Are you in the market for a new-to-you pickup truck? If so, you have several options. While you can buy or lease a brand new pickup truck, buying used may be the way to go. Here are five perks of buying a used truck.

First, you get more for your money when you buy used. You can get a higher trim level pickup truck for a lower price tag when you shop from used vehicles on the market.

Second, the top features cost less money when buying used. Many pre-owned trucks on the market are packed with appealing features that would cost a lot more money if purchased new.

Third, the market for pre-owned trucks is vast. You don’t have to limit yourself to the small selection of brand-new models when shopping for a used pickup truck. You can find countless used pickup trucks that feature a variety of towing, payload, and passenger capacities. You can also find many different exterior paint colors, bed sizes, technology upgrades, and more when browsing the extensive selection of pre-owned pickup trucks on the market.

If you want to avoid depreciation, shopping used is the way to go. When buying a brand new pickup truck, the value of the vehicle drops significantly when you drive it off the lot. However, a pre-owned pickup truck doesn’t lose much value once you purchase it. If you do plan on selling your used pickup truck one day, you can get closer to what you paid for it than if you were to buy a brand new truck.

Lastly, when buying pre-owned, you can get your hands on a special-edition pickup truck. Many automakers put out special edition trim levels of their trucks to celebrate things like model anniversaries or new designs. These limited edition pickup trucks can cost a lot of money when purchased brand new, but they’re notably cheaper when shopping used. You can get your hands on a rare pickup truck for an affordable price when shopping pre-owned.

If you’re interested in top-quality pre-owned pickup trucks, The Truck Junction is the place to shop. Discover our inventory by paying us a visit at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota.

Most people don’t realize it, but trucks are one of the most commonly owned vehicles in the United States! They’re loved for their ability to perform as a work or commuter vehicle, are high off the ground for smooth rides, and are great for anyone that requires hauling and towing abilities. One of our all-time favorites here at The Truck Junction is the Ford F-150.

Quite possibly the best quality a Ford F-150 possesses is how well it holds its value. While most vehicles lose an average of 60 percent of their original value after the first five years, the Ford F-150 only depreciates about 36 percent in the same amount of time. This means your trade-in value will be far closer to your original price than just about every other car, truck, or van on the market.

Oftentimes people assume trucks are for workers when in fact they also make a great family vehicle! Whether you enjoy DIY home projects or want to take kayaks and bikes out on the weekend for quick getaways, a truck is versatile and works for just about anyone. The roomier cargo space makes them a comfortable ride for drivers and passengers alike. Adding on a tonneau cover to your truck bed is a great way to safely stow your belongings while keeping them safe from the elements.

There are also so many ways to customize your F-150 that aren’t available with all other trucks. The Max Trailer Tow Package includes features such as a 36-gallon fuel tank, smart trailer tow connector, integrated trailer brake controller, and more. Basically, you can add on as much or as little to your F-150 as you’d like depending on the trim you select.

The Truck Junction is the perfect place to find your very own pre-owned Ford F-150. We’ll even take your old vehicle off your hands and find you the perfect truck. Give us a call today at (941) 927-8785 or stop by and see us at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota.

If you’ve ever driven on the highway, you’ve most likely noticed a semi-truck or two. They’re not hard to miss with their enormous size and multiple car lengths that they occupy. It’s important that you know how to properly share the road with them. Safe driving is not only the best driving, it’s the only type of driving you should undertake. While most truck drivers are experienced and possess the necessary reaction time, the space in between a mistake and the proper action to correct it are very slim. Obeying the proper rules of the road is of the highest importance.

Give Them Space

Keeping a safe distance is very important when you’re on the road. It’s always a good idea to allow twice or three times the space you would normally allow another car. A good indication of safety is the mirrors on the side of a semi-truck. If you can’t see the driver, then he can’t see you. Traveling in a truck’s blind spot is dangerous and should never be done.

Don’t Pass up on Passing Protocol

It might have been a while since you last took a driving education course. Sometimes the rules and procedures get lost to memory. No matter, utilizing the SMOG system will allow you to remember what to do.

• Signal
• Mirrors
• Over your shoulder (take a glance)
• Go when it’s safe, and only then.

While most new cars come with driver assistance technology, they don’t cover up for human error. A semi-truck cannot stop on a dime, as a matter of fact, it can take up to 300 feet of space for a truck to come to a complete stop. This means that allowing trucks their necessary space and only passing when you have the clearance is very important. Arriving at your destination late might be frustrating, but arriving there safely and in one piece is what matters.

Waiting on Their Turn

Because of their enormous size, trucks need a lot of space to properly execute a turn. Drivers cannot see directly behind them when this is happening, so don’t try to cheat fate and squeeze by one when they’re turning. Your life is not worth tempting the odds.

