Thursday, February 28, 2013

We got a glowing review on Yelp!

"Buying a used car is a nightmare. After months of figuring out what I wanted and arm wresting dealerships for a good deal I was frustrated. I decided to buy a Toyota because my mom owned one that lasted forever and the overwhelming majority of my friends said good things about Toyota. Make sure you compare online prices to sticker prices because I noticed a lot of dealerships have lower prices online including this one. Overall,  I feel like I got a fair price here and I didn't get the run around. I did my research and had a price in mind when I came in so that helped. I did end up getting the deal that worked best for me and for that I appreciate these guys. They seemed genuinely interested in keeping me as a long term customer as well! Good dealership. Do your research."

Click HERE to read more reviews

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Toyota Celebrates 75 Years with a Comprehensive, Interactive Vehicle "Lineage"



For a business to be around for 75 years is quite an accomplishment. For Toyota to not only succeed after 75 years, but be a worldwide leader is more than impressive and did it with “Ever-better Cars.”

Toyota was founded in August of 1937 and like any small business starting out, there were some missteps, but by in large Toyota, has made the right moves and is now celebrating its 75th year! To celebrate Toyota has launched a website with a comprehensive “family tree” of all of its vehicles (some you’ve heard of and some you haven’t). Check out the website HERE.

“The decision to position “Ever-better Cars” as the overall theme throughout the main volume and supplementary data volume of our 75-year history compilation was made in 2013,” said Yukitoshi Funo, executive vice president of Toyota. “Because “ever-better cars” were the words President Akio Toyoda used to address Toyota employees when he came into the office in 2009 in the midst of difficult business times we found them to be most appropriate in concisely expressing our company’s continuous dedication to work over what would become three-quarters of a century.”

The coolest and most interactive feature of the website is the ability to look up a vehicle’s lineage by body type, model, year or even engine type. According to Funo, the three points of the compilation were 1) Make it easy to read 2) Objectivity 3) Make it comprehensive.

The tools provided on the website, do just that.

“The ability to look up the lineage of your car, or the car you grew up with, or the car you are considering buying is a really awesome,” said Ted Klarich, general manager of Burien Toyota. “Whether you know a lot about cars or not, it’s really interesting to see where Toyota started and how the company and each model got to where it is.

Here’s a step by step how the website works according to this article:

First, decide whether you want to search by make, body type or year, and then browse through the respective lists to find a vehicle you're interested in learning more about.
Selecting a vehicle takes you to a segment of a vast, intricate family tree connecting Toyotas of the past and present. Small notations indicate when models entered and exited specific markets and when major changes -- such as the transition from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive -- occurred.
Once you've honed in on your model of choice -- say, for example, the Toyota Masterace Surf -- click on its respective photo icon. A popup window will appear with a model description, specifications and the plant in which the car was built. There's also a helpful name origin section, and for some models, scans of period catalogs and video features.
At any point in time, you can select a new model via a bar on the left-hand side of the screen.
As if that wasn't enough, there's also a supplementary engine-type chart -- useful for making sense of the often confusing engine codes Toyota employs as well as showing when and where specific engines made an appearance.”

For more information about current Toyota models, go to the Burien Toyota website. But if you’re interested in their lineage, be sure to check out Toyota’s 75th anniversary website!

Monday, February 25, 2013

The pirates were out in force Saturday night for our Charity Event!






It was a super turnout Saturday night, as we all pitched in to raise money for Highline High School.  The Pirates' faithful came out to support the after school homework program.  We at Burien Toyota participate in many local charitable efforts & were happy to help this cause for education.  If you were unable to attend but would like to pitch in, please call Jeremy Gonzales, 206.972.4500 or click one of the links below.

  http://www.highlineschools.org/highline/Pages/PTSA.aspx

http://www.piratesauction.com

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Toyota Sweeps "Best Car of the Money" Awards in 2013 Truck Categories

Toyota hauled away the competition by winning both truck categories for the “Best Car for the Money” awards given annually by U.S. News & World Reports!

