With that many options, there’s no wonder that Toyota rules the road. The RAV4 is already a superior vehicle. The Sport trim beats anything in its class on a number of points and when you add a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 4-wheel drive option, you’ll be driving on cloud 9.

All four options have the ULEV-II emission rating, but for fuel efficiency they break down this way:

• 2WD 2.5L 4-cylinder = 22 city, 28 highway
• 2WD 3.5L V6 = 19 city, 27 highway
• 4WD 2.5L 4-cylinder = 21 city, 27 highway
• 4WD 3.5L V6 = 19 city, 26 highway

You lose nothing in dimensions going from the 2WD drivetrain to the 4WD or with an increase in engine size. All the vehicles are roomy, even with the optional moonroof taking up some of the head space. They all seat 5 passengers comfortably.

Mechanically, the RAV4 components are as sound as anything on the road. You get an electronic ignition with the patented Toyota Direct Ignition system. The 4-cylinder vehicles come with a 4-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECT). The larger engine features a 5-speed ECT.

Both 2WD vehicles are front wheel drive so you do get some additional control and traction. The 4WD versions utilize electronic on-demand 4WD.

All 2010 Toyota RAV4 Sport vehicles feature as a standard electronic power steering, assisted rack and pinion steering with electronic power assist and Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control.

On the 3.5-liter engine you get Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). That feature is an option on the smaller engine. The HAC is designed to minimize backward rolling on steep inclines while the DAC helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle and speed on downward slopes. Those are two very useful features not very often seen on older cars.

Toyota offers some pretty snazzy options for all the vehicles and a sport appearance package allows you to soup up your 2010 Toyota RAV4 Sport with a rear door, stainless steel exhaust tip and other great interior and exterior features. You’ll feel like you’re driving a sports car and you’ll look good in it.

Both vehicles also feature ultra low emissions technology and a front wheel drive drivetrain.

For drivers concerned about maneuverability, you’ll get the independent MacPherson strut on the front suspension and independent double-wishbone on the rear. Both suspensions also come with a stabilizer bar and for added measure you get a sport strut tower brace. On the steering column you get power-assist rack and pinion with electronic power assist, what Toyota calls Electric Power Steering.

Both the manual transmission drivetrain and the automatic earn 21 miles to the gallon in city driving, but the manual transmission, at 28 mpg on the highway, produces one less than the automatic. Still, either is respectable fuel economy.

Curb weight is another noted difference. The manual XRS meets 3,140 pounds at the curb while the automatic trim achieves 3,220.

Both trims seat 5 passengers with plenty of head and leg room.

The body style is aerodynamic and features a hatch-mounted roof end spoiler. The wheels are 18-inch alloy. An optional moonroof with sunshade is also available.

If you’re looking for an affordable vehicle, the 2010 Toyota Matrix XRS is a great way to go. Starting MSRP is less than $20,000, which is almost unheard of these days. In fact, it’s about $3,300 less.

This is a practical vehicle that will prove to be comfortable for any average-sized family.

The electric motor carries 80 horsepower and torque of 153. Combined engine horsepower equals 134. That’s not bad.

The Prius also has tilt steering on a rack and pinion with a telescopic steering column. The drivetrain is variable speed automatic with overdrive.

For fuel economy, Toyota Prius IV gets 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway. That’s about as best of class as you can get and the combined number is 50.

Vehicle security is also top of the line with keyless entry, a card key and a panic alarm. And for safety all the rear doors come with child safety locks and the LATCH system. Other safety features include:

• Seat mounted front side airbags
• Passenger airbag with dual stage deployment
• Side guard door beams
• Front active head restraints
• Driver knee airbag
• Drive airbag with dual stage deployment
• Front and rear crumple zones
• 3-point seatbelts all around
• Side head curtain airbags in the front and rear
• And a lot more too

For the entertainment conscious driver, there are some impressive audio technologies as well. Standard features include premium audio AM/FM radio with 8 speakers, a 6-disc CD changer, MP3/WMA player and XM Satellite Radio. The Prius is also equipped with an auxiliary input jack and wireless communication access for Bluetooth enabled devices.

If you’re looking for a good affordable vehicle that is safe on the road, fun to drive and green then the 2010 Toyota Prius IV is an excellent ride.

• 4X2 Tundra 4.0L V6
• 4X2 4.6L V8
• 4X2 5.7L V8
• 4X2 Tundra Long Bed 4.6L V8
• 4X2 Long Bed 5.7L V8
• 4X2 Limited 4.6L V8
• 4X2 Limited 5.7L V8
• 4X4 Tundra 5.7L V8 FFV
• 4×4 Long Bed 5.7L V8 FFV
• 4×4 4.6l V8
• 4×4 5.7l V8
• 4X4 Long Bed 4.6L V8
• 4X4 Long Bed 5.7L V8
• 4X4 Limited 4.6L V8
• 4X4 Limited 5.7L V8
• 4X4 Limited 5.7L V8 FFV

Now, that’s a lot to offer.

