As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2010

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

DriveTime Automotive, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

6141

27-1483732

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

4020 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85018

(602) 852-6600

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Jon D. Ehlinger

General Counsel

DriveTime Automotive, Inc.

4020 East Indian School Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85018

(602) 852-6600

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

Copies to:

Steven D. Pidgeon, Esq.

David P. Lewis, Esq.

DLA Piper LLP (US)

2525 East Camelback Road, Suite 1000

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

(480) 606-5100

Deanna L. Kirkpatrick, Esq.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 450-4000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Security To be Registered	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)	Amount of Registration Fee (2)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	$200,000,000	$14,260

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(2)	Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price, including the offering price of shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), shall determine.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated February 2, 2010

Preliminary Prospectus

LOGO

Common Stock

This is the initial public offering of common stock of DriveTime Automotive, Inc. We are offering shares of our common stock.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price of our common stock is expected to be between $ and $ per share. We intend to apply to list our common stock on the under the symbol “DTA.”

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13.


	Per Share	Total
Public offering price	$	$
Underwriting discounts and commissions	$	$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us	$	$

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to a maximum of additional shares of common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotment of shares, if any.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about , 2010.

Joint Book-Running Managers



Jefferies & Company		Stephens Inc.

Prospectus dated , 2010

Table of Contents


		Page
Prospectus Summary		1
Risk Factors		13
Forward-Looking Statements		30
Use of Proceeds		31
Dividend Policy		31
Capitalization		32
Dilution		34
Selected Financial and Other Data		36
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		40
Business		76
Management		91
Compensation Discussion and Analysis		96
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions		104
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock		108
Description of Capital Stock		110
Shares Eligible for Future Sale		115
Certain Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Common Stock		116
Underwriting		119
Legal Matters		124
Experts		124
Where You Can Find More Information		124
Glossary of Defined Terms		A-1
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-1

About This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.

Until , 2010 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers, whether or not participating in this offering, that effect transactions in these securities may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter in this offering and when selling previously unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Industry Data

Some of the industry and market data contained in this prospectus are based on independent industry publications or other publicly-available information, while other information is based on our internal sources. Although we believe that each source is reliable as of its respective date, the information contained in such sources has not been independently verified, and neither the underwriters nor we can assure you as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. As a result, you should be aware that the industry and market industry data contained in this prospectus, and beliefs and estimates based on such data, may not be reliable.

Prospectus Summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary sets forth the material terms of the offering, but does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully before making an investment decision, especially the risks of investing in our common stock described under “Risk Factors.” For a glossary of terms used in this prospectus, see Appendix A.

Overview

We are the leading used vehicle retailer in the United States focusing on the sale and financing of quality vehicles to the subprime market. Through our branded dealerships, we provide our customers with a comprehensive end-to-end solution for their automotive needs, including the sale, financing, and maintenance of their vehicle. As of September 30, 2009, we owned and operated 77 dealerships and 13 reconditioning facilities in 17 metropolitan areas in ten states. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, we sold 40,025 vehicles, generated $752.9 million of total revenue (which consisted of vehicle sales and interest income), and earned $29.6 million of pre-tax income, excluding gain on extinguishment of debt of $30.3 million. We provide our customers with financing for substantially all of the vehicles we sell. As of September 30, 2009, our loan portfolio had a total outstanding principal balance of $1.4 billion.

Over the past 17 years, we have developed an integrated business model that consists of vehicle acquisition, reconditioning, sales, underwriting and finance, loan servicing, and after sale support. We believe that our model enables us to operate successfully in the underserved subprime market segment. In addition, we believe that our model will allow us to systematically open new dealerships in existing and new markets throughout the United States.

We operate in the large and highly fragmented used vehicle sales and financing markets. According to CNW, for 2008, industry sales of used vehicles totaled $291.7 billion, which consisted of sales from approximately 57,000 franchise and independent dealers and private transactions. The five largest used vehicle retailers accounted for only 2.2% of the nationwide market share in 2008. At the end of 2008, total used vehicle loans outstanding approximated $813.6 billion and the subprime segment we focus on comprised 18.2% of total automobile loans outstanding. Within the subprime market, we cater to customers who have the income necessary to purchase a used vehicle, but because of their impaired credit histories, typically cannot qualify for financing from traditional third-party sources. Our customer is typically 25 to 55 years of age, has an annual income of $24,000 to $56,000, and has a credit score, as determined by Fair Isaac & Co. (“FICO”), between 450 and 570. FICO scores range from 350 to 850, and a customer with a FICO score below 620 is typically considered to have subprime credit.

We believe the key competitive factors to effectively serve customers in this market are: (i) availability of financing, (ii) affordability of down payments and installment payments, (iii) breadth and desirability of vehicle selection, (iv) quality of the vehicles and the warranty provided, and (v) convenience of dealership locations and customer service. In general, the other primary buying options for customers in this segment are to purchase older, higher mileage vehicles from small, independent used vehicle dealers, or in private transactions with individuals.

We believe that our business model has several advantages over our competition and that we provide our customers with a unique buying experience featuring:

(1)	branded, attractive dealership facilities, each of which maintains a large inventory of quality, reconditioned used vehicles;

(2)	professional and courteous service with “no haggle” pricing and a three day “no questions asked” return policy;

(3)	vehicle financing with affordable down payments and installment payments;

(4)	our DriveCare^® limited warranty program (included in the sales price of each vehicle) – a 36 month / 36,000 mile major mechanical warranty, including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance; and

(5)	numerous payment options, which include cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide, as well as online, by phone, and through other traditional payment methods.

To provide financing to our customers, we have traditionally relied upon portfolio warehouse facilities and securitization transactions.

Integrated business model

Our integrated business model is focused on giving our customers the ability to acquire quality used vehicles through six key activities:

•

Vehicle acquisition. We acquire inventory primarily from used vehicle auctions. Our centralized vehicle selection strategy takes into account many factors, including the retail value, age, and costs of buying, reconditioning, and delivering the vehicle for resale, along with buyer affordability and desirability. At September 30, 2009, we employed 26 buyers who average 6 years of experience with us. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, our buyers purchased 53,812 vehicles from 161 auctions nationwide.

•

Vehicle reconditioning and distribution. Subsequent to acquisition, vehicles are transported to one of our 13 regional reconditioning facilities, where we recondition the vehicles and perform a rigorous multi-point inspection for safety and operability. On average, we spend approximately $1,000 in reconditioning costs per vehicle sold, including parts and labor. Upon passing our quality assurance testing, we determine the distribution of vehicles to our dealerships based on current inventory mix and levels, along with sales patterns at each dealership.

•

Vehicle sales. We utilize targeted television, radio, and online advertising programs to promote our brand and encourage customers to complete an online credit application and visit our dealerships. Customers are guided through the buying process by our trained sales personnel who focus on financing terms, the quality and breadth of our vehicle selection, and after-sale support.

•

Underwriting and finance. Using information provided as part of the credit application process, our centralized proprietary credit scoring system determines a customer’s credit grade and the corresponding minimum down payment and maximum installment payment. We monitor the performance of our portfolio and close rates on a real-time basis, allowing us to centrally adjust pricing and financing terms to balance sales volumes and loan performance.

•

Loan servicing. We perform all servicing functions for our loan portfolio, from collections through the resale of repossessed vehicles. Our experienced collection staff utilizes our proprietary collection software, which we developed specifically for subprime auto loans. We use behavioral models designed to predict payment habits, as well as automated dialer and messaging systems to enhance collection efficiency. We utilize our buyers’ vehicle acquisition and sales expertise in representing our vehicles at auction in order to maximize the recovery value of repossessed vehicles.

•

After sale support. As part of the sale price, we provide a warranty on each vehicle we sell, and we recently extended our warranty program to cover 36 months / 36,000 miles, including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance. We self-administer our warranty program through our in-house team of customer service representatives, including warranty claim specialists who are certified mechanics, and our pre-approved vendor network of independent third-party repair facilities.

Industry overview

Used vehicle sales. The market for used vehicles is among the largest retail markets in the United States. According to CNW, in 2008 there were 36.5 million used vehicle sale transactions totaling $291.7 billion, representing 73% and 45% of the overall vehicle market by unit sales and dollar volume, respectively. The used vehicle retail industry is highly fragmented, with sales typically occurring through one of three channels: (i) the used vehicle retail operations of the approximately 18,500 manufacturers’ franchised new car dealerships, which represented 36.1% of industry sales in 2008, (ii) approximately 38,000 independent used vehicle dealerships, which represented 32.1% of industry sales in 2008, and (iii) individuals who sell used vehicles in private transactions, which represented 31.8% of industry sales in 2008.

Vehicle financing. According to CNW, at the end of 2009 there was in excess of $1.8 trillion in auto loans outstanding in the United States, of which 44.5% related to used vehicle sales. The industry is generally segmented by credit characteristics of the borrower (prime versus subprime). Originations for customers within the subprime market averaged $106.6 billion per annum (including originations for new and used vehicles) over the last five years. However, subprime automobile originations dropped to $58.6 billion in 2008, the lowest level in over 10 years.

Competitive strengths

We believe we have developed a flexible and adaptive business model that has enabled us to generate profits through the recent economic crisis and that also positions us for growth. Our competitive strengths consist of:

Industry leadership in the subprime auto sales and finance market. We are the leading used vehicle retailer in the United States focusing on the sale and financing of vehicles to the subprime market. We intend to continue to penetrate this highly fragmented market by expanding into new geographies and increasing sales in existing markets. We believe that with the processes we have developed we will be able to open dealerships with a relatively modest capital investment and achieve store profitability in most markets within six to 12 months of store opening.

End-to-end solution for our customers. We provide our customers with a comprehensive end-to-end solution for their automotive needs, including the sale, financing, and maintenance of their vehicle. To serve our customers, we sell quality used vehicles with affordable down payments and installment payments, and provide after sale support with our DriveCare^® limited warranty program. To facilitate customer payments we have expanded our customer payment programs to enable our customers to make cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide, along with traditional payment methods. We believe that we are the only dealership network operating in our target market that provides such a comprehensive solution.

each of these functions. We believe that our integrated business model and centralized operations enable us to carefully manage our business and provide consistent customer service, while providing us with a stable platform for growth.

Sophisticated and proprietary information-based systems and strategies. We have more than 17 years of experience in the subprime market and have developed sophisticated, proprietary systems and databases that help us manage each aspect of our business. We use our credit scoring system to classify customers into various credit grades defined by us based on historical loan performance. The credit grades are used to determine minimum down payments, maximum payment terms, and interest rates. We believe our ability to quantify each customer’s risk profile allows us to better predict loan performance, maintain the quality of our loan portfolio, and enhance our servicing and collections activities. We also believe that these models and databases enable us to rapidly adjust our business model to address changing market demands and customer trends.

Targeted marketing and branding. We have developed uniform television, radio, and online advertising campaigns focused on our ability to provide financing to our target market. Centered around the theme “Approved, Approved, Approved^®,” we believe our ad campaigns resonate with our credit-challenged customers by encouraging them to complete a credit application online to obtain pre-approval of their financing needs. Approximately 50% of our customers completed an online credit application before visiting a dealership in the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, up from approximately 30% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008. We believe our dealership network fosters our brand, featuring attractive facilities that showcase our DriveTime logos and color schemes. In addition, most of our dealerships are located in high traffic commercial districts and are newer and cleaner in appearance than competing, independent dealerships. In many markets, we maintain multiple dealerships and/or a sizeable dealership in a highly visible, high traffic, central location within the market, which we believe has assisted us in developing a leading market position and brand name recognition.

Highly experienced management team with strong operating track record. Our executive management team has centralized our operations, created our data-driven and adaptive business model, and implemented the highly leverageable dealership model we operate today. Our Chairman and sole shareholder, Ernest C. Garcia II, founded the Company 17 years ago. Raymond C. Fidel, our Chief Executive Officer and President; Mark G. Sauder, our Chief Financial Officer; Jon Ehlinger, our Secretary and General Counsel; and Al Appelman, our Chief Credit Officer, have each been with the Company or one of its affiliates for more than nine years. Our eight member senior management team has an average of over 11 years of relevant industry experience.

Business strategies

We intend to leverage our competitive strengths by implementing the following business strategies to expand our dealership base and market share and further distinguish ourselves as the leading used vehicle retailer to the subprime market:

each of our branded dealerships. We generally seek to expand into metropolitan areas in the United States with populations ranging from 500,000 to three million people that have customer demographic concentrations consistent with our target market and that have favorable operating environments. As of December 31, 2009, we had dealerships in 17 of 77 of such metropolitan areas.

Implement business model enhancements. We are implementing enhancements to our business model in order to further distinguish our operations from traditional “buy-here, pay-here” dealerships. Unlike traditional stores serving our market, which require customers to physically make periodic payments at the dealership, we have created programs that will allow our customers to make cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide, as well as online, by phone, and through other traditional payment methods. Beginning in December 2009, all of our new stores will open with no collectors and no payments in stores, along with a sales compensation structure weighted more toward salaries than commissions. In addition, we are in the process of consolidating collections for accounts less than 45 days past due at our facility in Dallas, Texas, which will result in the consolidation of all collections at two central facilities. These business model enhancements are intended to provide our customers the best experience available in our market, along with further expanding our market leadership position.

Continue to enhance our credit scoring models, business analytics, and technology platforms. We believe continuous enhancement of our industry-leading analytics, processes, and systems is a key driver to our future growth and profitability. We are developing our seventh generation proprietary credit scoring model, which expands and refines the variables utilized by prior generations of scoring models. We intend to continue our efforts to enhance and expand our analytics platform, improve our management information systems and databases, enhance our website and call center systems, and improve our customer lead tracking software and sales systems. We believe that these improvements will serve to expand our competitive edge.

Maintain a strong balance sheet to support the growth of our business. Historically, we have been able to access credit markets not typically available to auto dealerships and finance companies serving our customers in the subprime market. We believe that this success is attributable to our size, centralized operations, track record, and strong balance sheet. At September 30, 2009, giving effect to this offering, on a pro forma basis, we will have total equity of approximately $ million and a ratio of total assets to total equity of . We intend to continue to maintain our strong capital and liquidity position to support our growth plans and to provide us with the necessary resources to protect against disruptions in the capital markets.

Recent developments

Our recent financial performance and liquidity were impacted by the turmoil in the credit markets, the deterioration of the securitization market, and the effects of the recession on our customers. Beginning in 2008, we tightened our loan underwriting standards and closed selected dealerships to improve loan performance, reduce origination volume, and reduce operating expenses, and continued to improve operational efficiencies through centralization of certain key functions. We also secured alternative sources of financing, albeit at a substantially higher cost of funds.

In December 2009, we completed our first securitization transaction since June 2007 by issuing $192.6 million of asset-backed securities, which are collateralized by approximately $300.0 million of finance receivables. The asset- backed securities are structured in four tranches with credit ratings ranging from AAA to A, without external credit enhancement from a monoline insurer. The weighted average coupon of these four tranches was 5.3%. A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any

time. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and capital resources – Financing sources – Portfolio term financings” for additional information regarding securities ratings.

We believe that with greater access to capital and stabilizing credit markets, we are poised to resume growth of our dealership network.

Recapitalization and other related party transactions

Prior to this offering, Ernest C. Garcia II was our sole beneficial shareholder. As described elsewhere in this prospectus, at December 31, 2009, Verde Investments, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Mr. Garcia, is the holder of all of our outstanding $75.0 million 12% subordinated notes and the holder of $60.1 million of our junior secured notes ($36.1 million of which bear interest at 22% per annum and $24.0 million of which bear interest at 27% per annum).

In connection with this offering, Verde has agreed to exchange an aggregate of $100.0 million of subordinated notes and junior secured notes for shares of our newly-designated 6.5% convertible preferred stock. These shares of preferred stock, which will vote on an as-converted-to-common-stock basis, will be convertible into shares of our common stock at 115% of the initial public offering price of shares of our common stock sold in this offering, and the shares may be redeemed, at our option, if the closing price of our common stock is 150% or higher than the initial public offering price for 30 consecutive trading days. See “Description of Capital Stock.” The remaining $35.1 million in indebtedness payable to Verde will be repaid with a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

In addition, at September 30, 2009, we leased 17 of our dealerships, three of our reconditioning centers, and two additional properties from Verde and other affiliates of Mr. Garcia, and one dealership and one reconditioning facility from Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law. Of these properties, we remain obligated on leases relating to eight locations that we have vacated due to closures in 2008 and 2009. In connection with this offering, Verde, the other affiliates of Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law will transfer the real estate that we currently lease from them to us (including the vacated properties) and the related lease obligations will be terminated. The properties owned by Verde and other affiliates of Mr. Garcia will be transferred to us at their aggregate carrying value of $30.9 million. The aggregate fair market value of these properties (based on 2008 appraisals) was approximately $50.4 million. The properties owned by Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law will be transferred to us for $2.0 million, replacing a total lease obligation of $3.2 million. We will incur or assume any indebtedness associated with these properties. We anticipate the cash outlay to purchase the properties to be up to $10.0 million depending on the availability of mortgage financing. We also have various other relationships with affiliates of Mr. Garcia that are being terminated in connection with this offering. See “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors affecting comparability,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

About DriveTime

Corporation (DTAC), which was incorporated in Arizona in 2003 as a sister company to DTAG and focuses on financing activities. Our principal executive offices are located at 4020 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, and our telephone number is (602) 852-6600. Our website is located at www.drivetime.com. We also maintain marketing websites, including www.goforapproval.com (for television campaigns), www.militarymerit.com (for military campaigns), and www.go4approval.com (for yellow page campaigns). The information on, or accessible through, our websites does not constitute a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

Offering Summary

Common stock offered by us

shares (or shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)

Over-allotment option

Common stock outstanding after this offering

shares (or shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full)

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million, or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, based on the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

As described in “Use of Proceeds” we intend to use $35.1 million of the proceeds of this offering to retire subordinated notes and junior secured notes payable to Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, that are not exchanged for shares of preferred stock, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, $2.0 million to retire junior secured notes that are held by Raymond C. Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and $ million to repay amounts outstanding under our portfolio warehouse facility. Repaying amounts outstanding under our portfolio warehouse facility will increase our availability under this facility. We intend to use up to $10 million of the proceeds of this offering to fund the acquisition of properties currently leased by us from related parties, the actual amount of which will depend on the availability of mortgage financing. We intend to use the remaining proceeds, including any proceeds we receive from the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, to pay the expenses of this offering and for general corporate purposes.

Dividend policy

We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock following our initial public offering.

Risk factors

You should carefully read and consider the information set forth under the heading titled “Risk Factors” and all other information set forth in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

Proposed symbol

DTA

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding following this offering is based on shares of our common stock outstanding as of , 2010, and excludes shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our stock-based compensation plans.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes the following:

•

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to additional shares from us; and

•

the rounding of all fractional share amounts to the nearest whole number.

Summary Financial and Other Data

The following table sets forth summary financial and other data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The summary consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, have been derived from our audited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006 has been derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operations for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2008 and 2009, have been derived from our unaudited financial statements, which are presented elsewhere in this prospectus and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such data. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our results for any future period.

You should read the following financial and other data in conjunction with “Selected Financial and Other Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.


	Years Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006			2007		2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
									(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Revenue:
Sales of used vehicles	$	808,131		$	963,621	$	796,750		$	657,272		$	563,985
Interest income		220,683			250,628		261,875			198,908			188,950

Total revenue		1,028,814			1,214,249		1,058,625			856,180			752,935

Costs and expenses:
Cost of used vehicles sold		498,365			575,234		477,255			396,008			315,638
Provision for credit losses		192,010			283,407		300,884			221,669			175,612
Secured debt interest expense		47,748			63,719		74,749			53,882			71,283
Unsecured debt interest expense		10,076			12,982		22,333			15,914			13,269
Selling and marketing		35,330			36,210		28,644			23,600			24,308
General and administrative		151,999			154,018		157,311			122,704			113,561
Depreciation expense		11,600			15,784		14,088			10,558			9,627
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net ⁽¹⁾		—			—		(19,699	)		(10,254	)		(30,311	)

Total costs and expenses		947,128			1,141,354		1,055,565			834,081			692,987

Income before income taxes		81,686			72,895		3,060			22,099			59,948
Income tax expense (benefit) ⁽²⁾		(1,426	)		1,000		1,090			940			770

Net income	$	83,112		$	71,895	$	1,970		$	21,159		$	59,178


	Years Ended December 31,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
										(Unaudited)
Pro Forma Income Information:
Historical income before income tax expense	$	81,686		$	72,895		$	3,060		$	22,099		$	59,948
Pro forma initial public offering adjustments ⁽³⁾		—			—			—			—			39,226

Pro forma income before pro forma income tax expense		81,686			72,895			3,060			22,099			99,174
Pro forma provision for income taxes ⁽⁴⁾		32,409			29,092			1,701			9,111			39,075

Pro forma net income	$	49,277		$	43,803		$	1,359		$	12,988		$	60,099

Pro forma net income margin ⁽⁵⁾		4.8	%		3.6	%		0.1	%		1.5	%		8.0	%

Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA ⁽⁶⁾	$	105,218		$	104,783		$	31,831		$	48,548		$	72,913
Adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽⁷⁾		10.2	%		8.6	%		3.0	%		5.7	%		9.7	%
Pro forma adjusted EBITDA ⁽⁶⁾													$	89,252
Pro forma adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽⁷⁾														11.9	%


	As of and for the Years Ended December 31,									As of and For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands, except per vehicle sold data)
	(Unaudited)
Dealerships:
Dealerships in operation at end of period		97			103			86			86			77
Average number of vehicles sold per dealership per month		54			55			49			54			56

Retail Sales:
Number of used vehicles sold		60,324			66,922			55,415			45,795			40,025
Average age of vehicles sold (in years)		4.1			3.9			4.1			4.2			4.1
Average mileage of vehicles sold		66,236			64,898			67,428			67,226			67,325
Per vehicle sold data:
Average sales price	$	13,397		$	14,399		$	14,378		$	14,352		$	14,091
Average cost of vehicle sold	$	8,261		$	8,596		$	8,612		$	8,647		$	7,886
Average gross margin	$	5,136		$	5,803		$	5,766		$	5,705		$	6,205

Loan Portfolio:
Principal balances originated	$	799,363		$	959,517		$	789,360		$	649,994		$	556,252
Average amount financed per origination	$	13,254		$	14,341		$	14,250		$	14,199		$	13,901
Number of loans outstanding – end of period		112,040			124,228			125,070			129,788			130,042
Principal outstanding – end of period	$	1,104,325		$	1,343,085		$	1,342,855		$	1,409,161		$	1,361,259
Average principal outstanding during the period	$	1,032,408		$	1,271,678		$	1,410,292		$	1,416,292		$	1,368,969
Average effective yield on portfolio ⁽⁸⁾		21.5	%		20.0	%		19.3	%		19.4	%		19.3	%
Portfolio performance data:
Portfolio delinquencies over 30 days ⁽⁹⁾		7.2	%		8.6	%		9.4	%		9.5	%		7.1	%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal ⁽¹⁰⁾		15.8	%		18.2	%		21.4	%		19.9	%		18.1	%

Financing and Liquidity:
Unrestricted cash and availability ⁽¹¹⁾	$	121,664		$	126,309		$	50,232		$	55,162		$	109,913
Net debt to equity ⁽¹²⁾		3.0			3.5			3.6			3.4			2.8
Weighted average effective borrowing rate on total debt ⁽¹³⁾		6.6	%		7.2	%		8.4	%		8.1	%		10.7	%


	December 31,									September 30,
	2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
										(Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,483		$	42,241		$	25,533		$	41,534		$	25,525
Restricted cash and investments held in trust ⁽¹⁴⁾	$	131,221		$	107,271		$	71,223		$	75,534		$	52,706
Finance receivables ⁽¹⁵⁾	$	1,129,509		$	1,375,961		$	1,375,019		$	1,443,201		$	1,391,387
Allowance for credit losses	$	(192,150	)	$	(244,034	)	$	(242,600	)	$	(254,134	)	$	(232,643	)
Inventory	$	122,460		$	136,642		$	100,211		$	78,394		$	86,231
Total assets	$	1,349,649		$	1,532,060		$	1,447,152		$	1,502,130		$	1,426,919
Secured debt	$	912,874		$	1,038,191		$	912,201		$	930,150		$	948,709
Unsecured debt	$	77,064		$	131,823		$	194,866		$	207,289		$	76,483
Total debt ⁽¹⁶⁾	$	989,938		$	1,170,014		$	1,107,067		$	1,137,439		$	1,025,192
Shareholder’s equity	$	272,484		$	293,185		$	282,422		$	301,611		$	341,600

(1)	During the year ended December 31, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, we repurchased outstanding indebtedness in the amounts of $96.0 million, $62.1 million, and $135.2 million, respectively, at a discount to par, resulting in gains on extinguishment of debt.

(2)

We elected to be treated as an S-corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. There is no provision for income taxes in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, except for a reduced amount of entity level state tax in certain jurisdictions, and for one of our subsidiaries which is a C-corporation. Income and losses flow through to our shareholders, who report such income and losses on their individual income tax returns.

(3)

Pro forma initial public offering adjustments represent adjustments to income before income taxes as if the offering set forth herein was consummated on January 1, 2009. Included in this adjustment are the following assumptions: (i) net savings of $8.4 million from the termination of related party leases (which includes cancellation of lease payments and $5.0 million of one-time write-offs of lease liabilities and deferred rent), offset by depreciation expense on properties acquired and mortgage interest incurred to finance the properties; (ii) net savings of $30.8 million in interest expense from repayment of subordinated notes payable, junior secured notes, senior unsecured notes payable, and reduction in average outstanding balances under portfolio warehouse facilities as a result of the paydown of these debt instruments from net proceeds from the offering.

