Blog / Fun Facts

Blog

All Fun Facts Toyota National and Worldwide News Toyota Community Events Car Maintenance Tips Central City Toyota Breaking News Toyota Information Dealership Information Helpful Tips Philadelphia Toyota Dealer Sale Events Pre-Owned Vehicles Service and Repair TV and Radio Commercials Certified Pre-Owned Press Release Used Toyota in Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia Community Toyota RAV4 Used Toyota Models Auto Shows Best Used Cars Collision Center Fun Facts About Toyota Philadelphia Breaking News Toyota 4Runner Toyota Highlander Toyota models Toyota's hybrid lineup Toyota-certified pre-owned lot Used Car Sales Used Toyota Used Toyota Prius Used Vehicles at Central City Toyota Preowned
teen-driver

What Makes a Toyota the Perfect First Car

Is the Toyota dealership near me the best place to find my first car? Toyota has a long reputation as a trustworthy brand. Better yet, they have cutting-edge safety features and fuel efficiency. Visiting a Toyota Philadelphia dealership makes it easy to find options teens and parents agree on. 4 Reasons To Visit a Philadelphia Car Dealership for Your First Toyota 1. Safety First It’s always wise to invest in a car with high-quality safety features, especially for your first car. Toyotas put safety first. For example, the 2021 Toyota Camry SE comes with a backup camera and lane departure warning. These features are the future, so it’s great to start your driving life with them now. 2. Wide Selection Toyota has options for a wide variety of priorities. For example, you may be looking for a car, truck, or SUV. Or, maybe your budget is the most important part. Toyota dealerships offer quality cars that prioritize safety features with options under a $10,000 budget. At a quality dealership, the wide selection makes it easier to find the amenities a first-time car owner enjoys. For example, you can still find a car with important safety features that also comes in your preferred color. 3. Hybrid Cars Toyota also has options for the eco-conscious young driver looking for a hybrid. The 2018 Toyota Prius Two is a great example of a hybrid that gets 50 MPG on the highway. Making it a lot easier to save on gas. The Prius Two also comes with a backup camera, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitor. 4. Easy Maintenance There is a lot to get used to as a new driver. One of those things is proper car maintenance. Toyota is a well-known brand with easy-to-find replacement parts, especially at the dealership. You can bring your new car to the dealership to get regular maintenance from expert Toyota technicians. This prioritizes safety and the longevity of your first car. Buying your first car is something you’ll never forget. You want to find one that is reliable, safe, and easy to maintain. Visit Central City Toyota now to see our inventory of quality used cars.

sunset photo of university city in philadelphia

University City: 4 Things to Do in Philly’s Best Neighborhood

There aren’t many places you can’t go in your trusty Toyota, so why not spend your time in one of America’s most vibrant cities? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, definitely fits that bill. There’s a lot to love about Philly, from the architecture to the culture. And there’s no better example of how those two things combine for a unique experience than the University City area of West Philadelphia. With a vibe that’s as lively as your Toyota, University City is never short on things to do. And nobody has the scoop on the eating, shopping, and entertainment scenes quite like your friends at Central City Toyota. While you can’t go wrong, there are some recommendations we’re particularly keen on. Read them below. The Best Places to Take Your Toyota in University City Arts You drive a stylish Toyota, so chances are you appreciate creativity. Lucky for you, University City is rich in arts and culture. If exhibits are your thing, the Arthur Ross, Danger Danger, and Esther Klein galleries, to name a few, are great options in the area. Or, if performance is more your speed, dance companies like the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center and Philadanco are just a short drive away. Markets Just as your Toyota adds value to your day-to-day life, markets add value to the local community. University City is home to a variety of farmers’ markets that provide the people of West Philadelphia with fresh fruits, veggies, dairy products, and baked goods. And with flexible hours and locations, there’s never really a bad time to enjoy them. Parks All work and no play makes anybody dull. That’s why University City is as fun to explore as your Toyota is to drive. Barkan Park, Cedar Park, Clark Park, Drexel Park, Penn Park, and Saunders Park Greene are all exciting options for you, your family, and your four-legged friends. Restaurants Toyota is all about options, and there’s no limit to your dining choices in University City. You name the culture of the cuisine, and this district likely has it. There are many highly-regarded restaurants to try in University City, but The Porch at 30th Street Station might be your festive option. The Porch hosts local food trucks and pop-up performances throughout the week so you can get your thrills and your meals at the same time. To learn more about all that University City has to offer, watch the video below: Share Your Great University City Outings with Central City Toyota At Central City Toyota, we’re honored to serve the people of Philadelphia — so nothing makes us happier than sharing our city’s best places. Thinking of spending a day in University City soon? Follow us on Facebook and share your experiences with us. If you’re in need of a great Toyota to help you explore, we’ve got you covered there, too.

