Tag Archives: Car and Driver

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!

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!

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!

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!

CBS News Picks 5 Best Cars Made in America

Yesterday, CBS News MoneyWatch named their 5 best American-built cars. With so many great American cars on the market today, we were curious as to what made the cut. The list is below along with our thoughts on each of their picks.

Cadillac CTS – Winner of Popular Mechanics’ Top 10 Car, Car and Driver’s 10Best, and Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Award, CBS couldn’t really make the list without the Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS’s latest tagline is, “If you’re going to make a statement, don’t mumble,” and with its combination of power and luxury, a driver won’t be able to blend in driving the Cadillac CTS.

Buick LaCrosse – In the past, the Buick LaCrosse has had no trouble racking up stellar reviews and awards, and 2012 is no exception. Already, it has earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. Kelley Blue Book reviewers also gave it a 4.5 out of 5 rating, making it popular with everyday drivers and car reviewers alike.

Ford Flex – The Ford Flex is probably the most underrated of the bunch here. It still isn’t a household name, but consumers and car reviewers who have driven it are hoping that changes soon. This cross-over is a seven-passenger family car with a completely different feel from the usual minivan or SUV.

Chrysler 300 – In 2012, the Chrysler 300 has already taken home some of the industry’s top awards. The 2012 Chrysler 300 was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines and Interiors as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. It was also ranked #1 in Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000 and made Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Best Family Cars list. Like the Cadillac CTS, it would be difficult to make a list of the best American-made cars without including the Chrysler 300.

Ford Focus – Edmunds claims that the Ford Focus the first American-made compact car to really give Japanese automakers a run for their money, and though that initial success might have gone to their head, Ford has made some big changes to the Focus that have made it a must-see American-made model. Edmunds specifically cited the 2012 Focus as a “monumental improvement,” calling it a “well-rounded, well-built car that is easy to recommend.”

We want to know what you think of CBS News’ list! Did your favorite car make the cut? What do you think got snubbed? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!