Resources 

Trusted resources, expert advice, and local insight to help you make smarter decisions for your vehicle and your lifestyle.

2027 Toyota Buying Guides

Toyota's latest Camry generation introduced an exclusively hybrid lineup, available All-Wheel Drive, and updated styling. As details about the 2027 U.S. model continue to emerge, here's what shoppers should know about the Camry's current features and what to watch for in the new model year.

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With interest growing around the 2027 Toyota Tacoma, shoppers are looking ahead to what the next model year may offer. While complete 2027 specifications have not yet been confirmed, the latest Tacoma generation gives buyers a good idea of the performance, features, and technology to watch for

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Toyota Winter Preparations

Cold temperatures, snow, ice, and changing road conditions can put extra stress on your vehicle. Preparing your car before winter arrives can help reduce unexpected breakdowns, improve visibility, and keep your vehicle performing reliably throughout the colder months.

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When temperatures start dropping, many drivers wonder if their all-season tires are enough for winter driving. While all-season tires are designed to handle a variety of road conditions, dedicated winter tires offer advantages when snow, ice, and freezing temperatures become part of your daily commute.

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Buying a used vehicle can be a great way to get the features, space, and performance you want at a price that fits your budget. But before making a purchase, it's important to know what you're getting.

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Cold weather can be tough on your vehicle, especially when it comes to your battery. If you've ever turned the key on a freezing morning and noticed your engine struggling to start, there's a good chance the temperature played a role.

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2026 Toyota Buying Guides

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner continues to be one of Toyota's most capable SUVs, combining rugged performance, advanced technology, and everyday comfort. Whether you're looking for a vehicle with off-road capability or a spacious SUV for everyday driving, the 4Runner offers the versatility and reliability Toyota is known for.

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The 2026 Toyota Camry continues to be one of the most trusted midsize sedans on the road, combining impressive fuel efficiency, refined styling, advanced technology, and everyday comfort. Whether you're commuting to work, traveling long distances, or looking for a dependable daily driver, the Camry delivers a balanced driving experience.

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The 2026 Toyota RAV4 continues to be one of America's best-selling SUVs, offering an ideal combination of performance, efficiency, advanced technology, and everyday versatility. With multiple trim levels, available hybrid models, and available All-Wheel Drive, the RAV4 is designed to fit a variety of lifestyles while delivering the reliability Toyota is known for.

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The 2026 Toyota Sienna continues to redefine what families expect from a minivan. With a standard hybrid powertrain, available All-Wheel Drive, advanced safety technology, and a spacious interior, the Sienna delivers the comfort, efficiency, and versatility needed for everyday life.

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The 2026 Toyota Tacoma continues to set the standard for midsize trucks with its impressive capability, modern technology, and legendary reliability. Designed to handle tough jobs, weekend adventures, and everyday driving, the Tacoma offers the versatility drivers expect from one of Toyota's most popular trucks.

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The 2026 Toyota Tacoma continues to set the standard for midsize trucks with its impressive capability, modern technology, and legendary reliability. Designed to handle tough jobs, weekend adventures, and everyday driving, the Tacoma offers the versatility drivers expect from one of Toyota's most popular trucks.

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The 2026 Toyota Highlander continues to offer the space and flexibility of a three-row SUV in a size that works well for everyday driving. With gas and hybrid powertrain options, available all-wheel drive, modern technology, and seating for up to eight, the Highlander gives buyers several ways to configure their SUV around their needs.

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2026 Toyota Buying Guides

The 2026 Toyota Corolla continues to be a practical choice for drivers looking for efficiency, reliability, and modern technology in a compact sedan. With gas and hybrid options available, the Corolla keeps everyday driving simple while offering plenty of features for its size

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The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander gives drivers the space of a three-row SUV with the comfort, technology, and versatility Toyota is known for. With seating for up to eight passengers and multiple powertrain options, it’s designed for families who need extra room without sacrificing everyday drivability.

