Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
Halloween is right around the corner. Any Halloween fan who owns a pickup truck or car knows that, with a little imagination and willingness to let your creativity fly, a Halloween Trunk or Treat is an awesome way to celebrate!
The usual trick-or-treating is always a fun time with the little ones, but if you’re tired of hiking around several miles in the bitter cold just to get your kids some Snickers and cheap suckers, you might consider a Trunk or Treat instead.
You may have heard about a “Trunk or Treat” and wondered what it is. This activity is a safe and fun alternative (or addition) to the traditional trick or treat for Halloween. Think of Trunk or Treat as a Halloween tailgate party.
Instead of kids going door-to-door to get candy, they walk through a parking lot and go trunk-to-trunk. The trunk of your car or the bed of your truck becomes your front porch!
These events are usually hosted by groups, such as a church or school, but can be community organized as well.
What makes a Trunk or Treat appealing to parents, especially with young children?
- Parents often feel it’s safer than going door-to-door
- You avoid many of the scarier costumes and decorations
- It’s easier on the littlest children as they don’t have to walk as far.
Participants will usually decorate their trunks or truck beds with Halloween décor and some will even create games or activities where the kids can win prizes in addition to candy, of course. Check local community calendars or talk to friends and neighbors to find a trunk or treat event near you.
5 trunk or treat ideas for your best Halloween ever!
A Trunk or Treat is actually even more fun than it sounds.
Kids come in hundreds, fully dressed in Halloween costumes and hold out bags or plastic pumpkins for treats. The adults get to socialize and be creative while seeing all the cute and scary costumes.
While a Trunk or Treat doesn’t necessarily take the place of a traditional Halloween romp around your neighborhood, you might just find that it’s a better alternative. Who knows? You may never go door-to-door again.
You can’t do a Trunk or Treat without a great ride so give us a call at (303) 286-1665 and we’ll help make this your best Halloween ever!
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You’ve done your research, checked your credit report to make sure it’s accurate, and you’re ready to get serious about buying a pickup truck. You feel more than ready to secure financing a pickup truck, sign on the dotted line and drive home in your new ride.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Sadly, there’s a chance you could drive home in your old vehicle, kicking yourself for having forgotten one of the documents you need to finalize the purchase. Here’s how to be prepared for getting the deal done on the day you’re ready to buy.
8 things to bring with you when financing a pickup truck
1. Valid driver’s license.
Customer identification is required by federal law. The types of documentation required will vary from lender to lender. In most circumstances, you’ll be required to present a government-issued I.D. showing your photograph and residence. For most, this will be a driver’s license or passport.
2. Proof of insurance.
When the dealership asks you to sign a bill of sale on your new pickup truck, you’ll also be asked to provide proof of insurance. The insurance you have must comply with state law and meet any additional requirements of the lender before you’ll be able to drive the vehicle off the lot.
If you have an existing auto insurance policy, your new car purchase may even be covered by your existing policy for a certain grace period, so be sure to check.
3. Trade-in documents
- Certificate of Title
- Registration
- Loan statement and payoff info
- Lender contact info (usually found on your loan statement)
- Service records
- Extra keys
- Any added accessories that came with your trade-in
4. Proof of income.
Your two most recent paycheck stubs. If you have more than one job, bring the stubs from those as well.
If you’re self-employed, it gets a bit trickier. Each deal is different but you’d be safe bringing at least your most recent tax return and three most recent bank statements.
5. Proof of residence.
Federal law requires lenders (and dealerships who work with them) to gather information on your residence, as well as proof of that residence. If your driver’s license is current, that may be sufficient for most dealers. You may also use your mortgage statement to verify your home address or any piece of personalized mail you have received within the last month. This may include:
- Utility bill
- Credit card statement
- Bank statement
- Property tax bill
- Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement
- Auto insurance policy
- Homeowners or renters insurance policy
You may not use a P.O Box. The only exception is for Army Post Office boxes (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO).