The Toyota Tundra is a tough little vehicle. Built for off-road driving, it’s hard to beat on toughness, handling and price. The 2010 Tundra Double Cab 4X4 Limited 5.7L V8 FFV is the top of the line trim on this model and is the perfect illustration of the type of vehicle true pick up lovers will vow to marry.

To begin with, the 5.7L engine puts out 381 horsepower at 5600 RPM and comes packed with dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). Its torque is a whopping 401 pound per square feet. The drivetrain is a 6-speed electronically controlled transmission with intelligence with sequential shift mode and uphill/downhill shift logic. It also comes equipped with 4WDemand system with electronically controlled 2-speed transfer case.

Its front suspension is an independent coil-spring high-mounted double-wishbone with stabilizer bar and low-pressure nitrogen gas shocks. In the rear, a live axle with trapezoidal multi-leaf suspension and staggered outboard mounted low-pressure nitrogen gas shocks. All this on a rack and pinion hydraulic power steering mount.

It comes equipped with the standard cold weather package and tow package. Optionally, you can order the memory package and the TRD Off-Road Package.

If you’re wondering about fuel efficiency, the 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4 Limited 5.7L V8 FFV only gets 13 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway. But, again, it’s built for off-road driving. If you want a little better gas mileage then you’ll need to drop down to the 4.6L engine trims.

The 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab starts at MSRP $23,455 and that’s a beautiful price considering the sporty toughness of this little monster.

The Brownback Amendment is necessary because the broad authority granted to the BCFP seriously threatens to limit dealer-assisted financing and the convenience and competition this financing offers consumers at all economic levels. Since 94 percent of all vehicle sales in 2008 involved financing, it is essential to preserve dealer-assisted financing and affordable credit for consumers.

Background
The House financial reform legislation (H.R. 4173) which passed in December 2009 included a bipartisan amendment that would not subject motor vehicle dealers (except for “buy here, pay here” financing) to regulation by the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (similar to the Senate-proposed BCFP), but would maintain consumer protection regulations administered by the Federal Reserve, the FTC, and state agencies. This amendment was offered in the Financial Services Committee by Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) and passed on a 47-21 vote. An amendment to nullify the Campbell amendment on the House floor was withdrawn.

Key Points

The Amendment Has Bipartisan Support

• Democratic Senators have indicated they would support the Brownback amendment if changes are incorporated ensuring that any financial activity unrelated to automotive retailing by dealers would be regulated by the CFPB. Senator Brownback has agreed to this change and has offered it as a compromise.

The Amendment is Pro-Consumer Because It Keeps Auto Credit Affordable

• Dealer-assisted financing provides more convenience, more competition, and more choices for consumers. Because dealerships have multiple relationships with lenders (community banks, local credit unions, national banks, and captive finance companies), they are able to help find consumers the best rate.
• Consumers can always rely on their own banking relationships, but dealers can regularly meet or beat the bank or credit union rate.

The Amendment Strengthens Consumer Protections

• Under the Brownback Amendment, every auto lender and auto loan would be directly regulated by the CFPB.  The banks, credit unions, buy-here-pay-here dealers and finance companies that fund auto loans would be fully regulated by the CFPB. Dealers are not banks. They help arrange financing and help consumers find affordable credit. This competition helps keep auto financing affordable.
• The Brownback Amendment expressly protects all existing Federal consumer protection statutes that govern dealer-assisted financing. Dealers’ retail financing activity would continue to be effectively regulated by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Trade Commission and 50 state consumer protection agencies. Dealers would continue to be subject to the full range of federal laws and regulations that currently apply (e.g., Truth In Lending Act, Federal Consumer Leasing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, etc.).

It appears that (Obama’s) Treasury Department, who opposes this amendment, believes dealers now have the votes to enact the measure.  Late yesterday, it was agreed that the amendment would be pulled until later in the debate on the CFPA legislation, maybe as late as next week.  The current vote count doesn’t definitively prove that dealers have the votes; however, this delay is considered an early win…not a win that can be relied on completely because support for the Brownback amendment is still is very tight.

With the White House’s strong opposition, Senators still need to hear from dealers about the importance of dealer-assisted financing and how the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection would threaten the convenience and competition in auto lending that currently exists today.

