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Buying a car is a major investment. For most people, it is second only to their home in terms of expense. With that in mind, it is vital to choose the vehicle that is right for you. And while choosing a new vehicle can seem daunting, you can make this process easier by asking yourself a few simple questions. The biggest question to ask yourself is: “What will I use this vehicle for?” If you are looking for a commuter vehicle, you will probably want a fuel-efficient sedan or hatchback with plenty of legroom. If you need lots of hauling and towing capability, a pickup is the way to go. Taking stock of your requirements for a vehicle will start to narrow down to list of possible candidates. Two important (and related) questions to ask yourself are: “How much do I drive in a year?” and “How often do I trade cars?” If you tend to trade in cars every couple years and drive less than 15,000 miles per year, you may want to consider leasing your next vehicle rather than purchasing. Under a lease agreement, you pay to use a car for a certain period of time (generally 24 or 36 months) rather than paying to own the car. As a result, lease payments are lower than the payments would be to buy a vehicle outright. Determining whether to buy a new or used car or to lease a new car and the monthly payments of each option will let you know what kind of budget you are working with. Having determined the class of vehicle (mid-size sedan, full-size pickup, compact pickup, etc.) you are looking for and what your monthly budget is, you can begin to ask yourself about the features that are most important to you. Do you want an all-wheel drive vehicle, or does two-wheel drive work for you? Do you want amenities like heated leather seats and a power moonroof, or are you perfectly happy with a cloth interior? Do you want technology like navigation, hands-free calling, satellite radio, and back-up camera? By following the steps above, you will narrow down your choices to only a handful of vehicles. From there, you can do a little bit of independent research and find out how these vehicles fared in safety tests and product reviews like Consumer Reports. So remember that it’s easy to pick the right car by asking the right questions.

When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, it is especially important to know exactly what you are getting. Unlike new vehicles, used cars can vary substantially in quality, even when comparing two cars of the same year, make and model. To provide peace-of-mind to our customers, many new car franchises have factory certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle programs. A CPO vehicle is one that has undergone a more rigorous inspection than the average used car, and has been fully reconditioned to meet the exacting requirements of the original manufacturer. For example, for a used Toyota to become a Toyota certified vehicle, it undergoes a 170-point inspection. Among other items, the tire tread and brake pads must both be 50% or better, and no more than two body panels can have had prior paintwork (even by a professional bodyshop). Because the tires and brakes have a high minimum requirement, many CPO Toyotas actually have new tires and brake pads installed so that they can pass the CPO inspection, providing a higher quality used car to the consumer. Factory-certified pre-owned cars do not just provide peace-of-mind and higher quality, there are other benefits to the CPO program as well, such as better warranties, and sometimes, reduced interest rates. For example, a CPO Toyota comes with the balance of a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a full year of roadside assistance. Additionally, Toyota CPO models are eligible for special financing rates. The specific requirements for certification and any added benefit in the form of warranties or financing rates will vary between manufacturers, but in every case the goal is to provide an exceptional used car and to remove any uncertainty about the car. When considering a used car, definitely consider a factory certified pre-owned vehicle. For the peace-of-mind that comes with a superior product, be sure to look for the terms “ Toyota certified,” “Ford certified,” or “Hyundai certified.” Vehicles that pass a manufacturer’s certification requirements represent the very best used cars on the market and we are proud to offer them to our customers.

