Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Last Chance for Pontiac Deals



Before Pontiac makes its final jump, you can seriously take advantage of the quality Pontiac arrived at after an 82 year haul through the car manufacturer market. The rates and rebates at this point are outstanding. You can either take advantage of a 6500 dollar rebate or 0% financing for 72 months. Normally by the time the term gets this far, the interest isn't nearly this desirable. Pontiac vehicles have always had the right amount of quality mixed with the right amount of comfort, especially in most recent years. Ever since GM's reconstruction plan, Pontiac vehicles have taken on a new design.



Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

Throughout the years Pontiac grew as one of the top vehicle manufacturers, but eventually in the 90's saturated the market, leading to its ultimate downfall. Not the quality nor the convenience was the issue, but the demand for vehicles didn't coincide with the supply GM provided. And now here we are, at the point of no return. Where Pontiac ends and your new deal begins. Take advantage of these incentives today because the 2009's are running out very quickly.


$6500 rebate

or

0% financing for 72 months

Monday, December 28, 2009

We're at the Rose Bowl!!

I seriously learn something new everyday. When I'm looking for good material to blog about I usually start off with the Honda brand and go from there. Obviously I want to keep the Preston Auto Blog on its intended course, right? :) I am sure you have seen the Thanksgiving commercials, and the Honda Days Specials, but after the Holidays I was wondering what would pop up next. I'm lucky that Honda always had new products coming out and rave reviews I can post up here to share with everyone, but this latest find was really exciting for me.

As I'm looking for material on you tube the other day I came across these two videos. Obviously Honda has a MAJOR interest in the Rose Bowl Parade every year in Pasadena! This came as a welcome surprise for me because I love watching college football, and I was glad to hear Honda had some involvement in one of the most exciting games of the year. After I read a little more about the tradition of having a float in the Parade, I learned that Honda has some of the best floats that are there every year! They had two last year, one of Asimo the Honda bot, and another of a futuristic Honda Ridgeline that transforms and shoot fire everywhere! I hope you enjoy the vids as much as I did, and keep an eye out for the 2009 version as well! I'm sure it is going to be exciting!



Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas Car 2009



Is your vehicle as christmas ready as this one! I was amazed at how many of these videos I have seen online of people who have their vehicles all decked out for the holidays. Its one thing to decorate your house, but its a whole other level your on when you start putting lights on your car! Would you or anyone you know ever do this? I dont think its that bad of an idea, as long as its legal. How would you even hook it up. I may have to put some multi colored LEDs on my Honda before its too late! Merry Christmas everybody!

Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y Control

We all know that Toyota's are well known for their quality and reliability. Seeing that Toyota vehicles last longer then any other brand, we can see where the reliability comes into play. I wanted to look further into the quality aspect. Toyota's Production System is where it all starts. Each step in putting together the perfect vehicle is taken seriously. If one fault is found during this process, they shut down the entire assembly line until everything is fixed and working properly. They also use a process that's called "On-Time Delivery" which means they order parts and equipment as needed which eliminates that fact of excess parts or equipment needing storage where defects and problems can occur. Now I can go on and on about steps and actions that Toyota takes in order to place the perfect vehicle in Toyota showrooms, however it doesn't stop their. Anyone who purchases a Toyota can take advantage of www.toyotaownersonline.com (FREE) which can give you exclusive access to to owner vehicle information, discounts, benefits and more! Learn about things such as parts n service, accessories, scheduled maintenance, and even stories from other Toyota owners. It's just one of the many steps that makes Toyota's what they are and how they plan to stay on top for years to come.


Thursday, December 17, 2009

Honda Leads the Way...Again



Honda has been one of the most fuel efficient automotive companies in existence for a long time now. In keeping with this tradition they have decided not to waste time building V8 engines even for their luxury brand Acura, and instead to spend time on new ways for fuel efficiency. Going along with this strategy Honda built the first Fuel Cell Vehicle that is built from the ground up as a FCV. This amazing design is known as the FCX Clarity.

This is a zero emissions vehicle that will help slow the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity. This electricity then powers the electric motor which propels the vehicle. The more of these vehicles we get on the road, the better future our planet will have.

Honda P-Nut Concept Vehicle



Conceived around a small “footprint” for maximum convenience in tight urban settings, P-NUT features a sleek exterior design that allows for a spacious and open interior with excellent visibility. The layout of the interior space, with its center driving position flanked by two rear seats, provides generous legroom for all occupants in a vehicle that has an exterior footprint similar to an ultra-compact car. The modular rear engine bay is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal-combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.

Check out more pics and information at Hondas official site: http://automobiles.honda.com/p-nut/

Monday, December 14, 2009

Toyota Prius.

I was sitting in my living room the other night and I was watching a movie, "Funny People." Half way through the movie, a cast member was on screen and it showed that they owned a Prius. I noticed it but didn't think too much of it. As soon as the movie was over there was a television program on and what do ya know, another prius was on the screen. As I started flipping through the channels, I came across another movie and sitcom that showed a Prius. That was enough for me so I took it upon myself to search the web to try and find a list of tv shows/movies that have prius' in them. What I found was interesting. There is an actual IMCDB website which stands for Internet Movie Car Database. As I imagined, there was plenty of shows/movies listed that had the best hybrid out there in it (7 pages). I included the link to this website so everyone can take a look. Next time you are in front of the tube, keep an eye out there for the Prius'.

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=Toyota&model=Prius&page=1


Also, here is a pic from the movie funny people that shows the blue prius in the background.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Getting to Know You

Anddd I'm back with yet another thrilling interview with this week's salesman, Kevin Bertilacci who is the new guy around these parts. Check it out!

Me: "Ok, what is your full name?"

KB: "Kevin John Bertilacci"

Me: "Do you have any nicknames?"

