Tag Archives: low-income

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

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

Slackers Park in the Kitchen: Why Forbes’ Review of the Toyota Coms Misses the Point

Car companies have tried to appeal to young drivers with navigational systems, sound systems that sync with the driver’s iPod, and hands-free calling and texting. Toyota is trying a new tactic, though, by making their cars smaller than ever.

How small are these new Toyotas? Imagine parking in your kitchen.

Toyota’s new single-seater Coms are limited as far as space and weight. They can only fit a driver and 2 bags under a combined weight of 308 pounds, and the car’s top speed is 37.5 miles per hour. Still, this car could revive young drivers’ interest in car ownership.

In their review of the Coms, Forbes was more skeptical of the car’s appeal saying it “looks like it fell off a carnival ride.” Writer Michael Kanellos also makes a baffling observation that these cars are meant to “capitalize on the diminished expectations of global slackerdom.” This is such a cop-out answer to an industry-wide problem. Instead of blaming young people for not buying traditional cars and labeling them as slackers, maybe Kanellos should understand why cars like the Coms are so appealing to young drivers.

First off, more people are living in cities, and big cities can be costly for car owners. They have to pay for a parking space or a permit, and if they don’t get a designated spot, they have to spend lots of time searching for a spot. Also, many young people are still paying off student loans and working entry-level jobs, and they can’t justify the cost of a car plus insurance and parking fees. At this point, young people living in big cities would rather take public transit and rent a car only when they have to.

Imagine for a moment, though, how the industry would change with more cars like the Coms. The price ranges from $8,922 to $10,000, and they wouldn’t have to worry about paying $100 a month to park their car. Instead, they could drive it right into their apartment. It wouldn’t be able to handle a trip out of town, but they could take it down to the grocery store or out shopping. Young drivers would love it and would probably buy it. Kanellos thinks that driving is about feeling the “breeze blow back your hair,” and he believes that new drivers are a product of “global slackerdom.” I think these new drivers are money conscious and are waiting for a car to meet their needs, and the Coms could do just that.

The Coms are not for sale in the United States yet, but if they are successful in Japan, I could see them popping up in New York very soon. If you are looking for a car or your current car isn’t fitting your needs, Approved Loan Store can help! We want to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest 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!

Brooklyn Dealership to Pay Fines, Restitution for Misleading Customers

At Approved Loan Store, we strive to make the auto buying process easier and better for all of our customers, but we hear horror stories all the time about other dealerships and their deceptive practices. Many of our customers have been to other dealerships and had such a poor experience that they are reluctant to even set up an appointment with our Special Finance Representatives. This is why we get so upset when we read about dealerships (particularly local dealerships) that are taking advantage of customers and not following the law.

On Sunday, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that 46 consumers who purchased cars at Brooklyn’s Giuffre Hyundai, Giuffre Kia, Giuffre Mitsubishi, and Giuffre Mazda dealerships would receive $300,000 in restitutions. The dealership used fraudulent sales practices and additionally misled customers about the terms of their car sale and financing.

Sadly, most of these customers were vulnerable to these tactics. Brooklyn State Supreme Court Judge Bernard J. Graham stated that the dealership targeted “older persons, unsophisticated, or unfamiliar with English,” and the dealership sold them cars “they never intended to buy or [at] a price that was dishonestly represented to them.”

At Approved Loan Store, our goal is to get our customers into cars they want and cars they can afford. Every step of the way, we strive to give our customers a great car buying experience, and Approved Loan Store’s Special Finance Representatives make sure that the financing is clear and reasonable. Our results and the glowing testimonials we receive every day are proof that our methods work, and we are glad that dishonest dealerships are being held accountable for their actions.

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

Image courtesy of Boaz Yiftach / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chevy Offers $10,000 in Discounts on Volt

If you’ve been thinking about picking up the Chevy Volt but were hesitant because of the price, right now might be the perfect time to buy.

The Chevy Volt has had a tough time in sales since its release, even with drivers who are environmentally conscious or loved the idea of paying only $1.50 to charge its battery. It was a great car, but the timing of its launch was completely wrong. People were looking to cut costs in the short term, and paying $41,000 for a compact car did not make sense, no matter if they saved money in the long run.

Now, Chevy is trying to move the Volt off its lots without too much of a loss. There has been a $7,500 federal tax credit attached to the Volt to encourage drivers to make the change to a hybrid, but Chevy has added on more incentives throughout 2012, adding up to a $10,000 discount. Since the discounts were put in place, Volt sales have seen a dramatic change. Chevy has already sold over 13,000 Volts this year compared to 7,700 last year. The Volt is beating out every other electric car on the market including the Prius Plug-in and the Nissan Leaf.

Chevy is not the only dealership moving last year’s models off the lot. At this time of the year, dealerships across the country are offering deep discounts on a wide range of makes and models. For the best deals, now is the time to buy that new or used car, and Approved Loan Store is ready to help you every step of the way. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you get in the car you want at terms you can afford!

To get started today, 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 for the latest auto news and buying tips!

Ford Focus Challenges Corolla for World’s Top Seller

For years, the Toyota Corolla has reigned as the world’s best-selling car, but this year, the reigning champ might have some competition.

Ford has projected that based on their current sales numbers, the Ford Focus will outsell the Toyota Corolla worldwide in 2012. According to their press release, the Ford Focus is leading the Toyota Corolla, 489,616 to 462,187. Volkswagen also has its sights set on the top spot with the new VW Golf, though it is not expected to overtake the Corolla this year.

While it would be exciting to see a shake-up with the top rankings, I think Ford is being a little premature in their celebrating. After all, they have been close to beating the Corolla before and have ultimately lost in the final sprint to the end of the year. I’m not a superstitious person, but I do believe that Ford might have jinxed itself with this press release. Maybe they should have focused a little less on press releases over a projected win and focused on selling their Focus.

Whether you want a Toyota, a Ford, a Volkswagen, or something else entirely, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Good credit, bad credit, we want to get you into a great car!  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!