original <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/" target="_blank">Toyota Prius</a>, has a different opinion– he believes that we should maximize advances in hybrid technology first. Before autonomous cars (or even simply all-electric cars) take over, Uchiyamada says "there are still many more gains we can achieve with hybrids." For example, the current 3rd generation of the Prius has 10% better fuel efficiency than the previous one, at a combined MPG of 50. Mr. Uchiyamada is confident they can improve that number even more when the 4th generation is developed.<br />
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His game plan? To sell 5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S. by the end of 2016 and achieve mileage standards set forth by the Obama administration. “It’s only when we put ourselves under the same kind of intense
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goals. That’s what it takes. I want our industry to achieve this goal," he said.<br />
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Toyota's continued work with hybrid technology is actually more in line with what I think is best for all of us, as drivers. Rather than moving on from hybrids and only focusing on self-driving vehicles, they're slowly adding more self-driving features in future vehicles and getting us comfortable with using them. Two examples immediately come to mind: the first is the advanced technology package available on the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius-v/" target="_blank">Prius V</a>, which offers a <a href="http://bit.ly/ZDXY51" target="_blank">parking assist option </a>where the driver uses a camera to find a suitable spot for the vehicle. Once located, the vehicle automatically guides itself into a parking spot.<br />
The second is the <a href="http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1086955_toyota-yaris-hybrid-r-concept-2013-frankfurt-auto-show-video" target="_blank">Yaris Hybrid-R</a>, a concept vehicle capable of 414 horsepower. It utilizes multiple motors, with a gas engine to power the two front wheels, and two electric motors that specifically power the rear wheels, giving the car all-wheel drive traction. While unlikely to ever hit the showroom, elements of its design may make their way into future cars.<br />
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In addition to both of these technologies, Toyota is also working on sensors that would allow a vehicle to apply brakes and control the steering wheel on its own. According to Mr. Uchiyamada, they want to eliminate driving fatalities on the highway, but believes that drivers need to be in control of their vehicle for the foreseeable future.<br />
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Do you agree that we're not yet ready for a world where cars drive themselves?<br />
<br />Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-36557522577006674222013-09-27T09:29:00.002-05:002013-09-27T09:29:43.938-05:00Toyota wants to make night-time driving a lot saferDo you often times find yourself driving at night, only to come across a vehicle headed in your direction with their high beams on? As they approach from the distance, you can't help but to try and shield yourself from the intense blast of their brights, assaulting your eyes and making you recall that famous Manfred Mann song, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlBifX0H3yg" target="_blank">Blinded by the light</a>." Several excruciating seconds pass until at long last, the driver is no longer in your field of vision. Sound like a scenario you've been in before? Toyota wants to fix that, by introducing a new adaptive driving beam technology that could automatically control how the brights in vehicles shine.<br />
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How does it work? Overseas, Toyota has already produced 16,000 vehicles that come equipped with a special camera built into the headlights. When the vehicle detects another car on the road, it dims the high beams ever so slightly, to reduce the portion of light that would normally shine in the other driver's face. This allows drivers to keep their high beams on, which allows more illumination (and better visibility) of the road, increasing safety. It's important to note that unlike other high-beam features car makers have introduced in the past, this one doesn't just turn the beams off and on....it allows the driver to keep their high beams on the entire time!</div>
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Here's where things gets strange, though. In 1999, a U.S. law was passed that forbid the use of camera/headlight technology in America. According to the law, headlight beams must either run in high or low mode, with no settings in-between. Toyota has recently been petitioning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get this reversed, as they say that it could be a useful tool in helping to reduce the number of annual fatalities caused by dark driving situations.</div>
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Vehicles such as the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sienna/" target="_blank">Toyota Sienna</a> and <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/" target="_blank">Toyota Camry</a> already have similar safety features (available on certain models), that utilize cameras to improve your field of vision, such as the blind spot monitor/rear cross traffic alert. It works by displaying an icon in your side-view mirror when another vehicle is approaching. Should the NHTSA ruling get reversed, it wouldn't be difficult for Toyota to start including the high beam feature in these (and other) vehicles, in addition to the safety features they're already available with. Do you think cars would benefit from being equipped with additional cameras and computers that assist our driving experience? Would having your high beams on more often help you to drive better at night?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-77375413070750612602013-09-20T09:08:00.000-05:002013-09-20T09:10:30.938-05:00Toyota Venza vs RAV4- what's different?One question that often comes up at the dealership is, "What makes the Toyota Venza different than the RAV4?" I mean, they're both SUV's, after all! Don't they serve the same purpose? Well, yes and no.<br />
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The RAV4 is technically considered a crossover, which means a vehicle that has a mix of features from both SUV's and midsize sedans, such as station wagons and hatchbacks. Crossovers are smaller than those huge, full sized SUV's you might remember from the early 2000's, but still have plenty of room, which is why they've become one of the most popular vehicles among families. </div>
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How does the Venza compare? I asked our salesman <a href="mailto:jconaway@fusz.com" target="_blank">Jimmy Conaway</a> for his thoughts, and the first thing he told me was that even though the Venza is also considered a crossover vehicle, it's better to think of it as "70% car, 30% SUV."</div>
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Just from looking at the photo below, right away you can tell that the Venza isn't quite as tall as the RAV4. It looks and feels more like a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/" target="_blank">Camry</a> than a traditional SUV (such as the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Highlander/" target="_blank">Highlander</a>). Other key differences?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMyomlV_RlS9TXswXuY6JtzIuovpTuEUOEQpDARKvKtlW5_bEsdandSxnq9HWGVk3UJEvO98slCtL6IyPoknhNPZbQm05Sk_AtonuOUxlr5ATucpS1cB59FLYStEI66RcMIY8ZI39Ofs/s1600/2013+venza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014 Toyota Venza, Lou Fusz Toyota" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMyomlV_RlS9TXswXuY6JtzIuovpTuEUOEQpDARKvKtlW5_bEsdandSxnq9HWGVk3UJEvO98slCtL6IyPoknhNPZbQm05Sk_AtonuOUxlr5ATucpS1cB59FLYStEI66RcMIY8ZI39Ofs/s400/2013+venza.jpg" title="2014 Toyota Venza" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li>While the Venza only has two rows of seating for up to 5 (the RAV4 can seat up to 7 with an optional 3rd row added) it does have more spacious, luxurious seats. Heated, leather-trimmed seats are standard in both the LE and XLE models of the vehicle.</li>
<li>The Venza comes standard with many additional technology features such as dual zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Homelink, which can be used to activate household devices such as garage doors, RF-controlled lighting, and gates.</li>
<li>A V6 engine is available on the XLE model for those that want a ride that can zip along faster. The 2013 RAV4, in comparison, is only offered with a 4-cylinder engine.</li>
<li>MPG wise, the RAV4 is more efficient, capable of 24 city/31 hwy, compared to the Venza's 20 city/26 hwy.</li>
<li>Need to carry bikes or other over-sized cargo? The Venza does not come equipped with roof rails, whereas it is optional on the LE RAV4, and standard on the XLE and top of the line Limited model.</li>
<li>The RAV4 has 38.4 total cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats, compared to the Venza's 36.2.</li>
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So, which vehicle is for you? Jimmy likes to equate the Venza to being a SUV version of the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Avalon/" target="_blank">Toyota Avalon</a>. It's available with many additional features to give that feel of luxury, and is a perfect choice for drivers who want a SUV-like ride with maximum comfort. The RAV4 is a better choice for larger families and those who need to accommodate more cargo. It's also more well suited for long trips, thanks to its improved fuel efficiency.</div>
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Which vehicle do you prefer? </div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-28422622351756934652013-09-13T09:08:00.000-05:002013-09-13T09:08:57.974-05:00Tetris + ToyotaGot a smartphone? Chances are, you've probably downloaded at least one game onto it at some point. Whether it's Candy Crush (the lunch break office favorite among our administrative staff!),Words with Friends, or something else, we all love a good way to kill a few minutes of time, especially if it's portable. The great part about these games is being able to play and compare our scores with people of all ages and backgrounds from around the world. Consider these interesting stats: 57% of people play mobile games every day, and 17% of those gamers happen to be aged 65 and up, according to a study by <a href="http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-02/youre-playing-angry-birds-bathroom-arent-you-infographic">PopSci</a>!<br />