6. List of references.
What do lenders mean by a reference? Thankfully it’s a lot simpler than it might seem. As far as they’re concerned, a reference is simply someone who knows you. This means that the person can be a relative, friend, co-worker, your pastor or even your boss. As long as they’re not living in your household, they can be a reference.
Under most circumstances, six references will be sufficient. Some lenders ask for only four, but since a few may require more than this it’s always a good idea to have at least six names you can use.
7. Down payment.
Dealership forms of down payment:
- Cash
- Personal check
- Cashier’s check
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Trade-in equity
Your trade-in vehicle can serve as a down payment. If you still owe on that loan, the amount of “equity” you have can serve as your down payment. “Equity” is the difference between your trade-in’s loan payoff amount and the actual cash value of your vehicle.
8. Pre-Approval from the dealership.
The Internet is full of free advice about getting pre-approved bank or credit union loan. But no one tells you about the “insider’s secret” to financing a pickup truck: get pre-approved at the dealership!
As car loan interest rates rise, the need becomes greater for consumers to work a little harder when shopping for the best deals. Dealerships are the best place to get a loan for your pickup truck.
- Dealerships have close relationships with ALL types of lenders.
- Dealerships have flexible lenders who are open to people who have lower credit scores.
- It’s super convenient since you’re already at the dealership.
At Dye Autos, we’ve sold thousands of pickup trucks and we’ve helped a lot of people who thought they’d never be able to afford a vehicle.
Give us a chance to help you. Call us at (303) 286-1665 or use our handy online financing pre-approval form >>here<<.
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Shopping for a pickup truck can be overwhelming. It’s easy to overlook important things, especially once you’re at the dealership. Here are 5 pickup truck buying mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Doing Your Research
There are a lot of things to think about when considering the purchase of a used pickup truck.
- What size truck is right for me?
- Will I be hauling or towing anything?
- Does my budget fit for what I need?
If you’ve been shopping, you know that a pickup truck isn’t just a pickup truck.
The three most popular sizes of pickup truck are Compact, Midsize, and Full Size.
- Compact pickup trucks are built on a separate chassis frame from their full-size brethren and usually offer a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines. Today’s smallest trucks aren’t very small at all. As many drivers have discovered, some are really midsize trucks with near full-size proportions.
The most popular compact trucks include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and Honda Ridgeline.
- Midsize pickups are commonly used as general purpose passenger cars here in Colorado. They are popular with construction and tradespeople along with everyday commuters and families. Because of this, there is demand for a pickup truck that is bigger than a compact, yet smaller and more fuel efficient than a full-size pickup.
The increased popularity of midsize trucks has led to the need for several different configurations and style of cab. Mid-size trucks come with single, extended, or crew cab configurations depending on the model.
Notable midsize trucks include the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, and Ford Explorer SportTrac.
- Full Size pickup trucks are the brawny workhorses of the pickup world. They are larger and more rugged, and they ride higher off the ground than compacts/midsizes do. They also come in several configurations of cab type, bed size, and drivetrain.
The basic pickup truck is what used to be called the half-ton truck and is now often called 1500-series. Current models in this class include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. These form the backbone of the pickup truck market. They serve well as work trucks and, for many, as a family car substitute.
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Full Size Heavier-duty pickup trucks, which may carry numerical designations such as 2500 or 3500, are configured for carrying very serious loads and for hauling fifth-wheel trailers, those with a hitch point in the center of the cargo bed. These are bulky trucks for the most demanding chores, making them great for hauling a huge trailer.
2. Declining the Test Drive
Every pickup truck shopper is looking for a vehicle that fits his or her specific needs. After all, there’s only so much research one can do online. There comes a point in every buyer’s journey where you need to experience the vehicle(s) you’re considering. The test drive is a great way to determine which pickup truck is best for you.
3. Not Knowing Your Credit Score
Knowing what’s in your credit report saves time and money. You make better decisions and things go smoother when you’re at the dealership.
If you plan on using financing to buy a used pickup truck, your credit score is key to getting the lowest interest rates. Your credit score is a three-digit number that uses your credit information to assess how risky a borrower you are, and it can significantly influence how lenders decide the terms of your loan.