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The 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser combines serious capability with modern technology and a design that stays true to its legendary name. With standard four-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, the Land Cruiser is designed for drivers looking for an SUV with real off-road ability and everyday comfort

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The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander gives drivers the space of a three-row SUV with the comfort, technology, and versatility Toyota is known for. With seating for up to eight passengers and multiple powertrain options, it’s designed for families who need extra room without sacrificing everyday drivability.

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The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross gives drivers the efficiency and practicality associated with the Corolla name in a compact SUV. With gas and hybrid options, available All-Wheel Drive, flexible cargo space, and modern technology, it’s a practical option for drivers who want more versatility without moving into a larger SUV.

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The 2026 Toyota Prius combines standout fuel efficiency with sleek styling, modern technology, and the practicality drivers expect from Toyota’s iconic hybrid. Its aerodynamic design and hybrid powertrain make it an appealing choice for drivers who want to maximize efficiency without giving up comfort or everyday performance.

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The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia combines the versatility of an SUV with a premium interior and a standard hybrid powertrain. With standard All-Wheel Drive, seating for five, flexible cargo space, and plenty of technology, the Crown Signia offers a different take on Toyota's midsize SUV lineup.

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Buying Guides

Buying a vehicle is a big decision but deciding how to pay for it can be just as important as choosing the right model. Here at Phil Long Toyota, one of the most common questions we hear is:

Buying a car used to mean spending hours at a dealership figuring out pricing, financing, and paperwork. Today, the process is much simpler.

At Phil Long Toyota in Trinidad, most of the car-buying process can now be started and even completed online using Toyota's SmartPath platform. This allows drivers to browse vehicles, customize payments, explore financing options, and save their deal before ever stepping into the dealership.

Buying a vehicle today looks a little different than it did a few years ago. Vehicle prices, interest rates, inventory levels, and technology have all shifted, which has left many buyers asking the same question: 

Should I buy new or used?
When people shop for a vehicle, they usually focus on things like monthly payment, features, fuel efficiency, or how the vehicle looks sitting in the driveway.

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Buying a vehicle today looks a little different than it did a few years ago. Vehicle prices, interest rates, inventory levels, and technology have all shifted, which has left many buyers asking the same question: 

Should I buy new or used?
When people shop for a vehicle, they usually focus on things like monthly payment, features, fuel efficiency, or how the vehicle looks sitting in the driveway.

When people start shopping for a vehicle, reliability is usually near the top of the list.

After all, buying a vehicle is a significant investment. Whether you're commuting to work, driving kids to activities, taking road trips, or simply running daily errands, you want something you can depend on.

Living in Colorado means your vehicle needs to be ready for a little bit of everything.

One day might bring sunshine and mild temperatures. The next could mean snow, ice, wind, rain, or a trip through mountain passes. Whether you're commuting locally, heading into the mountains, or taking weekend road trips, having the right vehicle can make a big difference.

Which Toyota is best for Colorado?
If you’re shopping for a vehicle, you’ve probably seen both AWD and 4WD listed as options. They may sound similar, but they’re designed to handle different driving situations.

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Toyota offers both gas-powered and hybrid vehicles across much of its lineup, giving shoppers more choices when it comes to performance, fuel economy, and everyday driving.

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Financing Help

Buying a vehicle is exciting, but the financing process can sometimes feel overwhelming. One ofthe best ways to simplify the entire experience is to get pre-approved for a car loan before you ever step into the dealership. 

What Does Pre-Approval Actually Mean?
One of the most common questions drivers ask when shopping for a different vehicle is:  "Can I trade in my car if I still owe money on it?" 

The answer is yes, and it happens far more often than many people realize.
One of the most common questions people ask before shopping for a vehicle is: "What credit score do I need to buy a car?"

One of the biggest questions when financing a vehicle is how much money you should put down. You may have heard that you need 10% or 20%, but there isn’t one down payment amount that works for every car buyer.

Your ideal down payment depends on the vehicle price, your budget, financing terms, trade-in value, and how much cash you’re comfortable using upfront.
There isn’t one perfect time to trade in a vehicle. Mileage, condition, market demand, how much you still owe, and your own needs can all affect the decision. Knowing what to watch for can help you decide when it makes sense to get a trade-in value.