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If you like to get your gaming fix in, you're probably familiar with Tetris, regarded as one of the most classic puzzle games of all time. It's been around since 1984 and there have been countless variations of it, including EA's latest "<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.tetrisblitz_row&hl=en">Tetris Blitz</a>", which lets you play quick two-minute games that feature unique power-ups. </div>
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Since Tetris is so well known though, how do you make it a little more exciting? Inject some Toyota! To celebrate the launch of the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/" target="_blank">2014 Corolla</a>, Toyota has partnered up with EA to feature the vehicle as an exclusive prize you can earn as an in-game power-up. Activate the Corolla, and it zooms across the screen and clears a few lines of blocks for you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N79z6vNlzlNALV_T4l7o6fsJgi7Zwz-3_MlHZdlUyCLrlxZmblxKQ3vPP7u5ZWXARBzyuYa3H8aDEWQswGq8iT026k94gfkcgp1D07eM1OPWFamQlIq-bvfId-jZq6ycl9hfjDiopgw/s1600/Tetris+Blitz+Corolla.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014 Corolla, Toyota New Corolla, EA Tetris Blitz" border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N79z6vNlzlNALV_T4l7o6fsJgi7Zwz-3_MlHZdlUyCLrlxZmblxKQ3vPP7u5ZWXARBzyuYa3H8aDEWQswGq8iT026k94gfkcgp1D07eM1OPWFamQlIq-bvfId-jZq6ycl9hfjDiopgw/s640/Tetris+Blitz+Corolla.jpeg" title="Neat fact about the 2014 Corolla: all models now come standard with Bluetooth!" width="520" /></a></div>
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We like the direction Toyota has been taking with these promotions as well as their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwSNRlNUNEI">latest commercial </a>showing the Corolla evolving with music throughout the years. What do you think? Have you tried out the Tetris Blitz game? </div>
Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-37909665727372050732013-09-06T09:17:00.002-05:002013-09-06T09:18:52.250-05:00What makes "40" and "50" important for Toyota?Mention numbers in the 40 to 50 range to me and the first thing that usually comes to mind is hearing about a friend or family member celebrating a birthday. Is it time to bring out the cake with all the candles on it and the funny yet self deprecating card? Fortunately, in Toyota's case, they're not going that route. They do have two great milestones to celebrate, however!<br />
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The first is the announcement of the 40 millionth Toyota Corolla being sold worldwide, making Corolla the <a href="http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+corolla+40+million+sold.htm">best selling nameplate of all time</a>! To give you a comparison, in 1966 Toyota announced production of about 240,000 vehicles. Nowadays, over 1.1 million of them are produced annually, including the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/S-Plus-4dr-Sdn-CVT/360794/">all-new 2014 Corolla</a> with its premium interior and more stylish design. According to Jack Hollis, Toyota's Vice President of Marketing, the Corolla is "built for the way we live today and the places we go. From
urban chic to family road trip, at 40 million we’re just getting
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Take a look at the comparison photo below and you can see just how much the car has evolved in terms of size, style, and technology. I don't think the designers of the original Corolla ever imagined it could be outfitted with a<a href="http://www.toyota.com/corolla/#!/Welcome"> backup camera</a> or the ability to make hands free phone calls with Bluetooth!</div>
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Now, what's special about the number 50? This story is a little more emotional, and involves a special surprise for an unsuspecting police officer in suburban New York. Michael Dee, who's been part of the police force there for over 20 years, was having a barbecue in his backyard when Toyota's U.S. Sales Chief Bill Fay showed up unannounced with balloons in hand. What was the commotion about? Well, it turns out that Michael, who had just purchased a Toyota Camry, happened to be Toyota's 50 millionth customer in America! You'll have to watch the video below to see how they celebrated Michael's purchase, and his genuinely candid reaction. Would you have felt the same way if you were in his shoes?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-82739085586344605102013-08-30T09:29:00.000-05:002013-08-30T09:29:08.870-05:003 road trip tips for Labor Day weekendDo you typically go somewhere each year for Labor Day or another holiday weekend? More often than not, I find myself wanting to take advantage of those rare moments where I get 72 hours of free time by visiting friends out of town. Chicago and Kansas City are some of my favorite spots to hit up, as I can get to both fairly easily from St. Louis. You'd think that with both destinations only requiring one different highway each to travel on, it'd be straightforward and simple. That's not always the case!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikShOzJ8TyTjrttjA7v0voijVzbXNxTHMyoXbThojh1UuEmN7KwwvosURBosA84KJJZdPRZ1kinjgDysSAmwyudXE0Dp2-FQjoVEA3V4ntJ7gmr3QIkhtgJgSuvTuegFfn-v5dMf8tDL8/s1600/4runner+road+trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota 4Runner, 2014 4Runner, Labor Day road trip, Weekend travel" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikShOzJ8TyTjrttjA7v0voijVzbXNxTHMyoXbThojh1UuEmN7KwwvosURBosA84KJJZdPRZ1kinjgDysSAmwyudXE0Dp2-FQjoVEA3V4ntJ7gmr3QIkhtgJgSuvTuegFfn-v5dMf8tDL8/s400/4runner+road+trip.jpg" title="This 4Runner is hitting the road- is your car ready? Check your tires and fluids before you leave, and don't forget to use features like cruise control!" width="400" /></a></div>
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Labor Day weekend (and really any three day holiday weekend) is going to be the busiest time of the year to travel. Our <a href="http://www.fusz.com/Allstate.aspx">Lou Fusz Insurance manager Chris</a> was talking with me about driving, and she came up with some ideas for getting yourself mentally and physically prepared for going out of town. Here are her top three pieces of advice before you pack your bags and hit the road:</div>
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<b>1. Make sure your car is ready for the stress of several hundred (or more!) miles.</b></div>
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Has it been awhile since you've had your car checked for routine maintenance, or taken it in for an oil change? A road trip is the perfect excuse to get it done before you leave, so you can minimize the chances of having any problems occur. This includes the engine, radiator, and other fluids, such as your windshield wipers. Don't forget to check your tires and make sure they're properly inflated! It can be incredibly expensive to get your car fixed if you're out of town and need last minute repairs over the weekend. </div>
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<b>2. Plan ahead and know your route.</b></div>
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Traffic can get brutal on a Friday evening! If you're heading out after work, it's best to leave extra early if possible. You'll want to ideally be on the highway before 3 PM as many people tend to take shorter days on Friday, especially if it's a holiday weekend. Rush hour traffic can add an extra 30 mins to an hour of driving! If you're hoping to get to your destination by a certain time, it's also important to check online and see if there are any lane closures or construction work being done, as those can add significant amounts of time to your journey. A phone charger for your car is a good idea as well, if you plan to use GPS often.</div>
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<b>3. Stay safe, energized, and focused on the road.</b></div>
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The weekend always brings a higher likelihood of drivers who are either tired or have been drinking. Because of this, you'll need to take extra precaution on the highway, more-so if you're driving at night. Taking a road trip longer than several hours? Make sure to have frequent stops to eat, use the restroom, stretch, and keep yourself hydrated. You should also consider splitting up driving duties if traveling with others. Know your personal limits, and if you start to feel tired, stop and rest! <a href="http://bit.ly/105OFeQ">Drowsy driving</a> is incredibly dangerous, and many people don't even realize when they start falling asleep behind the wheel for one to two seconds at a time.</div>
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Do you have any other road trip tips or ideas? Leave a comment and share them below! </div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-29703502992057594512013-08-23T09:10:00.000-05:002013-08-23T09:21:45.160-05:00Could you live without your car?I enjoy driving. There's nothing quite like feeling the rush of the wind as I'm cruising down the highway in my <a href="http://fuszscion.com/New-VehicleResearch/2013_Scion_FR-S_1104599.aspx" target="_blank">FR-S</a>, with the windows rolled down and having complete control with every turn and burst of speed I make. Now, I'm all for promoting a healthy lifestyle by walking or biking places when possible, but the freedom to go where and when you want is not easily replaceable, especially when you live outside a major city in areas with rampant urban sprawl. For this reason, I don't think I could give up the ability to turn the key in my ignition and be halfway down highway 270 in a matter of minutes.<br />
