Blog | Monster Motors

Best Used Vehicles for Smoky Mountain Adventures: Off-Roading, Camping & More

Outdoor recreation in Tennessee isn’t just a hobby—it’s big business. Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosted more than 12 million recreational visits in 2024, keeping its title as America’s most-visited national park. Across the state, Tennessee’s park system now pumps $1.9 billion into local economies each year. From the high balds of Roan Mountain to the 700-plus miles of trails that ribbon through the Cherokee National Forest, weekend warriors need reliable wheels that can trade the interstate for gravel without blinking.

2025 Used Car Trends: Why Buying Used Beats New and Saves You Thousands

Sticker shock is real this year. The average transaction price for a new vehicle hit $48,699 in July 2025, only a hair below the all-time highs of late 2022. In a market where prices plateau at record levels instead of falling, shoppers are looking for smarter ways to get into a reliable ride without draining their savings. Enter the modern used-car marketplace—backed by tougher certification standards, competitive financing and technology that rivals what’s on today’s showroom floors. Below, we break down the biggest auto trends reshaping the New Vs Used debate and show how a late-model pre-owned vehicle from your local dealership can outshine a brand-new counterpart.

Best Used Trucks & SUVs for Towing Your Boat to the Great Lakes

Few American road-trip traditions rival a summer dash toward the blue-green sweep of the Great Lakes. Whether you’re angling for salmon off Traverse City, tubing the dunes near Holland, or catching sunset on the Mackinac Bridge, getting the boat, jet skis, or small camper there safely is half the adventure. That calls for a budget-friendly tow vehicle that’s both reliable and capable. Below is a revised guide—complete with keyword focus and a text-only rundown of essential towing features—to help you pick the right used truck or SUV before the holiday weekend arrives.

How to Finance a Used Car in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buying from a car lot in 2025—whether you’re chasing a fuel-sipping compact or a heavy-duty used truck—starts with smart financing. Below is an expanded, easy-to-follow roadmap that shows you how to line up money for your purchase, win lender approval, and lock in the lowest possible rate before you ever step inside a dealership like Monster Motors.

Why the Toyota Tundra Is a Smart Long-Term Investment

If you’re shopping for a used truck that will still feel tight and earn top-dollar years from now, it’s hard to beat the Toyota Tundra. From million-mile endurance stories to industry-leading resale awards, Toyota’s full-size pickup delivers the durability, performance, and low running costs that make long-term ownership a genuine investment—especially when you buy from a reputable dealership like Monster Motors.

College-Bound? These Used Cars Are Perfect for Campus Life

Juggling tuition, rent, and ramen money leaves little room for new-car prices. That’s why smart students (and their parents) hunt for used cars that stretch every dollar without sacrificing safety. Below you’ll find seven campus-friendly rides—each a budget-savvy commuter and daily driver—that deliver recyclability, strong crash-test scores, and easy living on a crowded quad. Values and fuel-economy numbers come from the latest EPA and Kelley Blue Book data, so you know exactly what to expect at our dealership showroom.

College-Bound? These Used Cars Are Perfect for Campus Life

Juggling tuition, rent, and ramen money leaves little room for new-car prices. That’s why smart students (and their parents) hunt for used cars that stretch every dollar without sacrificing safety. Below you’ll find seven campus-friendly rides—each a budget-savvy commuter and daily driver—that deliver rec5yliability, strong crash-test scores, and easy living on a crowded quad. Values and fuel-economy numbers come from the latest EPA and Kelley Blue Book data, so you know exactly what to expect at our dealership showroom.

How to Choose the Right Used SUV for Your Family in 2025

The 2025 car market looks different from just a few years ago: new-vehicle inventories are still tight, tariffs are nudging sticker prices upward, and demand for versatile family vehicles remains high. Yet a used SUV can still deliver the safety, space and value today’s families need—if you know what to look for. Below is a guide to navigating the lot (or the online listings) with confidence.

The Top 5 Used Sportscars for Sale in 2025 (Budget-Minded Edition)

Shopping the 2025 market for an affordable performance machine can feel like treasure-hunting in a sea of used cars. Inventories fluctuate, asking prices spike on “instant-classic” models, and some listings hide deferred maintenance that turns bargain buys into money pits. To make your search easier, we ranked the five used sportscars that deliver the best mix of reliability, value, and real-world thrills—complete with the horsepower and torque stats gearheads crave.

Compact vs. Full-Size: Which Used Pickup Fits Your Needs?

The 2025 used-truck market is overflowing with choice, from wallet-friendly compact rigs like Ford’s Maverick to workhorse full-sizers such as the Toyota Tundra. Yet “more choice” can feel like “more confusion” when you’re standing on a dealership lot wondering which body style, bed length, or powertrain will really serve you best. This guide breaks the decision down into six practical questions so you can drive away in the Used Truck that matches your lifestyle and budget.