question

4 Things You Didn't Know About Toyota

Toyota is one of the world's most successful car companies. Stand on any busy street in Philadelphia and you'll see a Toyota vehicle pass by within minutes. While you may know a lot about this popular brand, there are probably a lot of things that you don't know about the company. These four facts will give you a new perspective on Toyota, its past, and its future. Toyota Employs Many Americans Toyota is a Japanese company, but it employs nearly 350,000 people in the United States. In fact, the Camry, assembled at plants in Indiana and Kentucky, may be the most American car you can buy. In addition to employing Americans, Toyota primarily uses parts manufactured within the U.S. more The next time someone talks about buying an American car, you can feel confident saying that Toyota vehicles sold in the U.S. have very strong ties to the economy and workforce. The Company is Owned by the Toyoda Family Toyota is owned by the Toyoda family (which means "fertile rice paddies" in Japanese). When the family founded its vehicle manufacturing company in 1937, Risaburo Toyoda discovered that he could write "Toyota" in eight brush strokes, which was fortunate, because eight is considered to be a lucky number in Japanese culture. (Risaburo had married into the Toyoda family, so he may not have felt a great attachment to the name.) The other family members agreed to use Toyota because it gave the company a better brand. Toyota Owns Lexus and Scion Toyota understands that it needs to brand its cars well to attract buyers. The Toyota name stands for quality at an affordable price; however, to branch into luxury and entry-level markets, Toyota developed the Lexus and Scion brands. The Lexus division of Toyota focuses on making luxury vehicles. They tend to have higher prices and more features than the Camry. Toyota started the Scion brand to attract younger buyers looking for entry-level vehicles. The vehicles are made from quality parts, but they don't come with many extras. This approach helps keep the cost of Scion vehicles low. Toyota Invests Heavily in New Fuel Technologies Toyota has always tried to make cars more efficient. Even in the 1930s, Toyota led the way in manufacturing technology. Today, the company invests heavily in new fuel technologies. The Prius is one of the most popular hybrid vehicles in the world. Without Toyota's research and development, it's unlikely that people would have access to such affordable hybrid technology. More recently, Toyota developed the Mirai car, which runs on hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel offers several benefits for drivers. The Mirai can travel about 300 miles on a full tank. It only takes about five minutes to refill the tank. Toyota even includes fuel throughout the first three years of ownership. Toyota has been in business for nearly 80 years, but there's much that consumers don't know about the company. That's too bad because Toyota is an interesting, innovative business that keeps changing the way people travel. Image by qimono, used under CCO 1.0

cheesesteak

Where to Go for an Authentic Philly Cheesesteak

There are few things better than the greasy, delicious goodness of an authentic Philly cheesesteak. True connoisseurs of the drippy, cheesy bit of heaven understand that it starts with the right roll: crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, the better to absorb the sumptuous drippiness. Next, the perfect cheese. You can't use some high-brow artisan cheese. Only Cheez Whiz will do. Let's not forget that tender shredded steak diced with grilled onions. It's a party of flavors and textures and true Philadelphians know mayonnaise, tomato, and lettuce aren't invited. If you're tasting this deliciousness for the first time, know that you're stepping into a rivalry of epic proportions -- Geno's or Pats. If you're looking for an authentic Philly cheesesteak experience, you can't try just one of these hot spots. You must visit them all and then decide what team you're on. If this is your first time, you need to know two things: the ambiance of the restaurant doesn't matter, and Philadelphians are pretty impatient, so don't take a long time deciding on that order. more Tony Luke's It's not all about Geno's or Pat's. This south Philly institution is tucked next to an underpass for I-95. You won't find indoor dining, and the staff gives everyone a hard time, but the food is worth it. If you love it, you could own a Tony Luke's franchise. 39 E. Oregon Avenue. (215) 551-5725. Pat's King of Steaks Pat's started it all as a tiny market stall at the Italian Market, and now it's a Philly institution. Pat's steaks are more like an Italian beef sandwich with bigger slices and less dicing. Have some fun and tell them Geno sent you.  9th Street & Passyunk Avenue, (215) 468-1546. Dalessandro's Steaks While most of the cheesesteak joints are in south Philly, this one's in Roxborough. Still, it makes the list because of the gooey drip factor of their sandwiches. A cheesesteak is not about your finest cuts of meat or aged cheeses. It's the goo that makes it awesome, and Dalessandro's does that perfectly. 600 Wendover Street, (215) 482-5407. John's Roast Pork John's dices up their steaks and smothers them in cheese. But there are two things that set their sandwiches apart from the others -- their bread and the type of cheese. They use a sesame seed roll and provolone. The purists won't go for it, but it's a tasty sandwich nonetheless. 14 Snyder Avenue, (215) 463-1951. Geno's Steaks Putting the long-standing rivalry aside, the signage at Geno's alone is something to see, and it's right across the street from Pat's. Like Pat's, Geno's doesn't dice their beef as much as Dalessandro's. Geno's and Pat's are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for whenever you need your fix. 1219 S. 9th Street, (215) 389-0659. In order to appreciate a Philly cheesesteak, you must visit more than one restaurant. The rolls, the chop of the meat, and the cheese provide subtle differences. You'll need to taste them all to decide on your favorite and you'll love every second. Image by pizano13, used under CCO 1.0

