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New Car Financing: Toyota’s New Teaser Trailer for 2013 RAV4

The L.A. Auto Show is almost here, and auto makers are teasing us with all sorts of previews before the show’s official debuts. The latest to jump on the bandwagon is Toyota with their teaser trailer for the 2013 RAV4.

The RAV4 will premiere at a press conference on Wednesday, November 28 as part of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Toyota calls the new RAV4 “a new generation” of car, “embodying sophistication and strength.” Whether it lives up to that praise is yet to be seen, but here is the flashy teaser trailer for the RAV4.

While I am intrigued by the unveiling of the RAV4, the teaser trailer showed very little of the car. The ad had a lot of tight shots and quick cuts, and when it was over, I was disappointed at how little the ad showed off. I get that they don’t want to show off too much before the show, but I was hoping for more than what Toyota gave me.

Readers, what do you think? Do you like the teaser for the 2013 Toyota RAV4, or did it leave you wanting more? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we can get you in a car you want at rates you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

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LA Auto Show: Honda Announces New Civic Premiere

In 2 weeks, Honda will unveil the new Civic at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and early word that Honda listened to its fans and critics with the newest model of one of their most popular cars.

Almost 50 vehicles will debut during the show including world premieres from Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, and Honda will be showing off several new vehicles including the Civic. Some members of the press, though, got an early look this week to stir up excitement for the official premiere at the show.

On the outside, the 2013 Civic will have an open-mouth lower bumper, a black mesh grille with integrated fog lights, and larger jewel-style tail lights, but reports are saying that it is what’s on the inside that counts with the new Civic. According to the Wall Street Journal, Honda has updated the interior, turned their focus to the driver’s comfort, and overall aimed to give it a feeling of luxury and youth.

Will the new Civic live up to the hype? We won’t know for another two weeks yet, but looking at the LA Auto Show line-up, it will have to bring its A-game to stand out from the pack. Then again, Honda has a history of excellence with awards from Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Green Car Journal, not to mention About.com’s 2012 Best New Car award. They just might be up to the challenge.

No matter if you’re looking for a Civic, an Accord, or something else entirely, Approved Loan Store can help you! Whether if you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we want 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 and tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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!

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!

New Stereos Offer Smart Phone Technology in Older Cars

In the past year, new smart phone technology has advanced substantially and is available in many of the 2012 models. If you don’t have a new car or are looking to purchase a used car, though, never fear. You can still get smart phone technology in older car models with a simple stereo upgrade.

According to a recent New York Times article, some of the options for people looking for an upgrade include Pioneer’s AppRadio 2, the Sony XAV-701HD, the Alpine INE-Z928HD, and the Clarion NextGate. The price ranges from $270 up to $700, and depending on the model, these systems can stream Pandora, sync with most iPhones except the iPhone 5, give driving directions, and work with Bluetooth among other features.

Most of this technology is relatively new, and I was surprised reading over these stereo upgrades and then looking at the price tag. $270 is very reasonable for one of these systems, and I’m sure with some sales hunting that someone could find a system that is even less expensive. Besides that, the systems that allow for hands-free phone calls can help cut down on distracted driving accidents which could be an incentive for parents to get a low-cost system for their teen’s car.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Would you get one of these new stereo upgrades for your car, or do you prefer to keep your car disconnected? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

If you’re looking to get into a new or used vehicle, Approved Loan Store can help! We will work with you and find a car that fits your needs and 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!

Why 2012’s Most Popular Car Colors Are Anything But “Boring”

In a famous scene from Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, Lucius Fox is showing off the Batmobile Tumbler to Bruce Wayne. After seeing the Tumbler go through the paces, Bruce coolly asks, “Does it come in black?”

Bruce Wayne, like many other people searching for a new car, knows that the color of their car makes a statement, and the color of a person’s car can either enhance or destroy a first impression. Americans are still recovering, and though unemployment is dropping slowly but surely, people want cars that are practical and will give the impression of professionalism. PPG Industries, a paint supplier for many of the major car manufacturers, released its list of the top 5 car colors for 2012, and the list reflected a more conservative car-buying public. White was the top color making up 22 percent of cars and trucks build for the 2012 models, followed by silver, black, grey, and red. All of these colors are classic and will give the car a timeless look as opposed to more outrageous colors.

Imagine my surprise when I see the Associated Press’ headline “America’s favorite car colors for 2012 are…boring.” According to their headline, this is boring:

This is boring:

Even this is boring:

Does the Associated Press really think that white, silver, black, grey, and red are boring colors? Would they rather see people pulling up for a job interview in a bright neon-colored car? The truth is that the color black can remind someone of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress just as much as it can remind someone of an undertaker. White, silver, and black will suit a business function as much as a night out on the town. It isn’t that the top colors of 2012 are boring but that they are more versatile than other car colors that will only suit one time or place.

No matter what color car you might be looking for, Approved Loan Store is ready to help you get into the right car! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to work with you! 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!

Picture Courtesy of MemeGenerator

Japanese High School Students Break Record for World’s Shortest Car

Most car enthusiasts want to have the newest, fastest, and slickest car on the road, but a school in Japan took on a different challenge when building their record-breaking electric car.

Meet Mirai, the world’s shortest car. This electric car was designed and built by a group of Japanese students and teachers from the Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi. Their car, which has been officially accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records, is road legal, though the drivers who have taken Mirai for a spin typically are not comfortable with taking it out on the road.

The car’s design is pretty amazing, but what makes it more amazing was that the students insisted that it should be electric because they wanted to be environmentally conscious. Considering how the major car manufacturers have had such a tough time getting electric cars to catch on, perhaps they should consider encourage these kids to continue pursing automotives and come work on electric cars when they finish school.

At Approved Loan Store, we certainly don’t have the world’s shortest car, but we do have the right car for your needs! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get affordable terms! 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!

Scam Artists Re-Sell Stolen Cars on Craigslist

In the past, we at the Approved Loan Store have advised our readers to stay away from Craigslist car deals that seem too good to be true, and we were sad to hear yet another Craigslist car buying horror story late last week.

WILX, an NBC affiliate in Lansing, Michigan, first reported that car thieves are re-selling cars on Craigslist to unknowing buyers. The sellers are forging car titles to go along with the car and replacing the VINS with fake VINS or scratching it off completely. Oftentimes, the seller insists on dealing in cash and meeting in a parking lot after business hours. This way, the buyer wouldn’t be able to check the VIN with the Secretary of State until after the sale is done.

How can you avoid these scams and make sure you are getting a quality car at affordable terms? First off, it is better to go through a dealership as opposed to through a private seller. Most private sellers are great, and there are reputable private sellers available, but it is riskier than going through a dealership. Second, go through an Approved Loan Store dealership. Our Special Finance Representatives will find you the car you want at the right price, whether you have stellar credit or no credit at all.

If you are ready to get into a new or used car today, fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest car buying news and tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!