Take an Elegant and Comfortable Ride in the Apple of Toyota’s Eye

Avalon—a word with Welsh origin meaning apple. And here we are, smack dab in the middle of apple-picking season. That said, we thought it was a perfect time to give you a sneak peek at the all-new 2012 Toyota Avalon, which will be here in our Westboro Toyota showroom before you know it.

The 2012 Toyota Avalon will take you for a luxurious, elegant and comfortable ride. You may recall that 2011 brought about a redesign for the beloved Avalon, and this year’s design remains sleek, offering a unique combination of full-size room with understated luxury.

The 2012 Toyota Avalon is balanced in performance and fuel economy. With a 268-horsepower V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, it's got impressive acceleration power and great fuel-burning results, with an EPA highway estimate of 29 MPG. It’s even certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle! So, in addition to riding in luxury, you’ll be doing your part to treat the environment kindly.

The Avalon is a standout for its class, with two grades available: Avalon and Avalon Limited. No matter which grade you select, you’ll be treated to a leather-trimmed interior, eight-way power driver’s seat, back-up camera, dual zone automatic climate control with air filtration, moon roof and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Avalon Limited also features heated and cooled front seats, an eight-way front passenger’s seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat cushion extension, rain-sensing windshield wipers and Smart Key. If music is your thing, consider upgrading to a JBL Synthesis sound system—which is sure to delight the most discerning music lover.

Definitely plan on stopping in soon once the 2012 Toyota Avalon hits our showroom floor. We’ll bet you’ll be impressed by its spaciousness and amenities, all details that enhance the driving experience and passenger comfort. Some notable attributes that all of you techies will appreciate include:

• Bluetooth® hands-free phone and music streaming technology to the audio system from a compatible device;

• SiriusXM® satellite radio capability (with a 90-day trial subscription to SiriusXM Select Package);

• a nine-speaker audio system offering excellent sound quality (the Avalon Limited grade features a standard 12-speaker, 660-watt JBL Premium Synthesis audio system with enhanced two-coil sub-woofer); and

• USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connections for iPod®.

Don’t forget to check out the DVD navigation system, too, which features easy search and address input functionality. There’s a new display for road icons and points of interest, as well as a keyboard screen arranged in the same way as a personal computer.

The 2012 Avalon also features a rear-view monitor function that includes on-screen back-up guides that help you back into parking spaces or driveways.

There are many color and trim choices from which to choose as well. For the exterior, you can choose from Zephyr Blue Metallic, Cypress Pearl, Sizzling Crimson Mica, Cocoa Bean Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black and Sandy Beach Metallic. With the Avalon grade you get the choose among three leather-trimmed interior colors: ivory, light gray and black. If you opt for the Limited grade, black Bordeaux is an option, as well as ivory and light gray.

Yup, this is one polished apple that we’re proud to call a member of Toyota's fleet of high-quality vehicles!

New Season, New Beginnings!

Isn’t it great when something’s fresh, like a brand-new Toyota that rolls off Westboro Toyota’s lot for the first time!

New represents a beginning, a start, a promise, a dream. Last year around this time, die-hard Boston Bruins fans were probably wishing their beloved team would achieve what seemed impossible. But, come June the team had in fact exceeded everyone’s expectations by taking home the Stanley Cup—a dream the team and its fans chased for nearly 40 years.

Last night, our Stanley Cup-winning Bruins hoisted their championship flag to the rafters, so we can forever be reminded of the players’ great achievement last spring. While we’ll forever be proud of the team’s dedication and drive to win the Stanley Cup, after all the pomp and circumstance was done it was time to get down to the business of opening a new chapter.

So what if the Bruins lost 2-1 in the home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers? That doesn’t matter. Last night was all about celebrating the past as well as the new season—a new beginning. Here at Westboro Toyota, we’re all about celebrating new things, too.

Did you know we’re the new sponsor for the Shrewsbury Youth Hockey Learn to Play Hockey Program? Best of luck young skaters with your new season on the ice!

