Tag Archives: fuel efficient

GM Announces World’s Most Efficient Car, Only Available in California and Oregon

This week, there is some really good news and some bad news from General Motors.

We will give you the good news first. The new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV has been getting some very positive press from The Car Connection as well as Auto Blog and Car and Driver. Critics are praising the Spark’s powerful motor, smooth ride, and affordable price with all the tax breaks available.

Now, the bad news is that the new Spark is only available in California and Oregon. It is not clear if or when the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will be available throughout the rest of the country, but if there is enough demand across the country, GM might be convinced to expand to the rest of the United States. Personally, I love the thought of never having to pay for gasoline ever again, and considering the reviews, I would like to take the Spark for a drive myself.

If you’re looking for a more fuel efficient vehicle today, Approved Loan Store wants to help you, no matter what your credit situation. 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!

Nissan Leaf Quadruples Sales, Inventory Running Low

July is almost over, and with 2013 more than halfway done, it is becoming clearer that this is the year for the Nissan Leaf.

Back in March, Nissan broke sales records selling over 1,900 units that month, and for the past few months, Nissan has sold more than 2,000 units each month. The popularity of the Leaf can be attributed to the recovering economy as well as tax credits up to $7,500 and other incentives, though it seems like Nissan was even surprised that the Leaf is selling four-times its numbers from 2012.

The one downside to the Leaf’s sudden popularity is that Nissan might not have enough inventory to keep up with demand. Erik Gottfried, Nissan’s director of electric vehicle sales and marketing, recently admitted that Nissan would be running short on their Leaf inventory, stating, “It will be late fall before we can produce enough to satisfy everybody.” Car shoppers who want to pick up the Nissan Leaf before the end of the summer will want to get into a dealership as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might have to wait until this fall for Nissan to replenish their inventory.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Have you taken the Nissan Leaf for a test drive yet? With its rising popularity and the tax credits, are you more likely to research and possibly purchase it? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Summer time is here! Are you finally ready to get into a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get 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!

New Car Financing: 2014 Versa Note Price Under $15,000

Nissan has recently announced the pricing on the 2014 Versa Note, and car shoppers on a limited budget will be happy to hear that the base price is still very low.

According to Nissan, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note has base price of $14,780 which includes shipping. This is actually a price drop compared to the 2012 Versa hatchback which started from $15,450, shipping included. The new Versa Note will have a fuel economy of 36 mpg highway, 27 mpg city and come standard equipped with a trip computer, speed-sensitive volume control, Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System, Vehicle Dynamic Control, and AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio input jack.

The only real downside to the new Versa Note is that it loses some power over the 2012 Versa hatchback. For an economy car, though, it is hard to complain about the list of features that come standard and the price for a new car.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the 2014 Nissan Versa Note? Would you take it for a test drive? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Consumer Reports: Speeding Lowers Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency

Do you want to improve the fuel economy of your car today? According to Consumer Reports, all drivers need to do is follow the speed limit.

Consumer Reports recently conducted a series of tests which measured the fuel economy of the Honda Accord four-cylinder, the Toyota RAV4, and three different Ford Fusion models. Each car’s fuel economy was measured driving at 55, 65, and 75 miles per hour. Every single car that they tested had a better fuel economy at 55 mph vs. 75 mph, and every car also exceeded their fuel economy estimates when the car was driven at 55 mph.

Speeding on the highway might be tempting, especially when in a rush, but drivers end up paying more both at the pump and in speeding tickets. At Approved Loan Store, we recommend following the posted speed limits. By following the speed limits, you are making the roads safer and putting wasted gas money back in your pocket.

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!

Image courtesy of Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pricing Announced For 2014 Ram 1500

Just in time for the 4^th of July, Ram announced the pricing for one of America’s favorite trucks, the 2014 Ram 1500.

The 2014 Ram 1500’s base starting price will be $24,605, and the price tag will go all the way up to $49,175 for the Ram 1500 Laramie Limited starting cost. Not much has been said yet about the features in the new Ram 1500 aside from the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine and the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, but more features will likely be announced in the next few months.

On the up-side, the Ram 1500 will have improved fuel economy and more power, and it is already established as a reliable truck. When Edmunds reviewed the 2013 Ram 1500, they named it as their favorite full-size pickup truck. Unfortunately, these updates come with a price increase. The base 2014 Ram 1500 will be $610 more than the base 2013 Ram 1500.

In our opinion, the jury is still out on the 2014 Ram 1500. The new engine and transmission all sounds great, but we need to know more about the 1500’s features before deciding if the price increase is worth it.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Do you think the price increase will be worth it for the 2014 Ram 1500? What are your thoughts on the 2013 Ram 1500, and would you consider test driving the 2014 Ram 1500 when it goes on sale later this year? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Mazda’s Regenerative Brakes Promise Better Fuel Economy

About a month ago, Ford claimed that their regenerative braking system could recapture up to three-times the kinetic energy of their competitors’ systems. Mazda is putting that claim to the test with their new regenerative braking system, the Mazda i-ELOOP.