KB: "Bert, but I don't like it!"

Me: "When is your birthday?"

KB: "October 1, 1977"

Me: "And I already know your hometown is my town!"

KB: "Yep! Girard aka Gtown, OH"

Me: "How long have you been in the car business?"

KB: "About 2 1/2 months"

Me: "What is your favorite Toyota and why?"

KB: "The 4Runner because I can tailgate in it!"

Me: "What was your first job ever?"

KB: "I worked for the Youngstown airport, I was 16 and I helped refuel and stuff like that."

Me: "Who are your favorite sports teams?"

KB: "The Cleveland Browns, the New York Mets, and the Florida State Seminoles"

Me: "Why should people cheer for the Browns instead of the Steelers?"

KB: "They have better tradition!"

Me: "What was your first car?"

KB: "A Chevy Euro Sport that was totaled about 2 months after I got it by a station wagon!"

Me: "Where is your favorite place to vacation at?"

KB: "Cabo San Lucas"

Me: "When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

KB: "A professional baseball player or a rockstar but I can’t sing."

Me: "What makes you a great salesman?"

KB: "I'm patient and not pushy!"

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Toyotathon now extended through beginning of January!




I know how you feel Penguin!!!

Toyotathon is still going on folks and I would seriously suggest checking out these extended incentives. Now, through January 4th, Toyota’s savings are still running lower than ever! You can lease a Corolla for as low as $149/month, a Camry for as low as $179/month, and a RAV4 for as low $199/month! If you would rather purchase then lease, no problem. Toyota is offering 0% financing on the Camry, Corolla, Yaris, RAV4, Matrix, Avalon, Sienna, Sequoia, and the Tundra. And that's not all!! There is also a $750 rebate on the Camry, Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Sienna, and $1000 cash back on regular cab and double cab Tundras, and $2000 on the Crew Max Tundra.

If your like me and Penguin over here, and you enjoy driving something brand new but at an affordable cost then your in luck. Iventory will run low but now is definately the best time to buy or lease.


Civic's and Accord's!!!!


It isn't very often that successful Auto manufacturers that aren't hurting for money, put amazing deals on popular cars...but all that is changing this month. Right now Honda is giving us unbelievable financing rates on both of these cars!!!

You wouldn't believe how these ultra low financing rates can help your monthly payment drop down to extremely affordable levels!! The best part of this deal is that at the end of the day you will be driving a Honda. There really is no other automaker that you can gain equity in a vehicle so quickly other than a Honda. Just wait till you get behind the wheel of these two sporty and practical vehicles!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Honda CR-Z UPDATE!!

With many people out there anticipating the arrival of the new Honda CR-Z sports car, I thougt it would be appropriate to post a new video I found with shots from the concept vehicle soon to hit the market at the Tokyo Auto Show. The CR-Z is due to hit dealers here in North America Early 2010 and to be totally honest with you we are very, very excited. The clean lines and mass appeal of this car are going to make it a huge seller in the US! Check out the video and see for yourself. Pre orders for the new CR-Z are going to be taken starting early this year so stay posted for more information on how you can be sure to make one available for yourself as soon as possible!

Toyota News

In an attempt to keep our Blog readers up-to-date with current news from Toyota, I have reviewed relevant new stories from the past month or so, and aim to summarize them for you.

To start, I'm sure the majority of you have heard about the "recall" Toyota put out in regards to the floormats that came about from the tragic accident that happened not too long ago. Through thorough testing done by Toyota, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was concluded that the sole reason of the problem came from faulty floormats. Still, there are skeptics, who believe otherwise. However, what Toyota did, apart from issue the floormat "recall"/warning, was announce that they will be shortening over 4 million gas pedals, in order to reduce the problem of unintended acceleration, that was due to faulty floormats.

In other news, in order to reduce financial losses, save on costs, and keep the company thriving, Toyota has announced two different initiatives. The first being to pull out of Formula One racing, something that seems to be a trend for automakers. Toyota's exit could save them up to $550 million per year, which is more than double the figure than the profits they posted for the third quarter of this year.

The second plan to try and gain back some of the dramatic losses Toyota has incurred for the second straight year, is to cut manager bonuses by 20%. Winter bonuses for 8700 mangers in Japan will be cut by 20%, the second of two bonuses the managers receive, which is supposed to be based on the company's performance. Toyota’s top executives and board members have already given up their bonus pay in an effort to ease the losses incurred. The bonus cuts are not the first time Toyota has to do this, as it is the fourth straight decline in bonuses, with the state that the economy and auto sales is in.

In lighter news, cost cuts and incentive programs help Toyota end a string of losses. Toyota returned a profit in the last quarter thanks to cost cuts, incentives, and government aid to consumers, bringing signs of a start to global economic recovery. Hopefully, 2010 will bring much brighter news to our economy and we can begin to to rebuild what has fallen.

(All of these news story topics can be found at http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/toyota_motor_corporation/index.html)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Getting to Know You

This week's interview is with my fellow internet coordinator who also happens to be my best friend. You may recognize her from posting her own blogs. Let's learn a little more about Jessica Ramdin...

Me: "Alright Jess, you know the drill. What's your full name?"

JR: "Jessica Indra Ramdin"

Me: "Nicknames?"

JR: "Jess and JRam"

Me: "Birthday?"

JR: "January 28, 1984"

Me: "And your hometown?"

JR: "Canfield, OH"

Me: "How long have you been in the car business?"

JR: "9 months!"

Me: "What is your favorite Toyota and why?"

JR: "The Sequoia, because it’s baller."

Me: "Who are your favorite sports teams?"

JR: "The Cleveland Indians, and anybody who isn't the Yankees or the Steelers."

Me: "If you were given a shopping spree in any store, which store would it be?"

