Over seven million Toyota Certified Vehicles sold... but why?

If you think about it, pretty much anything can be collectible. To someone, at least. Everything from old baseball cards to classic cars, it's all desirable to someone. But, things have taken a surprising turn due to a global pandemic, some people having disposable income, and nostalgia being the biggest drug of all. Cars that were once mundane and common just about everywhere are now becoming collectors' items! Who would've thought? At Toyota of Clermont, we're astounded by this new revelation in the classic car world and we're breaking down which vintage cars are selling for big bucks and why. Let's check it out! What Was Once Common is Now Collectible Clermont vintage cars that fetch high prices are pretty well established in the automotive world. For Toyota, it's the Supras of old, the vintage Land Cruisers, the 2000GT, and a few others. Modern collecting has now done away with that formula and people are now collecting cars that we used to not give a second glance to. Here are a few that have garnered high resale prices recently: Toyota MR2 Spyder While the poor man's Porsche might seem like an obvious pickup for a collector, the MR2 was not always a sought-after vintage car choice. Not saying that the MR2 was bad, no. In fact, this mid-engine Toyota model was always beloved as a sporty and affordable option for young people and those looking for a little thrill from their drive. In 2003, this vehicle carried an MSRP of around $22,000 - $24,000. If you were to buy one with low miles and in good shape, you'd likely wind up paying MSRP or greater! Toyota Pickup Everyone loves a vintage car Toyota truck, but it's surprising that the Clermont Toyota pickup has become a hotcake-like seller recently. Even crazier is that some pickup models have sold for upwards of $30,000 via auction. While the Toyota pickup was compact and customizable, it only retailed for about $9,000 back in the 1990s (adjusting for inflation that's about $18,000 today). Toyota Land Cruiser Clermont Land Cruisers are obvious collectible vintage cars, but some model years that were once less popular are now big ticket items. 1980s Land Cruisers feature a nostalgic boxy design and are excellent options for those looking to do some off-roading or overlanding. Auction prices have been hitting into the upper $40,000 - $60,000 range which has been unheard of for this type of vehicle. Especially considering the fact that this Land Cruiser's MSRP was about $18,000. Toyota Celica The Celica is a Clermont vintage car that has long since been removed from the Toyota lineup, but it's getting a lot of love in the afterlife. In fact, some 80s Celicas can fetch upwards of $30,000 plus depending in condition and mileage.   Thinking about getting behind the wheel of a Toyota vintage car or need to service your current collectible ride? Toyota of Clermont is here to help! Visit the dealership at 16851 State Road 50 for more help and info today.

Shopping for a vehicle leaves many people overwhelmed with all the options that are available. For many, used cars are the most viable and economically sound shopping methods out there. As a buyer you can avoid suffering depreciation throughout your time of ownership, they're significantly cheaper than purchasing a new car, and they let you you choose which model year and style you want to drive. At Toyota of Clermont we're always happy to help you get behind the wheel of the vehicle you want, new or used. While used car shopping is very affordable for many drivers out there, there's one vehicle that deviates from the norm. The Toyota FJ Cruiser. Today, we're walking your through what makes this Clermont used car so unique and what's helped it to avoid depreciation all these years. What Makes a Used Toyota FJ Cruiser So Expensive? The Clermont Toyota FJ Cruiser is truly a unique blend of Toyota's history and ambition. This concept-looking SUV today enjoys a cult following and a desirability that has helped it to avoid depreciation for over half a decade. With price tags that can reach up into the $40,000 range, the FJ Cruiser is an oddity in the automotive world. Before we dive into a few of the unique and key features of the FJ, here are a few historical points concerning this special SUV: The Clermont Toyota FJ Cruiser was designed with inspiration from the Toyota FJ40 in mind. This included extensive off-roading features and additional room in the cabin. The concept for the FJ was debuted in 2003 and the production model retained a large number of the initial features that were showcased (including the iconic voodoo blue paint color). 2014 was the final year for the FJ in North America but has since become one of the most valuable used cars you can purchase. Sales of the Cruiser weren't discontinued in Japan until 2018. The FJ Cruiser Speaks for Itself As far as used cars are concerned, their value is determined by age, wear and tear, mileage, and so on. But, for the FJ many factors don't make a dent on the price people will pay. The original MSRP of a 2014 Clermont Toyota FJ Cruiser clocked in at $27,000 - $29,000 but some used car models sell for north of $30,000 - $40,000. Here are a few features that are available on the FJ Cruiser that make it truly unique: The FJ Cruiser sports unique interior designs with paint color matching panels and even a dedicated side-sun visor in the front seats. The exterior roof is painted white on some models of the FJ (a feature offered on select modern Toyota models) for a slick look and to prevent heat from building up in the cabin. Clam-shell or "suicide doors" are unique to the FJ and there's no structural pillar separating the front and rear perimeter segments from each other. While this feature is specific to the FJ, it does make for a difficult time getting into the back seats. A no-frills stereo system graces the front of the cabin along with a unique shift handle. The used car FJ Cruiser sports a 4.0-liter V6 engine similar to what's under the hood of the modern Toyota 4Runner. Shop for an Amazing Used Car with Toyota of Clermont There's a lot that makes the FJ Cruiser unique and quite an item. While we don't often have one on our lot, we can still help you get behind the used car you're looking for! Visit Toyota of Clermont today at 16851 State Road 50 or shop our inventory online anytime.