And those of you who regularly read our blog (and we hope that’s all of you!) know that we recently celebrated the release of the all-new redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry. Talk about a great car. It’s sleek, it’s modern, and it’s right here at 271 Turnpike Rd (Route 9 West in Westboro) for all of you to check out.

The redesigned 2012 Camry isn’t the only thing new. Sure, we’ve always offered competitive pricing, but did you know that right now you can buy a brand-new Toyota 2011 Corolla LE (Auto Model # 1838, stk 34654) for as little as $239 a month—that includes dealer fees and the sales tax! Also new at Westboro Toyota, you can get a $10 Dunkin Donuts gift card just for scheduling your factory-scheduled maintenance. Visit our website for details on these deals and more.

When Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 he for sure had his sights set on a new and exciting horizon. With the Columbus Day weekend upon us, what new thing are you looking forward to? Visit us on Facebook to share your thoughts with us.

And, have a happy and safe Columbus Day weekend everyone!

7th Generation Toyota Camry Hits Westboro Toyota Showroom Floor

Westboro Toyota is pleased to report that we’ve got several brand-new 2012 Toyota Camrys in stock! Things are abuzz here in the showroom as you can probably imagine. After all, this is the first opportunity for many folks to get up close and personal with the newly redesigned, seventh generation Camry.

The design may be new, but certain things remain constant: The 2012 Camry continues Toyota’s longstanding tradition of being a reliable, high-performance vehicle that’s got tremendous value.

We’ve currently got several 2012 Toyota Camry LE and SE models in stock. All are four-door automatics featuring a 4-cylinder engine with a 2.5 L displacement. They get competitive gas mileage: 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Currently, we’ve got 2012 Camrys in stock in SuperWhite, Black, Attitude Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Classic Silver Metallic—giving you a lot of options to choose from.

Stop by our showroom at 271 Turnpike Road (Route 9 West) in Westboro to get all your questions about the all-new Camry answered and to test drive one so you can see for yourself what makes this, the seventh generation Toyota Camry, so special.

Cast Your Vote for Which Nonprofit Deserves Toyota's Support

During the Sunday Night Football halftime show on Sept. 25, Toyota will air its “Halftime Hand Off: A Rally for Causes” on NBC. Toyota will award $150,000 to deserving sports-related non-profit organizations based on a public vote.

We’re proud that Toyota is carrying on the philanthropic spirit of its “100 Cars for Good and Ideas for Good” programs, both community efforts designed to aid organizations that use sports as a vehicle for change. In partnership with Causes.com, Toyota will pre-select eligible non-profit organizations to participate in the program. Each week, four organizations will be profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page and fans can vote for the charity they feel is most deserving of support. The organization receiving the most votes each week will receive a $10,000 donation from Toyota. They also will be featured during the following week’s halftime show segment.

Don't neglect to cast your votes for deserving non-professional sports associations and sports-related charities.

Westboro Toyota knows firsthand just how important community support is, especially for youth-based sports programs. We’re a proud sponsor of the Starhawks Youth Hockey Team, and we’d like to take this opportunity to give a special shout out to our team: We wish you, your coaches, and your families all the best this season. Skate hard, play fair, and have fun!

It Bears Mention: Prius Is a Crowd Favorite

… And by crowd we’re not limiting our discussion to humans! How could we after news broke last week about a family vacationing in Lake Tahoe, California, that awoke to find an 800-pound bear inside their 2002 Toyota Prius.

The bear, who apparently clawed his way into the vehicle, must have become panicked, because he started honking the horn and thrashing around in an attempt to make a gracious exit—our guess, he realized there wasn’t any food in the vehicle and decided to move on in search of another “fast food” outlet. Insistent on getting out, the bear moved the gear shift into neutral, causing the vehicle to roll down a hill and into a neighbor’s lawn.

