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Toyota revealed the redesigned 2015 Sienna today, and it looks awesome! So awesome, in fact, that Toyota launched the hashtag #swaggerwagon so people can talk about how much they enjoy the LED daytime running lights, soft-touch surfaces, and a new intercom feature called the Driver Easy Speak System (DES). DES is also found 0n the Highlander, and it allows parents to speak through a microphone to children in the third row so they do not have to yell while driving. Many of the interior changes to the Sienna such as optional black leather seats with white stitching are designed to make the Sienna feel more upscale. Joe Phillipi of AutoTrends Consulting says this says that minivans are no longer designed to be strictly "utilitarian." What is truly interesting about the the 2015 Sienna reveal, is that despite the Sienna being a major contender in the competivie minivan segment, Toyota's marketing strategy for the Sienna has been done entirely online, and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional media unveiling. To launch the Sienna, Toyota recruited parents known for their viral videos to make their own videos to unveil the Sienna. Explaining this low-budget marketing effort, Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell says, "Why spend the money when you can spend the money another way?"

Leases are great. They allow you drive more car for less money, and they keep you under a factory warranty for the duration of the lease. But what happens if you still have time left on your lease when you find a new car you want and/or a lower monthly payment? Can you still get out of your lease? The answer is absolutely, although in practice it usually works best if you have 6 months or less remaining on your lease. The reason for this is because of what automotive industry insiders call "lease pull-ahead programs." Lease pull-ahead programs generally come from the financial branch of the car manufacturer, and often allow you to use the equity in your lease to satisfy remaining payments. In fact, sometimes the manufacturer will even waive some monthly payments as part of the program! Although not always the case, it is still quite common for customers to be able to come out of a lease a couple months early and get into a new lease with lower monthly payments with no money out of pocket. In short, lease pull-ahead programs can be a great way to get into a newer car faster, and for less money. But why do the manufacturers do this? Why give up a few months of higher payments? There is a two-part answer. First, it is a loyalty program to keep you with the same brand and to reward you for doing so. Second, these programs help the manufacturer control how many cars of a given model are coming off lease and arriving at the auction at any one time. If too many car leases mature in, say, August, then the market will be flooded with inventory, and the prices will fall. But if the manufacturer can pull some of these car leases forward and spread them across May, June, July, and August, then the supply will remain stable and the prices will not drop. Lease pull-ahead programs help the customers by getting them into newer cars for lower monthly payments, and they help the manufacturers not lose money at the auction, so when these programs work properly, it is a win-win all the way around. As with the initial lease, it will be important to review the terms and conditions of the program carefully to make sure that the terms of the program make sound financial sense. These programs might not always work for everyone, but they work often enough that it is worth looking into as you approach the end of your lease.

If you want the very best deal on a new car, truck, or SUV this summer, then you will be delighted to know that Irwin Toyota is currently running its Sizzling Summer Sell-abration! This amazing sales event runs the entire month of July, and features $1,000 savings voucher, 0% APR financing for up to 72 months on some models, $0 down payment reaquired, and our goal of 100% credit approval! The all-new 2015 Scion tC 3-door liftback will be arriving at Irwin Toyota Scion at the end of July! This sporty red coupe will feature a charcoal black interior, fog lights, high-profile rear-lip spoiler,  a powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. With an MSRP of $22,084, this red tC is an attractive sports car at a very attractive price. July will also see the arrival a 2015 Scion FR-S! This black-on-black sports coupe has a 6-speed manual transmission, 17" alloy wheels, and is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder Boxer engine that delivers 200 horsepower to the rear wheels. For pure driving enjoyment at a reasonable price, the FR-S cannot be beat! It’s time for those summer camping trips, towing boats, trips to the beach, cookouts, and all the best that a New England summer has to offer! With all that in mind, be sure to check out our extensive assortment of hatchbacks, wagons, SUV’s, and trucks!

