Toyota Hall of Fame: Scarves

Celebs JB Smoove, Jay Mohr and Bill Bellamy mounted a video campaign to get into the Toyota Hall of Fame. Watch these Hollywood stars as they find out whether they were selected for the greatest honor in the game.

Do You Know Where to Find Toyota of Sanford's Online Specials and Coupons?

It's simple! Click HERE to get Toyota of Sanford's online coupons.

Set Up a Personalized Call from Santa!

By: Melanie Pinola

It's that time of year again: Time to send someone a personalized holiday call from Santa Claus. The jovial St. Nick (or, well, Google) asks you a few questions then creates a customized message you can send by phone, email, or Google+.

It's a fun little holiday tool that you can send to anyone, seeing as some choices for your recipient's occupation include "accountant," "IT guy," and "Sith master." Besides Christmas, you can choose the celebration to be "winter," "the season," and "staying warm," among others. (I'm fond of the nickname suggestions, such as "home skillet" and "schmoopie.")

Note that personal phone calls are available to North American phone numbers only and during the day, but the email and Google+ messages are 24/7. Spread some cheer!

Toyota Presents: "Singing for Supper - Auld Lang Syne"

Ever seen a turkey hit a high note? Or a cappella dinner rolls? Watch Singing for Supper and spread some cheer!

Is Jan All Knowing? Don't Miss Toyotathon!

Have you ever met someone who seems to know what you're going to say before you say it? See how Jan does just that for this customer!

Miss North Carolina Helps Us Choose November's $1000 Test Drive Winner!

Here we are with Miss North Carolina Arlie Honeycutt to choose the winner for our $1,000 Test Drive Challenge for the month of November. You could be our winner in December and all you need to do is test drive any vehicle here at Toyota of Sanford.

The Winner of October's $1000 Test Drive Gets Her Check!

Kelly Mahoney of Cary North Carolina came in to collect her check for $1,000 as the October Winner of the $1,000 test drive challenge! If you see her congratulate her and maybe she'll spend a little on you this Holiday Season!

Toyotathon -- Friends

There's nothing like getting help when deciding on the color of your car. So why not ask a few (thousand) friends? See how Jan handles this one!

2013 Toyota RAV4 World Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

Spirited, versatile and completely redesigned, the 2013 RAV4 is an evolution of the RAV4 revolution that began in 1996. Check out the global reveal at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Did You Know Toyota of Sanford Has a Great Online Special?

Click HERE for Toyota of Sanford's online exclusive coupon!

Toyotathon -- 300k

Are you thinking Tacoma or Tundra? Do you need something that can handle your boat? Let's see what Jan thinks about it!

Thanks to These Great Customers for Five Stars on Edmunds for Toyota of Sanford!

"I found it to be a positive experience." -artist6

Thank you very much for the terrific five-star review of your experience with Toyota of Sanford! We look forward to seeing you again.

"The whole experience was smooth. All staff were very helpful." -hdcustomer

We appreciate you taking the time to let everyone know about your terrific five-star experience at Toyota of Sanford! We appreciate and value your loyalty, and we look forward to seeing you again.

"Courteous and professional is all I have to say about Toyota of Sanford!" -mikendeb1

Thank you for your kind words and wonderful review of the service department at Toyota of Sanford! If you have any questions or concerns about your Camry, please let our team know.

Click HERE for all our great reviews. Remember, to get online coupons and exclusives, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.

Toyotathon -- Jan On Compassion

Toyotathon Is On!

The one event you don't want to miss. Hurry in for the biggest deals of the year.

Toyota of Sanford Has Specials on Tires, Door Guards, A/C Refresh - Get Them Today!

Get all our great special offers HERE while they last!

Toyota Named Best Resale Value Brand for 2013 by Kelley Blue Book

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 26, 2012 – Toyota has earned Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com Best Resale Value Brand Award for the 2013 model year.  This is the second year in a row that Toyota has received the Best Resale Value Brand Award from KBB.com, and it has received this top honor in three of the last four years.

In achieving the award for the top brand, Toyota earned six Best Resale Value Awards for specific 2013 model year vehicle categories   In addition, four Toyota models (FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Tacoma and 4Runner) earned spots on KBB.com’s 2013 Best Resale Value: Top 10 Cars list.

