Tag Archives: used car

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!

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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!

Image courtesy of watcharakun / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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!

Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

84 MPG, Compact Size Make New Elio an Appealing Car

The 2013 Toyota Prius boasts 47.3 average miles per gallon. The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid gets a combined highway and city 47 mpg. While these have been impressive numbers up until now, a new vehicle is boasting an unheard of fuel economy of 84 mpg.

Elio Motors announced that it is now taking reservations on its revolutionary new vehicle, the Elio. The Elio is technically classified as a motorcycle. It has only 3 wheels, 2 in front and one in the back, but the vehicle is enclosed like a car. It can hold a driver and one additional passenger, and the trunk space measures 27” x 14” x 10”.

While the Elio certainly isn’t built for families or anyone needing extra space, this is the perfect car for singles or couples. For a person who needs to commute into the city for work, the Elio is a great middle ground between a car and a motorcycle or moped. Plus, the price tag is very reasonable at only $6800.

Elio Motors has already started taking reservations on their website, but the Elio will not be available for sale until 2014.

Readers, what do you think? Would you feel comfortable driving an Elio? Do you think vehicles like the Elio are the future of cars or just a fad? 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 can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we can help get you into a car you want at terms you can afford! Get started by filling 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!

2014 Lexus IS Surprises Detroit Auto Show with Luxury, “Bold” Design

The North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit Auto Show, is happening this week, and a few of the newly unveiled models are already trying to break from the pack and fighting to be the stand-out of the show. Among these competitors is the 2014 Lexus IS, and surprising to some critics, it is impressing show goers with a mix of luxury and sporty.

Many critics didn’t go into the Detroit Auto Show expecting to be impressed by Lexus. Jalopnik writer Raphael Orlove opened his review with, “I am a Lexus hater,” and he characterizes Lexus as being “willfully bland, inoffensive and characterless.” Autoblog’s Chris Paukert wrote about Lexus’ struggle to remove “some of the starch from its collar,” and all around, critics were generally skeptical that Lexus would bring anything radically different with the new IS.

Despite their predictions, though, all of them have had to eat their words. When head engineer Junichi Furuyama asked, “So, is it fun to drive?” Motor Trend’s Nate Martinez didn’t even have to pause before answering, “Most definitely.” By far, the funniest mea culpa was Jalopnik’s headline “I Kissed A 2014 Lexus IS And I Liked It.”

Check out the Lexus’ grand entrance to the Detroit Auto Show below:

 

Readers, what do you think? Will the 2014 Lexus IS change the way that people view the Lexus? Do you think this radical departure will pay off? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

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

Car Loan: Ford to Hire 2,200 More American Workers in 2013

2012 was a great sales year for the auto industry, and in 2013, many automakers are using their profits to put more Americans back to work.

Ford announced this week that they would be hiring 2,200 new salaried workers in 2013, and instead of hiring low-cost labor overseas, they will be hiring here in the United States. While Ford has not stated which plants or locations will be hiring, they will be looking for positions in engineering, manufacturing, and computer software. Job postings will be available on Ford’s official website as well as on its Facebook page. They have stated that they will be specifically looking to hire military veterans.

Additionally, Ford is putting $773 million towards major equipment upgrades at plants in Michigan and ultimately allocating a total of $6.2 billion towards its US assembly plants. With the cost of these news jobs on top of it, this might seem like a lot of money to invest right now, but now is the best time to do it. The auto industry is doing extremely well, and if the American auto industry wants to stay competitive, they will continue putting that money back into updating their plants and producing top quality vehicles. Plus, it is admirable that they have made hiring military veterans a priority as a company.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of Ford’s announcement? Are you excited for Ford’s 2013 line-up? 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 can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into 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!

Auto Loan: VW Celebrates 2012 Sales, Prepares for 2013 Challenges

In the first month of 2013, many automakers are still crunching their numbers from 2012, and though it is already well-known that 2012 was a great year for the auto industry, it is still not known just how well each individual automaker sold.

This week, VW announced that brand sales went up 31 percent in December, even as some of the other European brands did not see the same success. In Russia, China, and the United States, VW saw major gains, delivering millions of vehicles around the world.

Still, VW isn’t ready to rest on its laurels in 2013. VW’s Sales Chief Christian Klinger predicted that 2013 would be “a very demanding year” for VW, especially with auto sales struggling in most of Europe. Klinger made it clear in his statement, though, that VW is aware of the challenges ahead and preparing to meet those challenges head-on.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the VW brand and their line-up? Are you looking for a new car in 2013, and will you consider buying a VW? 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 you a 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!

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!

NHTSA: Hybrids, Electric Cars Need to be Noisier

Since they hit the market, electric cars and hybrids have had trouble really finding their audience. Everyone loves to pay less on gas, but questions of safety and whether it is really better for the environment have plagued its journey into mainstream America. A new, less obvious problem has recent come to light as more drivers are choosing hybrid and electric cars.

Federal safety regulators are concerned that hybrid and electric cars are simply too quiet. Most cars make enough noise to alert pedestrians, cyclists, or visually impaired persons, but these hybrids and electric cars are so quiet that pedestrians are sometimes unaware of their presence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is asking automakers to add sound systems to their hybrid and electric vehicles. The sound system, which will emit warning sounds to pedestrians, is expected to cost an additional $30 to automakers but will have a minimal effect on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to David Strickland, the NHTSA’s Administrator, automakers would be able to choose a variety of sounds depending on the make and model.

Are you looking to get into a new or used vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we can get you into the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill 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 James Barker / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CONSUMER ALERT: GM Recalls Trucks, Vans for Roll-Away Problem

Over the weekend, GM announced a recall of approximately 69,000 2013-model full-size trucks and vans including the Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Silverado.

According to General Motors, there has been a problem with these vehicles shifting out of park and rolling away. They believe the problem could be defective transmission interlocks, but GM has also said that the problem could be due to a fractured park-lock cable or a deformed steering –column lock-actuator gear.

Recalled vehicles include:

  • Cadillac Escalade
  • Chevrolet Avalanche
  • Chevrolet Express
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • Chevrolet Suburban
  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • GMC Savana
  • GMC Sierra
  • GMC Yukon

Fortunately, most of the vehicles affected by the recall are still on dealer lots since they are 2013 models, but any car owners affected by the recall will be contacted by GM about replacing the vehicle’s steering column for no charge. If you think your vehicle might be affected and have not heard from GM, you can call 1-800-630-2438 for Chevrolet vehicles, 1-866-982-2339 for Cadillacs, and 1-866-996-9463 for GMC vehicles.

For the latest consumer alerts, auto news, and car 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. Looking for a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at rates you can afford! Get started by filling out our secure online auto loan application here.