Used Truck Dealer

Why a Used Truck Is a Fantastic Option

Some folks will only ever shop new trucks for sale. They love the thrill of being the first person to drive the truck they buy and are willing to pay a premium for that privilege. Yes, you read that correctly. If you have a new truck, like any other new vehicle, you will pay extra for being its first driver. This is because vehicles lose about half of their value in just the first three years of ownership. This depreciation doesn’t mean that the trucks aren’t any good. Actually, it is quite the opposite. It is just how depreciation works; motor vehicles lose up to half their value in three years, even if they have a road life of over ten years! So, if you pay $40,000 for a new truck today, in three years, you will be lucky if you get a buyer to pay you $20,000 for the truck.

When you buy a used truck, you avoid this depreciation hit. Sure, the book value will decrease as the years and mileage go up; however, the rate of depreciation slows, so you have more residual value if and when you go to sell your used truck. This means that buying a used truck is a better deal financially. You can even see this in purchasing power. Let’s say you want to buy a new Chevy Silverado 1500. The cost for a base model with rear-wheel drive and the standard engine will probably be the same or more than a used Chevy Silverado 1500 with a higher trim level, four-wheel drive, and an advanced engine. If you buy the truck used, you will essentially get more truck for less money. Buying used allows you to stretch your valuable automotive dollars further.

There is also very little mystery when you buy a used truck. Each year, manufacturers come up with an array of truck models, each with their own set of varying trims. In fact, the three most popular vehicle models in America are full-size trucks. Within those truck models are different trim levels, engine options, and special features. No one knows which of those makes, models, trims, and engines are the best until a few years after they have been on the road. At that point, research shows which ones were the most reliable and which ones had issues with dependability. When you buy a new truck, there is a bit of a mystery over how it will hold up over the long haul. This is especially true if you are looking at a new generation model of a truck.

When you buy used, you take all the mystery out of the process. A quick internet search will let you know which models and trims are the best for each year. You can even find out if manufacturers had any problems with a feature, such as a safety system or an infotainment feature. All this information is readily available for you, so you can come to our dealership knowing the exact make, model, year, and trim you want in your used truck.

There is no mystery about the specific used truck you buy either. If you have the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the used pickup you are looking to buy, you can order a CARFAX vehicle history report on the truck. This will let you know important information like if the vehicle has been in any accidents, had any major repairs, was used for commercial purposes, and how many prior owners it had. This allows you to do a full background check on the used truck you are buying. What’s more, as part of our dedication to transparency at Ruge’s Chevrolet, we include a complimentary CARFAX vehicle history report with every used vehicle we sell. This is the kind of information you can’t get when you buy a new truck.

How to Pick a Great Used Truck

Everyone who drives a truck has a different need. Some want to use it just for work, getting the most towing and hauling capability possible for the lowest price. Others want to use their truck as a family vehicle and want one with all the latest comfort and technology features, like advanced driver assistance safety systems and a capable infotainment system. There are even drivers who want a truck that can do both; provide a work truck during the week and a great way to shuttle the family around on your days off.

First, you need to decide which truck size is right for you. The most versatile models are full-size. These trucks, like the Chevy Silverado 1500 and the pre-owned Ford F-150, provide an excellent balance between capability and drivability. These are also the most common models made and usually offer more trims and options than other models. If you need the most towing and hauling capability, nothing can compare to a heavy-duty truck. Models like the Ram 3500 and the Chevy Silverado HD give you the power to get the job done, even if these trucks cost a little more to buy used and don’t get the same fuel economy as full-size trucks. Finally, there are used midsize trucks like a used Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma. These are the easiest to drive and make a great first pickup for a driver who is new to the truck world.

Once you’ve chosen the size, you need to pick the cab style you want. In general, there are three different cab styles, even though some manufacturers call them by different names. A regular cab has one row of seats and two doors. This is ideal for a work truck, as they are less expensive and lighter, allowing them to tow more than the same models with larger cabs. However, not every automaker offers a regular cab on its trucks. There is also the crew cab. This is the largest cab style, with two rows of seats and four full-size doors. While this gives you the most interior space, it comes at a price. Crew cabs are more expensive and usually have lower towing and hauling capacities. Used trucks with crew cabs are perfect for family vehicular usage.

Finally, the extended or double cab also has two rows of seats but only two full-size and two half-size doors. While they are less expensive than crew cabs for the same model, they don’t provide as much legroom. Used trucks with extended cabs are good for folks who want to use their pickups for a mix of business and leisure. The final major consideration when choosing your used pickup is the drivetrain. Most used trucks come with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Choosing rear-wheel drive will improve the towing and hauling capabilities while delivering better fuel economy. Four-wheel drive gives you better traction and is a must if you plan on buying a used truck to do some off-roading.

We’re Here to Help You Finance Your Perfect Used Truck

At Ruge’s Chevrolet, we offer a great selection of lease and loan options. This ability to finance your next used truck means you can improve your budget since you do not need to pay cash upfront for your used truck. There are some things to consider when deciding between a lease and a loan. If you lease a truck, you are renting it for a set period of time, such as 3 years and 30,000 miles. In exchange, you have to make a down payment, followed by monthly payments, to keep the lease in good standing. In addition, you must keep the used truck in good working condition during the lease term. At the end of the lease, you can buy the used truck in exchange for a payment if it comes with a purchase option or return it. However, if you return it and there is excess mileage on the odometer, you will be charged on a per-mile basis.

When you get a used truck loan, you take the vehicle's title, which means you own it. As you pay off the loan, you increase your equity in the truck. Once the loan is fully paid off, you own the truck, free and clear. One of the good things about buying a used truck with an auto loan is that it will increase your credit rating. So, if your credit rating improves while you are paying off your loan, you can always try to refinance it to get better terms, like a lower interest rate. Our finance team is here to help you secure a lease or loan on your next used truck. They will work hard to ensure it has the best terms and fits your budget perfectly. You can even get pre-approved for a loan from our dealership before you even come in to begin looking for your next used truck.

Let Us Help You Find a Great Used Truck Today