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These days, <a href="http://grist.org/news/youngs-kill-car-culture/" target="_blank">more and more articles</a> are popping up online about how millennials don't seem to care as much about owning a vehicle. They claim that we're driving less not just because of economical reasons, but for societal ones as well. The big argument at stake is that we're living life more for the <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/08/21/209579037/why-millennials-are-ditching-cars-and-redefining-ownership">experiences than for possessions</a>. Does that mean it's cool to not have a car anymore? Even with gas constantly hovering near $4 a gallon, I would argue against that (as would my odometer)!</div>
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For every teenager and young adult we read about who is cherishing the benefits of going car-free, there are just as many who are earning their licenses and eagerly waiting to own a vehicle, or getting excited to buy a car with their first "real world" job. This rings true when you consider that not everyone in America has access to efficient mass-transit systems where restaurants, shopping, and other amenities are a short distance away. Would we like those things to be closer? Sure! Those who are attached to their cars are not all that different from the car free advocates. We still rely on technology to socialize and plan our outings, but realize that trying to do so without our vehicles is not always an option when you have friends spread out over urban, suburban, and rural areas.</div>
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Another thing to consider is just how many <a href="http://bit.ly/KTFElJ">activities and places of interest</a> are centered around driving to the destination. In St. Louis, for example, we love going on float trips in the summer, visiting theme parks like Six Flags, and spending time in Forest Park. All of those activities are made immensely easier by owning a car, whether you're transporting inner tubes, food for a picnic, or several kids!</div>
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Instead of focusing on the idea of going completely car free, it would be more realistic (and beneficial) for all of us to encourage the growth of bike paths and walkable neighborhoods in the areas where we live, and also promote more businesses that are located near those spots. This will give us a reason to drive less, but also one that most car-free advocates support the most: it helps to bring the sense of community back to our neighborhoods, whether we choose to get there by foot, bike, or in a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/">Prius.</a></div>
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Do you think you could give up your car? What would it take? </div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-13632858974947379002013-08-16T09:18:00.002-05:002013-08-16T09:18:49.958-05:00Entune gets an upgrade: what to expectToyota recently announced an upgrade coming to their <a href="http://www.toyota.com/entune/">Entune</a> multimedia system, which current (and future) users are sure to appreciate. If you've never heard of Entune, it's Toyota's way of decking out your car with technology and entertainment. <a href="http://toyota-talk.blogspot.com/2011/10/tech-my-ride-entune.html">Originally available in 2011 in certain Toyota vehicles</a>, Entune can now be equipped in most Toyotas, and offers a touchscreen display built into your stereo system, with the ability to quickly access a suite of useful applications (such as Bing, Pandora, iHeartRadio, etc). In addition, there are several different systems available, with premium versions offering features like navigation and the ability to play DVD's while the car is parked.<br />
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If you currently have a Toyota with Entune, the big news is that it will no longer require a subscription, effective immediately! For future Toyota owners, the upgraded version of Entune will be available starting with the 2014 Tundra (and then make it's way into the next versions of the Sequoia, 4Runner, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, Corolla, and Camry). This upgrade will include new features such as:<br />
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<li>Improved navigation capabilities, such as Tollbooth Guidance and Speed Limit Display</li>
<li>Save up to 2,500 contacts in phone storage, now with image display as well (previously 1,000)</li>
<li>New <b>Yelp</b> and <b>Facebook Places </b>apps available</li>
<li>Ability to customize homescreen in certain sections</li>
<li>Customize arrangement of apps and audio menu screens</li>
<li>Cache radio feature that lets you "pause" live radio, up to 20 minutes.</li>
<li>Color touchscreens with up to 8'' display screen size</li>
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To see full details of all the changes coming to Entune, you can visit the <a href="http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+next+generation+entune+audio+2014+tundra.htm">official Toyota site here</a>. Which new feature is your favorite?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-29751280468641542012013-08-09T09:12:00.001-05:002013-08-09T09:13:38.113-05:00Introducing: the Lou Fusz Car Pass <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTCS_h1Vf7sleT6MT0VlRh-2_b8Yxkt4htgfeYi7x-ma7wexLmy9QSDkosbvU9XJa7YaCC2ARBRKt7DrCJrfLZm32lugtiwe1icNSYvsBvRvELeCiomD9alb4_JP8aCbkih9vdUbJ5g/s1600/Car+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lou Fusz Car Pass, Toyota St. Louis, Reward Program" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUTCS_h1Vf7sleT6MT0VlRh-2_b8Yxkt4htgfeYi7x-ma7wexLmy9QSDkosbvU9XJa7YaCC2ARBRKt7DrCJrfLZm32lugtiwe1icNSYvsBvRvELeCiomD9alb4_JP8aCbkih9vdUbJ5g/s320/Car+pass.jpg" title="The Lou Fusz Car Pass gives you exclusive benefits on top of your AutoAwards membership." width="201" /></a></div>
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One of the things that makes owning a car from Lou Fusz unique from other dealerships is the free membership into our <a href="http://www.fusz.com/autoawards.aspx">AutoAwards program</a>, which gives you perks and freebies, such as the ability to earn points for every dollar you spend towards service. Those points can then be redeemed and used towards the purchase of a future car, saving up to $1000 off the price! AutoAwards members also get a key tag that can be shown for a <a href="http://www.fusz.com/local-merchants-and-offers.aspx">discount</a> at many businesses and restaurants all around St. Louis (which will sound familiar if you remember our recent "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWpzzYiZNZE">Blindfold Taste Test</a>" moment). It's like having one of those entertainment books, except you don't have to carry coupons around with you! Last but not least, as you accumulate AutoAwards points, you earn service gift cards when you hit certain milestones.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-maMCo9lS_t_4BuiCjT_FZVsbhQFXrNXa7dN1kfONuV5m-WCcKwJVt64gXm1dXkDebYtCqbmESkOZIrSQ7ZjyyJ4a8KSsSGdvmXcQGeo9O2R6BdFIDfJy0hAKBXxj1OD6GF3AaxjuKzI/s1600/AutoAwards+Free+Gift+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lou Fusz Auto Awards, Car Pass, Free gift card" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-maMCo9lS_t_4BuiCjT_FZVsbhQFXrNXa7dN1kfONuV5m-WCcKwJVt64gXm1dXkDebYtCqbmESkOZIrSQ7ZjyyJ4a8KSsSGdvmXcQGeo9O2R6BdFIDfJy0hAKBXxj1OD6GF3AaxjuKzI/s320/AutoAwards+Free+Gift+Card.jpg" title="Because EVERYONE likes free stuff." width="240" /></a></div>
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Those are all some pretty cool benefits, just for owning a car from Fusz! We could stop there and call it a day, but we wanted to take things a step further, to offer a benefits program that is, in our own words, "truly exceptional!" With that, we're excited to announce the Car Pass program, an upgrade to your AutoAwards membership that can be purchased at the dealership any time. What is the Lou Fusz Car Pass, exactly? It's our way of giving owners the VIP treatment with peace of mind and convenience! </div>
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<b>With Car Pass, you get all of the benefits of AutoAwards, as well as:</b></div>
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<li>3 years of complimentary oil changes, including synthetic oil.</li>
<li>Free Missouri state inspections and emissions testing</li>
<li>Free Windshield sealant and chip repair if your window gets damaged.</li>
<li>1 free paintless dent repair every year, up to the size of a dime.</li>
<li>Priority service scheduling-you'll get moved to the "front of the line" any time you reserve a service appointment!</li>
<li>Additional trade in bonus. Selling your old car? We'll give you an extra $500 for being a Car Pass member!</li>
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Want to learn more? Visit <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/Lou-Fusz-Toyota-CAR-PASS-UPGRADE/">our website</a> or call us and talk to an associate to see how you can get enrolled.<br />
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Which Car Pass benefit do you like the most?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-79270354418452823032013-08-02T08:00:00.000-05:002013-08-02T09:09:36.216-05:00How highway driving can affect your gas mileage per gallonWhat could be better than hitting the pedal on the highway and feeling that burst of speed as you cruise down the open road? It's one of life's simple pleasures that we all love to indulge in, usually forgetting about the fuel efficiency hit our cars take every time we do it. If your car has a display setting for showing your MPG (which many newer Toyota/Scion vehicles such as the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/">Camry</a>, <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/">Prius</a>, and <a href="http://fuszscion.com/New-Inventory.aspx">FR-S</a> do) you can see that when you floor the gas pedal, the difference is dramatic. Your average mileage drops faster than a cliff diver in Acapulco plunging 136 feet into the Pacific Ocean!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mbmcMZJ56hmCbUtfArPqCyJFGazthXolM3MYph1ZZa_WDj41EXDn3pdekPt8xNMp-lSBUNorh5QuHv50eDNGlU2MZR5Xfg1OpiBRxIRHRP_jKhzm_87CFX9AykeO_g6HrvUZQTq25b0/s1600/Rav4+highway+mpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota RAV4, Gas mileage per gallon, Highway driving RAV4" border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mbmcMZJ56hmCbUtfArPqCyJFGazthXolM3MYph1ZZa_WDj41EXDn3pdekPt8xNMp-lSBUNorh5QuHv50eDNGlU2MZR5Xfg1OpiBRxIRHRP_jKhzm_87CFX9AykeO_g6HrvUZQTq25b0/s400/Rav4+highway+mpg.jpg" title="Do you speed often on the highway? Calculator graphic via FreeDigitalPhotos.net" width="400" /></a></div>
