Tag Archives: Credit Resources

Ford Focus Challenges Corolla for World’s Top Seller

For years, the Toyota Corolla has reigned as the world’s best-selling car, but this year, the reigning champ might have some competition.

Ford has projected that based on their current sales numbers, the Ford Focus will outsell the Toyota Corolla worldwide in 2012. According to their press release, the Ford Focus is leading the Toyota Corolla, 489,616 to 462,187. Volkswagen also has its sights set on the top spot with the new VW Golf, though it is not expected to overtake the Corolla this year.

While it would be exciting to see a shake-up with the top rankings, I think Ford is being a little premature in their celebrating. After all, they have been close to beating the Corolla before and have ultimately lost in the final sprint to the end of the year. I’m not a superstitious person, but I do believe that Ford might have jinxed itself with this press release. Maybe they should have focused a little less on press releases over a projected win and focused on selling their Focus.

Whether you want a Toyota, a Ford, a Volkswagen, or something else entirely, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Good credit, bad credit, we want to get you into a great car!  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!

Real-Life Superhero Wrecks Hummer to Save 4 Children

One of my favorite films of all time is The Dark Knight. While perusing the auto news headlines this week, I was reminded of a scene in the movie when Bruce Wayne wrecks his beautiful Lamborghini and puts his life in danger in order to save a man’s life. Recently, an eerily similar event happened in Alberta, Canada where a driver saved the lives of 4 minors from another driver who was driving erratically and talking on his cell phone.

Darrell Krushelnicki was having a normal day, driving his Hummer H3 and minding his own business, when he noticed 4 minors crossing the street together. The youngest was 3 years old, and the oldest was 16. Darrell also noticed another driver in a Pontiac G5 who was speeding along at 50 mph in a 20 mph zone, talking on his cell phone, and showing no signs of stopping at the crosswalk. He could have honked his horn, warned the kids to get out of the street, or done nothing at all, but instead, he cut in front of the Pontiac G5 and stopped it from running down the kids. Fortunately, neither Darrell nor the other driver was injured, but both cars sustained major damage.

This is how I imagined that it happened:

Like many other people, I am amazed by Darrell’s story. His bravery and willingness to sacrifice his Hummer to save these children’s lives is commendable. The local police are recommending Darrell for an award, and I hope he gets recognized for what he did. Not only does he deserve it, but it could lead to more discussions about the dangers of distracted driving.

Are you looking for a new or used car? Good credit, bad credit, no credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Longer or Shorter Auto Loan Length: The Right Choice for You

If you’ve been paying attention to auto loan trends, you would have noticed that the length of the typical auto loan has gone up in 2012, averaging at 64 months or about 5.3 years. Lenders are more willing to grant these longer loans, and looking at the lower monthly payments, it is easy to see why these loans appeal to consumers. These longer loans, however, are not necessarily right for everyone, and choosing the wrong loan length could cost you in the long run. How do you know if you need a shorter or longer loan length? We have a rundown of the major advantage and disadvantage of both types below.

Longer Loans

Longer loans are usually better for people who have shakier finances. The monthly payments are lower, so if a costly emergency comes up, the car payments won’t be as much of a burden. The downside of longer loans is that the interest adds up. In the end, you will end up paying more for the car, but you’ll get to pay it over a longer period of time.

Shorter loans

Shorter loans are better for people who are certain they can pay the loan off quickly, usually people with less financial obligations. The biggest upside to shorter loans is that you will pay much less in interest over the course of the loan. The downside is that if an emergency comes up, the monthly payments are much higher and will put a bigger burden on your finances.

The great thing about going through Approved Loan Store instead of walking up to any dealership is that our Special Finance Representatives will sit down with you personally and help you figure out what type of auto loan is the right choice for you. They will review your financial situation and determine with you what will suit your needs and not break your budget, whether that is a longer or shorter loan length.

Are you ready to get into a 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 connect with us by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Time Magazine: September is the Best Month for Car Deals

Have you been procrastinating on buying a new car? Industry experts say that September will be the best time to buy all year for those looking for wide selection and low prices, particularly on used cars.

According to Time Magazine’s Moneyland, September is the best time to buy 7 products: cars, jewelry, summer weather-related products, back-to-school products, plants, stoves, and produce. What makes September so special for the auto industry? Well, most dealerships have received the 2013 models by September, and they are ready to be out with the old and in with the new. 2012 models will be deeply discounted, even if they don’t have a lot of miles on them, and dealerships will want to move them out the door.

Unfortunately, this means that by the end of September, most of the choice inventory will be picked over, and while car buyers might still get some good deals in the last few months of the year, they will have probably missed out on an even better deal. If there was a time to get looking for that new or used car, it is September.

