Tag Archives: fuel efficient

Buy the Right Used Car With These Tips

If you’re looking to purchase yourself a used car, here is some advice on what you need to keep in mind as you ready to get over to the dealership.

Have a Budget

Budgeting is an important thing to do in the process of buying a car. If you’re someone who has bad credit, then this is where you also need to see what you can safely afford every month. Make sure you also take into consideration how much it’ll cost to maintain the car. While it can be difficult to really know how much you’ll need, it’s safe to start setting up a buffer in your savings as a just in case should anything happen to it. The sad truth about owning a new or used cars is that things do and will happen and that many buyers don’t consider the money they’ll need beyond the purchase price.

Have an Idea of What You’re Looking For

Do you have a family of four? How often are you driving? What is your typical commute distance? These questions are what you need to ask so you know where to narrow your car buying focus. If you need a family car, you’re not going to be looking at smaller coupes or SUVs. If you drive a longer distance, you’ll want one that has better gas mileage. This is where what you want and what you need start to conflict. We all have a dream car, but sacrifices must be made to get the best possible car for your lifestyle.

Test Drive It

Also give your car a test drive. Just because it looks nice on the lot doesn’t mean it feels good with your hands behind the wheel. It might not even be a problem with the car, but it might not suit you. The best, and really only, way to tell is to give the car a test drive. Don’t rush it, let yourself get the feel for the car and see if it is truly the one you want. If not, that’s when you go back to the second step on this list and see the other cars on your preferred list.

If you have bad credit or low credit and need to get a new or used vehicle, be sure to contact us at Approved Loan Store. 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!

Mazda6 Wins Popular Mechanics Car of the Year Award

Last year, Popular Mechanics awarded their first Car of the Year award to the Ford Escape, but in its second year, Mazda has taken the magazine’s top honor.

In a joint press release, Mazda and Popular Mechanics announced that the 2014 Mazda6 was named Car of the Year. Vehicles that were in consideration for Car of the Year were judged by editors and contributors to the magazine, and their final decision was based on affordability, utility, fuel efficiency, performance, innovation, and bold design. Popular Mechanics also wrote in the announcement on their website that the Mazda6 is an “underdog story” that won the award because Mazda made a “truly great car.”

The 2014 Mazda6 comes with impressive standard features on the 2014 Mazda6 include leather steering wheel and shift knob, six audio speakers, MP3 audio input, USB connection, and front reading lights. Safety-wise, it also comes with standard 4-wheel ABS, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. In their review, Edmunds gave the Mazda6 a B rating, and at the time of publishing, it had earned a consumer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Readers, what do you think? Have you checked out the 2014 Mazda6, and did it deserve to win Popular Mechanics’ Car of the Year award? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a great new or used car, truck, or minivan? Now is the time to buy, and Approved Loan Store can help you find the car you want at terms you can afford, even if you have credit problems! 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!

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!

Ford Offers Drivers Affordability, Fuel Economy with 2014 Fiesta

With fuel economy continuing to improve across the board in the 2014 models, car buyers no longer have to choose between buying a green car and buying an inexpensive car.

This week, the 2014 Ford Fiesta’s fuel economy and starting prices were announced. According to Autoblog, the Fiesta can be paired with an optional SE Manual EcoBoost package starting at $16,445 for the four-door model and starting at $17,045 for the hatchback model. For that price, drivers will get 32 mpg city and 45 mpg highway, which is incredibly good fuel economy for an equally economically priced vehicle.

The 2014 Ford Fiesta will also come with a number of standard features including SYNC with SYNC AppLink, leather and metallic trim, power locks, message center with LCD screen, 4-way manual driver’s seat, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control.

Are you looking for a safer car or one with better fuel efficiency? No matter what you’re looking for, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get in a car you want at terms you can afford! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you! 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!

Edmunds’ Picks for Best Used Vehicles of 2013

While a lot of automotive press is dedicated to the newest models or what lies ahead for automotive brands, Edmunds took a break this week to compile their list of the best used cars of 2013.

There are a lot of good reasons to buy a used car. For one, buyers can end up saving a lot of money and still get a quality car. Second, the value of a new car will depreciate very quickly, so if the buyer plans on trading it in sometime in the next few years, they might be unpleasantly surprised when they go for a trade-in depending on the model. Just as it is with any major decision, an argument can be made either way for buying new or used, but for our customers looking for a great used car, here is Edmund’s list of their used car picks for 2013.

Subcompact – 2007-2011 Honda Fit
Compact Sedan – 2006-2011 Hyundai Elantra
Midsize Sedan – 2007-2011 Ford Fusion
Large Sedan – 2006-2011 Toyota Avalon
Coupe – 2006-2011 Honda Accord
Convertible – 2006-2011 Volvo C70
Wagon – 2006-2011 Subaru Outback
Compact SUV/Crossover – 2006-2011 Honda CR-V
Midsize SUV/Crossover – 2006-2011 Toyota Highlander
Large SUV/Crossover – 2007-2011 Mazda CX-9
Minivan/Van – 2006-2011 Honda Odyssey
Cargo Van – 2006-2011 Dodge/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Compact Truck – 2006-2011 Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck – 2006-2011 Ford F-150
Luxury – 2006-2011 Infiniti G35/G37/G25
Hybrid – 2006-2011 Toyota Prius
Two-Seat Sports Car – 2006-2011 Chevrolet Corvette
Performance Car – 2006-2011 Ford Mustang GT

Brand-wise, Honda and Toyota tied for the most vehicles on the list with 4 each, followed closely by Ford with 3 vehicles on the list. By choosing a vehicle for each category instead of top 10 or 20 used vehicles in general, there is a car on the list for every driver and every family’s needs.

