Tag Archives: safety

New Car Financing: 2013’s Cheapest Cars

As auto makers release their new models for 2013, car shoppers on a budget should be very pleased. Among the new 2013 models, there are a lot of great cars with top-of-the-line features now included with no extra cost. At the Approved Loan Store, we want you to get the best value for your dollar, so we’ve compiled a list of the least expensive 2013 vehicles and some of their standard features. These vehicles range in price from $12,780 up to $15,515.

Bottom line? If you thought you couldn’t afford a new car, you thought wrong.

Nissan Versa – $12,780
Features: 31 city/40 highway mpg, Push Button Ignition, hands-free cell phone calling, Nissan Navigation System with 5-inch touch-screen, USB iPod input, and rear-view camera

Chevrolet Spark LS – $12,995
Features: 32 city/38 highways mpg, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-speaker audio system, 4-wheel antilock front disc/rear drum brakes, and StabiliTrak stability control system

Smart ForTwo Pure – $13,240
Features: 34 city/38 highway mpg, 5-speed automated manual transmission, leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, electronic stability program (ESP) with hill start assist, aux audio input jack, and antilock braking system

Ford Fiesta S – $13,995
Features: 29 city/39 highway mpg, 1.6L Duratec I-4 engine, Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS), AdvanceTrac Stability Control, six-speed automatic transmission, aux audio input jack, 4-inch LCD display screen, 4-wheel antilock brake system, and SecuriLock passive anti-theft ignition system

Kia Rio LX – $14,350
Features: 29 city/37 highway mpg, 1.6L I-4 engine, 4 speakers audio system, USB/aux audio input jack, antilock brakes, 15” tires with steel wheel covers, and electronic stability program (ESP) with hill start assist

Chevrolet Sonic LS – $14,995
Features: 26 city/35 highways mpg, 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, 4 speakers audio system, aux audio input jack, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, remote keyless entry, and engine immobilizer, theft-deterrent system

Toyota Yaris L – $15,130
Features: 30 city/37 highway mpg, 1.5L 4-cylinder engine,6 speakers audio system, CD player, aux audio input jack, on-board computer, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, 4-wheel antilock brakes, and stability control

Kia Soul Base – $15,175
Features: 25 city/30 highway mpg, 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio system with 4 speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, power door locks, and remote keyless entry with Folding Key

Hyundai Accent GLS – $15,320
Features: 28 city/37 highways mpg, 1.6L 4-cylinder engine, antilock braking system, 172-watt AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers, power door locks, and remote keyless entry with panic alert

Mazda2 Sport – $15,515
Features: 29 city/35 highway mpg, 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, antilock braking system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with 4 speakers, remote keyless entry, and engine immobilizer, theft-deterrent system

Are you ready to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work hard to get you the car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and 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!

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CONSUMER ALERT: Recall on Certain 2012 GM Auto Models

A few days ago, GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of some 2012 GM vehicles over safety concerns with the vehicles’ air bags.

The affected vehicle models are the 2012 Buick Verano, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, and the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. According to the recall report, there are issues with the driver side frontal air bag where the air bag might not deploy in a crash.

GM is replacing the steering wheel airbag coil free of charge for all affected vehicles, and while GM will be contacting all affected drivers, any owners who are feeling pro-active can contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.

You can read the full NHTSA recall report here.

Get the latest auto news and consumer alerts like recalls and special deals by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube! Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here!

Car Trade-In: When Is the Best Time?

A question that has been plaguing car owners since the invention of the automobile is when to repair the car you own and when to get a new car. It isn’t an easy question to answer, but a recent article from the Christian Science Monitor attempted to shed some light on the subject.

Some people would argue that you could keep repairing a car over and over again until the wheels fall off and could still save money over buying a new car. Those people are wrong, and even if you could find a way to save some money with numerous repairs, all you are doing is delaying the inevitable. By the time you finally trade in, the car you are trading in won’t be worth nearly as much, and you will have sunk hundreds or thousands of dollars into a car that doesn’t properly run.

Christian Science Monitor also points out that having an unreliable car could cause other problems. What if your car breaks down on the way to work? Can you get to work by public transit until you are able to get a new car? There is a good reason why car ownership has been strongly tied to employment status. Car owners don’t have to rely on public transit, so they have more employment options available to them, and they are more likely to be reliable and prompt.

Are you done sinking money into an unreliable car? Approved Loan Store can help you with your trade-in and new car purchase! Whether if you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we will work hard to get you a great new car at terms you can afford! Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and 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!

