5 Reasons New Jerseyans Prefer Toyotas

If you live in New Jersey, you've probably seen a lot of Toyotas. You might even think there's just one big NJ Toyota dealer that we all shop at. So why the love affair between NJ and Toyota? Here are five reasons:

• For the commute – New Jersey is a state of commuters. It would be hard to find anywhere on the East Coast that has so many people living so far from where they work. And for most of us, a long commute translates to a lot of money wasted on gas. Toyota has a well-earned reputation as one of the leaders when it comes to fuel economy, and the numbers on their individual models bears that out. Driving a Toyota can mean big savings.

• The price – Did someone mention savings? Of course we're still on that topic – this is New Jersey! We spend enough on our cost of living as it is. Buying a car is always a tough balance between spending more to get quality, and not overspending. Toyota lands right on the line, delivering extremely high value vehicles that look and run great without overcharging. Toyota is affordable, but not flimsy.

• Safety features – If you've ever been in a New Jersey rush hour, you know that things get dicey. We're a state full of assertive people who don't mind laying on the horn . . . or other colorful forms of communication. Unfortunately, that also means Jersey has a high rate of fender benders, and that's why safety features matter to us. Toyota gets top marks on safety and has developed many new features that went on to become standard across the industry. It's a great brand for those of us who want to brave the turnpike.

• Long-term durability – The thing about New Jersey is that we're a tough people. If Jack Frost wants to send us three feet of snow, we're going to grit our teeth and bear it. Unfortunately, not all of our vehicles are as determined as we are. With winters like Jersey has, you need a car that can stand up to the elements and keep running for years. That's exactly what Toyota is known for.

• The size! – This isn't Texas. We like a big car or truck as much as the next person, but we have limits. While not all of us are driving into New York City five days a week, it's hard to live in Jersey without routinely heading into one of the big cities. That means parallel parking and that's why we like cars that make the best use of their size, instead of boats.

So, does that mean everyone should run out to their NJ Toyota dealer? Maybe not, but judging from any NJ parking lot, many of them already have.

What to Look for in a Car Dealer

New Jersey has a lot of car dealerships. But not all car dealerships in NJ are the same. Some will give you more selection and better prices, while others will offer you very little but grief. It can be hard to tell what to expect before you walk into a car dealership, but there is an art to choosing the right one. So how do you do it? Here are our top tips from the experts at Autoland:

• For new cars, choose dealers with multiple manufacturers – Some car dealers carry only a single manufacturer and don't sell new cars from other brands. Others will sell a variety of brands, such as a Toyota dealer who also sells Chryslers. Generally speaking, you're going to do better at a dealership with multiple companies for a few reasons: they don't have such strict brand loyalty, so they'll give you a more honest assessment of different cars; and it's easier for you to find out about special deals or rebates from a variety of manufacturers. Even if you think you already know exactly what car maker you want to go with, it never hurts to shop around—and you may find a parallel vehicle for a better price.

• Bigger selection means bigger savings – Larger car lots have a lot going for them—and for you. Since they deal on a larger scale, they can often afford to offer lower sticker prices. And since they have a wide variety of both wares and customers, they may have more wiggle room on the final sale price as well. Smaller lots tend to play their cards closer to their chest.

• Look for a robust used car section – If you're buying used, then obviously you want to see a lot that has a huge number of used cars available. Again, it gives you more choices and may indicate better prices. But even if you're buying new, check out the used car section. You may find something that's only a couple years old that fits your needs, and you also send a message to salesmen that you're not going to dive straight for the highest sticker price on the lot.

• Respectful salespeople – You'll be able to tell within a few minutes whether the salespeople at a given dealership are going to listen to you, answer your questions, and respect your wishes or if they're going to be pushy. Follow your gut and avoid pushy salesmen.

What other tips do you have for choosing the best car dealer in NJ? 

5 Tips for Buying Your Teen's First Car

If there's one moment every parent dreads, it's when their teen becomes old enough to drive a car. Naturally, parents worry about their children getting behind the wheel – after all, they are inexperienced drivers and accidents happen. They may also dread having to pay for the teen's car. Cars can be very expensive and few teens will make enough at their part-time jobs to pay for them. However, with these 5 tips, you can buy your teen a great first car that is safe and affordable.

[Image Credits: State Farm]

• Don't get the most powerful engine – Of course your teen is going to be interested in driving fast and they may request a car that has a powerful engine. That doesn't mean you have to give it to them! Look for a vehicle that has a less powerful engine; it will get them where they need to go with less risk of them losing control of the vehicle. Your teen may be a bit disappointed at first, but they'll thank you when they don't get in an accident. Some of the safest cars to look for are the Ford Taurus, Honda Civic, Scion xB, and both the Toyota  Corolla and Camry.

• Don't choose the most advanced vehicle – Nowadays, vehicles come equipped with everything from DVD players to surround sound stereo systems and everything in between. However, when it comes to you teen's first car, less is more. Teens may be easily distracted while driving. Don't give them more things to become distracted by! Opt for a vehicle that has minimal features. They can always add onto it down the road when they become more comfortable with driving.

• Buy a used vehicle – Sure, every teen dreams of having a brand new set of wheels. But purchasing a used vehicle as your teen's first car is a much more practical option. Look for used good, reputable used car dealers in NJ or your nearest location. By purchasing used, you can save a significant amount of money on upfront costs, monthly payments, insurance, and more. This is important to because your teen may not have a job, and if they do, chances are good that it only pays minimal wage. A used car will be much more affordable for you and your teen. Plus, if a fender bender should happen, the insurance hike and cost of repair won't be as drastic.

