Monthly Archives: July 2012

Fred Flintstone’s Car, Now Available in the 21st Century!

A custom car in Germany is bringing back memories of classic Saturday morning cartoons. Engineer Sebastian Trager loves the Flintstones so much that he decided to turn a Volkswagen Polo into a real-life Flintstone’s car.

Unlike Fred’s iconic car, Trager’s car has a real motor, but otherwise the car is a fantastic replica from the animal skin-covered bench seats to the fake “stone” wheels. Unfortunately, the car is missing many necessities for a modern car to be street legal, like seat belts and headlights. Trager recounted, “When we got the registration form section about the number of lights, windscreen washers and wipers, well, we don’t even have a windscreen so we gave up.”

While Trager’s car might be banned from the road, his Flintstones car has gotten a lot of attention at shows and exhibitions from nostalgic car lovers. For many people, the Flintstones car was one of the first cars they saw on TV as a child, and it holds a special place in my heart personally. My grandfather loved the Flintstones, and I can only imagine his delight if he had gotten the chance to see Trager’s creation.

Approved Loan Store might not be able to get you into the Flintstones car, but we have a huge new and used inventory with hundreds of makes and models available. Bad credit? Not a problem! We have helped hundreds of people get into the new or used car of their dreams! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Auto Loans and the Road Back to Good Credit

For consumers looking to re-establish a strong credit history, auto loans are becoming the best choice, even for those with especially poor credit.

The qualifications for mortgages, business loans, and credit cards have held steady with strict income and credit requirements, and consumers whose credit took a hit during the economic downturn are having a tough time getting back in good graces with lenders. As many of these applicants have been turned down for credit cards or mortgages, though, many of them have been approved for car loans.

For many consumers with poor credit, a car loan is perfect. Car ownership has been show to correlate with job security and less reliance on public assistance, and it is a purchase that most consumers want and need. Besides that, their credit score will improve as they make their car payments on time, provided they keep up with their other payment obligations of course.

This is one of the reasons why Approved Loan Store exists and why we do what we do. We want to help more people get into the car they want and need. Just take a look through our hundreds of testimonials, and you’ll see that we are the best in the business. Give Approved Loan Store a try by filling out our secure online auto loan application here. You will hear from one of our representatives in 24 – 48 hours, and they will set up an appointment with a Special Finance Representative at a dealership closest to you.

Want to know more about Approved Loan Store? Browse our website ApprovedLoanStore.com, and be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

June’s Top Selling Cars: Trucks, Compact Leading the Pack

Anyone paying attention to car sales in 2012 knows that June was a spectacular month, continuing the upward trend set in the spring. Everyone is asking what is causing these high sales and renewed interest in getting back on the road. Personally, I think the best way to find out why people are buying new cars is to look at the type of cars they are buying. Below, we have listed the top 10 selling cars in June with #1 selling over 55,000 units and #10 selling slightly under 24,000.

Ford F-Series pickups – 55,025 units
Chevy Silverado – 33,566 units
Toyota Camry – 32,107 units
Chevy Malibu – 31,402 units
Honda Accord – 28,924 units
Ford Escape – 28,500 units
Honda Civic – 27,500 units
Toyota Corolla and Matrix – 26,647 units
Ford Fusion – 24,433 units
Ram pickups – 23,951 units

Some people are pointing to the Ford F-Series pickups and Chevy Silverado topping the list and saying that car buyers are looking for a fun summer car for camping or just getting outdoors for the day. Even though trucks took the top two spots, though, compact cars dominated the overall top ten list in June with those top compact cars selling 171,013 units. Only one SUV or crossover made the list which could be due to high gas prices, but considering that trucks are selling just fine, it might be that car buyers just aren’t looking at SUVs and crossover vehicles.

What do you think of the top 10 list? Are there any cars on the list that surprise you? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a great new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with our latest auto blogs and consumer alerts by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“Connected” Cars: Distraction or Asset?

Recently, activists and parents have been speaking up on the dangers of distracted driving, using PSAs and popular TV shows like Glee to warn drivers of all ages. If a study from market researcher ABI is to be believed, though, the battle against distracted driving is uphill, barefoot, and through torrential rain.

Distracted driving is the all-encompassing term which includes talking on the phone, texting, or surfing the internet while driving. The answer isn’t as simple as outlawing cell phone use in the car, though. New touch-screen technologies in vehicles could also be considered distractions, and ABI’s projections predict that more than 60 percent of cars will be “connected” by 2017. Never mind getting teen drivers off their phones, imagine disconnecting cars from new technology. All those anti-cell phone laws will be worthless when people have a myriad of distractions built into their cars.

Of course, there is another way to look at this trend. Some of these new technologies allow for cars to communicate with each other and avoid collisions, and many people see “connected” cars as a step towards self-driving vehicles. People won’t have to worry about being distracted drivers because in the future, they won’t be driving at all. Until then, some of these “distractions” have safeguards built in to keep the driver safe, such as Ford’s SYNC and MyFord Touch system with driver stress test. The system measures the driver’s vitals, and when they show signs of stress or the road conditions worsen, all outside distractions are lessened. Incoming texts and calls through Ford SYNC are disabled, and the driver can better focus on safe driving.