  “We are thrilled that KBB.com has selected Toyota for its Best Resale Value Brand award, and we appreciate Kelley Blue Book’s efforts to help increase consumer awareness as to the importance of resale value when purchasing a car“, said Bill Fay, Group Vice President and General Manager of Toyota division.

2013 KELLY BLUE BOOK BEST RESALE VALUE BY VEHICLE CATEGORY:

FULL-SIZE CAR:	Toyota Avalon
MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:	Toyota FJ Cruiser Toyota Sequoia
MID-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK: FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK:	Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tundra
MINIVAN/VAN:	Toyota Sienna

 
Since vehicle depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car buyer’s primary expense during ownership, these awards, like all of KBB.com’s new and used vehicle information, are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.

  Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book^® Official Residual Value Guide, determined by a skilled staff of automotive analysts.  These prestigious awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) after five years of ownership.  Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with a MSRP of more than $60,000 are excluded from award consideration, except in the luxury and high-performance categories.

It's Toyota of Sanford's Black Friday Sale! Specials! Giveaways!

Check out the flyer and see the inventory at http://bit.ly/TfOePW!

The 2013 Avalon -- Interior Design

Hand-stitched feel meets intuitive technology. Toyota designers used breakthrough materials to create the 2013 Avalon's elegant, sporty interior.

Financing Special on 2012 Prius V at Toyota of Sanford!

Click HERE to learn more about this great financing special at Toyota of Sanford!

Scion | Static Revenger - What Moves You

A Scion profile featuring Dennis White, producer, DJ and documentarian.

Under the pseudonym Static Revenger, Dennis has credits on over one million records sold worldwide. He has created a series of travel documentaries on ScionAV and recently scored the Scion 'What Moves You' TV spot.

Test Drive a Toyota at Toyota of Sanford and Be Entered to Win $1000!

Click HERE to find out how easy it is to win $1000 from Toyota of Sanford!

RAV4 EV Demo

Introducing the new RAV4 EV, with cutting-edge technology, dynamic performance and modern advancements inside and out. What makes RAV4 EV so extraordinary is getting all that, plus features for the real world.

The Scion FR-S is the Toyota GT 86 in New Zealand - As Are the "Fun Police"!

One of The Fun Police operatives puts himself in fun's way driving the exciting new Toyota 86.

Toyota Tundra: Most Leg Room in Its Class

Toyota built the Tundra like you would--with the most leg room in its class*.

Extreme Voting: How Astronauts Cast Ballots from Space

Call it the ultimate absentee ballot. NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station have the option of voting in tomorrow's (Nov. 6) presidential election from orbit, hundreds of miles above their nearest polling location.

Astronauts residing on the orbiting lab receive a digital version of their ballot, which is beamed up by Mission Control at the agency's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Filled-out ballots find their way back down to Earth along the same path.

"They send it back to Mission Control," said NASA spokesman Jay Bolden of JSC. "It's a secure ballot that is then sent directly to the voting authorities."

 

This system was made possible by a 1997 bill passed by Texas legislators (nearly all NASA astronauts live in or around Houston). It was first used that same year by David Wolf, who happened to be aboard Russia's Mir space station at the time.

"You think about being in a foreign country and voting — he was actually on a foreign space station," Bolden told SPACE.com.

Wolf participated in a local election in 1997. The first American to vote in a presidential election from space was Leroy Chiao, who did it while commanding the International Space Station's Expedition 10 mission in 2004. (The first crew arrived at the $100 billion orbiting lab in November 2000.)

The station's current Expedition 33 counts two Americans among its six-person crew — commander Sunita Williams and flight engineer Kevin Ford. But both of them have already had their say in Tuesday's presidential election, voting from Earth just like the rest of us.

"They actually both did it while they were stationed in Russia, before they launched," Bolden said.

Williams and Ford both rode to orbit aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Williams blasted off in mid-July, while Ford launched Oct. 23.

Williams is slated to return to Earth on Nov. 12. When she departs, Ford will become commander of the new Expedition 34 mission, which runs through March 2013.

Copyright © 2012 TechMediaNetwork.com

2012 Corolla First to Get iPad Mini Installed in Dash!

The iPad mini has only officially been on sale since 8 a.m. this morning, but someone was already able install the device in the dashboard of a 2012 Toyota Corolla. the folks at the shop custom-built a dash in a 2012 Toyota Corolla, allowing folks to easily slide the iPad mini in and out.