Approved Loan Store wants to help you get in on these September deals. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a great new or used car. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with us by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Consumer Alert: Westchester Car Buying Scam

At Approved Loan Store, we want to make your car buying process easier and more pleasant. Unfortunately, there are people who offer car terms that are too good to be true, and we have to deal with the fall-out of disillusioned consumers who fell prey to these scams. That is why we wanted to alert our readers to a recent car buying scam in Westchester. It is our hope that by reporting about this scam, car shoppers in the New York City area will not fall for it and then wind up out of money and without a car.

We heard about this car buying scam through the Scarsdale Patch. According to their report, a Westchester man was trying to buy a 1961 Impala from a seller on Auto Trader. The buyer was instructed by the seller to wire the payment for the car through a Google Wallet account. Once the transaction was complete, the seller promised that the car would be shipped. Anyone familiar with these kinds of scams will know how it turned out. After wiring the money late last month, the buyer suddenly couldn’t get a hold of the seller, and even more infuriating, the buyer saw that the car was still listed as available on the Auto Trader Website.

Not everyone who purchases a car through Auto Trader, Craigslist, or other websites has a poor experience. Car buying online can seem convenient, and we have many car buying tools on our website including our online auto loan application. However, there are risks to going through a private buyer on Auto Trader or Craigslist. Even if the seller had shipped the 1961 Impala, there is no telling what condition that car would be in. Furthermore, if a seller asks to have money wired in advance, run the other way. Money transfers are an immediate red flag. To avoid these problems, we recommend buying from a car dealership, preferably an Approved Loan Store dealership. If a private seller still seems promising, though, deal with the seller in person and get the vehicle inspected before purchasing.

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you get into a great car at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with us by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“Designated Texter” Hopes to Change Trend on Texting-and-Driving Accidents

In the past year, we have talked a lot about the dangers of texting and driving and new technologies designed to curb this deadly trend. Parents and educators have tried scaring teens with PSAs and real-life stories of people whose lives were ruined when a friend or family member decided to text and drive. The answer to texting and driving, though, might be a heck of a lot easier (and cheaper) than any of these high-tech bells and whistles and more effective than scare tactics.

“Designated driver” is a term that is very familiar to any driver old enough to drink. It means that when a person chooses to drink, they willingly give up their car keys to a sober driver or arrange for a taxi pick-up at the end of the night. Similarly, the new term “designated texter” indicates someone in the car other than the driver who will place any calls or send any texts for the car. For example, if a group of friends are driving to a party but get lost on the way, the designated texter can call or text to get directions.

Honestly, I am shocked that no one came up with this idea before. It is simple, doesn’t cost anything, and is purely common sense. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is hoping that the idea catches on, and at Approved Loan Store, we hope so too. We want all of our customers to be safe on the road and encourage our readers to use common sense whenever they get behind the wheel. Whether it means getting a designated driver or assigning a designated texter, do what you need to do in order to stay safe and keep others safe on the road.

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Bad credit, no credit, good credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and connect with us by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are You Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance?

At Approved Loan Store, we want to make sure our customers get the best possible deal on an auto loan, but there are more costs to owning a car than just the loan payments. There is the cost of gas, general maintenance, and of course, insurance. We want to help our customers save on these other car costs, so when we saw these tips for lowering car insurance costs over at Fox Business, we wanted to share them with our readers. Please remember that discounts and terms of those discounts vary between insurance companies, so ask your insurance company if these discounts are applicable.

If You Are in a Committed Relationship…
Married couples and unmarried committed gay couples can often receive discounts, especially if they are insuring multiple vehicles.

If You Are a College Student…
Full-time students can receive a discount. Sometimes the discount is based on grade point average, but that isn’t always the case.

If You Installed a Car Alarm…
Many insurance companies will offer a discount for installing car alarms, fuel or ignition cutoff switches, vehicle identification number engravings, or car tracking systems.

If You Switched to Paperless…
So many insurance companies want to brag about going green, and they give incentives to customers for e-mail communication instead of paper mailings. Also, if you are thinking about switching to a hybrid, some car insurance companies are giving as much as a 10 percent discount.

If You Were in a Fraternity/Sorority…
Former frat brothers and sorority sisters can get up to an 8 percent discount. The reasoning is that individuals involved in these kinds of groups are more responsible and less likely to be reckless drivers.

If You Served Your Country…
Many companies want to ease the financial burden of those who have served in the armed forces, and car insurance companies are no exception. Some offer a 15 percent discount when the driver is home in the states and up to 80 percent when they are deployed.

If You Have Good Credit…
This is a tip we have mentioned before, but it bears repeating. By improving your credit, you can save money on so many things including car insurance.

If You Are a Teacher/Doctor/Police Officer/ Self-Employed…
There are numerous discounts based on profession, and it isn’t just for servicemembers. Again, check with your insurance company because the variety of professions included is shocking.