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How is your MPG affected when you drive for extended periods of time at certain speeds, though? A new <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/07/the-penalty-for-speeding-a-loss-in-fuel-economy/index.htm">Consumer Reports </a>study took several vehicles (including a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/RAV4/">Toyota RAV4</a> and a Ford Fusion) and put them to the test, driving at 55, 65, and 75 miles per hour. They found that the vehicles exceeded their MPG when driven at 55 miles per hour, which many experts agree is the "sweet spot" for getting the best highway efficiency out of your car. For example, a 2013 Toyota RAV4 with two-wheel drive is rated by the EPA to get 31 highway MPG, but in the Consumer Reports test it actually achieved 37 MPG when driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour! </div>
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At higher speeds, fuel efficiency dropped considerably, and the RAV4 only got around 27 miles to the gallon. On an average 200 mile trip, that means you would shave an hour of drive time by traveling at 75 instead of 55, though you will be burning an extra two gallons of gas and have a higher likelihood of getting into an accident. In these situations, you have to ask yourself: is the time saved worth it? </div>
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On road trips with long open stretches of highway and few other drivers around, I like to cruise at slightly higher speeds, around 75 (especially if I can turn a 5 hour trip into a 4 hour one). However, for daily driving, I much prefer to keep my speed lower to maximize my mileage per gallon, as I know it adds up over the course of a year. </div>
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How about you? What is your speed preference when it comes to road trips vs every day driving?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-55422844809920390602013-07-26T08:00:00.000-05:002013-07-30T12:05:03.845-05:00New vehicle purchase: where should you start?Picture this scenario: you've just started a new family (or perhaps a new job) and you're looking to upgrade your old car. What should you get? The Toyota family has so many options...<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/">Camry</a>, <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/">Corolla</a>, <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/RAV4/">RAV4</a>, <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/4Runner/">4Runner</a>, and the list goes on! Where do you start your research when you have no clue what you're interested in yet? The only thing you're certain of is that you want to get a fantastic deal regardless of what you go for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdBLPXyEbpyONsBkfGEn5stIFYeuh6XBlfZFdb69z9VgRPPYoAWkefH9fEUGzDIiHeT01yszb5JCOFgdpDdF022XYJYsKBi5NKMvsjfMBCAgavKxa6PlFJVWceDme0bEk8eQRUKfGrYA/s1600/Toyota+Incentives+Laptop+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Car research, Buying a vehicle online, Toyota incentives" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdBLPXyEbpyONsBkfGEn5stIFYeuh6XBlfZFdb69z9VgRPPYoAWkefH9fEUGzDIiHeT01yszb5JCOFgdpDdF022XYJYsKBi5NKMvsjfMBCAgavKxa6PlFJVWceDme0bEk8eQRUKfGrYA/s320/Toyota+Incentives+Laptop+Pic.jpg" title="90% of car shoppers research online before buying. Make sure you do the same!" width="212" /></a></div>
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When you're at this initial phase of car shopping where you're just testing the waters, the smartest way to start your approach is to check out the current incentives from a vehicle manufacturer. These are special deals you get straight from the brand you're looking at. They're usually listed on both the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/Incentives.aspx">dealership website</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.toyota.com/deals/">manufacturer website</a>.<br />
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Browsing through these, you can immediately see what offers are available right now. They usually include special financing rates, a discounted price if you choose to go with a lease, and/or cash back! For example, as of this writing, a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/">Toyota Camry</a> offers 0.0% APR financing (depending on your credit) for up to 60 months, and it includes $750 extra cash towards the total cost of the vehicle. Best of all, these types of incentives can also be combined with <a href="http://www.toyotafinancial.com/static/college/CollegeGradLanding.html?referrer=TFS_CG_College_Grad">college graduate</a> or <a href="http://www.toyotafinancial.com/consumer/tfs.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_militaryRebateFinProg_unsctf">military rebates</a>! With a Toyota vehicle, that would mean an extra $750...or a total of $1500 towards the purchase of the Camry mentioned previously.<br />
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One thing to keep in mind with incentives is that they are always changing, and can vary from month to month or by what holidays are coming up (such as President's Day, for example). If you are browsing cars online or at the dealership, and undecided as to when you might make a purchase, it is a good idea to keep track of what is currently running. You could end up saving a lot of money by timing the purchase of your car!<br />
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What other tips do you have when it comes to researching a new vehicle? Share yours below!Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-3669143990245976232013-07-19T08:00:00.000-05:002013-10-22T12:12:11.619-05:00HavenHouse St. Louis and the Toyota "Super Sienna"Earlier this month, I decided to revisit <a href="http://www.havenhousestl.org/">HavenHouse St. Louis</a>. You may remember them as the nonprofit organization that was chosen as a winner of Toyota's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O3vHI5RibA">"100 Cars for Good"</a> program last year, where Toyota awards charity groups across the country a brand new vehicle of their choice.<br />
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HavenHouse helps families who are traveling to St. Louis for medical procedures by providing them with temporary housing, meals, and transportation to and from local area hospitals. Because of this, they often need to be able to transport guests with special needs or disabilities. When they won the 100 Cars for Good contest, they were kind enough to choose Lou Fusz as their dealership to work with, and picked a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sienna/">Toyota Sienna</a> that featured a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=555990651082055&set=a.281557235192066.88684.280870105260779&type=3&theater"> fully automated mobility seat</a>. We wanted to make their delivery day a special one, so to make things even more exciting for them, we loaded the minivan with household supplies they were in need of, and surprised them the morning of the 100 Cars for Good celebration!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO0BtX_eh6J_tQ-KrmCfg5L4jZlkXECdhd-GBopvBvxClE0Ti2LFpUeQeQ13PfMYZKEzmO0vvMs5iPpsaFf_SXm2p1qEL4RFqPuTxpHg9hUymAn6zgDZm1CTSeb5AQSeUtcSAWKfY7qg/s1600/HavenHouse+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDO0BtX_eh6J_tQ-KrmCfg5L4jZlkXECdhd-GBopvBvxClE0Ti2LFpUeQeQ13PfMYZKEzmO0vvMs5iPpsaFf_SXm2p1qEL4RFqPuTxpHg9hUymAn6zgDZm1CTSeb5AQSeUtcSAWKfY7qg/s400/HavenHouse+Exterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Eight months had passed since HavenHouse took delivery of their Sienna, so I traveled out to Creve Coeur to pay them a visit. It was a warm, cloudy afternoon when I pulled into the parking lot. Somehow, it wasn't sweltering hot (like St. Louis normally endures in July!)<br />
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After being let in, I sat down with Director of Community Development Lindsey Gibson to catch up and see how HavenHouse had been utilizing the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sienna/">Toyota Sienna</a>. Immediately after asking, she laughed and told me that HavenHouse had already put 10,000 miles on the van since when they first drove it out of our dealership in November of 2012. The Sienna has been transporting patients all around town, from places such Barnes Hospital, Shriners, and St. Louis Children's Hospital! Lindsey then told me that Shriners Hospital will often bring patients to HavenHouse who are from out of town and don't have a vehicle. To get back to the hospital and see their loved ones, they rely on the shuttle service from HavenHouse.</div>
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I asked how the Sienna has benefited HavenHouse, and Lindsey guided me outside to the back where they park their vehicles, so I could see it myself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hPGTbm6BKFz-0jMl2g7hVJQKH509QmVL9F-11Xk57wtmmbgRp-dJ0eAc6ejH0Ieujeuuz3fmQpa_zZuETbN6N6iPT58M2cUIUOm4_sJdi52eQkMO3seVCD8VwdUztxA-dG-MrIFLHqI/s1600/HavenHouse+Sienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lou Fusz Toyota, Sienna minivan, HavenHouse St Louis" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hPGTbm6BKFz-0jMl2g7hVJQKH509QmVL9F-11Xk57wtmmbgRp-dJ0eAc6ejH0Ieujeuuz3fmQpa_zZuETbN6N6iPT58M2cUIUOm4_sJdi52eQkMO3seVCD8VwdUztxA-dG-MrIFLHqI/s400/HavenHouse+Sienna.jpg" title="Just washed! HavenHouse's Toyota Sienna from Lou Fusz looking good in the parking lot." width="400" /></a></div>
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HavenHouse has multiple vehicles to transport their guests around in, including another Sienna from 1998 that has nearly 200,000 miles on it. However, the staff who get to drive this new one affectionately refer to it as the "Super Sienna!" </div>
Not surprisingly, it is the most popular vehicle by far for both passengers and drivers. Lindsey also told me that the mobility seat has been tremendous in accommodating their wheelchair bound guests.<br />
