Tag Archives: savings

Ram Truck “Farmer” Ad Dominates Super Bowl

When it comes to the Super Bowl commercials, the Budweiser Clydesdales usually reign supreme both with the quality of the ad and the popularity. This year, however, Budweiser was unseated by Ram Trucks’ dedication to the American farmer.

Ram’s “Farmer” is a take on Paul Harvey’s famous FFA speech “So God Made a Farmer.” The speech praises the farmer’s mix of strength, gentility, and perseverance, stating, “God said I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bales, yet gentle enough to wean lambs and pigs and tend to pink combed pullets; who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadowlark.” The ad is accompanied by images of a church, an American flag, the family dog, and a farmer working hard in the fields with his trusty Ram truck by his side.

You can see the full ad here:

It didn’t have special effects, celebrities, or swimsuit models, and yet this simple ad made a definite impression on audiences, earning it over 13 million views on YouTube. The ad’s success has also benefited American farmers with Ram donating $1 million back to the National FFA Organization.

Readers, what do you think? Did Ram’s “Farmer” ad win you over? What were your favorite car ads of the Super Bowl? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

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

New Car Financing: Ram 1500 Gets Diesel Option in 2013

The Ram 1500 made headlines across the country this week when they announced that later this year, it will be getting a diesel option.

When it hits the market, the Ram 1500 will become the first modern half-ton pick-up in the United States to offer diesel. This is a major development considering that diesel trucks typically have a higher resale value than gasoline engine trucks, and they have more pulling power and a better fuel economy. With the diesel option, the Ram 1500 will have 240 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque, making it more appealing to buyers who plan to use the truck in their business.

Automotive industry insiders are predicting that the diesel option could bring in tens of thousands in additional sales every year, and the CEO of Chrysler’s Ram brand Fred Diaz said in a phone interview that this is a change that Ram drivers have been “craving.”

Readers, we want to hear from you! Are you more or less likely to buy a Ram 1500 now that it has a diesel option? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you ready to get into a new 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 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!

Auto Loan: EPA Promises More Fuel Economy Audits

In recent months, some automakers have been criticized for exaggerating the fuel economy of their newer models, and in response, the EPA will be auditing more fuel economy tests.

Ford, Hyundai, and Kia have been accused of overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles. As a result, Hyundai and Kia have had to adjust the ratings on some of their 2011, 2012, and 2013 models, and the EPA has promised to be more vigilant in checking these fuel economy claims.

At first glance, it doesn’t look too good for automakers. They said that their vehicles could achieve a fuel economy when it turned out that they could not. The truth of the matter, however, is much more complicated. Weather can affect the mpg of hybrid and electric cars, and different drivers can achieve different fuel economies. These automakers weren’t necessarily misrepresenting their fuel economy to the public but rather the average consumer misunderstood the mpg rating and thought it was a guarantee.

Even with the rating adjustments, the fuel economy on new vehicles is better than ever, and with gas prices today, consumers can save a lot of money on gas by trading in their older, less fuel-efficient model for a newer vehicle. Approved Loan Store can help you whether if you’re going for a trade in or just looking for a good deal on a new or used car. Get started today by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.

Want more daily 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!

New Car Financing: GM Offers Discounts on 2013 Chevy Malibu

Last week, we brought you a rundown of the cheapest cars of 2013 to show that new cars don’t have to been pricey. Today, we found out that another 2013 model is getting a huge price cut, and we wanted our readers to be the first to know!

According to reports from Motor Trend, GM has excess inventory of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and they are eager to sell.

Here’s a rundown of the discounts:

1LS – Previously $23,150, now $22,805
1LT – Previously $24,765, now $23,995
2LT – Previously $26,000, now $25,700
3LT – Previously $27,710, now $27,410
Eco 1SA – Previously $26,095, now $25,795
Eco 2SA – Previously $27,705, now $27,405
1LTZ – Previously $28,590, now $28,715
2LTZ – Previously $30,925, now $30,510

These models are discounted anywhere from $300 to $770, so car buyers can pick up a 2013 Chevy Malibu for as low as $22,805. GM isn’t the only one offering deep discounts on new models, though, and during the winter months, dealerships across the country are marking down lots of new and used models. If you missed our rundown of the cheapest 2013 models, check it out here.

Are you ready to get into a new car? Approved Loan Store wants to help YOU! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you 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 for 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!

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!

Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Survey: Car Buying in 2013 is a Woman’s World

In the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Toula (Nia Vardalos) wants to go back to school but is worried that her father will never allow it because he is the “head of the house.” She confides these fears to her mother Maria, and Maria delivers one of the most memorable lines of the film. “Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants.”

There is new research on how married couples purchase vehicles that pretty much proves what Maria and wives the world over already know. Women have a great deal of influence over their husband’s decisions, and most of the time, the husband doesn’t even know they are being swayed one way or the other.

According to a survey from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, 72 percent of married male auto buyers think they have more influence over car they will purchase. By comparison, 60 percent of women think they have more influence over the final purchase. Over half of women and almost three-quarters of men think they have the final say. While some wives or husbands might defer to their spouse, there will clearly be some overlap of the husband and wife both thinking they made the decision.

Some people might ask why I think it is more likely that wives have more influence than the husbands. After all, these wives could think that they are influencing the decision when they really are not. The reason why I tend to believe the wives is because these days, women purchase 60 percent of all new cars and 53 percent of all used cars. They dominate their male counterparts in buying both new and used cars, and they are more experienced buying a car, whether they are buying it with or without a husband.

Man or woman, male or female, every car buyer wants the same thing, to get the best deal possible on the car they want. Approved Loan Store can help! Whether if you have good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we will work with you to get the right car 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, 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 digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

EIA: Americans Spent Nearly $3000 on Gas in 2012

As February begins, Americans are reviewing their New Year’s resolutions and lamenting the ones that were forgotten or broken in January. For many people, a common resolution was improving personal finances. They want to pay off a credit card, get out of debt, or start putting more money away in savings. The tough part about these resolutions is finding where to cut corners, especially for families, but a new statistic from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) points to one expense that Americans could cut: gas.

According to the EIA, the average US household spent $2,912 on gasoline last year. That is nearly $3,000 is going towards only gas, not to mention vehicle service and maintenance costs. Unfortunately, gas prices have gone up substantially in the past few years. Prices rose 26.1 percent in 2011 and an additional 3.3 percent in 2012 while household income only increased 2.9 percent, and gas prices aren’t likely to drop anytime soon.

What can Americans do to cut back on their gasoline costs, especially with the price of gas rising? Quite simply, the best way to cut back on gasoline costs is by trading in for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Even used cars from the past few years have much better fuel efficiency than older models, and while it will be a bigger purchase up front, the savings at the pump will pay off in the long run.

Are you looking to trade in and want the best possible deal on your new car? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you 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!

Image courtesy of domdeen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Consumer Reports: Ford’s EcoBoost Engines Disappoint in Testing

In the past year, Ford has been heavily promoting their EcoBoost engines as a more eco-friendly but still powerful option. A new series of tests by Consumer Reports, though, might poke some holes in their grand claims.

Consumer Reports ran a series of tests on the 2013 Ford Fusions with EcoBoost engines, and they found that the vehicle’s 0-60 acceleration speed lagged behind its competitors. This might be understandable and excusable if the engine delivered on fuel efficiency, but in the tests, it only got 25 mpg. To give some perspective, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 28 city/42 highway mpg, the Honda Civic HF gets 29/41, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI gets 30/42.

Fortunately, some of the new engines from Ford’s competitors did deliver on their promises. Consumer Reports highlighted BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine which can keep pace on acceleration and still gets 28 mpg. Similarly, the Volkswagen’s 2-liter turbo engine performed well in testing, proving that this type of engine can be competitive if manufacturers work out the kinks.

Are you looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want 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!

Auto Loan: January Auto Sales Surpass Expectations

We predicted it. With reports of lower interest rates and more flexible loan lengths, we predicted that January would be a good month for the auto industry, even coming off of such a strong year.

As it turned out, January was a great month.

January is done and the numbers are coming in, and U.S. auto sales were up 14 percent. It is much better than analysts were predicting, and these gains weren’t limited to one type or model of vehicle. Large pickups, small cars, and crossovers alike all saw increased sales in January.

Among the individual automakers, Toyota had a 27 percent increase. Ford’s U.S. sales had a 22 percent increase. GM had a 47 percent increase on Cadillac, and sales for their full-sized pickups increased 32 percent. Meanwhile, Chrysler’s car sales went up 50 percent with strong showings by the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Dart, and Fiat 500 line.

Automakers are ready to keep these sales numbers going with promotions and deals changing monthly. Now is a great time to get into a new or used vehicle. If you’re ready to get into that car today, Approved Loan Store is ready to help you. Good credit, bad credit, or no credit, we will work with you to get the 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!

Image courtesy of renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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!