Tag Archives: used car

Car Talk Hosts Announce Retirement After 25 Years on NPR

Car Talk fans were saddened to hear last week that hosts Tom Magliozzi and Ray Magliozzi will retire this September. The popular radio show, a mix of humor and car advice, has been running for 25 years on NPR and before that had a run on the Boston NPR affiliate WBUR.

Tom and Ray, also known as “Click and Clack,” have expressed their love for the show and appreciation for their fans and listeners. Since Tom’s 75th birthday, however, the brother duo started thinking about taking time to “smell the cappuccino.”

Car Talk will stop recording new shows after October, but Tom and Ray want their fans to know that the show will continue thanks to hours of archived material. “The good news is that, despite our general incompetence, we actually remembered to hit the ‘record’ button every week for the last 25 years,” Tom joked. “So we have more than 1,200 programs we’re going to dig into starting this fall, and the series will continue.”

Tom and Ray first started working together on the do-it-yourself auto repair shop Hacker’s Haven, and they were invited to participate on an automotive panel hosted by WBUR. Not long after, they were given their own automotive advice show, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Episodes of the series are available to download free on iTunes under NPR: Car Talk Podcast or on the official Car Talk website.

If you are looking to get into a new or used car, Approved Loan Store can 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 and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Good Driving Made Simple (And Hilarious!)

From the time teenagers turn 14 and apply for their learner’s permit, they are bombarded with driving advice. Turn down the music, pay attention to the road, always wear your seat-belt, and so on and so forth. According to a web comic that is making the rounds online, though, driving is not as complicated as it sounds.

Jalopnik was one of the first news sites to post up the comic/flow chart which is seen below. It seems that driving properly all comes down to one factor, using the passing lane in the correct fashion.

As a frequent driver, I got a kick out of the comic. Yes, driving properly is really more involved than this flow-chart would suggest, but if people used the passing lane correctly, it would go a long ways in improving the roads. I think everyone at some point has experienced the frustration of another driver using the passing lane but not actually passing anyone, so on behalf of all the drivers using the lane properly, we ask that everyone else read this chart and follow it, please. It’s not too much to ask.

Are you buying your first car, or are you a veteran driver looking to trade in for something new? Approved Loan Store can help, even if you have challenged credit! Fill out the secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest car news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

New V2V Technology Changes Future of Auto Safety

There has been a lot of talk about the future of driving. Self-driving vehicles and pedestrian air bags are all changing the way we drive, and now, a stunning new technology promises to prevent crashes by letting cars “talk” to each other.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication, also known as V2V, will allow vehicles to communicate via wireless signals with nearby cars. Cars will share information like speed, location, and other necessary stats and use that information to prevent a crash. For example, when a car is on track for a collision, the car will warn the driver. Some systems will even bypass the driver and apply the brakes if the driver does not do so quickly enough.

Obviously it will be awhile until V2V is available in vehicles. There are many bugs that will have to be worked out such as setting up a secure wireless system that will not be susceptible to hackers, and once it is available, I’m sure that auto safety regulators will need to determine if every car should have V2V technology. The device requires that vehicles be capable of communicating with all other nearby vehicles on the road, so it does little good if only a few drivers opt to use V2V. Still, it is pretty amazing how far auto technology has come in the past few years, and I can only imagine how V2V technology will change driving as we know it in the years to come.

Are you looking for a great new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help whether you have good or bad credit! 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 and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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Craigslist Ad Offers to Trade Burial Plots for VW Bus

Jalopnik’s weird car listings from Craigslist are always good for a laugh, and yesterday’s bizarre “Found on Craigslist” segment did not disappoint.

On the Houston area Craigslist, a mysterious buyer posted that he was looking for a VW Bus, but he didn’t make a cash offer. Instead, he offered to trade the VW Bus for four “premium” burial plots in Webster, a city about 30 minutes away from Houston. According to the ad, these burial plots are worth about $3000 each or $12,000 for all four plots, but he will “entertain all offers.”

