The Silent "I"

100 Cars for Good: Voting Open Through August 21

Did you know that Toyota is in the middle of giving away 100 cars to worthy non-profit organizations across the country? Through August 21, Toyota will be giving away cars to non-profits in a Facebook voting contest. If you're on Facebook, you can use your clicks to help a wonderful, community-based organization win a car to help them in their mission of helping others. The organizations come from all over the US and are competing to win a brand-new Toyota of their choosing that will help them in their daily work of helping others.

Some are helping abandoned and abused pets find permanent and loving homes. Some are helping disadvantaged people in the inner city move out of poverty. Some are working to help victims of domestic violence.  Some are promoting recycling in their community.  Some are helping veterans or former prisoners or people with disabilities.  These groups work day and and day out to help people and animals in all of our communities to lead better lives.  Most of them don't do it for glory, they do it out of love.  You can show a little bit of love yourself by using an otherwise wasted click and voting for a non-profit that is near and dear to you. 

Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to volunteer for a number of non-profits, from a domestic violence shelter to a food pantry and homeless shelter to a national NGO promoting evidence-based sex education for young people.  In each of these organizations, I saw first-hand how much they struggled with doing the most good with limited resources and funding. Receiving a reliable car or van would be a huge blessing to any of them and redouble their efforts in their communities.  You might not have time or inclination to volunteer, but you have the power to help by just clicking through and voting for your favorite type of charity.

What are you waiting for? Get clicking!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of Toyota.

Photo Credits: All photos are © Glennia Campbell 2012.

Prius v Review: Little Big Car

Last weekend, I had the chance to test drive a new Prius v for the weekend, thanks to the fine folks at Toyota. I had my pick of their new cars to try out, but I opted for the Prius v because it seemed to be a cross between the two cars we already have: an original, first-generation Prius and a Lexus RX300.  I was pleasantly surprised by the car, and it is currently high on my list of cars when ours need to be replaced.

We have used our 2001 Prius as a commuter car for a little over 10 years now, primarily for getting to and from work and short local trips.  We love taking road trips, but generally go with our roomier Lexus due to the limited trunk space on the Prius.  Unfortunately, with high gas prices, the Lexus is not always the most economical choice, but we just can't cram all of our luggage, snacks, and gear into the Prius.  The Prius v is the best of both, in that it has ample trunk space AND great gas mileage, averaging over 40 miles per gallon.

We got to tool around in the Prius v for the weekend, and were all impressed. My 6'4" husband found the extra headroom and legroom to be a bonus, and our leggy almost-12 year old enjoyed having more space the back seat as well.  I liked the comfortable seats and multiple cupholders, along with the dashboard gadgetry that allows you to do simple searches while on the road.

We had to pick up supplies for our annual neighborhood pool party, and were astounded that multiple cases of soda, chips, food, and other drinks fit easily into the trunk without folding the seats down.  There was plenty of room to spare as well.  Prius v definitely lives up to the Costco challenge.  Since Costco is my husband's designated "happy place," he got along well with the Prius v.  What is it with men and big box stores? Just because it's a deal if you buy in bulk, doesn't mean we need 4,000 rolls of toilet paper.  Even so, the Prius v, with fold-down rear seats, would be able to accommodate the lifetime supply of tofu burgers that you just had to have.  In addition, there is a secret compartment under the mat where you can store valuables out of sight, or to store your roadside emergency kit.

This would be a wonderful car for a small family that doesn't want to go full-on minivan.  The backseats have plenty of leg room and is wide enough for multiple carseats.  The car comes equipped with a carseat tethering system to secure the carseats in.  Older kids will like the multiple cupholders, backseat armrests and plug-in stations for portable gaming systems or dvd players.  Moms of multiple kids often complain that the worst thing about road trips is the fact that kids fight.  In the Prius v, there's plenty of room in the back to forestall the inevitable "he's touching me!" fights that can occur.  If only Toyota would build a wall there, the car would be perfect.

Both of our current cars have a GPS navigation system, but it was a little difficult to get used to the look and feel of the new system in the Prius. I had it on some kind of  3D setting that starting making me dizzy after looking at it for a while.  We finally figured out how to adjust it to 2D and it was more like what we were used to.  Entering a destination is much easier, although the touchscreen didn't seem to respond to my nails, so I think you have to use your finger pads.  Those with long nails should be forewarned.

