Dye Autos Denver Area Truck and Automotive Blog
If you’re looking to buy a used pickup truck, you’ve undoubtedly done your research in advance about the right model and options. The key to affording your dream ride works the same way: Get your financial situation under control before you make your final purchase decision.
Here are three crucial steps to take that will help you become more informed about your credit and help you set realistic expectations before you get to the dealership.
1. Know your credit score.
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.
Credit score ranges:
2. Get 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.
3. Take steps to clear any blemishes on your credit.
Everybody wants the best deal possible when they’re ready to buy a used pickup truck. Banks base their financing offers on how well you’ve paid your debts so it’s crucial to clear any negative items off your credit report.
FACTS:
- One in five Americans are shocked to learn there are errors on their credit report.
- 79% of consumers who disputed credit report errors were successful in removing them.
If you have any blemishes on your credit report, take steps now to resolve them.
Example: If you’ve got a $48 collection on your report, make every attempt to make it right. If it’s a mistake, call the company and try to rectify it with them first. If that doesn’t produce results, dispute it with the credit reporting agencies. All three – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – have simple forms on their sites for disputes.
If the $48 collection is not a mistake, make every attempt to remedy it, including paying it. You’ll save much more than the $48 in finance charges that lenders will be forced to charge you if you leave it on your report.
Pro Tip: Our finance manager at Dye Autos says, “90% of the collections we see are due to medical charges/fees. Call the company and try to negotiate down the amount you owe and set up a doable payment plan so that things will begin to look more positive.”
Wrapping it all up…
Are you ready to buy a used pickup truck but need help preparing your credit? We have over 70 years experience in the car and truck financing business and we can help you! Call Dye Autos at (303) 286-1665 or fill out our handy contact form >>here<<.
Read More
It’s Springtime and as the weather gets warmer, many consumers decide it’s time to buy a pickup truck. You may be considering how a new pickup truck will look in your garage too so let’s talk about the things you need to know before you buy.
At first glance, shopping for a pickup truck might seem a lot like shopping for a car. Pick a color, engine, trim and you’re set, right? But once you consider all the special uses for pickup trucks and the growing number of styles and options, you can quickly get lost in a maze of choices.
Here, then, is how to make truck shopping easier. If you understand the big picture and narrow your options logically, you can more easily find the right truck for you.
1. Know What You Plan on Carrying or Hauling
How you plan to use the truck will guide you to your final choice. Your answers will narrow the field by helping you choose between two- and four-wheel drive. For example, if you are towing a boat or Jet Ski, you might need four-wheel drive to gain traction on slippery boat ramps. If you’re a couple who want to pull a very large mobile home, you might need a “dually” (two rear wheels per side) for towing stability.
2. Choose from Light-Duty, Medium-Duty or Heavy-Duty
Once you know what you’ll tow, find out how much it weighs and be sure to include the weight of the trailer, too. This information will help you choose between a light-duty and heavy-duty truck. Trucks divided into light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty categories, identified by numbers such as 1500, 2500 and 3500 or 150, 250 and 350. For example, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150 both have impressive towing capacities, but they are considered light-duty trucks.
Sizing the truck properly is important. If you skimp on power, the truck might have trouble hauling what you need. If you buy more truck than you need, it will cost more at purchase and every time you fill up. Plus, you’ll have a harder time fitting into parking lots or tight driveways.
ProTip: Ask your dealer. Dye Autos has helped many, many customers figure out what the best option is for their unique needs.
3. If you’re planning on trading in your old vehicle, get it ‘trade in ready’.
- Check your trade-in’s value.
- Know where you stand on your loan.
- Clean it up.
- Get your paperwork in order
4. Do the numbers.
When you’re ready to buy a pickup truck, you’ll need to research loan options. There are often attractive programs from your local dealership with better interest rates than you’re able to get at your local bank or credit union.
If you’ve experienced challenges with your credit history, it will bump you out of the top tiers of borrowers. Keep your expectations in check because truck lenders have very specific criteria you must meet.
5. Get Pre-Approved
This fast and easy process lets you choose how much you want to borrow based on the type of truck you’re looking for. Pre-approved truck financing with DYE Autos is just a click away. Visit this link >>>here<<< to get pre-approved.
We’ll put our experience to work for you.
We’re here to make your journey to buy a pickup truck simple and easy. Once you complete the short online application, one of our helpful finance specialists will contact you to discuss available financing options, including the amount you’re qualified to finance.
“If it’s a truck you wanna buy, you’d better call DYE!”
Read More
Surprisingly, some of the biggest discounts on a new truck come at the beginning of the year. If you’re looking for the best time of the year to buy a car or truck, be prepared to act quickly! You won’t find a better time than when the calendar changes into a New Year.