Are you tired of high car payments? Do you have more vehicles than you really need? Wouldn't you rather spend your hard-earned money on something fun rather than registering your vehicle for another year? If so, then sell us your car. The Irwin Automotive Group is proud to announce that we will buy your car, whether or not you buy a car from us. You can sell us your car in 3 easy steps: 1) Bring us your car. We will need to look at the condition and mileage of your vehicle to analyze the live market value of your car using our sophisticated, cutting-edge software. 2) Get a written offer. Once we have determined the value of your car, we will make you a written offer, and we will honor that price for 7 days while you make up your mind. There is no obligation on your part to sell to us. It is pressure-free, hassle-free, and stress-free; all we want is to give you a fair market-based price for your car and let you think it over. 3) Sell us your car! Complete the sale by either signing over your title and getting a check, or by trading your car in for a newer, safer, more reliable vehicle. Again, there is absolutely no obligation to sell your car, and we will honor your written offer for 7 days. While your are considering selling your car to us, you might want to take some time to learn about how selling your car to the Irwin Automotive Group is easier than selling your car on your own, or to any other dealer.

The newly redesigned 2015 Toyota Camry will be available for sale at Irwin Toyota this fall. The 2015 Camry features a bold new design that is its sportiest one yet! The more aggressive design is based on the very popular Corolla redesign which has continued to be a best seller for Toyota. The aggressive grille is accented by deep-set LED fog lamps. The interior has been reworked as well and now includes stain chrome accents. The interior is quieter than ever thanks to improved sound deadening design. On the technology front, don't miss the available 7-inch touchscreen interface for Entune and the optional Qi wireless charging pad. Newly added safety tech includes a lane deaprture warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and forward collision warning. Under the hood will be the same tried-and-true lineup of a 2.5L I4, 3.5L V6, and the 2.5L Synergy Drive Hybrid.

Spring is here once again, and it is time to do some spring cleaning on your car. Now that the frost heaves have gone, it is important to have an alignment performed on your vehicle. Those bumpy commutes can do more than just slosh your coffee around, they can actually knock your wheels out of alignment. Alignment issues result in the wheels all pulling your vehicle in slightly different directions, effectively fighting against each other. When the wheels fight each other, you do not achieve optimal fuel economy, and your tires my wear unevenly. An alignment check is a quick and simple procedure that can help improve the fuel economy of your car and increase the longevity of your tires. Speaking of tires, be sure to have them rotated every 5,000 miles. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires whenever you have your oil changed or an alignment performed. If you are still driving with snow tires on, it's time to take them off! Snow tires are excellent for providing additional traction and control on winter roads. Snow tires achieve better winter performance because of two factors: more aggressive tire tread, and a softer rubber compound in the actual tire. This softer rubber is ideal for gripping the roads in cold weather, but during the warm months, it wears down much more quickly than the rubber used in all-season tires. Switching back to all-season or summer tires once the cold months have passed will help extend the life of your winter tires by preventing excess wear. Switching back to all-season or summer tires will also improve your fuel economy thanks to the less aggressive tread on all-season and summer tires. Now that cold and flu season is behind us, you might want to consider changing your cabin filters. These filters only work properly for a few months, and they can trap harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses. It is best to just switch them out with new filters to get cleaner air and more peace of mind. Know what I really won't miss about winter? The road salt. Salt wreaks havoc on cars by eating through paint and rusting metal parts. Be sure to clean your car very thoroughly, especially the under carriage. Better yet, why not get your car professionally detailed with a complete reconditioning? Our hard-working members of the Reconditioning Department can wash, vacuum, shampoo, and buff your car to have it in tip-top shape, inside and out. Spring cleaning is not just for your house. Let's get your vehicle looking and running great for another wonderful summer season in the Lakes Region!

It is the Spring Upgrade Sales Event at the Irwin Automotive Group, and we are trying to to do some serious spring cleaning on our lot. We have too many new Toyota cars, trucks, and SUV's, and so we are stepping up our game to help you upgrade to a new Toyota this month. We are providing a $1,000 savings voucher instead of the $750 gift card we offered last month, as well as no payments for 90 days and the availability of 0% APR financing for up to 72 months on some models. As always, our goal is 100% credit approval, and our dedicated finance professionals are standing by to assist you in securing a loan for your purchase!