The higher your credit score, the lower your risk and the lower your interest rate. The lower your credit score, the riskier you are and the higher your interest rates. Be proactive in checking your credit score beforehand so you know where your credit stands before you apply for a loan.
4. Bypassing a Full Examination of Your Needs
Buying a pickup truck is an investment. Take a close look at your lifestyle and needs, now and in the future. Answer these seven questions to help determine which pickup truck works best for you:
- Do I prefer a specific brand?
- What do I plan on carrying or hauling?
- Compact, midsize or full size?
- Standard, extended or crew cab?
- Standard or long bed?
- Do I plan on towing a trailer?
- What’s my budget?
Read more about examining your needs in our blog post, “How to Choose the Best Pickup Truck for Your Needs”.
5. Not Shopping Around for a Loan
As car loan interest rates rise, the need becomes greater for consumers to work a little harder when shopping for the best deals.
Shopping for a car loan can be just as daunting as shopping for a car or truck. Most shopping begins online. If you’ve ever done a Google search for “car loan,” you know how many hundreds of options are available. But how do you choose which car loan is best?
Here’s where your local car dealer can help. Dealerships offer a lot of advantages, here’s why:
- Dealerships have close relationships will all sorts of lenders.
- It’s super convenient since you’re already at the dealership.
- Dealerships have flexible lenders who are open to people who have lower credit scores.
- Pre-approval is easy!
Many dealers, like us at Dye Autos, offer an easy way for customers to get pre-approved.
This fast and easy process lets you choose how much you want to borrow based on the type of vehicle you’re looking for. Pre-approved truck financing with DYE Autos is just a click away. Visit this link >>>here<<< to get pre-qualified.
We’ll put our experience to work for you!
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Buying a pickup truck (or car) can be an arduous process…but with a little planning and a simple checklist, you can lessen the time spent.
We’d like to make buying a pickup truck as quick and painless as possible.
Here’s a list of the items to bring with you to help speed up your shopping process and get you in and out with minimum hassle.
1. Your driver’s license
You need to be a licensed driver to drive the vehicle off the lot. The driver’s license also serves as identification for your lender, your check or other forms of payment.
2. Proof of auto insurance
To drive a pickup truck off the lot, you need to prove that you have insurance on that car. You can call ahead and set up the new insurance policy if you know which pickup truck you are buying. Or you can call from the dealership and give your insurance company the new car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). Your insurer will provide coverage details to the dealership and your lender. In some cases, however, all the dealer requires is for you to show that you have a current auto insurance policy.
3. Your trade-in vehicle and ALL that comes with it
- Certificate of title (if you don’t have it, the DMV can tell you how to get it replaced). Note: if you have an outstanding loan on the vehicle, this will not apply since the bank has your certificate of title.
- Current registration.
- All your car keys, accessories that came with the car and the owner’s manual.
- If you still have a loan on the car, you’ll need to have your account number or a payment stub.
- Maintenance records. These help support your claims about whatever prior damage your car has had and the repairs it has undergone.
Pro Tip: Before you visit the dealership, be sure to take these important steps to get the most for your trade-in:
- Use online tools to appraise your car’s value. Edmunds.com and kbb.com are two great resources to appraise your trade-in’s value.
- Be honest with yourself about your car’s trade-in condition. The more forthright you are when using online appraisal tools, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to trade it in. Very often, people come into the dealership with an overly-optimistic idea of what their car is worth, only to find that reality is less optimistic.
- Give your trade-in curb appeal.
- Clean the exterior and interior well.
- Remove small dents.
- Fix window glass defects.
One of the most popular questions we get from our customers when they’re trading in is, “Should I detail my vehicle before I trade in?” The quick answer is yes, but there are important factors to keep in mind. Read more about taking the right steps to detail your trade-in here.
4. Your Payment: how will you be paying for the pickup truck?
Payment can be made by check from a bank or credit union.
When the dealership is handling the financing, the down payment can be in the form of a cashier’s check, a personal check or even a credit card payment. To find out what forms of payment the dealership will accept, call ahead of time and ask to speak with a finance manager.
