When you’re drowning in bad credit but need a used car, you’re between a rock and a hard place. Tell you something you don’t know, right? Well, it’s not all bad news. Sure, you need reliable transportation to hold down a job, and hopefully, get your credit back on track. But just the very idea of applying for a bad credit car loan to actually purchase one of the used cars nearby, might prove paralyzing. As the saying goes, “well begun is half done,” so if you’ve even considered securing a used car despite your bad credit, you have, in fact, begun. So, let’s take you a bit further and see what used car options are out there that might feel more attainable and easier to approach from a bad credit lending standpoint.
Think you can’t afford an award-winning automaker’s offerings? Think again. Granted, you might really be surprised by the following suggestion, particularly if you’ve never considered yourself an environmental advocate or someone especially concerned with his or her carbon footprint. No matter – everyone needs a little identity shakeup now and again. Besides, if taking a second look at an option you’ve never before considered gets you in a used car that you can afford, you’ll be one step closer to reclaiming your credit history and moving in the right direction.
So, without further delay, let’s take a look at the merits – the affordable merits – of the Chevy Volt. Our particular target, based on the advice on industry experts and professional reviewers hails from the 2011 model year. Keep in mind, when this hybrid was first released, it’s starting MSRP was just a hair above $40,000. But now, six years later, it’s a cinch to cash in on a used version from the same model year for just shy of $13,000. A steal, if you ask us.
Now, this hybrid, for those who aren’t familiar, runs on both fuel and battery power. The combined efficiency ratings are 95 city/90 hwy MPGe. Bear in mind, on the battery power only, which is provided by a 16 kWh 360-volt lithium ion, the range you can travel is 35 miles. However, working in tandem, your range tops out at 300 miles before a fill up or charge. Pretty standard when compared to fuel-exclusive vehicles. The 2011 Volt has enough pep to get you on and off the ramp during your commute, backed by 149 horsepower.
The 2011 Volt was released as a one-trim only model, with seating for up to four passengers. So, if carpooling is an option at your company, chauffeur a few colleagues and show off your new-to-you ride. If you do, you can drive with the confidence that the 2011 Volt earned top safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which awarded the Volt its designation of Good in multiple tests, as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which rated the 2011 Volt at either four or five out of five possible stars, depending on specific safety rubrics.
Take charge (get it?) and give the 2011 Volt a chance to impress you and improve your credit standing.