Toyota just unveiled the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SUV at the New York Auto Show today to a warm critical reception and much fanfare. Slated for a fall 2015 release, the RAV4 Hybrid will provide even better fuel economy than the conventional 4-cylinder RAV4, which is already rated at an impressive 29 mpg. Exact fuel economy projections and horsepower ratings have not been released, but the RAV4 Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle and an electric motor, and all RAV4 Hybrid models will feature the standard Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive System; there will not be a front-wheel drive hybrid. The 2016 model year RAV4 will also feature updates inside and out, the most noticeable of which are new fog lights, rear lights, and a new front bumper. More importantly, Toyota is offering the RAV4 Hybrid with some additional safety technology that will also find its way into gas-powered models. The new features -- collectively dubbed Safety Sense -- include adaptive cruise control, forward-collision alert, pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning and more. There's also a new top-down camera system and additional LED exterior lighting. Toyota Safety Sense is standard on the top-tier RAV4 Limited trim. The RAV4 will be the first Toyota to use Bird's Eye View Monitoring to provide a top-down view of the RAV4 for easier parking. Like other systems, the RAV4 uses four cameras on the front, the two side mirrors and rear to provide a panoramic view. The RAV4's trims carry over and get a new addition called the SE. Its biggest features are a retuned sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, contrasting exterior trim and a black headliner. It also comes fairly loaded with features with the aforementioned LED lights. Driven by customer feedback, Toyota has added features and technology to the cabin, including premium materials, new multimedia options, and even new cupholders (that can accommodate tall mugs with handles). Even the base LE trim level now has the option of a navigation system. For more information about the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, be sure to speak with a product specialist at Irwin Toyota. Featuring a new front bumper, the RAV4 Hybrid sure looks sharp! Newly updated inside out and featuring an all-new hybrid drivetrain, the RAV4 Hybrid has raised the bar for the compact SUV market!

The President's Day Sales Event has become a staple in the automotive industry over the years. The low prices advertised in February come from a few sources, but by far the biggest is that manufacturers offer great incentives to help move outgoing models. Dealers in northern states lose valuable square footage to snow banks and need to move inventory, which gives them an incentive to reduce prices even further. On the consumer side, there are many reasons why so many people choose to purchase cars in February, most of which boil down to being in a better financial position. By February, we have had two months to recover from holiday expenses, business is in full swing for ski resorts and plow drivers, and we can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel with respect to our heating bills. All of these factors combine to make potential car buyers feel more comfortable making a major purchase. As if low priced inventory and reduced expenses weren't enough, there is one other factor that provides a nudge towards buying a car in February: tax refunds. Those who get tax refunds generally file early and receive a check from Uncle Same in February, which works quite nicely as a down payment for a car. Even though we pride ourselves on offering Real Zero Down Leases, the more money you put down, the lower your monthly payment. Plus, if you are purchasing a car, a solid down payment can help earn you the most competitive rates. So come on down to Irwin Toyota and check out our amazing President's Day Sales Event... and put that tax refund to good use!

Irwin Toyota is announcing its Cold Hard Cash sales campaign this month! Need a new car? Get one for less at Irwin Toyota and SAVE! We have huge rebates on every model and interest rates as low as 0% for up to 72 months available! Take advantage of this limited-time Cold Hard Cash sales event and drive off in a stylish and dependable brand-new Toyota while saving your cold hard cash for the fun things in life. With special low prices and terrific lease incentives, there is no better time to buy a new Toyota!

Let’s talk maintenance. Cars and trucks need to be serviced regularly in order to perform their best and last as long as possible. And if you buy vehicles rather than lease them, you will want to get as much use as possible out of your purchase. At its most basic, routine maintenance keeps your vehicle running smoothly. Regular oil changes are the cornerstone of a healthy, well-serviced car. Oil changes help prevent damage to the motor, and keep your vehicle running smoothly. We recommend that whenever you change your oil (typically every 5,000 miles, see your owner's manual) you also rotate your tires. Tire rotations prevent uneven wear on your tires, helping you to get to the most use from each set of tires. As an added benefit, keeping your tires serviced and properly inflated will improve your fuel economy. In some cases, where you buy tires, you'll receive free lifetime tire rotations :) Just as changing the motor oil prevents gunk from building up in your motor, a “transmission flush” keeps your transmission working smoothly and helps to protect your gears. By changing your transmission fluid, you remove any dirt that may have accumulated and prolong the life of your transmission. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual to see how frequently your manufacturer recommends changing the transmission fluid. It costs a lot more to replace a transmission than it does to change the fluid! With this extremely cold weather this winter, your vehicles are working harder than ever. Because the cold is so tough on your vehicle, make sure to have all of your fluids checked to keep your ride in tip-top shape. Speaking of fluids, you will definitely need wiper fluid to maintain good visibility through your windshield. Road salt and dirt caked onto your windshield make it difficult to see. And if a snow squall suddenly pops up, your visibility will be reduced even further. Windshield wipers also wear out over time and end of smearing the glass rather than wiping the glass. Try wiping the windshield and check the glass for streak or smudges. If your windshield is not crystal clear after you use your wipers, it is probably time to get new wiper blades. With the driving conditions as harsh as they in New Hampshire are compared to, for example, the southern United States, we recommend you follow you maintenance manual for Severe driving conditions vs the normal maintenance schedule in an effort to get the most out of your vehicle.