walk

The 5 Coolest Walking Tours in Philadelphia, PA

With a city rich in history like Philadelphia, you don't have to go far to find some fascinating sights. If you truly want to experience everything the city has to offer, check out one of these great walking tours. City Food Tours Learn more about the foods made famous in Philadelphia while getting a chance to burn off the calories you'll get from sampling them with City Food Tours. Food experts will give you a behind-the-scenes look at making these foods and offer interesting stories about the creation of some of the most popular foods. You can choose from six tours, including the Flavors of Philly Tour, which has stops with famous Philadelphia treats like cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. All the tours have less than 30 minutes of walking but over two hours of good eating. more Grim Philly Twilight Tours If you want to send a shiver down your spine as you learn more about Philadelphia, book a spot on the Grim Philly Twilight Tours. On these adults-only tours, you'll learn about pirates, gangsters, serial killers, grave robbers, vampires, ghost hunters, and more. There's even a Bootlegger's Ball Prohibition Pub Crawl tour, where you can enjoy a few drinks and snacks as you tour three taverns with a seedy history in bootlegging and Colonial brewing. Researched and developed by university professor Joe Wojie, this tour offers a sensational look at the city's dark past. Tippler's Tour Between May and December, the over-21 crowd can learn more about Philadelphia's brewing past with three seasonally appropriate walking tours from Tippler's Tour Colonial Pub Crawl, including Ben's Kites and Flights in the summer, Ghosts and Toasts in the fall, and Yuletide Cheers and Beers in the winter. On these tours, you'll stop by four modern bars and one Colonial tavern to sample drinks and snacks, sing 18th-century drinking songs, and listen to stories about the drinking traditions in Colonial America. The tours cover about seven blocks and last around two hours. Mural Arts Tour With over 3,500 murals throughout the city, the Mural Arts Tour lets you discover what many call the world's largest outdoor art gallery. The tours occur year-round, and trained guides will take you along the streets to different murals so you can learn how the artists created them, the story behind the mural, and the history of the community where the mural is located. The tour goes for about one mile and lasts between an hour and a half and two hours. The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia If you want to explore the birthplace of America and learn the interesting facts behind some of Philadelphia's famous landmarks, head straight to The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia. This 1.25-mile, 75-minute outdoor walking tour takes you to 20 of the most historic sites in the city, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, and the First Bank of the United States. This tour occurs every day from April through November. Whether you want to check out the good food, sample some drinks, or learn more about the city's history, these Philadelphia walking tours will give you a unique experience. Image by Fotorech, used under CCO 1.0

date

5 Fun and Creative Date Ideas to Try in Philadelphia

Dating in Philadelphia can be an exciting prospect. With so many great restaurants, bars, breweries, and attractions, a romantic night out isn't too hard to plan. If you're planning an upcoming date, here are a few of our favorite ideas. Dinner and an Art Stroll The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers a vast collection of American, Renaissance, and Impressionist art alongside ever-changing special exhibitions, making this facility a great option for a romantic date. The museum also features an on-site French bistro. As the museum's premier restaurant, Granite Hill offers a vibrant mix of seasonal appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, and specialty drinks, not to mention a daily sampling or artisanal cheese, light dishes, and charcuterie. The restaurant's offerings are often paired with the museum's exhibition themes, making each visit here one to remember. more Brews and Conversation Philadelphia offers a number of breweries that allow you to sample the local flavors, which is why we highly recommend taking a brewery tour on a first date as a great way to break the ice. Philadelphia Brewing Company is Philly's oldest and largest brewing facility offering more than a dozen different ale and lager styles brewed for every discerning palate. The brewery offers an informal Tours & Tasting event every Saturday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m.; simply show up during that time and enjoy socializing. Explore a Romantic Victorian Garden Located in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill section, Morris Arboretum is a lavish 92-acre Victorian landscape and sculpture garden that beckons guests to steal some quiet, romantic moments. The 19 th -century garden features majestic old trees, a variety of bird species, a formal rose garden, and numerous plants from North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. The Morris Arboretum also hosts summer events throughout the season, which are ideal opportunities for a picnic. Dinner and a Show What's a more classic date than dinner and a show? Rather than head to the local movie theater, however, take your date to the Arden Theatre Company on North 2 nd Street. The Arden has featured some of the world's best-known works, including classics by Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Stephen Sondheim, plus a nice sampling of contemporary productions. After catching a show, walk to Cuba Libre for some tasty Cuban cuisine, rum, and late-night salsa dancing. Try a Dance Class Society Hill Dance Academy is a great destination for couples looking to learn a new skill. No experience is necessary to try academy's group introduction classes, which teach you the basics of the tango, foxtrot, cha-cha, salsa, or rumba. The facility even offers a number of special events throughout the season, including a Friday Night Dance Party with monthly theme nights, surprise performances, and light refreshments. Even if you've never danced in your life, a date at Society Hill Dance Academy is a fun experience neither of you will ever forget. There's nothing quite like dating in Philadelphia. Whether you're in the mood for tasty eats, great beer, dancing, or a show, Philly doesn't disappoint in its range of options. Image by 5688709, used under CCO 1.0