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma won “Best Car for the Money” in the Best Compact Pickup Truck category and the 2013 Toyota Tundra won “Best Car for the Money” in the Full Size Pickup Truck category. Both were selected because they have “the best combination of ownership costs and positive reviews in [their] class.”

“These awards are a tribute to our truck engineering and design teams in Michigan, California, and Japan, and every team member at our Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas plant in San Antonio, where all Tundra’s and most Tacoma’s are assembled,” says Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay.

There is a lot that could be said about both of these trucks, so for complete reviews, details on spec, performance, and more, be sure to go to the U.S. News and World Reports “Best Cars for the Money” page for both the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra. We will give you the highlights and the basics of why each of these won it’s category.


Basics
  • Price ranges are about $17,984-$28,272
  • Gas mileage is an EPA rated 21/25 mpg city/highway
  • Experts and consumers love the different configurations of the cab (Regular Cab, Access Cab that seats 4, and Double Cab that seats 5)
  •  Reviewers agree that the five-speed automatic offers quick, seamless shifts, and that the six-speed manual shifts smoothly. “ Buyers can choose from a 4-cylinder or optional V6 engine.
  • The interior is roomy and attractive, especially compared to most other trucks.

Here’s what some reviewers had to say about the 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  • “The 2013 Toyota Tacoma is a top pick in a rapidly dwindling midsize segment.” – Edmunds
  • “… the rugged Tacoma offers lots more comfort than most of its rivals, as well as an available locking rear differential and gobs of ground clearance with its TRD package.” – Left Lane News (2010)
  • “Off-road, the four-wheel-drive Tacoma is an exceptional performer.” –Edmunds
  •  “This is plenty of truck for 95 percent of truck buyers, everyone who isn’t hauling plywood or pulling 40-foot goosenecks.” – Car and Driver (2005)
  • The interior gets a higher grade than other compact trucks, with a simple but effective layout, supportive seats and attention-to-detail build quality.” – PickupTrucks.com (2011)
  • Only the 2013 Toyota Tacoma delivers on all the work and play expectations that make Americans love their pickups, and does it in a more manageable, fuel-efficient form than a full-size pickup while offering a wide range of trims, powertrains and cab configurations.” – Kelley Blue Book

Check out Burien Toyota’s inventory of the 2013 Toyota Tacoma HERE.


Basics
  • Price: range $25,613-$47,208
  • Gas: EPA-rated 16/20 mpg city/highway
  • Three engine choices, of which the favorite seems to be the 5.7 liter V8 option which provides enough power for tough towing jobs
  • Seats 3-6 people depending on the cab type you choose
  • Functional interior design
  • Comfortable seats, ample interior storage
  •  A “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS

Here’s what some reviewers had to say about the 2013 Toyota Tundra
  • Backed by Toyota's enviable reputation for safety and reliability, the 2013 Tundra is a genuine workhorse with impressive towing capabilities, rugged construction and first-class interior accommodations." -- Kelley Blue Book
  • "Toyota is proud that its full-size pickup is capable of towing the substantial loads of a three-quarter-ton in half-ton guise." -- Kelley Blue Book

Check out Burien Toyota’s inventory of the 2013 Toyota Tundra HERE.





Thursday, February 21, 2013

2013 Toyota RAV4 Solid, Spacious Choice


2013 Toyota RAV4

Crossovers are a big hit with families and individuals who need space and decent gas mileage. The Toyota RAV4 has long been one of the most popular crossovers and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 has made some great improvements on an already solid choice.

According to Edmunds.com, “[The Toyota RAV4] is comfortable with a full load of passengers, has plenty of cargo space when there are no passengers and delivers predictable, if tepid, performance no matter what's on board. And even though it won't change the world, it delivers all the things an SUV of its type should to those with more reasonable expectations.

Okay, so it won’t change the world. Does anyone expect any vehicle to? I’m not disappointed if the RAV4 doesn’t deliver on saving the world because it does everything else anyone would need it to at a great price.
The first thing that you may notice is the improvement of the interior design. Here’s what one reviewer had to say about the interior of the 2013 Toyota RAV4, who alludes that the RAV4 enters “baby Highlander” territory with its improvements:

Better-bolstered and more comfortable seats, a pillowy, faux-leather-covered protrusion across the middle of the dash (looking a bit like the edge of a pool table in some of the color schemes) and a better-designed center console with carbon fiber-looking details — all add up to pleasantly transform the look and feel.

