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For 2014, Consumer Reports offered recommendations for what it views as the best used vehicles in. The magazine broke the choices down into four price ranges: under $10,000; $10,000 to $15,000; $15,000 to $20,000; and $20,000 to $25,000. The average price of a used car in February was $10,387, up 1.2% from a year earlier, according to the latest Manheim Index. According to the report, the average price of a used compact car purchased in February was $8,299, while the average price of a used SUV was $12,478. “When shopping for a used car, it’s really important to find a car that drives well and will hold up down the road. Our guide makes it easy for shoppers to choose a great used car by highlighting the best small cars, sedans and SUVs in four different price ranges,” said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports auto editor. Here are the magazine’s recommended buys: Less than $10,000: ■ Small cars: Toyota Prius (2004-07), Scion xB (2004-06), Pontiac Vibe (2005-08), Toyota Matrix (2005-07) ■ Sedans: Hyundai Sonata (2007-08), Acura TSX (2004) ■ SUVs: Toyota Highlander V6 (2004), Mitsubishi Outlander (2007) $10,000-$15,000 ■ Small cars: Honda Fit (2011-13), Kia Soul (2010-11) ■ Sedans: Mazda3 (2009-12), Infiniti G35 (2006-07) ■ SUVs: Acura MDX (2004-06), Toyota RAV4 (2006, 2008), Honda CR-V (2005-08) $15,000-$20,000 ■ Small cars: Hyundai Elantra (2012-13), Subaru Impreza (2011-13) ■ Sedans: Toyota Camry (2011-12), Toyota Camry Hybrid (2010-11), Acura TL (2008) ■ SUVs: Lexus RX (2006-07), Subaru Forester (2009-10, nonturbo) $20,000-$25,000 ■ Sedans: Toyota Avalon (2011), Lexus LS (2006), Lincoln MKZ (2011-12), Ford Fusion Hybrid (2012) ■ SUVs: Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2008-09), Honda Pilot (2009-10) (Story by Brent Snavely Detroit Free Press Business Writer, March, 2014)

The 2014 Sienna has received a 5-Star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the highest grade given by the agency. NHTSA measures vehicle performance in frontal, side and rollover crashes as part of its New Car Assessment Program. Click here to learn more: http://1.usa.gov/1ptwzQG

FORTUNE Magazine’s annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies is a report card on corporate reputation. Among the top 50 companies of any industry, Toyota came in at 25, up four spots from last year. According to the article, in 2013, “Toyota's 9.98 million in car sales bested those of rival General Motors by 270,000 units. The company's investment in gas-electric technology enabled Prius to take off as a leading brand, and helped change the way drivers across the globe think of hybrids” The Hay Group, which conducts the research, asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate the top companies in their industry on nine criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. To view the full list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, please go to: http://cnnmon.ie/1kbP1PP

Consumer Reports again named Prius its top-ranked Green Car for the 11th straight year for overall reliability and performance, the New York Times reports. A lot can go wrong when building cars especially ones packed with luxury features and advanced technology, such as hybrid powertrains and cutting edge infotainment systems. That’s why it’s quite impressive that Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, earned the highest score in our brand report cards for the second straight year.

Scion FR-S fans can take another victory lap. The national consumer publication U.S. News & World Report named the 2014 Scion FR-S its “Best Sports Car for the Money” for the second year in a row. The judges evaluated 225 cars across 21 categories to name the winners.

Conscientious buyers can feel confident about the 2014 Scion iQ. The Automotive Science Group (ASG) analyzed thousands of social, environmental and economic data points and named Scion’s compact four-seater to its 2014 Best All-Around Performance list. “More and more of today’s buyers consider a company’s values and operations important pieces of their purchase decisions,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “The iQ demonstrates Scion’s commitment to diverse, fun options that fit with our drivers’ lifestyles and priorities.”

On Sunday January 26th, 2014, Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota hosted the annual Living Beyond Cancer 2014 Yoga Preview Party. Guests experienced One of a Kind Yoga with Live Kirtan Music, Food & Refreshments. It was a tremendous success with a record 85 people attended! Thank you to Susie at Ardmore Toyota & everyone at Living Beyond Breast Cancer for putting together a wonderful & successful event for such a good cause! Thank you to everyone who participated! To learn more about Living Beyond Breast Cancer, click here: http://www.lbbc.org/ [gallery]

Now that the 2014 Corolla has arrived, fans of the nameplate will be happy to know that, Furia's styling influence aside, the Corolla is the same as it ever was, if with a bit more life and styling that is inoffensively more dynamic."

