You’ve put in many years of late-night studying, eating balanced meals of Ramen and pizza, and it has finally paid off. You’re a college graduate! Now is the perfect time to take advantage of Toyota’s College Graduate Finance Program and put yourself behind the wheel of a Toyota from Markquart Toyota.
All the hard work you put in to become a college graduate has not gone unnoticed. Toyota Financial wants to reward you with a $750 rebate good towards eligible new Toyota models. When you finance or lease a qualifying untitled Toyota with Markquart Toyota, you’ll receive a competitive APR, no monthly payments for the first 90 days on select finance programs and a $750 rebate (rebate price subject to change).
Eligible Toyotas include the Corolla and Camry for those who like something a tad more traditional, the Tacoma and RAV4 for the movers and shakers, and the Yaris and Matrix for those who like a fun car to zip around the city in. Also, Toyota has recently included the environmentally friendly Prius c as an eligible vehicle for the Toyota College Graduate Finance Program.
To qualify for the college graduate program, you must be able to show proof that one of the following categories applies to you:
- Have graduated from an accredited two- or four-year college, university or registered nursing program; OR are going to graduate from said programs in the next six months
- Are enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program or have received a degree from said program in the last two years
- Have graduated from the two-year Toyota Technical Education Network Program or any other accredited two-year post-secondary automotive program in the last two years
- Have completed an NJATC/IBEW-accredited electrician apprenticeship or certification program in the last two years
In addition to the above qualifications, you must show proof of current employment or future employment that will start within 120 days of vehicle purchase contract date. The income from your employment must be deemed sufficient to cover living expenses and vehicle payments by Toyota Financial Services.
If you are a recent UWEC, CVTC & UW-Stout college grad or plan on graduating soon, take advantage of Toyota’s College Graduate Finance Program. You’ll receive a rebate of $750 that can be put towards the purchase or lease of a Toyota from Markquart Toyota. If you’re in need of a new car and feel like rewarding yourself for all your hard work, call us or stop by Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire today to check out our great selection of qualifying Toyotas.
If you are in the market for a new vehicle but don’t know whether to buy or lease, let the experts at Markquart Toyota help you. Both options are good, but one may fit you better than the other.
When deciding whether to lease or buy a car, there are a few things to consider.
- How many miles do you drive per year on average?
People who drive 20,000 miles or less per year are a better fit for leasing. Leases are given based on the amount of miles a customer drives in a year, which also affects your monthly lease payment. If you tend to drive more than 20,000 miles per year, purchasing a car would be a better option for you. - What kind of budget are you on?
If you are on a tight budget, leasing might be best for you. When leasing a new vehicle, your monthly payments are lower as you are not paying outright for the whole vehicle. Your monthly payments are configured by taking the original cost of the vehicle and deducting what the residual value of the vehicle would be at the end of your lease. That number is then divided by however many months long your lease is. - Do you want to get more vehicle for your money?
If you were to purchase a new car with a budget of $300/month, your choices of model and trim level would be limited because you are paying for the total cost of the vehicle. Whereas, with leasing with the same budget, you would have a wider range of options to choose from as you are not paying outright for the vehicle.
Leasing is also a great option if you want a new car every couple of years. When your lease ends, instead of buying the car you are currently driving, you can lease a new vehicle. So, when in the market for a new car, remember that leasing is an option, and it may be the best option for you. Stop in to Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire, WI to check out our great selection of Toyotas, and speak with one of our friendly sales members about buying or leasing a new Toyota today!

If you are looking for an SUV that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner, available at Markquart Toyota, might just be the perfect vehicle for you. As one of the few midsize SUVs to continue the tradition of a body-on-frame build, this all-conquering 4Runner is up for anything.
The 2014 Toyota 4Runner is a great vehicle for any type of terrain. Whether you’re navigating your way through the city streets near Eau Claire, WI or tackling the backwoods up north, the 4Runner is ready for adventure. Standard on all models is the 4Runner’s 4.0L V6 engine that generates 270 horsepower, and helps tow up to 4,700 pounds of cargo. The Toyota 4Runner also comes equipped with a full-size spare tire, standard on all models, for those times when you’re in the great outdoors and trouble finds you.
While the 2014 4Runner is built for hard work, it is also great for entertainment and functionality. The 4Runner’s three models come standard with the Entune Audio Plus system so you can listen to your favorite tunes while dominating tough terrain. Plus, should you happen to need directions, dinner reservations or a change of music, the available Entune App Suite has all that and more at the touch of your fingertips.
For those who are in need of something versatile and comfortable, the Toyota 4Runner is both. With available 3rd-row seating, everyone is welcome on your next escapade. Unless you’re travelling with more packages than people, in which case the 3rd row has 50/50-split capability, and the fold-flat 2nd-row seats allow for up to 88 square feet of cargo room.