Since Senator McCaskill will be home over the weekend, most likely, please make an effort to contact her, preferably at every office, using the office information below. When contacting her office, stress the following points:

The Amendment Has Bipartisan Support

• Democratic Senators have indicated they would support the Brownback Amendment if changes are incorporated ensuring that any financial activity unrelated to automotive retailing by dealers would be regulated by the CFPB. Senator Brownback has made these changes.
• The companion House amendment (the “Campbell Amendment”) passed the House Financial Services Committee on a bipartisan vote of 47-21, and was included in the House-passed Wall Street reform bill.

The Amendment is Pro-Consumer Because It Keeps Auto Credit Affordable

• Dealer-assisted financing provides more convenience, more competition, and more choices for consumers. Because dealerships have multiple relationships with lenders (community banks, local credit unions, national banks, and captive finance companies), they are able to help find consumers the best rate.
• Consumers can always rely on their own banking relationships, but dealers can regularly meet or beat the bank or credit union rate.

The Amendment Strengthens Consumer Protections

• Under the Brownback Amendment, every auto lender and auto loan would be directly regulated by the CFPB. The banks, credit unions, buy-here-pay-here dealers, and finance companies that fund auto loans would be fully regulated by the CFPB. Dealers are not banks. They help arrange financing and help consumers find affordable credit. This competition helps keep auto financing affordable.
• The Brownback Amendment expressly protects all existing federal consumer protection statutes that govern dealer-assisted financing. Dealers’ retail financing activity would continue to be effectively regulated by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Trade Commission and 50 state consumer protection agencies. Dealers would continue to be subject to the full range of federal laws and regulations that currently apply.

1. 4WD 4dr V6 Limited
2. 4WD 4dr V6 SR5

Both trims come with a Gas V6 4.0L/241 engine. But the Limited trim is stocked in two different colors, black and classic silver metallic. The interior of both is black.

Here are the most prominent features of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 4dr V6 Limited:

• 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive
• 4WD drivetrain
• 17 mpg in the city/22 mpg highway

Similar to the Toyota Highlander it is a little bit more expensive carrying a $41,228 price tag, but the Highlander only has a 3.5L engine so the 4Runner has a bit more pick up power. For an SUV, it’s a lovable ride.

The 2010 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 4dr V6 SR5 is somewhat less expensive at $36.508 base price. This vehicle also features the 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and gets the same gas mileage as the Limited trim. But it compares a little closer to the Cruiser than the Highlander.

Both of the above trims are available in (Natl), (SE) and (GS) trim specs. The 4dr V6 SR5 (Natl) is also available as a rear wheel drive. Additionally, there is a Trail trim available in the (Natl), (SE) and (GS) versions.

If you prefer the RWD drive train, it’s available for the following trims:

• 4dr L4 SR5 (GS)
• 4dr L4 SR5 (Natl)
• 4dr L4 SR5 (SE)
• 4dr V6 Limited (GS)
• 4dr V6 Limited (Natl)
• 4dr V6 Limited (SE)
• 4dr V6 SR5 (GS)
• 4dr V6 SR5 (SE)

Those are plenty of choices. Check a consumers guide for a list of features for each individual trim. For serious SUV lovers, the Toyota 4Runner is a vehicle worth checking into.

Truth be told – tt’s a tight bond market for auto dealers, but qualified business owners can still find competitive rates.

Auto Dealer Bonds are among the most common commercial surety bonds on the market. These surety bonds help protect states and consumers against auto dealers, ensuring they operate according to state laws and regulations. These bonds are required in order for a dealer to obtain a license. There are several names for auto dealer bonds, including MVD bonds, DMV bonds, user car dealer bonds or simply auto dealer bonds.

The MVD bond market has seized a bit during the last 18 months, given the hardened credit market and lingering recession. But there are encouraging signs that the economy is beginning to thaw. Auto sales increased in July to 11.2 million from 9.7 million the month before, thanks in large part to the government’s “cash for clunkers” program.

Missouri dealers must obtain a $25,000 corporate surety bond. The state Motor Vehicle Bureau acts as the obligee. Despite the softening economic landscape, dealers with poor credit or a history of bankruptcy or liens may still struggle to obtain a surety bond.

Dealers with less than sterling credit will likely face higher premiums, as sureties often consider MVD bonds more high risk than others commercial bonds. Sureties process an exorbitant number of auto dealer bonds every year, which helps keep bond rates competitive.

The process for obtaining MVD bonds is similar to other surety bonds. Surety companies will examine the past practices, financial health, management structure and other company aspects before deciding whether to issue an auto dealer bond.

There are also a handful of states that require bonds for mobile home dealers.

Inquire with your insurance company, or visit SuretyBonds.com to get a quote on your auto dealer bond today.