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When you are shopping for a used car you may be at higher risk for buying flood damaged or salvaged vehicles.  When natural disasters strike, tornados, hurricanes and other storms can leave cars completely damaged by the flood waters.  These flood damaged cars can be shipped all over the country, and sold by less than reputable car salesmen.  Here are some tips for avoiding flood damaged used cars from Toyota of Dothan: Buy From Qualified Dealerships The easiest way to avoid buying flood damaged used cars is to shop for used vehicles at reputable dealerships, such as Dothan Toyota.  Dealerships must put all used cars through very thorough inspections and the cars must meet criteria before it can be sold.  When you buy from individuals or small used car sellers, you don’t have the benefits of these used car selling requirements and are at a much higher risk of getting a flood damaged or salvaged vehicle. Do Some Research Using the VIN If you find a used car you are interested in, check that the VIN printed on the inside of the driver’s side door matches the VIN on the sticker of the windshield.  If they match, write down the VIN and use it to research the vehicle history with The National Insurance Crime Bureau.  Avoid any car that was totaled. Do a Title Check If you are happy with the VIN research findings, check the title to make sure it doesn’t say the car was flood damaged or salvaged.  If the seller doesn’t have a title, there is a good chance they are trying to hide something and you should avoid buying that car.

There is a myth in the automotive industry about frame damage.  Many drivers believe that a bent frame automatically results in their car being totaled.  The industry has come a long way is just the past 10 years, making it possible to identify frame damage and repair it.  Toyota of Dothan wants drivers to know that a bent frame doesn’t automatically mean that your car will be totaled by your insurance company. How Does a Shop Identify Frame Damage? It is important for drivers to take their vehicles to shops with the right tools.  Reputable body shops now have a computer equipment and experienced techs that can identify frame damage.  The computerized measuring system compares the vehicle’s measurements to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Once the measurements are complete, the body shop knows how much damage is done and estimates the cost to fix the vehicle.  Once the insurance company receives the estimate, they will decide whether or not it is cost effective for them to repair or total the vehicle. The Condition of Your Car After Damage Has Been Repaired After the body shop fixes your vehicle, the frame measurements will be back to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Your vehicle will be as good as new after the body shop is finished with the repairs. Post-Accident Resale Value If you are worried about your car’s resale value after an accident, don’t be.  If you have your vehicle repaired by a quality shop, there is no reason for your car to lose its value.  Any unrepaired structural damage to the vehicle is a risk to the driver and others on the road, and the car will lose its value when you try to sell it.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the graduated licensing program for new drivers.  The program is designed to protect teens on the road by allowing them to become fully licensed in stages by maximize the experience they gain in the road.  Toyota of Dothan is explaining Alabama’s graduated licensing program for new teen drivers. Alabama Teen Obtain Their License in 3 Stages There are 3 stages in the Alabama graduated licensing program.  Even though every state has adopted the program, legislators in each state set the rules and regulations.  The program in Alabama is different than the program in another state, but every program was created with the same goal in mind. Stage One: Learning A teen that is 15 years or older can obtain their learner’s permit in Alabama.  The teen can only drive with an adult over the age of 21 when they are on the road.  A permit must be held for 6 months before the teen advances to stage 2. Stage Two: Intermediate A teen must be 16 or older to advance to the intermediate stage, which in a restricted license.  The driver is not allowed to drive between midnight and 6 in the morning, or use a mobile device when driving.  A teen with a restricted license may only carry 1 passenger in the vehicle who is not a family member, parent or legal guardian. Stage Three: Full Privilege An unrestricted or regular license is issued to teens over the age of 17.  The teen must have had a clean stage 2 license for 6 months.  If a teen turns 18 while they have a restricted license, they can apply to become fully licensed.

