There are several engine options available with the Toyota Yaris. The base engine accelerates reasonably well but the best engine is the 1.3 liter option which goes from 0-62 mph in 11.5 seconds. The 1.3 liter is also a great selection because the smaller engine means it’s more economical and the insurance is cheaper, which is a good choice for newer drivers or families in the credit crunch.

The diesel engine may cost a bit more to buy in but you get not only quick speed but good fuel economy and this is another positive feature, particularly during the recession. All of the gearboxes are solid so you can’t help but make the right choice. The handling is excellent. Steering-wise the Yaris is sharp with tight steering. The car reacts really well when going around corners. The ride is both firm and controlled so driver and passengers will experience a high level of comfort.

Passengers will be impressed with the interior of the car. The trim is made out of high grade materials so it looks attractive, but is also nice and sturdy meaning it could take a some wear and tear from children which makes the Yaris a good family car.

The Yaris has controls that are particularly solid and easy to read, which is great for the driver and for safety. Comfort is a top priority in the Yaris with its high quality seats and plenty of leg room. This excess room can be heightened with the advantageous 60:40 split rear seat. When tested \ the Toyota Yaris was given top scores for safety which means it will react very well in a crash – the drivers cabin will stay relatively intact while the front end of the car will crumple. It is reliable so it’s a good to buy a used Toyota Yaris especially considering one of the older models will cost less than newer ones not much more.

To test drive a Yaris, or any other used Toyota, see your local St. Louis Spirit Toyota Dealer today.

The 2008 Toyota Highlander also features more comforts than its predecessor such as more cubby holders and even a laptop compartment for convenience.

Toyota also improved the engine which is now even more powerful with a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine.  This increase in power allows for enough speed in whatever driving situation you find yourself in.

The fuel economy of the 2008 Highlander has been improved as well.  The Front-wheel drive gets 18mpg city/24 mpg highway and the AWD models get 17/23.

Toyota has improved the engine and fuel economy, but what about the steering and braking?  Both have been upgraded from prior models. The steering has improved precision that allows the driver to squeeze into tighter spots.  The upgraded braking system allows stop on a dime capabilities.

The NHTSA and the IIHS gave the 2008 Highlander its highest scores in driver front impacts and for all passengers in side impacts.  Front-impact for the passenger received four-stars which is an excellent rating as well.  Some standard features that put the buyers mind at ease are four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system.  Add to that, seven airbags that Toyota installs to protect the driver and passengers and it’s easy to see why this vehicle tested so amazingly high in all areas of safety.

To test drive a used Toyota Highlander, visit your local St. Louis Spirit Toyota Dealer today.

At the same time, the cost of living is at an all-time high. Many Americans are facing financial loss, unemployment, foreclosure, and more.

It takes every penny available just to pay the bills these days and most families are all too familiar with the need to stick to a family budget.

If you are in the market for an affordable new vehicle on a small or limited budget, why not stop by Spirit Toyota in St. Louis and test drive a used Toyota?   A Toyota Sienna, RAV 4, or Toyota Highlander from Spirit Toyota in St. Louis are all known for having a high dependability rate, getting great gas mileage, and may be the ideal choice for St. Louis families on a shrinking budget.

Purchasing a certified pre-owned Toyota 4Runner or Toyota Camry can help struggling families survive during an economic recession. Toyota cars, trucks, and SUV’s are reliable, have high safety ratings and get more mileage to the gallon than many family vehicles that are available for safe, fuel efficient transportation.

Before selecting which used Toyota is best for your family, ask yourself the following questions;

Will your new vehicle be used for frequent travel?  If so, the Toyota 4Runner or Toyota Sequoia offer regular and extended warranty coverage, and both offer a comfortable ride for long road trips.

Do you have kids who could benefit from the many family-friendly features offered by Toyota Land Cruiser or the Toyota Matrix such as child proof locks, back-up cameras, televisions and DVD players?

How important is safety and reliability to you? If so, a used Toyota Sienna, RAV 4, or 4 Runner are all a great choice to fit your family budget.

Comprehensive vehicle coverage is probably the best option. However, it can be the most costly, as well. On the other hand, collision coverage may be much less expensive but provide adequate coverage to still be considered a legal driver. Collision coverage will provide coverage for damage done from your vehicle hitting another object. Comprehensive coverage will include what is covered under collision, as well as, other circumstances, such as, theft, weather related damage, and vandalism.

You may be able to reduce the cost of your insurance by revisiting your coverage plan. Having comprehensive coverage on your vehicle will offer you the most protection. However, if you are rarely driving that vehicle, you may be able to have sufficient coverage with just a collision program. At the same time, if you are driving a vehicle everyday with just collision coverage you may be putting yourself at increased risk. Because you drive the vehicle more frequently your odds of being involved in an auto accident are higher. Thus, you would require a higher level of coverage. Having the right insurance coverage may not seem like something worthy of financial investment. However, if you are involved in an accident with significant damage done to all parties involved, having ample insurance coverage will save you money, every time.

