Monthly Archives: December 2012

Consumer Reports: Best Value Cars of 2012

When shopping for a car, it is important to look at the long-term value of that car. As 2012 comes to an end, Consumer Reports has released its list of the top vehicles that will retain their original value, and they chose an overall best value from the wide range of vehicles on the market last year. Needless to say, Toyota was very happy with the results.

Here is a full rundown of the winners.

Overall Best Value – Toyota Prius
Small Hatchback – Toyota Prius Four
Small Sedan – Toyota Corolla LE
Family Sedan – Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
Upscale Sedan – Acura TSX (I4)
Luxury Sedan – Cadillac CTS
Sports Car/Convertible – Mini Cooper
Wagon/Minivan – Toyota Prius V Three
Small SUV – Honda CR-V EX
Midsize SUV – Toyota Highlander Limited (V6)
Large/Luxury SUV – Lexus RX350

Across the board, Toyota Motor Company was the clear favorite taking 7 of the 11 categories with the Lexus RX350 included, and none of Toyota Motor Company’s vehicles made the Worst Value list. No other automaker even came close to that level of excellence. Better yet, many of the vehicles featured on the list are hybrid vehicles or have an extremely good fuel economy, so consumers are saving money at the pump.

Do you want to check out these cars for yourself? Approved Loan Store can help you! We have a huge range in our inventory whether if you are looking for more power, greater value, or just something reliable. Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Auto Loan: Chevy Volt Gets Top Customer Rating for Second Year

It is the ultimate goal of every automaker to produce a car that drivers love so much that they would buy it again for their next car. I would guess then that GM is very happy this week as the Chevy Volt has, for the second year in a row, received the highest user satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports.

93 percent of Volt owners stated that they would buy a Volt again. The Volt beat out the popular Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911 which both received a 91 percent rating.

Some of the other top vehicles of the year were the Volkswagen Golf TDI at 80 percent, Toyota Camry Hybrid at 87 percent, Audi A7 at 90 percent, Toyota Prius V at 83 percent, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 at 81 percent.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Does the Chevy Volt’s satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports make you more likely to buy a Volt? What cars have you loved so much that you would purchase them again? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, check out Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

New Car Financing: 2013 Chevy Cruze Introduces Safer “Smart” Airbags

When looking for a new or used car, the price, features, and comfort are all taken into consideration, but at the end of the day, I want to know that the car I am buying will keep me safe.

With that in mind, GM has announced that the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze will come with a “smart” airbag as a standard feature. Typical airbags can actually cause injury to the driver if they are not seated the proper distance from the front airbag, but these new airbags use a flexible vent so that the driver’s momentum will push the air out.

GM General Director of Vehicle Safety Gay Kent has praised the new airbag as a “smart way to manage crash forces,” and GM is marketing it as an “industry first” in safety technology.

When it comes to airbag injuries, it is important to remember that airbags are most effective when passengers are wearing their seat belts. The large majority of airbag injuries occur when the driver or passenger was not wearing a seat belt, and even with the new technology in Chevy’s airbag system, it will not work properly if seat belts are not worn.

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Bad Credit Auto Loans: More Subprime Auto Loans in 2012

According to one of the big 3 credit bureaus, now is the time for subprime credit car shoppers to go for an auto loan.

Earlier this month, Experian Automotive released statistics about auto loans written in the third quarter, and they found that 42 percent of new and used auto loans were for subprime buyers. In this report, subprime buyers are classified as buyers with credit scores below 680. Overall, average credit scores on new auto loans are down to 755 compared to 763 last year, and looking at individual automakers, the average scores could be as low as 694.

For car buyers with a troubled credit history, it is clear that this is a great time to buy. The end of 2012 is offering a perfect combination of holiday sales specials and lenders ready to grant auto loans. Besides that, car buyers looking for a used car will get the added advantage of dealerships wanting to move last year’s inventory to make room for the new models.

Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

Looking for more auto news and buying tips? Check out Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

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Auto Loan: 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra to Offer Cloth Heated Seats

What is the worst part of winter driving? Some people would say slick roads, scraping snow and ice off the windows, or enduring Christmas music on every single radio station. For me, the worst part of winter driving was that after I cleared off my windshield and jumped in my car, the seat was always freezing. Even after turning up the heat, it felt like my car seat was the last part of my car to warm up.

Apparently I’m not the only one who hates cold winter car seats. This week, GM unveiled the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, and in addition to better fuel economy, new engines, and knobs that are easier to grip while wearing gloves, the Silverado and Sierra will have cloth heated seats.

Cloth heated seats might not seem like that big a deal, but most automakers pair heated seats with leather interiors. The reason why most automakers don’t offer cloth heated seats is because it is more expensive to manufacture than leather heated seats. As a result, car shoppers usually have to make a choice between heated seats or a cloth interior.

I wonder if GM’s decision to offer cloth heated seats in the Silverado and Sierra will lead to more car buyers demanding that other automakers start offering it as an option. Readers, what do you think? If you could get cloth heated seats in your car, would you do it? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Auto Loan: Finalists Announced for 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year

This morning, the top 3 finalists for the 20th annual North American Car of the Year and Truck/Utility of the Year were announced at a luncheon for the Automotive Press Association. Contenders for Car of the Year will be the Cadillac ATS, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord, and contenders for Truck/Utility of the Year will be the Ford C-Max, Mazda CX-5, and Ram 1500.

Finalists for both awards were voted on by 49 American and Canadian automotive journalists. 11 cars and 10 trucks/utilities made the short list of nominees. The Dodge Dart, BMW 3 Series, and Nissan Altima were among the cars that didn’t quite make the cut. On the truck/utility side, the Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Pathfinder didn’t make the top 3.

Here are the complete nominee lists for the 2013 North American Car of the Year and Truck/Utility of the Year Award.

2013 North American Car of the Year

BMW 3 Series
Cadillac ATS – FINALIST
Chevrolet Malibu
Dodge Dart
Ford Fusion – FINALIST
Honda Accord – FINALIST
Lincoln MKZ
Nissan Altima
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Toyota Avalon

2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year

Acura RDX
Audi Allroad
BMX X1
Ford C-Max – FINALIST
Ford Escape
Hyundai Santa Fe
Infiniti JX35
Mazda CX-5 – FINALIST
Nissan Pathfinder
Ram 1500 – FINALIST

Both winners will be announced on January 14th as part of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Last year’s winners were the Hyundai Elantra and the Land Rover Range Rover.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Who do you think will win Car and Truck/Utility of the Year? Do you disagree with the top 3? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car, truck, or utility vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

New Car Financing: Automakers Offer Discounts for the Holidays

With Christmas coming up quickly, car shoppers are looking to get into a car soon that can handle winter weather. Fortunately, automakers are making it easier to afford both their new and certified pre-owned vehicles with all sorts of holiday discounts and deals.

According to Autoweek, everyone from Kia to Audi and Volkswagen will have fantastic deals all the way up through the beginning of January. Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen all have offers going through January 2, and Audi and Kia’s offers are good through January 7.

Right now, January 7 seems far away. It might sound like car shoppers have plenty of time to get in on these deals, but the truth is that the holiday season goes by very quickly. There are family gatherings, office parties, and super-special-mega sales at the mall, not to mention any traveling to see extended family. This is potentially the best time of year to get a car because new models are coming in, and dealership want to move their inventory of last year’s models out the door. Unfortunately, many car shoppers will miss out on this golden opportunity because they procrastinate and don’t make it a priority to get into a dealership.

This is why Approved Loan Store is such a great asset to serious car buyers this holiday season. Every day of the year, we work to get our customers the car they want at the best terms possible, even if they have no credit or challenged credit. We keep the car buying process simple so you can spend more time with your family and less time going from dealership to dealership looking for the best deal. To get started, simply fill out our secure online auto loan application here. Within 24 to 48 hours, one of our representatives will contact you to review your application and set an appointment for you with an Approved Loan Store dealership. You meet with our Special Finance Representative, and they will work with you to get the best rates possible. Many customers drive off with a car the same day, and you can see testimonials from real Approved Loan Store customers here!

