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The internet has opened up our world in so many ways, and is usually the first stop in our search for answers to our questions. It's the quick and easy "go to" for the information we need. Many of us have gotten used to buying just about anything online: clothes, shoes, vacations, exercise equipment - you name it, someone sells it. And we like that we can make purchases in our own time frames, wherever we happen to be, makeup or not, and even in our pajamas. Many dealers recognize that their customers wish for the same kind of buying experience when they need to purchase a car, and have therefore responded by creating internet sales departments. Take advantage of the wealth of information and (hopefully) good customer service that dealers make available to you online. It will save you time, money, and frustration! The Pros of Buying Through the Internet Department Research You can view the entire inventory at your dealership, and read through each model's online brochure. Photos and Videos You can quickly weed out the vehicles you don't want, and more closely view the ones you might be interested in. Full Disclosure of Options Many dealerships list the options, and you are able to better understand your needs - again, in your own time. Pricing Compare without being hassled. Quick Response You can email an internet sales associate with questions and can  expect immediate answers. Get Preapproved Your internet sales associate will direct you where you can go. Most Arrangements Done Online The only thing you have to do in person is sign the paperwork, get the keys and drive away! It's Easy Why not make your life a little easier by starting the car buying process at home? No pressure, no bad weather, no hassles and no haggling in person. Milton Ruben Toyota of Augusta has a dedicated Internet Team to meet the demands of today's car buyers. We want you to have a smooth, hassle-free, efficient and positive car buying experience. Contact your next internet sales professional or check out our online inventory at www.miltonrubentoyota.com.

“Despite the abundance of resources and information available to all car shoppers, women surprisingly still feel less comfortable shopping for and buying a car than men. According to a recent AutoTrader.com survey, approximately one in four women (24%) find shopping for a vehicle "stressful," compared to 15% of men. And while nearly half of men (44%) feel "certain and confident" when visiting car dealerships, only one in four women (25%) feel the same way. “ We’ve broken it down for ya and here’s the fool proof plan for choosing a great automobile for you and your family while making sure you get the price you deserve… First, decide whether you want new, used or certified pre-owned? New –The main reason for a new car is that A. It’s NEW and B. It comes with a Warranty. Warranty periods are typically at least three years or up to 36,000 miles and cover just about everything from bumper to bumper. Used - The most obvious advantage to buying a pre-owned car is that you can get a great deal. Just be smart about it. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Certified Pre-Owned - CPO cars are a happy medium. They're typically two to three years old, have been reconditioned and come with some warranty protection. A CPO car will have a higher price tag than a similar non-CPO vehicle, but the warranty protection may make it worth it. 1. You’ve gotta know what you WANT and what you NEED (and knowing the difference may help you out some too!). Before stepping foot onto a dealership lot…research and prepare for your car buying experience.  Dealerships aren’t open 24/7 anyways, so why not take advantage of your pajama time and check out some local DEALER WEBSITES.  Ah hem….MiltonRubenToyota.com wouldn’t be a bad place to start! Start paying attention to other vehicles on the road…what you like, what you don’t like, etc.  Other customers know best….we have plenty of customer testimonials on our YouTube! Page (Milton Ruben Superstore) to help and inform you on what our customers appreciate about their vehicles and their car buying experiences. These next tips should seem pretty obvious…but trust us, there are people who think they know what they WANT and NEED until they get home and wonder why they bought a car without a third seat when they just added Bobby Jo and Billy Sue to their already 8 person family! Ask yourself: How many passengers are normally in my vehicle? Even if you have only 2 kids, consider the fact that they may want to have one of those “play dates” one day and you may find youself having to strap their friends to the roof! Take into account room for car seats, life-size Dora the Explorer dolls, and everything else kids bring along to make them feel at home while in the car. Do I need a significant amount of trunk space or hauling capacity? When you go on vacation, do you take everything but the kitchen sink with you? If you’re like my mom, you might need a 4x4 truck instead of the cute, little, sporty sedan you were eyeballin’. Do I need an all-wheel drive vehicle? Even if you aren’t going to be towing anything, you might want to consider the weather and terrain in your area.  Down here in Georgia, we don’t think its possible to leave the house without a snow plow if there are snow flurries. This is something to consider. How much driving do I do? Can I afford to fill up the tank once a week in this monster?  What are normal maintenance costs on this vehicle? That’s when you may look into a car such as the Toyota Prius…a Hybrid that gets an estimated 51 miles to the gallon.  (Hybrid=gas and electric…but no, you do not have to plug it in to the wall in your garage to charge like your son’s Fisher Price PowerWheels monster truck.) This is cool stuff we’re talkin’ about here. 2. Now it’s time to head to the dealership and there is no reason to fret! After reading these tips, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to walk in there confident and informed. Like in school, DO NOT BE SCARED TO ASK QUESTIONS!!! YOU MUST!!! Asking questions will help you get to know your salesman, sense how committed they are to their customers and show them that you're prepared and knowledgeable. Be sure to ask: What special offers do you currently have available? What types of warranties do you offer? Can I purchase an extended warranty? What did the previous owners use the car for and what type of climate was it driven in? (If it is pre-owned) How long of a test drive can I take? What new equipment comes as part of this purchase? Do you take trade-ins? Bring along your research. Print out pages of the cars that you saw online that caught your attention.  