Toyota Donates $1 Million to Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2012 – Toyota today announced a $1 million contribution to the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy in the regions worst-hit by the storm. In addition, Toyota will match employee contributions to the American Red Cross and other non-profits doing relief and recovery work in affected communities.

Commenting on the donation, Shigeki Terashi, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America, Inc., said, “On behalf of Toyota, we express our sincere condolences to the families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Since we have operations and many dealerships in the affected regions, we felt a special responsibility to lend a hand. In addition to this contribution, many Toyota employees are already involved in volunteer activities to support those in need. We very much appreciate their support.”

Beginning Nov. 1, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) will launch a “Customer Outreach” calling campaign to lease and retail customers who are delinquent, or become delinquent, due to circumstances related to the storm and who reside in the 13 states directly impacted by the hurricane (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT and WV) and in the District of Columbia. This campaign will determine if these customers may be eligible to take advantage of payment relief options, some of which include:

• extensions and lease deferred payments;
• redirecting billing statements;
• and arranging phone or on-line payments.

Toyota Financial customers with questions about their account should call (800) 874-8822. Lexus Financial customers with questions about their account should call (800) 874-7050. Qualified residents residing in FEMA-designated areas (of the above-mentioned states and the District) needing to purchase a vehicle may also take advantage of a 90 Day Deferred First Payment Program designed to assist customers with their transportation needs as they work through the recovery process. This program is for a limited time and only available through participating Toyota and Lexus dealers and TFS/LFS.

Happy Halloween from Toyota of Sanford!

Here's a fun event you and your family can do this Halloween - it's the Gross Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Sanford!

Corn Maze

Are you ready to get lost? Try navigating this 15-acre labyrinth!

Mazes have been around for centuries but corn mazes are relatively new. Since 1993, they have gained worldwide popularity providing a source of healthy and wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

Our 2012 maze consists of three puzzles containing almost 5 miles of winding pathways in a 15-acre field of corn, one of the largest in the the area.

Within each puzzle, there are checkpoints with a different shaped punch at each station. Guests track their progress through the maze by punching a card given to them at the entrance to the maze. Staff and maps are stationed throughout the maze to assist guests.

This year, we’ve stepped it up a notch and have added a new twist to the maze quest with FSI or Farm Scene Investigation.

Farmer Joe is missing. There was an accident, and it appears to be foul play. There are seven farm animal suspects that we need you to investigate. Collect the evidence to find the weapon, the suspect, and the location where the crime took place. You will find six location scenes within the corn maze. At each scene, you will find an animal, a weapon and a location to eliminate. Punch your card to keep track of your clues. But hurry. Help us solve the mystery and put the guilty farm animal behind bars and save Farmer Joe.

Choosing Our September $1000 Test Drive Winner at Toyota of Sanford!

Here with Eddie Seals to choose our winner for the $1,000 Test Drive for the month of September. Our winner this month is Gregory Cox but you could be our winner for October. All you need to do is come in and test drive any vehicle, no purchase necessary. The $1,000 Test Drive Challenge is only at Toyota of Sanford, where we do Toyotas different.

Venza on Ice - AMCI Testing

AMCI tests Venza's ability to keep you rolling on what they call "glare ice" - literally, a hockey rink.

Be Sure to Get These Online Specials from Toyota of Sanford Today!

Get THESE special online coupons and deals from Toyota of Sanford while they last!

Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge SEMA Builds Sneak Peek

The Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge builds aren’t going to be officially unveiled until next week, but until then, here’s a look at the renders each of the tuners submitted for an idea of what they’ll have in store for The SEMA Show.

Remember Halloween Movies In The Park at Depot Park in Sanford!

• When: Friday nights at 7pm through Oct. 26.
• Where: Depot Park in downtown Sanford NC
• What: Movies will be appropriate for children of all ages. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including hot and cold drinks, chips, candy, popcorn, and hot dogs. Bring your own chair or blanket.
• Cost: Free!

Jay Leno Drives the First Car Toyoda (Toyota) Ever Produced

Jay drives the ultra-rare Toyoda (Toyota) AA on his recent trip to Japan.

Why Buy From Toyota of Sanford - Serving Fayetteville

Click HERE to learn more about the Toyota of Sanford difference!