If You Are a Loyal Customer…
Have you been with your insurance company for 5 years? 10 years? If so, you might be eligible for a customer loyalty discount.

Are you taking advantage of all of these discounts? Did we miss any lesser-known discounts? Leave a comment below, and tell us what discounts you are taking advantage of with your insurance!

Looking for a new or used car? Concerned that your credit is holding you back? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cedar Rapids Boy Steals Family Car, Crashes 4 Blocks Away

There is a phase that a lot of young kids go through where they threaten to run away from home. They pack up their backpacks with a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a beloved stuffed animal, and their Nintendo DS, but usually that is as far as it goes. A 7-year-old in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, however, decided to take it a huge step forward and steal his mom’s car for a quick getaway.

Last Saturday at around 9 a.m., the unnamed boy took his mother’s car keys and drove down 33rd Street to Edgewood Parkway. On a typical day, this area of Cedar Rapids is fairly busy with a movie theater, numerous restaurants, and a mall close by. Fortunately, he only got about a block down Edgewood before he crashed the car between a bank and a Wendy’s restaurant, and despite the state of the car, he did not sustain any serious injuries.

As of publication, it is uncertain what sort of punishment the boy will receive. He has been cited for a laundry list of violations and misdemeanors including driving without a license, failure to maintain control, hit-and-run, and no insurance. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that he has tried to get the car from his mom. Police Capt. Bernie Walther told ABC affiliate KCRG, “He has grabbed her keys before and tried to do this, but this is as far as he’s ever gotten.”

At Approved Loan Store, we know that our customers aren’t always looking for a new car under the best of circumstances. Whether it is a challenging credit situation, a recent car accident, or a tot taking the family car for a joyride, we want to make the car buying process as easy as possible. If you’re looking to get into a new or used car, fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto and credit news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Survey: Negotiating Price, Financing Worst Part of Buying a Car

A new survey has confirmed what we over at Approved Loan Store already know: Car shoppers hate haggling over price.

The survey asked 2,000 respondents to list steps in the car buying process from the most pleasant part to the least pleasant part. They could choose from researching vehicles make and models, shopping and test-driving, arranging/negotiating financing, and negotiating the price of the car. Overwhelmingly, survey subjects chose negotiating the price of the car as the least pleasant step in the car buying process followed closely by negotiating financing.

At Approved Loan Store, we know that car buyers hate haggling over price and financing, and we are constantly striving to make the process more streamlined and better for our customers.

Step 1: Fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

Step 2: You will be contacted by an Approved Loan Store representative who will schedule an appointment with the Approved Loan Store dealership closest to you.

Step 3: Meet with an Approved Loan Store Special Finance Representative who will work with you and get the best possible price and financing options.

Our network of dealerships has helped customers all around the tri-state area get into great cars at affordable terms. Hundreds of customers have given written and video testimonials raving about their experience with Approved Loan Store, and we know that one of the reasons is because our process makes pricing and financing easier. At other dealerships, pricing and financing might be the stuff of nightmares, but with Approved Loan Store, financing a car is as simple as 1-2-3.

Want to connect with Approved Loan Store online? Like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube to get the latest auto news and updates from Approved Loan Store.

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Driver Leaves Maserati Running in Times Square, Surprised When It Gets Stolen

Note to Maserati owners: If you don’t want your car stolen, don’t leave it unlocked with the engine running in the middle of Times Square.

Chadwick Lange was new to the city, just moving to Manhattan from Florida. According to his account of the events, he saw a friend of his around the intersection of 47th Street and Broadway, so he pulled over his 2008 Maserati Gran Turismo to say hello. He must not have planned on staying long because he left the keys in the ignition and the engine running.

Two strangers approached Lange and asked if they could take some pictures of his Maserati. He obliged and went back to the conversation with his friend. After the two strangers took a few pictures, one of them jumped into the front seat and drove off, slowing down only to let his friend jump in the passenger side further down the street.

So far, there has been no sign of the car or the two thieves, but it seems like this crime could have been prevented with a little common sense. Most people know not to leave a car unattended with the keys still in the ignition, much less a Maserati, but some have speculated that Lange wasn’t just pulling over for a chat. A fact that has gotten buried underneath the shocking stupidity is that Lange’s car was stolen at 4:30 in the morning. He just happened to be driving around at 4:30 in the morning and ran into his friend (*cough* DEALER *cough*), and he decided that he should stop for a chat (*cough* FIX *cough). Well, whatever reason Lange decided to pull over that day, whether for a fix or for a conversation, I hope it was really, really good.

Need a new car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Bad credit, no credit, car got stolen in Times Square, we want to get you into a new or used car at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure 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!