(4)	Pro forma income tax expense has been determined as if we elected to be treated as a C-corporation as of January 1, 2006 for federal and state income tax purposes for the years and periods presented.

(5)	Pro forma net income margin represents pro forma net income divided by total revenue.

(6)

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus income tax expense; plus non-portfolio interest expense (which includes interest expense associated with our senior unsecured notes, subordinated notes, junior secured notes, and former residual facility); plus depreciation expense; plus store closing costs; plus legal settlement; less gain on extinguishment of debt, net.

However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP and when analyzing our operating performance, investors should use Adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net income, operating income, or any other performance measure presented in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, as discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Non-GAAP discussion.”

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted EBITDA on a pro forma basis to give effect to the offering as if the offering were consummated on January 1, 2009.

The following table presents data relating to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:


	Years Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006			2007		2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
Net income	$	83,112		$	71,895	$	1,970		$	21,159		$	59,178
Plus: income tax expense (benefit)		(1,426	)		1,000		1,090			940			770
Plus: non-portfolio interest expense		11,932			16,104		26,545			18,231			23,208
Plus: depreciation expense		11,600			15,784		14,088			10,558			9,627
Plus: store closing costs		—			—		7,837			7,914			2,841
Plus: legal settlement		—			—		—			—			7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—			—		(19,699	)		(10,254	)		(30,311	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	105,218		$	104,783	$	31,831		$	48,548		$	72,913

The following table presents data relating to pro forma adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the period indicated:


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
Pro forma net income	$	60,099
Plus: Pro forma EBITDA adjustments
Pro forma income tax expense		39,075
Pro forma depreciation expense		9,948
Pro forma store closing costs		2,841
Pro forma legal settlement		7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt		(30,311	)

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA	$	89,252

(7)	Adjusted EBITDA margin and pro forma adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA and pro forma adjusted EBITDA, respectively, divided by total revenue.

(8)

Average effective yield represents the interest income earned at the contractual rate (stated APR) less the write-off of accrued interest on charged-off loans and amortization of loan origination costs (which includes the write-off of unamortized loan origination costs on charged-off loans), plus interest earned on investments held in trust and late fees earned.

(9)	Delinquencies are presented on a Sunday-to-Sunday basis, which reflects delinquencies as of the nearest Sunday to period end. Sunday is used to eliminate any impact of the day of the week on delinquencies, since delinquencies tend to be higher mid-week.

(10)	Net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009 are annualized.

(11)	Unrestricted cash and availability consists of cash and cash equivalents plus available borrowings under the portfolio warehouse, residual, and inventory facilities, based on assets pledged or available to be pledged to the facilities.

(12)	Net debt to equity equals total debt less cash, restricted cash, and investments held in trust, divided by shareholder’s equity.

(13)	Weighted average effective borrowing rate includes the effect of amortization of discounts, debt issuance costs, and unused line fees.

(14)	Restricted cash and investments held in trust consist of cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral under securitization transactions and the portfolio warehouse facilities.

(15)	Finance receivables include principal balances, accrued interest, and capitalized loan origination costs.

(16)	Total debt excludes accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities.

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment in our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risks and the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The risks described below are those that we believe are the material risks we face. Any of the risks described below, and others that we did not anticipate, could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks related to our business

We require substantial capital to finance our business. In 2010, a substantial portion of the borrowing we use to originate loans will expire and we will need to obtain loan extensions, refinancings, or new financings to fund our operations and growth plans.

We have borrowed, and will continue to borrow, substantial amounts of capital to fund our operations, and a substantial portion of this debt will need to be extended or refinanced in 2010. If we cannot obtain the financing we need, or cannot do so on a timely basis and on favorable terms, our liquidity could be materially adversely affected.

At September 30, 2009, we had approximately $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding, which included $50.0 million under our $60.0 million inventory facility that matures in August 2010 and $168.7 million under our $250.0 million portfolio warehouse facility that is due to expire in December 2010. Subject to certain conditions, amounts outstanding at termination are not due and payable immediately, and the collections on contracts collateralizing the facility are used to pay down the facility.

We historically have restored capacity under our portfolio warehouse facilities from time to time by securitizing portfolios of finance receivables. However, the securitization market has experienced significant disruptions in recent periods, and our ability to successfully and efficiently complete securitizations has recently been and may be affected by several factors, including the:

•

condition of financial markets generally;

•

conditions in the asset-backed securities markets specifically;

•

financial condition and ratings of monoline insurers; and

•

the performance of our portfolio.

Due to the disruption in the securitization market, we launched our PALP program to serve as the primary source of fixed-rate financing for our finance receivable portfolio. Under PALP, we pool loans originated at our dealerships and sell them to either (i) a special purpose entity that transfers the loans to a separate trust that, in turn, issues a note collateralized by the loans; or (ii) directly to a third-party financial institution to yield a specified return. If we are unable to continue financing our portfolio through securitizing our receivables or selling our finance receivables in secured financing arrangements, this would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our funding strategy and liquidity position have been significantly adversely affected by the ongoing stress in the credit markets that began in the middle of 2007. These adverse conditions reached unprecedented levels during 2008

and continued through third quarter of 2009. The credit markets remain highly volatile and access to liquidity has been significantly reduced. Beginning in 2007, we secured alternative sources of financing, albeit at a substantially higher cost of funds. We also sold $75.0 million in subordinated debt and $24.0 million in junior secured debt to Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder. As a public company, we may not be able to secure similar alternative financing, and it could become more difficult to renew loans and facilities as many lenders and counterparties are also facing liquidity and capital challenges as a result of the current stress in the financial markets. In addition, a single lender is a party to our revolving inventory facility and a participant in the PALP transactions pursuant to which we finance a significant amount of our receivables. If this lender were to cease its lending activities with respect to us and we are not able to find a replacement lender on favorable terms or at all, this would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, and if we are found to be in violation of any of the federal, state, or local laws or regulations applicable to us, our business could suffer. We are also subject to numerous legal and administrative proceedings which, if the outcomes are adverse to us, could adversely affect our business, operating results, and prospects.

The automotive retailing and finance industries are subject to a wide range of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, such as local licensing requirements, and retail financing, debt collection, consumer protection, environmental, health and safety, creditor, wage-hour, anti-discrimination, and other employment practices laws and regulations. The violation of these or future requirements or laws and regulations can result in administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions against us, which may include a cease and desist order against the subject operations or even revocation or suspension of our license to operate the subject business. As a result, we have incurred and will continue to incur capital and operating expenditures and other costs to comply with these requirements and laws and regulations. Further, over the past several years, private plaintiffs and federal, state, and local regulatory and law enforcement authorities have increased their scrutiny of advertising, sales, financing, and insurance activities in the sale and leasing of motor vehicles. In addition, many state attorneys general have been increasingly active in the area of consumer protection. We are also subject, and may be subject in the future, to inquiries and audits from state and federal regulators. There can be no assurance that such activities will not continue in the future or have a material adverse effect on our business.

From time to time to time, we may be involved in various legal and administrative proceedings. We are also currently the subject of investigative inquiries from the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of Texas Attorney General. See “Business – Legal proceedings.” It is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings or any claims made against us, and the outcome of any such proceedings or claims could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, or financial condition.

Changes in laws, regulations, or policies may adversely affect our business.

The laws and regulations governing our lending, servicing, debt collection, and insurance activities or the regulatory or enforcement environment at the federal level or in any of the states in which we operate may change at any time and may have an adverse effect on our business. New legislation, including proposals to substantially reform the financial institution regulatory system, is being considered by the current Congress and new legislative proposals will from time to time continue to be introduced in Congress in the future. It is possible that, in response to the recent economic conditions and the financial crisis, laws and regulations will be changed in ways that will require us to modify our business models or objectives.

For instance, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, which would create a federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency with broad powers to regulate consumer financial products or services. Similar legislation is currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate as part of the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2009 proposed by the Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd. The creation of a federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency has been the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s financial regulatory reform initiatives before Congress. We expect that if the legislation creating the federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency, whether in the form of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or the Restoring American Financial Stability Act, is enacted into law, it will apply to us and may increase our cost of doing business, impose new restrictions on the way in which we conduct our business, or add significant operational constraints that might impair our profitability.

Furthermore, Congress has previously considered and may in the future adopt various forms of legislation designed to spur automobile sales. Depending on the legislation that is adopted, if any, these incentives may only be available to consumers who purchase new vehicles or vehicles achieving high fuel-efficiency standards. If these incentives are limited solely to purchasers of new vehicles, or if we are unable to maintain an inventory of vehicles achieving the mandated fuel-efficiency standards, this legislation could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are unable to predict how these or any other future legislative proposals or programs will be administered or implemented or in what form, or whether any additional or similar changes to statutes or regulations, including the interpretation or implementation thereof, will occur in the future. Any such action could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our inability to remain in compliance with regulatory requirements in a particular jurisdiction could have a material adverse effect on our operations in that market and on our reputation generally. No assurance can be given that applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed differently or that new laws and regulations will not be adopted, either of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

There is a high degree of risk associated with borrowers with subprime credit. The allowance for credit losses that we have established to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio may not be sufficient or may need to be substantially increased, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Substantially all of the sales financing we extend and the loans that we service are with borrowers with subprime credit. Loans to borrowers with subprime credit have lower collection rates and are subject to higher loss rates than loans to borrowers with prime credit. Although we began tightening our loan underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008, there can be no assurance that we will continue to apply such tightened loan underwriting standards in the future in light of changing economic or market conditions or any other factors.

We maintain an allowance for credit losses to cover losses on an aggregate basis at a level we consider sufficient to cover estimated losses inherent in our portfolio of receivables. On a quarterly basis we review and may make upward or downward adjustments to the allowance. However, our allowance may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our portfolio, and we may need to increase our allowance for reasons related to, among other things, the continued weak economic environment and deterioration of the housing market, or significant increases in delinquencies or charge-offs. A significant variation in the timing of or increase in credit losses in our portfolio or a substantial increase in our allowance or provision for credit losses would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our focus on customers with subprime credit may raise concerns on the part of future business partners, lenders, counterparties, and regulators and may adversely affect our business.

We focus on the subprime segment of the used vehicle sales and financing market and provide loans to borrowers with subprime credit who, as a class, have lower collection rates and are subject to higher loss rates than prime and near prime borrowers. In addition, the subprime industry has been the subject of extensive media attention, enhanced regulatory scrutiny, and Congressional hearings as a result of what has been characterized as inappropriate consumer practices by subprime lenders in the mortgage industry.

These issues may raise concerns on the part of future business partners, lenders, counterparties, and regulators. As a result, we are unable to assess whether, and to what extent, they may have an adverse effect on our business in the future, including on our reputation, revenues and profitability. In particular, we cannot predict whether these issues may negatively affect our ability to obtain new financing to support our operations or any necessary regulatory approvals in connection with our plans to expand our business, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We have recently made, and we continue to make, changes to our business plan, and there can be no assurance that these changes will be successful. These changes could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

We have recently made, and we continue to make, changes to our business plan, including, among others, the following:

•

we began tightening our loan underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008;

•

we began consolidating collections for accounts between 1-45 days past due at our new Dallas collection center, which, when completed, will result in the removal of all collection activities from our dealerships and the consolidation of such activities at our two central collection facilities;

•

we have recently expanded our warranty program by offering a new 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty, including oil changes at any Sears automotive location and 24/7 roadside assistance;

•

we have expanded our customer payment programs to enable our customers to make cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide; and

•

we are opening new dealerships without payment windows and intend to remove payment windows from existing dealerships during 2010.

There can be no assurance that any of these or other changes will be successful, and these and other changes could have unintended consequences and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. These changes also involve numerous other risks, including the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.

Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to make scheduled payments on our debt obligations will depend on our future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive, and business factors, many of which are outside of our control. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments, or seeking to raise additional capital. The terms of the agreements that govern our indebtedness contain limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness. We cannot assure you that any

refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds realized from those sales, or that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or would be permitted under the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness then outstanding. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, as well as on our ability to satisfy our debt obligations.

Our substantial debt could have adverse effects on our business and we may incur additional indebtedness in the future.

As of September 30, 2009, we had approximately $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 we incurred $84.6 million in interest expense. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and capital resources.” In addition, we may incur additional debt in the future, subject to certain limitations contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness. For example, we will incur or assume any indebtedness associated with the acquisition of properties from related parties that we intend to complete in connection with this offering. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” The degree to which we are leveraged could have adverse effects on our business, including:

•

our ability to obtain additional financing in the future may be impaired;

•

a significant portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on our debt, and related expenses, which reduces the funds available to us for our operations;

•

some of our debt is and will continue to be at variable rates of interest, which may result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in market interest rates;

•

the agreements that govern our indebtedness contain, and any agreements to refinance our indebtedness likely will contain, financial and restrictive covenants, and our failure to comply with such covenants may result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of that indebtedness and trigger an event of default under other indebtedness;

•

our level of indebtedness will increase our vulnerability to general economic downturns and adverse industry conditions;

•

our debt service obligations could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our industry; and

•

our substantial leverage could place us at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis our competitors who have less leverage relative to their overall capital structures.

Our failure to comply with the agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness, including as a result of events beyond our control, could result in an event of default.

The agreements that govern our indebtedness contain, and any agreements that govern future indebtedness may contain, covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on, among other things, our ability to:

•

incur additional debt;

•

incur liens;

•

sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

•

make investments, loans, or advances;

•

engage in merger and acquisition activity;

•

pay dividends, redeem capital stock, or make certain other restricted payments or investments;

•

engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions;

•

enter into new lines of business; and

•

enter into transactions with our affiliates.

The agreements that govern our indebtedness also contain certain covenants relating to the performance of our portfolio, which ultimately impacts the manner in which we operate our business. For example, the advance rate on our portfolio warehouse facility may be reduced if our portfolio does not perform as expected. The agreements governing any future indebtedness could contain financial and other covenants more restrictive than those that are currently applicable to us.

Failure to comply with the agreements governing our indebtedness could result in an event of default under one or more such agreements, could cause cross-defaults on other agreements governing our indebtedness, and could prevent us from securing alternate sources of funds necessary to operate our business. Any of these events would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. From time to time, we have breached technical or other covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness, and we have obtained waivers from the applicable lenders. In a future event of default, there can be no assurance we will be able to receive waivers, and our inability to obtain these waivers may have a material adverse impact on our business.

Interest rates affect our profitability and cash flows and an increase in interest rates will increase our interest expense and lower our profitability and liquidity.

Much of our financing income results from the difference between the rate of interest that we pay on the funds we borrow and the rate of interest that we earn on the finance receivables in our portfolio. While we earn interest on our finance receivables at a fixed rate, we pay interest on certain of our borrowings at floating rates. When interest rates increase, our interest expense increases. Increases in our interest expense that we cannot offset by increases in interest income could have a material adverse impact on our profitability and liquidity. Correspondingly, a significant reduction in our average APR could have a material adverse impact on our profitability, if not offset by a corresponding reduction in our loan losses or borrowing costs.

Our proprietary credit scoring system may not perform as expected and fail to properly quantify the credit risks associated with our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We have developed, and revise from time to time, complex proprietary credit scoring models that use traditional and non-traditional variables to classify our customers into various risk grades that are tied to loan parameters. There is no guarantee that our credit scoring models will perform as intended or that they will perform in future market conditions. Failure of our credit scoring models to properly quantify the credit risks associated with our customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information furnished to us by or on behalf of our customers. If we and our systems are unable to detect any misrepresentations in this information, this could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our typical customers have limited or no credit histories. In deciding whether to extend credit to customers, we rely heavily on information furnished to us by or on behalf of our customers, including employment and personal financial information. If a significant percentage of our customers intentionally or negligently misrepresented any of this information, and we and our systems did not detect such misrepresentations, this could have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively manage our credit risk, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

General economic conditions and their effect on automobile sales may adversely affect our business.

Vehicle sales in the United States have declined significantly in recent periods. Many factors affect the industry, including general economic conditions, consumer confidence, the level of personal discretionary income, interest rates, and credit availability. The deteriorating economic and market conditions that have driven the decline in vehicle sales may not improve for the foreseeable future, and if such conditions improve, we cannot assure you that the industry will not experience sustained periods of decline in vehicle sales in the future. Any further or future decline could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may be required to further reduce the scope of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We have recently contracted our operations as a result of the economic crisis. If we are required to further reduce the scope of our operations, we face certain additional risks, including risks related to:

•

an inability to obtain anticipated cost reductions;

•

increased portfolio losses related to closed stores;

•

legal and regulatory risks related to closed stores and lay-offs, including the risk of lawsuits;

•

vandalism, theft, or other damages to vacant stores;

•

diversion of management’s attention from normal business operations; and

•

failure to generate sufficient cash flows to help fund our operations.

If we were to lose the right to service our portfolio of receivables, this could result in decreased collections, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We retain the right to service all receivables that we finance, including those pledged as collateral to our portfolio warehouse facility and those sold to a securitization trust or in connection with our PALP transactions. We are entitled to a fee for our servicing activities, typically equal to 4% of the value of receivables being serviced. As of September 30, 2009, our serviced loan portfolio consisted of over 130,000 active accounts, with a total outstanding principal balance of $1.4 billion. Subject to certain conditions, if we experience an event of default under the agreements governing our financing arrangements, we may lose the right to service our receivables. Loss of this right could have a material adverse effect on our revenues. In addition, if we lose our servicing rights, transitioning servicing activities to a third party could result in interruptions in collections, which could decrease the likelihood that the receivables will be repaid. Moreover, a replacement servicer might lack the requisite experience in servicing such receivables. As a result, we may experience decreased collections, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations and the finance receivables we generate are concentrated geographically, and a downturn in the economies or markets in which we operate could adversely affect vehicle sales and collections.

As of September 30, 2009, we operated our dealerships in ten states. Adverse economic conditions, natural disasters, or other factors affecting any state or region where high concentrations of our customers reside could adversely affect vehicle sales and collections. If adverse economic conditions, natural disasters, or other factors occur that affect the regions in which we do business, or if borrowers in these regions experience financial difficulties, a significant number of borrowers may not be able to make timely loan payments, if at all, or may be more prone to filing for bankruptcy protection, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may experience seasonal and other fluctuations in our results of operations.

Sales of motor vehicles historically have been subject to substantial cyclical variation characterized by periods of oversupply and weak demand. We believe that many factors affect the industry, including consumer confidence in the economy, the level of personal discretionary spending, interest rates, fuel prices, credit availability, and unemployment rates. A recession or an industry or general economic slowdown could materially adversely impact our business.

Historically, we have experienced higher revenues in the first quarter of the calendar year than in the last three quarters of the calendar year. We believe these results are due to seasonal buying patterns resulting in part because many of our customers receive income tax refunds during the first quarter of the year, which are a primary source of down payments on used vehicle purchases. Our loan performance also has historically followed a seasonal pattern with delinquencies and charge-offs being the highest in the second half of the year. Accordingly, our results in any quarter may not indicate the results we may achieve in any subsequent quarter or for the full year. A significant portion of our general and administrative expenses do not vary proportionately with fluctuations in revenues. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal patterns. Such patterns may change, however, due to factors affecting the automotive industry or otherwise.

Our failure to effectively manage our growth could harm our business, we may not be able to access the additional financing required to fund our growth, and our plans to expand our operations will expose us to increased legal and regulatory risks that may adversely affect our business.

We intend to grow our operations by opening new dealerships, many of which are expected to be located in markets in which we currently do not operate. This growth may result in the incurrence of additional debt and amortization of expenses, all of which could adversely affect our profitability and liquidity. Moreover, growth and expansion of our operations may place a significant strain on our resources and increase demands on our executive management team, management information and reporting systems, financial management controls and personnel, and regulatory compliance systems and personnel. Although we grew from 74 dealerships at the start of 2004 to 103 dealerships at the end of 2007, we experienced a contraction in our dealership base, and operated 77 dealerships at September 30, 2009. We may not be able to expand our operations or effectively manage or integrate our expanding operations, or achieve planned growth on a timely or profitable basis. If we are unable to achieve our planned growth or manage our growth effectively, we may experience operating inefficiencies and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, expansion into new states will increase our legal and regulatory risk. Our failure or alleged failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations in any new jurisdiction, and ensuing inquiries or investigations by

regulatory and enforcement authorities, may result in regulatory action, including suspension or revocation of one or more of our licenses, civil or criminal penalties, or other disciplinary actions, and restrictions on or suspension of some or all of our business operations. As a result, our business could suffer, our reputation could be harmed, and we could be subject to additional legal risk. This could, in turn, increase the size and number of claims and damages asserted against us, subject us to regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, or other proceedings, or lead to increased regulatory or supervisory concerns. We may also be required to spend additional time and resources on any remedial measures, which could have an adverse effect on our business. We cannot predict the timing or form of any current or future regulatory or law enforcement initiatives, and any such initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive environment, and if we are unable to compete with our competitors, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our primary competitors are the numerous small “buy-here, pay-here” dealerships, independent used vehicle dealers, and used vehicle departments of franchise dealers that operate in the subprime segment of the used vehicle sales industry, and the banks and finance companies that purchase their loans. There is no assurance that we can successfully distinguish ourselves from our competitors or compete in this industry in a cost-effective manner or at all. In addition, periodically larger companies with significant financial and other resources have entered or announced plans to enter the used vehicle sales and/or finance industry, or relax their credit standards and compete with us, at least at the upper end of our customer segment. These dealerships also compete with us in areas such as the purchase of inventory, which can result in increased wholesale costs for used vehicles and lower margins, and the dealerships and finance companies could also enter into direct competition with us at any time at the lower end of the subprime market.

Increased competition may cause downward pressure on the interest rates that we charge on finance receivables originated by our dealerships, or lower margins, or may cause an increase in our operating costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

If we are unable to obtain sufficient numbers of used vehicles for our inventory in a cost-effective manner, our operations and financial results will be adversely impacted.

We require a large number of quality used vehicles for our dealerships. We acquire a significant proportion of our used-vehicle inventory primarily through two auctions companies. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we acquired approximately 94% of our vehicles at auction, and approximately 86% of our vehicles from these two auction companies. To a lesser extent, we also acquire used vehicles from wholesalers, franchised and independent dealers, and fleet owners, such as leasing companies and rental companies. The sources from which we can purchase vehicles of a quality and in a quantity acceptable to us are limited, and there is substantial competition to acquire the vehicles we purchase. We may not be able to obtain sufficient inventory in a cost-effective manner or at all. In this regard, recent declines in new vehicle sales and a reduced number of vehicles that are eligible for daily rental will adversely impact the availability and quality of future inventory. A reduction in the availability of sufficient quantities of quality vehicles or an increase in inventory costs that cannot be reflected in retail market prices would adversely affect our business.

If our inventory or other costs of operations increase and we are unable to pass along these costs to our customers, we may be unable to maintain or grow margins.

Our inventory and other costs are variable and dependent upon various factors, many of which are outside of our control. If we incur cost increases, we may seek to pass those increases along to our customers. However, the income

of our average customer limits the maximum monthly payment such customer can afford, and we may be unable to pass these costs along to our customers in the form of higher sales prices, which would adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow margins.

Our business is exposed to various operational risks. A failure of or interruption in our communications and information systems could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

Our business is highly dependent on communications and information systems and is exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees or other parties, record-keeping error, errors resulting from faulty computer or telecommunication systems, computer failures or interruption, and damage to computer and telecommunication systems caused by internal or external events. We periodically update or change the integrated computer systems and other components of our operating systems. Any significant failure of such systems, whether as a result of third-party actions or in connection with planned upgrades and conversions, could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our ability to collect on contracts and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Additionally, our systems are vulnerable to interruption or malfunction due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters and network and telecommunications failures. Our systems may also be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses, and other security problems. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions to or malfunctions in operations. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these incidents. We have a backup system and we periodically test disaster recovery scenarios, however, this may not prevent a systems failure or allow us to timely resolve any systems failures. Any interruption to our systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The personal information that we collect may be vulnerable to breach, theft, or loss, the occurrence of any of which could adversely affect our reputation and operations.

Possession and use of personal information in our operations subjects us to risks and costs that could harm our business. We collect, use, and retain large amounts of personal information regarding our customers, employees, and their families, including social security numbers, tax return information, personal and family financial data, and credit card numbers. Our computer networks and the networks of certain of our vendors that hold and manage confidential information on our behalf may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, employee theft or misuse, computer hackers, computer viruses, and other security threats. Confidential information may also inadvertently become available to third parties when we integrate systems or migrate data to our servers following an acquisition or in connection with periodic hardware or software upgrades.

Due to the sensitive nature of the personal information stored on our servers, our networks may be targeted by hackers seeking to access this data. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate sensitive information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. Although we use security and business controls to limit access and use of personal information, a third party may be able to circumvent those security and business controls, which could result in a breach of privacy. In addition, errors in the storage, use, or transmission of personal information could result in a breach of privacy. Possession and use of personal information in our operations also subjects us to legislative and regulatory burdens that could require us to implement certain policies and procedures, such as the procedures we adopted to comply with the Red Flags Rule that was promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and that requires the establishment of guidelines and policies regarding identity theft, and could require us to make certain notifications of data breaches and restrict our use of personal information. A violation of any laws or regulations relating to the collection or use of personal

information could result in the imposition of fines against us. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these breaches. A major breach, theft, or loss of personal information that is held by us or our vendors, or a violation of laws or regulations relating to the same, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and result in further regulation and oversight by federal and state authorities and increased costs of compliance.