Toyota Tundra Makes History Towing Space Icon

See the full gallery on Posterous

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 13, 2012) – A Toyota Tundra half-ton pickup truck without any special modifications successfully towed the space shuttle Endeavour and custom-built dolly -- a combined weight of nearly 300,000 pounds -- across a bridge spanning the nation’s busiest freeway on Friday night, Oct. 12. The tow was a result of a 20-year partnership between Toyota and the California Science Center to raise awareness of the space program and continue public education through exhibits and events.

The shuttle’s 12-mile route over city streets to its new home at the California Science Center includes one passage over the 405 Freeway. The Tundra assisted in the transport of the Endeavour as it journeyed over the Manchester Boulevard Bridge—an area that required a lighter tow mechanism than other portions of the route for weight distribution purposes. Toyota did extensive testing and worked with the Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineering transport company, to develop a dolly to move the Endeavour over the bridge.

“We’ve partnered with the California Science Center since the early '90s as part of our ongoing commitment to inspiring youth in the fields of engineering, innovation and future technology, and we are honored to lend our support for this historic event,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of community affairs and philanthropy for Toyota.

The model selected was a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 with Toyota’s 5.7-liter iForce V8, producing 381 horsepower. All Tundra trucks are produced exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas in San Antonio. The truck used to tow the Endeavour was purchased from a Southern California Toyota dealer, with no modifications or special equipment added for the tow.

The Tundra was piloted by longtime Toyota professional driver Matt McBride. Riding along was Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts aboard the orbiter when it traveled to the International Space Station in 2008. From start to finish, it took about five minutes to cross the bridge.

“I’m honored to be part of the space shuttle Endeavour’s final mission to the California Science Center,” said Garrett Reisman, an engineer and former NASA astronaut. “I appreciate Toyota’s support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern California community.”

The Science Center has a popular working exhibit utilizing a Tundra that demonstrates the physics of leverage. The Tundra used to tow the shuttle will replace the existing truck when the Endeavour exhibit opens on Oct. 30, 2012.

The Radically New 2013 Toyota Avalon

Get acquainted with the radically new 2013 Avalon. An evolution in high-end driving and a symbol for the future of Toyota itself.

Come In to Toyota of Sanford for the $1000 Test Drive!

Here's the video of our November winner of the "$1000 Test Drive!" Simply visit Toyota of Sanford, serving Fayetteville, NC, take a test drive in any of our new or used vehicles and tell your salesperson you want to register for the $1000 Test Drive! Call our Test Drive Hotline for details 800-411-TOYOTA!

Click HERE for terms and conditions and to schedule a test-drive online.

Thank You for the Five-Star Review of Toyota of Sanford on Edmunds!

"After visiting several dealerships, Toyota of Sanford was more welcoming and comfortable than the others." -techteach2

Thank you for the Five-Star review of Toyota of Sanford! Our welcoming and comfortable environment is how "We Do Toyotas Different!" If you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle, please let our team know. We look forward to seeing you again.

Click HERE to see this review on Edmunds. Remember to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for coupons and specials.

Toyota Presents: The Tundra Endeavour - Born in America

Designed and assembled in America, the Toyota Tundra is more than ready to pull the Space Shuttle Endeavour

Toyota Hall of Fame: "Big Baller" Bill Bellamy

Nominate yourself for membership in the Toyota Hall of Fame: Legends of Fantasy Football.

Be Sure to Check Out Toyota of Sanford's Online Specials and Deals for October!

Click HERE to see this and more of Toyota of Sanford's online offers!

Toyota Presents: The Tundra Endeavour -- An Astronaut's Story

On October 13th, the Toyota Tundra is setting out to pull a 145-ton national treasure into history. But first, experience the best ride off Earth as a former Endeavour astronaut shows you what it's like to be on the shuttle during take-off.

Choosing the August 2012 $1,000 Test Drive Winner

Every month at Toyota of Sanford, we give away $1,000 for simply just test driving one of our vehicles! This month, or winner was Barbara Wicker! Congratulations to Barbara and stop in to our dealership for a chance to win!

Toyota Hall of Fame: JB Smoove is the Fantasy Football Guru

JB Smoove gets out the video camera to proclaim himself the Fantasy Football Guru, and demands a seat in the Toyota Hall of Fame. JB proves himself a real contender for the ultimate honor in fantasy football with expert smack-talk and a brutal backyard workout. Guuuruuuu!

