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5 Ways to Gauge the Reliability of a Used Car!

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AL Used Toyota Dealer Near Dothan | Marianna Car Dealership

For over 30 years, we have given our customers great service and great prices on new and used Toyota vehicles. Customers looking to buy used versus new often have concerns. At Marianna Toyota, we want to help ease those concerns by providing you with 5 Ways to Gauge the Reliability of a Used Car. That saying, “someone else’s junk is someone else’s treasure.” Simply put, according to USA Today, the average cost for a new car is $31,252! In the economy we live in, more consumers are opting to cut back where they can. Buying a Used car can save you thousands right up front without you loosing.

That saying, “someone else’s junk is someone else’s treasure.” Simply put, according to USA Today, the average cost for a new car is $31,252! In the economy we live in, more consumers are opting to cut back where they can. Buying a Used car can save you thousands right up front without you loosing your new car experience. Opting for a used vehicle does not mean a loss in the look, quality, safety or reliability of a “New” (to you) vehicle. You should know a few tips before you begin your search for that perfect Used vehicle.

Maintenance History. Research the service history of the vehicle you are interested in. You should see a history of oil changes, tire rotations, and air filter replacements, IF the previous owner took proper care of the vehicle.

Appearance is Important. Buying Used doesn’t mean it has to look that way. Inspect every nook and cranny of the vehicle. Look for scratches, rust, dings, check to make sure all doors and hinges properly close, check interior for worn seats, torn cloth, and worn dashboard etc. These small appearance issues could be indicators that the car has been in an accident or hasn’t been well taken care of.

Tire Test. Check the tires for wear and tear. Take a penny and place it into the treads of each tire with Lincoln facing you. If you can still see the top of Abe’s head, then the tire needs replacing. If all four tires are different, this could be a red flag that the previous owner skipped rotation of the tires or possibly messed with the odometer, if the mileage is low and tires are worn.

Full Fluids. Check all fluids to make sure levels are full. Also, look at the belts and engine for signs of fluid leaks, make sure oil is clean and fan belt surface is smooth.

Always Test Drive. When behind the wheel. Take special notice to how the car started, was there a delay? Are all the safety features functional? The wiper blades, headlights, turning signals, etc. Does the Air Conditioning work efficiently? How is the tire pressure?

If you have any concerns, express them BEFORE you buy.

Marianna Toyota is your car dealership here in Northern Florida! We offer a wide variety of Toyota Certified Used vehicles. Stop by and find yourself your reliable Used Toyota Vehicle today!

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Tips for Servicing Your Pre-Owned Toyota

Shopping pre-owned for an automobile is a smart way to go. When doing so, you can save money on a car. You can also get more bang for your buck. However, before buying pre-owned, you should know how to service a used car. For tips on servicing your pre-owned Toyota, keep reading. more Regular oil checks and changes are key. All vehicles need oil changes on a routine basis. Check the owner's manual of your pre-owned Toyota for the recommended amount of mileage between oil changes. If your used Toyota doesn't have any owner's manual, you can check online or ask a mechanic. Many mechanics can even provide you with an oil change reminder. Second, check the belts and hoses of your pre-owned Toyota vehicle. Belts and hoses are intricate parts of the engine system. Like any other part, the belts and hoses will experience wear and tear over the years. Keeping an eye on these parts is important because, if these parts break, your engine will not be able to operate safely. When you receive your routine oil change, ask the mechanic to check your belts and hoses. If they are wearing down, consider replacing them. Whenever you receive an oil change, you should also rotate your tires. Rotating your tires extends their lifespan. Over time, the tread of tires wears down. Tread is what allows your tires to grip the road. Worn tread increases your risk of losing control of your vehicle when driving over slick surfaces. Worn tires are also prone to going flat. To avoid these dangerous situations, rotate your tires often and replace the tires when their tread gets low. Some cars can go as far as 50,000 miles without any maintenance to the transmission. When you purchase a pre-owned Toyota, make sure the transmission is working well. If not, you should have maintenance and repairs done. Without the transmission, your vehicle will not be able to operate safely. A worn transmission can cause parts to grind against metal, which causes these parts to wear down and break. Not caring for your transmission can result in many other problems, which are expensive and unsafe. Whether you want to shop for a pre-owned Toyota or you want to service your pre-owned Toyota, you can visit Marianna Toyota. Call us at 850-526-3511 to learn more about what we have on our lot or to schedule service. We hope to work with you soon!

