Tag Archives: fuel efficient

New Car Financing: Ford Offering Incentives on Focus Electric

As 2013 kicks into gear with low interest rates and more flexible loan lengths , automakers are also offering additional incentives for a variety of makes and models. Ford is the latest to announce major incentives in hopes to boost sales for the Ford Focus Electric.

Typically, the Ford Focus Electric has a starting price of $39,200. Right off the bat, Ford is knocking that starting price down to $37,995. From there, buyers can choose to buy the Focus Electric outright and get an additional $2,000 discount or take 1.9 percent financing from Ford Motor Credit. Either way, it means thousands of dollars in savings for people who might have been eying the Ford Focus Electric but were waiting for a good deal.

Standard features on the Ford Focus Electric include SYNC with MyFord Touch, dual zone electronic automatic temperature control, HD Radio, and heated front seats. I can’t deny that in this cold weather, the idea of heated seats is very tempting.

Now is the time to buy! Are you ready to get into that new or used car? Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more 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!

Buying a Car By Horoscope – Not a Great Idea

Sometimes on a slow news day, news sites like to trot out silly fluff pieces like “How Clean Is Your Purse?” and “What Your Toothpaste Brand Says About Your Love Life.” We at Approved Loan Store had a good laugh, though, when we saw this headline, “Follow Your Zodiac Sign and Buy the Perfect Car in 2013.” This is not a joke. Someone actually wrote an article about buying a car based on your zodiac sign.

What do they recommend? Well, Aries gets the 2013 Dodge Challenger. Taurus will go for the 2013 Ford Flex. Gemini will jump for the 2013 Acura ILX. Cancer will prefer the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Leo, having a “flashy personality,” will pick up the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. Virgo will take the reliable 2013 Toyota Corolla. The 2013 Volkswagen CC will catch Libra’s eye. Scorpio will spring for a 2013 Infiniti M37. Sagittarius will look for fuel efficiency and choose the 2013 Acura RDX. Capricorns will have a tendency towards the 2013 Lexus GS450h, and finally, Aquarius will pick up a 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

Now, I enjoy reading my horoscope in the paper. I don’t put much stock in it, but they can sometimes remind me to take things easier or to appreciate my friends or family. The notion that someone would base their car buying decision on a horoscope, though, is kind of ridiculous.

At Approved Loan Store, we don’t base how we do our business on horoscopes but on years of experience in auto financing. We work with customers who have stellar credit, no credit, and poor credit alike and use every available option to get them the car they want at terms they can afford. No need to check your horoscope, we are ready to help you!

Get started today by filling 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!

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

84 MPG, Compact Size Make New Elio an Appealing Car

The 2013 Toyota Prius boasts 47.3 average miles per gallon. The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid gets a combined highway and city 47 mpg. While these have been impressive numbers up until now, a new vehicle is boasting an unheard of fuel economy of 84 mpg.

Elio Motors announced that it is now taking reservations on its revolutionary new vehicle, the Elio. The Elio is technically classified as a motorcycle. It has only 3 wheels, 2 in front and one in the back, but the vehicle is enclosed like a car. It can hold a driver and one additional passenger, and the trunk space measures 27” x 14” x 10”.

While the Elio certainly isn’t built for families or anyone needing extra space, this is the perfect car for singles or couples. For a person who needs to commute into the city for work, the Elio is a great middle ground between a car and a motorcycle or moped. Plus, the price tag is very reasonable at only $6800.

Elio Motors has already started taking reservations on their website, but the Elio will not be available for sale until 2014.

Readers, what do you think? Would you feel comfortable driving an Elio? Do you think vehicles like the Elio are the future of cars or just a fad? 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 help get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started by filling 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 for the latest auto news and buying tips!

NHTSA: Hybrids, Electric Cars Need to be Noisier

Since they hit the market, electric cars and hybrids have had trouble really finding their audience. Everyone loves to pay less on gas, but questions of safety and whether it is really better for the environment have plagued its journey into mainstream America. A new, less obvious problem has recent come to light as more drivers are choosing hybrid and electric cars.

Federal safety regulators are concerned that hybrid and electric cars are simply too quiet. Most cars make enough noise to alert pedestrians, cyclists, or visually impaired persons, but these hybrids and electric cars are so quiet that pedestrians are sometimes unaware of their presence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is asking automakers to add sound systems to their hybrid and electric vehicles. The sound system, which will emit warning sounds to pedestrians, is expected to cost an additional $30 to automakers but will have a minimal effect on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to David Strickland, the NHTSA’s Administrator, automakers would be able to choose a variety of sounds depending on the make and model.

Are you looking to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we can get you into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more 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!

Image courtesy of James Barker / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New Car Financing: Average Fuel Economy Hit New Height in 2012

If you purchased a new vehicle in 2012, you most likely chose a vehicle with higher fuel economy than any of your previous cars.

On Friday, researchers from the University of Michigan released data on the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold since October 2007. They found that fuel economy has gone from 20.1 mpg to 23.9 mpg, a 19 percent improvement in a five year period.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean that SUVs or minivans have suddenly become 19 percent more fuel efficient. The overall average is affected by car buyers gravitating towards mid-sized sedans, compacts, and minicars instead of larger vehicles. Within this group, hybrid vehicles like the Prius and Volt are also doing very well even as electric cars are struggling.