See & Be Seen with This Online Offer from Toyota of Sanford While It Lasts!

Click HERE to see this and many other online special offers from Toyota of Sanford!

Toyota Mississippi Teams Up To Support National Public Lands Day

BLUE SPRINGS, Miss., (Sept. 22, 2012) – For the fifth consecutive year, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc., (TMMMS) team members and their families teamed up with the local community to support National Public Lands Day (NPLD). This year’s activity drew approximately 700 Toyota team members and their families who volunteered at Howard Stafford Park in Pontotoc. They performed painting, planting, trash clean-up, installation of new fire pits and a new walking track around the park’s lake.

National Public Lands Day, which began in 1994, is the nation’s largest volunteer event for public lands across America. Last year, more than 200,000 volunteers worked at 2,067 sites in every state, the District of Columbia and in many U.S. territories to improve the quality of life for thousands of Americas.

“I’m proud because Toyota Mississippi had the most volunteers for National Public Land Day among any Toyota plant in the country,” said Masa Hamaguchi, president of TMMMS. “We were able to show everyone in the community why Toyota Mississippi always looks for the best way, using our pioneer spirit.”

“Howard Stafford Park was built with joy and hope, and after 40 long years, the park is showing its age,” said Pontotoc Mayor Jeff Stafford, which bears his father’s name. “It took hard work to build this beautiful park and it will take a team effort to revive it. I’m truly touched by the huge number of Toyota volunteers and their family members with us today, who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of many who will continue to come to this park for future generations.”

For 14 years, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., has been the national corporate sponsor of the National Education Foundation NPLD and has encouraged its employees to get involved in activities across the nation. Last year, more than 3,100 Toyota volunteers participated at 40 different public land areas in 20 states and U.S. territories.

©2012 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Check Out This 2012 Toyota Prius on Clearance at Toyota of Sanford

Click http://bit.ly/NNC1Ag for more information on this 2012 Prius on clearance at Toyota of Sanford!

Do Students Eat Worse Than Prisoners?

This graphic, by GOOD, shows the difference between a prison lunch and a school lunch. Both are roughly the same cost (just over $2.60) and contain about the same amount of calories (around 1400). But surprisingly, prisoners get more items to eat and healthier options, with 1/2 cup of vegetables and one serving of fruit or dessert, compared to the school children’s 1/2 cup of vegetables or fruit.

School food programs’ yearly federal budget is a lot higher than the budget for prison food ($11 billion compared to $205 million). The food at the two institutions is roughly the same cost and calorie count but prisoners get more healthy items than school children. Should there be a bigger push for healthier school lunches? One nine-year old student in Scotland thinks so- she even created a blog about the state of school lunches.

Toyota Hall of Fame: Jay Mohr, Global Peacemaker

From shepherding mountain yaks through the Himalayas to piloting a jet fighter, Jay Mohr takes us through all his glorious exploits. And then, Jay makes his best case for his next triumph -- membership in the Toyota Hall of Fame.

Toyota Prius -- Coach T -- Speech

Coach T gives one of his famous halftime speeches to a couple of Prius recruits. It's a tearjerker.

13 Things a Man Should Keep in His Car

by Brett & Kate McKay

When I was growing up, I noticed that my dad kept the trunk of his car well-stocked with supplies. A lot of the equipment in his car was for his job busting poachers as a game warden, but most of the things he packed in his trunk were for emergency situations.

And there were plenty of times when my dad was able to put his trunk equipment to work.

For example,  about 20 years ago my dad was driving home to Oklahoma from New Mexico in his old burgundy Caprice.  Just outside of Groom, TX,  near the famous leaning water tower along I-40, a hellacious snow storm hit. It was a complete white out, so my dad had to pull over until things settled down.

But things didn’t settle down until a day later.

My dad had to spend the night in his car in the middle of nowhere while a blizzard roared outside. But because he had the forethought to prepare for situations like this, he was able to keep warm with some blankets and avoid ravaging hunger with some MREs

Many of you will be hitting the road this holiday season to visit family, so I consulted my dad, Tom McKay, and asked him what supplies he thinks every man should keep in his car. Here’s his suggested list.

