Many people still shy away from auto auctions because all of the cars are lemons. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There is no arguing that some are the cars sold these auctions are worth your time, there are a growing number of great deals you can take advantage of. Used Toyotas have proven to be particularly popular lately. This makes sense because Toyota’s are known for being reliable, even when the vehicle has high mileage. In fact, many Toyota owners won’t even think about selling their car until it reaches 200,000 to 250,000 miles. The key to finding a great deal is knowing what details to pay attention to and what to ignore. This is the only way to find the best used Toyota Cars in Fort Worth TX.
1. Look for Any “Programs” the Auction House or Website Offers
A sneaking way to find the best used Toyota cars at Fort Worth, TX auto auctions is by focusing on any programs an auction house or website offers. The most common types of programs include “Runs” and “Runs and Drives”. While this may not seem to provide a significant amount of information at first glance, it can be extremely helpful. For example, if a website offers both a “Runs” and “Runs and Drives” program, then you know any Toyota car that is labeled as “Runs” probably doesn’t actually drive. This means the engine will start, but the car can’t move forward or backward. Normally this is a sign of transmission, axle, or alignment problems. If could move under its own power, then it would have received the “Runs and Drives” label. These programs not only give you a sneaky way to learn about a vehicle, but they also provide an additional layer of protection for buyers because each label comes with its own guarantee.
2. Take Advantage of Hail Damage
Another great way to find the best used Toyota cars in Fort Worth TX is to take advantage of hail damage. No type of accident causes more cosmetic damage to a vehicle without impacting how well it drives. In many cases, the car will be totaled by the insurance company and given a salvage title. While you may need to replace a windshield, you get a reliable Toyota at an extremely low price. There is no reason to fix the hail damage, unless you want to. If you are looking to save money on a reliable used car and really car if there are dents and dings, then hunting for Toyotas with hail damage are ideal.
3. Look for Clean Titles if Any Damage is Noticeable
If there is any noticeable damage, outside of hail damage, then make sure to double check the title. If the car still has a clean title, then you know the cost of repairs does not exceed the value of the vehicle. If it did, then the insurance company would have totaled the vehicle and given it a salvage title. This is particularly important to pay attention to if the used Toyota appears to have noticeable damage to the front or rear bumpers.
4. Ignore How “Clean” It Looks Under the Hood
A common mistake made by inexperienced auction bidders is looking at how clean a vehicle is, especially under the hood. To find the best used Toyota cars in Fort Worth TX, it is important to focus on what matters. Most cars will look relatively clean simply because sellers know a clean car tends to fetch higher prices than dirty cars. Focus on how a cars runs, not how it looks.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of Higher Mileage
One of the biggest benefits to focusing solely on Toyotas, when finding the best used cars in Fort Worth TX, is you don’t have to pay as much attention to mileage. If you buy a Toyota with less than 150,000 miles, there is a good chance you are going to easily get another 100,000 miles out of it with minimal additional repairs (not including regular maintenance). After 150,000 your risk of needing to pay for repairs increases, but Toyotas are well known for surpassing 250,000 miles if they are well-maintained.
6. Give Yourself as Many Potential Targets as Possible
The most important tip to remember when tracking down the best used Toyota cars in Fort Worth TX is “give yourself options”. Nothing will limit your search faster than creating an arbitrarily small window of potential candidates. For example, only looking for a specific color is an arbitrary limit. If you only want a specific color of used Toyota, then you can simply get the car repainted once you buy it. Try to avoid arbitrary limitations because they will cause you to miss out on the best deals when they appear.
Recent Deals on Used Toyota Cars at Auction in Fort Worth TX
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
This 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid sold at a recent auction in Fort Worth TX for $8,100. It only had 14,400 miles. The potential drawback of this Camry which helped keep the price low was moderate front end damage. On the other hand, it did start and drive so there was no noted mechanical damage. This means the primary damage was only cosmetic.
2004 Toyota Sienna XLE
At a recent auction in Fort Worth TX, a 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE sold for only $3,050. The vehicle had 130,000 miles which helped keep the cost low. It did run and drive so there was no real mechanical concerns. The only notable damage was from a recent hail storm. All of the windows appeared to be crack-free; however there were obvious dents along the body. The retail value of this vehicle was over $9,000 so it was a great deal for the winning bidder.
2007 Toyota Yaris
Another great deal was a 2007 Toyota Yaris. There was notable damage to the passenger side front panel; however it did have a clean title. This means whatever damage there was, repairing it was not expensive enough for the insurance company to total it. Additionally, it ran and drove great so all of the damage was cosmetic. It had 117,000 miles. The winning bidder paid only $2,000.
