Elevate Your Drive in the 2016 Toyota Corolla
This is one popular compact car.
The 2016 Toyota Corolla is here to impress for another year, with minor changes that make a big impact on your driving experience.
Whether you’ve been behind the wheel of a Corolla before, or are new to this model, it’s definitely one that has made waves among compact cars.
You have a personal style. The Corolla helps kick it up with its eye-catching design, premium interior features and the latest technology to keep you in the know.
And if just looking at the Corolla gives you an adrenaline rush, then wait until you get behind the wheel. The sport-inspired, wind-tunnel-tested, aerodynamic design isn’t just for show; it allows for better handling and fuel economy.
Standard LED headlights set the stage for a stylish look, regardless of the time of day. These lights not only enhance the profile of the Corolla, but they help you to see and be seen. These lights complement the piano-black grille highlighted by chrome trim. Even when it’s not in motion, the 2016 Corolla demands your attention.
17-in. alloy wheels are available in the 2016 Corolla that add to its unique profile. With these, every stoplight is a chance to make an impression, as every spoke on the wheels is crafted to enhance style and performance.
With that said, we can’t forget about one of the most important details: the interior.
A fluid dashboard with smooth lines and aerodynamic style continue inside the Corolla and there is a fine attention to detail inside the cabin with piano-black accents that help showcase a stylish interior that has been elevated to a whole new level. Your rear passengers get some extra love too: the Corolla was designed with extra space in the back so they can sit comfortably and accompany you on your long trips.
The updated technology allows you to stay in touch, wherever you go. Standard Bluetooth means more music, easy phone calls without wires. You can receive calls without ever needing to fiddle around with your phone. Eyes on the road! Throw in a backup camera to keep you from bumping into the garbage cans and also allow you to fit in that tight spot in that overcrowded parking lot.
Here are some important features you won’t want to miss:
- MSRP: From $17,230
- MPG: Up to 30 city, 42 highway
- Horsepower: 132 to 140 HP
- Engine: 1.8L 4-cylinder
- Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gal
- Earned an 8.6/10 on Kelley Blue Book
Think the 2016 Toyota Corolla is destined to be your next ride? Check out our inventory today, and feel free to swing by or give us a call. We’d be more than happy to fit you with your perfect match.
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New Year’s Resolutions for Your Vehicle
With all of the typical New Year’s resolutions you make, have you ever thought about making some for your car?
You always want your car to be problem free. Although that isn’t possible, there are steps you can take to keep it running its best. Plus, you’ll save yourself some money from serious issues later.
Here are some resolutions for you to keep with your car for 2016:
Schedule two check-ups per year
Hey, it’s just like going to the doctor – your car needs a ‘health’ check too.
You might think you know your vehicle, but a certified technician can help to spot anything invisible to your eye. They can take care of any issues before a problem gets worse.
By scheduling a couple appointments for the year, you’ll stay ahead of the game when it comes to car maintenance, and can save a lot of money for yourself down the road.
Keep your car clean
We all know too well how easy it can be to let a car mess get out of had. Have you made a habit of tossing belongings in the backseat and leaving them there?
Well, now is the time to quit. You don’t have to clean up the mess all at once either. Make it a goal to take one of your belongings or a piece of trash with you each time you leave your car. This way, you’ll have the mess cleaned up in no time.
All that’s left is to give your car a good, thorough cleaning. If that’s a huge chore, you can always schedule an interior detail with our service.
Check your tires and wheels
Whether you’re commuting to and from work, visiting family, taking a vacation or heading elsewhere, your vehicle will be like a second home this year.
And all of that driving puts a lot of pressure on your tires and wheels.
Make sure your tires always have enough pressure and the tread is good to go (follow the penny trick). A tire rotation can ensure that the tread wears evenly, and balanced wheels will prevent added stress to the suspension components.
A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Avoiding issues in your tires will only cost you more money down the road, so take the time to have them checked and repaired or replaced as needed.
Maintain your car’s fluids
If you want your car to run smoothly for years to come, then it’s important that you check your vehicle’s fluids often. Schedule one day each month to ensure all of your vehicle’s fluids are topped off. This means brake fluid, clutch fluid, coolant and oil.
Also, remember to change those fluids when your service manual requires it.
Keeping your car well-maintained in 2016 can get you in the habit for years to come. Take these simple steps to make your Toyota last and keep it performing at its best.
Happy New Year from all of us at Continental Toyota!
Not all children have the privilege of receiving gifts around the holidays each year. For the past four years, Continental Toyota has decided to do a little something about it.
Each year, children from the Illinois Masonic Children’s Home in LaGrange receive gifts from Santa Claus, which are generously provided by Continental Toyota employees who received the children’s Christmas lists a few weeks prior.
