Tag Archives: low-income

Compact Cars: Trading Down is Trading Up

A recent study released by J.D. Power and Associates had some interesting findings about car trade-ins and how people view a vehicle downsize as a trade up.

According to the study, more than a quarter of drivers trading in their car opted to go for a smaller vehicle while only 13 percent chose to go with a larger car. Compact cars aren’t only getting love from trade-in drivers, though. Across the board, more people are buying compact cars this summer.

Why is there such an interest in smaller cars? Well, compact cars today offer great features that at one time were only available in larger vehicles. Getting a compact car no longer means sacrificing comfort or new car technology. Cars like the Dodge Dart have digital dashboard displays, customizable interiors, and other high-demand add-ons like the wireless iPhone charger. To make the deal sweeter, compact cars tend to get better fuel economy than their larger counterparts, making it a greater value in the long run.

No matter what kind of car you are looking for, from compact cars to pick-up trucks, Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we work to get the best rates possible for our customers. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!

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“Crash Course” Class Makes Better Teen Drivers

At the BSR Accident Avoidance course, teens learn to stay accident free by testing their nerves and reaction times behind the wheel.

The “crash course” driving class is quickly gaining popularity with teens and parents alike. Through practical behind-the-wheel instruction, teens learn to stay calm in stressful scenarios like keeping control in bad weather or if the car leaves the road. They test their reflexes and nerves in a controlled environment so that when they are in that situation, they will be less likely to get in an accident. Driving instructor Don Ruschman explained, “In those few seconds, an untrained driver will most often rely on their instincts. The problem is that in driving under stress, our instincts are almost always wrong.”

Some critics of the class claim that the teaching methods will make teens more reckless, but for the most part, the course has been well-received. Even teens that would typically drag their feet with a traditional drivers ed course are signing up because of the cool factor involved. Personally, I see no downside to the course. Motor vehicle accidents are still the leading cause of death amongst teens, and newly licensed drivers are some of the highest risk drivers on the road. If it saves lives and produces better teen drivers, then I think it is something that everyone can get behind.

Are you looking for a new or used car for your teenager? Approved Loan Store wants to help whether you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!

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Will New Self-Cleaning Coating Mean the End of Car Washes?

Summer vacation holds a lot of great memories for me. I remember running around the neighborhood, playing baseball in someone’s backyard, or piling in the car for a trip to the local pool. Sometimes in the midst of vacation, though, my parents would rope my sisters and me into doing, heaven forbid, some chores. We spent many afternoons standing on a hot driveway with the garden hose and a couple of sponges, scrubbing down the family car.

Well, it seems that thanks to new technology, the traditional car wash might be a relic of the past. Researchers at the Netherlands’ Eindhoven University of Technology reported that a newly developed car coating will protect the car from small scratches as well as provide “self-cleaning” for the car. Soap and sponges or rags won’t be needed. Instead, the owner can simply hose down their car, and dirt will be washed away without extra work or effort.

If you are saddened that future generations will not understand Karate Kid’s wax-on-wax-off, don’t worry, and if a self-cleaning car sounds like a dream come true, curb your enthusiasm. The self-cleaning coat will probably not hit the market for at least another 6 to 8 years, and when it does, it is uncertain whether it will catch on. Until then, kids across America will still get the experience of washing the family car on a hot summer day.

Are you looking for a new or used car? Good credit, bad credit, no credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!

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Four Ways to Avoid Car Thieves

No one expects to be the target of a car thief, but in 2010, over 700,000 cars were reported as stolen. Every car owner should know the proper steps to take to decrease the chance of car theft, but most people do not. At Approved Loan Store, we want to get people into the car they want, and we want them to hold onto those cars as well. For that reason, we wanted to share some tips from The Car Connection for deterring car thieves.

Pack up laptops, iPads, and other electronics: Around Christmas time, most drivers will keep their shopping bags out of sight for car thieves scoping for a target. Year-round, it is smart to store any electronics left in the car in the glove compartment or under a seat, or if you can, leave the laptop or iPad at home.

