Archive for the ‘Random Musings’ Category

When you want to go somewhere new but don’t have more than a day, or don’t have a lot of money to spend on a vacation, you’re in luck. Portland is within two hours of more gorgeous scenery than we can name. Here are five of our favorite escapes, in no particular order…

Seaside/Astoria. Like many coast towns, Seaside and Astoria are close enough together that you can visit both in the same day without any trouble. It’s a bit cold this time of year to take a walk on the beach, but you can still take the Goonies tour (the movie was filmed in Astoria), warm yourself with clam chowder, and get a giant bag of taffy. Intrepid surfers don full-body suits and surf there year-round; take lessons, if you’re braver than we are.

Mount Bachelor. Downhill or cross-country ski, toboggan, snowshoe, snowboard, or read a book while drinking warm cider and cocoa by the fire in the lodge while the rest of the family does all that active stuff.

Hood River. A beautiful little town with charming restaurants and shops, Hood River is a great place to visit, especially if you want to stay overnight in one of the gorgeous bed-and-breakfast locations on the outskirts of town.

Eugene. Often referred to as Portland’s younger sister, Eugene may not seem to be much of a “getaway”. However, with its vibrant music and theater scene, hiking within spitting distance of downtown, and a Voodoo Doughnuts location that doesn’t have an hour-long line at all times of day, it’s worth checking out.

Multnomah Falls. Hiking during the cold winter months may not be your idea of a fun time, but Multnomah Falls is spectacular this time of year. Many of the falls freeze over, giving the illusion of time standing still. Bring your warmest gloves and your camera to marvel at the beauty of nature so close to home.

Where would you like to go if you only had a day or two to stay? Have you taken a day trip to any of these locations, and if so, what did you do?

Looking for your own innovative Toyota car, truck or SUV to take on a long or short road trip? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!

 

Gresham Toyota has many great deals under $10,000 everyday. We’d like to feature 5 that make great family vehicles with plenty of room that can withstand the kids and the dogs. 

2004 Scion xB $7,500

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLS $9,500

 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe LS $8,500

 1999 Chevrolet Suburban LT $8995

Looking for another innovative Toyota car? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @ greshamtoyota.com!

Tesla Motors is a manufacturer of electric automobiles and on July 19th, 2006 Tesla introduced the first ever Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) that did 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds and could travel over for 300 miles before having to recharge. Back in May of this year, Toyota announced they would be investing $50 million to develop two Toyota cars with the latest Tesla technology by 2012.

“Toyota and Tesla engineering teams have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time and it is exciting to start seeing some initial results,” Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel said in a statement.

With Toyota and Tesla teaming up, new innovations are sure to emerge.  Tesla holds over 1,400 patents for their cars and will be bringing decades of industry experience and research to the Toyota brand. We are excited to see what comes from this partnership and it’s sure to include advancements in cars that change the way we drive and live.

While we’re waiting for these cars, why not check out Gresham Toyota’s great selection of hybrids. Head on over to Gresham Toyota’s Facebook Page and like us to keep up to date on the latest industry news.

You can also browse our Internet specials for other great offers on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 on greshamtoyota.com.

Most of us have seen commercials and heard stories about Toyota’s longevity, but a photo is worth a thousand words. The car may not be much of a looker, especially when compared to the Prius next to it, but it is still running strong.

When the car pulled into the Gresham Toyota lot, it may have turned a few heads. But after hearing about how it is still in good shape, it shows why Toyota should be your next car of choice.

Sure, this car may have a little rust and even a few dents, but it wears them like a badge of honor. Reliability and longevity are two car traits that Toyota’s share, young or old. Can you guess the year, make and model of this classic Toyota??

Some might say “they just don’t make them like they used to,” but at Gresham Toyota, we have many cars that you can rely on for decades to come. Check out this 2010 Toyota Prius or this 2010 Toyota RAV4 Sport. You can also browse our internet specials for other great offers on new and pre-owned vehicles 24/7 on greshamtoyota.com.

Here are Gresham Toyota we are more than just a car dealership, we are a close-knit team. We thought it would be fun to introduce you to our great staff which support our business and our customers. Our first interview is with Tamie Wilcox. Enjoy!

What is your job at Gresham Toyota?

I am the receptionist and was first hired here in 1997.

What do you LOVE about your job?

The very best thing about my job is being around people. Everyday you meet someone new.  It keeps things fun.

What is he most challenging thing about your job?

Challenging. Hmm, it would be ability to multi-task , not just paperwork, but the ability to multi-task people .

What set’s GT apart from other dealers?

Gresham Toyota is different from other dealers. I think it starts with our owners. They are a great family to work with. I say work with, because they are here everyday working with the rest of us. It takes everyone on a team to make a business work. And WE HAVE THE BEST TEAM!!!!

What is your favorite Toyota model?

I love the Toyota Camry SE WHITE, hahaha… OK, that’s what I drive, but its still my fave!

Which co-workers do you admire?

I honestly admire something about everyone here. I’m not just saying that, it’s the truth.

How do you feel you benefit Gresham Toyota Customers?

The one thing I always try to do is make people smile, even if its just a small one. Letting customers see I’m not just a receptionist but I’m a person, a mom, a wife, and a friend.

If you had a super human power what would it be?

First of all I have a little boy who LOVES super heroes so I’ve had this question before. I would be invisible. Just like Violet on The Incredibles Movie. How fun would that be!

Tell us something that very few people know about you.

Not many people know that I’m a certified Flight Attendant .

Here at Gresham Toyota, we are committed to getting you the vehicle of your dreams. Take a moment to browse our latest internet specials for the best offers on new and pre-owned vehicles, available 24/7 on greshamtoyota.com.