Like the previous year, all of the festivities were held inside the Continental Toyota/Scion dealership. This allowed the employees to watch the children receive their gifts and spread some holiday cheer through participation in games and fun.
Cookies and other desserts were provided for the children while they awaited the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa called up individual children to give them a special gift from their wish list and they were free to enjoy.
Business Development Manager Jackie Dybas helped coordinate the event and planned games for the children. She said that participating in this event is not an option and that in fact, she looks forward to it each year.
“The excitement on the children’s faces is something that just warms your heart and reminds you what Christmas is all about!” Dybas said. “I am already looking forward to next year, and I’ve even started brainstorming some new ideas.
Dealer Principal Cheryl Nelson wanted to ensure that both children and employees have the opportunity to get into the spirit.
“Hosting the event helps the dreams of these children to come true,” Nelson said. “The employees participate and experience the joy of giving. The combination sets the spirit of the season and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
This is one tradition that Continental Toyota that we hope to continue for years to come. We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays and that the new year brings nothing but happiness and many miles of smiles!
8 Chicagoland Holiday Events to Attend
As they say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. Whether you believe that or not, you definitely won’t want to pass up the fun holiday happenings in the Chicagoland area.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a short list of some things to do, so you can have a little fun this month before the winter months ahead leave you trapped at home.
Check it out:
Skating Ribbon
Maggie Daley Park from late Nov. – Mar.
Hours: See on website
Head over to the heart of downtown Chicago and get your skate on! A ribbon of ice winds through a rolling landscape that provides you with a skating experience unlike any other. Rent some skates, catch the scenery and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate afterwards.
Naper Lights
Naper Settlement in Downtown Naperville from Nov. 27 – Dec. 31
Hours: 5 PM -9 PM
Free
If you live near the suburbs, you might want to enjoy the Christmas lights extravaganza with a combination of holiday displays for you and your family or friends to enjoy. If you’re looking to take a nice walk and enjoy the sights, then this is a great event for you.
Winter Wonderfest
Festival Hall at Navy Pier from Dec. 14 – Jan. 10
Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
Free
Enjoy dozens of rides, slides, ice skating, photo opportunities and more all at Navy Pier this Holiday Season. Plus, it’s all indoors so you won’t have to worry about throwing on some extra layers. Expect crowds.
Morton Arboretum Christmas Lights
Morton Arboretum from Dec. 15 – Jan. 2
Hours: 5 PM – 9:30 PM
This event has been declared a “must-see destination” by the Chicago Tribune. Take a walk and tour the annual display of lights, sights and sounds that will transform a walk in the woods into a colorful and delightful experience. The Morton Arboretum will glow with dazzling LED lights that respond to your touch and voice. Pretty cool, right?
Blue Man Group
Briar Street Theatre from Dec. 15 – Jan. 10
Blue Man Group returns with a new stage show that combines music, technology and comedy to create a form of entertainment that appeals to all ages. Purchase your tickets and bring the family for a good time.
Wonderland Express
Chicago Botanic Garden from Dec. 18 – Jan. 3
Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
The Wonderland Express is one of Chicago area’s top holiday “must-sees”. It features a train running through an indoor garden past miniature buildings at Chicago Botanic Garden. A great photo opportunity with this fun holiday exhibition!
Chicago Scene’s New Years Eve Party
The Drake Hotel on Dec. 31
Hours: 9 PM – 2 AM
This 16th annual New Year’s Eve bash will feature four ballrooms complete with DJs, 45 bartenders and a balloon drop. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate with your friends, then this is it. Make your way to The Drake Hotel for Chicago’s longest running NYE party.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Navy Pier on Dec. 31
Hours: Midnight
Free
Looking for a place to celebrate New Year’s with the family or someone you love? Bundle up and swing by Navy Pier to catch a gorgeous display of fireworks. It’s Chicago’s only lakefront midnight fireworks show, so be sure to check it out.
Continental Motors Gives Back to Community
Around this time of year, many organizations generously give back to those in need, whether it’s with food, gifts or monetary donations.
Continental Motors Group has once again given back to the communities they have served for more than 50 years with a contribution that lasts far beyond a season.
For the fifth consecutive year, Continental Motors Group has teamed up with Naperville Cares and LaGrange Pillars for their annual “Driven to Care” Event on Wednesday Dec. 2 at Continental Toyota Hodgkins.
Many families in Chicagoland are just one missed paycheck away from a major financial crisis. This ‘bump’ in the road can be made worse without an independent and reliable means of transportation. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, eight area families in need were back on the road again. These families have completed the application process through Naperville Cares’ Car Program and have received refurbished used vehicles donated by Continental Motors Group.
There were a total of seven organizations that participated in the car giveaway. Naperville Cares coordinated with the organizations: Outreach Community Services, YMCA of Metra Chicago, Crisis Center of South Suburbia, Catholic Charities, DuPage County Community Services and Open Door.