We are dependent on the services of certain key personnel and the loss of their services could harm our business.

We believe that our success depends on the continued employment of our senior management team, including Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, and Raymond C. Fidel, our Chief Executive Officer and President. The unexpected loss of the services of any of our key management personnel or our inability to attract new management when necessary could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not currently maintain key person life insurance on any member of our executive management team other than Mr. Garcia and Mr. Fidel.

Additionally, our success depends on the key management personnel at our corporate offices and the dealerships in our local markets. The market for qualified employees in the automotive and finance industries and in the markets in which we operate, particularly for qualified general managers, loan managers, and collections personnel, is highly competitive and may subject us to increased labor costs during periods of low unemployment. We also believe that our competitors pursue many of our managerial and collections and sales and service personnel from time to time. The loss of a group of key employees in any of our markets could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations in that market or across many or all markets in which we operate.

If all or some portion of our employees elect to collectively bargain or join a union, these actions could adversely affect our operations.

As of September 30, 2009, none of our employees was represented by a labor union. The automotive industry is historically an industry in which there is a high degree of labor union participation. If all or some portion of our employees elect to join a labor union, we could experience increased operational costs, work stoppages or strikes, and/or barriers to communication between management and employees. These factors could lead to inefficiencies in the operation of the affected facilities or groups and could cause us to experience a material adverse effect.

We are subject to environmental laws, regulations, and permits that could impose significant liabilities, costs, and obligations.

We are subject to a complex variety of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permits relating to the environment and human health and safety. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations, or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. These environmental requirements, and the enforcement thereof, change frequently, have tended to become more stringent over time, and may necessitate substantial capital expenditures or operating costs. Under certain environmental laws, we could be responsible for the costs relating to any contamination at our or our predecessors’ current or former owned or operated properties or third-party waste disposal sites. We cannot assure you that our costs and liabilities relating to environmental matters will not adversely affect our results of operations, business, financial condition, reputation, or liquidity.

States impose limits on the interest rates we can charge on the installment sales contracts we provide to our customers, and new or lower limits may harm our ability to offset increased interest expenses and can adversely affect our profitability and liquidity.

We operate in states that impose limits on the contract interest rate that a lender may charge, and laws or regulations that limit the interest rates that we can charge can adversely affect our profitability and liquidity. When a state limits the amount of interest that we can charge on our installment sales contracts, we may not be able to offset an increase in interest expense caused by rising interest rates or greater levels of borrowings under our credit facilities. In addition, no assurance can be given that we will not be prohibited by new state laws from charging the interest rates we are currently able to charge on our installment sales contracts or from raising interest rates above certain desired levels. Therefore, these interest rate limitations can adversely affect our profitability and liquidity.

A change in state laws, or the application thereof, relating to the extent to which we can obtain a refund of sales tax for customer defaults could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In general, we are required to pay state sales tax on each vehicle we sell. Subject to certain requirements, certain states allow us to collect a refund of prior sales taxes paid to the extent that the receivable becomes uncollectible. We are allowed such a refund despite the fact that the initial remitter of the tax (DTAG) is not the same entity claiming the refund (DTAC) because DTAG and DTAC are entities under common control. Generally, when a payor of sales tax sells or transfers to a party that they do not control a receivable that was generated in connection with a transaction that gives rise to a sales tax, the payor is not entitled to a subsequent refund of sales tax if and when the receivable becomes impaired or uncollectible.

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we claimed $9.4 million, $12.5 million, $14.7 million, and $9.2 million in sales tax refunds relating to receivables that have become uncollectible. If state laws change with respect to the extent to which we can claim a refund for sales tax in such situations, or state taxing authorities change their position with respect thereto, we could experience a material adverse effect. In this regard, we are currently appealing to the Nevada Supreme Court an adverse administrative ruling on the efficacy of certain sales tax refunds we have requested for the 2002 and 2003 tax years. While only applicable to 2002 and 2003, an adverse ruling could affect subsequent tax years as well. See “Business – Legal proceedings.”

We may be adversely affected by product liability exposure claims.

DriveTime, and the automotive industry generally, is exposed to product liability claims in the event that the failure of our products to perform to specifications results, or is alleged to result, in property damage, bodily injury, and/or death. In connection with such product liability claims, we may incur significant costs to defend such claims and we may experience material product liability losses in the future. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient resources, including insurance to the extent it is available, to cover such product liability claims, and the outcome of various legal actions and claims could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are piloting programs designed to ensure our customers have and maintain insurance covering our collateral in the event of theft or an accident. If we are unsuccessful in doing so, it could negatively impact our operations and/or profitability.

Certain of our customers have difficulty obtaining and maintaining affordable insurance for their vehicles. We have introduced in all of the states in which we operate a collateral protection insurance program. Under this program, we offer customers dual interest collateral protection insurance administered through a third party with whom we have a contractual relationship. We are also exploring liability insurance meeting state requirements and considering other possible solutions to achieve affordable insurance for our customers, including longer term coverage, and/or making property and casualty and liability insurance available through insurance agents, or establishing our own insurance agency to do so.

This initiative will result in an additional payment the customers may not be making today, thereby increasing the risk of higher loan delinquencies and earlier loan defaults, either of which could adversely affect our loan losses and profitability. These transactions also involve numerous other risks, including the diversion of management attention from other business concerns, and entry into a new and highly regulated business in which we have had no or only limited experience. Occurrence of any of these risks or other risks that we have not anticipated could have a material adverse effect on us.

We used to be taxed as an S-corporation under Subchapter S of the Code, and claims of taxing authorities related to our prior status as an S-corporation could harm us.

Prior to completion of this offering, we intend to effect a reorganization pursuant to which all of the equity interests of DTAG and DTAC will be transferred to DriveTime Automotive, Inc. as the holding company under which we will conduct substantially all of our operations. DTAG and DTAC have been taxed as “pass-through” entities under Subchapter S of the Code. Following this offering, we will be taxed as a C-corporation under Subchapter C of the Code, which is applicable to most corporations and treats the corporation as an entity that is separate and distinct from its shareholders. If the unaudited, open tax years in which DTAG and DTAC were S-corporations were to be audited by the IRS, and such entities were determined to not have qualified for, or to have violated, their S-corporation status, we would be obligated to pay back taxes, interest, and penalties. These amounts could include taxes on all of the taxable income while the two entities were S-corporations (that is, additional taxes of $53.8 million from the beginning of 2006 through the end of September 2009, and could also include any additional taxes on earnings through the termination of such entities’ S-corporation status in connection with this offering). Any such claims could result in additional costs to us and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, as a result of the revocation of S-corporation status in connection with this offering, we will record a net deferred tax liability and a corresponding income tax expense on the revocation date. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors affecting comparability.”

We could suffer a material adverse effect if the IRS challenged our position on intercompany sales of receivables.

We generally recognize losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the intercompany sales of receivables from DTAG to DTAC. This practice is standard within our industry and our interpretation is not meaningfully different from other companies in our industry. However, the IRS may challenge our position and seek to defer our recognition of such losses. If the IRS were able to successfully challenge our position, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Acts of war may seriously harm our business.

Acts of war or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power may cause a disruption to the economy, our company, our employees, and our customers, which could impact our results of operations, costs and expenses, and financial condition. In addition, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and similar state legislation may limit the interest payable on an auto loan during a borrower’s active duty in the military.

Risks related to the offering

Our Chairman and sole shareholder will continue to own a large percentage of our voting stock after this offering, which may allow him to control substantially all matters requiring shareholder approval and afford him access to our management.

Based upon the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us in this offering at an assumed initial offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, Mr. Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, will beneficially own approximately shares of our common stock and shares of our convertible preferred stock, or % of our common stock on a fully diluted basis, upon completion of this offering. Accordingly, Mr. Garcia could control us through his ability to determine the outcome of the election of our directors, to amend our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, to take other actions requiring the vote or consent of shareholders, including mergers, going private transactions, and other extraordinary transactions, and to make decisions concerning the terms of any of these transactions. Mr. Garcia may also take actions to address his own interests, which may be different from those of our other shareholders, including investors in this offering.

There is no existing market for our common stock, and we do not know if one will develop to provide you with adequate liquidity.

Immediately prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. An active and liquid public market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. The price of our common stock in any such market may be higher or lower than the price you pay. If you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will pay a price that was not established in a competitive market. Rather, you will pay the price that we negotiated with the representatives of the underwriters and such price may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering.

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent you from being able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for your shares. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, which include:

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our quarterly or annual earnings or earnings of other companies in our industry;

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our operating performance, including the number of vehicles we sell and the results of our collection efforts and portfolio performance;

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the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements, and our filings with the SEC;

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changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our common stock or the stocks of other companies in our industry;

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new laws or regulations or new interpretations of laws or regulations applicable to our business;

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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles;

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changes in general conditions in the U.S. and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to such events;

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litigation involving our company or investigations or audits by regulators into the operations of our company or our competitors; and

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sales of common stock by our directors, executive officers, and significant shareholders.

In addition, the stock market can at times, and for extended periods of time, experience extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of these companies. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted by future issuances of capital stock, which could reduce your influence over matters on which shareholders vote.

Following the completion of this offering, our board of directors will have the authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or any part of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock, including shares issuable upon the exercise of options, shares that may be issued to satisfy our payment obligations under our incentive plans, or shares of our authorized but unissued preferred stock. Issuances of common stock or voting preferred stock would reduce your influence over matters on which our shareholders vote, and, in the case of issuances of preferred stock, likely would result in your interest in us being subject to the prior rights of holders of that preferred stock.

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock after this offering may cause the market price of shares of our common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market following this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. The shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering will be eligible for sale in the public market at various times in the future. Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, and all of our directors and executive officers, have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of their common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters. Upon expiration of this lock-up period, up to approximately shares of common stock held by affiliates may become eligible for sale, subject to the restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

You will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your shares.

If you purchase shares in this offering, the value of your shares based on our actual book value will immediately be less than the price you paid. This reduction in the value of your equity is known as dilution. This dilution occurs in large

part because our Chairman and sole shareholder paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when he purchased his shares of our common stock. Based upon the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, you will incur immediate dilution of $ in the net tangible book value per share. A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share would increase or decrease, as applicable, our as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock by $ , and increase or decrease, as applicable, the dilution per share of common stock to new investors by $ , assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, or if outstanding options to purchase our common stock are exercised, investors will experience additional dilution. For more information, see “Dilution.”

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, and the requirements of being a public company may divert management attention from our business.

As a public company, we will be subject to a number of additional requirements, including the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the listing standards of the exchange on which our common stock is listed. These requirements will cause us to incur increased costs and might place a strain on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, and also requires that our internal controls be assessed by management beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, and attested to by our auditors beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, significant resources and management oversight will be required. As a result, our management’s attention might be diverted from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. Furthermore, we might not be able to retain our independent directors or attract new independent directors for our committees.

Provisions that will be in our charter documents and the Delaware General Corporation Law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us and could discourage a takeover and adversely affect existing shareholders.

Anti-takeover provisions that will be in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, and in the DGCL, could diminish the opportunity for shareholders to participate in acquisition proposals at a price above the then-current market price of our common stock. For example, while we have no present plans to issue any preferred stock, except with respect to the preferred stock being issued in exchange for indebtedness in connection with this offering, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, our board of directors, without further shareholder approval, will be able to issue shares of undesignated preferred stock and fix the powers, preferences, rights, and limitations of such class or series, which could adversely affect the voting power of your shares. In addition, our amended and restated bylaws will provide for an advance notice procedure for nomination of candidates to our board of directors that could have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change in control. Further, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to provisions of the DGCL regarding “business combinations,” which can deter attempted takeovers in certain situations. We may, in the future, consider adopting additional anti-takeover measures. The authority of our board to issue undesignated preferred or other capital stock and the anti-takeover

provisions of the DGCL, as well as other current and any future anti-takeover measures adopted by us, may, in certain circumstances, delay, deter, or prevent takeover attempts and other changes in control of the company not approved by our board of directors. See “Description of Capital Stock” for further information.

We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our common stock appreciates.

We do not expect to pay dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future and intend to use cash to grow our business. The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as the extent to which our financing arrangements permit the payment of dividends, earnings levels, capital requirements, our overall financial condition, and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment in us will be if the market price of our common stock appreciates.

We will have broad discretion in applying the net proceeds of this offering and may not use those proceeds in ways that will enhance the market value of our common stock.

We have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds we will receive in this offering. We intend to use a portion of the proceeds that we receive from the sale of stock in this offering to repay indebtedness, to fund the acquisition of properties currently leased by us from related parties, and to use the remainder to pay the expenses of this offering and for general corporate purposes. As part of your investment decision, you will not be able to assess or direct how we apply these net proceeds. If we do not apply these funds effectively, we may lose significant business opportunities. Furthermore, our stock price could decline if the market does not view our use of the net proceeds from this offering favorably.

Forward-Looking Statements

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements,” which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation, and availability of resources. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results, and future economic performance; and statements of management’s goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

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we require substantial capital to finance our business, and, in 2010, we will need new financings to fund our operations and growth plans;

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we are subject to extensive governmental regulations, and if we are found to be in violation of any federal, state, or local laws or regulations applicable to us, our business could suffer;

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changes in laws, regulations, or policies;

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risks associated with our customers, whom have subprime credit;

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our focus on customers with subprime credit;

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changes to our business plan that are currently being implemented, and those that may be implemented in the future, may not be successful and may cause unintended consequences;

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we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations;

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interest rates affect our profitability and cash flows and an increase in interest rates will increase our interest expense and lower our profitability and liquidity;

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general and economic conditions and their effect on automobile sales;

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the need to further reduce the scope of our operations;

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seasonal and other fluctuations in our results of operations;

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our failure to effectively manage our growth, access the additional required financing to fund our growth, and increased exposure to legal and regulatory risks as a result of our plans to expand;

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we operate in a highly competitive environment, and if we are unable to compete with our competitors, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected; and

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other factors discussed under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business.”

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock offered by us in this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use $35.1 million of the proceeds of this offering to retire subordinated notes and junior secured notes held by Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, that are not exchanged for shares of preferred stock, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, $2.0 million to retire junior secured notes that are held by Raymond C. Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and $ million to repay amounts outstanding under our portfolio warehouse facility. Repaying amounts outstanding under our portfolio warehouse facility will increase our availability under this facility. We intend to use up to $10 million of the proceeds of this offering to fund the acquisition of properties currently leased by us from related parties, the actual amount of which will depend on the availability of mortgage financing. We intend to use the remaining proceeds, including any proceeds we receive from the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, to pay the expenses of this offering and for general corporate purposes.

Our subordinated notes, all of which are owned by Verde, bear interest at 12% per annum and mature in August 2013. Our junior secured notes are comprised of two tranches and are due December 2012. The Tranche A component, of which there is $38.1 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding at December 31, 2009, bears interest at 20.0% per annum, increasing by 2.0% each year until maturity (22.0% at December 31, 2009). The subordinate Tranche B component, of which there is $24.0 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding at December 31, 2009, bears interest at 25.0% per annum, increasing 2.0% each year until maturity (27.0% at December 31, 2009). Verde owns $36.1 million and $24.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A and Tranche B junior secured notes, respectively, and Mr. Fidel owns $2.0 million of the Tranche A junior secured notes. Our portfolio warehouse facility expires in December 2010, and amounts outstanding under the facility bear interest based on the cost of the lender’s funds thereunder plus 4.25% (4.49% at December 31, 2009).

In connection with this offering, Verde has agreed to exchange an aggregate of $100.0 million of subordinated notes and junior secured notes for shares of our newly-designated 6.5% convertible preferred stock, based on the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price of $ per share would increase or decrease, as applicable, the aggregate amount of the net proceeds to us by approximately $ million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and, with respect to the net proceeds to us, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, any increase or decrease in the number of shares that we sell in the offering will increase or decrease our net proceeds in proportion to such increase or decrease, as applicable, multiplied by the offering price per share, with respect to our net proceeds, less underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

Dividend Policy

We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock following our initial public offering. The payment of any dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, outstanding indebtedness, and other factors deemed relevant by our board. As a result, you will need to sell your shares of common stock to realize a return on your investment, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for them.

Capitalization

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2009:

•

on an actual basis;

•

on an as adjusted basis, giving effect to (i) the payment of S-corporation distributions subsequent to September 30, 2009, (ii) the exchange by Verde of an aggregate of $100.0 million of our subordinated notes and junior secured notes for convertible preferred stock, and (iii) the incurrence or assumption of indebtedness related to the contribution of real estate from affiliates of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, and the brother-in-law of Mr. Garcia and; and

•

on a pro forma, as adjusted, basis, giving effect to (i) the transactions set forth above, (ii) our sale of shares of our common stock in this offering (at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us), and (iii) the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation in connection with the closing of this offering, which will increase our authorized capital stock.

You should read this table together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Description of Capital Stock,” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.


	As of September 30, 2009
	Actual		As Adjusted	Pro Forma, as Adjusted (1)
	(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities	$	25,525	$	$

Total debt ⁽²⁾
Portfolio revolving facilities		168,729
Portfolio term financings		654,801
Other secured notes payable		125,179
Senior unsecured notes payable		1,483
Subordinated notes payable		75,000

Total debt		1,025,192

Shareholder’s equity:
Undesignated preferred stock: $0.001 par value; shares authorized, issued, and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted		—
6.5% convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par value; shares authorized, issued, and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted		—
Common stock:
Actual: DTAG – par value $0.001 per share, 1,000 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding; DTAC – no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding		—
Pro forma, as adjusted: $0.001 par value; shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma, as adjusted		—
Additional paid-in capital		138,418
Retained earnings		203,182

Total shareholder’s equity		341,600

Total capitalization	$	1,366,792	$	$

(1)

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price per share would increase or decrease cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities by $ million, would increase or decrease additional paid-in capital by $ million, and would increase or decrease total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by $ million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, any increase or decrease in the number of shares that we sell in the offering will increase or decrease our net proceeds by such increase or decrease, as applicable, multiplied by the offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

(2)	Total debt excludes accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities.

Dilution

Purchasers of our common stock in this offering will suffer an immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share. Dilution is the amount by which the initial public offering price paid by purchasers of shares of our common stock exceeds the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after the offering.

As adjusted net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets reduced by our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to the sale of shares of common stock in the offering at an initial public offering price of $ , the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2009 would have been $ million, or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution of $ per share to new investors purchasing shares in the offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:


Assumed initial public offering price per share of common stock		$

Net tangible book value per share of common stock as of September 30, 2009	$
Increase in net tangible book value per share of common stock attributable to new investors
Decrease in net tangible book value per share of common stock after payment of underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses by us

As adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock after this offering

Dilution per share of common stock to new investors		$

Our as adjusted net tangible book value will be $ , or $ per share, and the dilution per share of common stock to new investors will be $ , if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full.

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share would increase or decrease, as applicable, our as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock by $ , and increase or decrease, as applicable, the dilution per share of common stock to new investors by $ , assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, any increase or decrease in the number of shares that we sell in the offering will increase or decrease our net proceeds in proportion to such increase or decrease, as applicable, multiplied by the offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2009, on the as-adjusted basis described above, the differences between our shareholder and new investors with respect to the total number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus:


	Shares Purchased		Total Consideration		Average Price Per Share
	Number	Percent	Amount	Percent	Average Price Per Share
Existing shareholder
New investors

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share would increase or decrease, as applicable, total consideration paid by new investors, total consideration paid by all shareholders, and average price per share paid by all shareholders by $ , $ , and $ , respectively, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same. Similarly, any increase or decrease in the number of shares that we sell in the offering will increase or decrease our net proceeds in proportion to such increase or decrease, as applicable, multiplied by the offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, the number of shares held by our existing shareholder after this offering would be , or %, and the number of shares held by new investors would increase to , or %, of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering.

Selected Financial and Other Data

The following table sets forth our selected financial and operating data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, have been derived from our audited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, have been derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included in this prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, and the consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2008 and 2009, have been derived from our unaudited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such data.

You should read the following selected financial and other data in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.


	Years Ended December 31,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2004		2005		2006			2007		2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
													(Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Revenue:
Sales of used vehicles	$	596,651	$	693,133	$	808,131		$	963,621	$	796,750		$	657,272		$	563,985
Interest income		173,714		196,426		220,683			250,628		261,875			198,908			188,950

Total revenue		770,365		889,559		1,028,814			1,214,249		1,058,625			856,180			752,935

Costs and expenses:
Cost of used vehicles sold		358,596		423,413		498,365			575,234		477,255			396,008			315,638
Provision for credit losses		145,312		173,320		192,010			283,407		300,884			221,669			175,612
Secured debt interest expense		25,960		35,137		47,748			63,719		74,749			53,882			71,283
Unsecured debt interest expense		2,471		2,514		10,076			12,982		22,333			15,914			13,269
Selling and marketing		31,829		36,245		35,330			36,210		28,644			23,600			24,308
General and administrative		116,585		128,156		151,999			154,018		157,311			122,704			113,561
Depreciation expense		9,405		10,425		11,600			15,784		14,088			10,558			9,627
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net ⁽¹⁾		—		—		—			—		(19,699	)		(10,254	)		(30,311	)

Total costs and expenses		690,158		809,210		947,128			1,141,354		1,055,565			834,081			692,987

Income before income taxes		80,207		80,349		81,686			72,895		3,060			22,099			59,948
Income tax expense (benefit) ⁽²⁾		1,265		1,134		(1,426	)		1,000		1,090			940			770

Net income	$	78,942	$	79,215	$	83,112		$	71,895	$	1,970		$	21,159		$	59,178


Pro Forma Income Information:
Historical income before income tax expense							$	81,686		$	72,895		$	3,060		$	22,099		$	59,948
Pro forma initial public offering adjustments ⁽³⁾								—			—			—			—			39,226

Pro forma income before pro forma income tax expense								81,686			72,895			3,060			22,099			99,174
Pro forma provision for income taxes ⁽⁴⁾								32,409			29,092			1,701			9,111			39,075

Pro forma net income							$	49,277		$	43,803		$	1,359		$	12,988		$	60,099

Pro forma net income margin ⁽⁵⁾								4.8	%		3.6	%		0.1	%		1.5	%		8.0	%

Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA ⁽⁶⁾	$	94,624		$	96,679		$	105,218		$	104,783		$	31,831		$	48,548		$	72,913
Adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽⁷⁾		12.3	%		10.9	%		10.2	%		8.6	%		3.0	%		5.7	%		9.7	%
Pro forma adjusted EBITDA ⁽⁶⁾																			$	89,252
Pro forma adjusted EBITDA margin ⁽⁷⁾																				11.9	%


	As of and for the Years Ended December 31,															As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands, except per vehicle sold data)
																(Unaudited)
Dealerships:
Dealerships in operation at end of period		78			86			97			103			86			86			77
Average number of vehicles sold per dealership per month		56			56			54			55			49			54			56

Retail Sales:
Number of used vehicles sold		49,686			54,778			60,324			66,922			55,415			45,795			40,025
Average age of vehicles sold (in years)		3.7			3.8			4.1			3.9			4.1			4.2			4.1
Average mileage of vehicles sold		61,405			61,791			66,236			64,898			67,428			67,226			67,325
Per vehicle sold data:
Average sales price	$	12,008		$	12,653		$	13,397		$	14,399		$	14,378		$	14,352		$	14,091
Average cost of used vehicle sold	$	7,217		$	7,730		$	8,261		$	8,596		$	8,612		$	8,647		$	7,886
Average gross margin	$	4,791		$	4,923		$	5,136		$	5,803		$	5,766		$	5,705		$	6,205
Gross margin percentage		39.9	%		38.9	%		38.3	%		40.3	%		40.1	%		39.8	%		44.0	%

Loan Portfolio:
Number of applications		144,406			157,672			168,560			195,684			187,486			149,873			144,206
Close rate percentage ⁽⁸⁾		34.4	%		34.7	%		35.8	%		34.2	%		29.6	%		30.6	%		27.8	%
Principal balances originated	$	595,427		$	684,834		$	799,363		$	959,517		$	789,360		$	649,994		$	556,252
Average amount financed per origination	$	11,995		$	12,507		$	13,254		$	14,341		$	14,250		$	14,199		$	13,901
Number of loans outstanding – end of period		93,649			102,474			112,040			124,228			125,070			129,788			130,042
Principal outstanding – end of period	$	815,814		$	935,182		$	1,104,325		$	1,343,085		$	1,342,855		$	1,409,161		$	1,361,259
Average principal outstanding during the period	$	781,615		$	904,657		$	1,032,408		$	1,271,678		$	1,410,292		$	1,416,292		$	1,368,969
Average effective yield on portfolio ⁽⁹⁾		22.2	%		21.7	%		21.5	%		20.0	%		19.3	%		19.4	%		19.3	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of portfolio principal		17.7	%		17.4	%		17.4	%		18.2	%		18.1	%		18.0	%		17.1	%
Portfolio performance data:
Portfolio delinquencies over 30 days ⁽¹⁰⁾		8.1	%		9.3	%		7.2	%		8.6	%		9.4	%		9.5	%		7.1	%
Principal charged-off as a percentage of outstanding principal ⁽¹¹⁾		26.8	%		26.3	%		25.9	%		27.2	%		30.3	%		28.8	%		26.4	%
Recoveries as a percentage of principal charged-off		31.8	%		34.7	%		39.2	%		32.9	%		29.4	%		30.8	%		31.6	%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal ⁽¹¹⁾		18.3	%		17.2	%		15.8	%		18.2	%		21.4	%		19.9	%		18.1	%

Financing and Liquidity:
Unrestricted cash and availability ⁽¹²⁾	$	69,337		$	101,041		$	121,664		$	126,309		$	50,232		$	55,162		$	109,913
Net debt to equity ⁽¹³⁾		2.5			2.9			3.0			3.5			3.6			3.4			2.8
Total assets to total equity		4.3			5.0			4.9			5.2			5.1			5.0			4.2
Total average secured and unsecured debt	$	602,557		$	754,657		$	878,417		$	1,063,806		$	1,153,122		$	1,149,333		$	1,052,450
Secured debt weighted average effective borrowing rate ⁽¹⁴⁾		4.2	%		4.8	%		6.0	%		6.6	%		7.7	%		7.4	%		10.5	%
Unsecured debt weighted average effective borrowing rate ⁽¹⁴⁾		18.5	%		10.2	%		12.6	%		12.7	%		12.2	%		12.2	%		12.2	%
Weighted average effective borrowing rate on total debt ⁽¹⁴⁾		4.3	%		5.0	%		6.6	%		7.2	%		8.4	%		8.1	%		10.7	%


	December 31,															September 30,
	2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
																(Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,400		$	41,306		$	41,483		$	42,241		$	25,533		$	41,534		$	25,525
Restricted cash and investments held in trust ⁽¹⁵⁾	$	108,386		$	134,929		$	131,221		$	107,271		$	71,223		$	75,534		$	52,706
Finance receivables ⁽¹⁶⁾	$	832,312		$	954,370		$	1,129,509		$	1,375,961		$	1,375,019		$	1,443,201		$	1,391,387
Allowance for credit losses	$	(144,700	)	$	(162,900	)	$	(192,150	)	$	(244,034	)	$	(242,600	)	$	(254,134	)	$	(232,643	)
Inventory	$	77,623		$	121,805		$	122,460		$	136,642		$	100,211		$	78,394		$	86,231
Total assets	$	932,208		$	1,177,802		$	1,349,649		$	1,532,060		$	1,447,152		$	1,502,130		$	1,426,919
Secured debt	$	654,082		$	787,696		$	912,879		$	1,038,191		$	912,201		$	930,150		$	948,709
Unsecured debt	$	—		$	76,495		$	77,064		$	131,823		$	194,866		$	207,289		$	76,483
Total debt ⁽¹⁷⁾	$	654,082		$	864,191		$	989,938		$	1,170,014		$	1,107,067		$	1,137,439		$	1,025,192
Shareholder’s equity	$	215,578		$	236,609		$	272,484		$	293,185		$	282,422		$	301,611		$	341,600

(1)	During the year ended December 31, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, we repurchased outstanding indebtedness in the amounts of $96.0 million, $62.1 million, and $135.2 million, respectively, at a discount to par, resulting in gains on extinguishment of debt.