Park smart: Always park in well-lit areas, and watch for how many people walk or drive by. If the area gets a lot of foot or street traffic, a car thief will feel less comfortable trying to break into the car.

Get a car alarm (and advertise it): Get a real-time vehicle tracking system for the car, and make sure to keep it active. Also, a car thief might think twice about stealing a car if they know the car has an alarm system. If an OnStar system comes with a window sticker, keep it in the window. A thief might be deterred just knowing that the car is protected.

Be extra careful with popular cars: Popular cars are easier to steal because they blend into traffic, and their car parts are in higher demand. Obviously, it doesn’t make sense to tell drivers not to buy popular cars, but if drivers follow the other three steps, their car is less likely to be targeted by thieves.

Are there any tips you would add to The Car Connection’s list? Tell us below in the comments section!

If you are looking for a great new or used car, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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!

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Free Wedding with Oil Change? Dealership Wedding Makes Headlines

In Wichita, a young couple walked into a car dealership and left with a truck, a car, and a wedding.

Jada Miller and Shane Starlin weren’t even planning to get married when they walked into the Suzuki of Wichita. They were looking for a truck and a Suzuki Kizashi, and as they were shopping, their salesman Randolph Warren commented on the lack of wedding rings. Jada bluntly replied that they weren’t married because Shane hadn’t asked her. After some playful joking around, Shane said he didn’t know a minister, and Randolph volunteered that he was an ordained minister and could perform the ceremony at the dealership. Jada and Shane didn’t immediately take him up on the offer, but when they returned to get a tire replaced, they took Randolph up on his offer.

The dealership transformed the showroom into a wedding chapel with a flowery wedding arch and a white walkway. The wedding music was “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts and songs by the a cappella group Intensity. The dealership even arranged for the cake, a baby-blue and white cake with wedding ring cake toppers. While it was unconventional, there was a genuine sweetness to the whole event.

Jada and Shane’s story has been covered by the Wichita Eagle and Jalopnik among other news sites, and the wedding highlights video is available on YouTube. I think what draws people to the story is the spontaneity of it. Wedding culture has turned into a monster of satin and lace that seemingly feeds on piles of money. For many people, weddings are stressful affairs that lose the celebration of love in the midst of family politics and fighting over the budget. Jada and Shane’s wedding was simple, fun, and low-maintenance while still being memorable for everyone involved.

While Approved Loan Store hasn’t hosted any weddings yet, we continue to do what we do best: get customers into cars. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to help you get into a great new or used car! 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, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Original Image at Suzuki of Wichita

Auto Loan vs. Cash: When a Loan is the Better Choice

Last Friday, guest blogger Lance from “Budgets are Sexy” was featured on MSN Money and stirred up some controversy with the headline “Why a car loan can beat paying cash.” As expected, many cash-only advocates got very upset and all but called for the authors head to be served on a silver platter to Dave Ramsey. We wanted to take a quick look at why he took out a car loan instead of paying cash and then open it up to our readers for feedback.

First, he wanted to get an installment loan on his credit history. At this point, he had several credit cards which he paid off regularly and on-time, and he did not take out any student loans in college. With such a sparse credit history, he thought that an auto loan that was paid on time would make a good addition to his credit report.

Second, he got a 0.9 percent interest rate for 36 months. Some readers didn’t know why he would pay any interest rate on a purchase he could afford to pay with cash, but considering that the interest he was earning on his savings account covered the additional interest on the car loan, it was a smart choice. Under these circumstances, he built up his credit history, and it didn’t cost him anything extra.

Finally, he appreciated not depleting his funds to pay for the car outright. By taking out the loan, he could still maintain his emergency fund in case of job loss or medical emergency. Most personal finance experts recommend keeping an emergency fund with enough money to live on for six to eight months, and thanks to the loan, he could keep his six-month emergency fund.

What do you think about his decision? If you could pay for a car in cash, would you choose to take out a loan? Leave us a comment below, and tell us what you think!

