While crossovers may be all the rage these days, the all-new 2010 Toyota 4Runner holds true to its roots by remaining an honest, tough midsize SUV. Redesigned from the inside out, the new 2010 Toyota 4Runner retains its muscular, boxy shape and receives an updated body, similar to the Toyota Tundra.

Inside, the redesigned 2010 Toyota 4Runner increases in size over the 2009 model, making room for an optional third row seat to transport up to seven passengers, for the first time. Also new for the 2010 model year, the new Toyota 4Runner will be available with a 4 cylinder engine option. The new 2010 Toyota 4Runner boasts 40/20/40 split second row seating, sliding rear cargo deck with under-floor storage box, 8 speaker stereo with MP3 compatible auxiliary jack.

Even though the new Toyota 4Runner has been completely redesigned and includes more standard equipment, pricing remains the same as the outgoing 2009 model, starting at $27,500*. To test drive the newest Toyota SUV, visit Toyota of Tampa Bay today.

*Price plus tax, tag, title and dealer installed accessories for 2010 Toyota 4Runner SR5 L4 2WD model.

Larry Morgan, owner of the Morgan Auto Group and Toyota of Tampa Bay, was recently nominated to be TIME Magazine’s Dealer of the Year for the 2010 Award Season. The program honors new car dealers in America who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service. A panel composed of faculty from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business will choose the TIME Dealer of the Year finalists from each of the four NADA regions. The judges then select the national winner, who will be named the TIME Dealer of the Year for 2010.

All nominees are judged on a variety of criteria, both in their dealerships and in the community. To ensure that all nominees meet the TIME Dealer of the Year high standards of excellence, the judges have been instructed to verify all entries. The judges’ professionalism, integrity and high standards combine to make the TIME Dealer of the Year the most respected award in the industry.

The 2010 award will be presented at the opening business session of the NADA annual convention in Orlando on February 13, 2010. At the convention, all Dealer of the Year nominees will be included in the Dealer of the Year photo display at the convention center. For further details visit the Official Award Website.

In a perfect world, tires would never blow out, oil would never need changing, and batteries would last forever. In the real world, things always break at the worst possible time. During these trying economic times, more and more drivers are opting to skip scheduled maintenance on their vehicles, to save on monthly expenses. Unfortunately, in the long run, this only leads to bigger, more costly repairs.

To help tackle these unexpected budget busters, Toyota of Tampa Bay is proud to announce the introduction of Platinum Preferred Service, available November 1st. Exclusively at Toyota of Tampa Bay, you’ll enjoy no interest, if paid in full within 3 months.* Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date, if the purchase balance is not paid in full within 3 months, or if you make late payments. Minimum monthly payments are required.

At Toyota of Tampa Bay, we know how vital your vehicle is to you and your family. With Platinum Preferred Service, you can get the maintenance or repairs you need at the perfect monthly payment. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that your vehicle is in good hands at Toyota of Tampa Bay’s Service Center. It may not be a perfect world, but you are preferred, at Toyota of Tampa Bay. 

*Minimum monthly payments required. APR: 22.8%. Minimum Finance Charge: $1.00. CFNA reserves the right to change APR, fees and other terms unilaterally.

Economists around the country agree: there has never been a better time to buy or lease a new vehicle. Manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to close this year on a high note. Use this to your benefit when deciding if leasing a brand new car is right for you, the answer might just surprise you.

Leasing 101

Leasing is slightly similar to buying a new car; however there are many important differences. When you lease a vehicle you’re agreeing to pay for only the portion of the vehicle you are using. For example, if you agree to a 36 month lease, you will only be paying for the first three years of the vehicles value, referred to as capitalized cost. This is why monthly lease payments are usually much less than purchasing a vehicle.

The value that will be left in the vehicle at the end of the lease is determined in advance, often called the residual value. When your lease expires you will have the option of purchasing the vehicle at the residual value cost, or you can walk away.