The Truck Junction—The Necessary Function

If you’re in the Sarasota area and need a new truck, allow the experts at The Truck Junction to serve you. For inventory, sales, and even the chance to sell your truck on consignment, visit us at www.truckjunction.com. You can find us located at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota!

Do you know how to parallel park your car? It’s a serious question because not everybody can do it, and that can be a huge stumbling block if you need to take a parking spot in a crowded city street.

So, let’s look at these tips that will help you parallel park like a pro. There are 4 basic steps:

Find The Best Possible Spot

Begin by locating the best possible spot. If you can avoid it, don’t choose that parallel space where another vehicle is already encroaching upon it (double-parked). If you find a spot that is 1 ½ times the length of the car, that will provide enough wiggle room to maneuver. Your start position is going to be next to the car you intend to park behind (get about three feet to their left side).

Get Your Car in Reverse

Sit up straight when you do this because you’ll need to be aware of other moving vehicles and pedestrians around you. Reverse your vehicle until your middle is aligned with the other car’s rear bumper.

Move Toward The Curb

Now comes the trickier part. You want to take a sharp 45-degree cut into the intended parking spot. Keep an eye on the car that will be behind you. Do this until you can see the other car’s headlights appear in the driver’s side mirror. You should now be mostly parked between the two cars.

Get It Nice And Straight

Finally, it’s time for finishing adjustments. You must make sure you are close enough to the curb. How close? If you’re within 12 to 18 inches of it, you should be fine in most states. Proceed slowly when doing this. You can allow your rear-right tire to tap the curb a little, and then straighten out your front tires from there. Done properly, you’ll have a small amount of room in front of you for that adjustment.

Since it might be a little hard to conceptualize the whole process from text, feel free to check out this video version of these instructions.

That’s just about it. The Truck Junction just wanted to help you with that because there is no reason to be intimidated by the prospect of parallel parking. We market the nicest used cars in the Sarasota area and we know you don’t want to damage them with a poor park job. If you find yourself needing a vehicle and want to shop with us, you can always check out our extensive inventory. Feel free to contact us with any questions at (941) 927-8785.

It’s a fact of life that selling a car can be just as excruciating as buying one. And unfortunately, the same goes for trucks. Selling a vehicle involves paperwork, dealing with customers who want to pay less than what you’re asking, and then, of course, there’s getting your vehicle to look presentable enough for someone to consider purchasing it. It’s a lot of work. This is why selling your vehicle via consignment might be the way to go. A consignment sale will alleviate many of the headaches that come with selling a vehicle by yourself, and allow you to get back to enjoying life a lot quicker.

The advantages to selling a truck via consignment are plenty, and at The Truck Junction, we’ll do all the legwork for you. Because life is challenging enough as it is, we’ll help make it easier.

The Truck Junction Advantage

• No Consignment Expenses If you’ve ever sold a vehicle, you know that most of the time you have to spend money to make money. At Truck Junction, this isn’t the case. The final price is your decision and we don’t have any hidden fees to worry about.
• Advertising Is on Us A cost that normally comes with selling a vehicle is paying for advertising and trying to place the right ad at the right location to attract the right buyers. We’ll handle the advertising and advise you on current market rates so you can sell for a reasonable price. We also manage test drive requests and appointments. We advertise your vehicle on our website with a CARFAX report, which attracts buyers a lot easier.
• We Handle the Paperwork Large purchases require a lot of paperwork. State laws for selling vehicles are always changing, and making a mistake can be costly for the seller and buyer alike. This is where our expertise as car sellers comes into the picture. We handle all of the paperwork from our end, you just have to worry about making that profit!

Financing a New Vehicle

What’s that? Do you see a vehicle for sale on our website? Well, now you have the chance to drive it home…TODAY. We’re dedicated to customer satisfaction and will gladly help you get financed. Go to our website at www.truckjunction.com and fill out a finance request form, or give us a call at (941) 927-8785. We’re located at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota. We have a top-notch inventory managed by a group of top-notch specialists.

Accidents happen, but they don’t have to. When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, the last thing you want to do is get into a crash. Here are four common types of auto collisions and how to avoid them:

First, front-impact collisions happen when the front end of a vehicle hits the front end of another vehicle. These crashes typically happen on slippery two-way roads. If the road conditions are rough, drive slower than you normally do.

Next, side-impact collisions involve the front end of one car colliding with the side of another car. Side-impact collisions are also known as T-bones. These usually happen at intersections. To prevent a side-impact collision, be sure you’re paying attention to traffic signs and lights. You also want to look both ways before crossing an intersection, even if you have the right of way.

