| Working for a Car Rental Company |
31 Oct |
I have often wondered how people could work at the same job all of their lives, but since I have never really found a job that I truly loved until now, I guess I just couldn’t understand. But ever since I took the job at a car rental company, my life has changed for the better.
One of my favorite perks is going to pick up our clients from the airport. Unfortunately, our company doesn’t have any parking spaces at the airport, so we have to go pick up our customers. I think of it as getting paid to do what I love, which is driving. Yes, I think I could drive all day and be happy.
I also have a great time visiting with the guys down at the Suzuki dealer and the Fort Worth Ford dealer that we work with. I have made some great friends (and even got some job offers) and the best part is that I have been paid for it.
I am really looking forward to taking advantage of our employee car rental program next summer when I go on holidays, and it will be great to take a new car on my road trip next summer (for free). I bet the trip is going to be a blast – I can’t wait!
read comments (0)| Who Needs a 4Runner? |
19 Sep |
With gas prices promising to go up again and all the emphasis right now on vehicles with high fuel efficiency, who needs a 4Runner?
The answer is, more people than you might think. Here are some good reasons to have a Toyota 4Runner:
- Because you live somewhere where you need 4-wheel drive. Whether you live kind of off in the country, or you just live somewhere that gets a lot of snow in the winter, a 4Runner will help you to get around better and to go where regular cars can’t.
- Because you need to be able to haul stuff. 4Runners are great for hauling things, because their back is so spacious, especially if you put down the back seats. Whether you need the truck for work or some other reason, a 4Runner will offer you the haulability a sedan can’t!
- Because you want a reliable vehicle. Toyotas are known for their long-lasting, reliable cars and trucks. It’s not uncommon to see a Toyota with 250,000 miles — and still going strong. And even when you do have to fix your truck, Toyota 4Runner parts aren’t expensive or hard to find, like some vehicles’ parts can be.
- Because you want a truck you can accessorize. Some trucks can be difficult to shop for, but not the 4Runner — there are tons of Toyota accessories available for these popular trucks.
- Because you like to go camping or four-wheeling. Camping and four-wheeling are popular pastimes for many people. 4Runners are great for getting to where other people can’t go. Check out the video below to see some pretty impressive footage of a 4Runner going four-wheeling.
With all these reasons to buy a Toyota 4Runner, I think a more appropriate question is, why shouldn’t you?
Posted by TCV in Recreational Vehicles on 09 19th, 2009
| Build Your Own Lexus |
25 Aug |
While trying to Google some popular car websites, I stumbled upon the Lexus website. In its menu was prominently displayed “Build your own Lexus.”Being an environmentally conscious person, I selected the GS 450 Hybrid 08 model whose price starts at $55,800.After having perused through the website, I have come to admire Lexus. Being a fast driver, I have a particular interest in wheels. While I do not see any problem with Lexus wheels, I see the need for other types of wheels. I have also fancied as being a race driver so I looked for TSW wheels on other websites.
I figured it would be really great. I want to hook up with other car enthusiasts.I really hope that I could find a community of socially responsible car owners. Maybe it’s not just a Lexus that we build. We can also collaborate in brainstorming for the perfect environment-friendly car. Many different minds can each contribute to some website. I know there are many geeks out there who would definitely easily give a hand.I salute Lexus and the developers of this website. Many computer geeks are also great car enthusiasts. Calling on car geeks: Get your wheels and let’s rock!
Posted by TheTopCar in Parts & Accessories on 08 25th, 2009
| Buy new cars in Weatherford for a great experience |
19 Jul |
It is no different to buy new cars in Weatherford, the town I live in, than it is to buy them anywhere else in the country. Well that may not be entirely true.
Just last month, I purchased my family a brand new vehicle. Counting this one, I’ve bought 7 new vehicles in my lifetime. Some of the experiences were good, some bad. Others were simply horrible. Of the 3 cars that we’ve gotten while living here in Weatherford, Texas, I have to admit this latest purchase was the best.
