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Ferrari Auction Benefits Red Cross’ Hurricane Sandy Efforts

If you happen to have a load of money burning in your pocket and want to do something for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, Ferrari is auctioning off a car that is the first of its kind.

The very first F12 Berlinetta sold in the United States will be auctioned off by Ferrari this Saturday in Austin, Texas. Proceeds for this car, which typically goes for a base price of $315,000, will go to the American Red Cross. Ferrari will be taking bids in person, and bidders who cannot make it to Austin can contact their local Ferrari dealership this week to get information about placing a bid virtually.

Marco Mattiacci, chief executive and president of Ferrari North America, expressed his sympathy for those affected by the hurricane, saying, “Here at Ferrari, we have experienced and seen the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has caused in the affected area firsthand. We want to use our event next week at Formula One in Austin to give back to our local community by auctioning the F12 Berlinetta.”

If you don’t have the money to bid on the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, don’t worry. Ferrari is also working with the American Red Cross to collect general donations. You can donate through Ferrari’s Red Cross page here.

Are you looking for a new or used car? That Ferrari might be out of reach, but Approved Loan Store can help you find a car you want at rates you can afford, whether or not you have good credit! 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!

“Skyfall” Chase Scenes Feature Land Rover, Bring Back Aston Martin DB5

Skyfall, the newest James Bond film starring Daniel Craig, hits theaters today, and there are two questions on moviegoers’ minds. First, how are the Bond girls? Second, what about the cars?

Early reviews of Skyfall had high praise for Ben Collins’ stunt work in the film. Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern marveled in his review, “Cars don’t usually get applause from movie audiences, though one of Bond’s rides did just that at the screening.” Collins, who previously worked on Quantum of Solace and The Dark Knight Rises, has spoken about his love for the Bond franchise and its famed cars. In Skyfall, he drove a Land Rover through the streets of Istanbul and got behind the wheel of the Aston Martin DB5, or as Collins puts it, set foot on “hallowed ground.”

The Aston Martin DB5 has been featured in Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, and Casino Royale. Skyfall will be the car’s fifth appearance in a Bond film. According to Forbes, 1,059 Aston Martin DB5s were produced from 1963 until 1966, and today they are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2010, a DB5 featured in the Bond film Goldfinger was auctioned off for 2.9 million U.K. pounds or more than $4.6 million. Beyond its movie fame, the car has a top speed of 148 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

You can get an early peek of the Aston Martin in Skyfall here:

Readers, we want to hear from you! Are you excited to see the Aston Martin DB5 back in action? Will you be seeing Skyfall this weekend? Leave a comment below, and let us know!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work hard 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!

Ford SYNC Reaches Major Milestone

In the past few years, cars have become more connected at a startling rate. New cars are expected to have voice-recognition, provide GPS navigation, and have entertainment systems that work with the driver’s smartphone or iPod.

One of the first popular car connectivity systems hit a major milestone this week when Ford sold the five-millionth car equipped with the Ford SYNC, a system they developed with Microsoft. The SYNC was first introduced back in 2007. Currently the SYNC system includes GPS navigation, 911 emergency assistance, internet connection, hands-free calling with audible text messages, and an entertainment center complete with eight-inch color touch screen, Bluetooth audio streaming, Audible, and HD Radio.

In a press release from Ford, Vice President of Ford Research and Innovation Paul Mascarenas praised the SYNC, stating, “SYNC has helped us evolve as an automaker, to think and act more like a technology company, with a new level of openness and access that has forever changed how we look at our business and respond to our customers. Ultimately, SYNC embodies what Ford is all about: going further to transform innovative ideas into products that are affordable, attainable, and valuable to millions of people.” He went on to praise Microsoft for their work on the SYNC, citing the system’s ability to upgrade with software updates as the primary reason for its success.

Congratulations to Ford and Microsoft on the success of the SYNC! We at the Approved Loan Store are excited to see what the future holds for car connectivity and “smart cars,” and we appreciate the role that Ford played in paving that future.

Are you looking to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Whether if you are looking for the latest connected car or something a little less plugged in, we will help you find a 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!

SEMA 2012: Winners and Highlights

With Hurricane Sandy and the election dominating the news cycle, it was easy to forget that the SEMA Show was last week. Auto enthusiasts from across the country descended on Las Vegas to see the latest technology, custom and concept cars, and celebrities like Chip Foose, Kenny Youngblood, and Gene Winfield.

