4 Most Beautiful Tennessee Gardens to See This Fall
As the weather starts to turn colder and the leaves change colors, it’s a perfect time to visit some of the most beautiful gardens around Tennessee. These gardens offer you a unique look at some of the state’s foliage and flora, and give you special access to plants you may not see anywhere else.
1. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens offers a number of individual garden areas, including Howe Garden, Roberson Ellis Color Garden, Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden, and the Japanese Garden, Shomu-en. Each garden in the collection offers a different look at the plants, and features a variety of species. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is part of the Cheekwood property. Admission here is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $12 for college students, $9 for children age 3-17, and free for those age 2 and younger. There is also a 50 percent discount for those with a current military ID. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You want tech features in your car. These features work to keep you entertained, but several of the tech features in Toyota vehicles are actively trying to keep you safe on the road, as well. With the huge variety of tech in Toyota cars, it’s no wonder these are some of the smartest on the road.
1. Entune
Toyota Entune offers drivers and passengers the ability to connect to their cars in a way unlike anything you’ve seen before. The technology help keep you connected to your apps, your smartphone, and your car. This suite of tech features includes a variety of options, including advanced voice recognition and smarter directions. With the Bluetooth technology, you can not only make and receive hands-free calls, you can even stream your music for free. If you use an iPhone, you can even talk to Siri without having to look at your phone. Integrated apps include options like Pandora, Slacker Radio, and apps to help you make dinner reservations.
New or Used? Which Toyota Fits Your Lifestyle
When people start considering buying a Toyota, one of the first things they usually ask themselves is whether they should purchase a new vehicle or a used one. If you can relate to that, keep reading. The insight below will help you determine whether a used or new car is more appropriate for your situation.
Desire for Custom Features
Perhaps you’ve had your sights set on a particular Toyota for a long time, to the point where you can quickly recite your list of must-have features to anyone who cares to hear them. Maybe you want the vehicle to have a moonroof so you can feel the wind in your hair as you drive, or would like the interior or exterior in a specific color. It’s usually much easier for a dealership to meet those needs if you’re willing to buy new.
4 Things to Know About Warranties
When buying a new car, many people pay especially close attention to the terms of the vehicle’s warranty. They often provide the kind of peace of mind that reduces buyer’s remorse and makes people more excited about their car purchases. Keep reading to learn some basic principles about vehicle warranties that could help you understand whether one that’s associated with a car you’re considering is worthwhile.
Most Last for a Specific Number of Years or Miles
When looking at details for a warranty, you’ll often see descriptions such as “three years/36,000 miles.” That means that generally, the warranty lasts for either a three-year period or until whenever your odometer says you’ve driven 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The length of the warranty is a good guideline, but it’s not a hard and fast rule to depend on, due to the next point on this list.
4 Reasons The Toyota Prius Offers Best Fuel Economy
According to estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2016 Prius gets 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. This spectacular fuel economy didn’t happen by accident. Toyota spent years developing technology that would improve the popular hybrid vehicle’s efficiency.
If you’re interested in buying a car with remarkable hybrid technology, you’ll want to know these four reasons the Toyota Prius offers the best fuel economy.
An Aerodynamic Shape That Reduces Drag
When you compare the 2015 Prius to the 2016 version, you’ll immediately notice that Toyota changed the exterior slightly. While the company probably wanted to maintain the Prius’s iconic shape, it also wanted to make some tweaks that would reduce drag. Those subtle changes help improve fuel efficiency by letting the car slip easily through the air. The design works so well that the 2016 Prius gets about two miles per gallon more than the 2015 model.
The increasing popularity of electric vehicles suggests that the future of the car industry lies in alternative energy sources. Car manufacturers have taken note, and they’re spending a lot of time and money developing new technologies that will power vehicles without harming the environment.
Toyota stands out as the most successful company in the race to discover alternative fuel sources. In 2015, the company received 4,214 patents for new technologies. That’s nearly 2,000 more patents than any other car manufacturer. While no one knows when these new technologies will reach dealerships, you can expect to find these three alternative energy innovations in the near future.
Magnesium Batteries
Magnesium battery technology is one of the most promising breakthroughs for Toyota. Researchers working at Toyota’s Research Institute of North America have found that they can build batteries that use magnesium instead of lithium, which currently dominates rechargeable battery technology.
4 Reasons to Consider Buying a Used Vehicle
When it’s time to go car shopping, the big sticker prices, major commitments, and performance unknowns of a new vehicle can make the whole prospect less appealing. Perhaps it’s time to consider a used car instead. There are a lot of benefits to buying used, from lower cost to more information about the car through reviews in publications and on Internet forums. If you’re in the market for a vehicle and aren’t sure if buying used is right for you, consider the following.
1. Lower Cost
The most obvious reason to opt for a used car is the considerably lower price compared to new vehicles. All cars lose market value over time, but did you know that a car doesn’t have to be old or well-worn in order to depreciate? Technically, the moment a new car drives off the lot, it depreciates by a considerable percentage. If you shop smart, you can find a car that’s quite close to new, but at a fraction of the price. Just make sure to investigate the car’s condition thoroughly before you buy, as unexpected maintenance can wipe out that price difference overnight.
5 Tips for Trading in Your Car
A lot of people feel anxious about trading in their cars because they worry they won’t receive a good value at the dealership. Follow these five tips to make sure you receive a fair price and positive experience.
Keep Detailed Maintenance and Repair Records
A dealership will want to know you have taken good care of your car. Giving them detailed maintenance and repair records proves that the vehicle is in top condition for its age, which could result with the dealership offering more money for it.
Ideally, you should keep your oil change receipts as well as invoices for major repairs to provide proof of consistent maintenance to the dealership.
5 Ways to Prepare Your Toyota for a Road Trip
A summer road trip is a perfect way to enjoy the warm weather and vacation at your own pace. Before you set off on a long road trip, make sure your Toyota is ready. By taking the time to prepare your vehicle, you can prevent breakdowns, and keep your road trip smooth from start to finish.
Schedule Any Necessary Service
If your vehicle is due for an engine tune-up or an oil change, be sure to schedule it before you leave on a long road trip. By keeping up with your vehicle’s regular maintenance, it will be at its most reliable during your road trip. If possible, schedule any major servicing at least a month before you leave. This gives your mechanic time to address any problems that they might discover during servicing.
Toyota introduced its first version of the 4Runner in 1984. The manufacturer certainly thought it had built an SUV that would appeal to drivers throughout North America. The company’s designers, however, couldn’t have possibly imagined that they had created a vehicle that people would still love 30 years later.
The 4Runner has undergone plenty of changes since its first generation. Once you understand the vehicle’s history, you’ll have an even deeper appreciation for its most recent incarnation.
First Generation 4Runner (1984-1989)
The first generation 4Runner was intended to give drivers a way to explore off-road environments. The earliest version featured a four-cylinder engine and plentiful cargo room for camping equipment. Over the next several years, Toyota updated the SUV’s suspension, engine, and interior giving it a smoother ride and more luxurious interior features.
Connect with us