JR: "Nordstrom’s, because I can get a little bit of everything!"

Me: "What was your first car?"

JR: "A four door Cavalier that I totaled!"

Me: "When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

JR: "A singer or an actress."

Me: "What song(s) can you be caught singing in your car?"

JR: "'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga, 'Whatcha Say' by Jason Derulo, or pretty much anything that’s on the radio!"

Me: "If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?"

JR: "Tiger Woods...haha!"

Me: "What makes you a great internet coordinator?"

JR: "I love to talk! And I’m easy to relate to because I have no idea what I’m talking about!"

Friday, December 4, 2009

Toyota and Football!

Being a huge football fan, I am always looking forward to Sunday's when I know I can watch football all day long!! Throughout the day, since I am in front of the tv for the most part, I get to see a lot of commercials and some always stand out. The past few weeks, I have been watching half time shows and the news breaks between games and a few Toyota ads have been aired which incorporate football. In my opinion, these ads are pretty funny and have stood out in my mind. Below I have posted a couple of them. Let me know if you think they are funny as well!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Van Man Part II












Alright folks, I know it doesn't seem like I'm really branching out here on topics but the pictures have been just released regarding the 2011 Toyota Sienna. I'll adopt six kids just to utilize the awesomness that is this van.

What is the biggest apprehension in purchasing and driving a minivan?

Answer: Its a minivan.

Toyota utilizes a concept of flow in designing their vehicles while differentiating themselves entirely from competitors. Other car manufacturers are just picking up their pencils while they float in Toyota's wake. At one time The Rav4 and the 4Runner were something they only dreamed of. Toyota didn't invent the minivan, they created the Sienna.

The 2011 Sienna will come in the usual base, LE, XLE, and Limited, along with the newly added sport style SE model with side skirting just in case your husband doesn't want to drive a "minivan." I'm putting the word minivan in quotations from now on just so I can better avoid the stigma surrounding the muddy, tiny, cleated footed passenger bus representation behind it. Soccer mom at the wheel, looking into that rear passenger window and hushing her screaming children. Recline those seats back, turn on the 16.4-inch wide split-screen on, wait 15 seconds and listen...

What is that? Its not the sound of a loud engine but the gentle hum of silence. Enjoy.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Happy Cyber Monday!!

What is Cyber Monday??




Happy Cyber Monday everyone! What is cyber monday you ask? The video above gives a really good description of this new cultural phenomenon that really goes to show how far online shopping has come in the last few years. With black Friday being one of the biggest in store shopping days of the year for retailers, cyber Monday is starting to really gain some steam. Its online retailers way of catering to their more net savvy customers and helping people who can't get out to the stores take advantage of great holiday savings. Plus its a great marketing idea that gets more business for stores online as opposed to just in the store. How does this relate to the car business you ask? Great question? I have to just sit back in awe and wonder why during a time of such great savings and deals that people are very slow to pull the trigger on a new car purchase during this time of year. Incentives are at their peak during this time of the year and the Preston Auto Group has made it easy for our online customers to take advantage of online shopping like never before with our newly redesigned internet department. Let me be the first to introduce you to cyber Monday....and invite you to save on a brand new car as well as your annual christmas shopping! Visit www.prestonauto.com for more information and for previews of great incentives on new and pre owned vehicles!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Turkey Day!!!

It has arrived. Today is the eve of, in my opinion, the best holiday of the year, Thanksgiving!! For me there are many reasons why this is my favorite holiday. First lets start off with the obvious, being around all of your family and tons of great food and every kind of pie you could think of. It has been a tradition that my family always hosts Thanksgiving, so lets just say I always wake up to the smell of that giant turkey being cooked. After that, my thanksgiving usually consists of this, eating,watching NFL football games, eating some more, watching some more football, take a siesta, and just relaxing all day!! Being an outdoors man, it is also the start of deer hunting season, where for the past few years I travel up to Tionesta, PA where I stay the whole weekend with friends and a camp. All in all it's definitely my favorite time of the year and as soon as its over you already get to start looking forward to Christmas.

I would imagine everyone has their own little traditions that they do this time of the year and I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Van Man


I'm actually excited about a van but there is probably a reason for that. When I turned 16 there were not one but two vans parked in my driveway. On my sixteenth birthday I got behind the wheel of my mom's Ford Windstar, put my hand over the passenger's headrest, looked into the rear view window, and backed down my driveway. At this point I'm really not hiding anything so I will share with you that there was a leopard cover over the steering wheel too difficult to remove and a sign under the license plate simply stating; Yield to the Princess.



Now let me explain a couple more things. I was 16 one year before all my friends and I had a van so the effeminate qualities the vehicle had were insignificant to me at the time. I had a ride and so did they. So I grew up driving a van and I am sure at one point in my life I will be behind one once again. The feeling I had, at sixteen, driving through the streets of my old town was a distinct feeling of importance. A feeling quite similar to any middle aged man getting looks in his new Sienna, unashamed and comfortable. Yield to the Princess for these times' are a changing. The new 2011 Toyota Sienna is almost here, and when it arrives, please don't put a leopard steering wheel cover on it.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving Honda Style

Last week, after I blogged a little bit about the Happy Honda Days promotion, I figured with all the attention Honda pays to the Holidays there must be some good video out there! Here is a great Ridgeline commercial from a few years ago I had never seen before, I know you will enjoy it! Happy Thanksgiving!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

TOYOTATHON!!!

Tis the season. That's right, it's that time of year again, Toyotathon!! For a limited time, there are super savings going on right now here at Preston Toyota. Whether you prefer to lease or purchase, whether it's a car, suv, van, or truck that you are looking for, no problem.....Preston Toyota got you covered. Seriously, due to finance rates as low as 0% on select models and the incredible residual values, it has never been a better time to get into a new Toyota.

