Top 10 Car Accessories

Looking for that last minute holiday gift? Or maybe you just want to spruce up your ride for the new year. Well we've talked to the Pro's at Rice Accessories to get the inside info on whats hot now. And there's something for every budget ($-$$$$.)

1) XM Radio

With over 170 crystal clear digital channels, XM radio gives you the most entertainment choices wherever you are.($$)

2) All Weather Mats

All-Weather Floor Mats have deeply sculpted channels designed to trap water, road salt, mud and sand. They won't curl, crack or harden in sub-zero weather. All-Weather Floor Mats also have anti-skid ridges to prevent shifting in your vehicle and come with a protective, non-stick finish to make cleanup quick and easy. ($)

3) Step bars for Trucks.
Adding style and function to any Truck or SUV. These come in chrome, stainless steel and black. ($$)

4) Portable Navigation
Never, ever stop for directions again. ($$)

5) Heated Seats
Perfect for those cold winter days. ($$)

6) Remote Start
Another cold weather must have. Heat up the car before you even step out of your front door in the morning. ($$)

7) Sunroof
Open up already! Let the sunshine and fresh air in with sunroofs that tilt and slide at the touch of a button.($$$)

8) Leather
Add value and style to your car with leather seats. If you line up your appointment in advance, the work can often be done in one business day. ($$$$)

9) Blue tooth
Using a short-range wireless signal, Bluetooth phones can be used with Bluetooth-enabled cars to allow drivers to select contacts and dial using either voice recognition or controls mounted on the steering wheel and to carry out their conversations hands-free. A safety must have for any driver. ($)

10) DVD Players.
Got a long road trip planned to visit relatives over the holidays? Kids will be entertained for hours with their favorite videos and you can drive in peace and quiet. ($$)

For more information call 336-286-5232 and ask for Accessories. Or visit Rice Accessories online store.

First Look The 2009 VENZA

With the new Toyota VENZA hitting showrooms, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek into the interior, brought to you by the best man for the job: Benjamin Jimenez, Calty Design Research's very own project chief designer of the VENZA.
From concept to production, the VENZA was created primarily in North America in both the Newport Beach, California, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, studios.
As a clear representation of Toyota's future of design, the VENZA expresses a bold design move that sets itself apart not only from its competitors, but from its fellow Toyota cars as well. The VENZA's center console creates the illusion of floating free-form geometrics, while the entire dashboard exudes sweeping lines and an overall light feel. A unique blend of textures and materials were used to create a feeling of warmth and indulgence.
But we'll let the designer himself give you a detailed tour of the interior of the new Toyota VENZA. Come on in!


Protoype vehicle(s) shown with options. Production model may vary.
Article, Picture and Video from Toyota "Behind the Wheel"

Toyota and Resale Value

From Official Toyota Blog "Open Road"

"There are lots of ways to calculate a vehicle’s value. Its utility and its fuel economy probably are good indicators, and reliability and long-term customer-satisfaction numbers also probably are good indicators. Fortunately, Toyota fares well in those departments.
But a critically important way to measure overall worth is a vehicle’s resale value.
Obviously, a vehicle that loses but a small amount of its initial value with the passage of time and usage is a better investment than a vehicle that loses a larger amount of that initial value.
So we’re pleased to report that Toyota vehicles figure prominently in Kelley Blue Book’s 2009 best-resale value list, according to a story posted recently on one of the Los Angeles Times’ blogs.
The list recognizes vehicles for what Kelley Blue Book calls their "projected retained value five years from now."
The Toyota and Lexus vehicles that made their way onto this important by-category list are as follows:
Compact pickup: Toyota Tacoma; full-size pickup: Toyota Tundra; hybrid crossover: Toyota Highlander Hybrid; and mid-size car: Lexus IS.
The list also named Toyota and Lexus to their list of the top 10 brands in terms of resale value.
But what of Scion? Did Scion get left out? Well, yes, and no.
Kelley Blue Book’s criteria for a brand’s making the list requires that a brand have a minimum of four nameplates in its portfolio. This eliminated Scion, which is among those ranked highest in resale of the small-car brands, but which has just three nameplates flying the Scion flag.
The Times story lists the top-10 2009 models in terms of resale value, though, without regard to category and we find Scion represented. Six of those spots, in fact, are held by Toyota products. They are the Scion xB, Scion xD, Scion tC, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius and Toyota Yaris.
We recognize that this is not on the same scale as someone giving you a hot tip for the stock market - as if any of us would be crazy to act on such a tip these days. But still, we think it’s pretty interesting information.
- Jon F. Thompson, Editor, Open Road