Readers, we want to know what you think! Are these new technologies an asset and a step towards a brighter driving future, or are they a distraction that will endanger other drivers on the road? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you looking for a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store wants to help, even if you have poor credit or no credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Carpooling Network Coming to the United States

At the Approved Loan Store, we know how long and boring the morning commute can be. If you’d like to qualify for the carpool lane, though, a German company wants to give you some company on the way into work.

Carpooling.com was founded by 3 German MBA students, and since its inception, it has spread to Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Greece, the United Kingdom, and now the United States. Approximately 1 million people use their services every month. The concept is simple. Riders can register through the website and look up drivers according to area, type of vehicle and seating accommodations, available time, and price. Carpooling.com also has a Facebook, iPhone, and Android app to make booking on the go easier. They also offer women-only rides, driver safety ratings, and an online ratings system to put the riders and drivers at ease.

There are a lot of advantages to carpooling. First, it saves on commuting costs with riders splitting the cost of gas, and there are obvious benefits for the environment. Also, carpooling matches up people who might otherwise never meet, and some drivers and riders have struck up life-long friendships after riding together. Their website also brags of more than 10 wedding of people who met through Carpooling.com.

The reason why Carpooling.com has taken so long to get to the United States is that people feel iffy about riding with someone they don’t know. Some people worry about safety, either that the driver will be reckless or that the driver or rider will be a dangerous individual. Fortunately, there are safeguards in place to protect riders and drivers, and it is certainly more safe than finding a carpool ride through other online avenues like Craigslist.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Would you consider being a driver for Carpooling.com or another carpool website? Would you ever use it to find a ride? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

“God Save the Queen” As Performed by MINI Coopers

All around the world, people are getting excited for the upcoming Olympic games which will be hosted in London this year. MINI Coopers have teamed up with the London Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate the occasion.

Earlier this week, MINI Cooper released this video of the British national anthem as performed on car horn. Nine red, white, and blue MINI Coopers were lined up in front of a conductor’s stand, and nine musicians dressed to the nines sat with their hands poised over the car horn, waiting for their cue. Then conductor Gareth Newman led them in a rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen” as the British flag is raised over the stadium.

You can see the full video here:

The video is silly fun, and I expect people will get a kick out of it. Plus, I love MINI Coopers. In my opinion, they have become as much a part of pop culture as the VW Bug. Still, I will always prefer horns and strings to the sound of car horns belting out “God Save the Queen.” These car music videos are a novelty, but they aren’t necessarily good music.

Are you looking to get into a MINI Cooper or another great new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Another Show About Nothing…and Cars

The original “show about nothing” might not be returning to TV, but Jerry Seinfeld will be bringing a new show to the internet. What’s the show about? Nothing much, except coffee and cars.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is Seinfeld’s new web series. The show is exactly what the title suggests. Jerry Seinfeld takes one of his prized sports cars out for a drive and picks up a different comedian in each episode to go out for coffee. So far, the line-up includes such comedy greats as Colin Quinn, Joel Hodgson, Alec Baldwin, and Ricky Gervais, and Seinfeld fans will be excited to hear that Larry David and Michael Richards will be making appearances.

The show premieres July 17^th, but a few sneak peeks have been posted on YouTube and the show’s website. While it is hard to tell if Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee will be a success like Seinfeld or a flop like The Marriage Ref, the short-form format is a huge advantage. Audiences can casually check out a few episodes, and because there is no on-going plot or storyline, people can start watching whenever they want. Plus, Seinfeld is hitting two types of shows that have been very successful recently, which are celebrity shorts and celebrities with cool cars. Will Ferrell has had many viral hits with Funny or Die, and Jay Leno’s Garage website has also done fairly well.

Personally, I’m sold. The promo clip with Ricky Gervais was hilarious, and I love to listen to comedians chat, mostly because they’re a bunch of hams and have to one-up each other. It is one of the reasons why I love Louis C.K.’s Louie. As a bonus, I’ll get to see Jerry Seinfeld’s car collection, and from the promo alone, it looks like he has a pretty nice collection.

Approved Loan Store might not be able to get you into Jerry Seinfeld’s car collection, but we want to help you get into a great new or used car, even if you have poor credit or no credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

June Sales Defy Commentators, Continue to Grow

All through the month of June, car news and commentary was saturated with talking heads claiming that auto sales would see a downturn this month, and the soaring sales could not continue.

Needless to say, those commentators will be eating a mighty helping of crow this week as auto makers are reporting continued growth across the board. Chrysler had a 20 percent sales increase in June, making it their best June since 2007. General Motors saw a 16 percent increase, Ford had a 7 percent increase, and Toyota had a stunning 60 percent increase, coming back from the 2011 natural disasters in Japan.