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How else has the Sienna been put to work? Lindsey mentioned that they often take it to pick up donations. Most recently, the van was filled up entirely with bottles of laundry detergent! They've also been helping to shuttle a group of kids to and from <a href="http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/cerebral-palsy-center/sports-rehabilitation/camp-independence">Camp Independence</a>, a summer sports and recreation program for kids with cerebral palsy.</div>
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Before I left, I caught up with Executive Director Kathy Sindel. She told me everyone there hopes that they can eventually replace all of the older vehicles, so that their guests will always have an experience like that of the "Super Sienna!"</div>
With 18 city MPG and 25 highway, the capability to seat up to 8 (in select models), and safety options such as blind spot monitoring, the Toyota Sienna is the perfect vehicle for the family of volunteers at HavenHouse. We're definitely looking forward to seeing it back at the dealership again for their next free <a href="http://www.toyota.com/toyota-care/index.html">ToyotaCare</a> maintenance check up!<br />
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HavenHouse St. Louis is located at 12685 Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur. If you'd like to learn more, you can visit them <a href="http://www.havenhousestl.org/">here</a>.</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-71188486188744056192013-07-12T09:18:00.000-05:002013-07-12T09:50:23.600-05:00Toyota Corolla throughout the yearsIf there's one car that really defines the last 47+ years of the automotive world, it's the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/">Toyota Corolla</a>. Why? Simplicity and reliability. The Corolla is a family car, the kind that is passed down from grandparent, to parent, to child. It has remained popular to this day thanks to its reputation for consistently being at the top of its class in terms of safety and reliability. It also features above average gas mileage, and great resale value.<br />
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Here's some trivia you might not have known about the Toyota Corolla!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv15Q4XTUgqbYNG6pJFHjXjuxHhu6aFzt4ZsPB4BAVmFAViJUPGWSGuGDlRDci6fECrF-7SOoyTX2FIMkbHqy0fdpQmknKXKWPYLliVmnX2imADS4paYMv1cXECyIV9EoKkaOqAHDMz2g/s1600/First+Gen+Toyota+Corolla+1966.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Generation Toyota Corolla, 1966 Toyota Corolla" border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv15Q4XTUgqbYNG6pJFHjXjuxHhu6aFzt4ZsPB4BAVmFAViJUPGWSGuGDlRDci6fECrF-7SOoyTX2FIMkbHqy0fdpQmknKXKWPYLliVmnX2imADS4paYMv1cXECyIV9EoKkaOqAHDMz2g/s400/First+Gen+Toyota+Corolla+1966.jpeg" title="First generation Toyota Corolla. Photo credit: Toyota-Global.com" width="500" /></a></div>
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<li>It first hit dealerships all the way back in October of 1966, featuring a 4-speed manual transmission capable of 60 horsepower.</li>
<li>The 2014 model will mark the 11th generation of the vehicle, in terms of how many times it has been redesigned.</li>
<li>In 1997, the Corolla overtook the Volkswagen Beetle for the title of being the best selling car in the world.</li>
<li>There was a bit of upset in April of 2013 when the Ford Focus claimed to have taken the "best selling" title, but <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04-10/business/chi-toyota-denies-report-that-ford-focus-topped-2012-sales-20130410_1_corolla-altis-corolla-sedan-toyota-motor-corp">Toyota refuted that claim</a> and the Corolla remains on top!</li>
<li>Almost 40 million Corollas have been sold since its inception.</li>
<li>The Corolla is sold in over 150 countries around the world.</li>
<li>Since the first generation, each new version of the Corolla has gotten a bit larger and heavier, but also more powerful in terms of output.</li>
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To celebrate the long history of this great vehicle, one of the Toyota teams overseas (in Turkey) made this great montage video, featuring different Corollas throughout the years. You can check it out below:</div>
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Do you own a Toyota Corolla? What do you like best about yours?<br />
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-84660347580411471822013-06-28T10:40:00.002-05:002013-07-05T13:27:37.707-05:00Entune home address shortcut Who ever thought simple data entry could get us so worked up? Mentally, we're stuck at a red light, when we want to just be able to push one button and go back to green! Have you ever gotten irritated when you're forced to type in a bunch of personal stuff into a form (name, address, etc) and wish you could just take a shortcut every time you had to? Even if it only saves a few seconds of time, must of us would say it'd be worth it to have that option.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfTkMaGK4jx9ANwyCPsdIsgKV70O2zWF7YZ4QK9TAeieflA3xZ1RdH5rMRgPqFRMomLhYbeARqQ7d3KUsBJvk4zOcGznQcaNEmfu7zfyaas6VY8RasovuRdaCOWpx8w8GPKLgqRymeSY/s944/2014-toyota-highlander-entune+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Entune, 2014 Toyota Highlander, Apps button" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfTkMaGK4jx9ANwyCPsdIsgKV70O2zWF7YZ4QK9TAeieflA3xZ1RdH5rMRgPqFRMomLhYbeARqQ7d3KUsBJvk4zOcGznQcaNEmfu7zfyaas6VY8RasovuRdaCOWpx8w8GPKLgqRymeSY/s400/2014-toyota-highlander-entune+2.jpg" title="Depending on the model of vehicle you have, your Apps/Info button may not be located in the exact same spot as this one." width="400" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, there's a way to do that in the car if your Toyota is equipped with Entune, the multimedia/navigation system that syncs with your smartphone. When you're traveling somewhere and want to get directions back home, you can add your home address to memory so that any time you need to get back, you don't have to go through the process of typing in all of your information on the screen.<br />
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<b>1. Start by pressing the "Apps" button next to the display screen.</b><br />
<b>2. On the display screen, hit the "Map" button, and then the "Dest" button in the lower right corner.</b><br />
<b>3. Another screen will come up, where you'll want to touch "My Destinations".</b><br />
<b>4. Look for the the little icon of the house and press "Home".</b><br />
<b>5. Confirm that you want to set a home address.</b><br />
<b>6. At the bottom of the list that pops up, hit "Enter Address".</b><br />
<b>7. Enter all of your information and then "Save New Entry". </b><br />
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You can also check out the official Toyota video below:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ub-HHCyrez4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Wondering what Toyota vehicles have Entune? For 2013 models, it's available in:<br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/4Runner/">4Runner</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Avalon/">Avalon</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Camry/">Camry</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/">Corolla</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Highlander/">Highlander</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Land-Cruiser/">Land Cruiser</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/">Prius (all models)</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/RAV4/">RAV4</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sequoia/">Sequoia</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sienna/">Sienna</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Tacoma/">Tacoma</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Tundra/">Tundra</a><br />
<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Venza/">Venza</a><br />
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Are there any other tips and tricks you have for using Entune? Share 'em with us!Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-85830480371439524532013-06-21T09:23:00.001-05:002013-06-21T09:23:51.751-05:00What makes the Prius C "1 in 1400"?It's only been available since March of 2012, and yet the Prius C, Toyota's smallest hybrid vehicle to date, has been racking up awards left and right for its efficiency and dependability. Consumer Reports named it their top pick for overall reliability in a<a href="http://toyota-talk.blogspot.com/2012/11/prius-c-your-class-valedictorian.html"> previous study</a>, and both <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/best-family-cars-2013-toyota-prius-honda-accord-rank-article-1.1361862">Edmunds.com and Parents magazine</a> agreed it earned the title of "Best Hybrid Car for Families". The C may be smaller than the original Prius, but there's still plenty of leg room for adults, and space for kids and cargo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5N7j7O0_RqiwGEVyKWTuWH-6TeCJPBJlzXk2TAfbjWUrUm0wzFF1DIHu3Ktt-wd-XSKt5tjJ3kRim7f4W4BskWYnirwuX-2LOCDaBq-vj0fUnVS6iC4VBATrpwUmU1RkJN-c-pqR6Mg/s1600/Prius_c+2013+blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prius C, Fuel economy, Best Hybrid car, City vehicle" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5N7j7O0_RqiwGEVyKWTuWH-6TeCJPBJlzXk2TAfbjWUrUm0wzFF1DIHu3Ktt-wd-XSKt5tjJ3kRim7f4W4BskWYnirwuX-2LOCDaBq-vj0fUnVS6iC4VBATrpwUmU1RkJN-c-pqR6Mg/s640/Prius_c+2013+blur.jpg" title="The Prius C is built for driving- whether you need to cruise through the city, or down the highway, you're averaging around 50 miles to the gallon." width="550" /></a></div>
