Category: Tips

When looking for a used car, do you spend days scouring car dealers 50 miles in every direction? Is it always wise to dive across the state (or to another state) to find the best deal on a used car? What are the benefits of buying close to home? Generally, if you’re in Ft Collins or the surrounding area, we think it’s usually best to find an auto dealer in Northern Colorado for the following reasons:

 

Transportation Costs

It can be very expensive to transport a car, whether you’re driving it yourself or having it shipped. If you’re shying away from Fort Collins to try and find a better deal elsewhere, it’s worth considering the costs you’ll encounter getting it home. Not to mention the cost accrued by driving hundreds of miles just [...]

Auto repair and maintenance can seem costly and overwhelming, but thankfully there are some maintenance tasks that anyone can accomplish. Simply maintaining air pressure in your tires, topping off fluids and keeping your air filter clean can extend the life of your car, improve gas mileage, help boost resale value and keep you out of the repair shop.

Check the Tires

Car tires are the point of contact between you and the road, but many people don’t pay attention to their car tires’ condition or pressure until there’s a problem. This can lead to a significant reduction in gas mileage, quicker wear and even flat tires. Always check your car’s tire pressure when the tire is ‘cold,’ meaning the car hasn’t recently been driven more than a mile or two. This ensures the air in the [...]

It used to be rare to think of fuel economy as a major contributor to the total cost of owning a car. But with today’s gas prices, owning an inefficient car can add hundreds to your monthly budget. Whatever you drive, there are a few simple things you can do to help get the most miles per hard-earned dollar out of your ride.

Keep Tires at the Appropriate Pressure

Believe it or not, checking your tires often is the simplest way to get added miles per gallon out of your car. Low tire pressure can hurt gas mileage by as much as 3.3%. That might not seem like a lot, but it translates to around $0.11/gallon, or $50/year for the average American driver. If your car doesn’t have automatic tire pressure sensors, set a recurring reminder in your [...]

Buying a used car can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Car buying in the age of the internet is significantly easier than in the past; and armed with a little bit of knowledge on how to confidently buy a car, you can help ensure that you get the best used car for your money.

Here are a few car-buying tips that can help make the process a breeze:

Find a Reputable Dealer

When buying used cars, it’s important to have a certain level of trust with the car dealer you’re working with. Look online, but also ask friends and coworkers. This can be the best way to make sure you’re working with an honest, reputable dealer. Check that they have positive online reviews and a respectable online presence. Once you’ve done some research, pay them a visit. There should be no pressure when buying a used car and the dealer [...]

Financing a car may seem daunting at first, but with a little bit of knowledge (and maybe an auto loan calculator), you’ll have the upper hand when financing your next new or used car. Whether you’re looking to finance direct with a lender or through a dealership, these tips will help you find the best auto financing possible.

Tip #1: Know What You Can Afford

The first step when thinking about auto financing is knowing what kind of down payment and monthly payment you can afford. Make use of an auto loan calculator, like the one on the right-hand side of this page, to see how different factors impact your monthly payment amount.  Start by entering the estimated vehicle price, your down payment, trade amount and term.  Next, you’ll see an estimated monthly payment, total cost and amortization schedule. Most auto loan calculators will output your estimated payments at current rates assuming you have a “good” [...]