(2)

In January 2004, we elected to be treated as an S-corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. There is no provision for income taxes in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, except for a reduced amount of entity level state tax in certain jurisdictions, and for one of our subsidiaries which is a C-corporation. Income and losses flow through to our shareholders, who report such income and losses on their individual income tax returns.

(3)

(4)	Pro forma income tax expense has been determined as if we elected to be treated as a C-corporation as of January 1, 2006 for federal and state income tax purposes for the years and periods presented.

(5)	Pro forma net income margin represents pro forma net income divided by total revenue.

(6)

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted EBITDA on a pro forma basis to give effect to the offering as if the offering were consummated on January 1, 2009.

The following table presents data relating to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:


	Years Ended December 31,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2004		2005		2006			2007		2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
Net income	$	78,942	$	79,215	$	83,112		$	71,895	$	1,970		$	21,159		$	59,178
Plus: income tax expense (benefit)		1,265		1,134		(1,426	)		1,000		1,090			940			770
Plus: non-portfolio interest expense		5,012		5,905		11,932			16,104		26,545			18,231			23,208
Plus: depreciation expense		9,405		10,425		11,600			15,784		14,088			10,558			9,627
Plus: store closing costs		—		—		—			—		7,837			7,914			2,841
Plus: legal settlement		—		—		—			—		—			—			7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—		—		—			—		(19,699	)		(10,254	)		(30,311	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	94,624	$	96,679	$	105,218		$	104,783	$	31,831		$	48,548		$	72,913

The following table presents data relating to pro forma adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the period indicated:


	Nine months ended September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
Pro forma net income	$	60,099
Plus: Pro forma EBITDA adjustments
Pro forma income tax expense		39,075
Pro forma depreciation expense		9,948
Pro forma store closing costs		2,841
Pro forma legal settlement		7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt		(30,311	)

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA	$	89,252

(7)	Adjusted EBITDA margin and pro forma adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA and pro forma adjusted EBITDA, respectively divided by total revenue.

(8)	Close rate percentage represents the percentage of customer applications for credit that result in sales of used vehicles.

(9)

(10)	Delinquencies are presented on a Sunday-to-Sunday basis, which reflects delinquencies as of the nearest Sunday to period end. Sunday is used to eliminate any impact of the day of the week on delinquencies since delinquencies tend to be higher mid-week.

(11)	Principal charged-off as a percentage of outstanding principal and net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009 are annualized.

(12)	Unrestricted cash and availability consists of cash and cash equivalents plus available borrowings under the portfolio warehouse, residual, and inventory facilities, based on assets pledged or available to be pledged to the facilities.

(13)	Net debt to equity equals total debt less cash, restricted cash, and investments held in trust, divided by shareholder’s equity.

(14)	Average effective borrowing rate includes the effect of amortization of discounts, debt issuance costs, and unused line fees.

(15)	Restricted cash and investments held in trust consist of cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral under securitization transactions and the portfolio warehouse facilities.

(16)	Finance receivables include principal balances, accrued interest, and capitalized loan origination costs.

(17)	Total debt excludes accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We operate in the large and highly fragmented used vehicle sales and financing markets. According to CNW, for 2008, industry sales of used vehicles totaled $291.7 billion, which consisted of sales from approximately 57,000 franchise and independent dealers and private transactions. The five largest used vehicle retailers accounted for only 2.2% of the nationwide market share in 2008. At the end of 2008, total used vehicle loans outstanding approximated $813.6 billion and the subprime segment we focus on comprised 18.2% of total automobile loans outstanding. Within the subprime market, we cater to customers who have the income necessary to purchase a used vehicle, but because of their impaired credit histories, typically cannot qualify for financing from traditional third-party sources. Our customer is typically 25 to 55 years of age, has an annual income of $24,000 to $56,000, and has a FICO score between 450 and 570. FICO scores range from 350 to 850, and a customer with a FICO score below 620 is typically considered to have subprime credit.

We believe that our business model has several advantages over our competition and that we provide our customers with a unique buying experience featuring:

•

branded, attractive dealership facilities, each of which maintains a large inventory of quality, reconditioned used vehicles;

•

professional and courteous service with “no haggle” pricing and a three day “no questions asked” return policy;

•

vehicle financing with affordable down payments and installment payments;

•

our DriveCare^® limited warranty program (included in the sales price of each vehicle) – a 36 month / 36,000 mile major mechanical warranty, including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance; and

•

numerous payment options, which include cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide, as well as online, by phone, and through other traditional payment methods.

Access to funding

We provide financing to our customers to facilitate the purchase of used vehicles from us. In addition to borrowing funds to meet these requirements, we require capital to maintain our inventory of vehicles, and to provide working capital for our operations. Historically, we have relied upon portfolio warehouse facilities and securitization transactions. When the securitization market deteriorated beginning in 2007, we were able to secure financing from a large consumer lender with expertise in the automobile receivables space, as well as subordinated debt provided by Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, and other sources, albeit at a higher cost of funds.

In December 2009, we completed our first securitization transaction since June 2007 by issuing $192.6 million of asset-backed securities, which are collateralized by approximately $300.0 million of finance receivables. The asset-backed securities are structured in four tranches with credit ratings ranging from AAA to A, without external credit enhancement from a monoline insurer. The weighted average coupon of these four tranches was 5.3%. See “– Liquidity and capital resources – Financing sources – Portfolio term financings” below for additional information regarding securities ratings.

Planned dealership openings

We believe we are well positioned to expand our dealership network throughout the United States, primarily through organic growth. We believe our centralized and integrated business model enables us to efficiently open new and dealerships. Our typical time from site selection to store opening is nine to 12 months, and generally we achieve profitability within six to 12 months of opening. We seek to locate new stores in existing commercial facilities, typically lease each facility for five years (with options for another five to 15 years), and spend approximately $350,000 to $450,000 in leasehold improvements and equipment to establish each of our branded dealerships. We generally seek to expand into metropolitan areas in the United States with populations ranging from 500,000 to three million people that have customer demographic concentrations consistent with our target market and that have favorable operating environments. As of December 31, 2009, we had dealerships in 17 of 77 of such metropolitan areas.

Income statement line item descriptions

Revenue

Sales of used vehicles

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from the sale of used vehicles. Sales of used vehicles includes revenue from the sale of vehicles, net of a reserve for returns. Factors affecting revenue from sales of used vehicles include the number of used vehicles we sell and the price at which we sell our vehicles.

The number of used vehicles we sell depends on the volume of customer applications received and the conversion rate from customer application to sale. Application volume is a function of the number of dealerships, advertising, customer referrals, repeat customer volume, other marketing efforts, competition from other used car dealerships, availability of credit from other subprime finance companies, and general economic conditions. The conversion rate from customer application to sale is a function of our underwriting standards, customer sales experience, customer affordability, vehicle inventory, and warranty provided. The price at which we sell our vehicles is dependent on our pricing strategy, which balances margins, sales volume, and loan performance.

Interest income

Interest income consists of interest earned on installment sales contracts net of amortization of loan origination costs, plus late payment fees and interest earned on investments held in trust. We write-off accrued interest on charged-off loans as a reduction to interest income. Interest income is affected by (i) the principal balance of our loan portfolio, (ii) the average APR of our loan portfolio, and (iii) the payment performance by our borrowers on their loans.

Costs and expenses

Cost of used vehicles sold

Cost of used vehicles sold includes the cost to acquire vehicles, reconditioning and transportation costs associated with preparing the vehicles for resale, vehicle warranty, and other related costs. The cost to acquire vehicles includes the vehicle purchase price, auction fees, wages, and other buyer costs. A liability for the estimated cost of vehicle repairs under our DriveCare^® limited vehicle warranty program is established at the time a used vehicle is sold by charging cost of used vehicles sold. The liability is evaluated for adequacy through an analysis based on the program’s historical performance of warranty cost incurred per unit sold over the term of the warranty.

The cost of used vehicles sold is affected by a variety of factors including: (i) the cost of vehicles purchased at auction, (ii) the quality, make, model, and age of vehicles acquired, (iii) transportation costs, (iv) labor costs and costs to operate our reconditioning facilities, and (v) warranty costs.

As discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, we have recently extended our major mechanical warranty from 6 months / 6,000 miles to 36 months / 36,000 miles, including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance and, as a result, we expect that our warranty costs will be higher in future periods.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses is the charge recorded to operations to maintain an allowance adequate to cover losses inherent in the portfolio. We charge off the entire principal balance of receivables that are contractually 91 or more days past due at the end of a month, net of estimated recoveries. The allowance for credit losses varies based on size of the loan portfolio and the expected performance of the loans. Loan performance is a function of the underlying credit

quality of the portfolio, the effectiveness of collection activities, auction values for repossessed vehicles, other ancillary collections, and overall economic conditions.

We anticipate the allowance for credit losses to grow as we increase origination volume and grow our portfolio. However, the allowance as a percentage of portfolio principal may decline based on performance of loans originated since we tightened our loan underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008. Loans originated since we tightened our underwriting standards represent 61.8% of our loan portfolio as of September 30, 2009.

Secured debt interest expense

Secured debt interest expense consists of interest and related amortization of debt issuance costs on our portfolio warehouse facilities, securitizations, PALP financings, inventory and other revolving facilities, real estate mortgage financing, and junior secured notes payable. Our junior secured notes payable at September 30, 2009 consist of a $38.1 million Tranche A component and a $24.0 million subordinate Tranche B component. Raymond C. Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, holds $2.0 million of Tranche A notes and Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, holds an aggregate of $31.0 million of Tranche A and Tranche B notes at September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, the Tranche A notes bear interest at 20% per annum and the Tranche B notes bear interest at 25% per annum. Secured debt interest expense is dependent on the amount of secured indebtedness and the interest expense associated therewith, both of which are dependent in part on the financial markets and economy as a whole.

Unsecured debt interest expense

Unsecured debt interest expense consists of interest expense and related amortization of discounts and debt issuance costs on our senior unsecured notes payable and our subordinated notes. Our subordinated notes consist of $75.0 million to Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, with interest at 12.0% per annum. Unsecured debt interest expense is dependent on the amount of unsecured indebtedness and the interest expense associated therewith, both of which are dependent on the financial markets and economy as a whole.

Selling and marketing

Selling and marketing expenses include salaries and commissions of sales personnel, as well as advertising and marketing-related costs. Our selling and marketing expenses are generally affected by the salaries and commissions we pay to our sales personnel, which are dependent in part on the volume of vehicles sold. Selling and marketing expenses are also generally affected by the cost of advertising media and our marketing strategy.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses include compensation and benefits, property-related expenses, collection expenses on our portfolio, store closing costs, and other ancillary expenses, such as professional fees and services.

We anticipate that general and administrative expenses will increase related to costs associated with being a public company, and costs associated with expansion of our dealership base. We anticipate that collection-related expenses will decrease as we centralize our collections for early delinquencies at our new collection facility in Dallas, Texas.

Gain on extinguishment of debt, net

Gain on extinguishment of debt, net represents the difference between the carrying value of the debt we repurchased and the purchase price at which we repurchased the debt, net of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts.

Critical accounting policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, impacting our reported results of operations and financial condition.

Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management, which have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the recognition of income and expenses. Management considers these accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The estimates and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results are described below.

Revenue recognition

Revenue from the sale of used vehicles is recognized upon delivery, when the sales contract is signed, and the agreed-upon down payment or purchase price has been received. Sales of used vehicles include revenue from the sale of used vehicles, net of a reserve for returns. The reserve for returns is estimated using historical experience and trends. Revenue is recognized at time of sale since persuasive evidence of an arrangement in the form of an installment sales contract exists, we have delivered the vehicle to the customer, transferred title, our sales have a fixed and determinable price, and collectability is reasonably assured.

Allowance for credit losses

We maintain an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a level we consider sufficient to cover estimated losses inherent in our portfolio of receivables. The evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance considers such factors as the performance of the loan portfolio by month of origination (a so-called “static pool analysis”), the portfolio credit grade mix, our historical credit losses, the overall portfolio quality, delinquency status, the value of the underlying collateral, current economic conditions that may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay, and the overall effectiveness of collection efforts. This estimate of existing probable and estimable losses is primarily based on static pool analyses prepared for various segments of the portfolio utilizing historic loss experience, adjusted for the estimated impact of current economic factors. In management’s judgment, the allowance is maintained at a level that is adequate to provide for the estimate of probable credit losses inherent in our finance receivable portfolio. On a quarterly basis management reviews the allowance for credit losses for reasonableness and adequacy. Adjustments to the allowance for credit losses are recorded through the provision for credit losses.

Valuation of inventory

Inventory consists of used vehicles held-for-sale or currently undergoing reconditioning and is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Vehicle inventory cost is determined by specific identification. Direct and indirect vehicle

reconditioning costs including parts and labor, costs to transport the vehicles to our dealership locations, buyer costs, and other incremental costs are capitalized as a component of inventory cost.

Secured financings

Securitizations

We sell loans originated at our dealerships to our bankruptcy-remote securitization subsidiaries, which, in turn, transfer the loans to separate trusts that issue notes and certificates collateralized by these loans. The senior class notes, or Class A notes, are sold to investors, and we retain the subordinate classes. We continue to service all securitized loans. Due to certain restrictions placed on the trusts (i.e., the trusts do not have the right to pledge the assets), securitization transactions have been accounted for as secured financings, in accordance with ASC 860 – Transfers and Servicing. Loans included in the securitization transactions are recorded as finance receivables and the asset-backed securities that are issued by the trusts are recorded as a component of portfolio term financings in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Pooled auto loan program transactions

When the securitization market deteriorated beginning in 2007, we launched our PALP program to serve as a primary source of fixed-rate financing for our finance receivable portfolio. Under PALP, we pool contracts originated at our dealerships and sell them to either (i) a special purpose entity which transfers the loans to a separate trust which, in turn, issues a note collateralized by the loans; or (ii) we sell the pooled loans, in a secured financing transaction, directly to a third-party financial institution. We retain all servicing. Both types of PALP transactions are accounted for as secured financings either due to our right to repurchase the loans sold at a specified date or due to restrictions placed on the trust. Therefore, the loan contracts included in the transactions remain in finance receivables and the debt is reflected as portfolio term financings on the consolidated balance sheets.

Limited warranty

A liability for the estimated cost of vehicle repairs under our DriveCare^® limited vehicle warranty program is established at the time a used vehicle is sold by charging costs of used vehicles sold. Starting with sales in December 2009, the DriveCare^® limited warranty plan was extended to 36 months / 36,000 miles, and includes oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance. The liability is evaluated for adequacy through an analysis based on the program’s historical performance of warranty cost incurred per unit sold over the term of the warranty, as adjusted for the increased warranty coverage.

Factors affecting comparability

We have set forth below selected factors that we believe have had, or can be expected to have, a significant effect on the comparability of recent or future results of operations:

Income tax status

Historically, our two principal operating companies, DTAG and DTAC, were structured as pass through tax entities, and accordingly did not record any provision for income taxes except for an entity level state tax in certain states and C-corporation taxes for one of our subsidiaries. In connection with our initial public offering, we will undergo a reorganization that will, among other things, result in us being treated as a C-corporation subject to corporate income taxation. Consequently, we will record a net deferred tax liability and corresponding income tax expense. The amount of

the deferred tax liability would have been approximately $51.0 million had the revocation date been September 30, 2009. The deferred tax liability is principally made up of $42.0 million from the intercompany loss on sale of receivables from DTAG to DTAC and $11.0 million from gain on debt extinguishment, offset by a $2.9 million deferred tax asset from net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, we would have had $8.3 million of net operating losses available to offset future income, for which there would have been an annual limitation of approximately $2.9 million.

As an S-corporation, DTAG sold receivables to DTAC at a discount and was able to report a related tax loss, which was eliminated in consolidation. To the extent these losses have been previously deducted for tax purposes by DTAG prior to our becoming a C-corporation, the losses will not be deductible again as we record a provision for credit losses for loans that existed at the date we convert to a C-corporation. Therefore, a deferred liability will be established upon conversion and that deferred liability will increase or decrease as a result of future loan originations. The actual amounts of our deferred tax liability, net operating loss, and annual limitation thereon, will be determined and reflected in our results for the quarter during which our S-corporation status is terminated. The revocation of our S-corporation election will have an impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Our effective income tax rate will increase and our net income will decrease since we will be subject to both federal and state taxes on our earnings.

Public company expenses

Following this offering, we will be a public company, with our shares listed for trading on a national exchange. As a result, we expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase as we pay our employees, legal counsel, and accountants to assist us in, among other things, establishing and maintaining a more comprehensive compliance and board governance function, establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and preparing and distributing periodic public reports under the federal securities laws. In addition, we expect that as a public company the cost of director and officer liability insurance will increase. We estimate that incremental public company costs will be between $6.0 million and $8.0 million annually.

Stock-based and other executive compensation

Prior to this offering, we have not granted or issued any stock-based compensation. Accordingly, we have not recognized any stock-based compensation expense. In connection with this offering, we intend to make awards to our directors, officers, and employees. As a result, we expect to incur non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses in future periods, and these amounts could be substantial.

Related party transactions

At September 30, 2009, we leased 17 dealerships, three reconditioning facilities, our former loan servicing center, and our corporate office from affiliates of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder. In connection with this offering, the property that is the subject of these leases will be transferred to us at their aggregate carrying value of $30.9 million, and the leases will be cancelled. The aggregate fair market value of these properties (based on 2008 appraisals) was approximately $50.4 million. We incurred approximately $5.2 million, $5.3 million, $5.7 million, and $4.9 million in total lease expenses (including store closing costs) for these leases in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

In addition, at September 30, 2009, we leased one dealership and one inspection center from a director and officer of DTAC and Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law. In connection with this offering, the property that is the subject of these leases will be transferred to us for $2.0 million, and the leases will be cancelled. Our total lease obligation under these

leases would otherwise have been approximately $3.2 million. We incurred approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million, $1.5 million, and $0.3 million (including store closure costs) in total lease expenses for these leases in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

As a result of the transfers, lease expense will be lower in future periods, and depreciation and interest expense associated with anticipated mortgage financing will increase. We expect operating cost savings associated with the related party properties being acquired by us, net of depreciation and interest expense we will incur, to be approximately $2.6 million for 2010, assuming this offering closes in the first quarter of 2010. Our savings for 2011 and thereafter is estimated to be approximately $3.4 million.

In September 2005, we entered into a lease with Verde for an aircraft. Under the terms of the lease agreement, we agreed to pay monthly lease payments of $150,000 plus taxes to Verde, and are responsible for paying all costs and expenses related to the aircraft and its operations. The lease term is five years. We incurred $3.1 million, $3.7 million, $3.7 million, and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008 and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, of aircraft lease and operating expenses. In connection with this offering, this lease will be terminated and we will no longer incur related party aircraft lease or operating expenses.

In addition, in the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we incurred $1.8 million, $1.8 million, $1.3 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, in net related party general and administrative expenses in connection with our relationship with Verde. These arrangements will be terminated in connection with this offering.

Convertible preferred stock

Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, is the holder of all of our outstanding $75.0 million in 12% subordinated notes and the holder of $60.1 million of our junior secured notes ($36.1 million of which bear interest at 22% per annum and $24.0 million of which bear interest at 27% per annum at December 31, 2009). We incurred $6.4 million and $12.2 million in interest expense with respect to this debt for the year ended December 31, 2008 and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. In connection with this offering, Verde has agreed to exchange an aggregate of $100.0 million of subordinated notes and junior secured notes for shares of our newly-designated 6.5% convertible preferred stock, based on the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Description of Capital Stock.” The remaining $35.1 million in indebtedness payable to Verde will be repaid with a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Results of operations

Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2008

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated.


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Percent Change
	2008			2009			Percent Change
	($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Sales of used vehicles	$	657,272		$	563,985		(14.2	)%
Interest income		198,908			188,950		(5.0	)%

Total revenue		856,180			752,935		(12.1	)%

Costs and expenses:
Cost of used vehicles sold		396,008			315,638		(20.3	)%
Provision for credit losses		221,669			175,612		(20.8	)%
Secured debt interest expense		53,882			71,283		32.3	%
Unsecured debt interest expense		15,914			13,269		(16.6	)%
Selling and marketing		23,600			24,308		3.0	%
General and administrative		122,704			113,561		(7.5	)%
Depreciation expense		10,558			9,627		(8.8	)%
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net		(10,254	)		(30,311	)	195.6	%

Total costs and expenses		834,081			692,987		(16.9	)%

Income before income taxes		22,099			59,948		171.3	%
Income tax expense		940			770		(18.1	)%

Net income	$	21,159		$	59,178		179.7	%

Sales of used vehicles

Revenue from sales of used vehicles decreased $93.3 million, or 14.2%, from $657.3 million to $564.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in revenue was driven by a 12.6% decrease in sales volume, coupled with a decrease in average sales price per vehicle sold. The decrease in sales volume is attributable to a decrease in the average number of stores open, and a decrease in our close rates as a result of our efforts to tighten our loan underwriting standards beginning in the second quarter of 2008. We tightened our loan underwriting standards to improve credit quality of new originations and closed stores in order to reduce origination volume to address reduced liquidity as a result of turmoil in the credit markets, as well as the effects of the recession on our customers. The decrease in average sales price per vehicle is attributable to a decrease in the average cost of used vehicles sold and our overall pricing strategy.

Internet-related sales increased from $177.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $249.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As a percent of total sales revenue, internet-related sales comprised 27.1% and 44.3% of our total sales revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our internet applications increased 58% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a result of our increased marketing and advertising effort, which is directed at driving more customers to our websites to complete an application to obtain pre-approval for financing to purchase one of our vehicles.

On a same store basis, customer applications increased 8.4% and close rates decreased to 27.7% from 30.4% due to tightening of our loan underwriting standards, resulting in a decrease in same store unit sales of 1.1% and a decrease in same store vehicle revenues of 3.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.

Interest income

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $189.0 million, a decrease of 5.0% from $198.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This decrease is attributable to a $47.3 million decrease in the average principal balance on our receivable portfolio for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which was a direct result of a lower level of originations due to the factors described above.

