Tag Archives: gas prices

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: 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

New Car Financing: Recap of the LA Auto Show Premieres

Last week, the Los Angeles Auto Show premiered many new concept cars as part of the show. Now, concept cars are always fun to browse, but they won’t be available at your local dealership. This is why we were more interested to see the production vehicle that debuted at the show. They might not have a beak, a bike from TRON, or whatever this is, but these are cars that our customers could be test driving very soon. Here is a quick rundown of some of the show’s biggest production vehicle premieres.

2013 Fiat 500L – The new Fiat keeps the Fiat 500’s charm and gives the driver over 2 more feet of interior space. Who knew a car could so cool and yet cute as a bug?

2013 Porsche Cayman – Porsche claims that the new Cayman can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. We won’t be able to get behind the wheel until spring of next year, but this lighter and more powerful Cayman definitely has our attention.

2013 Toyota RAV4 – Toyota was really amping up the RAV4’s premiere with promises of “a new generation” of car that embodies “sophistication and strength.” Not much really changed with the RAV4 at least from first glance, and it seems that the auto critics mostly agree. Forbes was more impressed and said that the changes made to the RAV4 were a huge improvement, though even they said it isn’t “oozing excitement.” The 2013 RAV4 will be available January 2013.

2014 Kia Forte – Showing up in cool blue, the 2014 Kia Forte impressed Autoweek which said the Forte proves that cars in its class and price range don’t have to be “bland.” The buzz is that the Forte is a real competitor amongst the new compact sedans.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Did you check out the LA Auto Show coverage? What were your highlights? Leave us a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you ready to get into a car today? Approved Loan Store can help, whether if you’re looking for a new or used car! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you a car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and make sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

New Car Financing: And the 2013 Green Car of the Year Winner Is…

Back in October, we brought you the nominees for the 2013 Green Car of the Year Award and our predictions for this year’s winner. The winner was announced last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and while the Ford C-MAX was not victorious, Ford still went home very happy.

The 2013 Ford Fusion was the winner chosen by Green Car Journal, beating out tough competitors like the Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-MAX, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota Prius. With an estimated 47 mpg in city, highway, and combined driving, the Ford Fusion is a fantastic choice for drivers looking for the best fuel economy. Additionally, Ford is releasing a plug-in hybrid version of the Fusion early in 2013 called the Ford Fusion Energi.

This week, Approved Loan Store is running a poll on its Facebook page, and we want you to weigh in! Which car do you think should have been named Green Car of the Year? Do you think Green Car Journal got it right, or was your money on the C-MAX? Go to Approved Loan Store on Facebook or click here to cast your vote!

Are you looking for a more fuel efficient car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we have new or used cars to fit your needs! 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!

2013 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced

It isn’t even Halloween yet, and already auto enthusiasts are gearing up for the L.A. Auto Show which opens to the public November 30. While many people are excited for the more than 40 car debuts, concept cars from every major auto manufacturer, and celebrity guests, there are also awards up for grabs including the Green Car of the Year.

Yesterday, the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year award were revealed. The Dodge Dart Aero, Ford Fusion, Ford C-MAX, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota Prius will be battling out for the award which was previously won by the Honda Civic Natural Gas and Chevy Volt.

The line-up this year includes two non-hybrid vehicles as well as several plug-in hybrids. Based strictly on fuel economy, the Prius C is the top performer with 53 mpg city and 46 mgp highway, though the Ford C-MAX is very close with 47 mpg. The Dodge Dart Aero does very well considering it is one of the two non-hybrids nominated, but it still lags with a highway fuel economy of 41 mpg and combined highway/city fuel economy of 32 mpg.

Right now, the Ford C-MAX is an early favorite and the LA Times’ choice for the award, but the winner will not be announced until November 29. Stay tuned to Approved Loan Store to get more coverage of the L.A. Auto Show including the 2013 Green Car of the Year.

Looking for a more fuel efficient car? 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 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!

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SEMA Show: Chevy Pushing Compact Concepts, Z-Spec Options

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is coming up next week starting October 30 and running through November 2. Parts manufacturers from across the country will be descending upon Las Vegas to browse, network, and see the future of the auto industry. Prior to the show, however, some exhibitors like Chevrolet are giving early previews of what attendees can look forward to.

According to Autoweek, Chevy will be showing off 39 cars at the SEMA Show next week, and most of their focus will be on a number of compact concept vehicles. The Sonic Z-Spec 1, Sonic Z-Spec 2.5, Spark Sinister, Cruze Upscale, and Sonic B-Spec will all be on display, and Chevy will be officially announcing that Z-Spec options will be in production in 2013. Car shoppers can either purchase and install them, or if they are purchasing a new car, they can add the cost of the options onto the price of the car and have the dealership install them.

This news from Chevy shows again that car manufacturers are focusing on compact cars. It is especially telling that Chevy is pushing compact cars at SEMA Show, one of the biggest automotive shows of the year. Also, Chevy’s announcement that Z-Spec options will be available in 2013 proves that they are listening to car shoppers. People have latched onto the idea of their car being customizable and unique to their needs, something that has worked well for the Dodge Dart, and pushing the Z-Spec options is a smart move on Chevy’s part.

Are you looking for a car to meet your unique needs and financial situation? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to find something that you love and won’t break your budget! 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!

Nissan Leaf Follows Volt’s Lead, Drops Price

In what is perhaps the most “No, Duh” moment of the year, Nissan has realized that they can sell more Nissan Leafs if they lower the price.

Sales for the Chevy Volt, one of the Nissan Leaf’s biggest competitors, were disappointingly slow this year until Chevy offered some major discounts totaling about $10,000, a substantial price cut. Since these discounts were introduced this year, the Volt has outsold every other electric car on the market, including the Leaf.

As 2012 is reaching an end, Nissan probably wants to boost sales across the board but particularly for the Leaf. They expected to sell 40,000 Leafs this year, and right now, they are not on track to meet that goal. The question isn’t quality. The Leaf has received solid reviews, and not paying out the nose at the pump is tempting to many drivers. The Nissan Leaf’s problem has always been its price tag. America’s economy might be in recovery, but its base price of $35,200 is still steep.

As of this publication, Nissan has not stated specifically what incentives or discounts will be offered, but we will keep you up to date when those discounts when that information is available. In the meantime, Approved Loan Store is ready to get you into an affordable new or used car today, whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news and auto buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!