There are many ideas for drivers who want to beat the police radar gun.  Toyota of Dothan is exposing radar gun myths that drivers hope will get them out of a speeding ticket.  Even though many of the myths are quite comical, none of them will prevent a ticket like slowing down will.  What is your favorite radar gun myth? Myth #1: An officer can’t hide when they are using a radar gun If an officer is trying to bust speeders, they can sit wherever gives them the best vantage point to nail law breakers.  Just because an officer is hiding behind a corner, doesn’t mean he/she can’t give you a ticket for speeding. Myth #2: Everyday items can block the radar Many people have interesting ideas to block the police radar gun.  Suggestions have been made about using tin foil, dangling CDs and disco balls, and giving a car a matte-black paint job.  All of these methods were debunked on an episode of Myth Busters. Myth #3: The police officer has to show you proof A police officer is not required to show you proof on their radar gun.  In addition to the radar gun, a police officer is trained to identify speeders.  If an officer refuses to show you proof, you probably aren’t going to be successful when you use that to fight the ticket in court. Myth #4: No signature= no ticket If you don’t sign your ticket, you still have to appear in court or pay the fine.  Your signature states that you know you have to show up for court.  If you fail to show up because you didn’t sign the citation, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and you will still be responsible for the ticket.

The days of senior drivers getting behind the wheel of “grandma cars” are long gone.  Senior drivers are enjoying retirement in stylish vehicles that are comfortable and complementary to their needs.  The 2013 Toyota Venza at Toyota of Dothan is one of the best vehicles for seniors, according to Forbes. Senior-Friendly Features Older drivers have different needs, but it doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice style and sport to feel comfortable in the driver’s seat.  Seniors shopping for a new car should consider 4 important features to make sure they purchase the perfect car for them.  AAA recommends that drivers consider safety, ergonomics, comfort and value. The 2013 Toyota Venza Compliments your Needs The 2013 Toyota Venza addresses all 4 of the recommended features. Safety- the Venza comes standard with Toyota’s extensive collection of safety features in the Toyota Star Safety System, and the crossover SUV earned a 2013 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Ergonomics- the Venza has 8-way power seating and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel that adjusts to the driver’s need, instead of the driver having to adjust to the car’s design. Comfort- the 5-passenger Venza comes standard with fabric-trimmed 60/40 one-touch folding rear seats with an armrest, or drivers can upgrade to the leather-trimmed multi-stage heated seats with 4-way passenger seating. Value- the base MSRP is priced below $28,000, and the 2013 Toyota Venza earned a 2013 IntelliChoice Best Overall Value for 8 years.

Now that you have your college diploma, it’s time to shop for a car that is inexpensive and reliable.  Edmunds.com surveyed their Gen Y readers and asked them to vote on the most desirable models on the market today, and they chose vehicles that make the best choice for their wallets.  The 2013 Toyota Prius at Toyota of Dothan is a college grad favorite, and it is a budget-friendly choice for a first time car buyer. Features College Grads Should Consider When a college grad heads to the car dealership, there are 5 important factors that influence their decision. Price and affordability Performance and efficiency Style Dependability Safety features and safety ratings The 2013 Toyota Prius has it All When you are considering all 5 of those features, the 2013 Toyota Prius has it all.  The 2013 Toyota Prius base MSRP is priced below $25,000, and Toyota Financial offers a special college graduate incentive program to help grads get into the Prius.  The 2013 Prius has an EPA-estimated 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway.  College grads in the Toyota Prius can relax knowing that their hybrid is backed by Toyota’s complimentary Toyota Care maintenance and roadside assistance plan.  The Prius also earned a 2013 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS with help from the Toyota Prius design and comprehensive collection of safety features in the Star Safety System.  The Star Safety System comes standard in every new Toyota vehicle.

KBB is a trusted leader in the automotive industry since 1981.  The company is a consumer go-to for reliable and unbiased information about vehicles.  For the past 10 years, the company has been awarding vehicles with the best resale value, and Toyota continues to make the cut.  The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser at Toyota of Dothan received the 2013 Best Resale Value award from KBB.com. Why is Resale Important? Your vehicle’s resale value is important because it will benefit you in the future if you decide to trade the vehicle in.  Every vehicle takes a hit from depreciation, but KBB has identified vehicles that are most resilient.  Your vehicle’s trade in value is affected by the decision you make at the dealership lot, and Toyota has the most vehicles with the best resale value, according to KBB.com.  Toyota received the Best Brand Award and 4 Toyota models earned a spot in the Best Resale Value Top 10; the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser was number one. How the 2013 FJ Cruiser Earned the Top Spot According to KBB.com, the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser has the best anticipated resale value than any other 2013 vehicle on the market today.  The commuter and off-road warrior maintains a 76% resale after 3 years.  Drivers who decide to hang on to their Toyota FJ Cruiser for 5 years can expect a 63% resale value.  The strong resale value of the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser will give consumers the upper hand at the dealership in the future.