IMG_5040

The Most 'American-Made' Car is Also the Best-Selling

Have you heard the news? The best-selling car for the past 14 years is on its way to set yet another trend, this time one that comes to us as no surprise. Cars.com, in their American-Made Index, rates vehicles built and brought into the U.S based on several factors to ultimately determine those whose are the most American-made. Can you guess which car is on this list? Here's a hint. If you guessed Camry, you are correct! The Camry was rated as the most American-made vehicle. This is a position the Camry has held for the second straight year, and the sixth time overall it was included on the list. The factors used to determine those results include the percentage of parts considered domestic under federal regulations, whether the car is assembled in the U.S. and also includes U.S. sales. If a model is determined to have a parts content rating below 75 percent, they are disqualified. This also includes models built exclusively outside the U.S. or models that are on their way to being discontinued without any kind of U.S. built successor. All these factors gave way to the eventual rating of the Camry - an astounding 75 percent American. As a bonus, the Sienna is yet another vehicle included on the list and it ranked third overall. Not a bad way to end June if we say so ourselves.   For more information on the Camry and its stellar rating, please be sure to visit: http://toyota.us/28YrzCb

Toyota Buckle Up

Stay Buckled Up During The Summer

Summer; the time for camping, s'mores or water fun. However you prefer to enjoy your vacation time, it's likely you're driving there one way or another and it's important to stay buckled up, especially for those little ones. A surprising three out of four car seats are incorrectly installed so it's always a good idea to make sure your children are strapped in tight. Here are several tips to ensure your drive is comfortable and safe: http://toyota.us/1OPpp6I

Toyota Has Most Models on IIHS Safety List

Photo - Toyota Avalon   The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) unveiled its year-end list of Top Safety Picks and Top Safety Pick, and Toyota tops all automakers with nine models. The list highlights 2016 models that exceeded in a litany of crash tests. Every Toyota model on the list earned Top Safety Pick+ honors. From IIHS: “To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — as well as a basic rating for front crash prevention. To qualify for 2016 Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crash-worthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.” The Toyota, Scion and Lexus models to make the list are: Scion iA Toyota Camry Toyota Prius v Toyota Avalon Toyota RAV4 Lexus CT 200h Lexus ES 350 Lexus RC Lexus NX For the entire list, click here.

Scion iA Collects a Consumer Guide Best Buy Award

The latest accolade for Scion’s first-ever sedan is the Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award for the subcompact class. The award represents the best balance of features and value in its class. The editors’ decision centers around room and comfort (which includes passenger and cargo space), power and performance, ride and handling and fit and finish. An extra emphasis is placed on dollar value. Click here for the full story. What do you think of this new 2016 Scion iA on the showroom floor here at Ardmore Toyota Scion with the awesome accessories we added to it? (Click to enlarge photos).

Which Cars Do Owners Keep For a Decade or Longer?

As reported in a recent article in Forbes.com, the average age of all light-duty vehicles in the U.S. has reached a new all-time high of 11.5 years according to IHS Automotive. Based on a study by iSeeCars.com, an average of 13.5% of cars 10 or years older are held onto by their initial purchaser. Out of 15 models, nine were Toyota models, including the Prius, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, Camry, Avalon, Corolla, 4Runner and Matrix. Here is the full article from Forbes.com.

Looking for a car that keeps going and going and going?

The June 2015 Consumer Reports listed the Top 10 vehicles that will most likely last 200,000 miles and more. Toyota has 5 out of 10 vehicles on the list. Consumer Reports says the choices are based on results of its annual research survey, which encompasses responses on 1.1-million vehicles. Which car would you want to drive? Toyota Prius Toyota Camry (4 cyl) Toyota Corolla Toyota Sienna Toyota Highlander Read the full article here in USA Today!

Contact Us

Fill out this form below and we'll contact you shortly
*Required Fields