From Hondas to Fords and Toyotas, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? 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!

Image courtesy of sixninepixels / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Surprise of the Summer: Crossovers

Looking back on the summer, the auto industry and car buyers have a lot to be happy about from soaring sales numbers to loosening credit restrictions on auto loans. As the summer came to an end, however, one of the surprises of the summer was an unexpected love for crossover models.

According to Automotive News, the Honda CR-V had its best month ever in August, and the Toyota RAV4 saw a 50 percent sales increase the same month. Looking at the industry as a whole, small-crossover sales went up 36 percent accounting for 1 in 4 vehicles sold, and they gave the industry as a whole an enormous boost. Back in 2007, there were 2.4 million crossovers sold in the United States, and in 2013 up until August, 2.6 million crossovers have already been sold.

In recent years, the crossover has been targeting the same market as the minivan and winning out because, as Honda’s Chris Martin puts it, it is a “Goldilocks vehicle.” Not too big, not too small, and just right for today’s families. Pricing is also reasonable with the 2013 Honda CR-V 2WD LX starting at $22,945 and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 starting at $23,300.

Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? 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!

Tesla Model S Receives 5.4-Star Safety Rating, Breaks Testing Equipment

It was big news a month ago when the 2014 Chevy Impala received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but apparently this is a summer that continually needs to top itself as the Tesla Model S has earned an unprecedented 5.4-star NHTSA safety rating.

Earlier this week, the NHTSA announced that the Tesla Model S had earned a 5.4-star safety rating, making it the highest rated vehicle overall including sedans, SUVs, and minivans. According to a press release from Tesla, the Model S was designed to withstand every test thrown its way from its longer crumple zone in the front impact to the deep aluminum extrusions in the side rail of the car for the side pole intrusion test. Designers also placed the battery pack in the floor pan, improving its performance in the rollover test, and if the buyer orders the optional third row seat, there is a double bumper installed in the vehicle.

What really blew our minds while reading the press release from Tesla, however, was their recap of the roof crush protection test. During the test, the testing machine broke down. This machine is built to put vehicles through their paces and help automakers make them safer, and it gave out while testing the Model S. While some people might call that just a happy coincidence for Tesla, the people monitoring the test measured that four Tesla Model S vehicles could be stacked on top of a Model S, and the roof would not cave in. When a car performs that well in all its tests, it deserves to earn a more-than-perfect 5.4-star rating.

Chevy Volt Priced Under $35,000

Car shoppers who have been looking at the Chevy Volt will have 5,000 more incentives to buy now.

This morning, Chevrolet announced that the starting price of the 2014 Volt would be cut from $39,995 down to $34,995. Adding on federal tax credits, the starting price could be as low as $27,495, and with a fuel economy of 35 city/40 highway, drivers will save hundreds of dollars on gas every year.

Chevrolet’s leadership has made a point of emphasizing advancements in the Chevy Volt in recent years including an increased battery range and a more comfortable interior. With the new price cut, they are hoping that car shoppers on the fence about the Volt will finally take the plunge and that car shoppers who are not looking at plug-ins or hybrids will check out the Volt.

In a press release, Chevrolet’s U.S. Vice President of Sales and Service Don Johnson said the price cut would give drivers “an unmatched balance of technology, capability and cost of ownership” with “the same impressive list of features, but for $5,000 less.”

From Chevys to Kias and Mazdas, Approved Loan Store wants to find you the car you want at terms you can afford! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? 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!

Mobile App Follows Driving Habits

Mobile apps today can track everything from calorie intake to running distance, and now a new app is available to track driving habits (and offer helpful suggestions for improvement).

Mobile apps like Dash and Automatic connect to the Onboard Diagnostics port and then give information back to the driver. There isn’t much information on Dash yet, but their website promises that the app will “make the roads safer, more affordable, and much more social.” Pictures of the app in use show a “Dash Score” out of 100 as well as miles driven and saved trips. Automatic, on the other hand, has an extensive rundown of features including tips for better fuel efficiency, crash alerts, and even a tracker that remembers where the car is parked.

The upside is that the driver or a teen driver’s parent can keep track of their driving habits, such as rough braking, speeding, and rapid acceleration. The downside is that insurance companies could later use this information to jack up insurance costs, and government agencies could potentially have access to this information as well.

Our recommendation is before downloading any driving apps or installing any car trackers, take a few minutes to read through their terms of use and privacy policy. If you are uncomfortable with any way that they plan to use your information, then don’t download the app.

Image courtesy of jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net