Toyota unveiled the FT-1, a concept sports car that harkens back to the Supra it made in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The reveal came a year after General Motors drew rave reviews for the seventh generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, which won 2014 North American Car of the Year, and could tap into a renaissance of high-performance sports cars at the U.S. economy finally gains traction. Although the Supra isn’t being revived in name — as was rumored among auto enthusiasts — the Japanese automaker is reviving the Supra in spirit. Calling the grand coupe the Toyota FT-1, the automaker said the vehicle — designed by Americans in Toyota’s Calty Design Research studios — stands for “Future Toyota.” Calty President Kevin Hunter called the FT-1 “the ultimate, world-class sports car,” saying it signaled a pivot in strategy away from “consensus”-driven design. The concept version could portend the arrival of a production model that would inject a dose of fresh energy into Toyota’s staid design image — a stated goal of President Akio Toyoda. The company did not say whether it would build the concept, but it did announce that enthusiasts can drive the car virtually. It will be available as a downloadable vehicle for PlayStation3’s Gran Turismo 6 real driving simulator on Tuesday. The car, the company said, was created digitally to demonstrate what a production FT-1 could achieve. Alex Shen, a chief designer who also was on hand for the announcement, pointed out some of the design features: wind-swept curves, deep intakes, sling-shot cockpit, steering wheel controls -- and a glass window in the hood to show off the car's engineering. The car also has a pointy nose, an allusion, perhaps to a Formula One car.It ■ Full coverage: Visit Freep.com/autoshow for more stories, photo galleries and videos ■ Related: Chevy Corvette, Silverado named North American Car and Truck of the Year “This is a symbol of Toyota’s design future,” Hunter said. “This is the kind of project we dream of working on.” Toyota’s press conference at the North American International Auto Show channeled the same energy embodied in the Supra about 15 years after Toyota stopped producing it. As journalists awaited the press conference, a giant box was hanging from the ceiling. When the event began, the box dropped slowly to the floor — and several people in "Star Wars" storm trooper outfits rushed onto the stage to “open” the box. They immediately encountered a hiccup. The box wouldn’t open right away. A technical assistant rushed to the stage and helped pry the box open. The FT-1 concept emerged from its shell, sporting a dramatic rear spoiler and sweeping drop-off from windshield to hood. “The goal is simple but profound: develop a future generation of products that connect on an emotional level,” Hunter said. Toyota plans to introduce eight completely new or updated models this year and expects to sell 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S., or about 100,000 more than it sold in 2013. [gallery columns="2"] Via Detroit Free Press

According to CarMD's 2013 Vehicle Health Index, the cost for car repairs has increased 10 percent this year. Putting off car repairs is a bad idea because unfixed problems often lead to repairs that are more expensive. If the check engine light comes on in your car, take the car to a qualified mechanic immediately. Here are the top eight most frequent reasons for the check engine light activation. 1. Oxygen sensor failing Oxygen sensors keep engines performing at peak efficiency levels, and they manage emissions. O2 sensors monitor gasses leaving the engine. Engines need exact ratios of fuel and air for the most efficient operation. Malfunctions can drop your fuel economy by up to 40 percent. Engine performance is also negatively affected. 2. Ignition coil problems Ignition coils take electric current from the battery and ignite the spark plugs. Without properly functioning coils and spark plugs, the electric current powering your car's engine are disrupted. All the parts in the car's electrical system take a lot of wear and tear from the electricity passing through them. 3. Spark plugs and spark plug wires Along with the ignition coils, spark plugs and wires are critical components of the vehicle electrical system. Symptoms of problems with plugs and wires include rough engine idling, engine misses or pings, erratic engine power including power losses and power surges. When engines misfire, fuel economy drops. Ignoring spark plug and plug wire problems can permanently damage the car's catalytic converter, leading to very expensive repairs. 4. Mass airflow sensor malfunctions The mass airflow sensor, or MAF, measures the air coming into the engine and calculating how much fuel to add to the mix. This data goes to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Without correct information from the MAF, the ECU cannot correctly balance or deliver the right amount of fuel to your engine. The result is very poor engine performance and 10 to 25 percent decreases in fuel efficiency. Replace this critical component immediately if it begins to fail. 5. Faulty vacuum hose or evaporative emission control system The evaporative emission control system (EVAP) of a car keeps gasoline vapors from the fuel system and gas tank from release into the air. Leaking vacuum hoses and vents, defective valves and faulty gas caps all contribute to EVAP system problems. 6. Exhaust gas recirculation valve and ports are dirty The exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) controls your car's emissions and helps cars run more efficiently. Rough idling, engine hesitation and misfires can indicate an EGR problem. Worsening performance and fuel economy often result from EGR problems. Often the components of the EGR system are dirty or clogged. 7. Catalytic converter failures Catalytic converters are often the most expensive mechanical repairs made to vehicles. As a part of the exhaust system, it converts dangerous chemicals in car exhaust into less harmful compounds to release into the air. Catalytic converters should last for the lifetime of the car. Most problems with catalytic converters come from underlying problems such as those that occur with bad spark plugs or ignition coil problems. 8. Dead battery and charging system problems Most cars have computer systems that monitor voltage in the electrical and battery systems. The computers activate the check engine light when anything appears amiss in the charging system of the car. High temperatures in the engine compartment contribute to rapid aging of batteries.

Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota has a tremendous Technology team and the best news of all is they will help you with all your Toyota Technology questions even if you purchased your Toyota elsewhere. Questions about Entune App Suite, Safety Connect, Navigation, Bluetooth are all fair game for the team of Technology Geniuses at Ardmore Toyota. Click here to learn more about the Technology Genius Team: https://www.ardmoretoyota.com/technology_genius.html [gallery columns="2"]

On Monday December 2 nd, 2013, Radnor High School students were greeted by a smashed car outside the school’s main entrance to reinforce the dangers of distracted driving during the school’s Driver Safety Week, Monday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 6. The damaged vehicle, which was involved in an actual “using a cell phone while driving accident,” was loaned to the Radnor Police Department by Ardmore Toyota and will be displayed throughout Radnor Township over the next three weeks to promote safe driving.   Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota (along with Ardmore Auto Body, Paul Bros, Auto Body & Central City Toyota) participated in a Press Conference outside of Radnor High School. The Press Conference was attended by members of the Radnor School District (Dean of Students Brett Thomas), Radnor Township (Elaine Schaefer, President of Radnor Township Board of Commissioners), and Radnor Police Department (Lt. Chris Flanagan). Ardmore Toyota was represented by Ryan Pesin. Here is the story from the December 3 rd Edition of the Delco Times: http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20131203/radnor-high-students-get-stark-reminder-of-dangers-of-texting-driving [gallery columns="2"]