“We’re working with two great charities, Naperville Cares and Pillars in La Grange,” Joel Weinberger, Dealer Principal of Continental Motors Group said, “And it’s incredibly gratifying for us to help those who don’t just WANT a care, but are in genuine NEED of a car. Over the past four years, we’ve seen our donated vehicles make a huge positive impact in the lives of the recipients.”
“Compassion and empathy are part of our core values. It’s how we were raised. And to be in the fortunate position of being able to give back to the community in a special way that relates to our business – we couldn’t be more excited!” Weinberger said. “Cars are just metal, rubber and plastic, and the Driven to Care Program gives them a heart.
Check out our video recap to get a better glimpse of our event.
Make an Endless Weekend with the 2016 Tacoma
It’s out there.
Hop into this pickup and start the engine with just a push of a button. Are you ready to hit the ground running?
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is here with a bold new look for the year ahead. With sharp character lines and muscular fenders to help show off its strength, the Tacoma’s attitude is amplified and ready to roll.
Step into the interior to see soft-touch materials to boost your comfort with leather-trimmed seating surfaces for ultimate sophistication. An available 4.2 in. color Multi-Information Display helps keep you updated on the information you need and improvements to reduce the outside noise makes the Tacoma’s comfy cabin quieter than ever. Slide open the available moonroof to enhance your driving experience and give you anything from a cool breeze to an epic view of the sky.
New high-strength steel is used in the construction of every 2016 Tacoma to ensure it delivers the toughness you expect. The Tacoma’s available 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection is all new and gives you everything you want. It has more power with 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft of torque at 4600 rpm, so you have all you need to tow haul and run the dunes.
Like to control your own gears? The 6-speed manual has been upgraded for an improved shift feel to add more fun to your drive.
When you’re towing a heavy load, the wind can sometimes kick up a notch, making your trailer sway on the road. The Trailer Sway Control (TSC) applies brake pressure at individual wheels and manages engine torque to help maintain better control of the trailer.
For when you take it off road, Crawl Control is an advanced system in the Tacoma that automatically modulates the throttle and brakes on five low-speed settings so you can keep your focus on navigating across difficult terrain.
And after all of that, we’ve barely scratched the surface of all that this beast has to offer.
If you’re in the market for something powerful to take you anywhere, check our current Tacoma inventory or contact us today.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping Tips
Looking to knockout some holiday shopping?
Whether you participate in Black Friday shopping or avoid it like the plague, we have some tips to help you ensure that it’s a success.
In addition, we’ll throw in some cyber Monday advice for those of you who prefer to do all of your holiday shopping from the comfort of your couch.
Sound good?
Plan ahead
Make a plan of the stores you want to hit and what you hope to get there. You wouldn’t want to make this day any longer by making unnecessary trips and battling big crowds for nothing. Your time is valuable.
Stay aware of hidden costs
Looking for a specific product? Research it beforehand to know what the typical cost is, so that you know you’re getting a deal when it goes on sale. Sometimes, retailers mark the original price above what it normally is, so it seems like you’re getting a good deal.
Check return and refund policies
If you are unsure about refund and return policies at a store, check beforehand. Some deals are non-refundable. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with what turned out to be a cheap or broken product that you woke up at the crack of dawn for.
Be careful of suspicious websites
Double check the domain name of any websites you visit to ensure it’s not a scam. These websites can pop up and appear as a popular shopping site with amazing deals. A fraudulent website will have a name that typically differs by a slight change of a number or letter.
Keep your eyes peeled.
Don’t be quick to give information
Spot a deal that seems way too good to be true? It probably is. Read the fine print before you give away personal information and keep an eye out for anything that seems suspicious. Scammers can easily steal your information and resell it.
And if you want to skip the chaos and rush of Black Friday altogether, feel free to stop by Continental Toyota for our Holiday Crush Sales Event. Enjoy a warm beverage while you search for the perfect Toyota and receive big savings.
But most importantly, please enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. We are thankful for you, our customer, and want you to keep Thursday as a day of thanks spent with the ones you love.
Happy Holidays!
D.I.Y. Detailing: Your Car’s Interior
Think about it:
You spend a lot of time in your car.
From long commutes to work to picking up the kids from practice to running errands, your car becomes something like a second home.
And you’ve probably grown tired of looking at all the dirt and grime that has built up in your car over time.
If you’ve decided to take action, roll up your sleeves and do some cleaning on your own, then we have some great solutions to get the interior of your car looking (and smelling) like new again.
Belongings
Have a bad habit of tossing garbage and other belongings in the back of your car?
Your first order of business is to remove all items that don’t belong in your car so you can have a clean start. Bring a trash bag if needed for those water bottles, coffee cups and anything else you’ve left sitting from your travels.
