Tag Archives: Facebook

New Car Device Signals End to Distracted Driving

As states are cracking down on texting while driving, a new hands-free system might signal the end to dangerous cell phone and driving habits.

The Nuance Dragon Drive! is not the first hands-free phone system for cars, but there is a reason why similar hands-free systems are not in every car. Consumers have found previous hands-free systems to be buggy and more of a hassle than a convenience. The reasons for these problems include companies cutting corners on production, using cheap microphones, and not making the systems user-friendly.

I haven’t had a chance to try out the Dragon Drive! yet, but I have watched the demonstration video that Nuance posted on YouTube. What I like about the Dragon Drive! is that it improves on the hands-free cell phone, but it also does so much more. Drivers can dictate text messages, choose music, listen to the news, search nearby restaurants, and get directions, all without taking their hands off the wheel. If it works in real life as well as it does in the video, I would be tempted to pick one up.

You can check out the demonstration video that Nuance released, included below:

In this week’s reader poll, we want to know what you think! Would you get Nuance’s Dragon Drive! for your car? Vote on our Facebook page here! Don’t forget that no matter what your credit situation, Approved Loan Store wants to help get you into a new or used vehicle. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and make sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter to keep up with the latest news and trends from the auto industry!

Study: What Do Car Buyers Want?

Recently we put together an article that look at the advertising practices of the major car companies. It was asking the question of just where the money was to keep the sales the industry is enjoying to keep on coming. There has been a wide range of ways that the industry has been trying to reach out to everyone buying a car. To better answer the question of just what works to attract someone to a car, a report has come out that looks to give the car makers a better idea of what they need to do.

Phoenix Marketing International is reporting on an analysis of advertising practices of 2011. They found in their studies that the most successful way to advertise to the customer was with messaging about innovation and efficiency. They also noted that the message needed to be clear, believable, and informative.

One of the most interesting findings was the difference between the luxury customers and those looking for non-luxury cars. The luxury buyers preferred a serious tone that complimented the attractiveness of the vehicle. On the flip side, buyers looking at the non-luxury cars responded better to ads that emphasized being humorous, clever, and entertaining.

Fuel efficiency was also something that many people are looking for today. With the way people have been with gas prices these days, it’s not really surprising. Hybrids have been doing very well due to demand for high fuel-efficiency cars, and compact cars have seen a similar boost.

No matter what you’re looking for in a new or used car, be it efficiency or glamor, Approved Loan Store is looking to help you find it. Fill out an application online to work with our representatives to find that car. See our long list of happy customers in our testimonials section. Also be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see all the current news in the auto financial world.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Gas Prices Still Major Factor for Potential Car Buyers

Gas has been something we’ve covered here in the past. Gas prices of late have been dropping, but for many months, it was one of the biggest topics on people’s lips. With the economy still slowly recovering, many people have taken the cost of filling up a car into consideration of purchasing a vehicle. There’s been a lot of debates over this subject, one that we covered was the idea of purchasing a hybrid over a normal car with the expectation to save money on gas. No matter which side you fall on, however, it’s no question that the average consumer thinks about the price of fueling up.

At least, that’s what Autonews is reporting on. According to a survey done by Consumer Reports, fuel economy is the leading factor that potential car buyers consider when they purchase a car. 1,702 car owners were interviewed and the numbers break down to 37 percent having fuel economy as their top concern. 17 percent put quality, 16 percent had safety, and 14 percent listed value as the top concern.

Jeff Bartlett, the deputy auto editor of Consumer Reports is quoted as saying, “These results make it clear that high prices are continuing to impact driver behavior and influencing future purchase considerations, this may be foreshadowing a market shift by folks seeking relief at the pump.”

Car sales have stay consistently high since the new year and are really benefiting since the auto bailout. It’s clear that buyers are back in the market with force. That being said, it’s also quite clear that the constant barrage of news about the high gas prices has made an impact. People are still looking to stay away from the gas stations.

Let us help you get into the car you want no matter the fuel economy. Fill out our application to speak with a representative of ours that can help get you into the right car for you. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see the latest news in the financial world.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Road Trips, Minus the iPad

Earlier this week, we told you how rising airline ticket prices were pushing families to reconsider road trips for their summer vacations. Well, apparently we aren’t the only ones who see the road trip making a come-back.

Yesterday, the Boston Globe published a story on phone and iPad apps that will keep kids entertained on long road trips. In addition to the obvious choices like Angry Birds and YouTube, staff writer Hiawatha Bray suggested games and apps that encourage creativity. He highlighted the iMovie app for the iPad 2 and the fun-but-educational Back In Time.