In fact, looking back over all the years of car buying, this new vehicle experience may have to be ranked right there at number one. The best part about it is that when we left the showroom we felt fantastic.
Not once did we consider experiencing buyers remorse. Of the less than positive auto buying transactions in my past, I promise you there have been a number of times when I just knew I got screwed in the deal.
But not this time. We were treated with respect when we got to the dealership. They allowed us space when we felt we needed it and never did they resort to high pressure tactics. If you are anywhere in the greater Dallas / Fort Worth area, you’ll want to consider buying your new cars in Weatherford.
Posted by TopViewr in Auto Dealer on 07 19th, 2009
| So much to do! |
23 Jun |
This week is totally crazy for me (which, to be honest, it’s starting to feel like I say that absolutely every week). I just finished my first year report for my PhD, which sounds totally innocuous but in fact, I have to defend it next week, which, as you can imagine, is unbelievable nerve-wracking. Just thinking about it, I feel like I’m going to pee my pants. I mean, I know my stuff (I’ve spent a year doing it after all), but it still is really scary to be judged like that. I have no idea what is going to go down. In the mean time, I work on campus, and this is the week the students leave.
You would think that means down time for me, but instead it means I need to do double shifts to get the inventory covered before the summer students start up, which means I’m basically going to be spinning like a top for the next two weeks. On top of which, my best friend from forever ago is coming to visit me, and I’m going to have to carve out some quality time to spend with her. At this point, it seems like all these things can’t possibly be happening to me at the same time! As a present though, my boyfriend took my car in for its oil change, because he said that as long as you change the oil, you can always count on my Toyota Camry parts to get me where I need to be-which, like I said, is a lot of places! Wasn’t that sweet?
Posted by andik in Parts & Accessories on 06 23rd, 2009
| New Car Financing |
22 Jun |
I know it’s not the right time to get a loan, but conversely, it’s the best time to buy a car. How can that be? And where does that leave me, because I just got a job, which I know I’m ridiculously lucky to have gotten, and it’s a long, non-transportation accessible commute away. I simply cannot pass up this job, so I have to get a car. How hard is it to get a loan right now? Am I better going through a bank or the car company? I mean, I trust Toyota parts implicitly (it’s totally the brand I would buy), but I really don’t know anything about loans.
I used an online calculator to figure out what I can afford, but I still don’t know if my credit rating is any good or if I’ll even get approved; my best friend was telling me that a credit score that would have gotten you approved a year ago gets you declined today. I don’t have an extensive amount of credit history or anything, so I don’t know if I’m going to be able to manage it or not. I only have about three thousand saved up, so while I can make a great down payment I certainly can’t buy a whole car. I just find this whole process so overwhelming! Any help out there?
Posted by andik in Parts & Accessories on 06 22nd, 2009
| Getting the Most for Your Trade-In |
20 Jun |
A popular way to upgrade is to trade in an old car for a new(er) one. However, since dealers need to turn a profit when they resell the used cars they get in trade, they usually will offer you a lower price than what you would get selling the car yourself. It’s considered the price you pay for the convenience of unloading your car without having to go through the process of selling it. Not to mention it’s rare that you can resell a car for the amount you still owe on the loan, so being able to roll the leftover you owe into the loan for the new car keeps you from being trapped in the old one until it is paid off.
Okay, so we know it’s convenience, and that’s why the low trade-in value is justified. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for TOO little. Here are a few suggestions for getting the most trade-in value out of your old car.
- Shop around and compare offers. You don’t have to trade your car in to the first dealership you go to. Talk to them about how much you’ll get in trade before you start looking at the cars on their lot — once you’ve fallen in love with a new car, it’s too late, because at that point you’ll probably accept any amount they throw at you.
- Negotiate. You also don’t have to take the dealership’s first offer. If another dealer is offering you a higher trade-in value, say so. If their offer is considerably lower than what you wanted, negotiate a higher amount.
