3 Great New Toyota Vehicles for Teachers

Have you heard about Auto Land's new sale? For a limited time only, Auto Land is running a sale exclusively for teachers! Any teacher who buys or leases a new Toyota from Auto Land will have their first month's payment (up to $500) covered. But that's not all! We'll also throw in an extra $250 straight-A report debit card to help you purchase new supplies for your classroom! As one of the top NJ car dealers, Auto Land wants to give back to our teachers by helping to make both their commute and job as a teacher a little bit easier. If you're a teacher looking to cash in on this deal, we've got three great new Toyota vehicles in stock that we'd like to recommend! Here are our picks!

New 2015 Toyota Tundra

There are many things to love about the new 2015 Toyota Tundra. For one, it features 4-wheel drive, making it easy to handle in tough weather conditions like snow. You won't have to worry about finding a last minute substitute if your school remains open in a snowstorm. It also has a lot of open cargo space in the back, which is great for transporting supplies and furniture to your classroom. Other features include a 5.7L engine, an electronic 6-speed automatic transmission, cruise control with steering wheel controls, and many more. Learn more about the 2015 Toyota Tundra here.

New 2015 Toyota 4Runner

Okay, so maybe trucks aren't right for everyone and that's okay. The new 2015 Toyota 4Runner is another great option for teachers. This vehicle also has 4-wheel drive for tough weather conditions. It doesn't have the open back that the truck has, but it does hold up to five passengers, giving you plenty of room to store supplies or to even give one of your coworkers a ride home if they ever need it. Other features include a 4.0L V6 engine, electronic 5-speed automatic engine, cruise control with steering wheel controls, and other various modern-day luxuries. You can calculate your payments for this vehicle today by visiting our website.

New 2015 Toyota Avalon Sedan XLE Touring

If you're looking for a vehicle that's a bit sportier than the Tundra or the 4Runner, then the new 2015 Toyota Avalon Sedan XLE Touring is perfect for you! You'll be considered the coolest teacher in the whole school! This vehicle features a 3.5L engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, cruise control with steering wheel control, and many other luxurious features. It can hold up to five passengers, giving you room for supplies, field hockey team equipment – whatever you need. You can request a quote, make an offer, or even get pre-approved today!

Which of these teacher-approved vehicles would you most like to drive?  

4 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Car in New Jersey

Are you considering purchasing a car in New Jersey? Regardless of whether you're buying new or used, a car is an investment that should be approached carefully. You should never simply rush into a new car contract or deal. First, you'll need to do a bit of basic research. A good place to start is to ask yourself these four essential questions:

1.      Do I really want to buy the car?

Believe it or not, you don't HAVE to buy a car. If you're in need of a vehicle, but don't have money for a down payment or high monthly payments, leasing may be a better option. Leasing will allow you to make smaller monthly payments over an extended period of time. These payments could be as little as $109 a month for a 24-month period. It's the perfect way to get a great car on a budget.

2.      Should I buy new or used?

You may have watched How I Met Your Mother and heard Barney Stinson say that "New is always better than old." However, when it comes to cars, this is simply not true. You can always get great deals on used cars in New Jersey at Autoland. In fact, some of our used cars are so modern and gently used that you'd think they were still brand new! When deciding on whether to purchase a new or used vehicle, consider your current needs, desires, and your budget. Always make sure that your vehicle, whether new or used, comes with a warranty, and if used, be sure to get a CARFAX report. A CARFAX report will tell you exactly how many previous owners the vehicle had and if there were any past mechanical problems, accidents, or other issues to be aware of.

3.      Is this the best vehicle for my current and future needs?

New Jersey is a pretty diverse state. You could live in the city, near the shore, or in a more suburban area. Consider where you live and what kind of car you may need. For example, if you live down the shore or in an area with a lot of dirt roads, you may want a vehicle with 4-wheel drive. If you live in the city, a smaller, more compact vehicle may be ideal. You may also want to think of your current and future family situation. Do you have children who may want to drive the vehicle in the upcoming year? Do you need a vehicle with extra space for your current or future children? These are all important questions to ask before making a final purchase.