The third type of collision is a rear-end collision. These happen when the front-end of a vehicle collides with the rear of another vehicle. These usually happen when one driver is driving too fast or aggressive. They can also happen in heavy traffic or at stops. To avoid getting into a rear-end collision, give yourself plenty of distance from the cars in front of you. To avoid being rear-ended, drive to the right of faster traffic.

Finally, parking lot collisions happen when cars are navigating spaces and don’t see other cars. It can be difficult to see your surroundings when driving in a parking lot, especially if you’re parked between vehicles that are larger than your own. To avoid accidents, check all of your mirrors several times before putting your foot on the gas. You also want to drive slowly, easing out of a spot at a slow enough speed that you can easily stop if you see a vehicle coming.

Now that you know how to avoid four common types of collision, you’re ready to shop for a shop for a new-to-you vehicle at The Truck Junction. To learn about the vehicles we have to offer, give us a call at (941) 927-8785 today!

The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular pickup trucks on the road, and for good reason. Here are eight reasons to buy a used Ford F-150:

First, the F-150 is capable of excellent performance. Whether you need a vehicle for work purposes or you want to tow around a trailer, this pickup truck can meet your needs with ease. In addition to impressive performance, the Ford F-150 is also safe. Whether you’re towing heavy loads or commuting to and from work, you want a vehicle that has your back. Ford holds the F-150 to high standards when it comes to safety, which is why this pickup truck has favorable crash-test scores and plenty of driver-assist technologies.

When you’re shopping for a used Ford F-150, you can get behind the wheel of a trustworthy vehicle when you pick a certified pre-owned option. Certified pre-owned vehicles undergo intensive tests to prove their top quality and reliability. There are countless certified pre-owned Ford F-150s on the market for you to choose from. Even if you don’t shop for a certified pre-owned option, you can find plenty of used Ford F-150s with reliable vehicle history reports. Researching the VIN of the used F-150 you have your eye on can provide you with maintenance reports and accident history so you know exactly what you’re investing in.

One of the reasons the F-150 is one of the most popular pickups on the road is because it’s available in a wide variety of configurations. There is truly an F-150 for everyone, whether you want to use your vehicle for work or for getting your family around town. Discover an F-150 with a cabin style and engine that make the most sense for your needs.

When you buy pre-owned, you get more for your money. When you buy a vehicle brand new, its value depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot. Meanwhile, a used car’s value hardly changes after you purchase it. If you plan on selling your F-150 one day, you can get closer to what you paid for it if you buy used. Additionally, used cars are just plain cheaper. If you have a tight budget, you can get behind the wheel of an F-150 you can afford by shopping used.

Finally, when you buy a used Ford F-150, you get the Ford reputation. Ford vehicles are capable, trustworthy, and fun to drive.

Find the perfect Ford F-150 for you by shopping with The Truck Junction. You can find us located at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota, and if you need to reach us by phone, please call 941-927-8785!

You’re ready. Today is the day you buy a used vehicle and join the thousands of Americans who call the highways and byways home. If this is your first purchase, you might feel tempted to buy the first car that becomes available. There are plenty of mistakes that first-time buyers commit, and we’re offering seven steps to help the process go as smoothly as possible.

1. Figure Out How Much You Have to Spend

A common misconception some have is just how much money they shell out when buying a car. Besides the car itself, there’s taxes, licensing costs, and repairs. That’s not counting your monthly insurance payment and what you’ll be paying for milage. Plan accordingly, and you won’t fall into a financial pitfall.

2. Choosing Practicality over Desire

You might want nothing more than to race down the autobahn in a Porsche. However, that might not be practical for what you need. When purchasing a car, practicality is one of the best things to implement. Consider your daily commute, weekend activities, and if you have animals and children that need to be carted around from time to time. Consulting with publications such as Consumer Reports will help you make an informed decision.

3. The Price You Pay

If something is too good to be true, it probably is. If a car is selling for too low of a price, there’s a chance that there might be something wrong with it, or it might have a checkered past. Consulting the Kelly Blue Book will give you an accurate assessment of how much the make and model you’re buying sells for.

4. Get in Touch with The Seller

Not everyone is trustworthy. If you’re buying your car from a third-party seller, ask to see a detailed history of the car, as well as the VIN number. As a consumer, you have the right to know a detailed history of any car you purchase. If the seller doesn’t have all the paperwork or only has a salvage title, that’s a red flag you shouldn’t take a chance on.

5. Taking it For a Test Drive

While it’s natural to get excited about getting behind the wheel, it’s your best bet to curb your enthusiasm. Silencing the radio will allow you to keep an ear out for any rattles or suspicious noises. Keep close attention to how the car handles and accelerates; suspension and transmission work can be very costly.

6. Negotiating Price

As you talk about payment for the car, it’s important to not lowball the seller, or overpay the average aftermarket price. Most people are willing to sell for a lesser amount than what they were originally asking if it’s reasonable.