The end of summer is just about here. School is back in session and fall is just around the corner. Lucky for us, summer never really ends in Clermont and you'll likely be able to enjoy warm beach days even with the leaves changing color (if that even happens). Speaking of summer, it's also an excellent time to shop for a used car. If you happen to be looking for a new pre-owned ride to send out the summer in style, AutoTrader recently created a list of the most sought after used cars on the summer 2019 market. To get a spot on the list, vehicles need to have a high online search volume and come with high reliability and value scores. Unsurprisingly, the Toyota Tacoma made the cut and it's easy to see why. This versatile and stylish Clermont Toyota truck can handle it all and we're here to show you what makes the Toyota Tacoma worthy of such an accolade. One of the Hottest Used Trucks? You Heard that Right The Toyota Tacoma has always been one of the more stylish rides on the Toyota lineup. It was given a facelift back in 2016 and minor aesthetic tweaks year after year. AutoTrader's designation of the Clermont Toyota Tacoma as one of the hottest used cars of summer 2019 is a honorable and welcomed accolade, the Tacoma has one quite a few more, including: 2019 Best Resale Value from KBB.com 2019 5-Year Cost to Own Award from KBB.com 2019 Best Resale Value: Midsize Pickup Trucks from KBB.com 2019 Best Retained Value Award from Edmunds Apart from the obvious good looks that the Toyota Tacoma is sporting, you can find some pretty impressive features like: Various LED lighting assemblies and designs for the head and taillights Chrome accents and six alloy wheel options for enhanced customization 5 different grille options in different colors and an optional hood scoop for an even sportier look Integrated tailgate spoiler Interior upholstery material options like fabric, leather, or black TRD leather with a urethane or leather-trimmed steering wheel And nine different paint color options The Clermont Toyota Tacoma is one of the most customizable rides we have at the dealership. There are several trim levels and packages to choose from along with paint colors, additional accessories, different grille designs, you get the idea. This is a truck that can be made for you in almost any way imaginable. Did we also mention that the Toyota Tacoma is packed with some pretty stellar performance features that make it one of the most capable vehicles in the Toyota lineup. You can experience features like: A 2.7L 4-cylinder or a 3.5L V6 engine. Your choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission Rear-wheel drive with automatic limited-slip differential Optional TRD suspension 6,400 lb towing capacity Four-wheel drive and Active Traction Control Getting behind the wheel of a used Clermont Toyota Tacoma is easier than ever. We have a great selection of this excellent truck on our pre-owned lot and new ones as well. Come check out our inventory online or visit us at 16851 State Road 50 seven days a week!