Toyota is known for producing reliable cars that hold their value very well over time. The results are in from the ALG Residual Value Awards and once again, Toyota models mop the floor with the competition. Out of the 24 best-in-class residual value cars listed, 8 of them were Toyota models, more than any other manufacturer. Here are the highlights: Alternative-fuel vehicle: Prius c The Prius c has been a very popular model since being introduced in 2012. The Prius c is built on the Yaris platform, and is designed for city driving. Compact and nimble, the Prius c is perfect for curb-side parking, and navigating busy city streets. Thanks to its hybrid engine and reginerative braking system, the Prius c is able to get 53 mpg in city driving. Its vibrant body design and affordable price point make the Prius c perfect for young, sophisticated city-dwellers. Full-size car: Avalon The Toyota Avalon is a luxurious full-size sedan that has a whisper-quiet interior, smooth ride, and tons of amenities. The Avalon absolutely glides down the road, and has been a strong seller since its introduction in 1994 for the1995 model year. The Avalon is built on the same platform as the Lexus ES and comes with a host of amenities such as heated and cooled leather seats, navigation, touch screen, sunroof, and more for the driver who wants the best of everything in a sedan. Full-size pickup: Tundra The Toyota Tundra is one of the most popular full-size pickups on the market. It was introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, and has earned a loyal following of devoted fans over the years. Kelly Blue Book called the Tundra, "a genuine workhorse with impressive towing capabilities, rugged construction and first-class interior accommodations…" Full-size SUV: Sequoia Built on the Tundra platform, the Sequoia is the SUV for you if you want to transport 8 passengers in flagship level comfort. The reliable performance and great amenities of the Sequoia make it a natural choice for large families. Mid-size pickup: Tacoma Kelly Blue Book says it best: "The Toyota Tacoma is America's best-selling compact pickup... It's a modern, capable, high-value vehicle with few real competitors." If you are looking for a compact pickup with an unbeatable reputation for reliability, then the Toyota Tacoma is the perfect truck for you! No matter what you’re looking for in a compact pickup, there is a Tacoma configuration that fits the bill perfectly! Mid-size SUV, 3-row seating: Highlander The Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling SUV’s in America because of its reliability, smooth ride, and excellent visibility. The comfortable seats, large interior, and strong safety ratings make the Highlander a great choice for families; the reliable performance and high resale value make it a natural choice for savvy shoppers. Kelly Blue Book says the Highlander, "… continues to impress with its abilities, features and resale value." Off-road utility vehicle: FJ Cruiser If you want an SUV that has tons of personality, and a fun look, the FJ Cruiser fits the bill nicely. As Kelly Blue Book says, "If you're looking for a daily driver that can double as an off-road weekend warrior, the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is sure to please.” Premium full-size SUV: Land Cruiser The Toyota Land Cruiser is a living legend. It has been in production continuously since 1951, making it the longest-running series in Toyota history. The Land Cruiser's reputation for reliability has made it incredibly popular in in Australia, where it is the best-selling body-on-frame, four-wheel drive vehicle in the country. In addition to unrivaled performance and capability in challenging road coniditions, the Land Cruiser has all the amenities of a high-end, luxury SUV.

Leasing is a great option for someone who tends to get a new car every couple years and who drives 18,000 miles per year or less. Leasing offers several advantages over purchasing a car. First, monthly lease payments are lower than monthly car loan payments.  The reason for this is that under a lease agreement, you are paying to use a car rather than paying to own a car. So rather than paying for all of the car, you pay for the depreciation of the vehicle over the life of the lease, essentially, the portion of the car that you use. Under the lease agreement, you know the sale price of the vehicle, and you know the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease, and you know the lease rate factor, which is a similar concept to an interest rate on a conventional loan. Your monthly lease payment is determined based on these numbers. At the end of the lease, you have the opportunity (but not the obligation) to purchase the vehicle at the pre-determined lease end value. In addition to the lower monthly cost, another advantage of leasing is that the vehicle is under factory warranty the whole time you own it, meaning that yo don't have to worry about costly repairs. Some people say that they do not like leasing because they want to own the car, and that is a perfectly valid opinion. However, if you take out a 5-year car loan to purchase a car, and after 3 or 4 years you go to trade the car in, you technically don't own the car yet because the bank still has the title. In this scenario, you do have a trade in, but it is just barely starting to gain equity. It might make more sense to lease a car for 2 or 3 years, and put the money you save into the bank, and use it as a down payment on your next lease. Not that you need a down payment, which is another bonus to leasing. Many leases only require the first month's payment due at signing, meaning less money out of pocket than the 10-20% down payment than many lending institutions prefer to get you the best rates on car loans. Leasing is not for everyone. Some people commute too many miles per year for a lease to make sense. Others prefer to pay off their car and just deal with repairs such as tires, brakes, emissions system, etc. as needed. For many people, though, the combination of lower monthly cost and the peace of mind of always having a warranty makes leasing an excellent choice.

The redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander has arrived at Irwin Toyota and is available for sale or lease! [gallery columns="2"]

Toyota just crossed a major milestone: the sale of its 6 millionth hybrid vehicle. A hybrid vehicle is one that combines an electric car with a gasoline-powered car and delivers the best attributes of both. Hybrid vehicles have substantially better fuel economy than gasoline vehicles thanks to being powered by a battery for a portion of the drive. Hybrid vehicles use what is referred to as a regenerative braking system; when the brakes are applied to slow down a vehicle, some of the energy is captured and stored in a battery. This battery, in turn, can be used to power the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles perform best in stop-and-go traffic because the batteries are recharged frequently and the car can drive in battery mode instead of gasoline mode. This advantage in stop-and-go traffic makes hybrid vehicles the ideal choice for driving in the city and in suburbrs with lots of stop signs and traffic lights. The best-known hybird vehicle in the world is the Toyota Prius, which is rated at 51 mpg in city driving (and 48 mpg on the highway). Compare the Prius' city driving performance to that of the Toyota Corolla, the world's best-selling car of all time and prized for its fuel economy and reliability. The Corolla achieves a very respectable 38 mpg on the highway, but only 29 mpg in city driving. Both vehicles have an engine with a 1.8L displacement, but the crucial difference is that the Prius has a hybrid 1.8L engine, whereas the Corolla has a traditional, gasoline-powered 1.8L engine. The Prius' hybrid engine is 76% more efficient than the gasoline engine in the Corolla, which can add up to substanial savings on fuel. Although the Prius is the best-known hybrid vehicle that Toyota produces, it is by no means the only hybrid that Toyota produces. Toyota's legendary Camry model, a benchmark for safety and reliability in the mid-size sedan class, is also available with a hybrid engine. In fact, Toyota sells 24 hybrid passenger car models in approximately 80 countries around the world! Toyota calculates that as of December 31, 2013, the Toyota hybrid vehicles on the road have resulted in approximately 41 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions, and have saved 3.9 billion gallons of gasoline. To learn more about hybrid vehicles, call 603-524-4922 and ask to speak with a product specialist today!

The newly redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander is availble for sale at Irwin Toyota. Our first 2014 Highlander just came off the transporter, and it is a beauty! The Highlander has received an all new interior and exterior. It has a larger grille, sleek front end, and aerodynamic roof rails to give it an athletic, powerful look. With seating for up to 8 passengers, the Highlander is designed with the active family in mind. All 8 passengers can sit comfortably, and enjoy features such as a reclining third-row seat. If you opt for a 7-passenger model, you might want to consider the available heated second-row captain's chairs for added comfort and enjoyment. Speaking of comfort, the driver's seat has an available 8-way power seat with power lumbar and thigh support. The Highlander Limited trim comes with  perforated heated and ventilated leather trim for both front seats, to allow for a pleasant driving experience in any season. The 2014 Highlander has tons of available technology available that will impress even the most devoted technophile. The Entune App Suite lets you use the 8-inch touch screen to make restaurant reservations, buy movie tickets, listen to music, and find out all the latest info on stocks, sports, traffic, and weather. Entune Audio with a 6.1-inch Intelligent Touch screen comes standard on every Highlander, and it can be upgraded with Navigation, SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, the Entune App Suite, and an optional 8-inch touch screen. Bluetooth allows you to control music and make and receive phone calls with just the sound of your voice. The standard back-up camera makes it easier than ever to navigate parking spaces. If you love boating, camping, and other outdoor adventures, then the 5,000 pound towing capacity and dynamic torque-controlled All Wheel Drive make the Highlander the perfect vehicle for your next epic trip! Because safety is paramount, the Highlander comes equipped with the Star Safety System, a suite of six active safety features: Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brake System, Smart Stop Technology, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution. Added safety features like a child safety seat restraint system, ventilated disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring, and 8 advanced airbags provide additional peace of mind. The Highlander has been one of the best-loved, most-trusted SUV's on the road for years, and the 2014 redesign makes it better than ever! Please call one of our product specialists to learn more or to arrange a test drive.