Are you ready to let Approved Loan Store get you into a car? Fill out an application today, and connect with Approved Loan Store by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing to us on YouTube!

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Auto Loan: Chevrolet Unveils Silverado via Facebook

Yesterday, Chevrolet announced that on Thursday, December 13, they will unveil the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on Facebook. The Silverado has been a popular truck for Chevy, winning the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and numerous other “Truck of the Year” honors from Car and Driver and the International Car of the Year awards.

Chevy made the announcement with an out-of-focus teaser picture of the new Silverado, and in the bottom corner of the picture, Chevrolet included the official hashtag for the unveiling, #RaiseTheBar.

So far, we don’t know much about the new Silverado aside from rumors and hearsay. Supposedly it will be lighter, have better fuel economy, and come with coil-over-shock front suspension to give the driver a better ride. There is also a rumor that the new Silverado could get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, but we want to stress that this is still only a rumor.

When Chevrolet fully reveals the Silverado on Thursday, we will have the full details here, so stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store Blog! We are your source for auto buying news and tips!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Car Loan: New Safety Device Offers Easy Escape in Water Car Crash

Back in high school, I had a friend who refused to wear a seatbelt. No matter what he was told about safety and statistics about car crashes, he would not wear a seatbelt. His reasoning was that he had a dream once where he had crashed his car into water, and in the dream, he couldn’t get out of his seatbelt. Helpless to get free of the car, his dream ended with him drowning.

This week, there was some great news for my friend and anyone else who has ever stressed over a faulty seatbelt in water. A Dutch company Fijen has developed a seatbelt that will release when submerged in water. They have dubbed it the Escape Belt. Here is how the Escape Belt works. The Escape Belt attaches to the seat belt clasp, and inside the mechanism is a cartridge with a salt pill. In the event of a crash, water fills the car up to the Escape Belt, the salt pill dissolves, and a metal clip pushes the button and releases the seatbelt.

To see the Escape Belt in action, check out the video below.

This is a pretty amazing device, especially for younger children who are likely to panic in the event of a crash and might not be able to get their seatbelt loose. Besides that, it will help a parent in an emergency situation as well since they won’t have to worry about a stuck seatbelt clasp. I could the Escape Belt being very popular with American parents if Fijen does much advertising in the United States.

Readers, what do you think? Would you buy the Escape Belt for your car? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you so you can get into a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure auto loan application here, and get more auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Auto Loan: New NHTSA Proposal Requires “Black Box” Devices in All Motor Vehicles

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a proposal that starting September 1, 2014, automakers would have to install event data recorders, or EDRs, into all light passenger vehicles. This announcement has been followed with much hand-ringing and unnecessary panic over privacy violations and “Big Brother” government. In reality, this isn’t earth-shattering news, and because there is some misinformation and paranoia, we wanted to take a moment to separate fact from fiction.

First, EDRs have been in cars for almost 20 years. These “black boxes” are not scary new technology. Currently, over 90 percent of new vehicles have EDRs, and they are used in the same way as a “black box” in an airplane, to determine the cause of a crash. Among other factors, they will record the speed the vehicle was traveling in the event of a crash, the time from the beginning of the crash at which the maximum change in forward crash speed occurs, whether the driver applied the brake, whether the driver was wearing their seat belt, and the percentage of the engine throttle.

Second, EDRs are not GPS devices. This is not a means for the government to keep tabs on drivers. EDRs are strictly devices meant to collect information in the event of a crash. They do not record driver conversations or any other personal information, so there is no need to panic that anyone is listening in.

Finally, the information contained on an EDR belongs to the driver. This data can be potentially used in a court of law if it pertains to a car crash, but otherwise no one will ever seen this data except the owner of the car.

If you have any further questions about the proposal, click here or contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

Are you looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work to get you in the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image courtesy of winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net