Toyota just unveiled the hot new 2016 Toyota Tacoma at the Detroit Auto Show! The Tacoma is one of the most popular pickup trucks of all time, so Toyota had a lot to live up to with the redesign. One of the biggest changes for the 2016 Tacoma is that it will receive a new V6 engine, with 3.5L of displacement compared to the outgoing 4.0L model. The new 3.5L V6 is expected to produce 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This new motor will feature both direct- and port-injection and will deliver power through a 6-speed transmission (available in both automatic and manual). For those who don't require as much power and want better fuel economy, the 2016 Tacoma will also have a 2.7L I4 engine available as well. The Tacoma will come in 5 available trim levels ranging from SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, to Limited. Truly living up to its name, the Off-Road trim level will include a multi-terrain select system allowing you to choose between three different types of terrain: loose rock, mud, and sand. It will also offer such features as hill start assist, crawl control, an automatic limited slip and locking rear differential. On the exterior, the 2016 Tacoma is starting to dress more like its big brother, the Tundra. The Tacoma nameplate will be stamped directly on the sheet metal of the tailgate. Wheels will be available in both 16-inch and 18-inch configurations. In terms of fit and finish, the new Tacoma is expected to have a quieter cabin than the outgoing model, thanks to a floor silencer pad, multi-layer acoustic windshield, sound-absorbing headliner, and enhanced seals. In keeping with the new era of social sharing, every single Tacoma will now come standard with a GoPro mount located near the rear-view mirror. So whether you are off-roading, getting a job done, or just going for a scenic drive, you can record and share your Tacoma experience with all your friends. Additional options include goodies such as wireless charging, push-button start, leather upholstery, power moonroof, blind-sport monitoring with cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a new and improved touch screen audio unit.

The holidays are behind us and we're into the new year, so now it is time to Drive Through Winter and into the spring! Irwin Toyota is proud to announce the Drive Through Winter Sales Event going on now until January 31st and featuring $1,000 savings voucher, 0% APR financing for up to 72 months on many models, $0 down payment, and zero payments until spring! We are also running Irwin's Real Sign and Drive lease program which means you don't need to put down a single penny to drive off in a gorgeous new Toyota! No fees, no fine print, no gimmicks! Don't miss this fantastic buying opportunity! So come to Irwin Toyota today, find the right Toyota for you, and we won't have to make a single payment until the sugar shacks are cooking up some delicious New Hampshire maple syrup this spring. Come to Irwin Toyota and Drive Through Winter!

