Enjoy some racing fun near Tampa
Tampa FL Race Tracks and Courses
Very few sports can match the excitement of live car racing. Florida is a great state for racing, offering many impressive race tracks that deliver high-speed fun. If you would like to take in some racing fun, check out one of these Tampa FL race tracks and courses.
East Bay Raceway Park
This high-speed clay track has been hosting a variety of different races for over 40 years. The track overs a third of a mile, and routinely hosts national races with drivers from all around the world.
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Desoto Speedway
Desoto Speedway offers a unique racing experience. The track utilizes a 3/8-mile paved oval with 12-degree baking turns to provide high-speed excitement. Desoto Speedway hosts a variety of races in different type and classes.
Lakeland Drag Strip
Lakeland Drag Strip brings high-speed drag racing to the Tampa area. This fun track offers a variety of drag races all year long.
Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
This is not really a race track, but the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is definitely worth seeing. Every year, the Indycar Series takes over the streets of St. Petersburg for this high-speed Grand Prix.
Showtime Speedway
Showtime Speedway bills itself as the “fastest ¼-mile in the South.” This speedway also includes a dragstrip to maximize the variety of races available.
If you are in the market for a top-quality pre-owned car while you are in the Tampa area, stop by OkCarz. We offer a wide variety of vehicles along with the financing options needed to get you behind the wheel at the best rate possible.

Compact cars with great storage space
The small car segment draws customers by offering impressive fuel economy ratings paired with nimble handling and an easy-to-drive nature. However, many times this smaller stature comes with a smaller trunk as well. But this is not always the case. Check out this list of compact cars with great storage space to get the most out of your small car.
Compact Hatchback Cars
One of the best ways to gain an extra amount of storage space in a compact car is to find one that utilizes a hatchback body style. The hatchback design allows many of these cars to offer storage numbers that rival, and sometimes exceed, many larger cars and crossovers. Some of these options include:
| Vehicle | Storage Space w/ Seats in Place | Storage Space w/ Seats Folded Down |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus Hatchback | 23.8 cubic feet | 44.8 cubic feet |
| Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback | 18.5 cubic feet | 47.2 cubic feet |
| Honda Civic Hatchback | 25.7 cubic feet | 46.2 cubic feet |
| Volkswagen Golf | 22.8 cubic feet | 52.7 cubic feet |
| Mazda3 Hatchback | 20.2 cubic feet | 47.1 cubic feet |
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Compact Crossovers
With the increased popularity of the crossover, manufacturers have been rushing to offer versions of these vehicles in a variety of sizes. Many small crossover models are able to deliver impressive fuel economy and storage ratings. Models offered in this class include:
| Vehicle | Storage Space w/ Seats in Place | Storage Space w/ Seats Folded Down |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-3 | 12.4 cubic feet | 44.5 cubic feet |
| Chevrolet Tax | 18.7 cubic feet | 48.4 cubic feet |
| Honda HR-V | 24.3 cubic feet | 58.8 cubic feet |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 22.3 cubic feet | 51.9 cubic feet |
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OkCars offers many capable compact car and crossover models that deliver impressive storage and fuel economy ratings. You can view our selection online, as well as apply for financing.

How much of my income should I spend on a car?
Used Car Purchase Budgeting
A good rule of thumb to use when planning the purchasing of a vehicle is to budget approximately 20{e443ec709150c73baf180d3d8e0a41d703fa022f47b2bb5516b57735b7c7f19e} of your income towards a car. This percentage can vary based on the amount of your down-payment, and the length of the loan.
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Is important to take detailed stock of your finances before determining whether it is practical to purchase a newer vehicle.
Car Purchase Financing at OkCarz
OkCarz can help just about any driver finance their next purchase. Our buy here, pay here model allows us to cut out the middle man. We offer financing through our Mid-Florida Financing Bank. OkCarz is an excellent place to begin the process of re-building your credit.
At OkCarz, car shoppers will be able to find a wide variety of pre-owned vehicles from many different makes and manufacturers. We will be able to find the ideal vehicle that fits your needs as a driver.
Read More: How is all-wheel drive different from four-wheel drive?
OkCarz offers multiple locations spread throughout Florida, and in North Carolina. Get in touch with our team right away to begin the process of getting behind the wheel of an excellent pre-owned vehicle at a rate you can afford. View our selection, or apply for financing, online.
Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel Drive
How is all-wheel drive different from four-wheel drive?
Car shoppers looking to do some adventuring off-road, or just for some added traction, will be considering all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles. These two similar systems can sometimes lead to confusion. So how is all-wheel drive different from four-wheel drive?
Differences between AWD and 4WD
Both all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive send power to all four wheels of a vehicle. There are a couple key differences that set these two systems apart from each other.
Read More: Make your payments online at OkCarz!
All-wheel drive systems can send power to all four wheels, but most of the time the system with prioritize one set of wheels over the other. Power is then sent to the other wheels as needed. For example, an all-wheel drive car will primarily operate in front-wheel drive, but if the system detects the front wheels slipping, power will be sent to the rear wheels. Some all-wheel drive systems will always send a portion of the vehicle’s power to all the wheels, but others do not.



