Lease or Finance?

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

So, is it time for you to consider getting a new vehicle (a Toyota of course!)? Perhaps it’s your first time getting a vehicle from a dealership, or perhaps you want to reconsider the best route for your next vehicle; either way, we have some advice for you on leasing and financing.

Let’s compare the benefits of buying a car versus the benefits of leasing a car. When you finance a vehicle, you own it, and after some time you will no longer have to make payments on it. You don’t have to worry about any penalties and your insurance is less limited, and you are also able to build equity based on your vehicle’s depreciation rate.

When you lease a vehicle, you have less to worry about and pay for in regards to maintaining it. You’re also driving the newest or newer model, and can do so continuously. Finally, you don’t ever absorb the full depreciation costs of the car, but only for the length of your lease.

Now, both buying and leasing have their disadvantages, such as paying back interest when a car is purchased, or higher insurance costs for a leased vehicle. The fact of the matter is that there are an endless number of factors to consider when deciding between financing or leasing, so outlining both the benefits and disadvantages in terms of priority can be of benefit when making your decision.

Want more advice? Stop in or contact Thousand Oaks Toyota, and we’ll be happy to help you any way we can!

The New 2014 Corolla

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

Perhaps you’ve seen the Corolla-based prototype, the Furia Concept, but now it’s being reported that the new 2014 Toyota Corolla could look like a cross between the Furia and the Camry, and will offer several updates on the inside as well as for the drivetrain.

Toyota will still offer 4 trims, though they will now have new names. The drivetrain will have an updated transmission (a new Continuously Variable Transmission) paired to an updated version of the current 1.8L engine that will now have continuously variable valve timing and lift system for increased performance and efficiency.

Less is known of specific interior updates, but we do know it should be getting a serious makeover, based on an interview with Richard LoFaso, Toyota’s corporate manager of marketing.

Thousand Oaks Toyota will gladly keep you in the loop on any new word about this exciting new car!

Introducing the New 4Runner

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

In case you’ve been out of the loop lately, Toyota’s just revealed its redesigned 2014 4Runner, and it’s a looker.

Coming to Thousand Oaks Toyota late this summer, the new 4Runner debuted at the Staqecoach Country Music Festival inside a circus cage. Well done, Toyota. The new 4Runner is intended to be both a great-looking vehicle, as well as a fully-functioning SUV. The biggest changes for this new model are cosmetic, and will enhance passenger comfort in addition to being easy on the eyes.

The 2014 model will keep this year’s 270 horsepower 4.0L V6 and body-on-frame construction to handle towing and offroad fun.

Toyota and Lexus Sell 2 Million Hybrids in the US

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

Toyota and Lexus hybrids accounted for nearly 2 million US sales of the world’s 5 million total hybrid vehicle sales.

So what does that mean in terms of ecological economy? It translates into 34 million tons fewer of Carbon Dioxide emissions compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. It also means hybrid vehicle owners around the world saved a near total of 3 billion gallons in fuel. That’s a lot of cash savings.

Combined, Toyota and Lexus sell 20 hybrid vehicles around the world, and 12 in the US. Of those 12, the Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, RX 450h, and eventually the Highlander Hybrid are produced in the US.

Toyota Honors Women Leaders

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

Toyota honored five women at the fourth annual Women in the World Summit earlier this month by awarding $50,000 grants to the five women selected as “Mothers of Invention” this year.

The first recipient was Kavita Shukla, founder and CEO of Fenugreen. Her focus is on food spoilage, and through a new product called FreshPaper, consumers are able to keep produce fresh four times longer.

The next recipients were Caitria and Morgan O’Neill, founders of Recovers.org, an online organization focusing on disaster relief efforts. The site is a forum for collecting and spreading information on disasters and their recovery efforts.

The last recipients were Tara Roberts and Sejal Hathis, founders of girltank.org. The site serves as a social network where girls and women can share social initiatives and is a great way to find sponsors, donors, and investors.

In addition to the three $50,000 grants, Toyota also gave each woman a $15,000 grant to go toward the organization or initiative of their choosing. Some of the participants of the Summit included Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Hillary Clinton.

Toyota Hopes to Release Hydrogen Vehicle by 2015

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

For the cool price of $50,000, you could be the new owner of a hydrogen-powered Toyota in 2015. The Toyota FCV-R, Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle, is hoping to make its entrance into the market by then, thanks in part to a new deal with London Hydrogen Partnership. In addition to the deal with LHP, Toyota has been working with the US Department of Energy on research and marketability of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

We’re curious how the introduction of alternatively fueled vehicles into the market will affect costs as well as the environment. Obviously they will have a positive ecological, environemental effect, but is it worth it at $50,000 for the consumer and the cost of production for the OEM’s? Either way, it’s obvious that we’re approaching a paradigm shift in vehicle technology, one that is hopefully progressive.

Toyota Maintenance Tips

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

We thought we’d pass along this nice little article from Toyota about performing these easy maintenance routines to keep your Toyota as efficient as possible.

First, make sure you are using the right oil. Your Toyota owner’s manual tells you what oil you should be using. Using the wrong oil can result in poorer performance. Conversely, fuel additives can increase efficiency and performance.

Second, change those filters. It should go without saying (or writing in this case) that clogged filters are a no-no. Maintaining clean filters will sustain your vehicle’s performance, while clogged ones can severely lower your car’s MPG.

Finally, get the right parts. Your Toyota came with the parts it did for a reason, so make sure to replace them with quality OEM replacement parts (a little redundant, we know). Manufacturers will always have recommendations on replacement parts.

And for those who might not have time in their schedule to perform such maintenance, don’t hesitate to schedule a service appointment with us so we can take care of these things for you!

2014 Toyota Highlander Debuts at NY Auto Show

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

Toyota just unveiled its redesigned 2014 Highlander at the New York International Auto Show, and we gotta say…whoa.

The most we’ve been able to gather on the new Highlander can be seen in the video above (which we highly recommend muting…), as well as from Motor Trend.

The new design evokes a sense of pride in the styling, as well as refinement and a flash of elegance. Toyota seems to want to make certain to prospective buyers that it can make cars that are not only reliable with a bevvy of features, but ones that look darn good.

Expect the 2014 Highlander to be available this fall at Thousand Oaks Toyota.

Which Prius Are You?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

Have you explored the new 2013 Prius family? Whether you’re a lone ranger-type, urban cowboy, or all about the family, there’s a Prius for you.

Want to know more about each? Thousand Oaks Toyota can help!

The “New” Camry

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Thousand Oaks Toyota

There’s not much we can add to complement this video from the boys at Top Gear US, other than to remind everyone this isn’t the Camry Effect that Toyota keeps talking about, but should it be?

For now, enjoy watching this amazing “new” Camry fight the elements while you daydream what that mean machine could do on the streets of suburbia.

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