Tag Archives: good credit

Kia Announces Super Hero-Themed Line-Up

Last Friday, we told you about Kia’s custom Batman-themed Optima which was on display as part of DC’s Darkness & Light art exhibition. We thought it was a fun idea considering that New York Comic Con was also happening this past weekend, and maybe the exhibition would get some attention from the comic book crowd.

As it turns out, Kia has bigger plans with DC. Very soon, Kia will be offering custom cars themed after Batman, The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. They will be revealed at special events across the country and then auctioned off for charity benefiting DC’s “We Can Be Heroes” initiative.

Reading over some of the coverage of Kia’s announcement, I think some people missed the point. Time Magazine’s Brad Tuttle called it an “odd” strategy and wondered whether Batman would have driven a Kia Optima. “The practical, commuter brand just wouldn’t be rugged (or bulletproof) enough to suit a Batman’s crime-fighting activities, and Kia’s reputation for affordability wouldn’t be a match for Wayne’s billionaire playboy mystique.” He also made the odd comment that the Wonder Woman car would be the “girliest” Kia model.

Do I need to remind Time Magazine that Batman isn’t real? The point isn’t that Batman would drive this car. If that were the case, it would be completely impractical for any normal American consumer to own and drive. The point is that Kia is increasing brand awareness while also supporting a good cause. The people bidding on the cars will be much more interested in having a piece of car and comics memorabilia and helping families in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

Besides that, there are a lot of words I would use to describe Wonder Woman. Girly is not one of them.

To learn more about “We Can Be Heroes,” check out their website here. If you are looking for a great new or used car, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to be your automotive heroes! 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!

New Stereos Offer Smart Phone Technology in Older Cars

In the past year, new smart phone technology has advanced substantially and is available in many of the 2012 models. If you don’t have a new car or are looking to purchase a used car, though, never fear. You can still get smart phone technology in older car models with a simple stereo upgrade.

According to a recent New York Times article, some of the options for people looking for an upgrade include Pioneer’s AppRadio 2, the Sony XAV-701HD, the Alpine INE-Z928HD, and the Clarion NextGate. The price ranges from $270 up to $700, and depending on the model, these systems can stream Pandora, sync with most iPhones except the iPhone 5, give driving directions, and work with Bluetooth among other features.

Most of this technology is relatively new, and I was surprised reading over these stereo upgrades and then looking at the price tag. $270 is very reasonable for one of these systems, and I’m sure with some sales hunting that someone could find a system that is even less expensive. Besides that, the systems that allow for hands-free phone calls can help cut down on distracted driving accidents which could be an incentive for parents to get a low-cost system for their teen’s car.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Would you get one of these new stereo upgrades for your car, or do you prefer to keep your car disconnected? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

If you’re looking to get into a new or used vehicle, Approved Loan Store can help! We will work with you and find a car that fits your needs and 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!

Why 2012’s Most Popular Car Colors Are Anything But “Boring”

In a famous scene from Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, Lucius Fox is showing off the Batmobile Tumbler to Bruce Wayne. After seeing the Tumbler go through the paces, Bruce coolly asks, “Does it come in black?”

Bruce Wayne, like many other people searching for a new car, knows that the color of their car makes a statement, and the color of a person’s car can either enhance or destroy a first impression. Americans are still recovering, and though unemployment is dropping slowly but surely, people want cars that are practical and will give the impression of professionalism. PPG Industries, a paint supplier for many of the major car manufacturers, released its list of the top 5 car colors for 2012, and the list reflected a more conservative car-buying public. White was the top color making up 22 percent of cars and trucks build for the 2012 models, followed by silver, black, grey, and red. All of these colors are classic and will give the car a timeless look as opposed to more outrageous colors.

Imagine my surprise when I see the Associated Press’ headline “America’s favorite car colors for 2012 are…boring.” According to their headline, this is boring:

This is boring:

Even this is boring:

Does the Associated Press really think that white, silver, black, grey, and red are boring colors? Would they rather see people pulling up for a job interview in a bright neon-colored car? The truth is that the color black can remind someone of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress just as much as it can remind someone of an undertaker. White, silver, and black will suit a business function as much as a night out on the town. It isn’t that the top colors of 2012 are boring but that they are more versatile than other car colors that will only suit one time or place.

