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.
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Many consumers believe you can’t finance a used pickup truck or car. The fact is, used car dealers have some of the best financing available. They work with credit unions and banks to get the most attractive terms and pass them onto you. Like all loans, making a down payment is advantageous. But how much should you actually put down on a pickup truck?
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.
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.
Down payment isn’t always cash.
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 car.
If you have a trade-in, and if you can swing it, any additional down payment – even a few hundred dollars – has a very positive effect in the long term.
For more pickup financing tips, check out our post: “Answers to Your 6 Biggest Used Car Financing Questions”
To determine the amount your down payment should be on a pickup truck, consider these two important factors.
1. Credit Score.
Before attempting to finance any purchase, you should always know your credit score.
Check your credit report as soon as you start thinking about buying a used car or truck, even if it’s months in advance. If you’ve got less-than-ideal credit, taking this action will help you even more…and save you tons of time and money.
By cleaning up your credit before applying for a loan, you improve your chances of being approved with decent terms. Cleaning up your credit will include paying off past due accounts, disputing credit report errors, and adding positive information to your credit report.
ProTip: You can obtain a FREE credit report.
When you check your credit score, be sure to focus on where you fall in comparison to other consumers, and what areas of your credit are strong — and what might need some work.
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Website: You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Order online from annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports, or call 1-877-322-8228. You will need to provide your name, address, social security number, and date of birth to verify your identity.
2. Your Monthly budget.
The bigger your down payment the lower your monthly payment will be.
For a used pickup truck loan, you generally want to put down 10% or more of the vehicle’s sale price if you want to reduce your monthly payment. For example, if you want to finance the purchase of a $15,000 pickup, you should plan to put at least $1,500 down. Lenders may require more down payment depending on your creditworthiness.
Generally, for every $1,000 of down payment you apply, you can expect your monthly payment to drop by about $25 to $30, depending on the interest rate.
Depending on your credit score, current interest rates and the type of pickup truck you want to buy, you may not need a large down payment. Some people like to finance as much as possible and keep their cash for other things.
Where do I go to learn more?
Each vehicle sale is different but 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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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<<.
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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<<.
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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.