While normal brakes use friction to slow and stop the vehicle, regenerative brakes reverse the vehicle’s electric motor, recapture the kinetic energy, and put that energy back into the vehicle’s battery to power the headlights and climate control. The Mazda6 doesn’t have to use as much fuel to power these systems, and the vehicle earns a higher fuel economy.

According to Mazda, a 2014 Mazda6 equipped with i-ELOOP will achieve 28 city/40 highway/32 combined mpg, an improvement on the typical 2014 Mazda6 which has a highway fuel economy of 38 mpg. Unfortunately, i-ELOOP is not standard on the Mazda6 and is only available with the GT Technology Package, so car shoppers considering the Mazda6 will have to pay more for it. Still, the savings on gas might make the expense of the i-ELOOP worth it in the long run.

Toyota Sells 3 Millionth Prius Worldwide

Last week, Toyota announced that 3 million Priuses have been sold worldwide.

It has been 16 years since the Prius was first launched and a whole decade since the introduction of the second generation Prius. In 2009, Toyota introduced the third and most recent generation Prius which produces only 89 g CO2 per km.

The Toyota Prius, one of the first and most popular widely-available hybrid vehicles, also has the distinction of receiving the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. Kelley Blue Book rated it a 9.1 out of 10, and Edmunds awarded it a 4.9 out of 5-star rating.

At the time of publication, the starting price for the 2013 Prius is $24,200. Standard features for the 2013 Prius Two include LED daytime running lights, climate control, UV reduction glass windshield, touch-screen audio player with iPod connectivity, fuel consumption history and rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop lights.

Concept Vehicle of the Year Award Go to Ford, Hyundai, and BMW

Earlier this week, the Concept Vehicle of the Year awards were presented, and the big winners were Ford, Hyundai, and BMW.

The awards, which are voted upon by automotive journalists, can go to any of the concept cars that debuted at this year’s auto shows in New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Hyundai’s HCD-14 Genesis won best concept car while the Ford Atlas pickup won best concept truck and the BMW i8 Spyder won best production preview vehicle.

What made the 2013 awards different from previous years? First and foremost, it seems like automakers are pushing to make these concepts into a reality. For example, Ford’s main aim with the Atlas was proving that a pickup truck can be powerful while still being fuel efficient. According to Ford’s truck group marketing manager Doug Scott, the Atlas is a peek at the real “future” of Ford, not an idea that will never actually materialize on the showroom floor. Secondly, the Ford Atlas and Hyundai HCD-14 were both premiered in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but it could be that Detroit is the place to look for future Concept Vehicle of the Year winners.

Toyota Offers Big Discounts on America’s Best-Selling Car

As competition heats up amongst family sedans, Toyota is taking big steps to boost the Camry’s sales including discounts and incentives adding up to thousands of dollars in savings.

At the end of May, Camry buyers could receive up to $2,750 in various incentives from Toyota, more than the $2,400 discounts on the Nissan Altima or the $2,300 discounts on the Ford Fusion. Toyota is hoping that these discounts will help Camry hold onto the title of America’s Best-Selling Car for yet another year. Perhaps the low cost will also draw in young consumers who don’t have the money for a big down-payment or haven’t established a strong enough credit score to purchase a pricier vehicle.

According to Toyota’s website, the 2013 Toyota Camry has a starting retail price of $22,235 with standard on-board computer, climate control, keyless entry, and Bluetooth hands-free telephone access. The Camry has a 25 mpg city, 35 mpg highway fuel economy, and it has received a 9.3 out of 10 rating from Kelly Blue Book and a 4.9 out of 5 rating from Edmunds.

This summer, Toyota is offering competitive pricing, and here at the Approved Loan Store, we are ready to offer you competitive auto loan rates and terms, no matter what your credit situation! 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!

Low Monthly Car Payments Drive Subprime Credit Auto Sales

Going into summer 2013, banks and lenders are offering more options to subprime credit auto buyers including lower monthly payments and longer auto loan lengths.

According to Experian, the average monthly payment on a new auto loan in 2013 is $459, and new car buyers are extending the length of their loans as long as 84 months. 19.5 percent, or nearly 1 in 5 new car buyers, are opting for 73 to 84 month auto loans.

The obvious downside to a longer auto loan is that it will cost more in interest than a higher monthly payment and a shorter loan length. It is simple math, and there is no way around that. Still, a longer auto length is often a good option for consumers who need a lower monthly payment. Plus, they can always make higher payments and pay off the loan quicker if their financial situation changes and they have more money to put towards the loan.

Are you looking to buy a new or used car with poor credit? Do you know what payment and loan options are available to you? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU get the car you want at terms you can afford, and we are ready to help you today! Get started right now 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 Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net