While we were unable to attend the show, it was a lot of fun to stop by the show’s website, browse the cars that were on display, and check out the big winners of the show. Today, we’re bringing you the SEMA 2012 winners and a few of our favorite cars from the show.

SEMA 2012 Winners

Hottest Car – Ford Mustang
Hottest Truck – Ford F-Series
Hottest 4×4/SUV – Jeep Wrangler
Hottest Sport/Compact – Scion FR-S

The Ford Mustang might have been the hottest car at the 2012 SEMA show, but this 2011 Ford Mustang exhibited by GlossPro Car Care Products played it cool in blue.

The Scion FR-S was the most popular compact this year, but amongst a crowd of black, yellow, and elaborate details, this mint-colored Scion FR-S stood out in the crowd. It was stylish and sporty without looking too flashy.

The SEMA show is the place to go for the strange and unusual in cars, and this year did not disappoint. Our MVP was the Tanker Beer, a 1931 MAC C Cab which has been converted into a moving bar. The only downside to the Tanker Beer is that it will make any future tailgating parties look amateur by comparison.

Are you ready to stop browsing cars and get into one today? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we have vehicles for all needs, and we will put you in a 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!

Nissan Divides Auto Enthusiasts Over New Steering System

Last month, Nissan held its annual Advanced Technology Briefing where they showed off the latest automotive technology that drivers can look forward to seeing soon. The two main attractions of the event were their Active Engine Braking and Autonomous Emergency Steering, and from the looks of it, these new systems could greatly improve driving safety and ease.

To put it simply, Active Engine Braking changes the way that people steer. A video released by Nissan explains that in a car with a traditional steering system, the car’s tires are controlled by a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and tires. To contrast, a car with Active Engine Braking converts steering input information from the steering wheel into electronic signals that turn the tires. Also, Active Engine Braking picks up information like rough terrain, a sloped road, or a cross-wind and automatically makes adjustments for the driver.

The Autonomous Emergency Steering works with the Active Engine Braking to prevent accidents caused by driver error. The system uses cameras in the car to detect any objects, people, or animals in its way and then map a route to avoid hitting any obstacles. It does not kick in unless absolutely necessary, so drivers still have plenty of time to steer clear, but the system could help a driver in a high-stress situation like avoiding a child that ran out into the street or a deer running onto the road.

Not everyone is happy about these new systems, though. Jalopnik’s headline read “The Amazing New Car Tech That Enables You To Drive Like A Moron,” and several commenters on Nissan’s YouTube video were disappointed with the changes. One said, “Goodbye steering feel,” and another accused Nissan of taking away the “joy of driving.” Some commenters came to Nissan’s defense and pointed out that while it might not be right for every driver or car, it would provide a smoother and safer ride for most drivers.

Readers, what do you think? Do you want Active Engine Braking and Autonomous Emergency Steering in your car? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking 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 you a 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!

Nissan Offers Employee Discount to Hurricane Sandy Victims

Hurricane Sandy might have come and gone, but she left behind a mess of destroyed homes and vehicles throughout New York and New Jersey. Many car owners are unable to salvage their flooded cars and have to rely on an already overburdened public transit system. Some car manufacturers and dealerships, however, are offering special discounts to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Nissan announced last week that employee pricing would be available for businesses and individuals whose cars were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Consumers can take advantage of this offer through January 2, 2013, and if they have questions about qualifications and details of the offer, Nissan has set up this website so customers can get a VPP claim ID to take to their local dealership.

The employee discount is as follows:

$750 under invoice on Nissan Versa, Sentra, cube, and Nissan LEAF
$1,000 under invoice on Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, Rogue, Xterra, Frontier, and Juke
$1,000 under invoice on Nissan NV Standard Roof, High Roof, and Passenger Van
$1,250 under invoice on New Infiniti models
$1,500 under invoice on Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadstar, Maxima, Pathfinder, Titan, Armada, Quest, Murano, and Murano CrossCabriolet

Other car manufacturers including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz have pledged donations to the American Red Cross, and Fisker has opened its Wilmington, Delaware factory for housing utility trucks and repair crews who are assisting with relief efforts.

We want to hear from our readers who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Will you take advantage of Nissan’s offer, and do you think these car manufacturers are doing enough? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will go above and beyond to get you a 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!

14-Year-Old Prodigy Builds Her First Car

It’s Friday, and we at the Approved Loan Store would like to send you into the weekend with a smile and a heartwarming story from Dearborn, Michigan.