You have probably seen some advertisements lately that feature lease payments that claim to have “$0 down” or “$0 due at signing.” If you read the fine print, you will frequently see that these dealers require an acquisition fee and/or a dealer fee and/or the first month’s payment due at signing. All told, this is usually well over $1,000 that you have to come up with before you can drive away in a lease that was supposed to have “nothing due at signing!” The reason the dealers are able to get away with this is that the acquisition fee and dealer fee are administrative fees, not part of a down payment (so it is still a “$0 down” lease). As far as the first month’s payment being due, that is traditionally how leases work. Even with “$0 due at signing,” the first month’s payment is still required before you can drive off the lot in your new lease. Again, it is not a fee that is due to the dealership, it is simply the first month’s payment that is owed to the financial institution. If you truly want to pay nothing out of pocket, what you want to look for a “Sign and Drive” lease. Then you want to go over the fine print thoroughly to make sure that you understand the disclosures in the advertisement. If you are thinking that this seems misleading and confusing, you are not alone! As a dealership, we value transparency and fairness, which is why we are offering a true Sign and Drive lease special. With Irwin’s Real $0 Down Sign and Drive, all applicable fees are rolled into the monthly payment rather than being due upfront. And we even roll the first month’s payment in as well, so you do not have to pay a single penny at our dealership until one month after you sign the lease when your first monthly payment is due. So go ahead and leave your checkbook at home, you will not need it. All you need is a pen to sign the lease and we will get you on the road in your brand new vehicle. We believe that buying a vehicle should be a fun, straight-forward experience, and we hope that our Real Sign and Drive event will make it that much easier for you to find the vehicle that is right for you.

Are you tired of driving to work in a cold car? Do you loathe the trek outside every morning to start your car, only to go back inside, wait for it to warm up, and then go back to your car to drive to work? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then an aftermarket remote start is the surprisingly affordable solution! The Irwin Automotive Group offers aftermarket remote starts for a variety of cars, trucks, and SUV's, all at reasonable rates, and with our prompt, professional service. If you are interested in learning more about aftermarket remote starts, please watch the video below, or contact our Accessories Manager, Kerry Arneson, at 603-581-2984.

With the arrival of cold temperatures this weekend, it is time once again to brace ourselves for another New Hampshire winter. When preparing your car for winter weather, the single most important thing to consider is the condition of your tires. From a safety standpoint, good tires are crucial; your tires connect your vehicle to the road. At a bare minimum, to pass a New Hampshire safety inspection, your tires need 2/32 of an inch of tread at the thinnest part of the tire and cannot show signs of uneven wear. But 2/32 of an inch is not very much tread, and it may not be up to the challenge of icy winter roads. In addition to wanting more than the minimum level of tread, you might consider getting snow tires. Snow tires are specifically designed to grip the road in cold, icy conditions. Snow tires achieve superior traction through a more aggressive tread pattern and a softer rubber compound. So why have snow tires? Why not just make all tires have better tread and grip? The answer is that the different rubber compounds work better at different temperatures. The softer rubber compound functions best in colder weather (generally below 45 degrees F), and will actually wear more quickly in warmer weather, whereas summer tires are designed to function best in warmer weather. For this reason, it is important to take your snow tires off once warm spring temperatures arrive to help prolong the life of your snow tires. As with summer tires, keeping your tires properly inflated and having them rotated every 5,000 miles or so will help them last longer. In fact, keeping your tires properly inflated has the added benefit of improving your fuel economy. As far as rotating your tires, we offer free tire rotations for the life of every tire we sell. Whether or not you are ready for winter to come, you can at least make sure that your vehicle is ready for winter by looking into snow tires before the snow arrives.

The much-anticipated 2015 Toyota Camry has arrived at Irwin Toyota! The first 2015 Camry to arrive happens to be the very popular SE trim level, which will be sure to dazzle with its sporty stance, clean lines, and "premium and athletic" look, as Camry Chief Engineer, Monte Kaehr, described the 2015 Camry. In fact, the SE trim level is so popular, that it accounted for fully 45% of all Camrys sold in the 2014 model year. This lovely silver Camry SE is the very first 2015 model year Camry to arrive at our Laconia NH Toyota dealership! Newly redesigned for the 2015 model year, this terrific Camry SE is new inside and out. Toyota design engineers brag that the only body panel that was not changed from the previous model year is the roof. Of course, words cannot do the new Camry justice, and the only way to fully appreciate the redesign is to come take on for a test drive. In the meantime, here are some actual pictures of the car on our lot to pique your interest. [gallery columns="2"]