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What else makes this hybrid so exciting? Besides the unanimous praise of automotive experts and publications, scientists like it, too! Capable of an astounding 53 miles to the gallon in city driving (hence the "C" in it's name!) and 46 on the highway, the Prius C has been getting the attention of several scientific groups who have given it their praise. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy named it the "greenest vehicle", and in a new study, the <a href="http://www.automotivescience.com/">Automotive Science Group</a> (ASG) compared it to over 1,400 different models of vehicles and declared it the best compact car you can buy. In their words, "...a blend of social, environmental, and economic factors differentiate vehicles from one another", which is why the eco-friendly Prius C was their top pick. Just take a look at <a href="http://www.automotivescience.com/#/the-standard/4559908401">their guidelines for judging the vehicles</a>. They're very in-depth and cover everything imaginable to ensure the car not only performs well, but is built in a sustainable manner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS7RddOA2IJgW7w1QXnMNNZhsIj8aip9VHhpeD-C8mYJ4q1ZF0q3y4qFqYsXCTqJqesWGjKbs5fnKWZGbwMSsKF1xdHr6quRu4TEeFBCVxQWPD3mGvLimtpKAmE_ZhSD7MPsZVysylTc/s1600/ASG+PRius+C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS7RddOA2IJgW7w1QXnMNNZhsIj8aip9VHhpeD-C8mYJ4q1ZF0q3y4qFqYsXCTqJqesWGjKbs5fnKWZGbwMSsKF1xdHr6quRu4TEeFBCVxQWPD3mGvLimtpKAmE_ZhSD7MPsZVysylTc/s1600/ASG+PRius+C.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Also, in a world where fuel efficiency often means spending thousands of extra dollars, the base model Prius C starts at <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius-c/">under $20,00</a>0, making it an attractive option for families looking to get a new vehicle on a budget.<br />
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What criteria are important to you when it comes to a well rounded vehicle? Do you agree with the ASG study?<br />
<br />Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-2184157707715822292013-06-14T08:00:00.000-05:002013-06-14T08:00:02.236-05:00Teen Driving TipsDo you remember when you first got your license? As a teenager, it was a thrilling experience to have the freedom to go where you want and when you want (at least until curfew time came around, of course!) As we progress further into adulthood, many of us now look back at those memories a bit differently. The rush of being in the driver's seat for the first time is instead replaced by the realization that you're in a 2000+ pound machine that can exceed 100 miles per hour and easily get into an accident. This is especially true if you now have kids who are at or around driving age!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4zcNhtzYIm3xzUUFragGkSSz0hFuwKGQUQrweX6Fh7B85r-3JvhKmB3ZH45qqEkuy2i5vx-3WikTknt5C6EWf0DuEIVORhmziE5VG5IaknTbMq_xnzZjhPdEAjMY8P4Pr9s5-UeOYxw/s1600/Teen+Driver+1+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teen driver, State Farm, Driving tips" border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4zcNhtzYIm3xzUUFragGkSSz0hFuwKGQUQrweX6Fh7B85r-3JvhKmB3ZH45qqEkuy2i5vx-3WikTknt5C6EWf0DuEIVORhmziE5VG5IaknTbMq_xnzZjhPdEAjMY8P4Pr9s5-UeOYxw/s400/Teen+Driver+1+Crop.jpg" title="Photo credit: State Farm via Flickr" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you were one of the lucky ones, you escaped your younger years without having ever gotten into an accident or receiving a traffic ticket. If you weren't so lucky, keep in mind that drivers under the age of 20 are three times more likely to get into an accident, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html">according to the CDC.</a> No wonder insurance costs so much when you're a teenager! </div>
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Before you pass the keys to the family <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/">Corolla</a> or <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Venza/">Venza</a> over to the newest driver in your family, take a look at <b><a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/carinsurance/teen-drivers/">this guide</a></b> from the folks over at <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/">The Simple Dollar</a>, who have compiled a bunch of useful information for parents and teenagers on safe driving. They include:</div>
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<li>Mobile app suggestions to reinforce safe driving habits. Did you know <a href="http://www.allstateteendriver.com/home.aspx">Allstate</a> has games your teen can play in their spare time? Pretty cool.</li>
<li>Tips for what to do when you get pulled over by law enforcement.</li>
<li>What to do in the event of a car accident.</li>
<li>How to save money on insurance when you have a teenage driver.</li>
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There's a good amount of advice. For example, I never knew that some insurance providers offer a discount for installing dashboard-camera type devices in a car! Is there any advice in the article that you found useful Thanks to Ariel Robbins for emailing and sharing this information!</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-8396671004781478022013-06-07T09:38:00.001-05:002013-06-07T09:38:54.593-05:00Why this NFL star decided to become a Prius ownerWhat kinds of cars do celebrities and athletes drive? With the spending power they have, you'd think it would be something bright, flashy, and fast, like a Ferrari or Lamborghini. But in order to get (and stay) rich, one needs to save money, and that's why NFL cornerback Antonio Cromartie has become an advocate for the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/">Toyota Prius</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuoImH7Np2q1b8MblN8uCuoH3_GktTX1HrrDTd0fgJtKHtFL1UES_j1It3VV-urHpKTitL7fyaCLZFhyphenhyphenfCb6bVnYDY8zshsLlAVYB9USB5L-hCa55tbznZ79rfaO9U4s-ksgWXBbgkz4/s1600/Cromartie+NFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Antonio Cromartie,Toyota Prius,Celebrity Prius,New York Jets" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuoImH7Np2q1b8MblN8uCuoH3_GktTX1HrrDTd0fgJtKHtFL1UES_j1It3VV-urHpKTitL7fyaCLZFhyphenhyphenfCb6bVnYDY8zshsLlAVYB9USB5L-hCa55tbznZ79rfaO9U4s-ksgWXBbgkz4/s400/Cromartie+NFL.jpg" title="Antonio Cromartie driving his Prius." width="400" /></a></div>
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Cromartie, who plays for the New York Jets, admits that he had a spending problem. He blew through a lot of money (upwards of five million dollars, the total value of his rookie contract!) after first being signed in 2011. In an interview with <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/antonio-cromartie-an-unlikely-mentor-for-younger-players-dealing-with-financial-issues-1.5386541">Newsday</a>, he confessed to an addiction of owning lots of cars: "I had two Dodge Chargers, probably spent $100,000 just fixing them up," he said. "I had a '65 Caprice, which I spent $100,000 on. I had two BMWs, two Escalades."<br />
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Once he came to the realization that he was draining his money on personal items as well as friends and distant relatives looking for handouts, Cromartie knew he didn't want to become another bankrupt celebrity. He got coaching from a well known accountant in Los Angeles named Jonathan Schwartz, who now helps him manage his savings. Antonio stopped all his ridiculous spending habits and even spent a few weeks living with Schwartz's family to see what normal household life should be like. There, he became interested in the Toyota Prius after getting a chance to drive around in theirs. Later that year, Cromartie's wife ended up getting him a Prius as a Christmas gift. The 50 MPG hybrid has since become his favorite car. "I'll fill it up every 2 1/2 weeks or so, and I'm only spending 33 bucks, while everybody else is spending 80 or 90 bucks a tank", he said.<br />
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It's interesting to see stories of those who come into large sums of money, whether they're athletes or lottery winners. Many find themselves with the problem of spending too much money and then getting into trouble. I'm happy that Cromartie got help, and I hope that everyone can learn from his story that being practical is an important part of growing up.<br />
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For what it's worth, he DOES plan on buying some rims for his Prius to give it some added flair. Wonder if he'll go for the <a href="http://www.fivead.net/aero-kits/toyota/2010-11-prius-complete-aero-kit.html">aerokit</a> as well!<br />
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What do you think about Antonio Cromartie's story?<br />
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-57115687348245501712013-05-31T09:03:00.000-05:002013-05-31T10:18:56.354-05:00Our visit with the Experience GenieSome stories need no further explanation. When we heard of a young boy, Liam, who had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, we wanted to help. That's when we decided to partner up and become a sponsor with the<a href="http://iamgenie.org/"> I Am Genie foundation,</a> a wish granting organization created by Joshua Dawson. Since 2009, Mr. Dawson has dedicated his life to sharing the stories of heroes and making their wishes come true. Whether they're survivors of cancer or simply neighborhood crusaders doing good deeds to inspire the well being of their community, the Experience Genie wants their story to be heard.<br />
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On May 7th, we helped to surprise Liam and his family with a "dream day". They arrived at our dealership in the morning, and were greeted by members of the Fusz family, who then announced that a very special visitor had arrived...the Genie!</div>
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<script height="365px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=c660b791c3704ff69d4162d7adb7c4a1&ec=kwcWxnYjqw_YdyeqrpJ03RWmuOCtG5SX" width="550px"></script>
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We gave Liam's family the keys to a brand new <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Sequoia/">Toyota Sequoia</a> so they could drive around St. Louis for a day, visiting places such as the St. Louis Zoo for a behind the scenes tour, flying over the city for a private helicopter ride, and spending the evening downtown with dinner and surprise tickets to a Cardinals game later that weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWMF3DDP0BWLB7uRTSXJ3HyJZndmKIUrQq37q-z_pgIQ0eOecmzJhW1epS7C69fy-VxnJSY1TWC3XXREqEGvwLNYmzD2NIqGB7v-tip82yQ_psZG2pIgGWzVGXSBKfUE4jhaC92HmpEE/s1600/Experience+Genie+w+Liam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Experience Genie, Lou Fusz Toyota, Make a Wish, Non Profit, Charity" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWMF3DDP0BWLB7uRTSXJ3HyJZndmKIUrQq37q-z_pgIQ0eOecmzJhW1epS7C69fy-VxnJSY1TWC3XXREqEGvwLNYmzD2NIqGB7v-tip82yQ_psZG2pIgGWzVGXSBKfUE4jhaC92HmpEE/s400/Experience+Genie+w+Liam.jpg" title="It was all smiles when the Experience Genie showed up at the dealership!" width="400" /></a></div>