After a quick search, I found out that the burial plots are likely located at the Forest Park East Cemetery, and from the looks of their website, it is a very nice cemetery. Lots of trees and flowers and all. I don’t know how much plots usually run as far as pricing, but like the folks over at Jalopnik, I have two questions. First, why would someone pay premium for a location or view that the deceased won’t actually get to see? Second, why would anyone have four unused burial plots, and who would trade their car for burial plots?

In the strange world of Craigslist, there is usually someone for every offer, but even so, this is a bizarre offer. I am really curious if anyone takes this Craigslist poster up on this trade, and if they do, I want to know what the original poster plans to do with that VW Bus. Jalopnik thinks it is a morbid father who had a change of heart and wants to take his family on a road trip. My guess involves ghost hunters with dream of traveling cross-country and investigating America’s most famous haunted houses and asylums.

No matter what the circumstances, you don’t have to trade burial plots for your dream car. Let Approved Loan Store help you get into a new or used vehicle today! Fill out the online secure auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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Car Shoppers Ready to Buy, Willing to Spend Extra on Perks

Recent reports from Edmunds.com indicate what we have seen first-hand over at Approved Loan Store, which is that car shoppers are eager to buy in 2012.

Thanks to relaxed credit standards, more people are buying cars, but the picture is much bigger than that. Car shoppers are also buying vehicles with more perks and added features, and they are more comfortable considering trucks, SUVs, or other vehicles that go through more gas. They aren’t just looking for cars to get them where they need to go; they want to get the cars that they want.

Over at Approved Loan Store, we get people into every make and model of car every day. Whether you are looking for your first car or your dream car with all the perks, the reps over at Approved Loan Store want to help you get the car you want with the terms you can afford. If it seems too good to be true, take a minute to browse through our customer testimonials. Check out the cars that real people like you have gotten through Approved Loan Store, and hear what they had to say about our service.

“They met my needs, they worked with me and my budget, and everything. They found me the exact car I wanted, and I’m very happy!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get this beautiful black BMW. Thank you, Jarell and Charles, you were the best!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get a car, a Toyota 2009. Had a very, very good experience here at the car dealership. Everybody was so nice and kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I’m driving home in my dream car, a Camaro 2011…They made it happen with no problem. I had a great experience!”

To find out what Approved Loan Store can do for you, 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 and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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Fact vs. Myth: How a Car Loan Can Improve Your Credit

One of the biggest reasons why consumers have poor credit is because of lackluster financial education and the spread of misinformation regarding how credit scores are calculated. A major misconception is about auto loans and how they can improve or hurt a person’s credit score, and we would like to clear that up today.

Auto loans are one of the best ways of rebuilding a strong credit history. First, car loans are more accessible to consumers with low credit or no credit. Many lenders have been allocating more money towards sub-prime auto loans and offering lower interest rates to make these loans more feasible. Second, car loans are common amongst American consumers, and the number of car owners in this country is growing by leaps and bounds. People needs cars where they might not need or want a credit card.

Consumers can improve their credit by paying their car loan on time over the term of the loan. So long as they are doing that, they are improving their payment history and in turn improving their credit. If a consumer wants to pay it off early, their credit will be improved the exact same as if they had paid it on time for the entire term of the loan. The consumer will not get an extra credit boost for paying off the loan early. The upside, however, is that they won’t have to pay as much in interest and will save money in the long run.

If you are having a hard time getting approved for an auto loan, Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest news from the auto and loan industries by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

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Prices on 2011, 2010 Vehicles Projected to Drop in June

Car shoppers who have held off on buying so far this year should strongly consider buying in June.

The National Auto Dealers’ Association, or NADA, released findings today that showed the prices on used cars have consistently dropped from May to June. Depending on the vehicle, consumers can save anywhere from $300 up to $900 on 2009, 2010, and 2011 models. Even better, some of the cars that NADA examined are fuel-efficient vehicles like the 2011 Toyota Prius, and for the majority of car buyers, fuel economy is the most important factor in choosing a new car.