Benefits of 4WD
Four-wheel drive systems will always send a portion of power to all four wheels of the vehicle. Four-wheel drive systems are most often found on larger trucks and SUVs, and are designed for more rugged use. Four-wheel drive vehicles will have lower gearing ratios, and other systems designed to aid with off-road driving, or extreme weather driving conditions. If you are planning on taking your vehicles off road for a significant amount of time, for-wheel drive is a great choice.
OkCarz offers many excellent all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles in our inventory, along with the financing options needed to get you behind the wheel at a rate that fits your budget.
Truck models with good fuel economy ratings
Small Pickup Trucks
The midsize pickup truck market offers many smaller models that deliver competitive fuel economy ratings while still checking off all the performance boxes. Trucks like the Honda Ridgeline can earn up to 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highways.
Read More: Make your payments to OkCarz online!
Other smaller truck models on the market today include the Chevy Colorado, which is capable of earning up to 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highways, and the Toyota Tacoma, which checks in at 19 city/24 highway.



Larger Truck Models
Shoppers who are more interested in a larger truck model can still find a vehicle that delivers competitive fuel economy ratings. Some full-size truck models can be equipped with turbocharged diesel engine options that maximize performance and fuel economy. The Ram 1500 diesel can earn up to 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highways.
Other trucks utilize turbocharged gasoline V-6 engines that deliver the performance of a V-8 with better fuel economy ratings. Ford offers the iconic F-150 with multiple EcoBoost engine options. This helps the truck earn up to 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highways.
OkCarz offers multiple pre-owned truck models in our inventory. We can help you get behind the wheel of a capable truck at a rate you can afford. Get in touch with our team and find out how to get approved.
Make your payments with convenience through OkCarz
OkCarz Online Payment Option
OkCarz is here to provide easy financing and payment options for car shoppers near our multiple locations. After you finance your purchase through OkCarz, there are multiple easy ways to make a payment, including the OkCarz online payment option.
Ways to Make Payments at OkCarz
There are multiple ways to make payments to OkCarz. These include:
Pay by Phone: Payment by phone can be done with a credit or debit car by calling Mid Florida Financing LLC at 863-688-2500. Phone lines are open between 9 and 6 Monday through Friday and between 9 and 5 on Saturdays. Payment via phone will come with a $5.95 fee.
Pay by Phone: Paying by mail can be done free of charge. Simply send a cashier’s check or money order to Mid Florida Financing LLC, 1200 W. Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for processing.
Read More: You are on the OkCarz blog!
Pay at Walmart: Payments can be made at any Walmart location. Payments are accepted via cash, credit card or debit car with a $1.88 fee. You will need to have your contract number, and payments must be made before 9 pm.
Pay by MACallotment: Military members and Federal Service Employees can make payments at MACallotment.com. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for processing.
Pay by Amscot: Payments can be made at any Amscot location, via cash, check, credit or debit card. Amscot locations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will also need your contract number, and a $3.00 fee will be applied.
Read More: Take a look at our inventory!
Pay Online: Online payments can be made right here on the OkCarz website. This can be done quick and easily with a credit or debit card, and is free of charged. Click here to begin the online payment process!
Welcome to the OkCarz blog!
Buy Here, Pay Here Used Car Dealership Florida
OkCarz is a buy here, pay here used car dealership in Florida that offers multiple locations that allow us to serve the entire state. At OkCarz, car shoppers will be able to find a variety of resources to help them through the vehicle purchasing process. This includes the OkCarz blog. Our blog will be a great source of advice and information on everything we have to offer at OkCarz, as well as community events and highlights from the state of Florida.
Services Offered at OkCarz
Car shoppers will find a variety of services here at OkCarz. We are a buy here, pay here dealership that specializes in financing. We will be able to get you behind the wheel of a capable and comfortable car at a rate you can afford.
Read More: View our inventory here!
Our buy here, pay here setup means we don’t have to worry about using third-party financers. All our financing is done through our in-house Mid-Florida Financing Bank. This allows us to find our visitors the best rate possible on their car purchase. Get in touch with our team and let us find the best car for your needs, and your budget.
OkCarz Vehicle Inventory
Our inventory at OkCarz offers an impressive selection of top-quality vehicles. We offer cars, trucks and crossovers from many of the top brands on the market today. All of the vehicles we offer are carefully inspected before entering our inventory, helping us ensure we only offer the best cars to our customers.
Take a look around the OkCarz website to learn more about everything we have to offer our customers. From here, you can learn more about each of our locations, view the vehicles in our inventory and even begin the process of applying for financing.
Shop for Pre-Owned Luxury Vehicles in Tampa Bay FL!
The Top Three Reasons to Buy a Used BMW Vehicle
If you’re shopping for a new car, consider pre-owned luxury cars in your search. People look over the option of buying a pre-owned luxury car, but there are so many benefits that shoppers don’t think about. We want to help shoppers find the car that is right for them. Here are the top three reasons to buy a used BMW vehicle.
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High Value
One great reason to buy a used BMW vehicle is that they are of high value. When they are new they are expensive, but when they are used their value is reduced, but still high. Most pre-owned luxury vehicles have a price that is similar to a new non-luxury vehicle. Of course the price may vary, but the value of a used BMW vehicle is still high because you get ahead of the value depreciation curve.


