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.

Are you ready to say goodbye to your current car? If so, you have several different options. You can trade-in your car, sell it yourself, or sell your vehicle on a consignment. Here’s why selling your vehicle on consignment is a great idea:

Maybe you don’t want to trade-in your car because you don’t want to get a new car. It’s also possible you don’t want to sell your car yourself because you don’t have the time or expertise to get the deal you deserve. Selling your vehicle on a consignment is an excellent way to get the money you deserve for your used car, while also saving yourself time and hassle.

When you consign your car, you’re using a middleman to complete your sale. This middleman does all the work for you. All you have to do is set your price, make the final call on any offers, and pay the middleman a small portion of your sale.

If you sell your car yourself, you don’t get paid for the labor you put into the selling process. Most buyers only make offers on the vehicle based on the car’s value, not based on the amount of work you put into preparing your car for a sale. When you sell your car on a consign, you don’t have to do unpaid labor.

When you sell your car yourself, you’re limited to buyers in your area. Most people aren’t willing to travel to get a new car, and you probably don’t want to drive the car to a far-away destination either. When you consign your car, shipping is a breeze. Consigners have plenty of experience transporting cars to out-of-area buyers, so you can sit back, relax, and sell your car to the right buyer.

Sometimes when you sell a car on your own you’re faced with low-ballers and scammers. This can be risky. However, when you work with a consigner, they know the red flags to look for in potential buyers. They will only sell your car to a reliable, safe buyer.

For help consigning your truck, get in touch with The Truck Junction. Consigning helps you get top dollar for your truck. We do all the advertising and we take care of the paperwork, all you have to do is collect your check when your truck sells. For more information about our consigning program, call 941-927-8785!

Purchasing a truck is a big investment. While some like to upgrade their vehicles every few years, we understand that sometimes what you need is a truck that will last you for a lifetime. We’ve put together a list of our top five previously-owned trucks that are reliable enough to stand against the test of time while also being affordable.

First up is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This full-size truck is ideal if you want to be able to haul and tow often without sacrificing power or reliability.

Next is the Toyota Tundra. This is also a full-size truck that offers plenty of space for passengers. It also sports an impressive towing capacity for those in need of a long-lasting work truck.

Third on our list is the Ford F-150. This classic truck is extremely popular and a lot of that has to do with how timeless it is. Even used, the F-150 is at the top of the charts for safety, comfort, and power.

Now we have the Honda Ridgeline. Nearly three percent of previously-owned Ridgelines have hit 200,000 miles. This mid-sized truck is streamline and sleek but is still great for a work truck or family vehicle! While it does not have quite as much towing power as some of the other trucks we’ve highlighted, it is a great purchase for longevity.

Last on our list is another Toyota. The Tacoma is also midsize and is ideal for those who want a truck they can take off-road. It’s a very popular pick for people who like to spend a lot of time venturing outdoors and need a truck that can take on any terrain.

If you’re ready to invest in your very own previously owned, long-lasting truck, The Truck Junction can help. We specialize in used trucks and will help you find exactly what you need. 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. Once you make your choice, you’ll feel confident in our ability to help you maintain and service your truck so that it runs like new no matter how many miles you manage to tack on!

Visit us today at 4791 Clark Road in Sarasota or give us a call at 941-927-8785!

Trucks are great vehicles that are versatile and high-powered. Often, people wonder if they’ll work as a family vehicle. Here at The Truck Junction, we can help you make the best decision when it comes to whether a truck will work for you, and if it does, which truck you should choose specifically!

We carry quality pre-owned trucks, which is ideal if you’re looking to swap your car, SUV, or van out, or if you’re upgrading the one you already own. Keep in mind that trucks are often more of the more expensive vehicle types you can purchase, so pre-owned will help you stay on budget. They also maintain their value over time, meaning you won’t feel a major loss if you ever sell or trade-in your truck.

Modern trucks are much more family-friendly than in years past. Crew cab pickup trucks lend plenty of room for the entire family, and can comfortably seat up to six people with plenty of legroom. They are ideal if you spend a lot of time traveling with luggage or hauling camping gear. A truck is a perfect way to safely tow boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and more! A truck can also take you off-road, up mountains, and through any difficult terrain the family wants to explore. On the other hand, if you don’t plan to tow or haul much at all, an SUV or van may serve you better. The unmatched towing capability of trucks does reduce their fuel efficiency.

If you and your family are ready to invest in a truck of your own, come and see us at The Truck Junction in Sarasota today! We are dedicated to meeting all your needs. Our sales department will work with you to find exactly what you need at a price that’s right for you! You can find us located at 4791 Clark Road or you can call us directly at 941-927-8785.