These are good to provide the salesman with and you can write notes on each car as you go. If you saw the same car for a lower price, print that evidence out! A lot of dealers will match prices. 3. Test Driving and Inspection If you aren’t a car officionado, bring along a buddy that knows more about cars to help you point out possible problems or turn-offs. Start inspecting! Take time on your test drive and pay attention to things like…funny smells, awkward sounds, handling, and mechanics.  Also make sure the interior and exterior meet your standards and there isn’t a huge scratch on the car that you might not see until you get it home and its too late. 4.  Considerations and Precautions Get a CARFAX report. Before buying any pre-owned vehicle, based on the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), to review its history. We offer them free on any car you buy here! Consider safety. Review government and insurance company crash test ratings for any vehicle you're considering and look into the available add-on safety features before signing your lease or purchase agreement. You can do this on sites like Safercar.gov or IIHS.org. 5.  Negotiating Negotiating can be the most difficult part of the car buying process. Follow these tips to help ease the process. The car loan and lease experts at Milton Ruben Toyota of Augusta will do the work for you to ensure you get the lowest possible rate on your car loan. We work with area and national lenders to provide you with options, from low rates to short terms. Some dealerships do not provide this service, and you may have to research rates and options with banks in your area. Focus on the total price of the car and let that dictate what your monthly payment will be and what you can afford to pay each month. Get it all in writing. Ask the dealer or seller to explain to you how the cost specifically breaks down and see it clearly in writing. You want to make sure that you understand where any additional fees come in, and that you're aware of every cost, large or small, for the vehicle. This is your purchase and you have the right to know this information! We are your “Whatever It Takes Dealer” and we do the deals the other guys just won’t!  Visit us online at MiltonRubenToyota.com or at 3514 Washington Road in Augusta, GA.

There are a few automotive reviewers whose work I read religiously. Alright, I read ALL of the reviewers, but there are some who stand out because of the quality and fairness of their assessments. One such writer is Chris Shunk of AOL Autos. I had the pleasure of meeting Chris at an industry function and I find him to be intelligent and devoted to the industry. It’s true that his opinions are often biased toward Ford – after all, in his previous life, he was a project manager for the Blue Oval. But when he is favorably impressed by one of our vehicles, the fact of his predisposition makes his endorsement all the more authentic. Recently, Chris reviewed the 2010 Toyota 4Runner which, in his parlance, “aithfully sticks to the formula it helped create . . . as it helped define America's sport-utility genre along with the original Jeep Cherokee way back in 1984.” Chris goes on to say that the new Toyota 4Runner model is at once “Bigger, more capable and more luxurious . . . and boasting a big and bold theme inside the cabin, with oversized seats, a wonderful Delmonico-inspired steering wheel and a shift lever that could double as the barrel of a Louisville Slugger. Even the knobs are over an inch in diameter. The wide, squared-off center stack very efficiently packs in all the 4Runner's supersized buttons and switchgear, and ergonomics are surprisingly good. The 4Runner's overall length, at 189 inches, is three inches shorter than the Nissan Pathfinder, but the 4Runner is a far more useful 2.4 inches wider. That means more shoulder and hip room for passengers, more presence in traffic, and perhaps most importantly, more stability.” Furthermore, Chris enthuses how much he, “iked the 4Runner's comfortable leather seats, commanding view of the road and roomy dimensions.” Most importantly, however, Chris found “onsiderable surprises once got behind the wheel. The first area of delight came courtesy of Toyota's 4.0-liter V6 engine . . . which makes the 4Runner feel surprisingly fleet-footed. Perhaps more surprising than the 4Runner's perkiness is the impressive 19.5 miles per gallon managed during a week of mixed driving (EPA figures: 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway). Not bad for a two-ton SUV with a five-speed transmission and large-displacement V6.” Chris’ tester also proved to be very comfortable on the highway and around town, with the V6 providing reliable power and the chassis remaining well-controlled. Let’s not forget, however, that the 2010 Toyota 4Runner might be the most sure footed SUV in the world when the highways are left in the rear view mirror. I agree with Chris’ assessment that, “ff the beaten path . . . the 4Runner revealed itself to be a very capable partner. Substantial P265/70SR17 tires and above average wheel travel made most pits feel like small potholes, and the 4WD system proved to be very difficult to overwhelm.” Chris concludes that, “The Toyota 4Runner may be every bit as safe and reliable as Toyota models of the past, but it also has a bit of attitude in its design and capability, and that's a good thing. And with the Chevrolet Trailblazer gone and the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango about to reinvent themselves as crossovers, the 4Runner has very little competition in a segment that just a decade ago surpassed well over one million units per year.” The 2010 Toyota 4Runner is the hottest looking and stoutest performing SUV on the road. It is a worthy inheritor of the brand’s august pedigree which includes 1.5 million 4Runners sold over the course of 4 generations spread out over a quarter century of continuous production. Of course, the best deals on Toyota 4Runners are available at Milton Ruben Toyota on Washington Road in Augusta. Don’t forget that if you still love your old one, bring it to Milton Ruben where our factory trained technicians will give it the TLC it deserves. While you are here, you might find out that a new 4Runner is more within your reach than you might have dreamed. Milton Ruben is your Whatever it Takes dealer. Shop us online at www.drivebaby.com.