When you are looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle, you want to make sure you are getting a vehicle that is safe and reliable.  Toyota of Dothan offers Toyota Certified designation on the best of the best used Toyotas, and the perks are better than the competition. Toyota Certified Perks Toyotas that are 6 years old and newer with less than 85,000 miles on them are eligible for certification.  Toyota offers many benefits for their eligible vehicles. Toyotas go through a 160-point inspection and 174-point inspection for hybrids Toyota offers 7-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty Toyota offers 24/7 vehicle emergency assistance for towing, break down and fuel delivery The warranty is transferable Special financing and new car rates are available Honda Certification Honda only offers certification for cars that are 6 years and newer with less than 80,000 miles. Honda has a 150-point inspection Honda offers 4 year/100,000 mile powertrain Honda only offers towing coverage for components on the vehicle that are still covered under a warranty Offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles Volkswagen Certification Volkswagen offers certification on pre-owned vehicles that are 5 years old and newer with less than 75,000 miles on them. VW offers warranty transfer for $150 fee Volkswagen only completes a 112-point safety inspection VW offers 24/7 roadside assistance Offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles Hyundai Certification Hyundai certifies pre-owned cars that are 5 years old and newer with less than 60,000 miles. Warranty is transferrable Hyundai completes only a 150-point safety inspection 24/7 roadside assistance and towing Hyundai offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles

There is always talk about recalls in the news, but have you wondered how the entire process begins and what you can do to protect yourself?  Toyota of Dothan is helping drivers understand the anatomy of a recall and the steps drivers can take to search for and repair recalls on their vehicle. What is a Recall? Recalls can be initiated by the car’s manufacturer or the NHTSA.  Recalls are required when a vehicle or specific feature in the vehicle doesn’t comply with federal safety standards or there is a defect in the or on the car that is a safety hazard. What is Considered a Safety Defect? A defect is something in the vehicle or equipment that is a potential risk or has been linked as the direct cause of an accident or injury.  When a recall is issued it is because the risk doesn’t just involve one vehicle on the road, but equipment, designs or features in the same type of vehicles.  Safety defects are recalled only if they are a part of the vehicle’s motor and operating system or equipment. Steering Fuel systems Braking systems and acceleration Child safety seats, seat belts, head rests, and LATCH systems Moving parts and assemblies on the vehicle Equipment sold by the manufacturer for the vehicle Wheel and tires Frame, chassis and suspension What is not Considered a Safety Defect? Just because something doesn’t work properly on a vehicle, doesn’t mean it is considered a safety risk.  Parts and equipment that simply don’t work should be discussed with your dealer for potential warranty coverage if your car is still within its covered period. How to Report and Research Recalls If you have a safety complaint or you want to research open recalls on a vehicle, you have a couple of options. CARFAX Contact dealership Visit  safercar.gov or recalls.gov Download mobile apps for safercar.gov and recalls.gov

