Tag Archives: gas prices

New Car Financing: Ram 1500 Gets Diesel Option in 2013

The Ram 1500 made headlines across the country this week when they announced that later this year, it will be getting a diesel option.

When it hits the market, the Ram 1500 will become the first modern half-ton pick-up in the United States to offer diesel. This is a major development considering that diesel trucks typically have a higher resale value than gasoline engine trucks, and they have more pulling power and a better fuel economy. With the diesel option, the Ram 1500 will have 240 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque, making it more appealing to buyers who plan to use the truck in their business.

Automotive industry insiders are predicting that the diesel option could bring in tens of thousands in additional sales every year, and the CEO of Chrysler’s Ram brand Fred Diaz said in a phone interview that this is a change that Ram drivers have been “craving.”

Readers, we want to hear from you! Are you more or less likely to buy a Ram 1500 now that it has a diesel option? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new 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!

Auto Loan: EPA Promises More Fuel Economy Audits

In recent months, some automakers have been criticized for exaggerating the fuel economy of their newer models, and in response, the EPA will be auditing more fuel economy tests.

Ford, Hyundai, and Kia have been accused of overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles. As a result, Hyundai and Kia have had to adjust the ratings on some of their 2011, 2012, and 2013 models, and the EPA has promised to be more vigilant in checking these fuel economy claims.

At first glance, it doesn’t look too good for automakers. They said that their vehicles could achieve a fuel economy when it turned out that they could not. The truth of the matter, however, is much more complicated. Weather can affect the mpg of hybrid and electric cars, and different drivers can achieve different fuel economies. These automakers weren’t necessarily misrepresenting their fuel economy to the public but rather the average consumer misunderstood the mpg rating and thought it was a guarantee.

Even with the rating adjustments, the fuel economy on new vehicles is better than ever, and with gas prices today, consumers can save a lot of money on gas by trading in their older, less fuel-efficient model for a newer vehicle. Approved Loan Store can help you whether if you’re going for a trade in or just looking for a good deal on a new or used car. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.

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New Car Financing: 2013’s Cheapest Cars

As auto makers release their new models for 2013, car shoppers on a budget should be very pleased. Among the new 2013 models, there are a lot of great cars with top-of-the-line features now included with no extra cost. At the Approved Loan Store, we want you to get the best value for your dollar, so we’ve compiled a list of the least expensive 2013 vehicles and some of their standard features. These vehicles range in price from $12,780 up to $15,515.

Bottom line? If you thought you couldn’t afford a new car, you thought wrong.

Nissan Versa – $12,780
Features: 31 city/40 highway mpg, Push Button Ignition, hands-free cell phone calling, Nissan Navigation System with 5-inch touch-screen, USB iPod input, and rear-view camera

Chevrolet Spark LS – $12,995
Features: 32 city/38 highways mpg, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-speaker audio system, 4-wheel antilock front disc/rear drum brakes, and StabiliTrak stability control system

Smart ForTwo Pure – $13,240
Features: 34 city/38 highway mpg, 5-speed automated manual transmission, leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, electronic stability program (ESP) with hill start assist, aux audio input jack, and antilock braking system

Ford Fiesta S – $13,995
Features: 29 city/39 highway mpg, 1.6L Duratec I-4 engine, Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS), AdvanceTrac Stability Control, six-speed automatic transmission, aux audio input jack, 4-inch LCD display screen, 4-wheel antilock brake system, and SecuriLock passive anti-theft ignition system

Kia Rio LX – $14,350
Features: 29 city/37 highway mpg, 1.6L I-4 engine, 4 speakers audio system, USB/aux audio input jack, antilock brakes, 15” tires with steel wheel covers, and electronic stability program (ESP) with hill start assist

Chevrolet Sonic LS – $14,995
Features: 26 city/35 highways mpg, 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, 4 speakers audio system, aux audio input jack, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, remote keyless entry, and engine immobilizer, theft-deterrent system