The cars come equipped with Entune, a connectivity system that allows you to use apps like Bing, Pandora, and Open Table connected to your phone to find nearby restaurants, attractions, and play music.  The apps are equipped to use voice commands, so your hands never have to leave the wheel while you search for Vietnamese food in unfamiliar territory.

One of my coworkers asked if I could take her for a spin around the parking lot at work to try the car out, since she is thinking of replacing her existing car with a Prius v.  We noticed a little black slot on the driver's side that the manual says is a "card slot." We tried to imagine what that might be used for--credit card slot for use at drive-thru windows? Your Starbucks gold card? Parking lot tickets?   A really small grilled cheese sandwich? We also admired the double-glove compartment, with the additional glove box above the traditionally placed one. That would be a great place to store CDs, registration cards, insurance cards, and other things you need to grab without reaching down.  If you're a parent, the top box would be a great place to store toys, snacks, or extra clothes for little ones.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Prius v.  I think it would be a good compromise between the small SUV and a compact car.  It was easy to drive, fuel efficient, and had good pick-up on the highway.   Now, if I could just get Toyota to loan me one permanently...

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the Toyota Women's Influencer Network through a program with Clever Girls Collective.  I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of Toyota.

Photo Credit:  All photos are copyright Glennia Campbell. All Rights Reserved.

Toyota USA Museum: Past, Present & Future of Cars

Bloggers Demonstrate the Toyota Jump

During my trip to TWIN Camp, one of the trip highlights was a visit to the Toyota USA Automobile Museum in Torrance, California.  Driving through a business district in Torrance, it would be easy to miss the museum if you weren't specifically looking for it.  It's a fairly nondescript-looking gray building that appears more like a dealership than a museum on the outside. On the inside, it's jam-packed with  hundreds of representative models of Toyota's unique and distinctive contributions to automotive history, or at least as it has evolved in the United States. It's like Alice slipped down the rabbit hole and right into Cars Land.

An Early Toyopet, the Hello Kitty of Cars

Inside, we learned about the history of Toyota in America.  Toyota Motor Sales, USA was founded in 1957 in Hollywood, California.  The first Toyotas to hit American soil were called Toyopet and were sold in a handful of dealerships beginning in 1958, along with the Land Cruiser.  The Toyopet, which I thought was completely adorable, was smaller and more expensive than most American-made cars and didn't really fit the US market.  Toyota decided to pull the line in 1961 and focus instead on the sturdy, all-terrain Land Cruiser until 1965, when the Corona arrived.  Toyota introduced the economical Corolla in 1967, which has become the world's best-selling passenger car of all time, with over 27 million sold in 140 countries around the globe.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Inside the Toyota Museum, you can see examples of all of these models from the past, and some special, futuristic eco-friendly cars as well.  One car was so small that it looked like my eleven year old son could drive it.  In fact, I think I have purse larger than that. 

Minority Report Lexus Concept Car

The Lexus branded concept car from the movie "Minority Report" is on display, along with some memorabilia from the move.  The car was all sexy rounded shapes and slick design, in a dark red tone that I'm sure I have a lipstick to match.  I'm not a Tom Cruise fan, but regardless of who would be driving it, this is one hot-looking car.

 

Jenny & Jill Show Off Their Toyota Jumping Skills

 

Along with a hundred or more cars, there are displays on Toyota's advertising history, with some familiar slogans like "You asked for it, You Got It...Toyota!" and "Oh, What a Feeling" with the famous "Toyota jump" in the ads.  Jenny from Mommin' it Up and Jill from Diaper Diaries showed us how the Toyota jump should be done.  Later, everyone else got into the act and demonstrated the Toyota jump.

About large bookcases line one wall of the museum and display row after row of quality and service awards that Toyota has won over the years, including JD Power & Associates Quality Awards.  It was an impressive sight to see so many trophies lined up in one place.

After viewing all of these fine vehicles, displays, and awards, I was sorry that my husband and son didn't have a chance to join me at the Toyota USA Museum.  I think my son would have loved the race cars, and my husband would have enjoyed seeing a pristine version of his beloved and dearly departed 1981 Corolla on display.  During our visit, quite a few Facebook and Twitter followers of the TWIN campers expressed extreme jealousy at our being so near to some really special cars.

Maybe on your next trip to Disneyland to see Cars Land, you can stop in at a real land of cars and enjoy the view.