Reasonable Price
We’ve talked about value, but now we can talk about price. Shoppers may be wary of browsing used luxury vehicles because when they see luxury, they think that the vehicle is going to be expensive. Here at OkCarz, we have many reasonably priced used BMW vehicles and other models and makes to give you the best value.
Variety of Options
When shopping for a used vehicle, shoppers may think there are only a few options. With our pre-owned luxury vehicles, we have a wide spread of vehicles, trim levels, and model years to give you the best variety. These options can help you find the best vehicle for your needs.
READ MORE: Work your way into a new Toyota with OkCarz!
Those are the top three reasons to buy a used BMW vehicle. If you want to learn more about our selection of used cars, check out our online inventory and schedule a test drive today!
How to Clean Corrosion Off a Car Battery Safely

Step by Step Guide on Removing Corrosion from Car Battery Terminals
If you have been having issues starting up your engine or notice problems with electrical components, such as dim headlights or issues turning on the radio, the battery is likely the culprit. When you check the battery, you may notice corrosion, a white or blue substance forming on the battery’s terminals. A little bit shouldn’t cause a problem, but letting it build up can lead to electrical interference, causing inconveniences even if the battery itself is still good. Here’s our step by step guide on how to clean corrosion off a car safely.
[ READ MORE: Signs of a Failing Car Battery ]
- Turn off the engine and disconnect the battery. Determine the size wrench you need for your specific battery. Usually, terminals on the side means you need a 5/16 wrench while terminals on top requires a 3/8 wrench. Loosen and remove the cable on the negative terminal first. Do not let the wrench touch the positive terminal as this can shock you. Once the cable is removed, do the same for the positive terminal.
- Inspect the battery for cracks or tears. If you have cracks or tears in the battery or cables, cleaning the corrosion may not do you any good as the battery or cables would need replacing. If there are no signs of damage, then it’s time to prepare for a cleaning.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of hot water. Mix this solution fully so no baking soda clumps are left behind. Use an old toothbrush to dip and scrub. If this isn’t enough, look into buying a battery terminal cleaner brush.
- Dry everything off fully and replace the clamps. To replace the clamps, you will need to go in reverse order as before, starting with positive and ending with negative. Like before, mind where your wrench moves.
- Test the connection. Once you are finished, turn on your engine. If you’re still having problems, you likely need to replace the battery. If it starts up well, you should be good to go. However, it’s still a good idea to get the battery tested, especially if the battery is 3 years old or older.
[ Vehicle Emergency Kit Checklist | OKCarz Blog ]

When is the Best Time to Buy Gas for My Car?

Tips for Saving Money While at the Pump
Whether or not you are on a tight budget, it’s nice to save money here and there. A largely unknown fact is that you can save money at the gas pump based on when you fill up your tank. How is this possible? When is the best time to buy gas for my car? Here are a couple tips for saving money while at the pump.
Fill Up Either During the Early Morning or Late at Night
Ideally, if you are looking to save some gas money, many experts will say that your best bet is to fill up either during the early morning or late at night. Why is this?
It comes down to when gas stations can make money. Gas stations often raise the prices during the day since that’s when most motorists are out driving. This helps these companies maximize on their sales since most of their business occurs during the day.
[ READ MORE: 5 Ways to Improve Your Fuel Economy ]

Choose the Day You Buy Gas
The day of the week you choose to purchase gas will also matter. Again, gas companies raise the prices when drivers are out and about. Since the roads are typically busy on the weekends, prices may raise on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you want to capitalize on low prices, try filling up early in the week, such as Mondays or Tuesdays. Of course, prices always vary depending on the city and company. Consider keeping an eye on prices throughout the week so you can spot the best day to purchase gas in your area.
[ READ MORE: Sedans with the Best Fuel Economy Ratings in 2019 ]
Looking for more ways to save money? Follow the OKCarz blog for more tips like this!












