Cost of used vehicles sold

Total cost of used vehicles sold decreased $80.4 million, or 20.3%, from $396.0 million to $315.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively, due to decreases in the number of vehicles sold and the average cost of vehicles sold. Our cost of vehicles sold per unit decreased as a result of lower acquisition costs, as well as lower reconditioning costs, buying efficiencies, and reduced costs associated with our warranty as a result of bringing certain administrative functions in-house. Acquisition costs are a function of the vehicle make, model, and year mix that we acquire, along with vehicle wholesale auction price trends for the segment of vehicles that we target for acquisition. We lowered our reconditioning costs with the implementation of an inventory management system and were able to improve our buying efficiencies by renegotiating contracts with national transport companies.

Gross margin

Gross margin as a percentage of sales revenue increased to 44.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from 39.8% for the same period in 2008. Average gross margin per vehicle sold increased 8.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 2008. Although our price per vehicle sold has decreased, we were able to increase our margin over cost of vehicles sold as described above. Our gross margins were also lower in 2008 due, in part, to overstocked vehicle inventory associated with dealership closings that occurred in the second quarter 2008.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses decreased $46.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily attributed to a decrease in net charge-offs due to tightening our loan underwriting standards, starting with originations in the second quarter of 2008. Provision for credit losses also decreased due to reduced loan origination volume compared to the prior year, coupled with a decrease in the allowance as a percentage of outstanding principal due to the improved quality of the loan portfolio.

Net charge-offs as a percent of average outstanding principal decreased to 13.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 14.9% in 2008. This improvement is the result of tightening of our loan underwriting standards beginning in the second quarter of 2008, which reduced gross principal charged-off to 19.8% at September 30, 2009 from 21.6% at September 30, 2008, coupled with increased recoveries as a percentage of principal charged off. The improvement in recoveries is due in part to improved effectiveness of our repossession efforts, and the increase in seasoning of our loan portfolio.

The allowance for credit losses decreased $10.0 million from December 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009, which, as a percentage of principal outstanding balance, represented a decrease from 18.1% at December 31, 2008 to 17.1% at September 30, 2009. The decrease in the allowance as a percent of outstanding principal balance is based primarily on the improved credit quality of our portfolio due to the tightening of our loan underwriting standards beginning in the second quarter of 2008. At September 30, 2009, approximately 61.8% of our portfolio represents loans that were originated since March 31, 2008 under our tightened loan underwriting standards.

Secured debt interest expense

Secured debt interest expense increased $17.4 million, or 32.3%, from $53.9 million to $71.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our weighted average effective borrowing rate on secured debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 10.5%, as compared to 7.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase is attributable to higher effective interest rates on our current and former portfolio warehouse facilities, an increase in amortization of loan fees due to facility renewals, an increase in the average amount borrowed pursuant to portfolio term financings, an increase in the effective rate on our portfolio term financings and inventory facility, and the issuance of our junior secured notes to certain related parties and others in December 2008, offset, in part, by the elimination of interest expense associated with our residual facility, which was terminated in December 2008.

Unsecured debt interest expense

Unsecured debt interest expense decreased $2.6 million, or 16.6%, from $15.9 million to $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The decrease is primarily related to a decrease in interest expense on our senior unsecured notes, as a result of the repurchase of $122.0 million in aggregate principal amount of these notes in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on subordinated notes payable, which were issued in April and May 2008.

Selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expenses increased $0.7 million, or 3.0%, from $23.6 million to $24.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. This slight increase was due to an increase in our advertising expenses, primarily related to our television and internet marketing strategy.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expenses decreased $9.1 million, or 7.5%, from $122.7 million to $113.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. General and administrative expenses decreased due to fewer stores in operation during 2009 as a result of the closure of 19 stores and four reconditioning facilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as well as the closure of nine stores and two reconditioning facilities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. These were partially offset by store closing costs of $9.6 million and $4.7 million expensed in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and a $7.6 million expense incurred in the first quarter of 2009 relating to a legal settlement. The settlement related to a lawsuit by a competitor that essentially alleged that we unlawfully paid the competitor’s employees for customer referrals, diverting business from the competitor to us. We disputed the allegations and believe that, in general, the prospects referred did not meet the typical customer profile of the competitor. Nonetheless, we discontinued the practice complained of, and settled the lawsuit without admitting any impropriety or illegality.

Gain on extinguishment of debt, net

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, we repurchased outstanding indebtedness in aggregate principal amounts of $62.1 million and $135.2 million, respectively, resulting in net gains on the extinguishment of debt of $10.3 million and $30.3 million in the same periods, respectively.

Net income

Net income increased $38.0 million from $21.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to a lower provision for credit losses due to improved loan portfolio performance, gains on the extinguishment of debt, increased gross margin per unit sold, and a decrease in general and administrative costs and operating expenses due to fewer stores in operation, offset by a reduction in the number of vehicles sold due to tightening of our loan underwriting standards, store closures in 2008 and 2009, and an increase in interest expense.

Originations

The following table sets forth information regarding our originations for the periods indicated.


	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2008			2009			Change
	($ in thousands, except average data)
Amount originated	$	649,994		$	556,252			(14.4	)%
Number of loans originated		45,776			40,016			(12.6	)%
Average amount financed	$	14,199		$	13,901		$	298
Average APR originated		21.2	%		20.8	%		(0.4	)%
Average term (in months)		52.9			51.5			(1.4	)
Average down payment	$	980		$	1,135		$	155
Down payment as a percent of amount financed		6.9	%		8.2	%		1.3	%
Percentage of sales revenue financed ⁽¹⁾		98.9	%		98.6	%		(0.3	)%

(1)	Represents the dollar amount originated divided by the dollar amount of revenue from sales of used vehicles.

We originate loans when a customer finances the purchase of one of our vehicles, and the balance on these loans, together with accrued interest and unamortized loan origination costs, comprises our portfolio of finance receivables. Receivables are financed to generate liquidity for our business. See “ – Liquidity and capital resources” for further information.

The principal amount of loans we originated decreased 14.4% and the number of loans originated decreased 12.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. These decreases were due to a decrease in the number of vehicles sold over the same periods as a result of an effort to tighten our loan underwriting standards and reduce sales volumes combined with store closures, and a decrease in the average amount financed due to a decrease in the average sales price per vehicle and an increase in the average down payment. We tightened our loan underwriting standards and closed stores in order to reduce origination volume and improve credit quality of new originations to address reduced liquidity as a result of turmoil in the credit markets, and the effects of the recession on our customers.

Average APR for loans originated for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased from 21.2% in 2008 to 20.8% in 2009 due, in part, to the increase in credit quality of our portfolio in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008.

Receivables portfolio

The following table shows the characteristics of our finance receivables portfolio for the periods indicated.


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
	2008			2009			Change
	($ in thousands, except per loan data)
Principal balance receivables, end of period	$	1,409,161		$	1,361,259			(3.4	)%
Average principal balance during period	$	1,416,292		$	1,368,969			(3.3	)%
Number of loans outstanding, end of period		129,788			130,042			254
Average remaining principal per loan, end of period	$	10,857		$	10,468		$	(389	)
Weighted average APR of contracts outstanding		20.8	%		20.5	%		(0.3	)%
Average age per loan (in months)		11.9			14.2			2.3

Finance receivables principal balance decreased $47.9 million from September 30, 2008 to September 30, 2009 due to an excess of portfolio run-off (regular principal payments, payoffs, and charge-offs) over origination volume. This decrease was due, in large part, to a decrease in sales volume and originations as a result of the tightening of our loan underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008 along with the closure of stores.

Delinquencies

As a percentage of total outstanding loan principal balances, delinquencies over 30 days were 9.5% and 7.1% at September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The decrease was due to the tightening of our loan underwriting standards beginning in the second quarter of 2008. At September 30, 2009, approximately 61.8% of our portfolio represents loans that were originated since March 31, 2008 under our tightened loan underwriting standards.

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated.


	Years Ended December 31,					Percent Change
	2007		2008			Percent Change
	($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Sales of used vehicles	$	963,621	$	796,750		(17.3	)%
Interest income		250,628		261,875		4.5	%

Total revenue		1,214,249		1,058,625		(12.8	)%

Costs and expenses:
Cost of used vehicles sold		575,234		477,255		(17.0	)%
Provision for credit losses		283,407		300,884		6.2	%
Secured debt interest expense		63,719		74,749		17.3	%
Unsecured debt interest expense		12,982		22,333		72.0	%
Selling and marketing		36,210		28,644		(20.9	)%
General and administrative		154,018		157,311		2.1	%
Depreciation expense		15,784		14,088		(10.7	)%
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—		(19,699	)	100.0	%

Total costs and expenses		1,141,354		1,055,565		(7.5	)%

Income before income taxes		72,895		3,060		(95.8	)%
Income tax expense		1,000		1,090		9.0	%

Net income	$	71,895	$	1,970		(97.3	)%

Sales of used vehicles

Revenue from sales of used vehicles decreased $166.9 million, or 17.3%, from $963.6 million to $796.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in revenue was driven by a decrease in the average number of stores open coupled with a decrease in our close rates as a result of our efforts to tighten our loan underwriting standards beginning in the second quarter of 2008. We tightened underwriting standards in order to reduce origination volume and improve credit quality of new originations. Sales were negatively affected by the soft retail economy and lack of consumer confidence, both in the used car market and the retail segment as a whole.

Internet-related sales decreased from $254.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $227.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. As a percent of total sales revenue, internet-related sales comprised 26.4% and 28.5% of our total sales revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

On a same store basis, customer applications increased 0.7% and close rates decreased from 34.2% to 29.5% due to tightening of our loan underwriting standards, resulting in a decrease in same store unit sales of 13.2% and a decrease in same store revenues from the sale of used vehicles of 13.4% for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Interest income

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $261.9 million, an increase of 4.5% from $250.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

The increase is primarily due to the increase in average portfolio principal of $138.6 million in 2008 compared to 2007, offset by decreases in the average effective yield on our receivables portfolio, as discussed below, and a decrease in interest earned on investments in our securitization trusts.

Cost of used vehicles sold

Our total cost of used vehicles sold decreased $98.0 million, or 17.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007 due to the decrease in the number of units sold, partially offset by a slight increase in the average cost of vehicles sold year over year. In 2008, we increased our age and mileage limits for inventory purchases in an effort to maintain affordability; however, we spent more on acquisition and reconditioning costs per unit sold, causing the average cost of vehicles sold to increase slightly.

Gross margin

Gross margin as a percentage of sales revenue decreased slightly to 40.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008 from 40.3% for the year ended December 31, 2007. Average gross margin per vehicle sold decreased 0.6% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease in gross margin percentage and average gross margin per vehicle sold for the year ended December 31, 2008 is the result of a slight increase in the average cost of vehicles sold as described above.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses increased $17.5 million, or 6.2%, from $283.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $300.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to an increase in net charge-offs, partially offset by a slight decrease in the allowance for credit losses.

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal outstanding increased from 18.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 to 21.4% for the year ended December 31, 2008 due to higher gross charge-offs and lower recoveries. Gross charge-offs increased due to general economic conditions, including the increase in unemployment during the latter part of 2007 and continuing into 2008. Recoveries decreased as a percentage of principal charged-off due to a higher loan to vehicle cost ratio for more recent originations along with longer terms which slowed down principal amortization for these loans.

Our allowance decreased $1.4 million from December 31, 2007 to 2008. The allowance as a percentage of portfolio principal decreased slightly from 18.2% at December 31, 2007 to 18.1% at December 31, 2008. The decrease in allowance percentage was due to tightening of our loan underwriting standards in 2008, partially offset by the negative effects of the economy.

Secured debt interest expense

Secured debt interest expense increased $11.0 million, or 17.3%, from $63.7 million to $74.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The increase in secured debt interest expense was due primarily to (i) higher borrowing costs on both of our portfolio warehouse facilities and portfolio term financings, coupled with allocating a greater portion of our borrowings to our portfolio warehouse facilities, (ii) an increase in the average amount outstanding on our inventory facility, and (iii) the issuance of our junior secured notes to certain related parties and others in December 2008. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in the average balance of the residual facility, which was reduced during the course of the year and terminated in December 2008.

The increase in our average outstanding balances under the portfolio warehouse facilities was due to the expansion of the capacity of our portfolio warehouse facilities to mitigate the effects of the collapse of the subprime auto securitization market.

Unsecured debt interest expense

Unsecured debt interest expense increased $9.4 million, or 72.0%, from $13.0 million to $22.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, primarily due to an increase in the aggregate principal balance of senior unsecured notes outstanding and an increase in interest expense on subordinated notes. In July 2007, we exchanged $78.5 million of our then-existing $80.0 million senior unsecured notes due 2010, which had an effective interest rate of 12.65%, for notes on similar terms due 2013, and we issued an additional $56.5 million in senior unsecured notes due 2013 with an effective rate of 12.4%. In April and May 2008, we issued a total of $75.0 million in subordinated notes to Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, which notes bear interest at 12.0%.

Selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expenses decreased $7.6 million, or 20.9%, from $36.2 million to $28.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. This decrease was due to a reduction in the number of stores combined with lower sales volumes.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million, or 2.1%, from $154.0 million to $157.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, due to the closure of 19 dealerships and four reconditioning facilities during the year ended December 31, 2008.

Gain on extinguishment of debt, net

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we repurchased outstanding indebtedness in aggregate principal amount of $96.0 million, resulting in net gains on the extinguishment of debt of $19.7 million. We did not repurchase any indebtedness for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net income

Net income decreased $70.0 million to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $71.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in our provision for credit losses caused by an increase in charge-offs and a decrease in recovery rates, a reduction in the number of vehicles sold, the closure of 19 stores and four reconditioning facilities, and an increase in interest expense primarily related to increased amounts borrowed due to the growth in our average outstanding loan portfolio and higher cost of funds. These were partially offset by gains on extinguishment of debt and an increase in interest income related to a larger average portfolio.

Originations

The following table sets forth information regarding our originations for the periods indicated.


	Years Ended December 31,						Change
	2007			2008			Change
	($ in thousands, except average data)
Amount originated	$	959,517		$	789,360			(17.7	)%
Number of loans originated		66,908			55,393			(17.2	)%
Average amount financed	$	14,341		$	14,250		$	(91	)
Average APR originated		20.8	%		21.1	%		0.3	%
Average term (in months)		52.1			53.0			0.9
Average down payment	$	1,110		$	1,090		$	(20	)
Down payment as a percent of amount financed		7.7	%		7.6	%		(0.1	)%
Percentage of sales revenue financed ⁽¹⁾		99.6	%		99.1	%		(0.5	)%

(1)	Represents the dollar amount originated divided by the dollar amount of revenue from sales of used vehicles.

We originated $789.4 million in principal amount of loans in the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $170.2 million, or 17.7%, compared to $959.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, due primarily to the decrease in the number of vehicles sold, coupled with a decrease in the average amount financed.

Average APR for loans originated for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased to 21.1% from 20.8% in 2007. In 2008 we raised interest rates for certain model year vehicles. Partially offsetting this was the better credit grade mix of loans originated in the latter part of year, which have lower APRs.

Receivables portfolio

The following table shows the characteristics of our finance receivable portfolio for the periods indicated.


	As of and for the Years Ended December 31,						Change
	2007			2008			Change
	($ in thousands, except per loan data)
Principal balance receivables, end of period	$	1,343,085		$	1,342,855			—	%
Average principal balance during period	$	1,271,678		$	1,410,292			10.9	%
Number of loans outstanding, end of period		124,228			125,070			842
Average remaining principal per loan, end of period	$	10,811		$	10,737		$	(74	)
Weighted average APR of contracts outstanding		21.0	%		20.6	%		(0.4	)%
Average age per loan (in months)		11.0			12.5			1.5

Finance receivable principal balance remained relatively flat at December 31, 2007 compared to December 31, 2008 due primarily to portfolio runoff (regular principal payments, payoffs, and charge-offs) approximating origination volume. Average principal outstanding was higher in 2008 due to strong origination volumes in the first quarter of 2008, before we tightened our loan underwriting standards, which resulted in higher mid-year principal balances outstanding. The reduced origination volumes related to the tightening of our loan underwriting standards and store

closures in the middle of 2008, along with higher charge-offs, resulted in a reduction in principal outstanding in the second half of the year. The age of our portfolio increased due to reduced origination volume in 2008, creating a more seasoned portfolio.

Delinquencies

Delinquencies over 30 days increased to 9.4% of total outstanding loan principal balances at December 31, 2008 compared to 8.6% at December 31, 2007 due to a general decline in the economy and the increased seasoning of the loan portfolio.

Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to year ended December 31, 2006

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated.


	Years Ended December 31,					Percent Change
	2006			2007		Percent Change
	($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Sales of used vehicles	$	808,131		$	963,621	19.2	%
Interest income		220,683			250,628	13.6	%

Total revenue		1,028,814			1,214,249	18.0	%

Costs and expenses:
Cost of used vehicles sold		498,365			575,234	15.4	%
Provision for credit losses		192,010			283,407	47.6	%
Secured debt interest expense		47,748			63,719	33.4	%
Unsecured debt interest expense		10,076			12,982	28.8	%
Selling and marketing		35,330			36,210	2.5	%
General and administrative		151,999			154,018	1.3	%
Depreciation expense		11,600			15,784	36.1	%

Total costs and expenses		947,128			1,141,354	20.5	%

Income before income taxes		81,686			72,895	(10.8	)%
Income tax expense		(1,426	)		1,000	(170.1	)%

Net income	$	83,112		$	71,895	(13.5	)%

Sales of used vehicles

Revenue from sales of used vehicles increased $155.5 million, or 19.2%, from $808.1 million to $963.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The increase was primarily caused by an increase in average sales price of our vehicles and an increase in sales volume. The average sales price per vehicle increased due, in part, to acquiring inventory with a lower average age and mileage. Our sales prices are a function of cost plus margin, so higher vehicle costs in 2007 translated into higher sales prices. In addition, during the first quarter of 2007, we implemented a “no haggle” pricing strategy, which has the objectives of enhancing the customer’s buying experience and improving overall pricing consistency and profitability through centralized pricing of inventory. The increase in the number of vehicles sold is primarily attributed to the increase in the average number of stores open.

Internet-related sales increased from $146.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to $254.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. As a percent of total sales revenue, internet-related sales comprised 18.1% and 26.4% of our total sales revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. In early 2006 we focused our marketing efforts on encouraging customers to complete credit applications online.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, on a same store basis, customer applications increased 4.4% and close rates decreased to 34.5% from 36.0% due to credit tightening, resulting in an increase in same store unit sales of 0.2%. Same store revenues from the sale of used vehicles increased by 7.4% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Interest income

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $250.6 million, an increase of 13.6% from $220.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The increase is primarily due to an increase in average portfolio principal, partially offset by a decrease in the average effective yield on our receivables portfolio. The decrease in average effective yield is the result of selling more vehicles in states where we have capped interest rates associated with the model year of the vehicle and a better grade mix of originations.

Cost of used vehicles sold

Our total cost of used vehicles sold increased $76.9 million, or 15.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the increase in number of units sold in 2007 and an increase in average acquisition cost per vehicle sold. In 2007 we acquired newer inventory with a lower average age and lower mileage than in 2006 in order to reduce reconditioning costs and provide a better quality vehicle to our customers.

Gross margin

Gross margin as a percentage of sales revenue increased in the year ended December 31, 2007 to 40.3% from 38.3% in the year ended December 31 2006. Average gross margin per vehicle sold increased 13.0% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006. These increases are primarily due to the implementation of “no haggle” pricing, which enabled us to achieve our targeted sales prices.

Provision for credit losses

Provision for credit losses increased $91.4 million, or 47.6%, from $192.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to $283.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase is primarily due to the increase in net charge-offs, an increase in originations, a larger average loan portfolio, and an increase in the allowance for loan losses as a percent of principal.

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average portfolio principal outstanding increased from 15.8% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 18.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 due to higher gross charge-offs and lower recoveries. Gross charge-offs increased due to higher delinquency levels during the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006, due to increased unemployment and higher fuel prices. Recoveries as a percent of charge-offs decreased due in part to lower auction recovery prices in 2007. Auction prices were higher during the first part of 2006 as a result of vehicle shortages caused by hurricanes in the second half of 2005. The recovery percentage also decreased due to a higher loan to vehicle cost ratio for more recent originations, along with longer terms which slowed down principal amortization for these loans.

Our allowance increased $51.9 million from December 31, 2006 to 2007, and allowance as a percentage of principal increased from 17.4% at December 31, 2006 to 18.2% at December 31, 2007. The increase in our allowance was due, in part, to the increase in finance receivable principal balances caused by increased originations and an increase in the average amount financed per loan. In addition, we increased the allowance as a percentage of principal balances due to an increase in delinquencies and gross charge-off activity and a decrease in expected recovery rates due to higher margins on recent originations and lower values realized at auction.

Secured debt interest expense

Secured debt interest expense increased $16.0 million, or 33.4%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The increase was due to increases in our average outstanding balances under our portfolio term financings and portfolio warehouse facilities, an increase in the average amount outstanding on our inventory facility and our former residual facility, partially offset by lower interest rates and unused line fees on each such facility, and the addition of a $13.5 million note payable secured by our operations call center in Mesa, Arizona. The increase in our average outstanding balances under the portfolio warehouse facilities was due to the expansion of the capacity of our portfolio warehouse facilities related to the growth in our finance receivable portfolio, and as a result of our completing one less securitization in 2007 than in 2006, which had the effect of increasing our portfolio warehouse borrowings.

Unsecured debt interest expense

Unsecured debt interest expense increased $2.9 million, or 28.8%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to an increase in the aggregate principal balance of senior unsecured notes outstanding. In July 2007, we exchanged $78.5 million of our $80.0 million senior unsecured notes due 2010, which had an effective interest rate of 12.65%, for notes on similar terms due 2013, and we issued an additional $56.5 million in senior unsecured notes due 2013 with an effective rate of 12.4%.

Selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expenses increased slightly to $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $35.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase was due to expansion of our dealership base and an increase in sales volumes.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million, or 1.3%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase is due to opening new stores in 2007, offset by operational efficiencies gained through leveraging an increased number of stores over the existing corporate overhead, as well as some centralization initiatives.

Net income

Net income decreased $11.2 million to $71.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $83.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in our provision for credit losses, caused by an increase in charge-offs and decrease in recovery rates, and an increase in interest expense, partially offset by an increase in the number of vehicles sold, an increase in gross margin, and an increase in net interest income from the growth of our portfolio.

Originations

The following table sets forth information regarding our originations for the periods indicated.


	Years Ended December 31,						Change
	2006			2007			Change
	($ in thousands, except average data)
Amount originated	$	799,363		$	959,517			20.0	%
Number of loans originated		60,313			66,908			10.9	%
Average amount financed	$	13,254		$	14,341		$	1,087
Average APR originated		22.5	%		20.8	%		(1.7	)%
Average term (in months)		49.5			52.1			2.6
Average down payment	$	1,086		$	1,110		$	24
Down payment as a percent of amount financed		8.2	%		7.7	%		(0.5	)%
Percentage of sales revenue financed ⁽¹⁾		98.9	%		99.6	%		0.7	%

(1)	Represents the dollar amount originated divided by the dollar amount of revenue from sales of used vehicles.

We originated $959.5 million in principal amount of loans in the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $160.1 million, or 20.0%, compared to $799.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, due to the increase in the number of vehicles sold and the average sales price of vehicles sold, which increased the number of loans originated and the average amount financed.

The average APR for loans we originated in 2007 decreased 1.7% in 2007 compared to 2006 due to originating loans that were, on average, a higher credit grade in 2007 as compared to 2006, and due to a larger percentage of our originations being generated in states where interest rates are capped based on the vehicle model year.

Receivables portfolio

The following table shows the characteristics of our finance receivable portfolio for the periods indicated.


	As of and for the Years Ended December 31,						Change
	2006			2007			Change
	($ in thousands, except per loan data)
Principal balance receivables, end of period	$	1,104,325		$	1,343,085			21.6	%
Average principal balance during period	$	1,032,408		$	1,271,678			23.2	%
Number of loans outstanding, end of period		112,040			124,228			12,188
Average remaining principal per loan, end of period	$	9,857		$	10,811		$	954
Weighted average APR of contracts outstanding		21.5	%		21.0	%		(0.5	)%
Average age per loan (in months)		11.0			11.0			0.0

Finance receivable principal balance increased $238.8 million, or 21.6%, in 2007 primarily due to an increase in vehicle sales volume, higher amount financed per loan originated, and slower principal amortization due to an increase in average term of loans originated.

Delinquencies

Delinquencies over 30 days increased to 8.6% of total outstanding loan principal balances in 2007 compared to 7.2% in 2006. The increase in delinquencies was primarily attributable to economic conditions including higher unemployment during 2007.

Seasonality

Quarterly financial data

To illustrate the seasonality in total revenue, costs and expenses, and income before taxes, a summary of the quarterly financial data follows:


	First Quarter		Second Quarter			Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter			Total
	($ in thousands)
2009:
Total revenue	$	286,745	$	233,025		$	233,165				$	752,935
Costs and expenses ⁽¹⁾	$	274,675	$	194,636		$	223,676				$	692,987
Income before income taxes	$	12,070	$	38,389		$	9,489				$	59,948
Net income	$	11,700	$	38,099		$	9,379				$	59,178

2008:
Total revenue	$	364,998	$	249,976		$	241,207	$	202,444		$	1,058,625
Costs and expenses ⁽¹⁾	$	342,363	$	255,945		$	235,774	$	221,483		$	1,055,565
Income before income taxes	$	22,635	$	(5,969	)	$	5,433	$	(19,039	)	$	3,060
Net income / (loss)	$	22,215	$	(6,419	)	$	5,363	$	(19,189	)	$	1,970

2007:
Total revenue	$	374,276	$	288,619		$	289,683	$	261,671		$	1,214,249
Costs and expenses	$	328,965	$	259,251		$	285,592	$	267,546		$	1,141,354
Income before income taxes	$	45,311	$	29,369		$	4,091	$	(5,876	)	$	72,895
Net income / (loss)	$	44,811	$	28,779		$	3,841	$	(5,536	)	$	71,895

(1)	Includes net gains on extinguishment of debt.

