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Toyota of Clermont busts 6 used car myths

used car myths busted
Used car shopping? You're probably feeling a little bit overwhelmed. Not only is there a vast multitude of options to choose from here in Central Florida, you also want to ensure that you don't end up with something overly expensive, unreliable, or both. Toyota of Clermont is here to help you work through the process (and don't forget, we have a large inventory of pre-owned vehicles for you to consider when you're ready to hit the lot!). There's a lot of information out there when it comes to shopping Clermont used cars, but not all of it is true. We decided to collect some of the most common myths surrounding preowned cars and bust them for you!

Let Toyota of Clermont help you shop confidently

1) You don't need to test drive a used car.  False. ALWAYS take a test drive! This is your opportunity to see the car in person and to check for any damage, as well as make sure that it handles well and doesn't have any performance issues. Your senses should be on high alert during your test drive to look for issues, smell for anything out of the ordinary, and listen for odd sounds. On top of that, this is also your chance to make sure you truly like the car and that it's going to work as your long-term drive time solution. 2) Warranties are just a scam.  False. Warranties can be unnecessary, but sometimes they're a good investment! You just have to do your due diligence and make sure that the warranty being offered on the pre-owned vehicle you're considering is going to be a useful one and doesn't have any extras that will just cost you more. Be sure to read it thoroughly and if you think it's going to benefit you as an owner, then invest the money to get the peace of mind. 3) Just return the car if you don't like it - as long as it's within three days, you're fine.  False! With most dealers - both new and used - a final sale is just that. Final. You won't be able to return the car if you don't like it, which is why it's so important to take a test drive and inspect the car before you sign the dotted line.

Bust used car myths to get the best ride for you

4) You'll make more profit if you sell privately.  False - sometimes. Some people assume that when you sell privately you can make more money, but that's not always the case. Plus, the dealer who takes your trade-in will be able to take care of the paperwork for you, saving you the headache. It's smart to at least get the cash offer from the dealer before you make your final decision! 5) Buy new instead - used vehicles aren't a good investment.  False! Clermont used cars are a great investment if you do your homework and shop carefully. Find out which brands hold value best, which brands have the least recalls, and which brands have the highest longevity and reliability attached to them. Toyota of Clermont tips6) You can't tell if a car has been properly cared for, so don't risk it.  False. You can request car maintenance records from the seller, inspect the car in person (and even have your own mechanic take a peek under the hood), test drive, and check out the CarFax report before you buy to get a good sense of how the car was cared for. Ready to shop affordable used cars? Call Toyota of Clermont today to learn more - we're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000!
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Over seven million Toyota Certified Vehicles sold... but why?

We know that shopping for a used vehicle can be a little unnerving, especially if you're not feeling exceptionally confident about it. After all, when you buy a new car you know exactly where it's coming from and that if it has problems, you can bring it back to the dealership to get them remedied. You don't always get that peace of mind when you buy a used car... unless, that is, you buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Why buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle? And we're not the only ones that think buying a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle is a good idea - in fact, plenty of other people do because Toyota officially just hit the 7 million TCUVs sold marker. But what makes these particular used cars so popular? Toyota of Clermont is here to explain. When you buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle at Toyota of Clermont, you can leave the dealership worry-free thanks to this incredible program. Here are the details: Toyota Certified Used Vehicles have certain parameters that they have to meet before they can even be considered. They must be six model years back or newer (so this year, they would have to be a 2016 or newer) and additionally, they must have fewer than 85,000 miles on their odometer. Their CarFax reports are also inspected to ensure they're in good condition in that respect and are safe to sell and drive. They have to undergo a very rigorous inspection conducted by Toyota trained technicians. It's 160 points total and stretches from bumper to bumper, inspected elements including: Interior Exterior Engine performance Suspension Brake system Electronics system Tires Transmission Transaxle Obviously, they're thoroughly vetted before they even set foot (wheel?) on our lot. But the peace of mind that you're investing in something reliable and dependable isn't the only thing you'll get if you buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle at Toyota of Clermont. Here are some of the other benefits you can expect to reap: Incredible warranties. You'll get not only a 12-month/12,000-mile limited comprehensive warranty but also a seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Plus, extended warranty coverage is available if you're interested in it. Roadside assistance. Each TCUV sold comes with seven years/100,000 miles of Roadside Assistance to give you a hand if you find yourself stuck. A free CarFax report so you can see where your car has been before you decide where it's going. Available new car financing rates so you can get the best deal possible on your Toyota Certified Used Vehicle. Over 1,400 dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada that will honor the aforementioned warranties. The ability to apply your trade-in toward the deal. Plus, you'll benefit from the fact that your vehicle has been reconditioned to a like-new state to give you the best drive time experience possible. Shop TCUV at Toyota of Clermont What are you waiting for? Toyota Certified Used Vehicles await at Toyota of Clermont, and we're open until 10 pm every single night. Stop by and see us at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike, or call us. We can set you up for a test drive today at (352) 404-7000!

Vintage car for sale in Clermont.

Toyota Vintage Cars That are Surprisingly Collectible

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.

A Dive into the Most Expensive Used Car Out There

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.