Tag Archives: gas prices

Auto Loans and the Road Back to Good Credit

For consumers looking to re-establish a strong credit history, auto loans are becoming the best choice, even for those with especially poor credit.

The qualifications for mortgages, business loans, and credit cards have held steady with strict income and credit requirements, and consumers whose credit took a hit during the economic downturn are having a tough time getting back in good graces with lenders. As many of these applicants have been turned down for credit cards or mortgages, though, many of them have been approved for car loans.

For many consumers with poor credit, a car loan is perfect. Car ownership has been show to correlate with job security and less reliance on public assistance, and it is a purchase that most consumers want and need. Besides that, their credit score will improve as they make their car payments on time, provided they keep up with their other payment obligations of course.

This is one of the reasons why Approved Loan Store exists and why we do what we do. We want to help more people get into the car they want and need. Just take a look through our hundreds of testimonials, and you’ll see that we are the best in the business. Give Approved Loan Store a try by filling out our secure online auto loan application here. You will hear from one of our representatives in 24 – 48 hours, and they will set up an appointment with a Special Finance Representative at a dealership closest to you.

Want to know more about Approved Loan Store? Browse our website ApprovedLoanStore.com, 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: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

June’s Top Selling Cars: Trucks, Compact Leading the Pack

Anyone paying attention to car sales in 2012 knows that June was a spectacular month, continuing the upward trend set in the spring. Everyone is asking what is causing these high sales and renewed interest in getting back on the road. Personally, I think the best way to find out why people are buying new cars is to look at the type of cars they are buying. Below, we have listed the top 10 selling cars in June with #1 selling over 55,000 units and #10 selling slightly under 24,000.

  1. Ford F-Series pickups – 55,025 units
  2. Chevy Silverado – 33,566 units
  3. Toyota Camry – 32,107 units
  4. Chevy Malibu – 31,402 units
  5. Honda Accord – 28,924 units
  6. Ford Escape – 28,500 units
  7. Honda Civic – 27,500 units
  8. Toyota Corolla and Matrix – 26,647 units
  9. Ford Fusion – 24,433 units
  10. Ram pickups – 23,951 units

Some people are pointing to the Ford F-Series pickups and Chevy Silverado topping the list and saying that car buyers are looking for a fun summer car for camping or just getting outdoors for the day. Even though trucks took the top two spots, though, compact cars dominated the overall top ten list in June with those top compact cars selling 171,013 units. Only one SUV or crossover made the list which could be due to high gas prices, but considering that trucks are selling just fine, it might be that car buyers just aren’t looking at SUVs and crossover vehicles.

What do you think of the top 10 list? Are there any cars on the list that surprise you? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a great new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with our latest auto blogs and consumer alerts by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Carpooling Network Coming to the United States

At the Approved Loan Store, we know how long and boring the morning commute can be. If you’d like to qualify for the carpool lane, though, a German company wants to give you some company on the way into work.

Carpooling.com was founded by 3 German MBA students, and since its inception, it has spread to Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Greece, the United Kingdom, and now the United States. Approximately 1 million people use their services every month. The concept is simple. Riders can register through the website and look up drivers according to area, type of vehicle and seating accommodations, available time, and price. Carpooling.com also has a Facebook, iPhone, and Android app to make booking on the go easier. They also offer women-only rides, driver safety ratings, and an online ratings system to put the riders and drivers at ease.

There are a lot of advantages to carpooling. First, it saves on commuting costs with riders splitting the cost of gas, and there are obvious benefits for the environment. Also, carpooling matches up people who might otherwise never meet, and some drivers and riders have struck up life-long friendships after riding together. Their website also brags of more than 10 wedding of people who met through Carpooling.com.

The reason why Carpooling.com has taken so long to get to the United States is that people feel iffy about riding with someone they don’t know. Some people worry about safety, either that the driver will be reckless or that the driver or rider will be a dangerous individual. Fortunately, there are safeguards in place to protect riders and drivers, and it is certainly more safe than finding a carpool ride through other online avenues like Craigslist.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Would you consider being a driver for Carpooling.com or another carpool website? Would you ever use it to find a ride? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

June Sales Defy Commentators, Continue to Grow

All through the month of June, car news and commentary was saturated with talking heads claiming that auto sales would see a downturn this month, and the soaring sales could not continue.