On the higher XLE and Limited models, you can also order up two-toned front and rear seats covered in that SofTex synthetic seen on the dash — Toyota claims it's been treated so it won't be flesh-searingly hot if the car sits in a sunny parking lot all day, and those seats are also heated for wintertime use. 

Thinner seat backs also mean even more rear passenger leg room — the car feels like a virtual limousine compared to most small crossovers.

Mix those improved seats with a more comfortable steering wheel position and the RAV is now starting to move into baby Highlander territory.”

Space is the other winning aspect of the 2013 Toyota RAV4. It has 73.4 cubic feet of cargo space, 38.4 cubic feet of which is behind the second row, which means there’s room for the family and all your camping gear. Toyota moved the spare tire from the swing-to-the-side tailgate to under the rear cargo deck and there is STILL more room than before.

“We get all kinds of people who are interested in the RAV4,” said Ted Klarich of Burien Toyota. “Families with a couple kids who want to go on road trips comfortably, couples who like to go hiking and camping and need room for the dogs, etc. The RAV4 is a really great choice for whatever you’re doing and whatever your situation. Plus, the exterior redesign is much sleeker looking.”

Here’s the 2013 RAV4’s cargo space according to Edmunds.com: “Rear-seat passenger space is abundant enough for tall, wide adults, even when another pair of full-size adults is sitting up front. The RAV's rear seats fold almost flat, and even when they're upright there's ample space behind for multiple strollers. We installed both a rear-facing infant seat and a forward-facing convertible child seat and neither caused us to compromise our preferred front-seat positions. Under the rear load floor hides a removable retracting cargo cover and a spare tire, which is relocated from the tailgate on previous-generation RAVs.”
The 2013 Toyota RAV4, with its 2.5 liter four cylinder engine that produces 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, has options for every driver.
“The 2013 model sees the debut of a slick six-speed automatic that's much improved, part of a set of new technology including dynamic torque control (for better AWD steering) and performance-minded Sport or fuel saving Eco mode switches for tweaks to the driving character. RAV4 can be configured with either a standard manual or a new automatic, dual-zone climate control system and your choice of three different audio and navigation systems, topping out with an 11-speaker JBL setup.”
For you chance to test drive the 2013 Toyota RAV4, stop by Burien Toyota today! Check out Burien Toyota’s RAV4 inventory HERE.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Burien Toyota's Biggest EVER President's Day Sale is This Weekend!


Maybe you consider President's Day just a random day off from work or an annoying day that the banks are closed, but Burien Toyota has something to give your long President's Day weekend new meaning: the biggest Toyota sale ever at Burien Toyota.

Now, when we say biggest, this isn't hyperbole. There is a hot President's Day deal for you whether you are looking for a new car, used car, to lease, or even new tires! But these sales will only be offered through Feb. 18 (which is President's Day, in case you forgot).

NEW VEHICLE DEALS

Burien Toyota is offering 0% APR on more than ten new Toyota models. Which Toyota models? I'm glad you asked.  Buyers can get 0% APR on the following vehicles (click on the vehicle name to see the inventory of that vehicle at Burien Toyota):

Lease a 2013 Toyota Corolla for $129/mo!
Click HERE for details on these deals.

If you do purchase a new car from Burien Toyota this President's Day weekend, be sure to mark your calendar for Burien Toyota's free New Owner's Event where you can ask qualified Toyota technicians the questions of your heart...or at least about your Toyota. The next one is April 18, 2013, so if you buy your new Toyota on President's Day you will have a couple months to get to know your Toyota and come with some good questions. At the event you will also nibble on hor d'oeurves, win door prizes, and learn to:
  • Maximize the dependability and safety features of your Toyota
  • Protect your investment with proper maintenance
  • Get more miles from you gas dollars
USED VEHICLE DEALS

If you are in the market for a certified used vehicle, then Burien Toyota is definitely the place to stop this President's Day weekend. Not only do you get to choose from an amazing variety of certified used vehicles at Burien Toyota, you also get the peace of mind that comes from getting a used vehicle that has endured a 160-point quality assurance inspection. Find out more about the Certified Used program at Burien Toyota HERE.

