Toyota engines: tough enough for the North Pole

Tweet

Toyota 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 Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on each one sold. These vehicles have also been capable of incredible feats, such as towing a space shuttle. 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?

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 Phys.org, 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 Prius (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! 

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.

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! 

3 Benefits of Buying From a Dealer

Tweet

Almost all car shopping nowadays begins with research online.

There's plenty of advice on the internet, touting the benefits of buying a car from a private seller (eBay, Craigslist, etc) rather than from a dealership. In most cases, it is about trying to find a steal on a car for much less than it is actually worth. Contrary to popular belief, that doesn't happen often! This is especially true now that more and more people are getting computer savvy and using sites such as Kelly Blue Book to get an initial idea on the price of vehicles.

So, say you don't find the car you want on Craigslist. Or maybe you want to purchase a new vehicle. What are some of the advantages of buying a car from a dealership?


1. Extended and lifetime warranties. 

When you buy from a dealership, you'll know upfront that your car is going to be covered for a specified period of time, and you'll also have the option of getting that warranty extended if you'd like. Another thing you'll often get is a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty, which means that as long as you are the original owner of your vehicle, your engine and transmission will be covered, should either fail.
Specific car manufacturers may have additional coverage as well. Toyota, for example, offers two years of ToyotaCare on new vehicle purchases (24 hour roadside assistance), which can cover if you run out of gasoline, lock yourself out, get a flat tire, and so on.
Dealers will also often have certified pre-owned vehicles, which are used vehicles that have gone through a rigorous inspection process, and usually come with all (or many) of the same perks as buying new. They can be a great option if you're looking for a newer car, but don't want to pay full sticker price on the latest year's model.


2. Dealer Trade-Ins

Dealerships are always trying to get more vehicles for their pre-owned inventories. If you're looking to buy a new car, and want to get rid of your old one, why not trade it in towards your purchase? Offering a trade-in to a dealer can save a lot of time and hassle- you won't have to go through the process of finding a buyer for your old car after, and you'll generally get more money towards a trade-in than you would just selling the car to a dealer. Plus, the longer you take to try and personally sell your car, the more money you'll spend on keeping it insured as each month goes by.


3. Special Perks

Perhaps the best advantage to buying from a dealer are the specific incentives that you wouldn't get from buying privately. Are you a college grad? You can get a $1000 rebate. How about a free program that gives you gifts as well as discounts at restaurants and shops in your local neighborhood? At Lou Fusz Toyota, that'd be the AutoAwards program. Want to pay off your car in a timely manner? Check and see if your purchase qualifies for 0% financing.



Do you know any other benefits of buying from a dealer? Share them below!