Tag Archives: Approved Loan Store

Mazda6 Wins Popular Mechanics Car of the Year Award

Last year, Popular Mechanics awarded their first Car of the Year award to the Ford Escape, but in its second year, Mazda has taken the magazine’s top honor.

In a joint press release, Mazda and Popular Mechanics announced that the 2014 Mazda6 was named Car of the Year. Vehicles that were in consideration for Car of the Year were judged by editors and contributors to the magazine, and their final decision was based on affordability, utility, fuel efficiency, performance, innovation, and bold design. Popular Mechanics also wrote in the announcement on their website that the Mazda6 is an “underdog story” that won the award because Mazda made a “truly great car.”

The 2014 Mazda6 comes with impressive standard features on the 2014 Mazda6 include leather steering wheel and shift knob, six audio speakers, MP3 audio input, USB connection, and front reading lights. Safety-wise, it also comes with standard 4-wheel ABS, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. In their review, Edmunds gave the Mazda6 a B rating, and at the time of publishing, it had earned a consumer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Readers, what do you think? Have you checked out the 2014 Mazda6, and did it deserve to win Popular Mechanics’ Car of the Year award? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a great new or used car, truck, or minivan? Now is the time to buy, and Approved Loan Store can help you find the car you want at terms you can afford, even if you have credit problems! 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!

October: Honda Civic Outsells the Competition

In 2012, the Ford Focus beat out the Toyota Corolla for the distinction of the world’s best-selling car. As numbers from October are released, however, another challenger has emerged and beat out the Focus for the month.

The Honda Civic sold 27,328 units in the United States in October, beating out the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. Last year, the Toyota Corolla won the month of October with 20,949 units sold, followed by the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. The Honda Civic is also leading compact sales for 2013 so far with 280,889 units sold.

Interestingly enough, the Ford Focus was the world’s top seller of 2012, and currently it is in fourth place for U.S. year-to-date sales with 203,762 units sold, trailing the Civic by 77,127 units. The Focus didn’t even beat its previous year’s U.S. sales numbers. In 2012, the Ford Focus sold 18,320 units, and in 2013, it only sold 15,108 units.

At the time of publication, the starting MSRP for the 2014 Ford Focus is $16,310, and the starting MSRP for the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe is $17,965.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Which compact car do you think deserves to be the world’s best-seller? What about America’s best-seller? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Whether if you’re trading in, looking for a good deal on a used car, or ready to buy your first car, Approved Loan Store is here to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! 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!

Cadillac CTS Named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and for Cadillac, the reasons for celebration go beyond turkey and presents.

Last week, Motor Trend announced that the Cadillac CTS had beat out the Mazda3 and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to win the Car of the Year award. The official announcement was made on Fox and Friends, Fox News’ morning show. The Cadillac CTS, which Motor Trend dubbed “a car for all seasons,” has been exceedingly well-reviewed. Jalopnik called it GM’s best sedan ever, and it earned top reviews from Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book, and Auto Guide.

Standard features on the Cadillac CTS 2.0L Standard include a 5.7” color display, Bose 11-speaker premium audio system, Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, remote start, StabiliTrak, and OnStar services including emergency services and hands-free calling. Additionally, the CTS 2.0L Standard gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city in RWD, 19 mpg city in AWD, 30 mpg highway in RWD, and 28 mpg highway in AWD.

No matter what car you are looking for from the Cadillac CTS to favorite Chryslers, Fords, Kias, Mazdas, and more, Approved Loan Store is ready to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to work with you to find a car you want at terms you can afford! 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!

Study: Halloween Worst Day of the Year for Cars

If Halloween left you with egged windows and toilet papered trees, count yourself fortunate. Many drivers woke up to find damaged cars, all in the name of out-of-hand holiday mischief.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that drivers have twice the chance of waking up to broken windshields, spray painted graffiti, or slashed tires on November 1 compared to the rest of the year. An average of over 1200 insurance claims are filed for damage from Halloween night’s tricks, more than any other single day including the 4^th of July, New Years, and St. Patrick’s Day. With an average claim costing $1,528, Halloween alone accounts for $1.9 million in claims.

For drivers with a garage, the answer is obviously to park the car inside for the night, but what about everyone else? On high-risk holidays like Halloween and the 4^th of July, it might be worth it to pay for a spot in a parking garage for the day. Depending on the attachment to the car, it might be better to pay for peace of mind and prevent a costly bit of vandalism.

Was your car damaged this Halloween? Do you have any suggestions for drivers wanting to protect their car? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ford Offers Drivers Affordability, Fuel Economy with 2014 Fiesta

With fuel economy continuing to improve across the board in the 2014 models, car buyers no longer have to choose between buying a green car and buying an inexpensive car.

This week, the 2014 Ford Fiesta’s fuel economy and starting prices were announced. According to Autoblog, the Fiesta can be paired with an optional SE Manual EcoBoost package starting at $16,445 for the four-door model and starting at $17,045 for the hatchback model. For that price, drivers will get 32 mpg city and 45 mpg highway, which is incredibly good fuel economy for an equally economically priced vehicle.

The 2014 Ford Fiesta will also come with a number of standard features including SYNC with SYNC AppLink, leather and metallic trim, power locks, message center with LCD screen, 4-way manual driver’s seat, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control.

Are you looking for a safer car or one with better fuel efficiency? No matter what you’re looking for, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get in a car you want at terms you can afford! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you! 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!

2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, V-6 Models Get Price Cut

At Approved Loan Store, we like to let our customers know about sales or specials on their favorite makes and models, and for car shoppers looking for a new sedan, Toyota has cut the cost on the 2014 Avalon XLE Touring model.

According to the Associated Press, the 2014 Toyota Avalon XLE Touring will be $500 less expensive for the V-6 and hybrid versions, and though the base model’s $31,340 price is still steep for some buyers, the 2014 model has a number of improvements. The rear-view camera is now standard, and other standard features will include heated front seats, Bluetooth capability, leather seats, and more.

The 2013 Toyota Avalon was well-reviewed by critics. Edmunds praised its roomy seating, “luxury-like cabin quality,” and large trunk space, and user reviews were also extremely positive with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Even Car and Driver, which got in a few jabs about drivers’ AARP eligibility, had to admit that the 2013 Toyota Avalon had stepped up their game and added “athleticism and a few pinches of sophistication” to the popular sedan.

Whether you’re looking for a Toyota Avalon, a car to handle the whole family, or a fun little ride for yourself, Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you in the car you need at rates you can afford. 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!

Hyundai Defers Auto Payments for Furloughed Federal Employees

It is uncertain how long the government shutdown will continue, but at least one automaker is giving furloughed federal workers a break with their car payments.

Hyundai announced that during the government shutdown, any furloughed federal workers with an auto loan or lease through Hyundai Motor Finance will have their payments deferred. Additionally, any furloughed federal workers who buy a Hyundai now with financing through Hyundai Motor Finance will get a 90-day deferment on their payment.

A number of companies have announced special offers for furloughed federal employees during the shutdown from AMC Theatres giving away free small popcorn to free gym memberships, but this is easily one of the best offers available now during the shutdown.

Shutdown or not, customers with the Approved Loan Store are getting into the cars they want every day, and they are getting rates and terms they can afford, regardless of credit issues. 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!

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!

Image courtesy of sixninepixels / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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!