At the risk of sounding old-fashioned, I hope that families don’t spend their road trips completely engrossed in their iPads. I’m not against kids keeping themselves entertained during the long, boring stretches of a road trip, but road trips are full of wonderfully unique experiences that families don’t have during a flight. I view this shift from flights to drives as a potentially positive development for families taking their summer vacation, and I sincerely hope that they take advantage of it. You can get the whole family involved with road trip games courtesy of Disney Family Fun, About.com, and MomsMinivan.com.

Is your car road-ready for your family’s summer vacation? Even if you have challenged credit, you can get into a new car today with Approved Loan Store! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Road Trips Returning as Airlines Increase Prices

News for the airline companies of late hasn’t been the best. The headlines have been negative for both the airlines themselves and for their customers. It’s been bankruptcies or charging more for checking luggage or just the introduction of fees just to store your bag in the overhead. Airfares themselves are on the rise. The cost of summer flights in the US are up 3 percent on average from the past year. That’s an 18 percent increase from 2010. It’s starting to be clear that flying is no longer the go-to solution for a cheap vacation.

The Car Care Council is reporting that the family road trip is coming back into style. It’s hard not to see why, especially when purchasing a plane ticket for a family can be almost four-times as expensive to just loading up the mini-van. Gas prices have also been seeing a steady decline over the last few weeks and appear to be dropping still as vacation season starts to come around. A recent survey from Mandal Research/Solutionz shows that 74 percent of respondents would much rather drive than fly to their getaway.

“Because flying is getting more expensive and gas prices are heading lower, more travelers are finding that driving their own car is the better alternative, “said Rich White, the Executive Director of the Car Care Council. “The bottom line is that travel by vehicle costs less, is more convenient, and is not as stressful as flying.”

Summer is just starting to heat up and this is the time to think about getting out. Are you ready to travel for this vacation season? Do you really want to pay for a flight that costs in the thousand dollar range, deal with the large crowds in the security check in, the hassle of getting to the airport and paying for the parking, and paying even more to check your luggage? Wouldn’t you rather pay a fraction of the cost to load the family into the car and still leave time to check out the world’s largest ball of yarn on the way to grandma’s house? Go ahead and give us some feedback in the comments.

Approved Loan Store is here to help put you and your family in the car they need to head out for a vacation, even if you have challenged credit. Fill out an application online and see how our representatives can put you in the car you need. Be sure to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to keep yourself current on the news coming out of the auto and financial industries.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

With Car Costs, Don’t Forget Insurance!

When someone is a first-time car buyer, the whole car shopping experience can seem very exciting. Everything is shiny and new, and it is easy to get caught up in imaging the wind in your hair while forgetting costly details.

One of the details that people sometimes forget when car shopping is the cost of insurance. Certain types of cars will have higher insurance costs, specifically flashy sports cars, and teen drivers will automatically have significantly higher insurance rates. Smart car shoppers should be keeping insurance in mind as they browse. That way, they aren’t caught off-guard and unable to afford their car payments and insurance.

CBS News recently published some tips for getting a lower insurance rate. While some of their suggestions are not feasible for everyone, such as moving to another city with lower overall rates, there are a few useful suggestions for every driver. You can view the original article here, and we’ve included our favorite tips below.

Safe Driving: Follow the rules of the road, and avoid tickets and accidents. Most insurance companies have discounts for drivers who don’t have tickets. Progressive Insurance also has a program where drivers can prove their stellar driving habits using a computer key which monitors the car’s speed.
Driving the Right Car: Sports cars might seem sexy, but they will jack up the price for insurance. Choose a practical car that won’t break the budget on insurance.
Know Your Discounts: There are lots of car insurance discounts available. Teachers, engineers, and doctors can often get special discounts, and students can get discounts for good grades.

Looking for a new car? Approved Loan Store can help, even if you have no credit or challenged credit! Fill out our secure online car loan application here, and keep up with the latest car buying tips from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One-Half Boat, One-Half Sports Car, 100 Percent Awesome

Stevie Johnson owns what I’m sure will be the most envied powerboat ever. It might seem strange to be discussing a boat on a car blog, but this particular boat is different. This is a boat built for a car lover.

One half lobster boat, one half 1994 Pontiac Sunbird convertible, the water has never seen anything like Stevie Johnson’s unique creation. The cool blue Pontiac Sunbird is mounted to the top of the boat, and the vehicle is rigged up so that Stevie can drive the boat from the front seat of the car. While it is not the fastest boat in the Maine lobster boat races, Stevie’s boat dubbed the “Sunbird” is drawing crowds and admirers wherever he goes.

Stevie has a history of racing unconventional vehicles in Maine lobster boat races. He has taken on competitors in a seaplane, and back in 2009, he told the Wall Street Journal that he was looking into purchasing an Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. There is no word as to whether he successfully acquired that Weinermobile, but I can only imagine what kind of boat he planned to build out of it.

If you want to see more of the Sunbird, check it out over at Jalopnik, and keep up with the latest auto news and trends by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Buy a Car, Help the Economy!