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The experience was wonderful and brought a lot of excitement to the dealership. The Genie, Mr. Dawson, was extremely polite, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=618108088217196&set=pb.165910933436916.-2207520000.1369934238.&type=3&theater">also visited several other of our stores</a> that week to grant even more wishes! We're hoping to be involved when another wish gets granted in St. Louis in the future.<br />
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Do you know anyone who deserves to be nominated for a dream day? You can learn more about how they're chosen at <a href="http://iamgenie.org/page/faq">http://iamgenie.org/page/faq</a>.<br />
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<br />Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-56961426249575583052013-05-24T09:12:00.000-05:002013-05-24T09:14:45.762-05:00Toyota engines: tough enough for the North PoleToyota has long been associated with being reliable, safe, and efficient to the point where just about every Toyota dealer stands by their vehicles and offers a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/Lou-Fusz-Toyota-Lifetime-Powertrain-Warranty/">Lifetime Powertrain Warranty</a> on each one sold. These vehicles have also been capable of incredible feats, such as towing a <a href="http://bit.ly/RpvFmY">space shuttle</a>. So would it surprise you to learn that a team of Russian scientists decided to journey from their home country, across the North Pole, and into Canada, using specially designed automobiles that were powered by Toyota engines?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZjiZT4taORaiLp9v_9Od5DY-bFxBhL6TFfYeuEQsg8sXNG1glDfM0NA-oKpZuvggUdhPsVvh1VjV4AymtEGRjsUWj1ITSgDGrbdlcXmdVlQK-OpSryhmCNd1Nv-7xYZ223XOp2-f8lo/s1600/mlae-2013-expedition-russia-arctic-canada-on-a-bus-382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img alt="Toyota Engine,North Pole,Driving Across Ocean,Russian scientists,MLAE" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZjiZT4taORaiLp9v_9Od5DY-bFxBhL6TFfYeuEQsg8sXNG1glDfM0NA-oKpZuvggUdhPsVvh1VjV4AymtEGRjsUWj1ITSgDGrbdlcXmdVlQK-OpSryhmCNd1Nv-7xYZ223XOp2-f8lo/s400/mlae-2013-expedition-russia-arctic-canada-on-a-bus-382.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fWI6d6bO7Pn_wym1Hvlq6uzPLIgU0SrsTLDUS5zFPgKxT1XmtOSbskmSUw9mQG4EDbpiHVics4NKyaTR5CRQjSEIsrcZpEO3QWrg1O3cvrdyRkw_ibA96DfYJez8SyKi46S1FMEVC70/s1600/Russia-to-Canada-via-North-Pole-in-a-car-with-2.0L-Toyota-engine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="North Pole expedition,Maps,Resolute Bay" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fWI6d6bO7Pn_wym1Hvlq6uzPLIgU0SrsTLDUS5zFPgKxT1XmtOSbskmSUw9mQG4EDbpiHVics4NKyaTR5CRQjSEIsrcZpEO3QWrg1O3cvrdyRkw_ibA96DfYJez8SyKi46S1FMEVC70/s400/Russia-to-Canada-via-North-Pole-in-a-car-with-2.0L-Toyota-engine.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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The team, known as MLAE (Marine Live-Ice Automobile Expedition) managed to travel a whopping 2,485 miles over a span of 70 days, navigating across a sea of ice floes and temperatures that averaged -29 degrees Fahrenheit! According to <a href="http://phys.org/news/2013-05-russians-russia-canada-north-pole.html">Phys.org</a>, the brightly colored vehicles used were built from multiple parts and components, and were powered by 2.0L Toyota diesel engines. They were specially designed to handle the extreme climate conditions, with over-inflated tires that could drive across the ice or float when needed at roughly six miles per hour. Three metric tons of diesel fuel were brought by the scientists to complete their entire trip. To put things in perspective, the length of the MLAE would be the equivalent of coasting across the United States from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles, California. If you were to make the same drive in a <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Prius/">Prius</a> (averaging 50 MPG), you'd be able to finish the trip much faster and efficiently- on a little over four tanks of gas, in two to three days! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UTxShE-6t8-XGXaddNIe4bem9uUFx1NoILpvHst5_yLH5AsowvMsXspi4BreoudAP1RrxGCWHyxc5M3utYj-3pgHGszVNzUWm5VZ7Fq9H7Son7eyQG0_ldD5YtV41sak63Sb_CmtBr8/s1600/mlae-2013-expedition-russia-arctic-canada-on-a-bus-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="North Pole,Expedition,Arctic Sea" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UTxShE-6t8-XGXaddNIe4bem9uUFx1NoILpvHst5_yLH5AsowvMsXspi4BreoudAP1RrxGCWHyxc5M3utYj-3pgHGszVNzUWm5VZ7Fq9H7Son7eyQG0_ldD5YtV41sak63Sb_CmtBr8/s400/mlae-2013-expedition-russia-arctic-canada-on-a-bus-44.jpg" title="Not too many can say they've been here!" width="400" /></a></div>
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Besides the opportunity to encounter polar bears, walruses, and see the Aurora Borealis (all three of which they did), the scientists mainly wanted to test the ability of their vehicles to make such a lengthy trip. After finding success and reaching Resolute Bay, they were welcomed with applause, and then left their vehicles in garages, which will be picked up next year in February and driven back to Russia. Before setting out again, they plan to discuss the possibility of producing commercial vehicles of the prototypes that were used to cross the North Pole.</div>
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Would you make a journey like that if given the chance? Or have you ever been in a situation where your Toyota pulled through despite nasty weather or conditions? Share your thoughts below! </div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-20691312400943288522013-05-17T10:39:00.000-05:002013-05-17T10:56:25.991-05:00Build your Toyota on Google?I'm excited to see clever uses of technology make their way into the automotive world, especially when it's something that can make car shopping easier. At my dealership, we've been equipping salespeople with iPads so that they can spend less time sitting behind a desk with customers, and more time showing them all the features of the car they're interested in. The response has been great- we've been enjoying that extra level of detail we can add, whether it's shooting a personalized video or being able to compare similar vehicles from other manufacturers right on the spot.<br />
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At a recent Google conference, Toyota announced a new way of car shopping that I hope we can become a part of- they're calling it "Toyota Collaborator", and it lets you build a car in a way you never would have guessed!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1iFitMhoWXCrUDBXKWwhSJwghwPJnYqi8Q1co8eEQRplQiAeAeBrrODqD7GTFiIMDZHY2YlVrH80h2lohScnptkvwImG76RQgM_dQltoKvHKiBTExslhYM7MPqToWV1XqxDLq2Kcf38/s1600/1682968-inline-inline-3-a-demo-of-toyota-collaborator-at-google-io-will-reveal-the-potential-of-social-car-shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota Collaborator, Car Building App, Google Hangout" border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1iFitMhoWXCrUDBXKWwhSJwghwPJnYqi8Q1co8eEQRplQiAeAeBrrODqD7GTFiIMDZHY2YlVrH80h2lohScnptkvwImG76RQgM_dQltoKvHKiBTExslhYM7MPqToWV1XqxDLq2Kcf38/s320/1682968-inline-inline-3-a-demo-of-toyota-collaborator-at-google-io-will-reveal-the-potential-of-social-car-shopping.jpg" title="Do you rely on your friends for car shopping advice?" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just about every car company has an option on their website for building your own car, but Toyota wanted to take that to the next level by adding a social element to it. With this new app (developed by Joystick Interactive) car shoppers can get immediate feedback on their potential purchase by inviting family and friends to a Google+ Hangout interactive video chat. You can get up to 5 of your friends to be a part of the design team, offering real time suggestions on color, accessories, and models. Whatever changes your friends make, you all see it happen simultaneously!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vS0NABykrzU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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When you're done designing your car, you can share it on Google, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets, and then use Google Maps to take a "virtual test drive" around your neighborhood, or wherever you'd like. Pretty cool!</div>
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This all sounds great and a lot of fun, but where do we come into play to lend you a hand? Well, if you have any questions while building your car, you'll be able to click a button and bring a salesperson from a local Toyota dealership into your live hangout. They'll be able to answer questions, find you vehicle specials, even get you information on trading in your old car! Some of our long time <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/">Fusz</a> customers may have a salesperson they prefer to work with, and while we don't know if this feature will initially be available to where you can request a specific salesperson (who can video chat), we certainly hope it can be implemented down the road. If you don't have anyone specific to go to, the live assistance is a great opportunity to get to know someone new before you set foot into the dealership.</div>