1. Fully charged cell phone. Cell phones have significantly cut down on your chances of being stranded on the side of the road, but don’t count on it as your only line of defense. I’ve been in plenty of rural areas where my cell phone was only worthwhile for playing pong. In addition to you main phone, have a backup one that you can use to call 911. Any old cell phone will do, even if it’s not activated. Cellular carriers are required by law to complete 911 calls from any cell phone. Just throw that old Nokia cell phone from 1999 into your glove compartment and keep it there.

2. Jumper cables. You walk out to your car after a long day of work, stick the key into the ignition, give it a turn, and…. click, click. Crap! You’re going to be late to your kid’s football game! You then look up and notice you left the dome light on all day. It happens to the best of us. Car batteries die, so be ready with a set of jumper cables. And even if you never suffer a dead battery, it’s always good to have a set of jumper cables so you can help a damsel (or dude) in distress who needs their car jumped.

3. Flashlight. Good for providing light at nighttime when 1) putting on a spare tire, 2) jump starting another car, or 3) exchanging insurance information with the clueless driver that rear ended you at a stop light. Get a Maglite and you can also thump would-be car jackers in the head with it.

4. Roadside flares/reflective triangle. When pulled over on the side of the road, you’re basically a sitting duck, hoping that other drivers don’t turn the situation into a clip for one of those extreme video shows. It’s especially dangerous to be hanging out on the side of the road at night. Ensure that you and those around you are visible when you pull over to the side of the road by using road flares or at least a reflective triangle. The old school flaming flares seem to be harder to find these days as people switch to LED “flares.”

5. MREs. You never know when you’ll be stranded for long periods of times in your car. If you’ve ever driven out West, you’ll know that it can be hundreds of miles until the closest source of help. Unless you’ve built up a tolerance for extended periods of fasting, keep some MREs or granola/power bars in the back of your car to munch on while you wait for the tow truck to come.

6. Warm blankets. Tom can tell you firsthand why warm blankets are a must. It got pretty dang cold in his Caprice that night. But blankets have uses that go beyond emergency situations. It’s always good to have a blanket in the car for snuggling with your gal while you cheer for your team on a cold fall night or for laying it on the ground for a picnic.

7. Ice scraper. Don’t be the chump that’s out there scrapping their windshield with a credit card at 5AM in the morning. A good ice scraper will set you back just a few bucks, and it will make clearing your windshield much easier and much faster.

8. First aid kit. Whether you’re cleaning up a head wound filled with glass shards or fixing a boo boo on your two year old, it’s good to have a first aid kit. You can always buy one, but putting together your own in an Altoids tin is more fun.

9. Water bottles. For when you’re stranded in Death Valley in the middle of the hottest heat wave on record… or for any other time your car decides to break down on you. Or, for after you’ve left a concert and you’re so dang parched!

10. Tow strap. I don’t know how many times my dad saved my butt with this thing back in high school. Towards the end of my blue ’92 Chevy Cavalier’s (aka, “The Smurf”) life, it would just stop running and no amount of cable jumping would help get it started. For moments like these, my dad busted out the tow strap. You just attach one end of the tow strap to the front of the car that you want to pull  and the other to the hitch on the back of your car. The stranded driver stays in the dead car, puts it in neutral, and steers and brakes while it gets towed to its destination.

11. Folding shovel. There are a couple of instances where a folding shovel might come in handy. The first is when you get stuck in the snow or ice. You can use the shovel to dig some snow out and place some dirt under the tire to get more traction. The second situation is when a car tire gets stuck in a hole or something. You can use the shovel to dig about and create some ramps to help get your car unstuck. Also, it can be used as an improvised weapon, Green Beret-style.

12. LifeHammer. When you’re trying to escape from a sinking car, this little piece of plastic and metal can be the difference between life and death. Use it to break your window, cut your seatbelt and make your escape.

13. Portable air compressor. My dad feels like this was the best purchase he made for the car. When your tire is leaking but hasn’t totally blown out, instead of putting on a spare, you can use a portable air compressor to get back on the road. The compressor fills your tire up enough to allow you to drive to a repair shop to get it fixed. It plugs right into your cigarette lighter. Bonus use: no more paying 75 cents to fill up your tires at stingy gas stations.

There are kits you can buy that have a lot of this stuff in them, but I personally think it’s satisfying to assemble your own cache of supplies. And you can put together a better choice of things.

Copyright © 2010 The Art of Manliness

Announcing the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge

Four of America's favorite drivers from NHRA and NASCAR are teaming up with build shops across the country to create their own Dream Builds in the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge.