Car shoppers looking to get a new set of wheels are doing more than upgrading their ride. They are improving the economy.

American auto makers have been posting record sales for their first quarter, and according to a report from Ward’s Automotive Group, auto purchases are exceeding a 14 million annual rate for every month so far this year. These numbers are translating into American auto makers reopening production plants, keeping their plants open during times of the year when they would be typically closed and keeping more Americans employed.

Car sales are often a good indication of how healthy the overall economy is. A decrease in car sales is an early indicator of trouble ahead since it shows that people don’t feel comfortable spending the money on a car. Let’s use an example of a consumer, John Smith. John Smith has an older car that has the occasional problem, but he doesn’t necessarily want to spend the money on a new car. Why wouldn’t he want a new car? Maybe he works a commission-based job and sales are slow, or his workplace is going through cutbacks.

Let’s say that John’s car breaks down, and it isn’t an easy fix. He has to get a new car, and in the meantime, he takes the bus to work. The bus runs late a couple of times, and John gets fired for tardiness. Now, John feels even less comfortable spending money on a car, but at the same time, he is still relying on public transportation to get to job interviews. John will be limited to jobs located close to public transportation and might miss out on higher paying opportunities because the daily commute is too difficult.

By not having access to a reliable car, John’s financial problems snowballed very quickly. On the other hand, studies have show that having access to a reliable car can lead to less dependence on public assistance and upward mobility in the work force. When all of these data and studies are added up, the conclusion is that Americans have yet another incentive to spring for a new car: They are improving the economy!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Are you worried that your credit isn’t good enough? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image: supakitmod / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Just Who is Buying Cars These Days?

With the resurgence of the auto industry being firmly embedded into the news cycle month after month, the major car makers have found themselves questioning just what they have to do to keep themselves there. A recent report from AARP showed that the Millennial generation are the ones with the most buying power. Making up more than 40 percent of the car buying market, there’s been a considerable shift in thinking from the car companies about just who they should be selling their cars to. The youth crowd has been the typical demographic, but with only making up 27 percent of new vehicle sales, it begs the question of just how much effort should be extended to encourage the young to purchase a car?

Autofinancenews.net has an article that shows that the advent of social media has diminished the desire for many youths to own a car. Why do they need to purchase a new set of wheels to go visit a friend when they’re are just a tweet/text/email away? Many are still in college, struggling with staggering college debt, and are turned off when looking at just the costs of gas and concerns about the environment.

Car makers, like GM and Chevy, are trying to see what they can get in the $170 billion in buying power young consumers have. They have teamed up with MTVScratch, to see how to get both the youth and the Millennial into dealerships. One of the first orders of business is rethinking business. MTVScratch will be transforming not just the way cars look, or the technology in the dashboard, but will even be re-imaging the test drive. Chevy, for example, will have their upcoming models of the Sonic, Cruze, and Spark available in some news colors, such as “techno pink,” “lemonade,” and “denim.” Scratch has even gone as far as saying that the sales people at the dealerships need to abandon the commission system. The new buying crowd is used to buying things like in an Apple Store, where the employees don’t use hard sell tactics.

It’s still the question of if the young buyers are going to be the ones to really help the auto industry’s sales trend. Jeep has decided the answer is no and have turned to the Millennials by taking out ads in AARP’s magazine geared strictly at placing the above 50 crowd into a new car. Only time will tell of just how auto makers can succeed in capturing such a large part of the market and just which generation is the one to keep the industry strong.

What do you think? Which market is the better one, the youth or the over 50 generation? Go ahead and leave a comment voicing your opinion. If you’re part of either group and looking to purchase a vehicle, but suffer from challenged credit, be sure to fill out an application for Approved Loan Store. Our staff is waiting to help get you into the car you want. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and we’ll keep you up to date on all the latest news in the industry.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Average Price of New Cars On the Rise

Earlier this week, we showed why buying a used car is smarter than buying new. The value of a new car will depreciate very quickly only a few years after buying it, so the owner will get a better return on a used car vs. a new car if they eventually have to trade it in. As it turns out, Forbes is talking about the new vs. used car debate as well. A few days after we published our blog, Forbes published an article about the rising average price of a new car.

According to Forbes, the average cost of a new car or light truck is $30,303. The average cost has gone up $1200 from 2011, making a new car an even pricier investment with less potential return. To be fair, the cost of used cars has gone up slightly as well, but in most cases, buying a good used car is still the best choice in the long run.

The good news for car shoppers is that Approved Loan Store has access to a wide inventory of used cars with vehicles to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re buying your first car or looking for something to accommodate a growing family, Approved Loan Store’s Special Finance Representatives will help you get into a car. Challenged credit is not a problem. Fill out Approved Loan Store’s secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net