Toyota Tailgate

 Note: The Toyota USA Automobile Museum is open by appointment only. If you are planning to be in Torrance, California, it's worth planning a trip to view the cars.  For an appointment to see the museum, call Susan Sanborn at (310) 468-4728 or email her at susan_sanborn [at] toyota.com.

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of Toyota.

Photo Credits: All photos are © Glennia Campbell 2012.

M-m-m-my Corolla: A Love Story

 

Frank's 1981 Toyota Corolla, In Better Days

When I met my husband, Frank, in 1994, he lived in a house in Austin, Texas with a large two-car garage.  I was relegated to parking in the driveway, and at first didn't question it.  One day, I wandered into the garage and found out his secret: parked inside was a decrepit, faded metallic blue 1981 Toyota Corolla that was taking up the half of the garage not occupied by his company-issued Ford Taurus.  The Taurus was brand new, cobalt blue and was shaped like a jelly bean on wheels.  The Corolla was all rusty sharp-edges, like some 7th grader's metal shop project gone terribly wrong.  The upholstery was ripped and faded, and windows that didn't seem to roll up all the way.

I asked my then-boyfriend-future-husband about this relic in the garage, and the conversation went something like this:

Me: What's up with the rust-bucket in the garage?

Him: What are you talking about?

Me: The old car?

Him: You mean my Corolla?

Me: I guess so. What's it doing in there?

Him: That's the car I bought when I graduated from college. I brought it with me from California.

Me: Why?

Him: Because I might need it.

Me: Don't you have a company car?

Him: Yes, but it's a leased car. I don't own it.  The Corolla is the first car I ever owned. I used my college graduation money to buy it. (Wistfully) I've driven it all over the west in that car. Back when I was a poor grad student doing photography workshops, I used to drive it out into the desert and camp in it. I took a photo at Eureka Dunes that Ansel Adams himself told me was beautiful. We've been through a lot, that car and me.

Me: That's all very nice, but don't you think it's time you sold it? I mean, you don't really need it, do you?

He shot me a look like I had just said something along the lines of "Why don't we sell your mother into white slavery? I know a guy who gives top-dollar for redheads."

Him (sputtering, through his teeth):  I. Could. Not. Do. That. I LOVE THAT CAR.

He walked away, shaking his head and muttering something about "women" "cars" and "love". At that point, I started to wonder if this relationship had any future, or if I would always be second fiddle to his first love out in the garage.

Exit the Highway to White Sands National Monument

One of my favorite places in our travels across the US has been the White Sands National Monument, near Alamogordo, New Mexico.  This summer, our friends at Toyota have partnered with the Audobon Society to encourage everyone to exit the highway and visit beautiful, off-the-beaten-path places like White Sands.

The White Sands National Monument rises up out of the scrubby brown New Mexico desert like a far off  dream.  You might think you're seeing the purest, whitest snow imaginable, but get closer, and you realize that it's a hot, dry white powder covering the landscape for as far as the eye can see, rimmed by mountains on the horizon line. The fine, white dust covering the landscape looks like a million tiny hands clapped chalk-laden erasers to form undulating dunes of glistening white fairy dust.

 

When my husband suggested we go there on our trip to Texas in December, we had been driving through the California, Arizona, and New Mexico desert for several days.  My initial thought was, "another sand dune. Big whoop."

 

Ford Reception at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a private event, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, at the Detroit Insititute of Arts.  The building itself was an impressive, classical-style building that reminded me of the Art Institute of Chicago and other fine art museums I've visitied around the world.  I had no idea that Detroit had such a grand and historic art museum.

The reception was held in the Diego Rivera Courtyard, which housed four walls of fresco paintings entitled "Detroit Industry" and were really incredible to see.

During the reception, we were welcomed by Edsel Ford II, Henry Ford's great-grandson.  Mr. Ford acted as an unofficial ambassador to Detroit, explaining some of the rich history of the city and its relationship to the auto industry, particularly as it was represented in the mural and building that surrounded us. 

Next Up: Ford Green & NAIAS in Detroit

Thanks to the Clever Girls Collective and the fine people at Ford Motor Company, I've been invited to participate in the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) press event on Monday and Tuesday.  I'll be with a group of about 100 bloggers and media people from around the world who get to see a sneak peak of what Ford is presenting at NAIAs this year.  I leave for Detroit tomorrow, and I am excited to find out what Ford has in store for us.  I've heard the emphasis this year is on green technology and environmental sustainability, which makes it doubly exciting for me.