The only thing that could make getting a certified used vehicle from Burien Toyota any better is getting 1.9% APR. Oh, wait. If you buy a certified used vehicle from Burien Toyota this President's Day weekend, you will get 1.9% APR.

You will also get a 1-year,15,000 mile maintenance included with just about any used vehicle you buy from Burien Toyota.

LEASE

How would you like to spend only $129 on the new 2013 Toyota Corolla LE? Lease the 2013 Toyota Corolla LE this weekend and you will pay only $129/mo. Now THAT is a smokin' deal.

TIRES/MAINTENANCE

Burien Toyota is your one-stop tire shop; our full-service tire center will not be undersold. In fact, this President's Day weekend, if you buy three tires, you get the fourth tire for just $1.

Yes, get the fourth tire for $1. Uno.

Additionally, you can also get FREE tire storage, whether you buy from us or not!

Do you hate surprises of the 'car-needing-suprise-maintenance' kind? Us, too. Burien Toyota can help you with that if you utilize our Free Quarterly Health Checkup program! Our certified Toyota technicians will check out those annoying engine lights for no charge!

As you can see, there is a deal for everyone at Burien Toyota this President's Day weekend. Whether you need a great deal on maintenance, tires, a used vehicle, or new vehicle, be sure to stop by Burien Toyota before closing on President's Day or you'll miss out on the biggest deals in Burien Toyota history!



Toyota Recommits to Water Conservation, Wylund Foundation; Wants Local Cities to Join Cause


A Wylund painting. You've probably seen lots of his work, whether you know it or not.
Toyota recently announced a continuation of partnership between Toyota and the Wylund Foundation, which focuses on protecting and preserving earth’s oceans and waterways. This announcement comes just before Earth Month (April) and Toyota and the Wylund Foundation want to get local cities and private citizens involved!

Toyota’s commitment to global sustainability and environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with the Wylund Foundation, which is “is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, public arts projects, and community events.” The foundation was founded by renowned environmental artist Wylund in an effort to get "children and families around the nation to rediscover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways..."

And, together, Toyota and the Wylund Foundation are trying to make a difference.

The artist Wylund standing with his painting
“This is a cause that should be especially near and dear to the hearts of all residents of the Puget Sound area,” said Ted Klarich, general sales manager of Burien Toyota. “We are blessed to live in a region that has an abundance of water, from the Puget Sound, to all of the rivers, lakes, and streams. In general, we do an ok job of protecting them, but we can do better and I’m so proud that Toyota is joining the cause of protecting and preserving our oceans and waterways.”

Toyota and the WylundFoundation want you to join the cause by signing a pledge to conserve water and other resources. Did we mention prizes will be involved?

According the Toyota press release, “The Wyland Foundation, in association with Toyota, will hold The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation throughout April and ask U.S. residents to sign an online pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com to conserve water and resources. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who make the commitment are entered to win hundreds of environmentally friendly prizes, including a Toyota Prius c, water-saving fixtures and gift certificates.”

In fact, whether your city won the challenge or not, by signing the pledge you enter yourself to win a $1,000 Lowe’s shopping spree.

While prizes are nice, here in the Pacific Northwest, we know the real prize is having our beaches, fishing holes, and favorite waterways clean and sustainable so our children can continue to enjoy them. According to the press release, those who participated in the program pledged to reduce their water usage by 4.7 billion gallons.

"Toyota recognizes that global sustainability depends on partnerships with organizations like the Wyland Foundation to help share information in innovative ways,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of diversity, philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.  "We hope both the national pledge and the interactive exhibits build awareness around the value of environmental stewardship and the impact individuals can make.”

Klarich thinks the residents of Burien, Seattle, Tacoma and all Puget Sound cities can really make a difference.