Needless to say, those commentators will be eating a mighty helping of crow this week as auto makers are reporting continued growth across the board. Chrysler had a 20 percent sales increase in June, making it their best June since 2007. General Motors saw a 16 percent increase, Ford had a 7 percent increase, and Toyota had a stunning 60 percent increase, coming back from the 2011 natural disasters in Japan.

The conditions are perfect for this trend to continue as the summer weather compels people to the road for vacation, convenience for work, or an old-fashioned drive in the country. Also, interest rates are dropping with an average of 4.5 percent interest rate on a 60-month new car loan, so more consumers can afford to drive.

Have you gotten into a new or used car yet? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a new car this summer! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto and consumer news from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Parents Magazine, Edmunds Find a Car for Every Family

The mini-van might be the classic family car, but new mom and dad drivers have more options open to them in 2012. There are vehicles on the market today that offer comfort, more space, and different styles than the typical “family car.”

Of course, not every car shopper knows what it available on the market to meet their needs, and as a result, they might miss the opportunity to find what they want and what they need all in the same car. For this reason, Parents magazine and Edmunds.com teamed up to make a list of the 15 most family-friendly cars.

Their list was based on numerous factors including safety, price, and the features offered in the vehicle. Additionally, they spoke with everyday parents who “drive these vehicles every day” and know all the advantages and disadvantages personally. Also, they broke the list down into High Mileage, Budget, Crossovers, Sedans, and Large Vehicles, 5 categories total, with 3 vehicles in each category. The least expensive car listed was the Chevrolet Sonic starting at $14,600, and the most expensive was the Dodge Durango starting at $29,990, so there is a car on the list for every budget.

Here is the complete list:

High Mileage

Toyota Prius V
Honda Civic Hybrid
Chevrolet Cruze Eco

Budget

Chevrolet Sonic
Ford Focus
Hyundai Elantra

Crossovers

Mazda 5
Kia Sorento
Honda CR-V

Sedans

Volkswagen Passat
Toyota Camry
Kia Optima

Large Vehicles

Dodge Durango
Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey

Are you looking for a new family car? Approved Loan Store wants to help! Good credit, bad credit, big family, Approved Loan Store will find the right car for you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here. Also, keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New Battery Could Change Future of Electric Cars

Electric cars have yet to catch on with American car buyers, but a new battery coming out of Massachusetts could make electric cars better and cheaper.

The Nanophosphate EXT is a lithium ion battery that can handle a wide range of extreme temperatures. Most electric car batteries cannot handle these temperatures, so electric cars have to be equipped with heating or cooling systems. According to a press release from the battery’s producers A123 Systems, these batteries can “significantly reduce or eliminate the need for heating or cooling systems, which is expected to create sizable new opportunities within the transportation and telecommunications markets, among others.”

Additionally, the new battery lasts much longer than other batteries currently on the market. This chart shows how the A123 Nanophosphate EXT compares to competing batteries. After 1700 cycles at 45° C, all three competing brands have dropped to below 75 percent discharging capacity while the A123 Nanophosphate EXT hovers around 93 percent capacity.

With longer lasting batteries that can take the heat and cold, electric cars can be more affordable and more powerful with lower maintenance costs. Consumers that have written off the electric car could be convinced to give it a second look. At any rate, it is a huge leap forward in electric car technology and very promising for the future of automotive.

Low-cost electric cars are still a ways off, but Approved Loan Store can help you get into an affordable car today! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Car Shoppers Ready to Buy, Willing to Spend Extra on Perks

Recent reports from Edmunds.com indicate what we have seen first-hand over at Approved Loan Store, which is that car shoppers are eager to buy in 2012.

Thanks to relaxed credit standards, more people are buying cars, but the picture is much bigger than that. Car shoppers are also buying vehicles with more perks and added features, and they are more comfortable considering trucks, SUVs, or other vehicles that go through more gas. They aren’t just looking for cars to get them where they need to go; they want to get the cars that they want.