4.      Am I eligible for any further discounts?

Auto dealers like ours at Autoland are always having various sales. If you're unsure whether there are any current deals for you, be sure to ask. Some of these deals may be on certain vehicles, or during certain time frames or holidays. Some auto dealers even offer special discounts for certain occupations such as the military and teachers. It never hurts to ask if there are any discounts that can be applied to your overall cost.

When you ask these four questions before purchasing a new or used vehicle in New Jersey, you'll be sure to get the best deal for both your current and future needs.

A Quick Guide for Learning about Your Newest Car

There's nothing more exciting than finally being able to drive away with your next vehicle. You've been to car dealerships in New Jersey and have talked to financial planners, banks, friends, and car salesmen. Having your labor finally pay off is a wonderful feeling. The hard part is over, but now you have to focus on getting used to your new car. No vehicle is alike, and each has its own quirks and features. Here are some steps you'll want to take to ensure the smoothest transition possible:

Do a little research

You may have thought that websites like Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Reports are only useful for the buying process, but they can also help you learn about your new car. If getting a used car, download the CarFax app so you can learn about the vehicle history before you make a purchase. You'll be able to find out about any problems the previous owner had, and about the general history of your new vehicle. 

Getting to know the basics

Every car drives differently, and you should get to know everything you can about this one. Drive in familiar places to learn a bit about how your car accelerates and brakes, and be sure to keep an eye on the gas gauge to see how often you'll generally need to fuel up. Know the make and model of your vehicle, and find out how to put air in your tires, replace the windshield washer fluid, and change your oil. All of these things will help make it easier to see when something is wrong with your car, and can alleviate some of your initial new driver's anxiety.

Prep for car emergencies

You never know what will happen when you're behind the wheel. Accidents and car problems are a part of life when you're a licensed driver, and you need to be prepared for them. Your cell phone can be your most valuable tool when something goes wrong, so make sure that it's fully charged when you head out (and if possible, you should have some kind of car charger for your phone). Carry a few emergency supplies in your car, like flashlights, road flares, and spare tires for an emergency. You may also want to look into getting a AAA membership, as it can come in pretty handy in an emergency.

These are just a few things we at Autoland advise for new car owners. Call or contact us with any questions or concerns!

A Quick Guide for Defensive Driving in the Garden State

When you hear the term "defensive driving," what springs to mind? Do you think about someone angrily cutting people off on the road and ignoring the speed limit? Or do you picture an old lady puttering down the turnpike at 20 miles per hour? Both pictures are inaccurate, but they're popular ideas for people that don't truly understand what defensive driving means.

At Autoland, our dealers know a lot about driving methods and, if you're going to have a car in the Garden State, defensive driving is a must. Here are some pointers:

Always be aware of the cars and drivers around you

New Jersey is unquestionably the most densely populated state in the country; well over 1,000 people inhabit each square mile! Thanks to our tightly-packed state the roads will always be full of people, so it's easy to feel intimidated by the amount of traffic. When driving defensively, pay attention to the cars around you. This can help make up for someone else's carelessness, and that can be your best bet for preventing an accident. 

Embrace the different road systems

New Jersey residents can get annoyed with major roadways pretty quickly, especially during rush hour. If you want to drive defensively, don't dismiss the value of alternate routes and different highways. Check the traffic reports before getting behind the wheel so you can plot out your routes well. Don't be afraid to try out a different route if your usual one is looking a bit messy. Also make sure to take note of toll roads if you're on a budget (Tip: If you don't like having to pay tolls, use 295 in South Jersey or 287 if you're up north). 

Stay calm if you're lost

There's nothing more stressful than missing an exit or driving past a turn when you're behind the wheel, but if you want to drive defensively you'll need to stay calm. Remember this: an overshot exit in other states can mean an extra half hour added on their trip, but a missed exit or turn in New Jersey could only set you back mere minutes. That's the one benefit of living in such a small state! Everything is so close together that missing an exit or turn is a minor inconvenience at worst.

At Autoland, our NJ new and used car dealers have all of the experience to help you find the best vehicle for your needs. They can even point out which are the best equipped for defensive driving, and the high volumes and traffic jams that we experience here in the state.