No matter what color car you might be looking for, Approved Loan Store is ready to help you get into the right car! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to work with you! 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!

Picture Courtesy of MemeGenerator

Batman-Themed Kia Optima Headlines Art Exhibition

With New York Comic Con kicking off today in New York, the Approved Loan Store office has been daydreaming about Superman, Captain America, and the Dark Knight himself, Batman. We were so excited when our love of cars and superheroes overlapped with Kia’s new Optima based on Batman.

The Optima concept will be on display at the Time Warner Center at the same time as New York Comic Con as part of DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” campaign and the Darkness & Light art exhibition.  “We Can Be Heroes” benefits three fantastic organizations, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee, and Mercy Corps, in providing aide to areas of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. These regions are struggling to survive the worst drought in 60 years, and millions of people are in dire need of assistance.

If you are in the New York City area, we recommend stopping by the Time Warner Center this weekend and checking out the Batman-themed Optima and the exhibit. This exhibit is supporting an important cause, and between the new original art by Jim Lee and the souped-up Optima, we can’t decide what we are more excited to see. For more information on “We Can Be Heroes,” you can check out their official website here.

Whether you are looking for a Kia, a Chevy, a Mazda, a Chrysler, or something else entirely, Approved Loan Store wants to get you into the car you want at a price you can afford. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you! 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 the Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Japanese High School Students Break Record for World’s Shortest Car

Most car enthusiasts want to have the newest, fastest, and slickest car on the road, but a school in Japan took on a different challenge when building their record-breaking electric car.

Meet Mirai, the world’s shortest car. This electric car was designed and built by a group of Japanese students and teachers from the Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi. Their car, which has been officially accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records, is road legal, though the drivers who have taken Mirai for a spin typically are not comfortable with taking it out on the road.

The car’s design is pretty amazing, but what makes it more amazing was that the students insisted that it should be electric because they wanted to be environmentally conscious. Considering how the major car manufacturers have had such a tough time getting electric cars to catch on, perhaps they should consider encourage these kids to continue pursing automotives and come work on electric cars when they finish school.

At Approved Loan Store, we certainly don’t have the world’s shortest car, but we do have the right car for your needs! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get affordable terms! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

CONSUMER ALERT: Counterfeit Air Bags

This morning, the NHTSA released a safety advisory to consumers regarding counterfeit air bags that were installed at repair shops not associated with a new car dealership. At Approved Loan Store, we want to keep our readers informed of any and all consumer alerts from organizations that could affect their driving safety, so we wanted to break down the advisory and give you strictly the information that you need to know.

First off, this is potentially only going to affect less than 0.1 percent of vehicles, but since they don’t have all the pertinent data, it could be more than that. Any consumer who bought their car new and never had their air bags replaced is not affected by this advisory, and consumers who had their car’s air bag installed at a repair shop associated with a new car dealership are also not affected.

If the following qualifications apply to you, then you should contact a local call center and get your car checked out at a new car dealership’s repair shop. You can get the number for your local call center at www.SaferCar.gov.

  • Replaced vehicle’s air bags within the past three years at a repair shop not associated with a new car dealership
  • Purchased a used car and are unsure of the car’s full history
  • Purchased a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed
  • Purchased a replacement air bag from a non-certified source such as eBay

If you believe that your car might be affected, take care of it right away. The NHTSA has released a frightening video of what happens when these counterfeit air bags are deployed. Jalopnik is hosting the video here. This is not something to put off for a few days or a few weeks. If your car fits any of the categories listed above, get it checked out as soon as possible.

Are you looking for a new or used car you can rely on? Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a safe and affordable vehicle today! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and consumer alerts like today’s air bag advisory by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

GM Hires 10,000 Computer Professionals to Develop Software, New Technology

American automakers are riding high in 2012 with sales stronger than ever, especially for new models like the Chevrolet Spark. While this is great news, there was even better news coming out of GM that will ensure a bright future for American automakers.

For years, many American automakers have paid outside companies for the right to use software and other new technology in their vehicles. They have relied on others to dictate the future of automobiles instead of doing it themselves. Ultimately, they have ended up paying out the nose for technology they could have (and should have) developed with their own resources. It has been a waste of money and a waste of great American talent.