Toyota Yaris L – $15,130
Features: 30 city/37 highway mpg, 1.5L 4-cylinder engine,6 speakers audio system, CD player, aux audio input jack, on-board computer, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, 4-wheel antilock brakes, and stability control

Kia Soul Base – $15,175
Features: 25 city/30 highway mpg, 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio system with 4 speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, power door locks, and remote keyless entry with Folding Key

Hyundai Accent GLS – $15,320
Features: 28 city/37 highways mpg, 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, antilock braking system, 172-watt AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers, power door locks, and remote keyless entry with panic alert

Mazda2 Sport – $15,515
Features: 29 city/35 highway mpg, 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, antilock braking system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with 4 speakers, remote keyless entry, and engine immobilizer, theft-deterrent system

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work hard to get you the 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!

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EIA: Americans Spent Nearly $3000 on Gas in 2012

As February begins, Americans are reviewing their New Year’s resolutions and lamenting the ones that were forgotten or broken in January. For many people, a common resolution was improving personal finances. They want to pay off a credit card, get out of debt, or start putting more money away in savings. The tough part about these resolutions is finding where to cut corners, especially for families, but a new statistic from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) points to one expense that Americans could cut: gas.

According to the EIA, the average US household spent $2,912 on gasoline last year. That is nearly $3,000 is going towards only gas, not to mention vehicle service and maintenance costs. Unfortunately, gas prices have gone up substantially in the past few years. Prices rose 26.1 percent in 2011 and an additional 3.3 percent in 2012 while household income only increased 2.9 percent, and gas prices aren’t likely to drop anytime soon.

What can Americans do to cut back on their gasoline costs, especially with the price of gas rising? Quite simply, the best way to cut back on gasoline costs is by trading in for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Even used cars from the past few years have much better fuel efficiency than older models, and while it will be a bigger purchase up front, the savings at the pump will pay off in the long run.

Are you looking to trade in and want the best possible deal on your new car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today 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!

Image courtesy of domdeen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Consumer Reports: Ford’s EcoBoost Engines Disappoint in Testing

In the past year, Ford has been heavily promoting their EcoBoost engines as a more eco-friendly but still powerful option. A new series of tests by Consumer Reports, though, might poke some holes in their grand claims.

Consumer Reports ran a series of tests on the 2013 Ford Fusions with EcoBoost engines, and they found that the vehicle’s 0-60 acceleration speed lagged behind its competitors. This might be understandable and excusable if the engine delivered on fuel efficiency, but in the tests, it only got 25 mpg. To give some perspective, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 28 city/42 highway mpg, the Honda Civic HF gets 29/41, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI gets 30/42.

Fortunately, some of the new engines from Ford’s competitors did deliver on their promises. Consumer Reports highlighted BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine which can keep pace on acceleration and still gets 28 mpg. Similarly, the Volkswagen’s 2-liter turbo engine performed well in testing, proving that this type of engine can be competitive if manufacturers work out the kinks.

Are you looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle? 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! Get started today 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!

Kia Teases Sporty Concept Before Chicago Auto Show

In the last few years, Kia has been making a concerted effort to appeal to a wider range of drivers. Besides vehicle value, they want to offer minivans, crossovers, and fuel-efficient compacts as well. Next month at the Chicago Auto Show, Kia will be unveiling its latest endeavor into luxury with their concept car, the Kia Cross GT.

Kia just released a teaser of the Cross GT which will premiere at the Chicago Auto Show February 7th thru 18th, and car enthusiasts are starting to see what Kia meant by “tiger nose.” Its copper-toned color, sleek build, and narrow headlights remind one of a vicious tiger. Kia has never looked so good.

Unfortunately, this picture is all that has been revealed about the Cross GT. Kia hasn’t released any more specs or details yet. Besides that, it isn’t known if the Cross GT will move past being a concept car and whether it will be available for sale in the next year or so. Still, this teaser does exactly what it is meant to do, and our interest is piqued. We will be looking forward to seeing more of the Kia Cross GT next month and hope the rest of the car lives up to the anticipation.

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, luxury or minivan, we will work to get you into the car you want at terms you can afford! Get started 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: 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