“We are spoiled here in the Northwest with our beautiful and abundant water sources,” said Klarich. “Wouldn’t it be great if citizens of Burien and the greater Puget Sound area could be leaders in the effort? Even if there’s no big, organized effort, as an individual, you can go to www.mywaterpledge.com and sign the pledge to conserve a little bit. Together, we can make a big difference.”

For more information about how to save water in your daily use and about water-efficient products, go to the EPA Watersense webpage.

For more information about the Wylund Foundation, click HERE.

See the entire Toyota Press Release HERE.

Don't forget to sign the pledge HERE.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Burien Toyota Hopes Mariners, Felix Hernandez Reach Deal



News came out a couple days ago that Mariner’s pitcher Felix Hernandez would become the highest paid pitchers in Major League Baseball with the contract that he had signed (or would very soon sign) paying him $175 million for seven years. Mariners fans, including us at Burien Toyota, were excited to have that commitment from Felix no matter the cost!

However, reports yesterday from both the Felix camp and the Mariner’s camp stated that, in fact, no deal had been reached yet, although both parties would like to continue working together.
According to both ESPN (an article that is also featured on the official Mariner’s website) and the Seattle PI, a deal has not been made and it seems to be a “moving target.”

"We still have not reached an agreement, but we are moving forward," Wilfredo Polidor of the Octagon agency that represents Hernandez told ESPNdeportes.com. "At this moment, we have covered 70 percent of the road."

While there are other ‘reports’ from anonymous sources close to contract details (including one that said “the deal is for five years and $135.5 million”, we won’t waste too much time on that because, as we found out soon after the $175 million ‘deal’ was reported, nothing is concrete until the ink is dry.

“As Mariners fans, we want Felix to stay with the Mariners,” said Ted Klarich, general sales manager of Burien Toyota. “Pay him $135 million over five years, pay him $175 million over seven years. Whatever it takes. Mariners fans need something to believe in and we believe in Felix. I sure hope he stays because the future of the club could be a lot brighter with him continuing to stick with us.”

As a result of the incomplete deal, Felix has opted out of pitching for his home country of Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Participating in the Classic would have caused him to miss three weeks of spring training with the Mariners and that’s a good chunk of time when in negotiations for a good chunk of change.
According to ESPN, Hernandez called Venezuela manager Luis Sojo with "a lot of pain in his heart" to tell him he wouldn't be pitching for Venezuela in the Classic.
"Even though it's not easy to lose your ace before starting an event, Sojo understands that at this moment Felix is thinking about his future and his family's future," Polidor said.
While some of his countrymen may be upset Felix isn’t pitching in the Classic, here in Seattle, we think that’s a good sign he is serious about wanting to reach a deal with the Mariners.
“Oh, I definitely think that’s a good thing,” Klarich said. “You wouldn’t get up and leave the table in the middle of a negotiation that you really want to work, so I think it’s good that Felix is skipping the Classic to try to make a deal with the Mariners. I really hope they reach a deal that’s good for everyone: good for Felix, good for the club, and good for the fans.”




Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Reasons People Buy a Toyota Prius: Environmentally Friendly, Tools, or Other?


We stumbled across this entertaining article and brief video about a guy in Santa Monica, Calif. who bought his first car, a Toyota Prius, after more than ten years of riding his bike everywhere (and probably car-hating). While everyone has their own reason for choosing a Toyota Prius, this was the first time we’d heard his reason: “I like a quiet car.”

That’s right, the biggest reason he bought a Toyota Prius is because it basically silent. His reason is no more or less valid than someone who buys the Prius because of its incredible gas mileage (he logged 58 mpg) or environmentally friendliness, but we thought it was unique.

Why did you or are you considering buying a Toyota Prius? Check out the inventory of Toyota Prii (the plural of Prius) at Burien Toyota HERE.

In fact, so popular is the Toyota Prius in California, that it was the number one selling car in the state last year. The Toyota Prius is so ubiquitous that the salesman who sold this writer his Prius sold 19 Prii the month before…out of the 20 cars he sold. While California is usually one of the first lead the way when it comes to technology and environmentally friendly products, Western Washington isn’t usually too far behind because those are both things that we value. So, do you think that the Toyota Prius will soon be as widespread on I-5, 520, 405 and 167? Will most of the cabs in the Seattle-Tacoma area become Prii like in the Santa Monica area?

