Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
Colorado’s love affair with the pickup truck has only become more passionate.
Although total U.S. auto sales eased slightly last year, automakers sold 2.8 million full and mid-size pickup trucks in 2017, a 4.8% increase over the prior year. Pickup trucks now account for 16.4% of U.S. auto sales. That’s up from 15.3 % in 2016.
Used truck registrations in Colorado were up even more, at 17%.
Today’s pickups are safer and more comfortable, and sales to women and families are on the rise. Could one be right for you?
If you’re wondering about the reasons to buy a pickup truck, or you’re curious about the benefits of owning a pickup truck, you’ve come to the right place!
We sell a lot of trucks here at Dye Autos in the Wheat Ridge/Denver area and we’ve found that our customers really love their trucks, and are often surprised by how resourceful they are. Here are 7 benefits you’ll enjoy when you own a pickup truck.
1. Versatile
Pickup trucks support all kinds of activity.
All it takes is a couch or armoire that needs to be moved from “here” to “there,” and next thing you know, you’re thinking you really should own a pickup truck.
But there are so many other activities the a pickup truck is perfect for:
- Perfect weekend adventure vehicle.
- The power to tow whatever you need.
- Haul everything from groceries to lumber to tools.
- A camper’s dream.
- Pickup trucks help you work hard and when it’s time to relax, they help you do that too!
Think of all the incredibly cool things you could be doing with a pickup truck that are impossible with the car you’re now driving.
2. Safety.
While all vehicles these days are loaded with safety technologies such as airbags and side impact beams, driving a pickup truck is still a safer bet. Why? Sitting up high offers great visibility of the road and other drivers.
Most pickup trucks are heavier than a coupe or sedan and many SUVs. Physics will tell you that when two objects collide, mass does matter. Pickup trucks are the larger of the two vehicles, thereby increasing the chance that you’ll walk away unharmed.
There are studies to back this up. “In its studies, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that a heavier vehicle will typically push a lighter one backward during the impact,” explains Edmunds.com. “As a result, there is less force on the occupants of the heavier vehicle and more on those in the lighter vehicle, according to IIHS. The organization’s fatality data bears this out.”
3. Hauling and towing.
Most people think of hauling and towing things first when they consider getting a truck. It’s one of the biggest benefits of owning a pickup truck – the ability to throw a lot of stuff in the back or haul a heavy trailer. You can transport all your stuff and not have to bug someone else for help or rent a truck. It’s one of the defining arguments in the truck vs SUV debate.
To choose the best pickup for towing, truck shoppers should consider the factors that contribute to towing capability. Start by asking yourself two simple questions will help you narrow your choices:
- What do you plan to tow?
- How will you use your pickup when you’re not towing?
If you’ll often use your pickup without the trailer, you’ll want to choose a vehicle that suits those needs, too. You’ll want to choose a lighter or more-efficient pickup that’s able to handle your trailer but is also a ride that you can live with every day.
4. Respect.
It might seem funny, but people treat you differently when you roll up in a truck. If you don’t believe that, try renting one for a week and see for yourself.
People will treat you like a confident, self-assured individual who isn’t afraid to get your hands dirty. You’ll get called “boss” by random strangers, something they’d never say if you had just climbed out of a sedan.
Be warned that there’s a downside to all that respect, because people might respect you enough to ask for help moving.
5. Perfect weekend adventure vehicle.
Even though they’re a bit softer on the inside, pickup trucks are still designed to conquer difficult terrain. No matter what the road conditions, a modern pickup truck can push through and get you to your destination.
Whether you need to traverse an off-road trail to get to your favorite remote campsite or pound snowdrifts into submission to get to the ski resort, a good, properly equipped pickup can get you there.
6. Luxury.
Today’s pickup trucks come with all the creature comforts you see on luxury car models.
The benefit of driving a pickup truck is that if you have a family or want to take a group of people with you, you don’t have to contend with cramped rear seats. Models with cabs make it easy for adults to get in and out. The middle rear seat isn’t some pathetic cushion only large enough for a teddy bear – it can accommodate a full-grown adult.
Legroom, headroom and shoulder room are also ample, which is a luxury you just don’t get in many vehicles.
7. More bang for your buck.
Pickup trucks are affordable. Used pickup truck models are especially affordable and often retain their value. At Dye Autos, we’ve got a large inventory of affordable pickup trucks for every budget.
Are you ready to take advantage of all these pickup truck benefits? Call us at (303) 286-1665.
Read More
There’s a lot of talk in the news about self-driving cars and ride sharing. So much so that it’s easy to forget about our day-to-day realities as drivers. News outlets urge us to consider our environmental impact or spend less time behind the wheel. But that’s caused us to forget the #1 reason most of us buy vehicles today – practicality.
Want to know what’s the most practical vehicle out there? The pickup truck.
It will be years before self-driving cars will be safe on the road and while ride-sharing can work in certain circumstances, most of us need our vehicles to take us through our daily lives. There’s no better vehicle to handle all that life brings than a pickup truck.
If you’re in the market for a vehicle and you’ve only thought about a car, here are 4 reasons to buy a pickup truck instead.
