Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
Curious if you can qualify for a car loan? Get the answers to your most frequently asked pickup truck financing questions right here.
What is APR?
This is the Annual Percentage Rate. The interest rate is the percentage of the principal that a lender charges you to borrow the money.
How is my APR decided?
There are many variables associated with defining APR rates.
- Current economic/market conditions govern bank rates.
- Credit score and payment history.
- Your down payment amount.
- The amount you finance.
- The type of vehicle you’re financing.
- Length of your finance contract.
What is a co-signer or co-applicant and why would I need one?
A co-signer is a person who guarantees timely payments of monthly car loan installments and assumes responsibility for payment if a borrower misses payments. You may need a co-signer if you have negative credit or no credit history and want to get approved for a lower interest rate.
Is my trade-in considered a down payment?
Yes, when buying a car or truck, your trade-in vehicle can serve as your down payment. However, there are factors to consider in that decision such as whether or not it’s paid off (there is no loan on the vehicle) and how much equity you might have.
What is a good down payment on a pickup truck?
A down payment isn’t always required for purchase, but it’s definitely a good idea. Consider these two important factors to determine how much your down payment should be.
- Credit Score: your score will help the bank determine what they require. The higher your score, the lower your down payment amount needed.
- Monthly budget: the higher your down payment, the lower your monthly payment will be.
Can I qualify for a car loan if I have bad credit?
Buying a pickup truck with bad credit can be intimidating. If there was ever a good example of the phrase, “Knowledge is power,” it’s in taking on the process of buying a pickup truck when your credit is less than perfect. The first thing you need to know is – it’s not hopeless.
- Talk to your dealer first. Get the right information instead of assuming you won’t qualify.
- Work on your credit before you start shopping.
- Get Pre-Approved (we have an easy way to do that here)
Can I get a car loan after bankruptcy?
- Look for the lowest interest rate but be realistic.
- Keep your expectations low and your possibilities open on the type of vehicle.
- Do your homework on which dealership to work with.
A dealer with a lack of experience and skills in working with people who need to buy a car after bankruptcy can very often cost the consumer hundreds of dollars. Choose to work with a dealership that has a proven track record with helping people buy a car after bankruptcy.
If I apply for a loan, does it hurt my credit?
Your credit score will be affected when you apply for a pickup truck loan. A majority of lenders run credit checks to assess the risk of lending you money. If you apply to many different places, there will be inquiries from all of them.
A good solution is to work with a dealership like Dye Autos in the Denver area (Wheat Ridge). Why? Because through our many years helping people buy pickup trucks, we know which bank will work best for you and your specific circumstances.
Is it safe to submit my information over the Internet?
Yes, your information is kept safe and secure. No unauthorized person or entity can access it because our advanced online application has encrypted security features built into it.
What haven’t we answered for you?
We’re here to answer any question you have about getting a pickup truck or car loan. If you have an unanswered question, please get in touch with us!
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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When you’re buying a new or “new to you” vehicle, whether you’re getting your auto loan through an independent lender or through a dealer, you’ll need to decide how much money you want to put down. Making a down payment at the dealership takes some preparation so your purchase runs smoothly.
First, let’s define down payment.
The phrase is actually derived from the old practice of putting money down on the table to show a seller good faith when negotiating a deal. Today, the down payment is simply a way of reducing the amount of risk a lender has to take when helping you make a substantial purchase.
Do I always need a down payment?
A down payment isn’t always required for purchase, but it’s definitely a good idea. Why?
- It will reduce the amount you’ll need to borrow.
- It improves your chances of loan approval.
- You may get better terms with a down payment.
- It will reduce your monthly payment.
Is my trade-in considered a down payment?
Yes, your trade-in vehicle can serve as your down payment. However, there’s one question to answer that will determine how your trade-in down payment will be handled.
- Is your trade in loan paid off?
- If your trade-in loan is paid off, the dealer will appraise your trade-in and give you the price they’re willing to pay for your vehicle (actual cash value or ACV). You can use that amount as a down payment.
- If your trade-in loan is not paid off, the dealer will obtain the “pay off amount” and compare it with the price they are giving your for your trade-in (ACV).
- A positive difference (you owe less on your loan than your trade in’s ACV) means you can use the amount for your down payment.
- A negative difference (sometimes called “negative equity” – you owe more on your loan than your trade-in’s ACV) gets a bit more complicated.
- Does your trade-in have negative equity? For example, if your trade-in’s ACV is $3,000 and your loan pay off is $5,000, you have $2,000 in negative equity and will need to make up the difference either in your new loan or by paying additional down payment.
How much do I need to put down?
The generally advisable percentage to put down on your vehicle purchase is much like the recommended down payment on a home—20%, if you can afford it. Used cars may require less—10% or more.
Having a 20% down payment ensures that you’ll receive favorable terms on your financing, lowers the amount you need to finance, and reduces your risk of owing more on your loan than your vehicle is worth later on. The benefits of a higher down payment can include:
- Favorable financing terms
- Lower interest rate
- Higher loan approval rates
- Lower monthly payment
- Lower total interest paid
- Reduced risk of being upside down
What forms of payment do dealerships take as down payment?
When it comes to making a down payment on a car, be prepared with your method of payment. This may include:
- Cash
- Personal check
- Cashier’s check
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Pre-approved loan
- Personal loan
Pro Tips on Down Payments
- If you want to use a credit or debit card, ask the dealer if they will accept this form of down payment and if there’s a limit on how much can be charged.
- Check with your card issuer to see if there is a limit to the amount you may charge in a single transaction. The last thing you want is to have your card only be able to charge $2,000 when the total down payment is $5,000.
- Keep in mind that getting a personal loan prior to seeking approval for an auto loan will likely impact how much you can borrow. The credit inquiry and loan will show up on your credit report and affect your “Debt to Income” ratio.
Got more questions about making a down payment?
Each vehicle sale is different. At Dye Autos, we’ve sold thousands of cars and pickup trucks. We’ve helped a lot of confused people determine which down payment is right for them. Many of those customers 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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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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