Interestingly, none of the Prius’ windows were harmed during the bear’s escapade, which one can only surmise means this isn’t the first time the bear was breaking and entering. Can Westboro Toyota really blame him, though: The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid in America. Maybe he just wanted to see what all the buzz is about.

Turns out, too, this isn’t the only bear with an affinity for Toyotas. Last summer, a brown bear found his way into a Toyota Corolla. Black or brown, these bears deep down must be green. After all, the Prius and the Corolla are both efficient gas-consuming machines in their own right!

What Effect Has Your Toyota Camry Had on You?

Thirty years ago Toyota introduced the Camry. Since then 9 million drivers have made it a part of their lives. If you’re one of the 6.8 million people in the United States who owns a Toyota Camry today, you know firsthand that it’s roomy, comfortable, and dependable, so much so that it’s been named the best-selling car in the country year after year. Statistics are great, but Westboro Toyota knows what really counts is what your Camry means to you.

We’re proud to announce the launch of Camry Effect, an online forum where you can tell your story, upload photos of you and your Camry, post videos, and share information and experiences with other Camry lovers. You’ll also get the chance to participate in Toyota surveys. Accessing Camry Effect is a snap—just log in through your Facebook or Google gmail account and you’re good to go.

Each Toyota Camry owner has got a story, and Westboro Toyota wants to hear yours—from those first dates and the late-night snack runs to those unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime family trips…whatever your destination, we’re inviting you to share with us, and the world, your journey on Camry Effect.

Give it a spin!

Back to school means back to safety basics

Happy September! It’s not officially fall yet, but given the cool breeze that blew through following Tropical Storm Irene, it sure did feel like it. Yup, excursions to the apple orchards are within our sights with Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, just days away.

Another sure sign that the dog days of summer will soon be a speck in the rear-view is that large, bright, yellow thing on the horizon. No, not talking about the big ’ol sun in the sky. It’s all of those school buses that are back on the roads for the 2011-12 school year that’s got us thinking.

What’s on our mind? Why safety, of course. From little ones, teens and all those tweens in between, this week students of all ages are getting back to the academic grind. That means it’s especially important to mind the speed limit and pay extra close attention to those flashing school bus lights. Even when no bus is around, kids could dart out into traffic, so be at the ready to apply those brakes as needed.

Your brakes are arguably the most important mechanical part of your vehicle. What are some sure signs it could be time for new ones? If you hear squealing or squeaking get it checked. Also, if you feel a pulsating sensation when you apply them that could be a sign that the rotors need attention. And, if you need to push your foot very close to the floor to get your vehicle to slow down, don’t ignore that symptom, which is a very serious sign that your brakes are in need of repair.

Normal wear and tear is to be expected and replacement of your brake pads is inevitable. The frequency of the pad replacement depends on a number of factors, including your driving habits. If you commute in bumper-to-bumper traffic regularly you may need to replace the brake pads more frequently than someone who primarily cruises on the highway during non-peak hours.

When you bring your vehicle in to be serviced at Westboro Toyota, we will assess just how “healthy” your brakes are. Don’t forget that you can book your appointments online – it’s fast and it’s simple.

Smart Stop Technology

Westboro Toyota is pleased to report that Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to offer Smart Stop Technology (SST) as standard equipment in all 2011 Toyota models. SST, an advanced braking technology, reduces engine power when both pedals are pressed at the same time under certain conditions. SST intervenes when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are applied firmly for longer than one-half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.

With normal driving conditions, SST isn’t noticeable. But, when you’re parked or stopped on a hill it is. It doesn’t engage if the brake pedal is depressed before the accelerator pedal, which allows a vehicle starting on a steep hill to safely accelerate without rolling backward. That’s peace of mind we can all use.

So, with the start of the school year now underway, remember: Get those brakes checked. And, exercise those defensive driving skills especially in the morning and afternoon when the kids are piling on and off the school bus. And, have a safe Happy Labor Day weekend!