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Would an app like this be useful to you?</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-52912840502442012332013-05-10T08:00:00.000-05:002013-05-10T08:00:02.275-05:00The Epilepsy Foundation Car RaffleIf you follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/loufusztoyota" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, you've probably seen your fair share of tweets lately about the <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/efmk/car-raffle" target="_blank">Epilepsy Foundation Car Raffle</a> that Lou Fusz is taking part in. I thought I'd take this blog post to explain it a bit more in detail, and why you should get yourself a ticket!<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TO7dPYvaB1PmCCMMGvSV8dbNQhg79A2OJkj-mVU8Mbyot7qzumHqSl6KEdKPYn53_QiOKXFjTzLnk0i5tkVhvefIwuZaiTcOCJZq_YJSU8r3uELOS93Z1flIEeMWiI9HRfUkm6skrmo/s1600/Raffle+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Epilepsy Foundation, Car Raffle, Win a car, St Louis raffle" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TO7dPYvaB1PmCCMMGvSV8dbNQhg79A2OJkj-mVU8Mbyot7qzumHqSl6KEdKPYn53_QiOKXFjTzLnk0i5tkVhvefIwuZaiTcOCJZq_YJSU8r3uELOS93Z1flIEeMWiI9HRfUkm6skrmo/s320/Raffle+Poster.jpg" title="Poster for the Epilepsy Foundation car raffle. Look for them at Lou Fusz dealerships!" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last year, we partnered up with the Epilepsy Foundation to sponsor their <a href="http://bit.ly/MsN3Vi" target="_blank">Seize the Day 5K</a> race and raise awareness of epilepsy in children and adults alike. After meeting and hearing stories from several different families (including a very special young boy with epilepsy, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=415492895131832&set=a.281557235192066.88684.280870105260779&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Cameron, who quickly became friends with Patrick</a>) the Fusz family was moved and wanted to get involved. We raised money to become an official sponsor of the race, and some of our staff showed their support by running in it. I had never participated in a 5K before, so it was definitely a new experience for me. I can say with confidence that crossing that finish line felt truly invigorating, something I think everyone should get to experience. It was made even better by the fact that volunteers were set up at several points throughout the race, cheering you on and encouraging you to keep running! </div>
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Overall, the 5K was a great event that we were proud to be a part of. We plan on being there again this year, and want to make things even more exciting. That's where the idea of a car raffle came into play.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkxLPpIk5ASC0DGbVWVBpQ_riwwGIL5QZeczsiTjclxYQOEmqDBS1Z4xY48QdPULQGeubHjv6r8OwaahhDV8iNLF__jga2lZCNOSVie9zmTB9hlL_QS94xbslWl1uIgIb4L4MctOWdzA/s1600/376.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seize the Day 2012, Lou Fusz Sponsorship, 5K race STL" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkxLPpIk5ASC0DGbVWVBpQ_riwwGIL5QZeczsiTjclxYQOEmqDBS1Z4xY48QdPULQGeubHjv6r8OwaahhDV8iNLF__jga2lZCNOSVie9zmTB9hlL_QS94xbslWl1uIgIb4L4MctOWdzA/s320/376.jpeg" title="A pre-race photo from the Seize the Day 5K last year. We all downed a 5 Hr Energy and were ready to run!" width="320" /></a></div>
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For $50, you can purchase a ticket and enter to win a brand new <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/Corolla/L-4dr-Sdn-Auto/351726/" target="_blank">Toyota Corolla L</a>, or if you've got your eyes set on a different car, you'll get a $16,000 credit towards any vehicle in the entire<a href="http://fusz.com/" target="_blank"> Lou Fusz network</a>. Only 650 tickets in total will be sold, meaning that you have a fairly good chance of winning! Plus, the money being raised will go to support the Epilepsy Foundation. It's a win-win situation! The raffle will continue through November, and the winner will be announced at Busch Stadium on the 15th.</div>
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Visit <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/efmk/car-raffle">http://www.firstgiving.com/efmk/car-raffle</a> to order your ticket online. You'll also be able to get one during the race on June 22nd in Kirkwood park. We hope to see you there!</div>
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-66039976028267892652013-05-03T08:00:00.000-05:002013-05-03T11:15:54.891-05:00Why Buy Certified Pre-Owned?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgb4b8c0p7jXHKGZRKPNTqK8hgpTgychTLTH6dTg7hg8TSMTXTxwpxyNR15ensu3d27NP1kPrEpPvEdFpQbvceC2O9baLD4MR_9zAksvx4Yy14-Z-HTQ0lU4WB8YcBEFeWf6mmPmFhJk/s1600/toyota_certified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgb4b8c0p7jXHKGZRKPNTqK8hgpTgychTLTH6dTg7hg8TSMTXTxwpxyNR15ensu3d27NP1kPrEpPvEdFpQbvceC2O9baLD4MR_9zAksvx4Yy14-Z-HTQ0lU4WB8YcBEFeWf6mmPmFhJk/s400/toyota_certified.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To the untrained eye, there are only two types of cars when it comes to shopping: new and used. Visit any dealership though, and you're bound to come across some shiny, nice looking cars on the used lot that are adorned with stickers claiming that they are "Certified Pre-Owned". They almost look like they're brand new, so what are they doing on the used lot?<br />
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The best way to think of a certified pre owned vehicle is a lightly used car that's been thoroughly inspected, tested, and touched up by the dealer to ensure it's in the best condition possible. They generally come with longer warranty options, less mileage, and better financing rates than a regular used car would, making it a great choice for someone who wants a like-new car without the high price. The idea of certified pre-owned has also been around for some time, dating back a few decades when only a few automakers offered them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFe4ToXGtqNc2_3bdtSatg9pI-1dFVuSdA-LdC1hJT432YsT8zYzrpHJKrRPs5UmIdlSDyevo0K7DN-oVsCwOyZ2ErAM3-UWhlE17YfsUu3f8FIMmW93QUJ35A2K3JZWz-Ja5gqcXOL8/s1600/160+inspect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota 160 point inspection, certified pre owned" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFe4ToXGtqNc2_3bdtSatg9pI-1dFVuSdA-LdC1hJT432YsT8zYzrpHJKrRPs5UmIdlSDyevo0K7DN-oVsCwOyZ2ErAM3-UWhlE17YfsUu3f8FIMmW93QUJ35A2K3JZWz-Ja5gqcXOL8/s400/160+inspect.jpg" title="Preowned Toyota vehicles go through a rigorous process before they're ready to hit the lot." width="400" /></a></div>
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According to <a href="http://www.cars.com/go/advice/shopping/cpo/stories/story.jsp?section=cpo&subject=cpo_learn&story=cpoForYou&referer=&year=&aff=national" target="_blank">Rob Gentile</a>, director of web product management for Consumer Reports: "The average price of a new vehicle today is almost $30,000, but a certified pre-owned car gives you an alternative option to buying a new vehicle — an affordable way to save money by buying a car that's been inspected, repaired and warranted."<br />
While the benefits of certified pre-owned cars vary by dealership, at mine (<a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/For-Sale/Used/Certified/" target="_blank">Lou Fusz Toyota</a>) you can expect a Lifetime PowerTrain Warranty and an "Engines Forever" guarantee.<br />
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For more information, check out the video we shot recently of our Pre-Owned Sales Manager Jeff Strum, talking about the benefits of certified pre-owned:<br />
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Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1907629455173569114.post-43605288844618532992013-04-26T08:00:00.000-05:002013-04-26T08:00:09.979-05:002014 4Runner- Why Tease When You Can Also Inform?When automakers want to drop the hint about their new car, they usually provide teaser photos to the public, where a tiny section of the vehicle is photographed so as to only give away a glimpse of it. You know the kind- they're usually a close up shot of the grille, or a headlight. I'll go out on the record and say I'm not the biggest fan of those (or maybe my imagination is just lacking!)<br />
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Need an example? Here you go:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuALy8pH1YbVEGWcxJuAxaE_lH8Ac6OgKgOglUD6DWqCZqKAfSfPCao44MAcnGjK_Nct02tMguhxop7FB-L1_wUGMDMInqZSiNzRIs-J-bMtI1sbvARpLFiQGLMOpg7Rge7I3KcLArURM/s1600/2014-Toyota-4Runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toyota 4Runner, 2014 4Runner, Preview" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuALy8pH1YbVEGWcxJuAxaE_lH8Ac6OgKgOglUD6DWqCZqKAfSfPCao44MAcnGjK_Nct02tMguhxop7FB-L1_wUGMDMInqZSiNzRIs-J-bMtI1sbvARpLFiQGLMOpg7Rge7I3KcLArURM/s640/2014-Toyota-4Runner.jpg" title="Headlight for the 2014 Toyota 4Runner" width="540" /></a></div>
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In other cases, automakers might leak so-called <a href="http://toyota-talk.blogspot.com/2012/07/ready-for-redesigned-rav4.html">"spy shots"</a> where the vehicle is seen outside during a road test while covered up with protective material.<br />
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Toyota could have certainly gone with either option in previewing the new 2014 4Runner, but they decided to mix it up a bit in hyping us for their next SUV. In addition to the teaser photos, they also made an infographic! I like the idea- get us excited for something new by highlighting the vehicle's past achievements.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagYLvCRWBtEVlruQYpFCxmiS-qGm32LLcwurY80ZgZGCPEk3JMq5coUoPfQXUiP6lYyYZNAVWTSxtDlXnCJOyy7LXhKewOf3y1kAqOOyeW6ykMj1gDwdv5T1OVFTA15571igKS7VyN0A/s1600/4Runner+Infographic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4Runner Infographic, Toyota" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagYLvCRWBtEVlruQYpFCxmiS-qGm32LLcwurY80ZgZGCPEk3JMq5coUoPfQXUiP6lYyYZNAVWTSxtDlXnCJOyy7LXhKewOf3y1kAqOOyeW6ykMj1gDwdv5T1OVFTA15571igKS7VyN0A/s1600/4Runner+Infographic.jpg" title="4Runner Infographic" /></a></div>
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What do we know so far about the new 4Runner? The 2014 version will be a face lift of the <a href="http://toyota.fusz.com/St-Louis-Missouri/Dealer/New/Toyota/4Runner/" target="_blank">fifth generation</a> mid-size Toyota SUV. It will feature more aggressive looking front headlights and tail lamps, going with Toyota's recent trend of giving their vehicles a more sleek and stylish appearance (just take a look at the redesigned<a href="http://toyota-talk.blogspot.com/2013/04/2012-vs-2013-toyota-avalon-why-only.html" target="_blank"> Avalon</a> for further proof).<br />
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The official reveal of the 4Runner happens at the StageCoach Music Festival in Indio, California, which will coincidentally be the first-ever major vehicle reveal at a large concert!Erik Schwenkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13459880833539415667noreply@blogger.com0