The conditions are perfect for this trend to continue as the summer weather compels people to the road for vacation, convenience for work, or an old-fashioned drive in the country. Also, interest rates are dropping with an average of 4.5 percent interest rate on a 60-month new car loan, so more consumers can afford to drive.

Have you gotten into a new or used car yet? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a new car this summer! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto and consumer news from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Protect Your Investment and Clean Your Car

At Approved Loan Store, we want to help you get into a great new or used vehicle, and through our blog, we like giving tips for keeping that car in top shape. Our customers, especially our New York customers, spend so much time in their car that a dirty car can get gross very quickly. Besides that, a car is an important investment, and after getting a nice new car, why wouldn’t you want to take care of it?

Today, we are bringing you some fantastic tips for keeping your car clean, courtesy of Jalopnik. We hope that our readers heed this advice for their own sake as well as their passengers because everyone knows that there is almost nothing worse than riding in a dirty car.

No Food: Stopping by that drive through and chowing down a burger in the car might sound appealing at the time, but those ketchup stains and discarded wrappers are definitely not.

Wax On, Wax Off: Waxing your car teaches you karate. Okay, maybe it won’t, but this is part of that whole “a car is an investment” mentality. You spent a good amount of money on this car, and with a little more time and money, you can keep the car looking nicer longer.

Wipe Your Feet: During bad winter weather, I’m tempted to jump in the car right away and dry off or get the heater running. Since I saw how much snow and mud I end up tracking in, though, I started taking a minute to wipe off my shoes or boots before getting into the car. It might mean an extra minute in the cold, but it is worth not having to scrub off that dried mud later.

Don’t Procrastinate: You might follow these rules 99 percent of the time, but when you break them that one time and get Dr. Pepper all over your seat, you don’t want to leave it to clean up tomorrow. Those stains set fast and will be much harder to get out later.

Use the Garage: Many people don’t have this option available, especially those living or working in the city. If you have a garage, however, take advantage of it. It will keep the exterior clean for much longer, not to mention cut down on the time spent scrubbing off bird poop.

Don’t Leave a Dirty Car: When you get out of your car, take a minute to look around and pick up whatever trash you can take with you. A McDonald’s bag, an empty water bottle, and a can of soda can easily be picked up and thrown out. This way, you can avoid a massive overhaul cleaning later.

Prioritize a Car Wash: Just like exercising or doing any chore, you will be more likely to get to it if you schedule time for it. Plus, if you stick to a schedule, you will always know when you last washed it.

Do It Once and Do It Right: It is easier to maintain a clean car than digging yourself out every couple of months. Take a day to thoroughly vacuum the interior, throw out any trash, and wash and wax the outside. You will still have to do a good cleaning periodically, but it won’t be so daunting if you maintain it in the interim.

No Kids Allowed: Now, I don’t agree with this tip from Jalopnik, mainly because it is unrealistic for most people. Still, you can keep your car cleaner if you follow these tips and get your kids to follow them too. No graham crackers in the back seat, and you can even get older kids involved in cleaning and waxing the car.

Do you have any other good tips for keeping a clean car? Tell us in the comments section below!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help, even if you have poor or no credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CBS News Picks 5 Best Cars Made in America

Yesterday, CBS News MoneyWatch named their 5 best American-built cars. With so many great American cars on the market today, we were curious as to what made the cut. The list is below along with our thoughts on each of their picks.

Cadillac CTS – Winner of Popular Mechanics’ Top 10 Car, Car and Driver’s 10Best, and Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Award, CBS couldn’t really make the list without the Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS’s latest tagline is, “If you’re going to make a statement, don’t mumble,” and with its combination of power and luxury, a driver won’t be able to blend in driving the Cadillac CTS.

Buick LaCrosse – In the past, the Buick LaCrosse has had no trouble racking up stellar reviews and awards, and 2012 is no exception. Already, it has earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. Kelley Blue Book reviewers also gave it a 4.5 out of 5 rating, making it popular with everyday drivers and car reviewers alike.

Ford Flex – The Ford Flex is probably the most underrated of the bunch here. It still isn’t a household name, but consumers and car reviewers who have driven it are hoping that changes soon. This cross-over is a seven-passenger family car with a completely different feel from the usual minivan or SUV.

Chrysler 300 – In 2012, the Chrysler 300 has already taken home some of the industry’s top awards. The 2012 Chrysler 300 was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines and Interiors as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. It was also ranked #1 in Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000 and made Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Best Family Cars list. Like the Cadillac CTS, it would be difficult to make a list of the best American-made cars without including the Chrysler 300.

Ford Focus – Edmunds claims that the Ford Focus the first American-made compact car to really give Japanese automakers a run for their money, and though that initial success might have gone to their head, Ford has made some big changes to the Focus that have made it a must-see American-made model. Edmunds specifically cited the 2012 Focus as a “monumental improvement,” calling it a “well-rounded, well-built car that is easy to recommend.”

We want to know what you think of CBS News’ list! Did your favorite car make the cut? What do you think got snubbed? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!