Are you looking for an auto loan? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get connected with Approved Loan Store on Facebook, Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Business Insider: In the Auto Industry, Subprime is Not a Dirty Word

Here at Approved Loan Store, we work with customers with all sorts of credit situations. While we help out plenty of customers with good credit scores find a better deal, our specialty has always been working with consumers who have subprime credit.

Now, the term “subprime lending” has become a loaded term because people associate it with subprime mortgages, but there are enormous differences between the subprime auto and mortgage industry as outlined this week in an article by Business Insider.

There are two main reasons why subprime auto loans are not the same risk of subprime mortgage loans. First, consumers default less on auto loans than on mortgages. Car repos happen much quicker than foreclosures, so consumers feel compelled to keep up with their payments. Besides that, a car is necessary for many people to make it into work, especially in areas of the country without public transportation options. If they don’t have a car, they have to rely on other people for a ride to work, to the grocery store, or to go out on the town. Most people will make cuts where they need to so they can maintain their car and their independence.

Second, subprime auto loans are not nearly the same risk for lenders as subprime mortgages. This is why so many of Approved Loan Store’s lender partners have been able to offer these auto loans to consumers with very low credit scores while they would deny that same consumer for a credit card, a mortgage, or a personal loan. For this reason, auto loans are a great way for consumers with challenged credit to re-establish themselves and build up a positive payment history. We call this the “Everyone Deserves a Second Chance” effect.

Are you looking to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store wants to help, even if you have bad credit, good credit, or so-so credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application today, and keep up with the latest in credit and auto news 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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New vs. Used Cars War Rages On

There is a lot of debate among car and personal finance writers as far as buying new vs. used cars. Should car shoppers go with the security of a new car with no chance of a bad previous driver history, or should they go for the value with a used car?

In a recent article for Business Insider, financial planner Sophia Bera made the case for sticking with a reliable used car and not spending beyond one’s means on a luxury car. She cites Dr. Thomas Stanley’s research which found that Toyotas are the most popular car make among millionaires. By opting for a less expensive car, they had more money to save or put towards other luxuries like vacations or a nicer home.

Bera sings the praises of her 1997 Toyota Corolla which she bought used and is still running great. Her husband’s car, a 1998 Honda Civic, has also served them well, and since he paid it off in only nine months, they cut down on additional interest.

While Bera has some great points in her piece, we want to hear from our readers! Do you prefer buying new or used, and what would you choose for your next car? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

If you’re looking for a new or used car, Approved Loan Store wants to help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with 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.

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South Beach Tow Shows the Other Side of Car Repossession

Many Americans have experienced the frustration and embarrassment of a car repossession, but very few people stop to imagine what it is like to be a repo man or woman. The work is hard, safety is often a big concern, and nobody likes it when repo man is successful at his or her job. In Jennifer Lopez’s new show South Beach Tow, a camera crew follows the daily life and work of Tremont Towing in South Beach, Miami.

The show reminds me a lot of Dog the Bounty Hunter except that Tremont Towing brings in cars, not parole violators. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes it is scary, but it is almost always ridiculous. People in South Beach will apparently do everything and anything to prevent that tow truck from taking their car. In one episode, a team of paintball players gang up and shoot paint over the VIN number before chasing Junior, one of the repo men, back into his truck. In another, a frat boy at a pimp-and-hoes party busted out the passenger-side window with his cane.

Whether you enjoy this type of reality TV or not, though, I think it provides some perspective to the many Americans who have dealt with a car repossession. No matter what the circumstances surrounding a repo, those repo men and women are human beings who are just trying to do their job, and violence or verbal abuse is not helpful nor warranted. Also, if you are having trouble keeping up with car payments, reach out to your lenders and work out a plan of action. They understand that job loss or other unforeseeable circumstances happen, and more often than not, they want to work with you.

If you have gone through a car repossession, a bankruptcy, or other credit problems, you can still get into a new or used vehicle through Approved Loan Store! We want to help you get into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure auto loan application here, and 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.

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.

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