Readers, we want to hear from you! When you’re looking for a new car, how important is fuel efficiency? Will you get a compact or a hybrid vehicle for your next car? 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 work with you to get 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 buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Consumer Reports: Best Value Cars of 2012

When shopping for a car, it is important to look at the long-term value of that car. As 2012 comes to an end, Consumer Reports has released its list of the top vehicles that will retain their original value, and they chose an overall best value from the wide range of vehicles on the market last year. Needless to say, Toyota was very happy with the results.

Here is a full rundown of the winners.

Overall Best Value – Toyota Prius
Small Hatchback – Toyota Prius Four
Small Sedan – Toyota Corolla LE
Family Sedan – Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
Upscale Sedan – Acura TSX (I4)
Luxury Sedan – Cadillac CTS
Sports Car/Convertible – Mini Cooper
Wagon/Minivan – Toyota Prius V Three
Small SUV – Honda CR-V EX
Midsize SUV – Toyota Highlander Limited (V6)
Large/Luxury SUV – Lexus RX350

Across the board, Toyota Motor Company was the clear favorite taking 7 of the 11 categories with the Lexus RX350 included, and none of Toyota Motor Company’s vehicles made the Worst Value list. No other automaker even came close to that level of excellence. Better yet, many of the vehicles featured on the list are hybrid vehicles or have an extremely good fuel economy, so consumers are saving money at the pump.

Do you want to check out these cars for yourself? Approved Loan Store can help you! We have a huge range in our inventory whether if you are looking for more power, greater value, or just something reliable. Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more 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!

Auto Loan: Chevy Volt Gets Top Customer Rating for Second Year

It is the ultimate goal of every automaker to produce a car that drivers love so much that they would buy it again for their next car. I would guess then that GM is very happy this week as the Chevy Volt has, for the second year in a row, received the highest user satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports.

93 percent of Volt owners stated that they would buy a Volt again. The Volt beat out the popular Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911 which both received a 91 percent rating.

Some of the other top vehicles of the year were the Volkswagen Golf TDI at 80 percent, Toyota Camry Hybrid at 87 percent, Audi A7 at 90 percent, Toyota Prius V at 83 percent, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 at 81 percent.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Does the Chevy Volt’s satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports make you more likely to buy a Volt? What cars have you loved so much that you would purchase them again? 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 you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, check out Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Auto Loan: 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra to Offer Cloth Heated Seats

What is the worst part of winter driving? Some people would say slick roads, scraping snow and ice off the windows, or enduring Christmas music on every single radio station. For me, the worst part of winter driving was that after I cleared off my windshield and jumped in my car, the seat was always freezing. Even after turning up the heat, it felt like my car seat was the last part of my car to warm up.

Apparently I’m not the only one who hates cold winter car seats. This week, GM unveiled the 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, and in addition to better fuel economy, new engines, and knobs that are easier to grip while wearing gloves, the Silverado and Sierra will have cloth heated seats.

Cloth heated seats might not seem like that big a deal, but most automakers pair heated seats with leather interiors. The reason why most automakers don’t offer cloth heated seats is because it is more expensive to manufacture than leather heated seats. As a result, car shoppers usually have to make a choice between heated seats or a cloth interior.

I wonder if GM’s decision to offer cloth heated seats in the Silverado and Sierra will lead to more car buyers demanding that other automakers start offering it as an option. Readers, what do you think? If you could get cloth heated seats in your car, would you do it? 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 will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get more 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!

Auto Loan: Chevrolet Unveils Silverado via Facebook

Yesterday, Chevrolet announced that on Thursday, December 13, they will unveil the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on Facebook. The Silverado has been a popular truck for Chevy, winning the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and numerous other “Truck of the Year” honors from Car and Driver and the International Car of the Year awards.

Chevy made the announcement with an out-of-focus teaser picture of the new Silverado, and in the bottom corner of the picture, Chevrolet included the official hashtag for the unveiling, #RaiseTheBar.

So far, we don’t know much about the new Silverado aside from rumors and hearsay. Supposedly it will be lighter, have better fuel economy, and come with coil-over-shock front suspension to give the driver a better ride. There is also a rumor that the new Silverado could get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, but we want to stress that this is still only a rumor.

When Chevrolet fully reveals the Silverado on Thursday, we will have the full details here, so stay tuned to the Approved Loan Store Blog! We are your source for auto buying news and tips!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you the 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!

Car Loan: New Models, Discounts Sell More Electric Cars in November

Getting consumers to adapt to new technology is tough, and the electric car has faced its fair share of challenges. Sales numbers for electric cars in November, however, bode well for the future of the electric car.

November sales numbers from Maxim Group show that car dealers sold 7,600 electric cars in November alone with a yearly total so far of 47,500. Right now, projections predict that dealers will sell 56,000 electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars by the end of 2012.

Industry analysts attribute the electric car’s success in 2012 to a variety of new electric vehicles as well as deep discounts and incentives on existing models. Nissan has worked to make the Nissan Leaf more affordable, and Chevy has offered discounts adding up to $10,000 in savings on the Volt. Some of the newer models have really led the pack, though, with Ford selling 1,259 of the C-Max Energi, a vehicle that was only just introduced in November. Those numbers are very strong considering that the Chevy Volt sold 1,519 units and the Toyota Prius sold 1,766 units in November.

The demand for electric cars is only going to go up, especially as the economy continues to recover and consumers can better afford electric cars. Right now is an exciting time for the auto industry as they move more and more towards electric and hybrid vehicles. Soon, consumers will be able to pay less at the pump and lessen our negative impact on the environment.

Whether if you are looking for a more fuel-efficient car, a car for the family, or just something fun and sporty, Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into 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!

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net