Consumer Car Buying Advice Blog

Credit challenged car buyers that receive auto loan approvals for a new car might want to check out this list of cool small cars

Understanding car credit issues

Shoppers with poor credit that have received car loan approvals for an affordable new car might want to check out this list of interesting small cars we’ve selected from a recent article by the experts at Kelley Blue Book.

We certainly think these choices are appropriate here at Auto Credit Express, where we’ve spent the last two decades helping car buyers with low credit scores find dealers for their best opportunity for auto loan approvals.

Kelley Blue Book

Choosing a subcompact, compact or midsize car can save you money on insurance, fuel and, most importantly interest expenses.

Not long ago, Kelley Blue Book published an article entitled “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000.” Noting that, for car buyers that have experienced credit difficulties, at least some of the vehicles might fit, we sifted through the results and chose the 5 most affordable cars (those with a starting retail price of $16,000 or less) for credit-challenged buyers.

So here the remaining models are, in the order the article put them, along with comments from the editors of Kelley Blue Book:

5. 2012 Scion iQ
The pint-size Scion iQ packs a full-size punch. Inside, this featherweight fireball can accommodate three and a half men – or two and their golf bags. And with a wheelbase shorter than most NBA players, the iQ’s unique brand of urban acrobatics provides remarkable maneuverability around the most meddlesome inner-city obstacles.

4. 2012 Kia Soul
A unique blend of funky style and practical packaging, the Kia Soul cranks up its cool quotient for 2012 with even more high-value appeal. Nose and tail tweaks add edge to its appearance while drivetrain enhancements bring double-digit horsepower gains plus better mpg figures to its new 1.6-liter direct-injected base engine and the available 2.0-liter upgrade.

3. 2012 Ford Fiesta
Small and bold don’t usually pal around together, but you can find them hanging out in the sub-compact Ford Fiesta. With an aggressive grille, big lamps, sharp lines and pronounced fenders, the Fiesta is a styling standout. Even the inside is richer and more stylish than its competitors. European-like driving dynamics and highway fuel economy of 38 miles per gallon (40 mpg for the SFE version) solidify its cool cred.

2. 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Chevy’s new subcompact deftly combines sporty exterior styling, motorcycle-inspired interior gauges and peppy yet fuel-efficient engine choices to create a competent and cool urban runabout. In hatchback or sedan form, the Sonic booms with exuberance.

1. 2012 Fiat 500
Catch even the briefest glimpse of the Fiat 500 and just try not to smile at this Italian-designed cutie that’s tiny in size but massive when it comes to personality. Available as a hatchback or convertible, the perky 500 is the first new Fiat to be sold in America in nearly three decades.

New car warranties

One of the biggest advantages of buying a new vehicle is that they’re all covered by fairly extensive new car warranties. One thing that buyers, especially those with bad credit, should pay attention to is the length of these warranties, since they can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer.

One suggestion: if the vehicle you choose won’t be covered by the new car warranty for the entire loan term, you might want to consider purchasing an extended warranty (service contract) at the time of sale. For the most part, a typical new car extended warranty is usually very affordable since, at a minimum, the first 3 years or 36,000 miles is covered by the manufacturer.

The Bottom Line

Another excellent suggestion: Auto Credit Express specialize in helping applicants with auto credit issues find dealers for their best opportunity at auto loan approvals.

So if you’re ready to reestablish your car credit, you can begin now by filling out our online car loans application.

Tags: Bad Credit, New Cars

This entry was posted and is filed under New Cars. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.