Coach T Recruits for Toyota Corolla: "Driveway"

In his quest to assemble an all-star lineup, Coach T gives one driver a sneak peak of what it's like to drive for Corolla.

Toyota of Sanford Has a Great A/C Refresh Special Right Now

It's still hot! Make sure your A/C is fresh and clean with Toyota of Sanford's special. Click HERE to see and print this and more online specials.

Toyota Announces 2012 Camry SE Sport Limited Edition Model

TORRANCE, Calif., August  30, 2012- Toyota announces that the new 2012 Camry SE Sport Limited Edition four-cylinder model begins, and should arrive at Toyota dealers by Labor Day weekend.

This new Camry SE Sport edition combines a desirable equipment package with the proven Camry mid-size, four-cylinder sedan formula at a very accessible Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $25,995 (price does not include a Destination Preparation and Handling fee). The Camry SE Sport includes 18” alloy wheels with smoked finish, 8-way power seat, power sunroof, and Display Audio (6.1-inch touchscreen) with Navigation and Entune™.

The exterior colors offered for the Camry SE Sport include Barcelona Red, Attitude Black, and for the first time on this latest generation of Camry, Blizzard Pearl. This limited production model will offer a choice of black or black/ash interior. Production of the Barcelona Red and Attitude Black models began August 6. The Pearl White will be available for only three months from the start of production on September 12 to November 12. All Camry sedans are manufactured at Toyota’s Kentucky plant.

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser on Special This Weekend at Toyota of Sanford

See the full gallery on Posterous

Get over $7,000 off of the 2013 Land Cruiser until Tuesday, September 4th at Toyota of Sanford!

2013 Toyota Camry -- The One and Only 2 (Featuring Min-Ho Lee)

Lee Min Ho is back in the fast-paced second series of "The One & Only -- Epilogue." The story picks up where we last left off with Joon rescuing his love, Sohee. But, their happiness doesn't last long. In an action adventure story that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, buried secrets will be revealed. With plot twists to the end, our hero resolves multiple challenges with the help from the Camry by his side. Suspenseful, emotional and shocking, don't miss a minute of the Camry and the drama.

Hurry In and Get This Great Special at Toyota of Sanford Today!

Get this great coupon from Toyota of Sanford before it expires! Click HERE for this and more specials.

Prius C Eligible for College Graduates Rebate Program

Published August 27, 2012
By Philippe Crowe

Toyota Financial Services (TFS), in partnership with Toyota Motor Sales, announced last week that the new Prius C is its first hybrid vehicle able to take advantage of the company’s College Grad Rebate Program.

In the financial institution’s words, TFS for recent grad hopes to make the transition from college to workforce easier and more affordable by offering a $1,000 rebate to qualified college graduates toward the purchase of any new Scion models and select new Toyota vehicles, including the Camry (excluding Camry hybrid), Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Tacoma, Yaris, and now, the Prius c.

The letter “c” in the Prius c moniker represents “city” and it was indeed designed specifically with city-dwelling millennials in mind. It functions as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, accessible price, a city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg and available convenient and advanced in-car electronics features.

TFS considers the Prius C the ideal vehicle for the recent college graduate in the market for a fuel-efficient and tech-savvy solution to their transportation needs.

Qualified college graduates receiving the $1,000 rebate are also eligible for the College Graduate Finance Program (applicable for all new Toyota/Scion models) which offers a highly competitive APR/lease and special incentives such as:

• No money down when financing and no monthly payments for the first 90 days on select finance programs on all new untitled Toyota vehicles

• Competitive APRs on all new untitled Toyota vehicles and Toyota Certified Used Vehicles • Waived security deposit on lease

• Toyota Care: a 2-year/25,000-mile, whichever comes first, complimentary worry-free maintenance plan with roadside assistance

The College Rebate Program for Toyota vehicles ends January 2, 2013 and is available to qualified customers who graduated within the last two years, or are about to graduate within the next six months.

Copyright ©2012 HybridCars.com

2013 Toyota Camry -- The One and Only (Feat: Min-Ho Lee)

At one moment our hero, Joon, thought he had it all, but everything changed when he crossed paths with Kwon. Suddenly, his dreams of happiness with his love were crushed. But with the Camry, Joon is able to spend less time refueling and more time uncovering Kwon's hidden agenda. Will Joon find out what Kwon's secrets are before it's too late? Don't miss a minute of the Camry and the drama.