One quote that I heard a lot growing up was "Practice what you preach." Now I could sit here tell you how great of time it is right now to get into a Toyota and one might ask..."if now is definitely the time, why haven't you done so yourself?"

The car I was originally driving was purchased when I was doing a ton of traveling for my job. Sooooo, lets just say I put my fair share of miles on that vehicle. Now that I work for Preston Motors, I won't be traveling for my job anymore, so I started thinking...... It would be nice to get into a new vehicle. However, I kind of knew that the trade in value of my vehicle was less then what I owed on it, especially due to the miles!!!! Well, NO PROBLEM!! I just started leasing a brand new 2010 AWD Toyota Rav4 with nothing more down then my first months payment and plate fees. And the best part is that my payments are where I want them to be!!!!

Toyotathon is back!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Green Week!!

I`m sure you all know that this week is Green Week, and we all know that Toyota is doing it`s part by producing enviromentally safe and fuel efficient vehicles. So, what can we do? I thought I`d give you some tips on how to live green, it`s alot easier than you`d think! Here are some ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint!

What we can do to be green at work:

-Re-use office paper by printing on the other side for interoffice documents.
-Purchase only acid free recycled paper for everyday photo copies.
-Use of recycled, brown paper large document envelopes
-Offering invoices by email
-Limit mailings by inserting occasional small flyers with our billing invoices
-Using energy star light bulbs as much as possible. LED bulbs do not contain mercury
-Turning off computers and monitors over nights and weekends whenever possible


At Home:

-Buy locally produced goods as much as possible. This cuts down on carbon emissions and helps support your local economy.
-Are you in the market for a new car? Consider a slightly used car with efficient fuel economy.
-Buy organic food and other organic products as much as you can
-Reuse cloth or other strong bags at the grocery and other retail stores. Keep bags in the trunk of the car (I love Trader Joe's bags, they are very strong and sturdy). Support companies that are trying to make a difference environmentally.
-Consider purchasing more products sold in metal or glass containers.
Reuse a non bacterial metal or plastic drinking bottle. Refill with a larger plastic water container that you can refill or at the filtered tap
-Reuse containers and reduce consumption waste. Ask yourself, "Does that product that I want to buy really need to be packaged in all that plastic?"and "Do I really need it?"
-Wrap your water heater in a special made blanket that you can find at your local hardware store to insulate, save energy and save money on the electric bill.
-Take shorter showers and conserve water use in the kitchen and garden whenever possible
-Use cold water and biodegradalbe, phosphate and petrochemical free soap for laundry
-Use more natural, biodegradable cleaning products.
Unplug chargers and small appliances that aren't being used.
-Keep the thermostat between 65-68 degrees and wear layers in the winter months

The 2010 Buick "Lexus Fighter"



General Motors definately has some ground to cover since their most recent financial difficulties. Just before tumbling into the disgrace of Chapter 11, GM finally figured out something to carry itself outside of the mediocracy of the past decade. Maybe your parents or even your granparents once looked at Buick as a contender with most car companies, but over the years Buick's luxerious reputation fueled by powerful engines has faded. There are many reasons for this but the most important thing to understand is that the Buick Lacrosse, once dubbed the Buick "Lexus Fighter," is back and easily one of the best redesigns of the year.

"I will never buy another American made car again."

The mutterings of a compliant customer throughout the nineties and early 20th century slowly become a faint whisper as your behind the wheel of 2010 Lacrosse. The ride remains more quiet than the past models and seemingly just as smooth. Buick has decided that one of its brand characteristics will be hushed motoring. Even on the highway the wind noise is seemingly faint to silent behind the continious hum of the concrete below the tires.

Celebs and their Hybrids







So,l the other day I was indulging in my worst habit, reading gossip blogs, when I came across a story about Ashton Kutcher buying his wife(Demi Moore) a Prius for her birthday. My first thought was, with all his money, he went with a Prius?? Not that I don`t love them, I think the 2010`s are awesome, but why not a designer handbag, a nice piece of jewelry, or a trip to some remote island? So then I started thinking, I wonder how many other celebs are taking a step towards helping the environment by purchasing a hybrid vehicle? The list is huge! Some names included were, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Will Ferrel, Alicia Silverstone, and Brad Pitt. Also Miley Cyrus just traded in her mom`s Porche for a Prius! I found over 50 celebrities that drive the Toyota Prius and countless more who have turned in their luxury cars for hybrids. I think it`s very telling that these celebrities who could drive just about anything choose to drive Hybrids!!


“It gets 52 miles per gallon. In the city. Isn't that exciting?”- Cameron Diaz




"I absolutely love our Prius. In addition to being obviously economical and environmentally friendly, they drive great and are just plain sexy. There’s no reason all Americans shouldn't’t be driving hybrid cars."- Will Ferrell

Monday, November 16, 2009

Happy Honda Days....Here Again!!


Its getting to be that time of year again. The weather is changing, football season is in full swing, and people all over are starting to think of Thanksgiving and Christmas which are right around the corner. With all the excitement going on, family dinners, holiday get togethers etc...its not a popular time for most people to be thinking of purchasing a new vehicle with all the other things going on in their lives. This is why American Honda Motor, in conjunction with Preston Honda would like to officially announce the start of our Happy Honda Days annual holiday sales Event. If you find yourself in need of a vehicle upgrade, or simply want to see what new makes and models are offered that may fit into your budget, there has never been a better time to do so than now. With the end of the 2009 model year, and the arrival of most new 2010 models Honda has really made an effort to accommodate their customers with fantastic incentives for the holiday season. In a time where leasing has mostly disappeared Honda is offering some of the most competitive leases of the decade. Residuals on all Honda models are at an all time high, and special lease rates are available on most models. Offering customers a great alternative to the traditional purchase in a time where other manufacturers are not. Special leases are available now on most 2010 models including the 2010 Accord, Civic, Pilot, Odyssey and all new hybrid Insight just to name a few. Leasing not for you? Enjoy special low APR from Honda Financial as low as 1.9% for 36 months and 2.9% for up to 60 months on ALL 2009 and 2010 Models! How special is this you ask? So special, that many of our customers can trade up from a new vehicle they just purchased, to a new model year Honda and not only keep their payments the same, but in some cases lower them! Please contact us at Preston Honda to go over some of your personal options 1-888-839-7855 or visit our website at www.prestonhonda.com to view our inventory.