The more space you have to clean the better. Besides, isn’t it about time you’ve taken these unnecessary items out?
Carpet
Does your carpet look like it has seen better days?
To remove any dirt, sand and leaves, take your carpet mats outside and give them a good whack against each other.
If you want it to look nice again, you’ll need to vacuum to collect all of the loose dirt and crumbs. Then, you can treat the carpet with a stain lifter product and ensure that it soaks. Use a plastic bristle brush to scrub away those tough stains, and repeat application if needed. Take a clean cloth and wipe away any residue.
For best results, take the vacuum and go over the carpet again, to give it that clean look and remove any access dirt. You can even spray a touch of fabric freshener for an added clean scent.
Windows
Glass cleaner will do just the trick to make your windows shine and increase your visibility. (And don’t forget the old technique of using newspaper to avoid the streaks).
Did you know that glass cleaner works on interior plastic as well? It can help to remove access dirt and grime.
You can use it on all plastic surfaces. For example, you can spray the cup holders with glass cleaner, let it sit and later remove the stains and residue with a cloth.
Leather
Dirt can easily collect in the leather grains of your car. Use a soft bristle toothbrush in a slow and circular direction to remove the dirt that’s deep in the crevices.
For your steering wheel, use a cloth for the more noticeable dirt and try and use a cotton swab to remove those small spots, like in the steering wheel decal, that are tough to get to.
Once your car’s interior is squeaky clean and smelling fresh, you might feel like you’re driving your car off the lot for the first time. Even more so if you decide to tackle the exterior as well …
Sound like too much hassle? Or don’t have the time?
We offer vehicle detailing in our service department to keep your car looking its best. Feel free to take advantage and schedule an appointment today.
The new year is quickly approaching, and Toyota is ready for action with a brand-new addition to its line of hybrids.
In fact, it will be the eighth.
For 2016, Toyota will launch the first RAV4 Hybrid as part of a refreshed RAV4 line. 
Roughly two decades ago, the RAV4 was the pioneering model of the crossover landscape for Toyota. The new vehicle combined SUV versatility with car-like handling, ride comfort and fuel economy. (Not long after the RAV4 came the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle, the Prius.)
With a targeted audience of active young couples, the 2016 RAV4 Hybrid is sure to please if you place high fuel economy at the top of your list. If you also prefer style, utility, versatility and capability for your ride, then the new RAV4 Hybrid could be the perfect match for you.
With that said, the fuel economy rates are expected to be high. Toyota anticipates EPA ratings of 34 mpg city / 31 mpg highway / 33 mpg combined for both 2016 RAV4 Hybrid models. There will be two premium upgrades available: XLE and Limited. The RAV4 gas version comes in four upgrades: LE, XLE, Limited and the new SE.
Here are some other great features to take note of:
- 5 liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine
- 194 system horsepower
- Zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds
- 206 lb.-ft. of total system torque
As the driver of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, you can play an active role in conserving fuel. All you have to do is select one of the several operating modes. For example, choosing ECO mode (on Hybrid and Gas models) optimizes throttle response and air conditioning output to help prioritize fuel economy.
In addition, a Hybrid System Indicator and fuel consumption indicator, located in a 4.2-inch TFT screen can help to coach you so that you can operate the vehicle as economically as possible.
Stay tuned for more updates on this new and exciting hybrid model.
In the meantime, feel free to check out our current RAV4 inventory.
Among the friendly and welcoming staff at Continental Toyota and Continental Scion, you can expect to see a fresh face.
Last month, we welcomed our new General Sales Manager Gary Nudelman, to the Continental family.
Bringing almost two decades of automotive experience to the team, Nudelman is ready to take this position with pride and continue to achieve the level of customer commitment that is already part of the Continental Toyota/Scion culture.
In terms of goals, he wants to increase sales on both the new and used car side while maintaining the highest level of CSI. Furthermore, he said he’d like to develop the variable side of the business to achieve top five representation in our Toyota region.
However, all in all, Nudelman said that what he loves most about his job are the people.
“Both my teammates and customers; You can learn something new from everyone,” Nudelman said.
With that said, customers can look to Nudelman because of his willingness to help.
“I am customer-centric and truly believe the best way to build your business is to retain your current customers while making new ones,” he said.
In his free time, Nudelman competes on a national level in TaeKwon Do and holds several black belts in associated disciplines. He also teaches martial arts to underprivileged children. He currently lives with his family in Bartlett.
‘“My personal motto is “never stop fighting,”’ he said. “If you want something, go get it and never quit.”
While we had fun getting to know him a little better, we want our customers to get to know him as well. Feel free to drop by and say hello whenever you get a chance.
Let’s make him feel welcome.
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