If you’re in the market for something a little more rough-and-tumble, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner might be exactly what you need. Call us or stop in to Markquart Toyota car dealership near Eau Claire today to test drive the 2014 4Runner and let the adventure begin.
When you’re looking to buy or lease a new Toyota from Markquart Toyota, know that we understand that keeping that new-car appearance is important to you after you drive off the lot. It is important to us, as well, which is why we offer AutoArmor’s Entire Car Protection Plus, to protect your car from the outside in and from top to bottom.
Introducing the next generation in protection. ECP Plus protects your vehicle’s interior and exterior from every day wear and tear so that it can continue to look as good as the day you bought it.
From harsh weather conditions to bird waste and insects, the outside of our cars are put through the ringer every day, as is the inside with dinners on the go, taking kids to and from school and hosting weekly carpool rides.
With ECP Plus, you’ll get environmental paint protection through NANO Paint Protection with Increased Gloss and Durability, which will protect your vehicle from weather-induced fading, chalking and loss of gloss. You’ll also receive headlight lens protection, as the lenses can dull, yellow or fade from the sun’s UV rays, and black molding and trim protection, as that can fade and discolor over time. These protections help arm your car in the fight against accelerated appearance depreciation.
For those who prefer alloy wheels, ECP Plus provides protection for factory alloy-wheel repairs for minor scratches or scuffs, and provides a protective barrier that makes brake dust removal easier.
ECP Plus also offers interior protection against rips, tears, punctures and burns with their Fabric Protection New Breakthrough Technology and Leather & Vinyl Protection with Increased UV Inhibitors. Not only will you keep your car looking sharp with ECP Plus, but you will increase the value of your vehicle at trade-in time.
AutoArmor’s ECP Plus is product driven, professionally applied and available with the purchase or lease of a new Toyota from Markquart Toyota. Call us or stop in today to Markquart Toyota, located right outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to see our great selection of Toyotas and talk to one of our friendly sales members.

Lee Markquart knows what it takes to run a successful business and it is reflected in the 44 years that Markquart has been in the Chippewa Valley.
“The basic principles of a successful business have not changed in many years and probably won’t change for a long time,” said Lee, who is retiring this year after being in the automotive business for 70 years. According to Lee, these principles are based on people, character, endeavor and communication.
These principles were instilled into Lee since he was a child. A Jackson, Minnesota native, Lee grew up in the automobile business and knew what hard work meant. At the age of 12, Lee went to work at his dad’s gas station pumping gas. At that time, gas was five gallons for a dollar. The station pumped gas, repaired tires and cars, and eventually started selling Hudson cars in 1946.
Over the years, Lee graduated from Macalester College, joined the South Dakota Air National Guard, flew as a Radar Observer, and worked at the family business. In the mid-1950s, Lee attended the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, and brought back the knowledge he had gained to help improve his dad’s then-Oldsmobile franchise.
Lee wasn’t all business though. After graduating from GMI, Lee met Mary Hagberg on a blind date and four months later, they were married! It didn’t take long for Mary to learn about the realities of business. Soon she was helping support her father-in-law’s car dealership by teaching at Sherburn High School and using her paychecks to pay off loans at the bank.
The Jackson dealership prospered during the 60s and Lee began to look for bigger opportunities. In 1970, Lee bought the Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac dealership on Clairemont Avenue and moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. At that time, Markquart Motors had 10 employees. Forty-four years later, Markquart Motors and Markquart Toyota are the largest new-vehicle dealerships in the Chippewa Valley.
We’d like to congratulate Lee on all that he has accomplished and thank him for all that he has done for us. We wish him the very best in his retirement, and will uphold the Markquart name with pride.
Our Service Department at Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire, offers a variety of auto repair services for your vehicle. Whether your vehicle is in need of scheduled maintenance, such as an oil change or tire rotation, or more complicated repairs, such as an engine or transmission replacement, you can count on our highly skilled technicians to get the job done.
No one is more qualified to work on your Toyota than a factory-trained technician like the ones here at Markquart Toyota. They each have a degree from a technical college and maintain their ASE Certification, but their education doesn’t stop there. At Markquart Toyota, our technicians are continually going through Toyota factory training through e-training and taking e-modules online in order to keep up with the ever-evolving automotive technology. Plus, at Markquart Toyota, we have Master Toyota Technicians who have completed every course available through Toyota and have a minimum of 60 months of experience working on Toyotas.
If you are coming to Markquart Toyota for the first time to get your car serviced, there are a few things you should know about our process. As soon as you arrive, pull up to one of our automatically opening Service garage doors and pull in. A Service employee will meet you at your car to gather some information from you before taking you to your Service Advisor. The Service Advisor will go through what repairs need to be done to your car, and what future maintenance they think your car will need.