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New Car Financing: Winter Deals Available on New and Used Convertibles

As cabin fever sets in, drivers are itching for spring and the freedom of the open road. For many drivers, the perfect car for a joy ride is a convertible, and now during the winter months, dealerships want to give car shoppers an incentive to spring for their dream convertible.

In a recent interview for Philly.com, Kerry Pacifico of Pacifico Ford in Philadelphia encouraged drivers shopping for a new convertible to buy now. He claims that buyers will get a better deal if they just order the car instead of purchasing it off the showroom floor since they avoid floor-plan expense. Besides that, there is less demand for convertibles in winter time, and dealerships will be more willing to strike a deal.

If a convertible seems out of your reach, here is a rundown of some of the more affordable convertibles on the market right now.

2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible – Starting at $27,100
Estimated MPG: 18 city, 29 highway
Standard Features: Air Conditioning with Automatic Temperature, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, 6-Speed Automatic Transmission, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, and more.

2014 Ford Mustang V6 Convertible – Starting at $26,995
Estimated MPG: 19 city, 29 highway
Standard Features: Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, MyKey, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, Cloth Front Bucket Seats, Stainless Steel Dual Exhaust, and more.

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata – Starting at $22,424
Standard Features: Black Z-Fold Vinyl Soft Top, 16-Inch Aluminum-Alloy Wheels, 5-Speed with Short-Throw Shifter, 6-Way Adjustable Driver’s Seat, 4-Way Adjustable Passenger Seat, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and more.

Are you ready to get into a new or used convertible today? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work hard to get you the car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and 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 Twitter!

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Detroit Auto Show: Hyundai Reveals Motion Sensor Technology

Distracted driving is a huge problem in this country. A driving distraction used to be squirming kids fighting over a Game Boy in the backseat, and now drivers have to block out smart phones, music, and even some of the technology built into the car like GPS and internet access. Every car company has an idea about how to curb distracted driving from hands-free calling to Ford’s driver stress test, and at the Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled their latest idea to keep drivers’ eyes on the road.

Motion sensor technology has come a long way in the past few years particularly with the Xbox Kinect. Hyundai is integrating motion sensor technology into its connected car technology. Other automakers have used touch screens, but this is the first time I have heard of a car company using motion sensor technology in this way. Unlike most connected systems, the screen is intentionally turned away from the driver and towards the passenger side, and it is meant to be controlled by the passenger, not the driver.

At the Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai showed off how to use the motion sensor technology to access apps, music, and other features. The demonstration also included playing a game of poker.

You can watch the video of Hyundai’s demonstration below.

While it certainly has a cool factor, I’m not convinced that Hyundai’s new system will do much to curb distracted driving. Besides that, the driver doesn’t have any way to check their car’s GPS since the screen is tilted towards the passenger side. I could see more cars integrating motion sensor technology, but otherwise I think Hyundai still has some kinks to work out.

Readers, what do you think? Do you want motion sensor technology in your car, or do you think these systems do more to cause distracted driving than deter it? 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 wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today 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!

Low Interest Rates, Longer Loans Drive Auto Sales in 2013

2012 was an amazing year for the auto industry. Sales were so strong in 2012 that it would be completely understandable if the industry saw a slight dip in the beginning of 2013. To combat any drop off in sales, they are offering some of the lowest interest rates in years and longer loan lengths for more affordable monthly payments.

A review of banks and credit unions found that five-year new car loans had an average interest rate of 4.15 percent, and four-year used car loans had an average interest rate of 4.77 percent. Some were offering as low as 0 percent to 1.9 percent or a cash rebate depending on the model, and certain lending institutions are giving consumers more time to pay off those loans. 72-month and 84-month car loans are becoming more common place, and with the lower interest rates, consumers can take those longer auto loans without feeling like they’re paying too much in interest.

At Approved Loan Store, we want to help you take advantage of great interest rates and flexible loan terms. Whether if you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we will explore every option to get you the best possible terms on a car you want. Click here to see testimonials from real Approved Loan Store customers.

Are you ready to get into that new car? Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here, and for more auto news and buying tips, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan on YouTube.

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Buying a Car By Horoscope – Not a Great Idea

Sometimes on a slow news day, news sites like to trot out silly fluff pieces like “How Clean Is Your Purse?” and “What Your Toothpaste Brand Says About Your Love Life.” We at Approved Loan Store had a good laugh, though, when we saw this headline, “Follow Your Zodiac Sign and Buy the Perfect Car in 2013.” This is not a joke. Someone actually wrote an article about buying a car based on your zodiac sign.

