Monthly Archives: November 2011

Auto Loan Education: Best Fuel Efficiency Cars

Anyone who has ever owned a car knows that the true cost of a car goes beyond what is paid at the dealership. Maintaining a car and keeping it in top shape is important to avoid more expensive repairs, but one of the biggest day-to-day costs of a car is, of course, paying for gas. By getting a car that is more fuel efficient, however, drivers can save big bucks over the course of a year at the gas pump. We have compiled some of the most fuel-efficient cars according to FuelEconomy.gov, the United States government’s official online source for fuel economy information, alternative fuels, and ways to save money on the road.

2012 Honda CR-Z
Price: Starting at $19,545
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1365
Miles/Gallon: 35 for city driving, 39 for highway
Reviews: Motor Trend praised the Honda CR-Z for its “bold looks, high quality, and genuine driver appeal” and emphasized that this is more than just a good hybrid car. The Honda CR-Z is a great car, period.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Honda CR-Z, fill out this application today.

2012 Scion iQ
Price: Starting at $15,265
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1365
Miles/Gallon: 36 for city driving, 37 for highway
Reviews: Motor Trend gave the Scion iQ a glowing review after driving it around San Francisco. Its small but surprisingly not cramped layout makes it the perfect car for city driving.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Scion iQ, fill out this application today.

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Price: Starting at $21,625
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $540
kw-hrs/100 miles (for electric cars): 27 for city driving, 34 for highway
Reviews: The Mitsubishi i-MiEV did not do so well with Motor Trend as far as lengthy drives, but they called it a good investment for city commuter drivers who are looking for an environmentally-friendly car.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Mitsubishi i-MiEV, fill out this application today.

2012 Chevrolet Volt
Price: Starting at $33,500
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1470 for gas, $648 for electricity
Miles/Gallon: 35 for city driving, 40 for highway
kw-hrs/100 miles: 36 for city driving, 37 for highway
Reviews: The folks over at Motor Trend couldn’t praise the 2011 Chevy Volt highly enough, calling it “one of the most significant automobiles to come out of Detroit in the 60-year history of [Motor Trend.]” While their “First Test” review was not available as of this article’s publication, we expect that Motor Trend will continue their love for 2011’s Car of the Year.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Chevy Volt, fill out this application today.

2012 Nissan Leaf
Price: Starting at $27,700
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $612
kw-hrs/100 miles: 32 for city driving, 37 for highway
Reviews: Motor Trend did not have their review for the 2012 Nissan Leaf yet, but The Car Connection called it a “quiet, smooth” ride and loved the car’s unique design. They also appreciated that it was an electric car with 5 seats instead of the usual 4 seats standard to most electric cars.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Nissan Leaf, fill out this application today.

2012 Hyundai Sonata
Price: Starting at $20,000
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1805
Miles/Gallon: 24 for city driving, 35 for highway
Reviews: According to Motor Trend’s review, the Sonata’s design is not only distinctive and visually attractive but also makes sense aerodynamically. Tests showed that the 2012 design lessened the drag over the 2011 model, showing that Hyundai is constantly striving to make their cars better.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Hyundai Sonata, fill out this application today.

2012 Audi A3
Price: Starting at $27,270
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1768
Miles/Gallon: 30 for city driving, 42 for highway
Reviews: Motor Trend hasn’t reviewed the 2012 Audi A3 yet, but U.S. News ranked it as one of their top 11 Upscale Small Cars, calling it practical but fun. Their review said it was the car “able to do it all” from winter driving to back road races.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Audi A3, fill out this application today.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Price: Starting at $16,495
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1768
Miles/Gallon: 30 for city driving, 42 for highway
Reviews: No review from Motor Trend yet, but Edmunds claims that the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is “in a class of its own,” praising everything from its luxurious interior to its fuel efficiency.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, fill out this application today.

2012 Toyota Prius V
Price: Starting at $23,520
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1203
Miles/Gallon: 44 for city driving, 40 for highway
Reviews: The Toyota Prius V was a contender for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award, and even though the fuel efficiency was not as strong as the 2011 model, the 2012 model has more interior space. They said with the added space, it was a good choice for people who wanted something like an SUV but didn’t want an SUV.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Toyota Prius V, fill out this application today.

2012 Kia Forte
Price: Starting at $16,200
Approximate Fuel Cost/Year: $1946
Miles/Gallon: 23 for city driving, 32 for highway
Reviews: U.S. News ranked the 2012 Kia Forte in their top 10 Affordable Small Cars, and amongst reviewers, the consensus is that there is a lot to love about the Kia Forte. Besides that, it is the best deal for the dollar when compared to similar cars in its class with a roomy interior and more standard features including iPod USB port, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.

If you’d like to get into a pre-owned Kia Forte, fill out this application today.

Ready to get into a car? Apply for a car loan by clicking on the Approved Car Loan tab, and stay tuned to our blog to learn how to save more on your day-to-day car expenses! Make sure to also follow Approved Loan Store on Facebook.

Approved Loan Store Features: Car Loans

In the upcoming weeks, we will be running a regular segment on the site called “Approved Loan Store Features.” We hope that this segment will help introduce our readers to all the features of ApprovedLoanStore.com and take full advantage of the website. Today, we’ll be showing off the features for consumers looking for a car loan.

Approved Loan Store is the best place for consumers to start and end their search for a car loan. The tools on our website will help you understand what you can afford, how much you should put for a down payment, and where you can find a dealership to give you the best interest rates possible.

First, you will want to test out the Car Affordability Calculator, located under the Credit Resources tab. The Car Affordability Calculator will ask you how much you have saved for a down payment, the trade-in value of your current vehicle, what rebates are available, how quickly you want to pay off your car (24 months to 60 months), how much you can afford to pay per month, what is the possible interest rate you could qualify for, and what is the sales tax for your county of residence. Based on all of this information, it will tell you the price range that you could afford without breaking the bank.

Second, the Approved Loan Store wants you to understand all the terminology behind car loan agreements. If you don’t understand the terms used by car dealerships and what it would mean if you took a deal, then check out the Approved Loan Store Glossary, once again located under the Credit Resources tab. The Glossary includes an alphabetized directory of many of the most-used terms in loan agreements, explained simply so that anyone could understand it.

Thirdly, you can stay up to date on all the latest news in loans and interest rates by reading the Approved Loan Store blog. We will keep you informed of trends in the industry, the best times to buy, and how to adjust your budget when buying a car.

Finally, the ApprovedLoanStore.com lets you apply for a car loan online. After filling out a sign-up form online, Approved Loan Store will contact you by phone within 24 to 48 hours. From there, we will verify your information and review car buying opportunities in your area. Consumers with good and bad credit can both benefit because consumers with bad credit can find dealerships willing to work with them, and consumers with good credit can find an even better deal than they might have found on their own. We have connections to dealerships all over and banks that are ready to work with you to get you the best interest rates possible.

Stay tuned to our blog in upcoming weeks to learn more about all the features offered by ApprovedLoanStore.com, and follow Approved Loan Store on Facebook here.

Image: M – Pics / FreeDigitalPhotos.net