For people looking for a new or used car, it seems like the stars are aligning. Lower interest rates, more loans specifically for those with challenged credit, greater flexibility with the loan length, and now, the price of used cars is dropping. Car shoppers have fewer and fewer excuses for not taking the plunge and getting that new or used car.

If you are looking to get in on June’s lower prices, Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

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Car Repair: Avoid This Costly Pitfall

At Approved Loan Store, we are always on the look-out for ways for our readers to save money on their new or used car. Oftentimes, though, we focus too much on the initial purchase of the car and don’t consider other long-term expenses associated with that car like insurance or maintenance. We saw this tip from CBS News today and wanted to share it with our readers so they can avoid this costly car maintenance mistake.

Some car dealerships are offering dealer service contracts as part of the car loan agreement. While these agreements do vary (and there are some good service contracts available), some of these service contracts are not worth the money. The contracts are usually more than twice the cost of routine maintenance, and even if the car runs into other problems, the contract might not cover the costs.

Once again, these rules do not apply to every dealer service contract, and depending on the circumstances, it could be the right choice for some car buyers. As always, we recommend reading over the agreement carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is a financial obligation, and you want to make sure that it is worth the cost.

To learn more about buying and maintaining your car without breaking the bank, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter. If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to get into a new or used car, Approved Loan Store can help, no matter what your credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here!

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Lenders Allocate More Funds to Credit-Challenged Car Loan Applicants

As the country continues to recover economically, lenders are wooing consumers with better rates on auto loans, even for consumers with challenged credit.

According to Experian Automotive, lenders across the country have allocated more money to sub-prime auto loans while also cutting interest rates across the board and relaxing the terms of repayment. Experian Automotive called the trend “good for everyone,” and analysts hope that by relaxing the loan terms, the auto industry will continue boosting the overall economy.

Some have expressed the concern that if lenders relax their standards, unreliable people will get auto loans and won’t make their payments. The funny part about their theory, though, is that late payments are currently at their lowest rate in over a decade even as the industry is lending to consumers with challenged credit. It goes to show you that there are plenty of consumers who have run into problems in the past but are ready to rebuild their credit through an auto loan.

With interest rates down and better terms available, it has never been a better time to buy! Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a car, no matter what your credit situation. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and you will hear from an Approved Loan Store representative in 24-48 hours. You can also keep up with the latest news and trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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In China, Buying a Car is Just the Beginning

Earlier this month, USA Today published the story of a Chinese couple trying to get a car. To be more accurate, the couple had purchased a car but were waiting in a lottery to get a license plate. Due to the high population and equally high demand for cars, the government only issues a set number of license plates each month. There is approximately a 1-in-32 chance of getting one of those plates, and without those plates, a driver is out of luck. Besides the restrictions on license plates, Chinese drivers also have a tougher time obtaining a driver’s license. Not only do they have to pass the typical driving and written tests, they also have to pass a physical fitness exam that tests their strength and flexibility.

As I read this article, I thought about all the reasons why Americans who want a car or need a car don’t buy a car. It isn’t the right time, I’m too busy to research the car I want, I’d rather not deal with salesmen…there are a million reasons why potential car buyers don’t get a car. In most cases, no one is standing in their way. They don’t have to pass a physical exam or win a license plate lottery. Ultimately, it is a matter of convenience, and people get overwhelmed by all the car buying advice coming from friends, family, and the media.

This is why Approved Loan Store is different. No matter what your credit situation, Approved Loan Store can make the car buying process simpler.

Step 1: Fill out the secure online auto loan application here.

Step 2: Within 48 hours, you will hear from an Approved Loan Store Representative. They will review your information and set up an appointment with a Special Finance Representative at the nearest Approved Loan Store location.

Step 3: Meet with the Special Finance Representative, browse the inventory, and figure out a payment plan that works for you!

Check out video testimonials from real Approved Loan Store customers online here, and keep up with the latest new and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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