- Watch for trade-in specials. Dealerships often have specials where they guarantee a minimum amount for any trade-in. This can be a great way to get a decent amount for your old car.
Whether you are shopping for new or used cars, in Florida or in California, approaching it from a business-like standpoint will help you to ensure you get the best possible amount for your trade-in.
Posted by TCV in Auto Dealer on 06 20th, 2009
| The Recession’s Impact on Travel |
26 May |
As the recession drags on and the news from Wall Street continues to cause consumers to tighten their spending habits, there are facets of the economy looking to lure customers to spend their money. The travel industry is advertising, marketing and hoping consumers will spend money on travel, especially cruises. They are cutting rates and offering specials trying to weather the financial storm until better times.
Since travel is considered to be a discretionary expense, many families are forgoing vacations until their financial situation solidifies. With less people traveling in an effort to save money, amusement parks and attractions are trying to entice people to visit their resort or park. The amusement parks and tourist attractions in Florida are so dependent on tourism that they are offering deep discounts and enticing rates in an effort to fill their parks and keep business as usual.
Along with the amusement parks suffering from the recession’s realities, the supporting industries serving tourists are suffering in the wake of fewer travelers. Rental cars in Orlando used to be a booming business but the recession’s impact has been felt. Restaurants and shops are reporting decreased sales as fewer tourists are frequenting their establishments. As the economy shows signs of recovery, so too will the recovery come to the entire travel industry.
Posted by andik in Recreational Vehicles on 05 26th, 2009
| Will you buy foreign owned American made cars? |
4 May |
Chances are pretty good that you may already own an American made, foreign owned vehicle if you drive a Toyota. With 13 manufacturing plants across the U.S., Toyota proudly makes use of “Made in America” while still being ultimately owned by its Japanese company.
With the slew of restructuring the Federal Government is requiring before U.S. Automakers receive bailout money, there is one deal that may have caught your attention, but perhaps, not the entire story.
Chrysler Motors has tentatively accepted a partnership plan that would bring Fiat into the American landscape; literally as it helps to manufacture Chrysler cars. The second part of the story which you may not have heard about deals with Fiat’s desire to also join with General Motors Europe.
If such a deal were to take place, not only would Fiat have its core car division working directly with two American auto manufacturers, it would also be closely combined with German Opel and a few smaller European manufacturers.
Fiat’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne has stated publicly his desire to grow the company to the number two auto manufacturer in the world, just behind Toyota. Currently that position is held by Volkswagen, which makes massive numbers of automobiles for the European market place.
If Fiat’s plans solidify, we may very well be purchasing more foreign owned (and maybe) American made vehicles. Are you willing to make these kinds of buying decisions?
Posted by TopViewr in Manufacturers on 05 4th, 2009
| The Best Truck Accessories You Can Buy |
1 Apr |
Most people buy trucks for their utility for hauling large quantities of stuff around. Now I know there are people who live in cities and suburbs who just bought a big truck like a Ford F-150 because it looks cool and projects a macho image, but I tend to think that most truck owners actually need a truck either for hauling around the tools of their trade or for towing a boat, mobile home, or a trailer loaded up with quads and dirt bikes. However, if you’re one of those people who regard a truck as essential to your work, then you’ll want to invest in high quality, lockable truck boxes for storing your tools. As the economy worsens, property crimes are on the increase.
Tools are some of the items that are most commonly stolen from vehicles, so you want to protect your tools with either a Jobox tool box, or one of the other tough, durable truck tool boxes that are available out there. Buying a tool box for the back of your pickup is really one the best investments that you can make. It protects your tools from theft and the elements, and it also adds to the resale value of your truck when you get your next one. One benefit is that you can even get tonneau covers that double as tool boxes, so you can protect your tools while increasing your gas mileage.
Posted by andik in Parts & Accessories on 04 1st, 2009