#1: Pickup trucks support every activity
All it takes is a couch or armoire that needs to be moved from “here” to “there,” and next thing you know, you’re thinking you really should own a pickup truck.
But there are so many other activities that a pickup truck is perfect for:
- Trucks are the perfect weekend adventure vehicle.
- Trucks have the power to tow whatever you need.
- Trucks haul everything from groceries to lumber to tools.
- Trucks are a camper’s dream.
- Pickup trucks help you work hard and when it’s time to relax, they help you do that too!
Think of all the incredibly cool things you could be doing with a pickup truck that are impossible with the car you’re now driving.
#2 Pickup trucks are safer
It may seem obvious that larger pickup trucks are safer than small cars, but there are studies to back this up.
“In its studies, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that a heavier vehicle will typically push a lighter one backward during the impact,” explains Edmunds.com. “As a result, there is less force on the occupants of the heavier vehicle and more on those in the lighter vehicle, according to IIHS. The organization’s fatality data bears this out.”
Additionally, sitting up high gives a driver an excellent field of view. The ability to see over traffic enables the driver to identify potential accidents sooner and react with more time than passenger car drivers, whose vision is hindered by other vehicles.
#3 Pickup trucks are roomy
We know pickup trucks can haul just about anything, but people who haven’t ridden in a modern truck are always surprised by how roomy they are inside.
A four-door F-150 has a half-inch more rear-seat legroom than a Mercedes flagship luxury sedan—the $90,000+ S-Class—and much more head, shoulder, and hip room. Other full-size trucks offer similar space.
#4 Pickup trucks are affordable
Pickup trucks offer more bang for your buck than most cars:
- Enough power to tow or haul virtually anything
- More interior space than a luxury car
- Enough horsepower to get up and go
- Enough room in the bed for two people to sleep comfortably
- Surprisingly good fuel economy, given all the above
Combine all these merits into one vehicle and the result is surprisingly affordable.
Choosing the right pickup truck for you…
The only thing left to do is decide which pickup truck works for your lifestyle. We wrote a super helpful post about how to choose the best pickup truck for your needs >>here<<.
At Dye Autos, we’ve got a lot of pickup trucks – many under $20,000. We’re ready to help you determine which used pickup truck works for your lifestyle and your financial needs. Call us at (303) 286-1665 or fill out our handy online form >>here<<.
Read More
4th of July is right around the corner. You may be planning a big BBQ celebration or maybe just a small get together with the family. Either way, the best vehicle to have for 4th of July is a pickup truck. Here’s why.
1. A pickup truck is great for organizing the celebration.
Every successful July Fourth celebration requires a strong organizer. That’s where your pickup truck comes in. You’ll find lots of models that can easily haul ALL your barbecue prep (and still have room for more).
In fact, now that we are in the swing of Summer, your pickup truck can help you organize and handle lots of activities: camping, home improvement, kids camp, or even a nice date night after a long work week.
2. You can stretch out in the bed to watch fireworks.
What’s better than hanging out in your pickup truck under the stars to watch fireworks? No much. Whether it’s your neighbor’s annual 4th of July “Extravaganza” or a show at your local high school or college stadium, nothing beats a pickup truck for getting the best view possible!
You can celebrate our nation’s 242nd birthday by enjoying the sights and sounds of a community fireworks show at one of dozens of events in all corners of Colorado.
We’ve put together a list of places to watch fireworks in Denver below (click on each link for details). Here’s a link to all the places in the Colorado where you can enjoy fireworks >>Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Colorado<<
WHAT: Independence Eve
WHERE: Civic Center Park
WHEN: July 3 with fireworks at 8 p.m.
WHAT: Elitch Gardens Fireworks Extravaganza
WHERE: Elitch Gardens
WHEN: July 4 with fireworks around 10 p.m.
WHAT: Colorado Rockies Fireworks
WHERE: Coors Field
WHEN: July 3 and July 4 with first pitch at 6:10 p.m., fireworks post game
WHAT: 4th of July Firework Spectacular
WHERE: Green Valley Ranch Golf Club
WHEN: July 4 with festivities at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9:35 p.m.
WHAT: Denver Outlaws Fourth of July Celebration
WHERE: Broncos Stadium at Mile High
WHEN: July 4 with game at 7 p.m., fireworks post game
3. Independence Day pickup truck specials.
If you’ve been in the market for a pickup truck, this is one of the best times of the year to buy one.
There’s a lot of buying and selling of pickup trucks this time of year and you can take advantage of that as you shop for your pickup truck. Dealers have a lot of used trucks and when inventory is high, deals are plentiful.
Like us at Dye Autos, we’ve got plenty of used pickup trucks available and we’re ready to make a deal in time for 4th of July. Call us at (303) 286-1665 or simply fill out this easy contact form >>here<<.
Read More
Everybody wants the most money for their trade-in when they’re getting a new truck or car. Here are the specific steps you can take to increase the value of your trade-in and ensure you’re getting the maximum amount.
Secure your trade-in’s value from day one.
You can begin to increase the potential value of your trade-in long before the time comes to bring it to the dealership.
- Staying on top of regular maintenance items such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, and other preventive measures will increase your car’s value by extending its lifespan.