Non-GAAP discussion

In addition to our GAAP results, we use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity.

We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our operating performance. All of the adjustments made in our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA are adjustments to items that management does not consider to be reflective of our core operating performance. Management considers our core operating performance to be that which can be affected by our managers in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations during that period. Income taxes, non-portfolio interest expense, depreciation expense, store closing costs, legal settlement costs, and gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt are not considered reflective of our core operating performance. We believe Adjusted EBITDA allows us to compare our current operating results with corresponding historical periods and with the operational performance of other companies in our industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses), and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying operating performance. We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties as a measure of performance.

In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments described above. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine, or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that it does reflect:

•

cash expenditures for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

•

changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital requirements;

•

interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our non-portfolio indebtedness;

•

the cost or cash required to replace assets that are being depreciated or amortized; and

•

the impact on our reported results of earnings or charges resulting from items accounted for in the GAAP measure from which Adjusted EBITDA is derived.

In addition, other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. For more information, see our financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA represents adjusted EBITDA on a pro forma basis to give effect to the offering as if the offering were consummated on January 1, 2009.

The following table presents data relating to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:


	Years Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2006			2007		2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
Net income	$	83,112		$	71,895	$	1,970		$	21,159		$	59,178
Plus: income tax expense (benefit)		(1,426	)		1,000		1,090			940			770
Plus: non-portfolio interest expense		11,932			16,104		26,545			18,231			23,208
Plus: depreciation expense		11,600			15,784		14,088			10,558			9,627
Plus: store closing costs		—			—		7,837			7,914			2,841
Plus: legal settlement		—			—		—			—			7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt, net		—			—		(19,699	)		(10,254	)		(30,311	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	105,218		$	104,783	$	31,831		$	48,548		$	72,913

The following table presents data relating to pro forma adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure, for the period indicated:


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
	(Unaudited)
Pro forma net income	$	60,099
Plus: Pro forma EBITDA adjustments
Pro forma income tax expense		39,075
Pro forma depreciation expense		9,948
Pro forma store closing costs		2,841
Pro forma legal settlement		7,600
Less: gain on extinguishment of debt		(30,311	)

Pro forma adjusted EBITDA	$	89,252

Liquidity and capital resources

General

We require capital for the purchase of inventory, to provide financing to our customers, for working capital and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of property and equipment, and to open new dealerships and reconditioning facilities.

We have historically funded our capital requirements primarily through operating cash flow, portfolio warehouse facilities, securitizations, PALP financings, inventory and other revolving facilities, real estate mortgage financing, and other notes payable (including junior secured notes, senior unsecured notes, and subordinated notes).

Response to recession and credit crisis

With the worldwide recession and tightening of credit starting in late 2007, including the deterioration of the securitization market, our access to funding was significantly curtailed. We were unable to issue securitization debt

beginning in the second half of 2007 through the third quarter of 2009. In addition, the advance rates on our portfolio warehouse facilities were reduced, while our cost of funds increased substantially.

In response, beginning in 2008, we tightened our loan underwriting standards and closed selected dealerships to reduce origination volume, reduced operating expenses, and continued to improve operational efficiencies through centralization of certain key functions. We were able to increase capacity with our portfolio warehouse lenders and obtain alternative funding sources. Below is a summary of significant actions we took to navigate through the credit crisis:

•

In the first quarter of 2008, we amended our portfolio warehouse facilities to increase capacity by $235.0 million from $500.0 million to $735.0 million;

•

In the second quarter of 2008, (i) Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, funded $75.0 million in subordinated debt, (ii) we tightened our loan underwriting standards to reduce origination volume and improve credit quality, and (iii) we closed 16 dealerships and three reconditioning facilities, resulting in a reduction in force of 300 employees and store closure costs of $7.8 million for the year-ended December 31, 2008;

•

In the third quarter of 2008, we repurchased $62.1 million of securitization debt, resulting in a gain of $10.3 million;

•

In the fourth quarter of 2008, we (i) issued $55.1 million of junior secured debt ($26.0 million to related parties), (ii) amended our portfolio warehouse facilities, extending the maturity dates to December 2009, reducing the capacity by $100.8 million, lowering the advance rates, and increasing the interest rates, (iii) issued $157.0 million of PALP debt at a blended advance rate of 74.8%, and (iv) repurchased $20.9 million of securitization debt and $13.0 million of senior unsecured debt, resulting in a gain of $9.4 million;

•

In the first quarter of 2009, we (i) closed seven dealerships and two reconditioning facilities, (ii) issued $166.5 million of PALP debt at a 75% advance, and (iii) repurchased $15.0 million of senior unsecured debt and $13.2 million of securitization debt, resulting in gains of $6.8 million;

•

In the second quarter of 2009, we (i) issued $125.0 million of PALP debt at a 75% advance rate, (ii) issued $10.0 million of additional junior secured debt, and repurchased $2.0 million of junior secured debt from a third party, and (iii) repurchased $75.0 million of senior unsecured debt, resulting in gain of $24.8 million;

•

In the third quarter of 2009, we (i) entered into a 12-month, $518.0 million PALP facility commitment at a 70% advance rate and incorporated $246.7 million of previously outstanding PALP debt into this new facility, (ii) extended our remaining portfolio warehouse facility to December 2010, reducing the facility size to $250.0 million, increasing the advance rate, and reducing the interest rate, (iii) terminated our other portfolio warehouse facility, due to excess capacity, (iv) increased our inventory facility to $60.0 million with a maturity date of August 2010, and (v) repurchased $32.0 million of senior unsecured debt from an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, at par (resulting in an accounting loss of $1.2 million), and repurchased $1.0 million of junior secured debt from a third party; and

•

In the fourth quarter of 2009, we completed our first securitization transaction since June 2007 by issuing $192.6 million of asset-backed securities, which are collateralized by approximately $300.0 million of finance receivables. The asset-backed securities are structured in four tranches with credit ratings ranging from AAA to A, without external credit enhancement from a monoline insurer. The weighted average coupon of these four tranches was 5.3%. See “– Financing sources – Portfolio term financings” below for additional information regarding securities ratings.

The steps we took to tighten our loan underwriting standards, close stores, reduce expenses, and secure alternative financing enabled us to continue to sell vehicles and originate loans during the credit crisis, and provided necessary liquidity to repurchase debt. Additionally, these actions increased our liquidity (unrestricted cash plus borrowing capacity) to $109.9 million at September 30, 2009 from $50.2 million at December 31, 2008. However, the weighted average annualized interest rate applicable to our total debt increased ratably from 7.2% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 to 8.4% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, and to 10.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Financing sources

We currently fund our capital requirements primarily through the following debt facilities – a portfolio warehouse facility, securitizations, PALP financings, a revolving inventory facility, junior secured notes, real estate financing, senior unsecured notes, and subordinated debt.

We actively manage utilization of our various funding sources as we seek to minimize borrowing costs through drawing on our lower cost facilities and minimizing unused line fees, while at the same time balancing the effective advance rates and liquidity generated by each of the credit facilities in order to meet our funding needs. The advance rates on our portfolio warehouse and term financings are based on the outstanding principal balance of the loans we originate. However, our initial investment in the loans we originate is lower than the original principal balance of the loans. A description of our current financing facilities follows:

Portfolio warehouse facility

We use portfolio warehouse facilities that are collateralized by our finance receivables to fund our originations. As of September 30, 2009, we have one portfolio warehouse facility. This facility, which expires in December 2010, has total capacity of $250.0 million, carries an advance rate on the receivables pledged to the facility of 58%, and amounts outstanding under the facility bear interest based on the cost of the lenders’ funds thereunder plus 4.25% (4.51% at September 30, 2009). As of September 30, 2009, the balance drawn on this facility is $168.7 million.

DT Warehouse, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTAC) is the sole borrower under our existing portfolio warehouse facility. DT Warehouse, LLC is a special purpose entity established specifically for the purpose of this lending relationship, with assets and liabilities distinct from the remainder of the DriveTime group. This facility does not contain a mark-to-market clause that would otherwise enable the lender to reduce advance rates based on market conditions, and limits the lender’s ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the underlying collateral in the event of default. In addition, on the termination date of the facility, (i) amounts outstanding at termination are not due and payable immediately, (ii) all collections on the contracts collateralizing these facilities would be used to pay down the facility until they are paid in full, and (iii) we would continue to service the contracts that are pledged under this facility, for which we would receive a 7.0% annualized servicing fee. All amounts outstanding under the facility will be due and payable on the third anniversary of the termination date of the facility.

DT Warehouse, LLC, has also entered into a $25.0 million demand note with DTAC, which has been assigned to the lender. The demand note is guaranteed by DTAG, Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole stockholder, and his affiliate Verde. At its sole discretion, the lender can require DTAC to fund the demand note, and apply the proceeds to pay down the facility with DT Warehouse, LLC.

Portfolio term financings

When the securitization market deteriorated beginning in 2007, we launched our PALP program to serve as the primary source of fixed-rate financing for our finance receivable portfolio, until we could access the securitization

market again. As with our traditional securitization program, under PALP, we pool loans originated at our dealerships, and sell them to either (i) a special purpose entity which transfers the loans to a separate trust, which, in turn, issues a note collateralized by the loans; or (ii) we sell the pooled loans directly to a third-party financial institution to yield a specified return with the right to repurchase these loans at specified dates. Both of these types of transactions are treated as secured financings for accounting purposes. Therefore, the contracts included in the transactions remain in finance receivables and the debt is reflected as portfolio term financings on our balance sheet. We retain all servicing and are paid a servicing fee from the monthly cash flow generated by the pooled receivables.

Pursuant to the agreement whereby we sell pooled loans directly to a third-party financial institution, we are required to maintain an aggregate amount of finance receivable principal balance of $740.0 million. On a monthly basis we replenish the portfolio run-off with sales of finance receivables in order to maintain the $740.0 million contract principal outstanding. This agreement to sell loans is effective until August 2010. The agreement continues until August 2011, but either the lender or we can terminate the facility, upon 90 days notice, after August 2010.

Since inception of this program, we have issued a total of $669.4 million in term financings through September 30, 2009. The following table is a summary of the PALP transactions outstanding at September 30, 2009:


PALP Transactions	Original Amount		Balance as of September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
2008-A	$	7,000	$	5,083
2008-B		165,000		107,159
2009-A		201,465		159,351
2009-B		22,004		18,543
2009-C		247,729		221,756
2009-E ⁽¹⁾		26,190		25,579

	$	669,388	$	537,471

(1)	The designation of “2009-D” was not used.

We historically have restored capacity under our portfolio warehouse facilities by securitizing portfolios of finance receivables. However, the securitization market experienced significant disruptions during the latter part of 2007 through mid 2009. In December 2009, we completed our first securitization transaction since June 2007 by issuing $192.6 million of asset-backed securities, which are collateralized by approximately $300.0 million of finance receivables. The asset-backed securities are structured in four tranches with credit ratings ranging from AAA to A, without external credit enhancement from a monoline insurer. The weighted average coupon of these four tranches was 5.3%.

The credit ratings for this securitization were issued by DBRS following an evaluation of a variety of factors. Under DBRS definitions, long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated “AAA” only to a small degree. Long-term debt rated “A” is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of “AA” rated entities. A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

In our securitizations, we sell loans originated at our dealerships to bankruptcy remote securitization subsidiaries that transfer the loans to separate trusts that issue notes and certificates collateralized by the loans. The senior class or “Class A” notes are sold to investors, and the subordinate classes of notes and certificates are retained by us. We continue to service all securitized loans. Securitization transactions are accounted for on balance sheet as collateralized borrowings. The loan contracts included in the transaction remain in finance receivables and the notes are reflected in securitization debt.

From 1996 through September 30, 2009, we have entered into 36 securitization transactions, issuing over $3.9 billion in debt. The following table is a summary of the securitization transactions outstanding as of September 30, 2009, with outstanding balances for each period presented:


Securitization Transactions	Original Note Amount		Balance as of September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
2006-B	$	305,000	$	41,386
2007-A		320,000		75,944

	$	625,000	$	117,330

Revolving inventory facility

Our revolving inventory facility is collateralized by our used vehicle inventory held for resale. Our inventory facility, which matures in August 2010, has a maximum capacity of $60.0 million and bears interest at LIBOR plus 6.0% (6.25% at September 30, 2009). At September 30, 2009, the outstanding balance of the inventory facility was $50.0 million.

Junior secured notes

As of December 31, 2009, we have an aggregate of $62.1 million in principal amount of junior secured notes due December 2012 outstanding, which notes are secured by our finance receivables. These notes consist of a $38.1 million Tranche A component ($36.1 million of which is held by Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, and $2.0 million of which is held by Ray Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer) and a $24.0 million subordinate Tranche B component that is held by Verde. The Tranche A notes bear interest at 20.0% per annum, increasing by 2.0% each year until maturity (22.0% at December 31, 2009). The Tranche B note bears interest at 25.0% per annum, increasing 2.0% each year until maturity (27.0% at December 31, 2009). In connection with this offering, Verde has agreed to exchange an aggregate of $100.0 million of subordinated notes (described below) and junior secured notes for shares of our newly-designated 6.5% convertible preferred stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Capital Stock.” To the extent not exchanged, any outstanding junior secured notes would be repaid with a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Real estate mortgage loan

In February 2007, we entered into a $13.5 million mortgage loan, bearing interest at a fixed rate of 5.87%, secured by our operations call center building in Mesa, Arizona. Terms of the loan agreement provide for monthly principal and interest payments. At September 30, 2009, the balance of this loan was $13.1 million.

Senior unsecured notes

In September 2005 we issued senior unsecured debt. All of this debt has been repurchased except for $1.5 million which matures in October 2010 and has an effective interest rate of 13.6%.

Subordinated notes

In April and May 2008, we issued an aggregate of $75.0 million in subordinated notes to Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, which notes bear interest at 12.0% per annum and mature August 2013. In connection with this offering, Verde has agreed to exchange an aggregate of $100.0 million of subordinated notes and junior secured notes (described above) for shares of our newly-designated 6.5% convertible preferred stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Capital Stock.” To the extent not exchanged, any outstanding subordinated notes would be repaid with a portion of the proceeds of this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Operating leases

At September 30, 2009, we lease the majority of our dealership locations and our operations call center in Mesa, Arizona. As each lease matures, we evaluate the existing location to determine whether the dealership should be relocated to another site in the region closer in proximity to new car franchises and/or higher traffic areas. Due to reduced access to funding in 2008 and 2009 we reduced origination volume and closed selected dealerships. During 2008 we closed 19 dealerships and four reconditioning facilities, and in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 we closed nine dealerships and two reconditioning facilities, which reduced our total number of each to 77 and 13, respectively. At September 30, 2009 we were obligated for leases on 11 properties which we have vacated (eight of which are owned by Verde, other affiliates of Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law). To date, we have subleased five of the 11 properties. In order to keep our capital expenditures for new stores to a minimum and in order to provide flexibility in our selection of new regions, we generally choose to lease our facilities in order to maximize our cash flow.

Other financing activities

In December 2008, we terminated a $75.0 million facility that was secured by our residual interests in our securitization trusts. In July 2009, we terminated a portfolio warehouse facility that provided $250.0 million in funding capacity. In addition, in August 2009, we terminated a 30-day rolling repurchase facility that was utilized to repurchase an aggregate of $96.2 million of our securitized debt on the open market from August 2008 to March 2009.

We had issued an aggregate of $136.5 million in senior unsecured notes payable in separate transactions in 2005 and 2007. We repurchased $13.0 million of these notes in December 2008, and we repurchased an additional $122.0 million of these notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The remaining $1.5 million matures in October 2010 and has an effective interest rate of 13.6%.

In December 2008 and August 2008, we repurchased $20.9 million and $62.1 million, respectively, of our 2007-A securitization bonds on the open market. Also, in March 2009, we repurchased an additional $13.2 million of our 2007-A securitization bonds on the open market. In September 2009 we reissued the then outstanding balance ($65.6 million) of the 2007-A securitization bonds we previously repurchased. These bonds were resold at a premium to par of 100.5% resulting in a $0.3 million premium.

In addition, we will incur or assume any indebtedness associated with the acquisition of properties from related parties that we intend to complete in connection with this offering. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Shareholder distributions

We have made significant distributions to shareholders since the formation of DTAC as an S-corporation in 2003 and the conversion of DTAG to an S-corporation in 2004. Income from S-corporations flows through to the individual shareholders, who report income/losses on their individual income tax returns. We have made distributions to shareholders to fund the tax paid by the shareholders related to income of DTAG and DTAC, in addition to general distributions to the shareholders. The following table summarizes distributions to shareholders since January 1, 2003.


	January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005		2006		2007		2008		January 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009			Totals
	($ in thousands)
Distributions to shareholders	$	135,033	$	47,237	$	51,194	$	12,733	$	—		$	246,197
Less: S-corporation shareholder tax liability based on highest tax rates		54,630		19,810		24,010		5,300		3,180			106,930

Distributions in excess of amounts to pay taxes	$	80,403	$	27,427	$	27,184	$	7,433	$	(3,180	)	$	139,267

In the fourth quarter of 2009, we paid $27.1 million in dividends to our sole shareholder related to 2009 earnings.

Liquidity

The following is a summary of total available liquidity, consisting of unrestricted cash and current availability under the portfolio warehouse, residual, and inventory facilities for the periods indicated:


	December 31,						September 30,
	2006		2007		2008		2008		2009
	($ in thousands)
Unrestricted cash	$	41,483	$	42,241	$	258,533	$	41,534	$	25,525
Portfolio warehouse facilities		63		4,068		23,889		13,304		81,271
Inventory facility		65,588		5,000		810		324		3,117
Residual facility ⁽¹⁾		14,530		75,000		—		—		—

Total liquidity	$	121,664	$	126,309	$	50,232	$	55,162	$	109,913

(1)	This facility was terminated in December 2008.

The following table presents a summary of our access to liquidity under our portfolio warehouse facility and our inventory facility based on collateral pledged as of September 30, 2009:


	Facility Amount		Amount Drawn		Unused Facility Amount (1)		Borrowing Base (2)(3)		Amount Drawn		Current Availability
	($ in thousands)
Portfolio warehouse facility	$	250,000	$	168,729	$	81,271	$	250,000	$	168,729	$	81,271
Inventory facility		60,000		50,000		10,000		53,117		50,000		3,117

	$	310,000	$	218,729	$	91,271	$	303,117	$	218,729	$	84,388

Unrestricted cash												25,525

Total cash and availability											$	109,913

(1)	Represents amounts that can be drawn upon as long as the amount drawn does not exceed the borrowing base for the credit facility.

(2)	Borrowing base is determined by the collateral currently pledged to the respective facilities. The borrowing base calculation for the portfolio warehouse facility uses a 58% advance rate.

(3)	Includes $75.8 million of unpledged loan contracts that can be pledged immediately and bring total borrowings to our maximum capacity. The borrowing base is the lesser of total eligible collateral multiplied by the applicable advance rate and the facility amount.

Changes in liquidity

Changes in liquidity are affected by increases and decreases to our operating cash flow, changes in advance rates on our portfolio warehouse facilities, capacity of our portfolio warehouse and inventory facilities, portfolio term financings, and changes in other notes payable. The following is a summary of changes in liquidity for each period presented:


	December 31,									September 30,
	2006			2007			2008			2008			2009
	($ in thousands)
Liquidity – beginning of period	$	101,041		$	121,664		$	126,309		$	126,309		$	50,232
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ⁽¹⁾		177			758			(16,708	)		(707	)		(8	)
Increase (decrease) in portfolio warehouse and residual availability		(3,673	)		64,475			(55,179	)		(65,764	)		57,382
Increase (decrease) in inventory facility availability		24,119			(60,588	)		(4,190	)		(4,676	)		2,307

Liquidity – end of period	$	121,664		$	126,309		$	50,232		$	55,162		$	109,913

(1)	Subsequent to distributions paid to our shareholders. See “– Shareholder distributions.”

Change in liquidity during the nine months ended September 30, 2009

Our liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased $59.7 million. The increase in 2009 was primarily the result of lower origination volume due to the tightening of our loan underwriting standards and fewer stores, an increase in borrowings under PALP financings, which have higher advance rates than our portfolio

warehouse facilities, maintaining lower inventory levels due to a decrease in the number of stores, and an increase in advance rate in our remaining portfolio warehouse facility, partially offset by the repurchase of $122.0 million of senior unsecured notes, and the repurchase of $13.2 million in securitization debt.

Change in liquidity during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008

Our liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased $76.1 million, primarily related to our inability to issue securitization debt during 2008 due to the demise of the subprime securitization market, lower advance rates on our portfolio warehouse facilities, the termination of our residual facility in December 2008, and the repurchase of $83.0 million in securitization debt and $13.0 million in senior unsecured debt. These decreases were partially offset by lower origination volume due to the tightening of our loan underwriting standards, maintaining lower inventory levels due to a decrease in the number of stores, an increase in borrowings under portfolio warehouse facilities, and funding from subordinated notes payable, PALP, and junior secured notes payable, and cash dividends paid to our shareholder.

Change in liquidity during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007

Our liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased $4.6 million. This increase resulted from the issuance of additional senior unsecured notes payable, an increase in borrowings and availability under our portfolio warehouse and residual facilities, and proceeds from disposal of property and equipment. These increases were offset by an increase in our finance receivable portfolio, an increase in inventory, purchases of property and equipment associated with newly opened and relocated stores, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities, a decrease in borrowing under securitizations, and cash dividends paid to our shareholder.

Change in liquidity during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006

Our liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased $20.6 million. The increase is primarily related to an increase in the advance rate on our portfolio warehouse facility, the execution of two securitization transactions in 2006, which have higher advance rates than our portfolio warehouse facility, and an increase in availability under our inventory facility. These increases were partially offset by purchases of property and equipment associated with newly opened and relocated stores, the purchase of the new operations call center in Mesa, Arizona, and cash dividends paid to our shareholders.

Cash flows

Operating activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $84.8 million, as compared to $41.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to lower origination volume tied to fewer open stores and tightening of our loan underwriting standards, and an increase in net income and accounts payable and accrued expenses. This increase was partially offset by a smaller reduction in inventory levels.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $60.0 million, as compared to net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 of approximately $136.0 million. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is due to lower origination volume tied to tightening our loan underwriting standards, a decrease in vehicle inventory tied to lower number of stores, and lower anticipated

sales in the first quarter of 2009 versus first quarter of 2008. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses and a decrease in net income.

Net cash used in operating activities increased $94.6 million to approximately $136.0 million used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $41.4 million used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in cash used in operating activities was primarily due to an increase in finance receivables and inventory, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Investing activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net cash used in investing activities increased to $7.0 million from $5.5 million used in investing activities for the nine months ended 2008.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $5.2 million to $6.3 million used in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $11.5 million used in the year ended 2007. This decrease was primarily the result of a reduction in the purchase of property and equipment since we did not open any new stores or reconditioning facilities during the year.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $24.1 million to $11.5 million in 2007 from $35.6 million in 2006, due to $9.9 million in proceeds from disposal of property and equipment related to the sale of an aircraft in December 2007 and a $14.2 million reduction in the purchase of property and equipment.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased to $77.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $36.5 million used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The additional cash used in financing activities in 2009 was primarily attributable to the repurchase of $122.0 million of senior unsecured notes and $13.2 million in securitization debt, whereas we only repurchased $62.1 million in securitization debt in the first nine months of 2008. This decrease in cash used is also attributed to an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, providing $75.0 million to us in the form of subordinated notes payable in 2008 as compared to no additions to this debt in 2009. We also fully repaid one of our portfolio warehouse facilities in July 2009. Partially offsetting these decreases in cash used were a reduction in payment of debt issuance costs in 2009, an overall increase in portfolio warehouse facilities and portfolio term financings, and the fact that we did not have any dividend distributions in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008.

Net cash from financing activities decreased to $70.4 million used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $148.2 million provided for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily attributable to the fact that we could not securitize our receivables during 2008 and a reduction in our pre-fund accounts, which consist of amounts borrowed and held in trust based on receivables not yet originated and sold to the securitization trust. In addition, we incurred higher debt issuance costs, tied to renewal and upsizing of facilities. We also issued $56.5 million of senior unsecured debt in 2007. Partially offsetting this decrease was a net increase in borrowings under portfolio warehouse facilities, as a result of the renewal of our two facilities in April 2008, the infusion of $75.0 million in the form of subordinated notes from Verde, an affiliate of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, in the second quarter of 2008, the issuance of $55.1 million in junior secured notes payable, the issuance of $157.0 million PALP debt, and the addition of $46.7 million in our repurchase facility, and a reduction in dividends paid to our shareholder.

