Tag Archives: budget

Bad Credit Auto Loan: Top 10 Most Reliable Cars

Recently, Warranty Direct celebrated 15 years of ranking vehicle reliability, and to mark the occasion, they released their top 10 list of the most reliable cars of the past 15 years.

Their website Reliability Index breaks down the raw data of a car’s average repair costs, mileage, age, and chance that parts of the car will have maintenance issues like the transmission or braking system. Taking all these factors into account, they calculate an overall reliability index number that tells consumers at a glance if the car is reliable or not. The lower the number, the more reliable the vehicle will be for the driver.

Here is the top ten most reliable vehicles according to the Reliability Index along with their index rating.

1.  Mitsubishi Lancer – 6
2.  Vauxhall Agila – 8
3.  Suzuki Alto – 9
4.  Toyota Aygo – 10
5.  TIE: Honda HR-V and Volvo S40 – 16
6.  Mazda MX-5 – 19
7.  TIE: Mercedes E Class and Toyota Yaris – 20
8.  Honda Jazz – 21

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the list? Were there any vehicles on the list that surprised you? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a reliable new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help, no matter what your credit situation! 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!

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Car Loan: Women Drivers Now Outnumber Men, Upsetting Status Quo

These days, women are dominating in higher education, making great strides in the work force, and now, for the first time in the history of the U.S., outnumbering male drivers on the road.

The statistic comes from a University of Michigan study which showed that in 2010, there were 105.7 million women with driver’s licenses compared to 104.3 million men with driver’s licenses. Only 15 years prior, men had outnumbered women 89.2 million to 87.4 million.

While women drivers are by no means dominating the road yet with only a 1.4 million lead, it is surprising to see women drivers edging ahead. There have always been more driver’s licenses issued to men than women, and unfortunately advertisers have wrongfully assumed for years that women don’t really care about cars. I wonder if this trend continues how advertisers will change their approach or if they will. Like many other industries, the car industry will have to ask themselves if they know how to appeal to women and if they are willing to lose out on millions of potential customers in maintaining the status quo.

Readers we want to hear from you! What do you think of this trend favoring female drivers? Are you surprised that male drivers have outnumbered female drivers until now? 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 want to get you in a car you want at rates you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more news and buying tips from the Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Veteran’s Day: GM Military Discount Now More Inclusive

Last Sunday was Veteran’s Day, but even before Sunday, General Motors was honoring our veterans by announcing an expansion on their current military discount.

For years, GM has offered discounts on most Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC models for active duty, reservists, and retired service members and their spouses. Starting this weekend, however, the program will be expanded to veterans within a year after discharge. Linda Stouffer, who serves as GM’s marketing manager for vehicle service programs, explained that the expansion would help include more returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and emphasized that the program is “just one way” that GM thanks America’s servicemen and women.

In addition to the military discount, GM supports Cell Phones for Soldiers, Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, and numerous other employment initiatives for returning soldiers. They are also sponsors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative, a nationwide program that sponsors hundreds of hiring fairs every year.

If you want to learn more about GM’s program and whether you qualify, go to their military website here, and if you are looking to get into a new or used car, Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we are ready to get you into the car you want at terms you can afford. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get 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!

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!

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:

  1. $750 under invoice on Nissan Versa, Sentra, cube, and Nissan LEAF
  2. $1,000 under invoice on Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, Rogue, Xterra, Frontier, and Juke
  3. $1,000 under invoice on Nissan NV Standard Roof, High Roof, and Passenger Van
  4. $1,250 under invoice on New Infiniti models
  5. $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!

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!

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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!

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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!

Nissan Leaf Follows Volt’s Lead, Drops Price

In what is perhaps the most “No, Duh” moment of the year, Nissan has realized that they can sell more Nissan Leafs if they lower the price.

Sales for the Chevy Volt, one of the Nissan Leaf’s biggest competitors, were disappointingly slow this year until Chevy offered some major discounts totaling about $10,000, a substantial price cut. Since these discounts were introduced this year, the Volt has outsold every other electric car on the market, including the Leaf.

As 2012 is reaching an end, Nissan probably wants to boost sales across the board but particularly for the Leaf. They expected to sell 40,000 Leafs this year, and right now, they are not on track to meet that goal. The question isn’t quality. The Leaf has received solid reviews, and not paying out the nose at the pump is tempting to many drivers. The Nissan Leaf’s problem has always been its price tag. America’s economy might be in recovery, but its base price of $35,200 is still steep.

As of this publication, Nissan has not stated specifically what incentives or discounts will be offered, but we will keep you up to date when those discounts when that information is available. In the meantime, Approved Loan Store is ready to get you into an affordable new or used car today, whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news and auto buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Toyota, Chevrolet Sonic Earn High Marks in Brand Loyalty

When shopping for a new car, I want to know which brands and models inspire brand loyalty. I want to know which drivers are going back to their current brand or model to look for their next car. Buying a car is a commitment, and brand loyalty surveys are the best way to gauge which drivers have buyer’s regret and which drivers really love their car.

A recent report on brand loyalty from Experian Automotive had some fascinating results. The report looked at which vehicles had returning customers when they went to buy their next car. The top 5 vehicle brands and top 10 vehicle models are as follows:

Top 5 Brands

  1. Toyota:  47.3 percent return rate
  2. General Motors:  46.2 percent
  3. Ford:  46 percent
  4. Hyundai:  45.3 percent
  5. Honda:  43.1 percent

Top 10 Models

  1. Chevrolet Sonic:  60.3 percent
  2. Ford Fusion:  59.9 percent
  3. Ford Flex:  56 percent
  4. Ford Edge:  55.1 percent
  5. Ford Five Hundred:  53.1 percent
  6. Toyota Prius:  51.8 percent
  7. Chevrolet Cruze:  51.7 percent
  8. Kia Forte:  51.6 percent
  9. Ford Escape:  51.4 percent
  10. Ford Fiesta:  51.2 percent

Toyota took the top spot for car brands even though it only had one vehicle in the top 10 models. Ford dominated the models list with the Fusion, Flex, Edge, Five Hundred, Escape, and Fiesta, more than half the list. Most surprising, though, was that the new kid on the block, the Chevrolet Sonic, came in first with model loyalty. The Chevrolet Sonic, formerly known as the Chevrolet Aveo, only premiered in the United States a year ago. The fact that it is already commanding such brand loyalty is really interesting and definitely something to watch in the coming years.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Did your favorite car make the top ten? When you look for a new car, what car makes and models stand out to you or draw you back again? 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 want to get you into a 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!