What Makes a Toyota the Perfect First Car

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.

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

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