Monthly Archives: September 2013

Edmunds’ Picks for Best Used Vehicles of 2013

While a lot of automotive press is dedicated to the newest models or what lies ahead for automotive brands, Edmunds took a break this week to compile their list of the best used cars of 2013.

There are a lot of good reasons to buy a used car. For one, buyers can end up saving a lot of money and still get a quality car. Second, the value of a new car will depreciate very quickly, so if the buyer plans on trading it in sometime in the next few years, they might be unpleasantly surprised when they go for a trade-in depending on the model. Just as it is with any major decision, an argument can be made either way for buying new or used, but for our customers looking for a great used car, here is Edmund’s list of their used car picks for 2013.

Subcompact – 2007-2011 Honda Fit
Compact Sedan – 2006-2011 Hyundai Elantra
Midsize Sedan – 2007-2011 Ford Fusion
Large Sedan – 2006-2011 Toyota Avalon
Coupe – 2006-2011 Honda Accord
Convertible – 2006-2011 Volvo C70
Wagon – 2006-2011 Subaru Outback
Compact SUV/Crossover – 2006-2011 Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV/Crossover – 2006-2011 Toyota Highlander
Large SUV/Crossover – 2007-2011 Mazda CX-9
Minivan/Van – 2006-2011 Honda Odyssey
Cargo Van – 2006-2011 Dodge/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Compact Truck – 2006-2011 Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck – 2006-2011 Ford F-150
Luxury – 2006-2011 Infiniti G35/G37/G25
Hybrid – 2006-2011 Toyota Prius
Two-Seat Sports Car – 2006-2011 Chevrolet Corvette
Performance Car – 2006-2011 Ford Mustang GT

Brand-wise, Honda and Toyota tied for the most vehicles on the list with 4 each, followed closely by Ford with 3 vehicles on the list. By choosing a vehicle for each category instead of top 10 or 20 used vehicles in general, there is a car on the list for every driver and every family’s needs.

From Hondas to Fords and Toyotas, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling 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!

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Surprise of the Summer: Crossovers

Looking back on the summer, the auto industry and car buyers have a lot to be happy about from soaring sales numbers to loosening credit restrictions on auto loans. As the summer came to an end, however, one of the surprises of the summer was an unexpected love for crossover models.

According to Automotive News, the Honda CR-V had its best month ever in August, and the Toyota RAV4 saw a 50 percent sales increase the same month. Looking at the industry as a whole, small-crossover sales went up 36 percent accounting for 1 in 4 vehicles sold, and they gave the industry as a whole an enormous boost. Back in 2007, there were 2.4 million crossovers sold in the United States, and in 2013 up until August, 2.6 million crossovers have already been sold.

In recent years, the crossover has been targeting the same market as the minivan and winning out because, as Honda’s Chris Martin puts it, it is a “Goldilocks vehicle.” Not too big, not too small, and just right for today’s families. Pricing is also reasonable with the 2013 Honda CR-V 2WD LX starting at $22,945 and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 starting at $23,300.

Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Get started today by filling 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!

Ford C-Max Sales Increase in August Despite Rating Downgrade

Ford C-Max drivers aren’t getting 47 miles per gallon, but they don’t seem to mind.

Recent negative press about the Ford C-Max and its fuel economy rating has surprisingly not affected the vehicle’s sales numbers. Back in August, its fuel economy rating was lowered from 47 mpg to 45 mpg highway and 40 mpg city, and Ford gave a rebate of $550 to C-Max buyers and $325 to lessees. Ford still managed to sell 3,000 units in August alone, more than they sold in July.

Reviews have been very positive for the 2013 Ford C-Max, which is perhaps why their sales have been unaffected by the fuel economy rating change. Car and Driver said the C-Max has “arrived just in the nick of time” and compared to other cars in its class, it is “not a robotic electropod but a hybrid fuel sipper that Europeans would consider worthy.” The C-Max also performed very well in government safety testing, earning a four-star rating on the frontal crash test, a five-star rating on the side crash, and a four-star rating on the rollover test. As if that weren’t praise enough, Edmunds wrote that finding a car like the C-Max was as likely as finding a unicorn.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Have you heard the news about the Ford C-Max’s fuel economy rating, and would you still want to take it for a test drive? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

From Fords to Mazdas, Kias, Chryslers, and more, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford, even if you have issues with credit! Get started today by filling 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!

Summer Auto Sales Recap and Fall Preview

School is back in session, and the auto industry is taking stock of the summer’s sales. Who were the winners of 2013, and what will the fall and winter of 2013 bring? Read on to find out.

Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Group, and Toyota Motor Corp have already posted enormous gains in August, and as numbers are finalized, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are expected to also have had a very successful August. Of the numbers known so far, Ford had 12 percent increase in sales in August, Chrysler also had 12 percent gains, and Toyota had a 20 percent gain in their U.S. retail sales.

These enormous sales increases can be attributed to end of summer sales, including Labor Day sales, as well as low interest rates, even for consumers with poor credit. Jesse Toprak, a senior analyst for TrueCar, observed that the “historically” low interest rates were giving consumers more of a choice, that they can “buy more expensive vehicles while keeping payments at affordable levels.”

The good news going into the fall is that many of the car manufacturers who were facing shortages on their more popular models are now catching up with production, so the availability of certain models is no longer an issue. For people walking into their local dealership, they might not see the same price cuts and sales like they did throughout the summer, but with Approved Loan Store, car buyers don’t have to shop around for the best rates and deals.

Step 1, go to ApprovedLoanStore.com and fill out the auto loan form.

Step 2, wait for a phone call from one of our representatives. You will hear back within 48 hours. Schedule an appointment with an Approved Loan Store location closest to you.

Step 3, meet with your special finance representative. They will go over all possible options for you and get you a car you want at terms you can afford!

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