While your car is being worked on, you can pass the time in one of our comfortable waiting rooms, take the free shuttle to a destination of your choice, or get a free loaner vehicle if you need more flexibility. Once your car is finished, your Service Advisor will go over everything that was done to your car and answer any questions you may have. The Service Cashier will help you with your paperwork while your vehicle is pulled into the Service Garage where you began. You vehicle is ready to go and so are you!
If you live near Eau Claire and need auto repair or service done on your car, schedule an appointment with Markquart Toyota online or call our friendly Service team to get you set up. Don’t forget to check out our website for Service coupons and rewards! We look forward to serving you!
One of the great things about Markquart is that people who are hired here tend to stay awhile. Because of this, you may see a lot of familiar faces when you buy a car with us or bring your car in for service. One of those familiar faces is Jeff Webber, the Service Manager at Markquart Toyota. This month Jeff is celebrating his 30-year anniversary with Markquart.
Jeff, an Eau Claire, WI native, first got his start with cars by working at his dad’s gas station from ages 14 to 19. His next job was at an automotive warehouse, delivering auto parts around the state. In 1984, Jeff found his way to Markquart. Jeff began as a shuttle driver and later became one of our first Lanes Crew members—the person who greets you at your vehicle when you pull in for service.
Jeff served in several other service and auto body positions before becoming Service Manager for Markquart Toyota in 1995. Jeff has done a great job and has earned the confidence of customers and his co-workers alike. When asked what his favorite part of the job was, Jeff said it was the customers. It must be true because Jeff has gone to great lengths over the years to help customers who found themselves in difficult situations.
Jeff, we appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for Markquart. You are a valued member of the Markquart family and we hope you will continue on for many years to come!
Finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the 2014 Toyota Highlander has arrived at Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire! The 2014 Highlander has been completely redesigned from the inside out. Its striking new exterior gives it a prominent stance, while the interior is nothing but luxury.
The new Toyota Highlander includes a power-opening rear lift-gate, a panoramic moonroof (available on Limited models only), seating for eight and enhanced safety features, which is important when you have precious cargo. With three new colors to choose from, Alumina Jade Metallic, Moulin Rouge Mica and Crème Brulee Mica, the all-new Toyota Highlander was about as much fun to design as it is to drive!
So, if you’re in the market for a new car or SUV, come to Markquart Toyota, located off Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, to test drive the exciting new 2014 Toyota Highlander. It is ready and waiting for you!
Toyota vehicles are built with you in mind and that is why they are both safe and dependable. To keep your Toyota vehicle in great condition, proper vehicle maintenance is needed, which is why brand-new Toyota vehicles come with ToyotaCare, a no-cost maintenance plan that includes roadside assistance.
With ToyotaCare, our trained service technicians at Markquart Toyota, located in Western Wisconsin, will take care of your vehicle and keep you in the loop about what maintenance is being performed and what maintenance needs to be scheduled in the future. Some of the aspects that ToyotaCare Scheduled Factory Maintenance covers are:
- Tire rotation
- Multi-point vehicle inspection
- Inspection of and adjustment to all fluid levels
- Replacement of engine oil and oil filter
If you’re like most people, you have a lot going on in your life, and sometimes things can slip away from you. Toyota will make sure to send you reminders before scheduled maintenance needs to be done, so you have one less thing to worry about!
Plus, when you’re out and about, you can rest easy knowing that should something come up, such as locking your keys in your car or getting a flat tire, you are covered by ToyotaCare’s 24-hour Roadside Assistance. Aside from lockout protection and tire service, the roadside assistance covers:
- Battery jump starts
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Towing
- Winching
So, next time you are in the market for a new vehicle, stop in to Markquart Toyota, located off Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, or check out our inventory of new Toyotas online at www.markquarttoyota.com. You know you’ll be in good hands when you purchase a Toyota because Toyota cares and it shows with ToyotaCare.
Markquart Sponsors Eau Claire Free Clinic
From the first night the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic opened its doors in 1997 at its location in Eau Claire, WI and treated eight patients, to the roughly 60 patients it sees per week today, it is easy to see how important the clinic is to the Chippewa Valley. Offering free, adult-based, basic health services such as vaccines, mental health care, medications and more, the clinic has garnered attention from all corners of the Chippewa Valley.
For the free clinic in Eau Claire, WI to keep its doors open, it relies on donations from community members, businesses, services and churches, as well as the 200-plus people that volunteer their time at the clinic. Each week, a business or two from the Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire area that supports the clinic is named “Sponsor of the Week,” and Markquart’s is the week of December 23 through the 27. In our third year of sponsoring the free clinic, we are proud to support such a great organization that gives back so much to the community and encourage those that feel the way we do to give back as well. Visit the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic’s website to sign up for volunteering or donate, and find out more about how the free clinic has helped to make the Chippewa Valley a better place for everyone.

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