If you plan on financing your pickup truck, it’s a good idea to have these ready:
- Last two recent pay stubs (if you have more than one job, bring the stubs from those as well)
- Proof of residency (any current utility bill should do, such as water or electric)
- List of references (not including anyone living in your household)
- Your credit score (read more about how to do that here). The higher your score, the better your financing terms will be.
Pro Tip: We strongly recommend that pickup truck buyers get pre-approved financing, even if they intend to finance at the dealership. We have an easy way to get pre-qualified at Dye Autos. Just click >>here<< to fill out our online form.
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Whether you’re trading in your car on a new car (or a new-to-you car) or selling directly to a dealer without buying another car, the condition your vehicle is in determines its trade in value. Getting a fair price for your old set of wheels is important, but it’s not so obvious how much work you should actually put in.
The first step in this process is getting your car prepped and ready before you set foot in a dealership to make a trade. One of the most popular questions we get from our customers when they’re trading in is, “Should I detail my vehicle before I trade in?”
The quick answer is yes, but there’s more to it.
We all want to make a good first impression, and trading in a car is no different. You want to give the impression of a well-maintained vehicle…and that means thoroughly cleaning your vehicle inside and out.
It will be hard to convince a dealer that your car has been well maintained if it looks dirty and neglected.
Steps to detail your car before you trade in
- Wash the exterior. You can pay a professional or do it yourself. If you’re washing it yourself, make sure to use a high quality product and not dish soap, laundry soap or any other household cleaners.
- Wax your car. It will add an appealing shine and that presents well.
- Clean the interior.
- Climb inside and get rid of those empty fast-food bags (or sneaky french fries that may have slipped between the seats). Get rid of all the empty water bottles, gum wrappers and other trash. Clear out any personal items or papers that may have accumulated over the years. The only paperwork you should have in the vehicle is an organized pile of maintenance records stored neatly in the glove box.
- Clean all the interior surfaces with a quality vehicle interior cleaning product. It usually smells good and the nice scent lingers on until you bring the car to the dealership.
Pro Tip: Take your car to a professional detailer. Depending on how dirty or grimy your car is, this could be a requirement. They’ll wash and wax the exterior with top quality products. They will shampoo the carpets, clean the glass inside and out, use ionizers and neutralizers to eliminate any foul odors, get inside the door jams, extract those stubborn crumbs and use special tools to reach the difficult nooks and crannies.
As you start planning your car detail process, the next logical question that will come up is, “What about repairs?”
Fix small repairs yourself.
- Check all the lights: headlights, interior dome lights, and trunk lights and replace them if needed.
- Check all fluid levels (oil, washer fluid, coolant, brake, radiator, and transmission fluid) and top them off if needed.
- Fix small scratches and dings. If you’re happy to do this yourself, go for it. If not, there are people who will come out to your job site or office and do it for you.
- Make sure wiper blades are in good condition.
- If there’s a crack in your windshield, don’t ignore it. Your insurance company may replace the windshield for free, but even if it’s not covered by insurance, replacing the windshield will give the impression of a well-maintained vehicle.
Leave significant repairs to the dealer.
If your car needs more serious work, leave that for the dealer. Any major issues will lower the value of your trade-in, but the dealer can perform the repairs for less than it would cost you.
Don’t waste your money on significant repairs. The dealership is in the business of fixing cars for resale, so leave the heavy lifting for them. Bigger-ticket items like a broken air conditioner or worn-out tires often aren’t worth your investment, but taking the time to clean inside and out, replace some bulbs, and refill some fluids will help you get the most money for your trade-in.
Bonus Tip: Pack all your trade-in’s accessories.
Trading in your car means you are trading in everything that goes along with it. Make sure the original owner’s manual and any extra keys are in the vehicle when you arrive at the dealership. Dealers like used cars that still have all the accessories and may even give you a better deal on your trade when everything is there.
Are you thinking about trading in your car or truck? Dye Autos is here to help you every step of the way. Call us at (303) 286-1665 or contact us >>>here<<<.
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