GM has realized that to remain competitive, they need to develop new information technology and quickly. Otherwise, they will get left behind and wind up exactly where they were only a few years ago. In a bold pro-active move, GM has announced they will be hiring 10,000 new computer professionals. These hires will work at GM’s new Information Technology Innovation Center in Austin, Texas, GM’s computer center in Warren, Michigan, and two other sites that are expected to be announced soon.

GM’s Chief Information Officer Randy Mott had high hopes for these new hires and their work, stating, “We’re currently seeking the next generation of game-changers to help us usher in a new age of automotive innovation.” Many have called the move risky and wonder if it will pay off for GM. Paying for 10,000 new computer professionals is quite a hefty bill, but considering 2012’s strong auto sales and Japan’s return after the tsunami, the time is now or never. GM will have to put in the money now and take advantage of the opportunity available to them or lose their ability to compete, again.

Are you looking to get in a new or used vehicle today? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you in the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill 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!

Scam Artists Re-Sell Stolen Cars on Craigslist

In the past, we at the Approved Loan Store have advised our readers to stay away from Craigslist car deals that seem too good to be true, and we were sad to hear yet another Craigslist car buying horror story late last week.

WILX, an NBC affiliate in Lansing, Michigan, first reported that car thieves are re-selling cars on Craigslist to unknowing buyers. The sellers are forging car titles to go along with the car and replacing the VINS with fake VINS or scratching it off completely. Oftentimes, the seller insists on dealing in cash and meeting in a parking lot after business hours. This way, the buyer wouldn’t be able to check the VIN with the Secretary of State until after the sale is done.

How can you avoid these scams and make sure you are getting a quality car at affordable terms? First off, it is better to go through a dealership as opposed to through a private seller. Most private sellers are great, and there are reputable private sellers available, but it is riskier than going through a dealership. Second, go through an Approved Loan Store dealership. Our Special Finance Representatives will find you the car you want at the right price, whether you have stellar credit or no credit at all.

If you are ready to get into a new or used car today, fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest car buying news and tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Americans Getting Into Cars, Back to Work

In the past, we have written about the strong correlation between car ownership and the unemployment rate. When more people have cars, unemployment is usually down because more job opportunities are open to them. A job hunter who owns a car is not limited to places along public transit routes, and once they get the job, they can be more reliable than an employee who hopes the bus is running on time.

The latest jobs report, which was released this week, showed that this correlation still holds true. Unemployment has dropped to 7.8 percent while car sales have continued to go up throughout 2012.

Now, some people will say that this correlation doesn’t suggest that car ownership leads to better job security and will take the other side of this “chicken-or-the-egg” debate. They will claim that because more people are employed, more people have the money to spend on a new car, and they would be partly right. Yes, some car buyers are just looking to upgrade their ride or buy a car that is more luxury than necessity, but take a minute and look at the auto sales numbers for 2012. There are not that many people buying a car just for fun. The economy is better, but it is not that good.

Coming out of this recession, Americans are valuing car ownership. Millions of people have been out of work, and they know the frustration of riding the bus or relying on a friend to drive them to yet another job interview. With Americans going back to work and auto loans accessible to more consumers, even those with subprime credit, it makes sense that people are strengthening their job security by getting a car now.

Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you in 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!

Image courtesy of xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

September: U.S. Auto Industry Holds Strong Despite Japanese Comeback

2012 continues to be a strong year for the U.S. auto industry with September once again posting great sales numbers.

According to the Daily Beast, analysts expected that U.S. auto sales would hit an annualized pace of 14.5 million in September, but they exceeded that with 14.87 million. Chrysler saw a sales increase of 12 percent compared to September 2011, and Jeep saw a 10 percent increase. Also, fuel-efficient vehicles continued to perform solidly, and U.S. brands held their ground even as Japanese brands Toyota and Honda made a comeback.

How is the U.S. auto industry maintaining this pace? One of the biggest factors is that car shoppers with damaged credit are still getting approved for auto loans. In 2012 so far, 1 in 4 auto loans have been subprime loans, and the average amount financed for auto loans overall has increased while monthly payments have barely changed. Those are great conditions for buying a new or used car, even for consumers who thought they couldn’t afford a car or get approved for an auto loan.

At Approved Loan Store, we love getting our customers into great new or used cars at terms they can afford! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you! Check out our testimonials to see real life Approved Loan Store customers with their new cars, and if you are ready to get started, fill out our secure online auto loan application here.

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 Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net