- Be sure to document all maintenance and repairs in your car’s service manual.
- If you always have the dealership you bought your car from handle maintenance work, that same dealership should be your first stop when it comes to trading in that vehicle. A dealer that is familiar with the work done on the car will be more inclined to provide a favorable valuation.
Pro Tip: Once you’ve traded in your old car, it’s never too early to think about the trade-in value of your new car.
Save all your repair and maintenance receipts.
If you complete any major repairs or purchase any big-ticket items (like new tires) within six months of trading in your car, be sure to save your receipts.
Document everything and you’ll have a better chance of leveraging your expenses as an investment in the car.
Use online tools to appraise your trade-in’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.
If you’ve got a relationship with a dealer, ask them to appraise your car.
There’s absolutely no charge and the trust you’ve developed over the years equates to a number you both can live with.
At Dye Autos in Wheat Ridge, we’re happy to appraise your car. Just give us a call at (303) 286-1665 or use our easy contact form >>here<<.
If you don’t have a relationship with a dealer, shop around.
Having multiple trade-in offers will help you understand your vehicle’s actual value. With that number in hand, you’re less likely to be talked into taking less for your trade-in when you’re buying your new car.
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.
Bonus Tip: Bring all vehicle paperwork with you.
Dealers love it when you have all the documents ready to trade-in your car. It makes it easier for them to process your info with the DMV and leaves less room for error once the DMV receives your information.
You will need:
- 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.
- 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.
How do you choose the best pickup truck for your needs? Answer the following seven questions and you’ll be much better equipped to decide when it comes time to buy.
1. Do you prefer a specific brand?
Is there a manufacturer that you’re partial to? Start with that brand.
If you haven’t shopped in awhile, keep your options open because your favorite brand many have changed specs and another brand might be a better option.
2. What do you plan on carrying or hauling?
How you plan to use the pickup truck will steer you through many of the choices and help you narrow the field.
- Towing a boat or Jet Ski? You might need four-wheel drive to gain traction on slippery boat ramps.
- Pulling a very large mobile home, you might need a “dually” (two rear wheels per side) for towing stability.
If you just like the idea of driving a pickup truck and don’t really plan on hauling anything major, a midsize truck such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger would be suitable considerations.
3. Compact, midsize or full size pickup truck?
Compact pickup trucks are smaller in scale than their larger size counterparts. They can usually tow up to about 3,000 pounds, a weight that accommodates many trailers and handles most boat towing tasks.
If you have heavier towing needs, move up to a mid-size or full-size truck.
Keep in mind that trucks considered ‘small’ in the past have grown in size and towing capability over the last decade.
Mid-size pickups can be closer in size and abilities to either a compact or to a full-size truck. Comparing models on dealer lots is the best way to understand how they actually look when placed side by side.
Dye Autos sells lots of pickup trucks and we can help you compare. Check out our post on pickup truck comparisons >>here<< and get in touch with us >>here<<
4. Standard, extended or crew cab?
How many people need to ride with you? Most manufacturers offer three cab sizes:
- Standard cab is the classic work truck with a single row of seating and limited space between the seats.
- Extended cab has jump seats or a bench seat behind the front seats. ProTip: Be sure to sit in the back while someone else drives the vehicle so that you have a feel for how it feels to ride in the back. Most extended cab seats are utilitarian and not intended for comfort during a long ride.
- Crew-cab trucks have four full-size doors and a generous backseat roomy enough for cross-country travel. Crew cabs are gaining in popularity now that many drivers use pickup trucks as their primary vehicle.
5. Standard or long bed?
The bed sizes vary slightly by manufacturer but are approximately 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet and 8 feet. Though it’s nice to have lots of room for cargo, combining a crew cab with an 8-foot bed might mean you can’t put the truck in your garage.
6. Planning on towing a trailer?
How much weight do you need to pull? Check the towing capacity of the pickup trucks you’re considering to make sure each one meets your needs.
You’ll need to find out the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of what you’re going to tow.
You’ll find this on the trailer “VIN plate” (Vehicle Identification Number) or by contacting the trailer manufacturer. The GVWR is the dry weight of the trailer (empty weight) plus the maximum allowed payload.
- Your trailer may be as little as a 12-ft pop-up camper with a GVWR of under 3,000 lbs.
- Perhaps, it’s a behemoth conventional camping trailer that is 40-ft long and approaching 14,000 lbs GVWR.
- How about a triple-axle 43-ft long 5th-wheel toy hauler that is pushing a total weight rating of 20,000 lbs?
- It may be a large boat, a cargo trailer, or a horse trailer.
Figure out the GVWR of the trailer, as well as the loaded weight of your specific setup.
7. What’s your budget?
Pickup truck prices vary greatly. Knowing what you can spend is the first step.
It’s important to understand your budget and match it with the kind of truck you want. There are many options to choose from it’s crucial to set your expectations. While the most expensive pickup trucks can make you salivate, their price tag won’t.
At Dye Autos, we’ve got many pickup trucks under $20,000. We’re ready to help you determine which used pickup truck works for your lifestyle and your financial needs.
Read More