Friday, November 13, 2009

My opinion? The Prius...

Which do you think is better? Take a look at this 2-part informational video that compares and contrasts the Toyota Prius vs. the Honda Insight. It is really interesting, check it out and decide for yourself which you think is better!



Thursday, November 12, 2009

It's about that time of year again

Fantasy football playoffs are approaching!!!!! Any strategic roster moves that need to be made in order to be standing at the top of the league come week 16 need to be made NOW. Of course unless your like myself and are a fantasy football guru and your roster is already in tip top shape. ( hence the reason why people the league are always asking me if I want to make a trade with them) Now, I know there are a lot of people who think fantasy football is pointless and has no meaning ( one being my roommate who never had a good thing to say about fantasy football until he joined the league and now enjoys it like everyone else.) Well I beg the differ. In our Preston Auto league, there is a ton of strategy, competition, and of course, some trash talking. All in all its really fun and gives us co-workers another reason to get together and joke around, and most of all have some friendly competition. I posted the standing below as of week 9. Only the top 4 teams will make the playoffs and playoffs start week 15. Only time will tell who be crowned champion!!!

Da King 14-4
Dice Ekting Opponents 11-7
Canes Cuz 10-8
Bucked up 10-8
Gambler's Anonymous 9-9
Spin Stealers 9-9
Jelli 500 9-9
Giordano's Giants 8-10
Rock Flag and Eagle 6-12
Team5 4-14

Dog-Friendly Element!!





The Honda Element has never been a vehicle that tried to appeal to the mass population. Built on the CR-V platform the Element went out of its way to be different and therefore it has a charm that's all its own. From the boxy shape to the water-resistant FXC (Fabric for Extreme Conditions), the versatility of the Element is unparalleled. Now Honda has given the Element another niche to fill: The people who travel with their dog on a regular basis.

Honda has released a whole package called the Dog-Friendly package for the Honda Element. This package is designed to make it completely convenient for one to take their family dog on any trip they desire. The kit comes with a stowable ramp, pet bed, water bowl, large or small dog kennel and more! Come see us and let us show you how we can make your pet enjoy going for a ride in the car even more than they already do!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Consumer's Consumer















I love fruit smoothies, Subway sandwiches, and leases.

What?

When I went to college in Texas, I worked at a place called Smoothie King. I ate a nutritional smoothie almost everyday I worked. I even gave them a visit on my off days. I worked at Subway for a little while and still continue to enjoy a "five dollar, five dollar foot long." I never said I liked the commercials. I also just recently leased a Corolla from Preston Motors. There really is no better compliment I could give to these three establishments. The employee will know the ins and outs of how the product is made and which way it would be best to utilize it as a consumer. I'm not talking about the sandwiches anymore. Being in the working world now but not exactly sure what to do, I had my truck appraised at Preston's. The appraisal was fair but I wasn't too sure what to do with the money, and what sort of vehicle to get into. A one pay lease was the answer to my questions. In three years I plan to be in a different place financially and in the meantime why not drive a more fuel efficient, brand new car!

It's not just about convenience, but more of utilizing a financial opportunity. What better way to build my credit after college than going into a one pay lease. Not only do you save yourself some money with the interest, but you also get the payments in on time without even worrying about it.
So I can no longer tell my customer's, "Hey, I drive a Toyota with 100,000 miles on it and I've never had a problem." Now I can say, "Hey, I drove a Toyota with 100,000 miles without a single problem, and then traded it in for a brand new Corolla!"


Monday, November 9, 2009

Long Distance?

(04 Mazda RX-8, I took a similar one in on trade from Massachusetts)

People always wonder why other people drive so far, "just to buy a car". Well today, I'm here to explain why these smart consumers who are willing to travel for a used car are actually smarter than you may think!

Lately, I have been 'the out of state salesman'. I have sold two vehicles to customers in Massachusetts, one in Michigan, hopefully one tomorrow from Western Ohio, and a couple pending from Michigan and Illinois. Now you may wonder, "why would someone ever drive that far, simply to buy a car?" But, you need to think about that question, most of the time you can answer it, without that much thought.

>>>> ITS TO GET A GOOD DEAL!!! (duh!)

Here at Preston Auto, we believe in selling cars for a small profit, so that we can get more satsified customers, and more Preston plate tags out there, so that we can get a lot of referral and repeat business in the future. Many other dealers like to sell cars at higher profit margins, so that they can make more money, but something they don't realize they're sacrificing is there customers loyalty! If you go to ABC Motors and buy a car for $15,000 and find out 2 days later that you could have gotten a similar car for $14,000 at XYZ Motors then you have an unsatisfied customer, who is more than likely, going to shop around at XYZ before they go back to ABC. In essence, stick with me here guys, Prestons is XYZ; we'd rather sell you a car for less, hoping you will send us more customers, and buy your next vehicle here as well.

So, these people who come from miles away, are saving tons of money! The one customer from Masschusetts came down because the they needed a specific Toyota Tacoma and the only ones up that way were way too expensive, or not anything they were looking for, and so they made the trip down to get a great deal. Another customer from Massachusetts was looking for a specific Camry, the V6 SE model, with leather, which isn't too abundant, but moreso, the ones he found online cost way more than the one he bought from us. Can you see the pattern here?!