Advantages of Leasing

There are many advantages to leasing a vehicle rather than buying. When you purchase a new vehicle, you will be charged taxes on the full amount of the car. In a lease, you’ll only pay taxes on the portion of the car you agree will be used. This is one reason the monthly costs are usually lower. While you won’t actually own the car, you will still need to maintain it. Most leases include a new car warranty, but since you’re driving a brand new car, you probably won’t ever need to use it.

If you think leasing may be right for you, be sure to visit Toyota of Tampa Bay to find out about the current lease specials.

Have you ever wished you could slide your way out of a sticky social scenario? Perhaps you’re trapped in a dry conversation – even worse, a story you’ve heard many times before – that turns your party into a snooze fest. Have you ever run out of polite ways to tell a telemarketer that you’re simply not interested in their products or services? Or, been face-to-face with an inebriated co-worker that doesn’t know when to say when? We’ve all been there. The following tips will give you the edge on awkward situations and how to exit them with ease.

Trapped in a Dull Conversation
• The easiest way to excuse yourself from a boring story-teller is to politely remove yourself to refresh your drink, grab a bite to eat, offer to help the hostess, or to simply make a phone call. Be sure to follow through with your excuse to avoid raising any eyebrows.
• If you can’t seem to get away, try introducing the unexciting conversationalist to someone else. Once they are talking, make your getaway.

A Talkative Telemarketer
• First, try using polite tactics to get off of the phone. It’s perfectly acceptable to say, “Thanks, but I’m not interested!”
• It’s also understandable if you have to interrupt a persistent sales person to repeat your thanks and then simply hang up. You don’t need to explain or offer any information as to why you are not interested in their product or service.

Stumped in a Job Interview
• It’s difficult expressing you don’t know the answer to a question—especially if it is expected that you should. However, a graceful way out is by simply replying: “That’s a great question and I’d like more time to consider it and get back to you.”

Chose the Wrong Restaurant
• If you try a new place to eat and, after you’ve been seated, decide it’s either too expensive or too unappetizing; it’s quite alright to quietly excuse yourself and leave.
• If you’ve been served a drink or bread, it’s nice to leave a small tip for the service.

The Inebriated Co-worker
• When a co-worker wants to turn an after-work drink into an all-night party, politely decline a second drink by explaining you have a full schedule in the morning.
• If your co-worker has already had too much to drink, make an attempt to assure he or she gets home safely.
• To avoid awkwardness at the office, try to make your co-worker feel comfortable and not embarrassed. Face it: most likely, we’ve all been there!

Exercise is a surefire way to help you lose weight and even boost your mood, but does it really benefit your overall health? We look to science to answer this question.

Pros:
• Moderate exercise can reduce the risk of: diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer.
• Physically active people are less likely to smoke.
• Active people are usually thinner and eat healthier food.
• It has also been proven that people who exercise are often more educated and education is a strong predictor of good health and a longer life!

Mixed Reviews:
• There have not been concrete results that show exercising of any kind will stave off osteoporosis. Exercise will promote better balance which results in less fractures and broken bones, but only indirectly.

Myths:
• Physical activity alone will sustain weight loss or reduce blood pressure or cholesterol. Only exercise combined with a healthy diet program will maintain a healthy weight.

Research has proven that relaxing and minimizing the stress in our lives helps us live longer, healthier, and happier lives. While we all enjoy vacations and spa days to help us achieve a peaceful state of mind, there are more accessible ways to help you unwind. Weave these mini-breaks into your day for stress relief and instant relaxation!

Mini Hand Massage
Hands carry a lot of tension—especially if you are working at a computer all day. Start by kneading the base of your hand and the largest muscle in a circular motion. Gradually, work your way up to the fingertips. This will relieve that clenched fist feeling and help you de-stress.

Pause and Breathe
If you don’t have time to go outside for some fresh air, simply take a break at your desk. Looking away from your computer and email, even for only a few moments, can clear your mind. While you’re doing this, breathe deeply, and feel yourself instantly relax.

Identifying Stress
If you hold stress or tension in your body, try identifying exactly where you are holding the stress. Once you have narrowed down the body part, mentally tell your body to relax. For instance, if you hold tension in your shoulder muscles, tell those muscles to relax, and let your shoulders drop. It works every time!