Net cash provided by financing activities increased $71.0 million to $148.2 million in 2007, from $77.2 million in 2006. This increase was primarily attributable to the $54.1 million in net proceeds received from the issuance of the $56.5 million senior unsecured notes payable, which was used to pay down our short-term floating rate portfolio warehouse facilities and for working capital. Also contributing to this increase were increases to amounts outstanding under our portfolio warehouse facilities and inventory facility. During 2007, we executed a new $200.0 million portfolio warehouse facility with a new lender, entered into a new inventory facility and increased the availability and borrowing capacity of the inventory facility. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in securitization funding.

Contractual obligations

The following tables set forth, as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009, the aggregate amounts of our significant contractual obligations and commitments with definitive payment terms due in each of the periods presented:


	As of December 31, 2008
	Payments by Period
	Total		Less than 1 Year		Years 2-3		Years 4-5		More than 5 Years
	($ in thousands)
Debt obligations
Inventory facility	$	64,564	$	64,564	$	—	$	—	$	—
Portfolio warehouse facility ⁽¹⁾		398,093		322,172		75,921		—		—
Repurchase facility		46,694		46,694		—		—		—
Senior unsecured notes		119,866		—		1,471		118,395		—
Junior secured notes		55,100		—		—		55,100		—
Subordinated notes		75,000		—		—		75,000		—
Real estate mortgage loan		13,221		176		383		431		12,231
Capital lease obligations		—		—		—		—		—
Operating lease obligations		88,668		15,589		25,566		18,221		29,292
Securitizations & PALP financing ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		417,540		232,822		184,718		—		—

Total contractual obligations	$	1,278,746	$	682,017	$	288,059	$	267,147	$	41,523


	As of September 30, 2009
	Payments by Period
	Total		Less than 1 Year		Years 2-3		Years 4-5		More than 5 Years
	($ in thousands)
Debt obligations
Inventory facility	$	50,000	$	50,000	$	—	$	—	$	—
Portfolio warehouse facility ⁽¹⁾		168,729		—		168,729		—		—
Senior unsecured notes		1,483		—		1,483		—		—
Junior secured notes		62,088		—		—		62,088		—
Subordinated notes		75,000		—		—		75,000		—
Real estate mortgage loan		13,091		183		400		452		12,056
Capital lease obligations		601		168		316		117		—
Operating lease obligations		79,098		13,639		24,541		18,580		22,338
Securitizations & PALP financing ⁽³⁾		654,801		352,427		276,960		25,414		—

Total contractual obligations	$	1,104,891	$	416,417	$	472,429	$	181,651	$	34,394

(1)

On the termination date of the facility, amounts outstanding at termination are not due and payable immediately. All collections on the contracts collateralizing these facilities are used to pay down the facilities until they are paid in full. All amounts outstanding under the facility will be due and payable on the third anniversary of the termination date of the facility.

(2)	Includes $83.0 million of 2007-A securitization debt that was not outstanding at December 31, 2008 as a result of our repurchase of such debt. This amount was added back to securitization debt since, subsequent to December 31, 2008, we reissued the debt previously repurchased.

(3)

Securitization obligations do not have a contractual termination date. Therefore, all collections on the contracts collateralizing the securities are used to repay the asset-backed security holders based on an expected duration of the securities. On the termination date of the PALP obligations, amounts outstanding at termination are not due and payable immediately. All collections on the contracts collateralizing the facility are used to repay the facility until it is paid in full.

Impact of new accounting pronouncements

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to us, see “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

Impact of inflation

Inflation generally results in higher interest rates on our borrowings, which could decrease the profitability of our existing portfolio to the extent we have variable rate debt and could decrease profitability of our future originations if we are not able to pass the increase on to our customers. We seek to limit the risk of increasing borrowing costs:

•

through our portfolio term financings, which allowed us to fix a portion of our borrowing costs and generally match the term of the underlying finance receivables, and

•

by increasing the interest rate charged for loans originated at our dealerships (if allowed under applicable law) while maintaining affordability of the customers’ payment.

We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, or 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

Our financial instruments are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes. We use fixed rate securities to manage risk. Our earnings are substantially affected by our net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on interest-bearing assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing notes payable. Increases in market interest rates could have an adverse effect on profitability.

Our financial instruments consist primarily of fixed rate finance receivables and fixed and variable rate notes payable. Our finance receivables are classified as subprime loans and generally bear interest ranging from 4.9% to 29.9% or the

maximum interest rate allowed in states that impose interest rate limits. At September 30, 2009, the remaining scheduled maturities on our finance receivables ranged from one to 63 months, with a weighted average remaining maturity of 39.8 months. The interest rates we charge our customers on finance receivables have not changed significantly as a result of fluctuations in market interest rates. We may increase the interest rates we charge in the future if market interest rates continue to rise. The affordability of our customer’s payment is an important component of the structure of our transactions. Because of these affordability concerns for our customers and interest rate limits imposed by some states, we likely will not pass on the entire portion of future rate increases to our customers.

Approximately $806.5 million of our total debt of $1.0 billion at September 30, 2009, is fixed-rate collateralized asset-backed securities issued under our securitization program, PALP financings, senior unsecured notes payable due 2010, and other notes with a fixed interest rate. Our securitization program has historically allowed us to mitigate our interest rate risk by periodically replacing variable rate borrowings under our portfolio warehouse facility with fixed rate borrowings during the year.

The table below illustrates the impact that hypothetical changes in interest rates could have on our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2009. We compute the impact on interest expense for the period by first computing the baseline interest expense on our debt with interest rate risk, which includes the variable rate revolving credit lines and the variable rate notes payable. We then determine interest expense based on each of the interest rate changes listed below and compare the results to the baseline interest expense. The table does not give effect to our fixed rate receivables and borrowings.


	Increase (Decrease) in Interest Expense
Change in Rates	Year Ended December 31, 2008			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
	($ in thousands)
+200 basis points	$	10,874		$	5,390
+100 basis points		5,437			2,695
-100 basis points		(5,437	)		(2,695	)
-200 basis points	$	(10,874	)	$	(5,390	)

In computing the effect of hypothetical changes in interest expense, we have assumed that:

•

interest rates used for the baseline and hypothetical net interest expense amounts are on a monthly basis and in effect for the entire month;

•

interest for the period is calculated on monthly average debt balances during the applicable periods; and

•

there is no change in average balance outstanding as a result of the interest rate changes.

Our sensitivity to interest rate changes could be significantly different if actual experience differs from the assumptions used to compute the estimates.

Business

General

We operate in the large and highly fragmented used vehicle sales and financing markets. According to CNW, for 2008, industry sales of used vehicles totaled $291.7 billion, which consisted of sales from approximately 57,000 franchise and independent dealers and private transactions. The five largest used vehicle retailers accounted for only 2.2% of the nationwide market share in 2008. At the end of 2008, total used vehicle loans outstanding approximated $813.6 billion and the subprime segment we focus on comprised 18.2% of total automobile loans outstanding. Within the subprime market, we cater to customers who have the income necessary to purchase a used vehicle, but because of their impaired credit histories, typically cannot qualify for financing from traditional third-party sources. Our customer is typically 25 to 55 years of age, has an annual income of $24,000 to $56,000, and has a FICO score between 450 and 570. FICO scores range from 350 to 850, and a customer with a FICO score below 620 is typically considered to have subprime credit.

We believe that our business model has several advantages over our competition and that we provide our customers with a unique buying experience featuring:

(1)	branded, attractive dealership facilities, each of which maintains a large inventory of quality, reconditioned used vehicles;

(2)	professional and courteous service with “no haggle” pricing and a three day “no questions asked” return policy;

(3)	vehicle financing with affordable down payments and installment payments;

(4)	our DriveCare^® limited warranty program (included in the sales price of each vehicle) – a 36 month / 36,000 mile major mechanical warranty, including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance; and

(5)	numerous payment options, which include cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide, as well as online, by phone, and through other traditional payment methods.

To provide financing to our customers, we have traditionally relied upon portfolio warehouse facilities and securitization transactions.

Integrated business model

Our integrated business model is focused on giving our customers the ability to acquire quality used vehicles through six key activities:

•

Industry overview

(ii) approximately 38,000 independent used vehicle dealerships, which represented 32.1% of industry sales in 2008, and (iii) individuals who sell used vehicles in private transactions, which represented 31.8% of industry sales in 2008.

“Buy-here, pay-here” dealerships sell and finance used vehicles to individuals with limited credit histories or past credit problems. These subprime customers typically do not qualify to purchase a vehicle from used car megastores or the used car divisions of franchised new car dealers. “Buy-here, pay-here” dealerships are characterized by their sale of older, higher mileage cars; relatively small inventories of vehicles; and the requirement that customers make installment payments weekly or bi-weekly in person at the dealership.

The used vehicle financing segment is highly fragmented and is served by a variety of financing sources that include independent finance companies, “buy-here, pay-here dealers” and select traditional lending sources such as banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and captive finance subsidiaries of vehicle manufacturers. Many traditional lending sources have historically avoided the subprime market due to its relatively high credit risk and the associated collection efforts and costs. In addition, over the past one and one-half years, numerous subprime lenders have significantly curtailed their originations or exited the market. As a result, subprime loan approval rates have dropped from approximately 69% in early 2007 to approximately 11% in the fourth quarter of 2009. The following graph depicts the decline in loan approval rates to subprime customers.

LOGO

(Source: CNW)

Consistent with the decline in loan approval rates, according to CNW, the total number of independent used vehicle dealerships has declined in recent periods, from approximately 42,800 at the end of 2007 to approximately 38,700 at the end of 2008, reflecting the downturn in the economy and tightening of the credit markets, especially the subprime markets.

Conversely, these economic factors have pushed more consumers into the subprime category. For example, according to FICO, the percentage of the U.S. population that had FICO scores under 600 rose from approximately 22% in October 2005 to approximately 25% in April 2009.

We believe this confluence of factors – the increase of customers in our target market, combined with the decline in independent used vehicle dealerships and loan availability to the subprime market – provides us with the opportunity to grow and increase market share.

Competitive strengths

Integrated, centralized business model. We have developed a business model that integrates our vehicle acquisition, reconditioning, sales, underwriting and finance, loan servicing, and after sale support activities, which enables us to control and generate value from each aspect of our business. In addition, we have centralized the key components of each of these functions. We believe that our integrated business model and centralized operations enable us to carefully manage our business and provide consistent customer service, while providing us with a stable platform for growth.

Business strategies

Pursue growth by expanding our dealership network. We believe we are well positioned to expand our dealership network throughout the United States, primarily through organic growth. We believe our centralized and integrated business model enables us to efficiently open new dealerships. Our typical time from site selection to store opening is nine to 12 months, and generally we achieve profitability within six to 12 months of opening. We seek to locate new stores in existing commercial facilities, typically lease each facility for five years (with options for another five to 15 years), and spend approximately $350,000 to $450,000 in leasehold improvements and equipment to establish each of our branded dealerships. We generally seek to expand into metropolitan areas in the United States with populations ranging from 500,000 to three million people that have customer demographic concentrations consistent with our target market and that have favorable operating environments. As of December 31, 2009, we had dealerships in 17 of 77 of such metropolitan areas.

Maintain a strong balance sheet to support the growth of our business. Historically, we have been able to access credit markets not typically available to auto dealerships and finance companies serving our customers in the subprime market. We believe that this success is attributable to our centralized operations, track record, and strong balance sheet. At September 30, 2009, giving effect to this offering, on a pro forma basis, we will have total equity of approximately $ million and a ratio of total assets to total equity of . We intend to continue to maintain our strong capital and liquidity position to support our growth plans and to provide us with the necessary resources to protect against disruptions in the capital markets.

About DriveTime

DriveTime Automotive, Inc. is a newly formed Delaware corporation which will serve as the holding company under which we will conduct our operations. Our two primary operating subsidiaries are DriveTime Automotive Group, Inc. (DTAG), which was incorporated in Delaware in 1992 and focuses on vehicle sale activities, and DT Acceptance Corporation (DTAC), which was incorporated in Arizona in 2003 as a sister company to DTAG and focuses on financing activities. The predecessor to DTAG, Ugly Duckling, was reincorporated in Delaware in 1996 in connection with its initial public offering on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “UGLY” where it was listed until 2002. In 2002, our Chairman completed a tender offer for our outstanding shares of common stock and we ceased being a publicly-traded company. Our principal executive offices are located at 4020 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, and our telephone number is (602) 852-6600. Our website is located at www.drivetime.com. We also maintain marketing websites, including www.goforapproval.com (for television campaigns), www.militarymerit.com (for military campaigns), and www.go4approval.com (for yellow page campaigns).

Dealerships and facilities

As of September 30, 2009, we operated 77 dealerships and 13 reconditioning facilities in 17 metropolitan areas in ten states. Select information regarding these dealerships is as follows:


Metro Area	Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2009	Percent of Unit Sales Volume	As of September 30, 2009
Metro Area	# of Units Sold	Percent of Unit Sales Volume	Number of Stores	Number of Inspection Centers	# of Active Loans	Loan Principal		% of Portfolio
						($ in thousands)
Dallas	7,127	14.4%	9	2	17,915	$	197,854	14.5%
San Antonio	4,110	8.3%	6	1	12,544		129,986	9.6%
Atlanta	3,876	7.8%	6	1	11,118		114,067	8.4%
Orlando	3,639	7.3%	7	1	9,622		99,264	7.3%
Tampa	3,574	7.2%	6	1	10,595		106,054	7.8%
Phoenix	3,129	6.3%	5	1	9,159		89,052	6.5%
Austin	2,980	6.0%	4	0	7,363		81,815	6.0%
Charlotte	2,751	5.5%	5	1	5,986		68,680	5.0%
Los Angeles	2,584	5.2%	4	1	9,659		92,598	6.8%
Greensboro	2,517	5.1%	4	0	3,823		47,218	3.5%
Las Vegas	2,468	5.0%	2	1	5,642		58,405	4.3%
Richmond	2,391	4.8%	5	1	7,131		68,725	5.1%
Albuquerque	2,334	4.7%	4	1	5,651		57,694	4.2%
Jacksonville	1,841	3.7%	3	0	4,120		44,988	3.3%
Norfolk	1,765	3.6%	3	0	4,247		42,311	3.1%
Denver	1,620	3.3%	3	1	2,769		35,501	2.6%
Tucson	939	1.9%	1	0	2,698		27,047	2.0%

	49,645	100%	77	13	130,042	$	1,361,259	100.0%

In general, our dealerships are located in high visibility, high traffic commercial areas, and tend to be newer and cleaner in appearance than competing “buy-here, pay-here” dealerships. All of our dealerships are branded with consistent signage, flooring, furniture, paint, wallpaper, and awnings. We believe our branded dealership facilities are key to customer acquisition and help promote our image as a professional business.

At September 30, 2009, we owned eight properties and all other facilities were leased. Seven of the eight properties are dealerships and one is an operations/collections call center located in Mesa, Arizona.

At September 30, 2009, we leased 17 dealerships, three reconditioning facilities, our former loan servicing center, and our corporate office from Verde and other affiliates of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole stockholder, and one dealership and one reconditioning center from Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law. In connection with this offering, the property that is the subject of these leases will be transferred to us, and the leases will be cancelled. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Due to reduced access to funding and reduced origination volume as a result of tightening our loan underwriting standards, and also as a result of normal course of operations, we have closed 28 dealerships and six reconditioning facilities since January 1, 2008.

We are still obligated for leases on 11 properties which we have vacated. To date, we have subleased five of these 11 properties, and eight of these properties, all of which are owned by Verde and other affiliates of Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Garcia’s brother-in-law, will be transferred to us in connection with this offering. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors affecting comparability.”

Dealership operations

Each of our dealerships features a wide selection of makes and models to satisfy the preferences and budgets of our potential customers. Our dealerships generally maintain an inventory in excess of 50 vehicles. We offer “no haggle” pricing, with prices displayed on each vehicle. Vehicle prices averaged $14,091 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Each dealership is run by a general manager, who has responsibility for the operations of the dealership facility and is compensated based on overall dealership profitability, including sales and portfolio loan performance. Our dealerships also typically employ between one to three sales managers, several sales personnel, and administrative support personnel. Currently, most of our dealerships include some collections personnel.

We are implementing enhancements to our business model that seek to further distinguish our dealership operations and improve our customer experience. In this regard, we are converting our stores to “sales only” operations, and moving all collection activities to two central facilities. At the same time, we are providing new and convenient ways for customers to make installment payments, including cash payments at over 3,700 Wal-Mart stores and more than 3,500 other locations nationwide. We are also in the process of modifying our sales compensation structure, which will be weighted toward salaries rather than commissions, as well as providing our customers with a three-day, no questions asked return policy and a 36 month / 36,000 mile extended warranty including oil changes at Sears automotive locations nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance. Together with our clean, branded dealership facilities and “no haggle” pricing, we believe these changes will result in an industry leading customer sales experience.

Inventory

Our centralized inventory management allows us to monitor inventory mix and maintain adequate levels of inventory at each dealership. It also enables us to quickly adjust vehicle acquisition and pricing in light of market conditions and to ensure affordability at all of our stores.

Using our proprietary models and real-time data, we deliver weekly buy targets to our 26 buyers based on current inventory levels, projected sales volumes, inventory turn times, and targeted vehicle pricing. We acquire inventory from used vehicle auctions, daily rental agencies, and commercial fleets. Approximately 94% of our inventory is acquired at auction.

After purchase, vehicles are transported to one of our 13 regional reconditioning facilities, where we perform a rigorous multi-point inspection for safety and operability, and assess the cost of reconditioning. Vehicles that fail inspection due to significant structural or mechanical defects are returned or resold at auction. We utilize our proprietary inventory management system to determine and monitor labor, parts, and other costs associated with reconditioning each vehicle. Reconditioned vehicles are distributed to our dealerships based on real-time projected inventory turn times and levels at each dealership. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the average cost

per vehicle, including auction fees, reconditioning costs, parts and labor, transportation costs, and other incremental costs such as warranty costs, was $7,886, the average vehicle age was 4.1 years, and the average mileage was approximately 67,000 miles.

Marketing, sales, and branding

We have developed centrally-administered television, radio, and online advertising campaigns with uniform messaging focused on our ability to provide financing to our target market. Centered around the theme “Approved, Approved, Approved^®,” we believe our ad campaigns resonate with our customers and encourage them to complete a credit application online to obtain pre-approval of their financing needs. Our branding also includes the “We turn No to Go^®” green stop sign trademark and the service marks “Al the Approval Guy^®” and the “Go-to-Guys for Cars and Credit^®.” We believe our core marketing message portrays a fun and friendly team of helpful people who treat all customers (even those with impaired credit) with respect. Our dealership network fosters our brand, featuring consistent merchandising of DriveTime logos and color schemes. We believe this continued emphasis on our brand, customer service, and availability of financing helps our credit-challenged customers feel comfortable coming to DriveTime to purchase and finance a vehicle.

A vital component of our sales leads and volume generation is our website and the continued emphasis on our online credit approval process. Approximately 50% of our sales during the three months ended September 30, 2009 were sales generated from customers who completed an online credit application with DriveTime prior to visiting one of our dealerships, as compared to approximately 30% for the same period in 2008. We accept credit applications from potential customers through www.drivetime.com and through marketing websites such as www.goforapproval.com (for television campaigns), www.militarymerit.com (for military campaigns), and www.go4approval.com (for yellow page campaigns).

Once an application is completed, a customer can set their own appointment online or a customer service representative from our centralized call center will call them to set up an appointment at a local dealership of their choice. This centralized approach has created efficiencies and streamlined the time from application to close.

Underwriting and credit scoring models

We have dedicated, and will continue to dedicate, substantial resources to developing, maintaining, and updating our proprietary credit scoring models that are focused on predicting the credit risk of our customers. We have a highly trained and experienced analytics group that develops our credit scoring models, along with predictive modeling used in all aspects of our business. Although FICO scores are a standard metric that many companies use to assess credit risk of customers, our analysis of the customer data that we have collected since our inception more than 15 years ago has shown that, within our subprime segment, alternative metrics and behavioral characteristics more accurately and consistently predict credit risk. Our centralized proprietary credit scoring models, which are based on these alternative metrics and behavioral characteristics, in addition to credit bureau data, classify customers into various risk grades that are linked to our financing parameters. We believe our ability to quantify each customer’s risk profile based upon historical data and sophisticated modeling programs allows us to establish our own credit grades, better predict loan performance, manage the blended quality of our portfolio of loans, and obtain appropriate risk adjusted returns.

The scoring models are periodically updated to account for changes in loan performance, data sources, geographic presence, economic cycles, and business processes. The first credit scoring model was deployed in July 2001. Since then, five subsequent generations of credit scoring models have been implemented, the most recent in May 2009. The credit scoring models have evolved over time and leverage data collected from prior models allowing them to become more sophisticated in identifying the credit risk of our customers.

We perform a segmentation analysis to identify homogeneous sub-populations within our customer base, and we build separate models for each such population. Prior to each sale, we require our customers to complete a credit application. Upon entering the customer information into our origination system, our proprietary credit scoring system determines the customer’s credit grade, which is used by the dealership manager to help select vehicles that fit the required deal terms and the customer’s needs. The customer’s credit grade and type of vehicle determine the term, maximum installment payment, and minimum payment amounts. The annual percentage rate (APR) charged is a function of the customer’s credit grade, down payment, and model year of the vehicle. Our centralized risk management and pricing departments set these terms. Managers are also required to verify the pertinent information on the customers’ credit application before approving the loan, including employment, residence, insurance, and identity.

Our credit scoring models have played a significant role in our ability to price risk, enabling us to structure contracts and originate a credit mix that balances sales volume with long term loan performance. Our credit scoring system enabled us to selectively tighten our loan underwriting standards starting in the second quarter of 2008 by reducing the volume of loans in our lower grade categories, while still maintaining origination volume at a level that was sufficient to support our business. For example, raising the required down payment for a particular credit grade reduces the close rate for that credit grade, which therefore reduces the number of loans originated for that credit grade, while at the same time improving the loss performance of the loans originated.

Our centralized risk management group manages the credit mix of our portfolio of finance receivables on a company-wide basis. This group is also responsible for monitoring the origination and underwriting processes, providing underwriting training to the dealerships, monitoring loan servicing, and static-pool tracking of portfolio loss performance and profitability.

We provide financing for substantially all of the used vehicles we sell at our dealerships through retail installment sales contracts. The foundation for underwriting these loans is our proprietary credit scoring models described above.

Loan portfolio

We actively monitor our portfolio performance and the credit grade mix of originations. Our proprietary credit grading system segments our customers into eight distinct credit grades. We control the grade mix of originations through the deal terms provided to our customers, which are established centrally by our risk management team, and applied consistently throughout our dealership network. We have higher minimum down payments and lower maximum installment payments for our lower credit grade customers, resulting in lower close rates for our lower credit grade customers. Due to the relatively short average duration of our loans, we are able to closely monitor credit trends and make appropriate adjustments to the both the grade mix and pricing of our originations.

Due to the deteriorating economic environment, combined with reduced access to funding, we decided to tighten our credit standards starting in the second quarter of 2008. Our goal was to both reduce overall origination volume to match our access to funding and originate loans in higher credit grades to improve the loan performance. As a result, our close rates dropped from 34.1% in 2007, to 29.4% in 2008, and 27.6% in 2009. During the same time period the monthly volume of applications per store increased from 161 in 2007, to 170 in 2008, and 191 in 2009, which enabled us to meet origination volume targets, while also achieving an improved origination credit grade mix.

More specifically, our top three credit grades increased from 52.4% of total originations in 2007 to 61.2% of total originations in 2009. The loss rates for our originations after tightening our underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008 are currently at historical lows. For example, our gross loss rates (before recoveries) for loans

originated in the first quarter of 2009 with nine months of aging are 8.6%, which is 41.0% lower than 2008 originations, 42.0% lower than 2007 originations, 39.0% lower than 2006 originations, and 36.0% lower than 2005 originations, all at the same amount of aging. The improved loan performance is primarily a function of our decision to originate better overall grade mix, combined with lower losses within the various credit grades due to improvements in deal structure, changes in underwriting policies, and implementation of new scoring models.

Due to the relatively short average duration of our loans, our portfolio turns over rapidly. As shown in the following table, loans originated since we tightened our underwriting standards in the second quarter of 2008 comprise a majority of our portfolio as of December 31, 2009.

Percentage of Portfolio Originated since March 31, 2008:


	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2008	0.0	%	12.6	%	24.4	%	33.8	%
2009	45.9	%	54.1	%	61.8	%	67.6	%

The impact of the tightening of our underwriting standards on our loan portfolio is shown in the following trended net charge-off table, as originations after tightening increasingly became a larger percentage of our outstanding loan portfolio. This table represents the performance of our entire loan portfolio outstanding for each period shown, and does not represent static pools based on origination year. As is evident from the table below, the seasonality in our business results in net charge-offs typically being the highest in the third and fourth quarter of each year and the lowest in the first and second quarter of each year.

Net Charge-Offs as a Percent of Average Portfolio Principal Balance:


	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Full Year
2005	4.2	%	2.7	%	4.5	%	5.7	%	17.2	%
2006 ⁽¹⁾	3.8	%	2.9	%	4.8	%	4.9	%	16.4	%
2007	3.8	%	3.2	%	5.5	%	5.4	%	18.2	%
2008	4.9	%	4.4	%	5.7	%	6.5	%	21.4	%
2009	4.9	%	3.9	%	4.8	%	4.6	%	18.2	%

(1)	Net charge-offs in 2006 are adjusted to remove the positive benefit of a non recurring adjustment related to recoveries. The unadjusted total net charge offs were 15.8% for 2006.