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Service & Maintenance

Keeping up with vehicle maintenance is one of the easiest ways to keep your car running safely and reliably. But many drivers ask the same question:

How often should I actually service my vehicle?

Most vehicle problems don't happen suddenly. In many cases, your car will give you warning signs before a small issue turns into a major repair.

Recognizing these signs early can help prevent expensive repairs and keep your vehicle running safely. Regular inspections and maintenance can often catch problems before they become serious.
Summer usually means more driving. Family vacations, road trips, weekend plans, higher temperatures, and longer days on the road can all put extra stress on your vehicle especially if it hasn't been checked over in a while.

Here are 10 simple ways to help get your vehicle summer-ready.
When families start shopping for a vehicle, reliability usually becomes one of the biggest priorities very quickly. It's not just about having something nice to drive. It's about having a vehicle you can count on during busy mornings, school drop-offs, grocery runs, road trips, sports practices, and all the little moments in between.

For a lot of parents, the goal is simple: Find something safe, dependable, comfortable, and practical enough to keep up with everyday life.

Few things get a driver's attention faster than seeing the check engine light suddenly appear on the dashboard. For some people, it's an immediate cause for concern. For others, it's easy to ignore and hope it goes away on its own. The truth is, a check engine light can mean many different things. Some causes are minor and easy to address, while others may require more immediate attention.

At Phil Long Toyota in Trinidad, one of the most common service questions we hear is: "Is it safe to keep driving if my check engine light is on?"

If you've ever taken your vehicle in for service, you've probably heard the term "multi-point inspection." But what does that actually mean?

Many drivers know they're receiving one during a service visit, but aren't always sure what technicians are checking or why it's important.

When shopping for a used vehicle, one of the first things many buyers look at is the odometer. It's easy to assume that lower mileage automatically means a better vehicle and higher mileage automatically means a vehicle should be avoided. But mileage only tells part of the story.

Financing Help

For many years, buying a vehicle meant visiting the dealership closest to your home andchoosing from whatever inventory happened to be available. Today, the process looks very different. Modern car buyers often search far beyond their local area in order to find the right vehicle, the right dealership, and the right overall experience.

Instead of settling for something that's simply nearby, buyers can take the time to find exactly what they want.
Not all dealerships operate the same way.Some dealerships focus primarily on volume. Vehicles are treated as commodities, transactions move quickly, and the experience can feel impersonal.

At Phil Long Toyota in Trinidad, that philosophy shapes everything we do.
When Lisa Camarillo, General Manager of Phil Long Toyota, and Paula Murphy, General Sales Manager, returned from the Toyota National meeting in Las Vegas, they brought back more than just information about new vehicle models and market trends. They returned with a renewed sense of purpose, deeper appreciation for partnership, and a powerful reminder of what it means to operate a business that truly serves its community.

In Trinidad, Colorado, a veteran walks among us who embodies a quiet philosophy of service that extends far beyond his years in uniform. Herb Rehm served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970, during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. But his story isn't just about his military service. It's about how those values of duty, self-sufficiency, and service to others have guided every day of his life since.

A Life of Service
In the 1970s, it wasn't cool to join the military. The Vietnam War had divided the nation, and young people who enlisted often faced criticism rather than support. But Sally Martinet wasn't looking for approval. She was looking for something more than small town Minnesota could offer.

Choosing the Hardest Path
On September 9th, 2001, an 18 year old kid from Colorado Springs stepped onto the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Paul Tebedo had wanted to be a Marine since he was 12 years old, ever since he saw that iconic 1990s commercial with the sword and the dragon.

Answering the Call: From Marine Infantry to Serving Trinidad
Most people pass through Trinidad, Colorado on their way to somewhere else. They stop for gas, maybe grab a meal, and continue on Interstate 25 toward their real destination. But for some, Trinidad becomes the destination itself. 

Ryan's story is one of those rare journeys. Finding Community Through Connection.
In 2018, a young technician walked into Lisa Camarillo's office at Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad with a simple question: Tell me more about this T-TEN program I've heard about. That conversation set Dylan Solano on a path he never could have predicted, one that would take him from apprentice to certified Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician to his current role as shop foreman, all before turning 30.

The Unexpected Path