Kathryn DiMaria has been building her first car, a 1986 Pontiac Fiero, since she was 12 years old. She is now 14 and shows no signs of slowing or losing interest. While she has received help from her father on most of the technical stuff and help from her mom on sewing the interior upholstery, the work has been her own, and along the way she has picked up many valuable skills, skills that will serve her well in future. She hopes to pursue a career in engineering.

I love reading stories about young people like Kathryn. Not only is she a great role model for young girls interested in cars, her goal of building this car from the ground-up is ambitious and a refreshing break from our me-centered culture. She didn’t just expect her parents to buy her a car when she turned 16. Instead, she made it happen herself, and currently Kathryn is on track to finish her car before her 16^th birthday. She won’t have to cross her fingers and hope for a car because she will have built one herself.

To learn more about Kathryn’s project, click here, and if you’re looking for a car but feeling a little less ambitious than Kathryn, Approved Loan Store can help! 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!

2013 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

It isn’t even Halloween yet, and already auto enthusiasts are gearing up for the L.A. Auto Show which opens to the public November 30. While many people are excited for the more than 40 car debuts, concept cars from every major auto manufacturer, and celebrity guests, there are also awards up for grabs including the Green Car of the Year.

Yesterday, the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year award were revealed. The Dodge Dart Aero, Ford Fusion, Ford C-MAX, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota Prius will be battling out for the award which was previously won by the Honda Civic Natural Gas and Chevy Volt.

The line-up this year includes two non-hybrid vehicles as well as several plug-in hybrids. Based strictly on fuel economy, the Prius C is the top performer with 53 mpg city and 46 mgp highway, though the Ford C-MAX is very close with 47 mpg. The Dodge Dart Aero does very well considering it is one of the two non-hybrids nominated, but it still lags with a highway fuel economy of 41 mpg and combined highway/city fuel economy of 32 mpg.

Right now, the Ford C-MAX is an early favorite and the LA Times’ choice for the award, but the winner will not be announced until November 29. Stay tuned to Approved Loan Store to get more coverage of the L.A. Auto Show including the 2013 Green Car of the Year.

Looking for a more fuel efficient car? Approved Loan Store can help! 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 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!

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Study: Drivers Waiting Longer Between Buying New Cars

A new study from Polk, one of the foremost automotive data and marketing firms, shows that your next car purchase could be more important than you might think.

The recession has changed driver’s attitudes and buying habits, and drivers are now sticking with their cars for much longer than they used to. Dealerships used to expect drivers to buy a new car or truck every three to four years, but that number has doubled to six to eight years.

Why the change? Well, cars are built to last longer. Drivers don’t have to replace their car as often. Unfortunately, that is not the only reason. The recession has left many consumers wary of major purchases like a new car, and if they can delay that purchase for a few years, they are more likely to put it off. To make matters worse, surveys have shown that American consumers hate negotiating auto pricing and financing. No wonder drivers are delaying that trade-in.

The only way that the auto industry can change this trend is by offering more affordable car buying options, streamlining the car buying process, and working to make the car buying process pleasant and simple. At Approved Loan Store, that is exactly what we are doing. We give our customers a better car buying experience. Whether they have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we work tirelessly to get them into a car that they want at terms they can afford.

Are you ready to try a different car buying experience? Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news and car buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

SEMA Show: Chevy Pushing Compact Concepts, Z-Spec Options

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is coming up next week starting October 30 and running through November 2. Parts manufacturers from across the country will be descending upon Las Vegas to browse, network, and see the future of the auto industry. Prior to the show, however, some exhibitors like Chevrolet are giving early previews of what attendees can look forward to.

According to Autoweek, Chevy will be showing off 39 cars at the SEMA Show next week, and most of their focus will be on a number of compact concept vehicles. The Sonic Z-Spec 1, Sonic Z-Spec 2.5, Spark Sinister, Cruze Upscale, and Sonic B-Spec will all be on display, and Chevy will be officially announcing that Z-Spec options will be in production in 2013. Car shoppers can either purchase and install them, or if they are purchasing a new car, they can add the cost of the options onto the price of the car and have the dealership install them.

This news from Chevy shows again that car manufacturers are focusing on compact cars. It is especially telling that Chevy is pushing compact cars at SEMA Show, one of the biggest automotive shows of the year. Also, Chevy’s announcement that Z-Spec options will be available in 2013 proves that they are listening to car shoppers. People have latched onto the idea of their car being customizable and unique to their needs, something that has worked well for the Dodge Dart, and pushing the Z-Spec options is a smart move on Chevy’s part.

Are you looking for a car to meet your unique needs and financial situation? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to find something that you love and won’t break your budget! 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!