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Tips for Buying a Used Toyota

If you are tired of looking at your car that you have had for far too long, we can help. We have some suggestions for you to go by when you are looking for your next used Toyota. As with a lot of major purchases, planning is the key. Here are our tips for getting your next used Toyota. more What’s Your Budget? The first step in deciding on a used Toyota is to decide on your budget. It’s important to decide how much money you want to spend on your car, because that way, you’ll know right away which cars will fit into your budget, and which cars you should overlook. You’ll have a lot to choose from at any Toyota dealership, but your budget will allow you to narrow the field down to some cars you really want at the price you want. While you’re thinking of your budget, be sure you also list your needs and wants for your car--your wish list. That way, you’ll know exactly what cars you should look at first. Check Out the Latest Model Year Possible You should check out the latest model Toyota year you can afford with your budget. That’s because the newer the car year, the more features--such as safety features--come with the car. Also, the later the model year, the more of the warranty will still be in effect. Toyota has a great warranty program, so you’ll want to use as much of that warranty as possible. Certified Pre-Owned While you’re at the dealership, check out the certified pre-owned category of used cars. Certified pre-owned means that the car has to pass inspection using a checklist created by the manufacturer. Certified pre-owned gives you extra assurance that the used car you are buying is in great condition, and can last you for years. If you ask the dealership about their selection of certified pre-owned cars, you’ll be able to see their models. When you’re ready to buy your next Toyota, why not give us a call at 850.526.3511, or come by and see us at 2961 Pennsylvania Avenue, Marianna, Florida, 32448.

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Top Used Toyota Models to Consider Under 10K

Looking at used Toyotas reminds us of the good ole’ days, when we first began looking for a reliable used car that would get us to and from college, or to and from our jobs. When you need a car that is reliable, there is no better brand of a used car than Toyota. In fact, Toyotas are ranked as some of the most reliable on the market today. Best of all, there are some great Toyotas now on the market for less than $10,000! Here is a look at some of our favorite Toyota brands that come in under $10,000 on the used car market. more The 2006-12 RAV 4 We love the Toyota RAV 4. It is one of the best-loved Toyota models, and since this is the third generation of RAV 4, you know it is going to be reliable. This generation of RAV 4’s comes with two different engines. If you want more horsepower, you will want the 6--cylinder option. If you want the fuel economy Toyota is known for, you’ll want to look for the four-cylinder. Whichever RAV 4 model you choose, you know it comes with a lot of storage space for kids and gear, and that famous Toyota reliability. The 2014-17 Toyota Camry The Toyota Camry has been one of the bestselling family sedans in the US market for over 25 years, and it is easy to see why. First, the Camry boasts one of the most comfortable rides of any sedan on the market, even the more expensive brands. Many people buy the Camry for the ride alone. Also, the Camry has a safety package that makes it a top of the line choice for your family, including blind-spot monitoring. Need another reason to get a Camry? It’s one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market for a family. 2012-15 Prius Looking for an affordable hybrid? We suggest the third-generation Prius. There is no better car on the market for fuel economy, so if you are driving in the city, you want to be able to go for hundreds of miles between fuel-ups. Also, there is more storage space in this car than you think, with the roomy hatchback. This is a great first car for anyone, whether you’re running to class, or the train station, or to a job across town. We love the Prius, and we know you will too. Ready for your next Toyota? Give us a call at 850.526.3511 or come and see us at 2961 Penn Avenue, Marianna, Florida, 32448.