The only cost to the customer from out of state is the gas to get down here, and most of the time, they don't mind taking the mini road trip anyway!
What I'm getting at here, is never think that traveling a distance for a used car is ever too far! We can help you out with taking care of taxes and all here at our dealership. Give me a call and I'll be happy to share any information I can about some of these stories!

(One car I took in on trade from Massachusetts)

More work for local factory

The all new 2010 Honda Crosstour


Honda begins mass producing new vehicle in Ohio


(AP) – 5 days ago




EAST LIBERTY, Ohio — Honda Motor Co. says it has begun mass production in Ohio of its new crossover utility vehicle.


The automaker says the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour began rolling off the line Monday night at the company's factory in East Liberty.


It's the largest vehicle ever produced at the plant, which also makes the Honda CR-V and Honda Element.


Honda says the Crosstour combines the features of a sedan with a sport utility vehicle.
Honda's engine plant in nearby Anna is supplying the V-6 engines for the Crosstour. The transmissions are being supplied by the Honda plant in Russells Point.
The Crosstour goes on sale Nov. 20.






Thursday, November 5, 2009

Toyota Sports Car


Toyota announced that it is taking a significantly larger stake in Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries. The two companies will actually come together and create a small, inexpensive rear-wheel-drive coupe for various markets. Word on the street is that the rear wheel drive version will be a 2.0l 4cyl with 175 horsepower. However there is speculation that there will be a turbocharged option that will give the customer all wheel drive and up to 300 horsepower. Although the vehicle will be built in a Subaru plant, Toyota is directing the design and overall development effort. Also, even though both companies are joining ideas, each model will feature distinctive front and rear styling. It is said that this vehicle will arrive somewhere between 2010-2011. One of the most encouraging things is that the buzz has been that this sports car will sell for less then $20,000.

The Accord Crosstour First Drive!




The Honda Accord badge is legendary. The accord is the vehicle that can be different things for different people. It is the epitome of practicality when one buys the vehicle in sedan form. Yet even in its most stately model it still has an underlying sportiness that can't be denied. For those that don't need to accommodate for a family, they can opt for the coupe model that has an extraordinary amount of style. Most recently Honda decided to open up one more option to the consumers out there who need an Accord but also might want to carry some extras around town.

This newest Accord dubbed "Accord Crosstour" has a cabin that is very similar to most other Accords yet it is one step higher on the luxury scale. The gauges on the dash have a blue ambiance that isn't available on other accords. The Crosstour comes standard with an upgraded sound system, dual-climate control, and 17-in alloy wheels. These options make the Crosstour a very appealing choice for those who wish to combine luxury with utility and not have to sacrifice appealing looks.

The standard engine is the 3.5L V6 with 271Hp to help make this crossover a thrilling ride. This engine is the same one found in the Accord sedan and coupe and therefore provides brisk acceleration without giving up fuel economy numbers.

The Crosstour is the most unique Accord to date and is sure to get people talking. If you're in the market for a vehicle with more cargo space but you don't want to step all the way up to an SUV then this just might be the perfect vehicle for you.

Getting to Know You

Well friends it's Thursday so you know what that means, another employee of the week! This time I got the opportunity to sit down with Jim Barth and find out who our dealership's "Lunch Guru" really is...

Me: "Alright Jim, let's start with the basics. What is your full name?"

JB: "James Morgan Barth"

Me: "What are your nicknames?"

JB: "Bizel and Jimbo"

Me: "When is your birthday?"

JB: "June 3, 1961"

Me: "And where is your hometown?"

JB: "Baldwin, PA"

Me: "Never heard of it! Where is that?"

JB: "South of Pittsburgh."

Me: "How long have you been in the car business?"

JB: "Since 1992. About 17 years."

Me: "What is your favorite Toyota and why?"

JB: "Camry SE, I own one! I like the look, style, comfort, reliability and it makes me feel good!"

Me: "Who are your favorite sports teams?"

JB: "Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins"

Me: "When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

JB: "An airplane pilot."

Me: "Where is your favorite place to get lunch?"

JB: "Olive garden."

Me: "What was your best golf score? Don't lie!"

JB: "70!"

Me: "If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

JB: "I would go to Nassau, Bahamas because it’s the most beautiful place in the world."

Me: "What makes you a great salesman?"

JB: "Patience, listening, and I get it done!!"

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Getting the Facts Straight

Please watch in regards to Toyota floor mats.


John Daly

Vice President of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Preston Auto Ice Holes!


I just realized recently that Preston Auto was in another way reaching out and getting involved in the community in a physical and competitive way, involving bumps and bruises, coaching and teamwork, applauds and boos, and it was something called hockey. Leagues like this do a lot more than you would think for any community and I feel like New Castle's YMCA did an exceptional job running this particular league. I grew up in Texas and moved here a year ago. Let's just say hockey isn't winning any popularity contests where I'm from. I recall sitting in a bar in upstate New York during all the College Football bowl games. I was with a good friend of mine and she looked around at all the televisions and back at me.

"If we were back in Texas, there would be riots in the streets."

Every single television had the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL Winter Classic. All fifteen of them.

Now I'm sitting on my couch drinking a Yuengling and watching the Pens game. If my Texan friends saw me they would gasp but I wouldn't care. I haven't looked back since I put on those pads and crosschecked my manager into a wall. Through the community and team work, the game has taken on a new meaning and life in this Texan.