What do they recommend? Well, Aries gets the 2013 Dodge Challenger. Taurus will go for the 2013 Ford Flex. Gemini will jump for the 2013 Acura ILX. Cancer will prefer the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Leo, having a “flashy personality,” will pick up the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. Virgo will take the reliable 2013 Toyota Corolla. The 2013 Volkswagen CC will catch Libra’s eye. Scorpio will spring for a 2013 Infiniti M37. Sagittarius will look for fuel efficiency and choose the 2013 Acura RDX. Capricorns will have a tendency towards the 2013 Lexus GS450h, and finally, Aquarius will pick up a 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

Now, I enjoy reading my horoscope in the paper. I don’t put much stock in it, but they can sometimes remind me to take things easier or to appreciate my friends or family. The notion that someone would base their car buying decision on a horoscope, though, is kind of ridiculous.

At Approved Loan Store, we don’t base how we do our business on horoscopes but on years of experience in auto financing. We work with customers who have stellar credit, no credit, and poor credit alike and use every available option to get them the car they want at terms they can afford. No need to check your horoscope, we are ready to help you!

Get started today by filling 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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Bad Credit Car Shoppers Trading In for Better Interest Rates

Last year all across the country, car shoppers with subprime credit got approved for auto loans, often for much better terms than they imagined. In 2013, even more people are applying for auto loans, and along with them, consumers are looking to trade in their car in hopes of getting a much lower interest rate.

Back when subprime auto loans were less available, consumers with challenged credit would pay up to 25 percent interest rates on their auto loans. Their car choices were dictated solely by what they could get approved for, not what fit their needs as a driver. Some of these people are still paying off their loans, and they are asking themselves why they would throw away more money on high interest rates for a car they didn’t really want in the first place.

Fortunately, they don’t need to keep paying insanely high interest rates. If these consumers paid their loan on time and otherwise kept up with their financial obligations, their credit is probably good enough to trade in for a much better car and loan terms, especially now. 2012 was a great year for people with challenged credit to get back behind the wheel. 2013 is looking to continue this pattern, but there is no way of knowing how long these optimal conditions will last. People who are considering trading in and trying for that lower interest rate should keep that in mind and perhaps get into a dealership sooner than later.

Are you looking to trade in your car? Are you looking for a new or used car but concerned about your credit? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! No matter what your credit situation, we will work hard to get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started today 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!

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Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop Music Leads to Aggressive Driving

When I turned 16 and got my driver’s license, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel. All I wanted to do was crank up the radio and enjoy my first taste of freedom. Unfortunately, when I got behind the wheel, I was in for a nasty shock. My parents had disabled the car’s combination radio/cassette tape deck.

My immature teenage brain went into a tailspin. How dare they take away my music? I was a safe driver – well, safe enough. My grades were consistently good, and while I was far from perfect, I thought I deserved to listen to Shania Twain on the way to choir practice. (“Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”)

As it turns out, my parents might not have been wrong. Confused.com, a car insurance comparison website based in the UK, did an experiment that measured how driving styles were affected by music. Drivers listening to fast-paced music tended to drive faster and be more aggressive than drivers listening to slower-tempo music. Heavy metal was the most dangerous genre for male drivers, and hip hop was the most dangerous for female drivers.

Confused.com included a playlist of 50 songs that they recommended as safe driving music which included “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, and “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What songs do you love to listen to on the road? Would you change your playlist from heavy metal to easy listening if it made you a safer driver? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to find you 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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AOL Autos Announces Technology of the Year Award Winner

This year, AOL Autos gave out its first Technology of the Year Award, and the Chrysler Uconnect was victorious in a very competitive field of “connective” technology.

The other five finalists for the award included the MyFord Mobile app, the Audi connect with Google Maps, Cadillac’s CUE system, Honda’s LaneWatch, and Nissan’s Tire Pressure Alert and Refill System. These systems improved driver safety, made navigational systems more user-friendly, and allowed drivers to access the internet on the go.

Chrysler’s Uconnect won over both the judges and AOL Auto readers alike. AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley praised the system, saying, “It was easy to use, it was intuitive. It worked perfectly with our phones. The voice control worked just right, and it had enough new features to qualify it as new among our nominees for 2012. Technology that works the way it’s supposed to? Well, that could be the new definition of state-of-the-art.”

The new Chrysler Uconnect is available in the 2013 Ram 1500 and Dodge Viper, and it will soon be available in all new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram models.

Readers, we want to hear from you! Does this award make you more likely to check out the Uconnect and the new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram line-up? Have you had the chance to try out the new Uconnect? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Want more auto news and buying tips? Be sure to like Approved Loan Store on Facebook, follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribe to Approved Loan Store on YouTube. Are you ready to get into a new or used car today? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here!