June 14, 2010 Have you ever heard of OICA? The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers was founded in Paris in 1919. It is now known as the “Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles” (OICA).  Former United States Congressman, Dave McCurdy, is the President of this global alliance that studies issues of mutual interest relating to the development and future of the automobile industry. Milton Ruben Superstore has obtained an OICA press release that will be disseminated later this summer.  In part, OICA will announce the global leaders in automobile production.  The listing is as follows: TTAC Rank 2009 Manufacturer Global units 2009 OICA Rank 2008 OICA Units 2008 2009/2008 1 Toyota Group 7,234,439 1 9,237,780 -21.7% 2 General Motors Group 6,503,000 2 8,282,803 -21.5% 3 Volkswagen Group 6,290,000 3 6,437,414 -2.3% 4 Ford Group 4,817,000 4 5,407,000 -10.9% 5 PSA Group 3,188,000 7 3,325,407 -4.1% 6 Hyundai 3,106,178 8 2,777,137 11.8% 7 Honda 3,012,000 5 3,912,700 -23.0% 8 Nissan 2,744,562 6 3,395,065 -19.2% 9 Renault 2,642,659 11 2,417,351 9.3% 10 Suzuki 2,387,533 9 2,623,567 -9.0% Milton Ruben Superstore (shop us online at www.drivebaby.com) is proud to represent the world’s #1 and #2 global manufacturer of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs – Toyota (Milton Ruben Toyota – go to www.miltonrubentoyota.com for details) and General Motors (Milton Ruben Chevrolet – go to www.miltonrubenchevy.com for details). It is interesting to note that the aggregate global production of the two Milton Ruben partners – Toyota and General Motors is greater than Ford, Hyundai, Honda (falling sharply from #5 in 2008 to #7 in 2009), and Nissan (also falling sharply from #6 in 2008 to #8 in 2009) put together! Milton Ruben Superstore is one of the top selling dealership groups in the United States.  In May, Milton Ruben Superstore sold more than 500 new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs for a record third consecutive month.  Milton Ruben Superstore sells new Chevrolets, Chryslers, Jeeps, and Dodges as well as Toyotas.  Milton Ruben is also one of the top Used Car dealers selling vehicles to fit every need and budget. Milton Ruben also repairs and maintains any make or model of car, truck, van, or SUV. Since 1982, we are Augusta’s Whatever it Takes dealer.  We do deals the other guys just won’t.  Shop us online at www.drivebaby.com

June 1, 2010 I read a vindicating article in The Detroit News today.  It seems that w arranty costs for U.S. automakers are down by 40 percent or more since 2007. Forgive me if this sounds overly elementary but I find that there are enduring misconceptions about automobile warranties.  In short, the companies that build the cars pay the repair expenses for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles.  When those companies’ warranty expenses go down, it is a pretty clear indication that the quality of the vehicles is on the rise. As The Detroit News points out, the biggest contributor to the growing trend is improved quality. Ford’s warranty costs have dropped by 40 percent since 2007.  General Motors (Chevrolet makes up more than half of GM’s sales) costs have dropped 45 percent and Chrysler has seen a 48 percent decrease. Doug Betts, senior vice president in charge of quality for Chrysler, told The Detroit News that the manufacturer of Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles saw its warranty costs drop by $240 million in 2008 alone, and 2009 saw still more savings.  This is a personal aside.  I have met Doug Betts.  I think he is one of the most important contributors to Chrysler’s turnaround.  He came to Chrysler after working at Nissan and Toyota and has brought some of their principles with him.  The man breathes, eats, and lives quality. Milton Ruben Superstore is one of the top selling dealership groups in the United States.  In May, Milton Ruben Superstore sold more than 500 new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs for a record third consecutive month.  Milton Ruben Superstore sells new Chevrolets, Chryslers, Jeeps, and Dodges as well as Toyotas.  Milton Ruben is also one of the top Used Car dealers selling vehicles to fit every need and budget. Milton Ruben also repairs and maintains any make or model of car, truck, van, or SUV. Since 1982, we are Augusta’s Whatever it Takes dealer.  We do deals the other guys just won’t.  Shop us online at www.drivebaby.com