Toyota of Dothan has a collection of 2013 Toyota Tacomas that will haul, tow, and take you off-road.  If you are looking for a pickup to tackle your work load and weekend excursions, Toyota offers many Tacoma trim packages to fit your needs. What Do You Need Your Tacoma to do? If you are looking for a pickup, you don’t want a truck that is no better than a car; you want a vehicle you can rely on to handle any task you throw its way.  The Toyota Tacoma can do just that. Towing Drivers can choose between a 4-cylinder engine and a V6.  The 4.0 liter V6 has a double overhead cam, and each trim allows drivers to choose a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, or 5-speed automatic transmission.  The V6 produces 236 hp at 5200 RPM and 266 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 RPM.  Drivers choose the V6 for towing because it has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. and 6300 lbs. with V6 Tow Package.  The tongue load is 350 lbs. and 650 lbs. with the Tow Package. Hauling Hauling is also an important feature in any pickup truck, so Toyota made sure the V6 Tacomas have an impressive payload capacity: 895 lbs. in the 4x2 X-Runner with 6-speed manual; 1305 lbs. in 4x4 Access Cab with 6-speed manual; 1320 lbs. in the 4x4 Double Cab with 6-speed manual; and 1375 lbs. in the 4x2 double cab with 5-speed manual. Safety Safety is essential when you are using your pickup truck to work and play.  Toyota made sure every Tacoma was equipped with safety features to keep the driver, passengers, and everyone else safe on and off the road such as Star Safety System, airbags with passenger sensing technology, active headrests, and an automatic 2-years of roadside assistance coverage.  The Tacoma earned a 5-star rating is side crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

Toyota drivers are loyal fans, and they continue to keep more than 80% of the Toyotas sold in the past 20 years on the roads today.  The 2013 Camry SE is stylish, efficient, and an industry favorite.  The Toyota Camry SE at Toyota of Dothan has all of the technology, agility, and safety features that drivers desire in a sedan. Technology in the 2013 Toyota Camry SE The SE is equipped with entertainment and comfort features that make each ride convenient and stress-free. The V6 SE comes standard with a 6.1 inch touchscreen audio and navigation display with Entune technology, satellite radio, USB and iPod connectivity and hands-free features. (Optional in 4-cylinder) 6-speaker audio system Remote keyless entry LCD instrumentation Mechanical Specs for the 2013 Toyota Camry SE Drivers can choose between 2 different engines the 2013 Toyota SE. The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine has a double overhead cam with a 6-speed automatic transmission.  The 4-cylinder produces 178 hp at 6000 RPM; it is a low emissions vehicle; and it averages 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway. Drivers who want a little more get up and go can choose the 3.5 liter V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic.  The V6 engine produces 268 hp at 6200 RPM and it averages 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway. Safety in the 2013 Toyota Camry SE The Camry SE has been recognized by industry leaders and consumers for its safety.  The unique collection of safety features in the SE makes it stand out, and drives don’t have to pay more to feel safer. Star Safety System A series of 10 airbags with passenger sensing technology 3-point safety belts with emergency locking Crumple zone technology Side-impact beams Engine immobilizer The option to add Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Parents are very particular when the safety of their family is involved, so they choose the 2013 Toyota Sienna to protect their cargo.  If you are looking for a family-friendly ride that is safe, comfortable and convenient, the 2013 Toyota Sienna at Toyota of Dothan is a minivan you can trust.  According to US News, the 2013 Toyota Sienna is the #1 minivan on the market. Safety Features in the 2013 Toyota Sienna The 2013 Toyota Sienna has an extensive collection of award winning safety features that work in unison to protect everyone inside and outside of the van. Star Safety System- 6 safety advances work together to prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.  The Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution with brake assist and Smart Stop Technology. Blind Spot Monitoring- BSM alerts drivers to unknown vehicles that are in the lane they are preparing to merge into. All-Wheel Drive- No other minivan on the market today offers the complete control that is only offered with all-wheel drive. Safety Connect- This is a 24/7 assistance program that provides emergency assistance with roadside assistance, collision notification and it has a stolen vehicle notifier. Comfort in the 2013 Toyota Sienna The Sienna L seats 7 passengers, but drivers who need extra space can upgrade to the LE, SE, XLE or Limited trim lines to increase passenger seating to 8.  The 7-passenger L has removable captain’s chairs in the second row that tip up and slide.  The 8-passenger trim packages come standard with 40/20/40 second-row seating. Convenience in the Sienna The Sienna is equipped with many convenience features that make the drive easier when you have an entire crew to care for. Bluetooth technology Steering wheel controls Push-button start Storage space Seating that is easy to move