Over at Approved Loan Store, we get people into every make and model of car every day. Whether you are looking for your first car or your dream car with all the perks, the reps over at Approved Loan Store want to help you get the car you want with the terms you can afford. If it seems too good to be true, take a minute to browse through our customer testimonials. Check out the cars that real people like you have gotten through Approved Loan Store, and hear what they had to say about our service.

“They met my needs, they worked with me and my budget, and everything. They found me the exact car I wanted, and I’m very happy!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get this beautiful black BMW. Thank you, Jarell and Charles, you were the best!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get a car, a Toyota 2009. Had a very, very good experience here at the car dealership. Everybody was so nice and kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I’m driving home in my dream car, a Camaro 2011…They made it happen with no problem. I had a great experience!”

To find out what Approved Loan Store can do for you, fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Prices on 2011, 2010 Vehicles Projected to Drop in June

Car shoppers who have held off on buying so far this year should strongly consider buying in June.

The National Auto Dealers’ Association, or NADA, released findings today that showed the prices on used cars have consistently dropped from May to June. Depending on the vehicle, consumers can save anywhere from $300 up to $900 on 2009, 2010, and 2011 models. Even better, some of the cars that NADA examined are fuel-efficient vehicles like the 2011 Toyota Prius, and for the majority of car buyers, fuel economy is the most important factor in choosing a new car.

For people looking for a new or used car, it seems like the stars are aligning. Lower interest rates, more loans specifically for those with challenged credit, greater flexibility with the loan length, and now, the price of used cars is dropping. Car shoppers have fewer and fewer excuses for not taking the plunge and getting that new or used car.

If you are looking to get in on June’s lower prices, Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

Free images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Gas Prices Still Major Factor for Potential Car Buyers

Gas has been something we’ve covered here in the past. Gas prices of late have been dropping, but for many months, it was one of the biggest topics on people’s lips. With the economy still slowly recovering, many people have taken the cost of filling up a car into consideration of purchasing a vehicle. There’s been a lot of debates over this subject, one that we covered was the idea of purchasing a hybrid over a normal car with the expectation to save money on gas. No matter which side you fall on, however, it’s no question that the average consumer thinks about the price of fueling up.

At least, that’s what Autonews is reporting on. According to a survey done by Consumer Reports, fuel economy is the leading factor that potential car buyers consider when they purchase a car. 1,702 car owners were interviewed and the numbers break down to 37 percent having fuel economy as their top concern. 17 percent put quality, 16 percent had safety, and 14 percent listed value as the top concern.

Jeff Bartlett, the deputy auto editor of Consumer Reports is quoted as saying, “These results make it clear that high prices are continuing to impact driver behavior and influencing future purchase considerations, this may be foreshadowing a market shift by folks seeking relief at the pump.”

Car sales have stay consistently high since the new year and are really benefiting since the auto bailout. It’s clear that buyers are back in the market with force. That being said, it’s also quite clear that the constant barrage of news about the high gas prices has made an impact. People are still looking to stay away from the gas stations.

Let us help you get into the car you want no matter the fuel economy. Fill out our application to speak with a representative of ours that can help get you into the right car for you. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see the latest news in the financial world.

 

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Road Trips, Minus the iPad

Earlier this week, we told you how rising airline ticket prices were pushing families to reconsider road trips for their summer vacations. Well, apparently we aren’t the only ones who see the road trip making a come-back.

Yesterday, the Boston Globe published a story on phone and iPad apps that will keep kids entertained on long road trips. In addition to the obvious choices like Angry Birds and YouTube, staff writer Hiawatha Bray suggested games and apps that encourage creativity. He highlighted the iMovie app for the iPad 2 and the fun-but-educational Back In Time.

At the risk of sounding old-fashioned, I hope that families don’t spend their road trips completely engrossed in their iPads. I’m not against kids keeping themselves entertained during the long, boring stretches of a road trip, but road trips are full of wonderfully unique experiences that families don’t have during a flight. I view this shift from flights to drives as a potentially positive development for families taking their summer vacation, and I sincerely hope that they take advantage of it. You can get the whole family involved with road trip games courtesy of Disney Family Fun, About.com, and MomsMinivan.com.

Is your car road-ready for your family’s summer vacation? Even if you have challenged credit, you can get into a new car today with Approved Loan Store! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net