Buying a new truck can be an arduous process. People naturally get caught up in the more exciting parts of buying a new truck, such as:
- Color
- Technology
- Sound System
- Wheels
- Seats
- Mirrors
- Sidesteps
- Power outlets
- Off-road accessories
- Towing equipment
These are all super important features to consider but many people don’t stop to consider the details that could possibly save them THOUSANDS of dollars when it’s time to purchase.
4 New Truck Buying Tips to Start 2018 Off Right
Now that the New Year is upon us, you might be thinking about buying a new truck. Take the time to consider all your options to get the best deal possible.
1. You can save money if you buy on New Year’s Eve.
According to TrueCar, big discounts happen on the last day of the year. Their data show discounts as much as 8.5%.
This is because it’s the last day a dealer has the opportunity to make both their quarterly AND yearly goals. Salespeople potentially have year-end bonuses on the line so they want to get the cars out the door before the midnight.
Everybody wants to save money on their new truck and your best chance to do it is on New Year’s Eve.
2. New Year’s Eve Hangover
Dealers trying to close out their year will often allow discounts that “hang over” into the New Year.
When dealers are busy on New Year’s Eve, there sometimes isn’t enough time to get every deal completed. The new truck deal you’re craving could still be available on January 1st, but only if you act quickly.
3. Forlorn salespeople are eager to sell.
It’s tough for car salespeople sitting in empty showrooms when almost everybody else is sitting at home watching football, recovering from late night parties, or not daring to venture out into the cold.
The only consolation for a car salesperson in this situation is to sell a car or two.
When salespeople are eager to sell, that makes a great opportunity for a savvy buyer.
4. Dealers need to clear their Inventory for new models.
Every dealer has inventory at the end of the year that they want to get rid of.
Used car prices tend to go through a predictable cycle in which they peak during the summer months followed by a downward slope hitting rock bottom around January 10th.
Prices tend to shoot back up quickly through February.
If your 2018 plans say it’s time for a new truck…
Remember these tips when you’re ready to buy. At DYE Autos we’re here to help you anyway we can so please reach out to us anytime!
Read More
Let’s face it, you have a lot of options when it comes to buying your next truck. You want to feel comfortable with the type of truck you’re buying…and with the dealer you buy it from.
Chances are, you’ve done a lot of research already so let us save you some time with these 5 unique reasons to buy your next truck from DYE Autos.
1. We are easy to work with.
If you’ve shopped other dealers, you know the process can turn into a marathon of wasted time.
At DYE Autos, we use our exclusive streamlined process to get you in and out quickly – often within 60-90 minutes.
You’ll also work with one person, which saves you from jumping from one office to another, meeting yet another person on the road to purchase your truck.
2. We are truck financing experts.
We’ve got 70 years of combined truck financing experience and 100 years in automotive retail. We’ve seen every situation and we can help you. How?
- We know what banks require.
- We often get customers approved while they’re here at the dealership.
- We have access to finance anyone.
Do you have a particular financing issue or concern? Let us help! Call us at 303.286.1665 or contact us through our site >>here<< and we’ll put our experience to work for you.
3. We have a truck to fit every need.
Unlike franchise dealers, we’re unrestricted by the number of brands we can offer. We’ve been in the truck business for a long time and we know what our customers want: a great value. That means a quality truck for a fair price with financing options second to none.
When you’re considering a truck from DYE Autos, you’ll notice that we have a full line of trucks to meet your needs:
- Pickups
- 4 x 4 and AWD (all-wheel drive)
- SUVs
- Vans
- Work Trucks
- Medium Duty trucks
- Diesels
- Box Trucks
- Commercial Trucks
4. We are just like you!
At DYE Autos, we pride ourselves on delivering a memorable customer experience. From your first interaction with us to what we hope will become a long-lasting relationship, we recognize how important it is to keep customers coming back to us.
We appreciate how tough it is to shop for and buy a truck. There are a lot of moving parts in the decision. Many of our customers say how helpful, honest and attentive we are. We like to think if it like this: We are just like you.
We’re not pretentious, we understand and we can help.
5. We’re close by.
We have a lot of satisfied customers and many come from all over Colorado and the surrounding states. Some people have driven hundreds of miles to work with us. So, whether we’re close by or “somewhat” close by, when you buy a truck from DYE Autos, you’re part of our community.
We’ve sold trucks to people in… (cities you outlined that people are searching for)
- Denver
- Wheat Ridge (our own backyard!)
- Casper, Wyoming
- Loveland
- Fort Collins
- Aurora
- Lakewood
- Westminster
- Thornton
- Northglen
- Golden
- Boulder
- Morrison
- Littleton
- Engelwood
- Centennial
- Lafayette
- Brighton
- Broomfield
- Castle Rock
- Longmont
- Greeley
- Limon
- Colorado Springs
- Breckenridge
- …and many more!
In conclusion, when it’s time to buy your next truck, remember these 5 unique reasons to buy from Dye Autos…and don’t forget our slogan:
