WHAT WOMEN WANT

Finding a Repair Facility

By: Cathy Droz

Have you ever thought about what you should look for when choosing a repair facility to work on your car? 

Weather you are a man or a woman and own a vehicle; you will at some time need a repair facility.  Weather it's for a major repair or just to pick up the phone and ask that professional a question, you want to deal with someone you trust.

The First thing I suggest you do is find a repair center before you need one.  Someday you might be in an emergency situation and not know where to go and find yourself in a desperate predicament.

Figure out where you want the facility to be convenient to… your work, school or your home?  The reason for that is, if you need a lift to any of these places, after dropping off your car, you will want to know if they provide that transportation.  Not all facilities can provide that…make that one of your questions.

Take the time to ask around for recommendations from friends, family and co workers.
Find out who has a technician that they know and trust, then go talk with those that were recommended to you. It makes sense to interview the people who own or manage the facility.  You wouldn't bring your dog or your child to a doctor without checking them out and interviewing them, would you?  After all, these people will be working on your pricey car and helping to keep you and your passengers safe.

Look around the facility, is it clean, are the people courteous, are there all kinds of awards displayed? Ask for a look at the service bays and find out how involved the business is in the community.

Check their credentials and certainly check consumer protection agencies in your area.  Ask about warranties they offer on their parts and labor and if they honor any warranty that already exists on your vehicle.  Ask what their hourly rates are and are there any discounts given to your place of business, school or other affiliations.

For me, I can tell a lot by the bathroom.  Don't hesitate to check out the cleanliness and the amenities that might cater to females especially, the bathroom tells all.

Remember to do your research; you will be glad you did.  Being prepared will help avoid any stress when you do need work done.  You may also want to see if they have been both pet and female approved.  Its details like those that can help make your decision.

After so many years in the car business, I've learned how to spot an exceptional facility and one that just spends a lot on advertising. 

Limit your interviews to three and don't be afraid to ask questions.  I consider the owners of my favorite repair facility friends and there's always a fresh pot of coffee brewing when I arrive. Find out what you want from  repair facility.

 

Journalism Teacher Takes Siernna to the Test

SINGING TO SHOW LOW IN A SIENNA

2011 Toyota Sienna SE 3.5L

By Melanie Droz

Taking the 2011 Toyota Sienna to Show Low for the weekend proved to be a great idea. Bringing along 7 students for a Student Council convention was even better.

With the ability to fit 8 passengers and 1 driver, the Sienna was roomy enough for all of us to fit in one vehicle. It was also practical enough in terms of cost by providing 18 city mpg and 24 highway mpg. Taking just one car only cost each passenger $8. for gas. However, the 7 excited teenagers cost me a headache that lasted most of the trip between their singing, laughing, cell phones and texting alert signals.   They never stopped talking.
               
Speaking of cost, the 2011 Toyota Sienna starts with a MSRP of $30,550.  However, we drove the SE 3.5 L model that lists for $33,518. The price tag seemed well worth it considering the safety of the van and the precious cargo.  The Star Safety System comes standard with the Sienna and includes enhanced VSC with TRAC, ABS with EBD and brake assist.

Although I wanted to stop several times and have some of them walk to the hotel at some point during the trip, the child-protector sliding door locks in the Sienna prevented me from doing that while driving. However, the dual power sliding side doors made it much easier to pile the kids in and out of the minivan every time I had to drop them or pick them up at the convention.    The student council students are great kids but even the best of teens x 7 is a lot.

The power rear door was also a convenience when I went antique shopping while the kids were at the convention. I was able to easily open and close the rear door to put some great buys in the cargo area. Because I bought so much, we were forced to use the roof rail in order to keep all of their bags on the way back. We were lucky to have it.  We must have looked like the Brady Bunch bus on the way back to Phoenix.

The comfort of the 2011 Toyota Sienna SE was the most appealing feature of the minivan for me.  Although the kids laughed at the first sight of traveling in a minivan, they fell in love with the 4-way passenger captain chair, the 2nd row removable captain chairs with stowable center pass seat, the tri-zone air conditioning, the rear window sunshades and the XM radio. I was also a fan of the 8-way power driver captain chair, multi-info display, backup camera, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls and the push button controls.  

Despite the stress I felt from traveling with so many loud teenagers, all of the amenities of the Sienna made the trip worth it.   Toyota has made this minivan practical and economical.  I don't know what the stigma is with minivans, I want one at some point in my driving career and the Sienna has it all.

For more go to www.toyota.com