The ubiquity of the Toyota Prius in California has brought a certain ‘greener-than-thou’ attitude to Santa Monica, according to this writer. Will the Toyota Prius be so ubiquitous that non-Prius owners may be looked down upon?

 “I’m better than you because I own a Prius. And if you own an SUV, I’m 100% better than you,” said the writer in the short video.

Of course, he was being sarcastic (convincingly so). But he uses the rest of his article to discuss the possible ‘real’ reasons people by a Prius, including that he thinks some people by the Prius to satisfy their ‘do-gooder’ needs because of its environmentally friendliness. And then he calls people who are sanctimonious about their Prius ownership “tools” (one of the definitions of ‘tool’ on UrbanDictionary.com is “one who tries to hard.”).

He goes on to describes that some who are too satisfied with the environmental friendliness of the Toyota Prius may be subject to “rebound creep,” where, for example, you decide to drive your Prius 5 miles to the grocery store instead of riding your bike because it’s raining (because it's environmentally friendly), or you feel okay buying orchestra tickets but the show is across town.

However, we actually think that’s one of the benefits of owning a Prius and a very valid reason to purchase one. Maybe you really want to be a season ticket holder at the Opera across town but are worried about the price of gas and impact on the environment. We think that means the Prius is the perfect fit for you because of its great gas mileage and environmental friendliness will be low impact on your wallet and the environment.

While we know that buyers who purchased their Toyota Prius from Burien Toyota (your Puget Sound Prius Headquarters) genuinely care about the environment and have very sincere reasons for buying the Prius (even if its because it’s a quiet car), we wonder if you ever find yourself dealing with rebound creep? Have you found that you feel more comfortable driving further distances because you drive a Prius? Do you think that’s a bad thing? Leave a comment below!

Stop by Burien Toyota, the to have all your Toyota Prius questions answered and drive home your own Prius today!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Consumer Reports Study Declares Toyota Best Auto Brand


Toyota is the top auto brand of a Consumer Report study that determined the best brand based on consumer feedback. Toyota had the best score of 133, about 15 points more than the next leading brand.

While the margin between brands has shrunk from last year, “Toyota continues to dominate in brand perception.” In fact, this is the second year in a row that Toyota has topped this Consumer Reports best brand list.

“Toyota is a brand that is trusted and recognized for value, safety and innovation around the world,” said Nathan Ayers of Burien Toyota. “Toyota scored in the top five brands for six out of the seven factors that buyers say are most important to them, including ranking first for “Quality” and “Environmentally Friendly/Green." We think that’s pretty impressive and hope that potential buyers do, too.”

See Consumer Reports complete results HERE. But, in case you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s what you need to know: 
  • Toyota ranked first in QUALITY
  • Toyota ranked first in ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY/GREEN
  • Toyota ranked second in VALUE
  • Toyota ranked third in SAFETY
  • Toyota ranked third in TECHNOLOGY/INNOVATION
  • Toyota ranked fourth in PERFORMANCE

“Whether you’re looking for something like the always-popular and reliable Toyota Camry or looking for something to help alleviate high gas prices and be environmentally friendly like the Toyota Prius, a Toyota is the brand for you. Here at Burien Toyota, we can help you find the perfect Toyota, whether you’re looking for a gas friendly commuter like the Corolla or something to tow your boat like the Sequoia. Stop by and our expert sales staff will help you with no hassle or pressure.”

The fact that Toyota ranked high in the Environmentally Friendly/Green category may not surprise anyone, but the fact that it placed so high in Performance may surprise some. However, according to Consumer Reports, Toyota has added performance to its environmentally friendly vehicles. “Toyota's regular appearance in the top [performance] rankings signal that consumers consider performance to be more than acceleration and handling. With its clear market dominance in hybrids, Toyota has established a reputation for environmentally friendly vehicles that could be influencing its performance image.

Come see what all the Toyota buzz is about; stop by Burien Toyota and talk to one of our friendly sales staff so we can help find the best Toyota for you!