For updates on the season or to join the New Castle YMCA hockey league simply go to the link below.

http://leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?cmenuid=1&url=ncymca&sid=165726695

Honda New Car Owner Clinic 11-11-2009


Event Date: Wednesday, November 11th at 6:00PM


Come visit the brand new, state of the art Preston Honda and meet the Service personnel at the Preston Honda New Car Service Owner Clinic!! We promise at Preston Honda, to deliver the utmost customer care and service. Preston Honda has a courteous staff that strives to to not only meet our customer's expectations in taking care of their vehicle, but EXCEED them. Preston Honda's service department makes sure that all appointments are done quickly and easily. We understand that your time is very valuable, which is why Preston Honda offers Express Service and Online Scheduling which is very fast as well as efficient. Our goal is to service your vehicle correctly, quickly, and at a price that is easy on your pocket! You will come to find that Preston Honda does offer the most quality and professional service ever!

So come in and see for yourself why you will love our exceptional and professional service! Visit with your sales person and meet the excellent people who make Preston Honda a customer service leader! It's going to be a night of fun! We're going to have giveaways, beverages, and fantastic hors d'oeuvres. You will have an opportunity to not only ask questions but view some of newest models on display as well! This special event will be held at our brand new Honda state-of-the-art service and sales facility! We look forward to seeing you and enjoying a night a fun! For more information, and to RSVP for this special event, please click the following link! http://tiny.cc/NewCarOwnerClinic861

Sincerely,

Your friends at Preston Honda service

Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Halloween some more...

Sweet video!!

The all new 750i with XDrive


The corporate executives living in the snow belt no longer have to worry about hauling their BMW 750i through inclement weather thanks to BMW making Xdrive an available option on the redesigned 7-series!! This vehicle is truly a work of art with the the world's best engineers coming together to make this the true Ultimate Driving Machine.

The new 750i comes standard with a 4.4L V8 engine with Twin-turbo technology!! This makes this engine put out 400hp and an astonishing 450lbs torque!! Thanks to BMW's usage of twin-turbos there is none of that acceleration lag that is usually associated with turbo engines.

The styling of the new BMW is very elegant without being too assuming and has won over many critics. With corona rings outlining the HID headlights everyone will know you're driving a BMW. The lucky few will get to catch a ride in the backseat of this ultimate luxury vehicle. Not only is this car a perfect drivers machine but it doesn't skimp on the amenities for those who are going along for the ride. There is enough room in the backseat for adults to stretch out and relax during a long trip. Some executive types may even prefer to opt for the extended length 7-series which is dubbed the 750Li. This vehicle has enough room in the backseat to prepare for a meeting while you are chauffeured around.

This German sedan is meant to be exclusive and therefore makes no compromises in any form. It is 100% BMW and if you are able to drive one you will soon realize why that is such a good thing.

Happy Halloween

New Ford Commercial:






















































Did I get you??????

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM PRESTON SHARON!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Getting to Know You

Here we are again. Another week, another employee. This week I got the pleasure of sitting down with Eddie Pagley, the Finance Manager here at Toyota of Boardman, for a few brief moments. Continue reading as I get to know Mr. Pagley a little bit better...

Me: "Hey Eddie! What is your full name?"

EP: "Edward James Pagley"

Me: "Do you have any nicknames?"

EP: "Eddie, Pags"

Me: "When is your birthday?"

EP: "September 5, 1980"

Me: "Where is your hometown?"

EP: "New Castle, PA"

Me: "How long have you been in the car business?"

EP: "3 ½ years"

Me: "What is your favorite Toyota and why?"

EP: "The Avalon because of the way they look, the way they drive and it’s comfortable."

Me: "Who are your favorite sports teams?"

EP: "Notre Dame, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins and Duke."

Me: "When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

EP: "A professional athlete."

Me: "What is your biggest pet peeve?"

EP: "Messiness."

Me: "If you hit the lottery, what would you spend the money on?"

EP: "A car, a house and a boat."

Me: "What's the best concert you’ve ever been to?"

EP: "Ozzfest."

Me: "What’s your idea of an ideal vacation?"

EP: "The beach; sun, sand and beer!"

Me: "Why should people come to Toyota of Boardman?"

EP: "Because of our Lifetime Warranty and superior customer service."

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Wheel Deal

The vehicle I'm referring to as the wheel deal is none other then the Corolla S. I've always like the look of the S model and never really took a serious look at what it has to offer. Here is a mid-sized sedan that offers great fuel economy, multiple safety features, reliability (espcially a new one bought from Preston Toyota because it comes with a Lifetime Warranty), and interior/exterior options that give the Corolla sporty look. The S comes equipped with an underground body kit, front spoiler, rear spoiler, sunroof, fog lights, alloy wheels and that's just the exterior. Some interior options that come on the Corolla S is the dark colored interior, upgraded sound system including a 6 disk cd changer, steering wheel controls, bluetooth, and satellite radio. I recently had a customer come and look at the corolla S and one important feature for her was to have enough room in the back for her daughters car seat. Needless to say she was very pleased with how much room there was for it being a midsized sedan and drove the car home that day.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009





Along with other major manufactorers, GMC is playing quite a large part in helping out the consumer during these economic times. There is a two part option as usual between financing and cash back on the Sierra 1500 Extended Cab and Crew Cab. There is the choice of 0% for up to 60 months or up to $6000 customer cash back! You could be driving a brand new GMC truck at an incredible rate...or even more incredible price. Other vehicles like the Acadia, Yukon, and Canyon are also offering the same incredible rate with comparable cash back offers. Maybe you haven't considered GMC in the past and in that case all you can do is try it. I promise you once you drive these new trucks and read the consumer reviews, you will understand what work GMC puts into these trucks.

Great advertising

Everyone who watches even the smallest amount of TV has had to have seen at least one of Toyota's new commercials. I mean these things are on every channel it seems, airing all throughout the day, not just in the afternoon when no one watches TV, like some commercials do. Nonetheless, I'm sure you've seen at least one, and you have to agree with me in that they're quite amusing!