Monitoring and collections

We seek to minimize credit losses by carefully monitoring our portfolio of finance receivables. After completing a sale, each loan is automatically added to our comprehensive loan servicing and collection system. Our proprietary collection system was developed specifically for subprime auto loans and provides us the transparency and tools necessary to effectively and efficiently service our loan portfolio. We set daily queues of delinquent accounts for each collector to manage based on the customer’s delinquency status and an internally generated behavioral score for the customer. In addition to behavioral models designed to predict payment habits, we utilize an automated dialer and messaging system to enhance collection efficiency.

Accounts greater than 45 days past due (i.e., “back-end” collections) are assigned to a central loan servicing facility located in Mesa, Arizona. We are in the process of centralizing “front-end” (i.e., current accounts and those between 1-45 days past due) collections, most of which are currently located at each of our dealerships, at a second facility located in Dallas, Texas. We have centralized the majority of collections for all of our Texas regions in our Dallas facility. We anticipate that the transition to centralized collections for all regions will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2010. Recovery, bankruptcy, insurance, payment processing, cash balancing, customer service, re-marketing, quality assurance, contract verification, as well as our call center, and warranty administration functions are also performed at our facility in Mesa, Arizona. We utilize our buyers’ vehicle acquisition and sales expertise in representing our vehicles at auction in order to maximize the recovery value of repossessed vehicles.

Integrated information systems

We manage the operations of our reconditioning facilities, dealerships, loan servicing centers, and our accounting and reporting functions with a single, integrated information system. When we purchase a used vehicle, our staff records the purchase in our system, and the system adds the vehicle to inventory and makes the appropriate accounting entries. Reconditioning costs are also tracked for each vehicle. When a sale occurs and a loan is generated, the system adds the loan to our loan servicing and collection systems. We use both local and wide-area data and voice communication networks that allow us to account for all purchase and sale activity centrally and to service large volumes of contracts from our centralized collections facilities. We also have internally developed comprehensive databases and management tools, including credit scoring models, static pool analyses, behavioral scoring, and predictive modeling to set inventory acquisition and underwriting guidelines, structure contract terms, establish collection strategies, and monitor underwriting effectiveness.

Our systems and databases are maintained in secured data centers. Our data centers are configured with redundant power, cooling, and network access. Fire protection systems, including passive and active design elements, are installed. We utilize multiple backup systems in an effort to ensure uninterruptible power. Our network features multiple wide area network connections using a redundant routing architecture and multiple access points to public networks.

Systems and databases are configured for high availability and disaster recovery. High availability is achieved through the use of server and database clustering and redundancy at multiple hardware layers. We back-up all of our databases and systems on a regular basis. We leverage a blended data deduplication disk backup and traditional tape backup strategy that supports rapid data recovery. Tape backups are stored in a secure offsite location. Critical systems are attached to a storage area network and data replication is in place across data centers. Server virtualization technology is utilized to improve the efficiency and availability of resources and applications. We have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place to cover intermittent or extended periods of interruption in one or more of our critical systems. We periodically test our disaster recovery procedures.

Customer insurance coverage

Certain of our customers have difficulty obtaining and maintaining affordable insurance for their vehicles. We have introduced in all of the states in which we operate a collateral protection insurance program. Under this program, we offer customers dual interest collateral protection insurance through a third party with whom we have a contractual relationship. The insurance coverage is limited to vehicle damage. The insurance is offered by an “A” rated insurer, and is 100% reinsured by one of our subsidiaries. Although we are not the insurer, we bear the entire risk of loss resulting from amounts claimed and paid in excess of amounts we collect related to operating this program. At

September 30, 2009, our reserve for open claims was $0.1 million. We are also exploring liability insurance meeting state requirements and considering other possible solutions to provide affordable insurance for our customers, including longer term coverage, and/or making property and casualty and liability insurance available through insurance agents, or establishing our own insurance agency.

Intellectual property

We have an ongoing program under which we evaluate our intellectual property and consider appropriate federal and state intellectual property related filings. We believe that there is significant value in our trademarks, but that our business as a whole is not materially dependent on our trademarks. We believe we have taken appropriate measures to protect our proprietary rights.

Employees

At September 30, 2009 we employed 2,203 people, consisting of 1,277 people in our retail operations, 750 people in our portfolio operations, and 176 people in our corporate operations. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we generally believe that relations with our employees are good.

Competition

We operate in a highly competitive industry. To some degree, each of our geographic markets includes competitors that have extensive automobile dealership managerial experience, strong retail locations and facilities, as well as financing options. We also compete with “buy-here, pay-here” dealerships that operate within our industry segment.

The used vehicle financing segment is highly fragmented and is served by a variety of traditional financial institutions, including banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and captive finance subsidiaries of vehicle manufacturers, as well as by independent finance companies and “buy-here, pay-here” dealerships. While traditional financial institutions have not consistently serviced subprime borrowers, the high interest rates and margins of companies involved in subprime financing have at times encouraged certain of these traditional institutions to enter, or contemplate entering, this market. Due to the economic downturn, many finance companies have reduced or eliminated subprime auto financing. According to CNW, the subprime loan approval rates have dropped from approximately 69.0% in the first half of 2007 to approximately 11.0% in the fourth quarter of 2009. We believe traditional lenders are currently avoiding this market due to its relatively high credit risk and the associated collection efforts, as well as the current regulatory environment impacting financial institutions. Competition may increase in the future as the economy improves and the credit markets ease.

Regulation

Our sales, finance, and collections operations are subject to ongoing regulation, supervision, and licensing under various federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations. Among other things, these laws require that we obtain and maintain certain licenses and qualifications, limit or prescribe terms of the contracts that we originate, provide specified disclosures to customers, limit our right to repossess and sell collateral, and prohibit us from discriminating against certain customers. We are also subject to state insurance laws, and our insurance agency subsidiary is regulated by state insurance authorities.

Our financing activities with customers are subject to federal truth-in-lending, fair credit reporting, and equal credit opportunity laws and regulations, as well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, installment finance laws, usury

laws, and other installment sales laws. Our debt collection activities with customers are subject to federal fair debt collection practices and fair credit reporting laws and regulations. We are also subject to federal and state consumer protection, privacy, and related laws and regulations. We charge fixed interest rates significantly in excess of traditional prime and non-prime finance companies on the contracts originated at our dealerships. Some states regulate finance fees and charges that may be paid as a result of vehicle sales.

We believe that we are currently in substantial compliance with all material federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to our business. We may not, however, be able to remain in compliance with such laws.

Environmental

We are subject to a complex variety of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permits relating to the environment and human health and safety. These requirements change frequently and tend to become more stringent over time, and are a significant consideration for us as our operations involve the use of storage tanks, the disposal of wastewater, and the emission of hazardous substances to the air, as well as the use, storage, recycling, and disposal of hazardous materials, such as motor oil and filters, transmission fluids, antifreeze, refrigerants, paints, thinners, batteries, cleaning products, lubricants, degreasing agents, tires, and fuel. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations, or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. Pursuant to such requirements, we also have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures.

We can also be responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our current or former owned or operated properties or third party waste disposal sites. This liability may be imposed even if we were not at fault. In addition to potentially significant expenses to investigate and remediate contamination, such matters can give rise to claims from governmental authorities and other third parties for fines or penalties, natural resource damages, or personal injury or property damage.

Company insurance coverage

Our business exposes us to the risk of liabilities arising out of our operations. Liabilities involve, for example, claims of employees, customers, or third parties for personal injury or property damage occurring in the course of our operations. We could also be subject to fines and civil and criminal penalties in connection with alleged violations of regulatory requirements.

The automotive retailing business is also subject to substantial risk of property loss due to the concentration of property values at dealership locations. Accordingly, we have purchased liability and property insurance, subject to certain deductibles or loss retentions. We also purchase umbrella liability insurance to provide insurance in excess of our primary insurance policies. We have elected to self-insure our inventory of vehicles. The level of risk we retain may change in the future as insurance market conditions or other factors affecting the economics of our insurance purchasing change. Although we have, subject to certain limitations and exclusions, substantial insurance, we cannot assure you that we will not be exposed to uninsured or underinsured losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Legal proceedings

We are involved in various claims and actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based on consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on us. We believe appropriate accruals have been made for the disposition of these matters. We establish an accrual for a liability when it is both probable that the liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are reviewed monthly and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining

to a particular case. Legal expenses related to defense, negotiations, settlements, rulings, and advice of outside legal counsel are expensed as incurred.

In July 2002, we began offering our DriveCare^® limited warranty for major mechanical and air-conditioning coverage. Our DriveCare^® warranty was historically a 6 month / 6,000 mile limited warranty. We offer no warranties or service contracts outside of this limited warranty, although we have extended the terms of our standard warranty to 36 months / 36,000 miles. We have historically sold our vehicles on an “as is” basis. We require all customers to acknowledge in writing on the date of sale that we disclaim any obligation for vehicle-related problems that subsequently occur other than as provided under our limited warranties. Although management believes that the limited warranty program agreement and these disclaimers are enforceable under applicable laws, there can be no assurance that they will be upheld in every instance. Further, certain state implied warranties may arise in connection with offering any limited warranty. Despite these documents and disclaimers, in the ordinary course of business, we receive complaints from customers relating to vehicle condition problems, as well as alleged violations of federal and state consumer lending or other similar laws and regulations. Most of these complaints are made directly to us or to various consumer protection organizations and are subsequently resolved. However, customers occasionally name us as a defendant in civil suits filed in state, local, or small claims courts.

On June 9, 2009, a former customer filed a complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging the post repossession notice sent to the former customer was materially defective and incomplete. The plaintiff brought the case as a purported class action in a representative capacity under California’s Unfair Competition Law. We mediated the dispute and, although a settlement has not yet been finalized, we believe we have an agreement to resolve the dispute, subject to court approval. As of September 30, 2009, we have accrued for estimated awards and attorney fees, although we do not believe such awards and fees are material to our financial position or results of operations.

In August 2008, we received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Texas Office of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, asking for the production of certain materials. The demand indicates it is the subject of an investigation of possible violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Sections 17.46(a) and (b) in the marketing, advertising, financing, and selling of used vehicles. We provided the Texas Office of Attorney General with all requested information in August 2008. At that time, we met with the state’s Attorney General’s Office to provide them with an overview of us and discuss the requested materials. At the meeting, we agreed on some minor changes in the requested materials. In addition, the Attorney General’s Office indicated that they would review the materials we provided to them and if there were any concerns they would contact us to meet, discuss, and resolve the concerns. The Texas Attorney General has requested additional information and documentation from time to time, most recently in October 2009. We believe we are in compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations and we intend to continue to cooperate with state officials. We believe we do not have any qualitative or quantitative loss contingencies related to this matter.

We are currently appealing to the Nevada Supreme Court an adverse administrative ruling on the efficacy of certain sales tax refunds we requested for the 2002 and 2003 tax years. While only applicable to 2002 and 2003, an adverse ruling could affect subsequent tax years as well. In several of our states, we file for and receive sales tax refunds for sales taxes paid on retail installment sales of the amount related to that portion of the sales price ultimately not collected from our customers. Prior to this adverse ruling, the Department of Taxation of the State of Nevada had, in an audit of tax years 1998-2001, allowed such refunds. The Department is now taking the position that because the contracts are assigned to our related finance company (which they were in certain of our prior periods as well) we are not entitled to the refund. We are vigorously pursuing our rights to the refunds and believe we have a positive position and will prevail in this proceeding. Total sales tax refunds from 2002 through 2009 were $4.6 million. We have not accrued any amounts with respect to this matter.

Management

Executive officers, directors, and director-nominees

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers, directors, and director-nominees.


Name	Age	Position(s)
Ernest C. Garcia II	52	Chairman
Raymond C. Fidel	52	Director, Chief Executive Officer, and President
Mark G. Sauder	49	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Alan J. Appelman	52	Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Jon D. Ehlinger	52	Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel
Colin Bachinsky	41	Vice President - Inventory
Edward W. Barry	45	Vice President - Planning and Financial Analysis
Ernest Garcia III	27	Vice President and Treasurer
Keith W. Hughes	63	Director-Nominee
James K. Hunt	58	Director-Nominee
MaryAnn N. Keller	66	Director-Nominee
James D. Wallace	63	Director-Nominee
Donald J. Sanders	65	Director-Nominee

Ernest C. Garcia II. Mr. Garcia has served as our Chairman of the Board since 1992. Mr. Garcia served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1992 to 1999, and served as our President from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Garcia is currently the President of Verde Investments, LLC. Mr. Garcia is also the father of Ernest Garcia III, our Vice President and Treasurer.

Raymond C. Fidel. Mr. Fidel has served as a Director, our Chief Executive Officer and President since 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Fidel served as our Chief Operating Officer from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Fidel graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of New Mexico.

Mark G. Sauder. Mr. Sauder has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2002 and as Executive Vice President since 2004. Mr. Sauder is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Ball State University.

Alan J. Appelman. Mr. Appelman has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since 2009. From 2007 until 2009, Mr. Appelman served as our Chief Credit Officer, and from 2000 until 2007 Mr. Appelman served as our Vice President of Risk Management. Mr. Appelman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Missouri and received a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jon D. Ehlinger. Mr. Ehlinger has served as our General Counsel and Secretary since 1998, and was appointed Executive Vice President in 2009. Mr. Ehlinger graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in history from Drake University and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Colin Bachinsky. Mr. Bachinsky has served as our Vice President – Inventory since 2009. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Bachinsky served as our Director of Underwriting, and from 2005 to 2009 he served as our Director of Inventory. Mr. Bachinsky graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Bradley University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola University.

Edward W. Barry. Mr. Barry has served as our Vice President – Planning and Financial Analysis since 2009. From 1997 to 2009, Mr. Barry served as our Director of Planning and Financial Analysis for our servicing operations. Mr. Barry is a Certified Public Accountant in Arizona and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master in Business Administration degree from Arizona State University.

Ernest Garcia III. Mr. Garcia has served as our Vice President and Treasurer since 2009. From 2008 to 2009 Mr. Garcia served as our Managing Director of Corporate Finance after having joined DriveTime in 2007 as a financial strategist. Prior to joining us, Mr. Garcia worked at RBS Greenwich Capital in the principal transactions group where he worked in a team that specialized in consumer finance. Mr. Garcia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. He is the son of Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman.

Keith W. Hughes. Mr. Hughes retired as Vice Chairman and director of Citigroup in 2001. Mr. Hughes was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Associates First Capital from 1996-2000 when the company was acquired by Citigroup. Mr. Hughes’ experience in banking and finance covers 32 years with Continental Bank Chicago; Northwestern National Minneapolis; Crocker National San Francisco; and Associates First Capital. Mr. Hughes owns and operates Hughes Family Vineyards LLC, an artisan winery in Sonoma California. Mr. Hughes is currently on the board of Fidelity National Information Services, a privately-held company that provides technology services to financial institutions. Mr. Hughes served on the board of directors and audit committee of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (NYSE: PPC) from 2004 to 2009, and on the board of directors and audit committee of Texas Industries, Inc. (NYSE: TXI) from 2003 to 2009. Mr. Hughes graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

James K. Hunt. Mr. Hunt has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of THL Credit Group, L.P., the credit affiliate of Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., since 2007. Previously, Mr. Hunt served as the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Bison Capital from 2001-2007, a multi-fund private equity firm. Until the end of 2000, Mr. Hunt was President of SunAmerica Corporate Finance and Executive Vice President of SunAmerica Investments, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of the SunAmerica variable annuity funds, and SunAmerica’s finance subsidiaries. Prior to this time, Mr. Hunt worked at Citicorp for over 14 years, culminating in the role of Senior Credit Officer and Vice President/ Area Head for the Far West U.S. leveraged lending group. Mr. Hunt is currently on the board of directors of Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS), where he chairs the audit committee and also serves on the compensation committee. Mr. Hunt earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Master in Business Administration degree in finance and accounting from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Graduate School of Business.

MaryAnn N. Keller. Ms. Keller currently serves as the principal of Maryann Keller and Associates, a firm providing consulting services to automotive clients. From July 1999 to November 2000, Ms. Keller served as the President of the Automotive Services unit of Priceline.com. She joined Priceline.com from Furman Selz, an investment banking firm, where she served as a managing director of the firm from 1986 to 1999. Prior to joining Furman Selz, Ms. Keller was a portfolio manager with Vilas-Fischer Associates from 1983 to 1986, and served as automotive industry analyst with Kidder Peabody & Co. Inc. and Paine Webber from 1972 to 1983. Ms. Keller also served as Chairman of the Society of Automotive Analysts from 1994 to 1999. She is currently a director of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG), a publicly-traded rental car company, where she serves on the audit committee and the human resources and compensation committee. Ms. Keller earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Rutgers and a Master in Business Administration degree from City University of New York.

James D. Wallace. Mr. Wallace is the Chairman of Alexander Centre Industries Limited Board of Waters Corporation and the President and owner of Pioneer Construction Inc. and a variety of other private companies. Mr. Wallace is

currently serving on the Boards of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, L.P. (NYSE: BAM) and Northstar Aerospace (Canada) Inc. (TSX: NAS), in addition to several private companies. Mr. Wallace graduated with a Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and biology from Laurentian University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Windsor. Mr. Wallace is a Certified Management Accountant and holds a CFA designation.

Donald J. Sanders. Mr. Sanders has worked in the consumer finance industry for 40 years and has held management positions with Korvettes Department Stores (private label credit business), Citicorp, and Commercial Credit Corporation. In 1990, Mr. Sanders co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Credit and Risk Management Associates, Inc., a risk management and marketing consulting, data warehousing, and systems integration firm that was acquired by Fair, Isaac Companies in 1996. Mr. Sanders retired from Fair, Isaac in 2001, but continues to provide private consulting services as Deer Creek Consulting, LLC. Mr. Sanders also serves as a Senior Industry Advisor to Bridgeforce, Inc., a Delaware consulting firm, and serves on the board of directors of Collections Marketing Center, Inc., a private company. Mr. Sanders also served on the board of directors and the nominating/corporate governance committee of the board of directors, and formed and chaired the risk management committees of the board of directors, of Metris Companies, Inc., a then publicly-traded company that offered unsecured credit cards, from 2004 until it was acquired by HSBC Finance Corporation in 2005. Mr. Sanders has a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola College (Baltimore) and a Master of Science degree in administration with a concentration in Business Financial Management from George Washington University.

Prior proceedings

Prior to founding the predecessor to DriveTime, Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman and sole shareholder, was involved in various real estate, securities, and banking ventures. Arising out of two transactions in 1987 between Lincoln Savings & Loan Association (“Lincoln”) and entities controlled by Mr. Garcia, the Resolution Trust Corporation (the “RTC”), which ultimately took over Lincoln, asserted that Lincoln improperly accounted for the transactions and that Mr. Garcia’s participation in the transactions facilitated the improper accounting. Facing severe financial pressures, Mr. Garcia agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud, but, in light of his cooperation with authorities both before and after he was charged, he was sentenced to three years probation (which expired in 1996), was fined $50 (the minimum fine the court could assess), and, during the period of his probation, was banned from becoming an officer, director, or employee of any federally-insured financial institution or a securities firm without governmental approval. In connection with this matter, in 1992 Mr. Garcia consented to a censure and permanent bar from membership or employment or association with any New York Stock Exchange member or member organization. In separate actions arising out of this matter, Mr. Garcia consented to the entry of a permanent injunction against further violations of the securities laws, and filed for bankruptcy both personally and with respect to certain entities he controlled. The bankruptcies were discharged by 1993. On August 21, 2003, all of Mr. Garcia’s civil rights were restored by the Superior Court of Arizona upon application submitted to the court on June 23, 2003.

Raymond C. Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, was employed by Lincoln from February 1982 to April 1989. Between 1988 and 1989, Mr. Fidel was the President of Lincoln. Following the takeover of Lincoln by the RTC in 1989, Mr. Fidel and others were charged with fraud (the “Complaint”) arising out of the sale of bonds at Lincoln of its parent company, American Continental Corporation (“ACC”). At the same time the Complaint was filed, Mr. Fidel, without admitting or denying any of the allegations in the Complaint, consented to the entry of a permanent injunction against further violations of the securities laws. Mr. Fidel pled guilty in 1991 to two counts of federal securities fraud, and to six counts in California State court (five relating to fraud and one relating to the sale of securities without qualification) arising out of this matter. In light of Mr. Fidel’s cooperation with authorities in their

prosecution of executives of ACC, including Charles H Keating, Jr., and Mr. Fidel’s efforts in stopping bond sales at Lincoln, Mr. Fidel was given three years of probation without supervision, which expired in 1996, and was ordered to make a nominal Victim’s Restitution Fund payment of $250. On September 3, 2004, all of Mr. Fidel’s civil rights were restored by the Superior Court of Arizona and, on November 18, 2004, all of Mr. Fidel’s state convictions were reduced to misdemeanors and all of the misdemeanor charges were then dismissed.

Board composition

Effective upon consummation of this offering, our board will consist of seven directors, five of whom will be independent. Currently, our directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders, until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Upon the completion of this offering, the board of directors will be divided into three classes, each serving staggered, three-year terms. Directors may be removed at any time for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power then entitled to vote.

Board committees

Our board of directors directs the management of our business and affairs, as provided by Delaware law, and conducts its business through meetings of the board of directors. Effective upon the closing of this offering, our board of directors will establish three standing committees: an audit committee; a compensation committee; and a nominating and governance committee. In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the board of directors when necessary to address specific issues. The composition of the board committees will comply, when required, with the applicable rules of the exchange on which our common stock is listed and applicable law. Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for each of the standing committees. These charters will be available on our website following the completion of the offering.

Audit committee. Our audit committee will be comprised solely of “independent” directors as defined and required under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and the rules of the exchange on which our common stock will be listed. Our audit committee will be directly responsible for, among other things, the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. The oversight includes reviewing the plans and results of the audit engagement with the firm, approving any additional professional services provided by the firm and reviewing the independence of the firm. Commencing with our first report on internal controls over financial reporting, the committee will be responsible for discussing the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting with the firm and relevant financial management. The members of this committee will be , , and . Our board of directors has determined qualifies as the “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules under the Exchange Act.

Compensation committee. Our compensation committee will consist solely of directors who are “independent” as defined under and required by the exchange on which our common stock will be listed, “non-employee directors” under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things, supervising and reviewing our affairs as they relate to the compensation and benefits of our executive officers. In carrying out these responsibilities, the compensation committee will review all components of executive compensation for consistency with our compensation philosophy and with the interests of our shareholders. The members of this committee will be , , and .

Nominating and governance committee. Our nominating and governance committee will consist solely of “independent” directors, as defined under and required by the exchange on which our common stock will be listed. The nominating and governance committee will be responsible for, among other things, identifying individuals qualified to become board members; selecting, or recommending to the board, director nominees for each election of directors; developing and recommending to the board criteria for selecting qualified director candidates; considering committee member qualifications, appointment and removal; recommending corporate governance principles, codes of conduct and compliance mechanisms; and providing oversight in the evaluation of the board and each committee. The members of this committee will be , , and .

Compensation committee interlocks and insider participation

There are no interlocking relationships requiring disclosure under the applicable rules promulgated under the U.S. federal securities laws.

Limitation of liability and indemnification

For information concerning limitation of liability and indemnification applicable to our directors, executive officers and, in certain cases, employees, please see “Description of Capital Stock” located elsewhere in this prospectus.

Code of business conduct and ethics

We intend to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers, and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. Upon completion of this offering, the code of business conduct and ethics will be available on our website at www.drivetime.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We expect that any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the related tables that are presented immediately below.

Overview

The purpose of this compensation discussion and analysis is to provide information about each material element of compensation that we pay or award to, or that is earned by, our named executive officers, who consist of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers. For our 2008 fiscal year, our named executive officers were:

•

Ernest C. Garcia II, our Chairman;

•

Raymond C. Fidel, our President and Chief Executive Officer;

•

Mark G. Sauder, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;

•

Jon D. Ehlinger, our Executive Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel; and

•

Alan J. Appelman, our Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.

This compensation discussion and analysis addresses and explains the compensation practices that we followed in 2008, the numerical and related information contained in the summary compensation and related tables presented below, and actions we have taken regarding executive compensation since the end of our 2008 fiscal year.

Compensation determinations

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with a relatively small number of shareholders, and we have not been subject to exchange listing requirements regarding board independence or to exchange or SEC rules relating to board committees, including audit, nominating, and compensation committees. As such, most, if not all, of our compensation policies and determinations applicable to our named executive officers have been the product of research by and discussion among our management team. For additional information regarding the compensation committee of our board of directors that will oversee our compensation program following the completion of this offering, please see “Management – Board committees.”

Objectives of compensation programs

We pay our named executive officers based on business performance and individual performance, and, in setting compensation levels, we take into consideration our past practices and our current and anticipated future needs, the relative skills and experience of each individual executive, and the competitive market. To date, we have not utilized the services of a compensation consultant and have not engaged in any benchmarking when making policy-level or individual compensation determinations.

Compensation philosophy. A named executive officer’s total compensation will vary based on our overall performance and with the particular named executive officer’s personal performance and contribution to overall results. This philosophy generally applies to all of our employees, with a more significant level of variability and compensation at risk depending upon an employee’s function and level of responsibility. Implementing this philosophy allows us to attract, motivate, and retain highly qualified individuals responsible for guiding us and creating value for our investors.

DriveTime Automotive, Inc. S-1