It seems that gas prices have been on a slow and steady rise over the past year. Although, there hasn’t been a significant jump to send people straight to the bus stop, they are still much higher than most would prefer. Choosing to drive more economically can save you great amounts when it comes to the gas pump. You can quickly perform an online search for fuel saving tips. Most of the tips given will require you to become a much more conscientious driver.

Since your Toyota is known for its safety and reliability it was fairly inexpensive to insure. However, you may want to shop around for car insurance just to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If your driving record has improved you may qualify for a better insurance rate than at the time you purchased your vehicle.

Simply choosing to keep your current Toyota model will save you more than if you were to purchase a new model. Paying off your current auto loan, will always be better than taking on a new loan. Driving your current model a couple more years will stave off another loan payment and put more money back in your pocket over that time.

There are several indicators in a vehicle that will tell you whether or not the air bags are working. When you start the ignition of the used Toyota during the test drive, pay close attention to the lights on the dash. If the air bag system is working properly you will notice a “SRS” light come on and then go off after a few seconds. This is usually the easiest way to determine if the system is working properly.

You can also run a vehicle history report via an online resource.Carfax.com makes it easy to determine the history of a vehicle. Make note of any reports of collisions, flood damage, or other circumstance that would result in the air bags deploying. Also, be sure to have the vehicle checked by a third party mechanic. A certified mechanic will be able to check the air bag system electronically and determine if it is in proper working order.

The first law, simply states, that an out of control vehicle will continue in motion until it hits something. Second law states that the rate of deceleration is directly proportional to the impacting force, and is inversely proportional to the weight of the vehicle. The final law says every force applied to a colliding is met with an equal and opposite force and damage is done to both parts.

These laws support the argument that no matter what type of vehicle you are driving, you are still at risk of becoming injured during a collision. Sure there are several safety features available. In fact, the safety features found in today’s vehicles are significantly more advanced than those found in vehicles just a few years ago. Vehicle safety technology is in constant forward motion. All manufacturers strive to improve their vehicle safety features year after year. The only way to keep your risk of a collision or injury low is to properly utilize the safety features of your vehicle. In addition, you should always be following the rules of the road. Traveling at the recommended speed limit is an excellent way to allow you ample reaction time to unforeseeable circumstances and minimize impact injury in the event of a collision.

Having your engine tuned up can greatly improve your fuel economy. In fact, an engine that is improperly tunes can be detrimental to your gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent. Another key player in your ability to earn better fuel economy is your tires. Tires that are poorly inflated increases resistance, which then forces your engine work harder to have you traveling at the speed you demand. And as a result you lose fuel economy. According to the United States Department of Energy for every 1 PSI you are underinflated, you lose about 0.4 percent of your miles per gallon. It is also estimated that by having your tires properly inflated on a regular basis you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent.

Your vehicle also needs oxygen to run, not just gasoline alone. Your air filter should be clean and free of debris in order to be working properly. Just as with underinflated tires, a dirty air filter will only cause your vehicle to work harder than it needs to and will result in lower fuel economy. You should be replacing your air filter about every 12,000 miles over the course of normal driving conditions. Depending on your place of residence you may need to do it more or less often.

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for United States teenagers. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, fatalities in vehicle collisions account for over thirty five percent of teen fatalities. The program offered by Toyota has the simple goal of lowering that percentage through education and empowerment. The program is designed to take the standard driver education classes a step further, to build upon the fundamentals learned and apply them to real world scenarios.

The main focus of the program is to provide parents and their teens with a greater knowledge of defensive driving and techniques to avoid collisions, how to better identify dangerous driving situations, and understanding vehicle safety features and how to properly use them. The program will also give them a firsthand experience of the dangers of distracted driving and the impact on reaction time.

Although the program is designed for teen drivers, each teen is required to have a parent or guardian in attendance with them. The program serves as a safe environment for an open dialogue between parents and children to discuss the importance of safe driving habits. Toyota is confident in the safety of their new and used Toyota models. However they know that much of the safety of the driver and passengers is dependent on the habits and knowledge of the driver.

“Toyota is dedicated to supporting both teens and parents in developing safe, responsible driving habits and protecting them on the road,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs.  “In particular, by simulating real-world hazards such as distracted driving, teens and parents will learn how to best handle these situations – invaluable experience that goes beyond basic driver education training.”

Finding a lender will to work with you may be a bit difficult. However, those who are eager to lend to sub-prime borrowers may be out to simply make money. All lenders make money off of their loans. However there is a distinct market that is out to take advantage of such borrowers. In order to obtain the best possible rate on your auto loan in is imperative that you take control of the process. Simply knowing your credit score before applying will put you in a different playing field than others.

Take the time to check your personal credit report and determine if everything on it is accurate. Do your best to improve your credit score as much as possible prior to applying for an auto loan. It used to be that credit scores could only be viewed by lenders. Now there is no excuse for anyone to be unaware of their credit score.

Once you have applied for and accepted a loan, continue to make improvements to your credit score. Not only will this help you in other loan experiences, it will allow you to refinance your current auto loan for a more affordable loan at a lower interest rate.