7. Deal or no Deal

Once again, this is where excitement can overtake logic and reason. Before you drive away, take the time to go over the paperwork, and make sure no stone is left unturned. Make sure everything is legitimate and good to go.

Whether this is your first purchase or not, The Truck Junction is your best bet for a quality used vehicle. We proudly serve the Sarasota area and would love to have you come in and see why we’re the best at what we do. You can view our online inventory, and you can also visit our lot located at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota!

Finding a vehicle with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) is easier than ever before. What’s the difference between 4WD and AWD, and how do you know if you need them?

Here’s a breakdown of 4WD and AWD to help you make an informed decision when choosing your next vehicle.

What is 4WD?

Most vehicles are two-wheel drive. This means that either the front or back two wheels are propelled by the engine, leaving the other two wheels to spin. In a vehicle with four-wheel drive though, all four wheels receive engine power. This helps increase traction and control when driving on difficult terrain.

There are two kinds of 4WD systems. Full-time 4WD is active all of the time, giving all four wheels power continuously. With full-time 4WD, the driver does not need to manage the system. Part-time 4WD though, requires the driver to make the decision to engage 4WD.

4WD: Pros and Cons

• More control: Four-wheel drive gives drivers more control in more extreme driving conditions like off-roading, rock crawling.
• Potential increase in cost: The drivetrain for vehicles with 4WD tends to be heavier and more complicated than traditional drivetrains which may mean larger repair and fuel costs.
• Requires some skill to operate: With part-time 4WD, the driver needs to know how and when to engage the system.

What is AWD?

In vehicles with all-wheel drive, the system powers all four wheels for better traction and control, but the process is an automatic one.

Similar to 4WD, there are full-time AWD and part-time AWD options. Much like it sounds, full-time AWD engages all four wheels, all of the time. Part-time AWD systems operate mostly in two-wheel drive for fuel efficiency but will engage all four wheels automatically based on driving conditions.

AWD: Pros and Cons

• Control and traction: Similar to 4WD, AWD is beneficial for driving in rough terrain.
• Less complex: AWD is more user-friendly when it comes to operation, and also is less complicated to manufacture.
• Lower upfront and repair costs: Since it is less complicated to make, vehicles with AWD typically have lower upfront, repair, and maintenance costs than vehicles with 4WD.

4WD and AWD are helpful if you drive in a climate where it often snows and rains. Aside from black ice and hydroplaning, AWD and 4WD provide better traction in most driving conditions. though, if you typically drive on highways and paved roads located in temperate climates, they may not be necessary for you.

If you are ready to invest in your own truck, and have any questions about AWD or 4WD capabilities, The Truck Junction can help. Our sales department is extremely well-versed in all things truck and we can’t wait to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Visit us today at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota or give us a call at 941-927-8785!

“Out with the old, in with the new.” The process of renewal is a fundamental part of human nature. We like new things. Upgrading something you use daily can make life more enjoyable. If you’ve got heavy duty to do, a new truck would be the perfect tool for the job at hand. Letting go of your old one might be hard, but finding a prospective buyer who’s willing to pay the price you’re asking might be harder. Therefore, selling your truck via consignment might be your best option. You may only need one reason, but we included four.

The Price is Right (And entirely up to you)

Selling by consignment is transferring the sale obligations to a third party. There’s always someone who wants to get something for a cheaper (and sometimes completely unreasonable) price. The third party will separate the wheat from the chaff, in other words, the prospective buyers from the low ballers. The price is completely up to you.

Driving Towards a Sale

Because you’ll still need to get from point A to point B, a qualified salesman will keep an eye out for prospective buyers while you go about your daily routine. Don’t worry about living without a mode of transportation. Keep driving your vehicle, and before you know it, it’ll sell.

Take the Stress Out of the Equation

Let’s face it—dealing with a potential buyer can sometimes be as stressful as shopping for a vehicle. Selling by consignment removes the ordeal of low-balling buyers, paperwork, and trying to explain to someone that your vehicle is right for them. This is one situation where you don’t want to cut out the middle man.

Selling Expertise While You Wait

Some people have the gift of gab and can talk to anyone about anything. Just because others have this talent, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you do. By placing the selling of your vehicle in the hands of a professional, you’ll greatly increase the chance of selling at the price you want.

When you’re ready to sell your truck and upgrade, trust the experts at The Truck Junction. Aside from a well-stocked inventory that includes several makes and brands, our staff have sold thousands of vehicles via consignment. There’s no excuse why you can’t get that truck you’ve had your eye on. Visit us at our dealership today, located at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota, and we’ll get you in the driver’s seat, but the destination is up to you.