Toyota Corolla: Gas Station

Monica makes a stop for gas — or so she thinks. Has this ever happened to you?

Want $1000? Come Take a Test Drive!

This is us choosing July's winner. We've already chosen August's winner - want to be September's? Come on in for a test drive and sign up! See us at http://www.toyotaofsanford.com/ for more information.

Bob Burnquist & Jamie Bestwick prepare for Ocean City

The Ocean City stop on the Dew Tour is almost here. See what Bob Burnquist and Jamie Bestwick are doing to make sure they come out on top.

Finally! Pilot Your Own Giant Mech

by Jenni Chasteen

It’s every little girl’s dream to own her own giant mech, but since that’s not attainable most of us end up settling on a slightly lesser dream like running a cupcake food truck. But now thanks to Suidobashi Heavy Industry of Japan (where else?) it’s possible to own your very own mech called Kuratas. Whether or not it could be called giant is up for debate, but it’s easily just as big as a food truck. Each Kuratas includes a fully functional weapon system that will lock onto your enemies that you activate by smiling. Yep, smiling. So the next giggle fit you have could also double as your next killing spree. The only thing that could make it even better is if it fired cupcakes.

© 2012 Dartboard Media

Toyota Corolla: Sandwich Commercial

Evan and Jerry head out for a bite and get an unexpected surprise.

British Study Says Birds Poop on Red Cars More

Whenever birds poop on my car, I eat a plate of scrambled eggs on my front porch - just to show them what I'm capable of! But do you believe the British study that says they go more on red cars? Watch this video for more.

Toyota SheROX Woman of the Year Contest

Is there a woman in your life who truly inspires you? Nominate her for Woman of the Year. She could win a one-year lease on a Toyota Camry Hybrid, and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to Bermuda!

Don't Let Our Used Car Specials Pass You By!

Click HERE to see all our special pre-owned cars!

Toyota Care: Caring for You and Your Car

We at Toyota are committed to safety and dependability, and proper vehicle maintenance is important to both. That's why we include a complimentary, worry-free maintenance plan [1] and roadside assistance with the purchase or lease of every new Toyota. For 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, you and your new vehicle will be covered. It's complimentary peace of mind. Toyota Care. Caring for you and your car.

New Art Exhibit Features Google Street View's Nine Eyes

See the full gallery on Posterous

The nine eyes are the cameras mounted on the pole on top of each vehicle that Google sent around the world 5 years ago. The technology of Google Street View has sparkled moments of deep humiliation, interest from the press photography community, privacy concerns and brilliant artistic reactions.

Jon Rafman was one of the first artists who spent hours looking at the images collected by the cars and searching not just for the amusing, the ridiculous and the fortuitous but also for postcard perfect moments. And does he have an eye for stunning images...

Here are a few of them! Tell us what you think?

Toyota Nationwide Clearance Event

Looking for a great deal on a new Toyota? You can find it right now during our Nationwide Clearance Event!

Toyota factories recognized by EPA for improved environmental performance

By W. Scott Bailey, Reporter/Project Coordinator | Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 11:29am CDT

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized eight Toyota manufacturing sites in North America for achieving a 10 percent reduction in energy intensity through its Energy Star Challenge for Industry program.

Collectively, these eight facilities — including the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Inc. plant in San Antonio — have reduced energy intensity by nearly 24 percent.

Energy intensity is measured relative to efficiency improvements in process and equipment. The Energy Star Challenge for Industry recognition is only granted to individual industrial sites. To gain recognition, the site’s company must be an Energy Star partner.

“Thanks to the efforts of our team members, Toyota has reduced our total energy use per vehicle over the last five years as we achieved greater energy efficiency across North America,” says Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. Executive Vice President Steve St. Angelo. “This demonstrates that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen as we continuously identify new opportunities to reduce energy consumption while improving our processes.”

The eight Toyota facilities recognized by the EPA include:

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (San Antonio);

• Bodine Aluminum (Jackson, Tenn., and St. Louis, Mo.);

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (Huntsville);

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario);

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (Princeton);

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (Buffalo).

2011 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS Coupe

See the full gallery on Posterous

Click HERE to see more about this truly unbeatable deal on this very red 2011 Camaro ISS Coupe!