• Get a warranty – Regardless of whether your car is new or used, you'll want to get a warranty. New cars almost always include a warranty and, while some used cars may not have one, you can look for certified pre-owned vehicles that offer the same general advantages that a new car warranty would have. A warranty is crucial for new drivers, as it will help save money on the cost of maintenance and repairs.

• Check the safety features – It's always important to have a safe vehicle, especially when your child is a new driver. Make sure that the car you choose to purchase is safe for your teen, and has good working seatbelts, airbags, and brakes. If buying used, ask for a CARFAX report so you'll be aware of any issues the previous owner may have had. Check how many miles are on the vehicle and avoid any with more than 100,000 miles on them. These cars may be more prone to breakdowns because they have been worn out. Always be sure to test drive a vehicle before purchasing it so you can see how it runs ahead of time.

Are you looking to buy your teen's first car in the near future? What features do you consider to be essential? Is there anything you're looking to avoid? With these 5 tips you'll be guaranteed to have a safe and happy teen on the road.

4 Reasons You Should Purchase a Toyota Vehicle

Are you in the market for a new vehicle? Whether you are looking to purchase a new or used car, a Toyota may be your best option. Toyotas frequently rank within the top 10 on lists of best car brands and, over the years, have become a trusted brand for many Americans, due to their dependability, safety, and other factors. Here are four reasons why you should consider purchasing a Toyota vehicle:

1.  They are safe – Toyota is known for putting their vehicles through rigorous safety testing prior to placing them on the market. The manufacturer continuously demonstrates their commitment to selling safe vehicles and has proven it with their creation of the Safety Connect in 2009. Toyota vehicles that come equipped with Safety Connect will have access to an advanced collision notification system, an emergency assistance button, stolen vehicle tracking, and roadside assistance. Additionally, Toyota is constantly named one of the safest cars around by independent organizations and respected magazines. Some of the features that they note include automatic steering that can help drivers avoid collisions, advanced high beam lights, and a pre-collision system that will cause the vehicle to automatically break when there is an accident to avoid collision between vehicles. With a Toyota, your safety will never be at risk.

2.  They are dependable – Toyotas are not only very safe cars, but they are also highly dependable and known for rarely ever breaking down. They get great gas mileage and are well built, with strong engines. These vehicles are assembled by highly skilled engineers that are involved with nearly every part of the manufacturing process. This helps to ensure that all parts are of high quality and built to last. It is not uncommon for a Toyota's life to extend well past the 100,000 mile mark.

3.  They are affordable – If you're looking for an affordable vehicle, Toyota is the way to go. A Toyota rarely passes the $30k mark, even new. You can also find great deals on new and used Toyota vehicles at your New Jersey Toyota dealer. These dealerships frequently offer special discounts and, when combined with the already low prices of a Toyota, you'll be guaranteed to have one of the most affordable cars on the market. Furthermore, the dependability and fuel efficiency of Toyotas will help keep your operating costs down for many years to come.

4.  They are green – Toyota has proven time and time again to be committed to going green. They've made several advancements to their cars to make them more eco-friendly and sustainable. They produce several hybrid and fuel-efficient cars and are also beginning to make plug-in electric vehicles. When you drive a Toyota, you'll be driving one of the most eco-friendly cars out there.

Toyota vehicles will give you the most value for your money. Whether you're looking to buy new or used, you'll be guaranteed to reap in many benefits with a Toyota. See your New Jersey Toyota dealer today for more information.

5 Things to Look for in Car Dealers

There are a lot of car dealers in NJ, and it can be hard to find one you can trust. A car is a huge investment in terms of both time and money, so it's important to find a dealer who will help you get exactly what you want, in the shape that you want it in, the first time around. Here are our top five suggestions for finding the best car dealers New Jersey has to offer:

1.  A mix of foreign and U.S. cars – Many people have strong feelings about buying American versus foreign cars. From a practical perspective, both have their benefits—and either one might be a money saver depending on the company, the year, and the model in question. It's often best to look for a dealer who sells both foreign and U.S. cars, so you can see a side by side comparison and have plenty of options.

2.  A great used car selection – Even if you think you're going to buy a new vehicle, it's really worth your time to look at a robust selection of used cars. Single-owner vehicles that are less than four years old can present substantial savings, while delivering everything you want in a new car. Looking at the recent used cars also gives you a better idea of the market overall—which cars are popular and how do the different models look after a few years on the road?

3.  A dealer that does lively trade in used vehicles – This is similar, but different from the point above. Do they focus a lot of their attention and marketing on used cars? If so, it means they are getting a substantial portion of their business from selling used vehicles, which means your trade in will have more value to them.

4.  Low pressure salesmen – There's no denying that a salesperson wants to close the deal. But where some seem like they've had too many cups of coffee, others are easygoing and focus on answering your questions. There are two different philosophies in the world of sales: close the deal quick and make sure the customer gets something they're happy with so they'll come back. You want to talk to salesmen who have that second mentality.

5.  Realistic financing options – Before you go to a car dealer, talk to your credit union or bank about car financing. You should already know what their offer is, and you should ask a car dealer to beat it. If they can't offer you better terms on financing, then how important is your business to them?

Of course, there's a lot more to sifting through car dealers in NJ. What are your top suggestions?