Every time I see the commercial about the great gas mileage as they drive around in their Corolla trying to catch their runaway dog, it makes me laugh. Its funny to me because that is exactly what my dog would do! LOL. Run away when he gets out, but stay somewhere in the neighborhood so that you can still track him down, and once you do, he'll look at you like he's ready to give in, then dart in the other direction! Haha. But that's not the only reason it makes me laugh. When the people in the commercial squeeze the dog's squeaky toy, my dog's ears perk up and he thinks the TV is trying to play with him!! LOL. He runs up to it and stares at it thinking it's about to play fetch with him. Then, when the dog shows up on screen in the commercial, he thinks its a real dog and starts barking and going nuts over it! And then, when the dog runs off-screen, he follows it, all the way past the TV, like the dog in the commercial is running away. He even goes behind the TV, trying to find where the dog went! Haha. Gotta love animals, right?

Another commercial that gets a chuckle out of me every time is the one where there is a father and a son in a Camry SE, going through an automatic car wash. As the father goes to press the button for the cheapest wash, the son in the back seat clears his throat and says no to the father, and does so until he gets the best wash available. Then, kicks his foot up on the seat to relax. The whole storyline being that with as dependable Toyota vehicles are, you may end up giving the car to a young one down the road. Take a look, see if they get a smile out of you!




Monday, October 26, 2009

Honda CR-Z Hybrid Sports Coupe

Staying in line with the ever popular green movement, Honda introduces its first ever hybrid sports coupe concept slated to hit stores late 2010. With photos and press just starting to hit the Internet this car looks to be the first vehicle available in the American market with the soul of a sports car and the carbon footprint of a prius! Honda has been long known for its technological innovations and extreme quality and this new design is no exception. You don't have to take my word for it though. Honda recently added a CR-Z page to its website in anticipation of this years later release. "Premiering at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the latest CR-Z concept provided a glimpse at Honda's first sporty hybrid coupe, which will be formally unveiled in production form at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January 2010. The 2-seat CR-Z combines futuristic styling, driving enjoyment and the latest in Honda hybrid technology. As striking as the car's sleek lines are, it's the environmental performance under the hood that sets it apart. Due to hit the streets in the second half of 2010, the CR-Z is that place in the universe where sport and efficiency meet." If the production model looks anything like these photos we all have something to be really excited about! Finally a vehicle that gear heads and the environmentally conscious can both love. Most importantly though, as a dealer, we are looking for your feedback. Do you think there is a place in the market for a hybrid sports car? With so many choices available to todays consumer and more and more hybrid models becoming available is this something that the sports car minded customer may consider when making a new vehicle purchase? As always, we look forward to your feedback!

Weekend Getaway


So it was that time again, it was the time when all the guys were away from their girlfriends for one night....it was guys night out! After High school and college it becomes harder and harder to have a night where its just you and all of your friends going out having a good time. I am fortunate to have a good group of friends that have been with me basically my whole life so we all really look forward to these nights. Since we were all going to be hitting up the bars and clubs in Pittsburgh we wanted to make sure to have one designated driver. My friend (and Internet Director) Bobby decided to take care of that problem and offer not to drink for the night. We really didn't want to have to make another person not drink but there were 7 of us! How were we going to find a legal and comfortable way to make it to Pittsburgh? Turns out the Honda Pilot Touring was the perfect answer.

If you're not familiar with the Honda product line and some of their recent redesigns then setting foot inside a Honda Pilot Touring might just blow you away. Not only does it come standard with 3rd row seating, but with high grade leather, a navigation system, and a top of the line sound system, the Pilot touring makes traveling fun. Even the two people in the back rows had plenty of leg room to sit back relax and enjoy the ride. The sound system was perfect. The Pilot has two speakers in the very back for the rear passengers to make sure they aren't just spectators on everyone's fun. The built in navigation system is so easy to use and gives the driver turn by turn audible directions but continues to play the music for the second and third rows!!

It's obvious by now that we had a great night out and the smooth ride of the Pilot helped ease us all to sleep on the way home. After a long night out dealing with all of us guys trying to recapture past experiences, I'm sure Bobby was thankful for the calming effect of the Pilot's jitter free ride.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Random Acts of Prius


So, being a Facebook junkie, it isn`t surprising that I found a really cool thing Toyota is doing. Richt now, if you go to the Toyota Prius page, you`ll see they`ve started a program called Random Acts of Prius. The idea is to do little acts of "kindness" for the environment. With every act you do you improve your rank on the site.

You start as an Eco Connoisseur and progress to a Hyper- Miler. As of today over 3500 Random Acts of Prius have been completed. Become of a fan of the Pruis on Facebook, and see what you can do to improve your day, your commute, or help someone in need. The way I see it Toyota is doing their part, maybe it`s time you start to do yours!

http://www.facebook.com/prius?ref=search&sid=503728130.579084895..1&v=app_139815434211

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Satisfaction, Guaranteed


I know at some point we all have had the joy of watching a lovely infomercial. Usually, the product retails for around $19.99 and they send you 4 of them. Here's the best part, they are backed by a 30 "risk free" trial period. Now, in my opinion, a 30 day risk free period isn't something that really catches my eye on a $20 dollar product. However, there is one risk free trial period that seriously caught my attention, and that the 60 day satisfaction guarantee that General Motors puts on everyone of their new vehicles. The policy is simply this, buy a new GM vehicle and if you don't love it after 30 days, you have another 30 days to bring it back at no extra cost to you. Now this is no guarantee on some small little gadget. This guarantee is placed on a new vehicle that one will spend thousands of dollars on. When investing that much money into something, no matter what it is, isn't it nice to have the piece of mind knowing that if for some reason you no longer are satisfied with your vehicle you have the option to bring it back.