Since we just spent two weeks in our car driving halfway across the country, I now consider myself an expert on things like gas mileage (our current car was meh), comfort, and entertainment in cars. Also, if they have any tips on how to get the smell of rotten French fries out of the carpet, I'm all ears. 

When I had the chance to try out the Lincoln MKT and Ford Taurus, I was impressed on all counts. Ford has come a long way in terms of green technology, high tech amenities, comfort and style from my Grandpa's Ford Fairlane to now.  I can't wait to see what Ford has planned for the next generation of cars. Electric? Hybrid? Levitating? Rocket-powered? Invisible? Who knows?  I'd like an invisible, levitating rocket-car for dealing with Bay Area traffic, but will settle for one that gets more than 40 mpg.

Follow me on Twitter (@glennia) and Facebook for real-time updates and follow the hashtag #fordgreen on Twitter!

Disclosure: I was invited to participate in this program by Clever Girls Collective, Inc. in partnership with Ford and Ogilvy PR. Ford Motor Company is paying for my travel and accommodations at the 2-day Driving Green Technology event, I will not be compensated in any other manner for my time.  My opinions posted here are my own.

PHOTO: Lincoln MKT that I got to try out in 2009, courtesy of Ford. Sadly, it's not mine, but I did take the photo.

Lincoln MKT Test Drive Review

 

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to test drive the new 2010 Lincoln MKT, thanks to the people at Ford.  The car arrived Thursday morning, a stylish black ride with three rows of seats (the third row folds down to make trunk space).  I'm not sure if this could be described as an SUV or a luxury station wagon or maybe a mini-limo. When it first pulled up, my thought was "hearse," but that quickly changed once I got inside the plush interior with warm tan leather seats and high-tech gadgetry that would stymie James Bond. I tweeted my friends that all it needed was a mini-bar to complete the limo-feel  (for the passengers, of course).

The first test I put it to was piling five of my coworkers in to take them all out to lunch.  When we walked out to the parking lot, my co-worker Mary exclaimed, "It looks like a spaceship!" 

We all piled in, set a course for a Singaporean noodle shop, and were off. The first thing I noticed was that it was hard to see out of the back window with two heads in the way. No worries, though...the MKT came equipped with back-up camera, so I could see what was happening in the rear without needing to look out the window.  The two in the back said it was rather cramped, and we could not figure out how to move the seat up.  They remarked that it would be comfortable for kids, but there was not quite enough legroom for adults.

On Saturday, we drove up to San Francisco to visit the Asian Art Museum, and try out the car on the highway and in city traffic.  Even though it is considerable longer and wider than the car I normally drive, I thought it handled well, and was easy to drive.  One feature that I liked was the collision warning, which is a small yellow light on the side view mirrors that light up when a car is approaching your blindspot. 

Lincoln MKT Test Drive

I am getting a Lincoln MKT to test drive this weekend.  We're going to Napa Valley and taking a few day trips around the Bay Area to see how this baby handles.  Alex has already asked if we can keep it.

Posted via email from glennia's posterous

Car Review: Ford Taurus 2010

On Friday, I went to an event sponsored by Ford, hosted by my friends at Clever Girls Collective, introducing the 2010 Ford Taurus.  Riding around in the luxurious, tricked out new Taurus brought back fond memories for me.

My family has a long history with Ford cars. In 1968, my dad had an old Fiat that he basically drove into the ground. I think he abandoned it or sold it when the door fell off on I-75. After the Fiat met it's untimely demise, my dad abandoned foreign cars forever, bought a sturdy Ford sedan, and never looked back.  For my dad, the ultimate car was an enormous champagne-colored Ford LTD he bought new in the 1970's. My dad was really proud of this car, and it felt to me like we were driving around in our living room.  The seats were more  comfortable than our sofa, and the windshield was like some live action large-screen TV.  Through that enormous windshield, my brothers and I watched the world go by.

After my mom went to work in a local factory, her first job after being a stay-at-home mom for 12 years, she bought the car of her dreams: a Lincoln-Mercury Cougar.  The Cougar was red, fast, and symbolized her new-found independence.  She was a working woman, with her own money, making her own decisions about everything from what color the car was to what music played on the tape deck. I think of my mom's Cougar as her declaration of independence, and remember barreling down the highway with Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits blaring and all of us singing along.  Eventually, I inherited that car when I moved to Austin and declared my own independence of sorts.