7 Tips for Purchasing a Vehicle

Buying a car or truck can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Past experiences may have you on high alert when buying your next vehicle. At John Elway Chevrolet we hope to change your perception of buying a car and make it an enjoyable experience for you. After all, you are buying a new car and that is pretty exciting.

Aside from our upfront discounted prices and commission free sales professionals, we want to provide you with a 7 tips for purchasing your next vehicle.

There are typically 2 reasons why consumers have problems when buying a vehicle:

1. Poor communication between the dealers and customers
2. A misunderstanding of the consumer's obligations (down payment, warranty coverage, etc)

It is important to think through your purchase decision and be comfortable with the terms and conditions. These tips will help prepare you for your purchase.

1. Determine the type of vehicle you want, need, and is within your budget. Often times consumers feel mislead or tricked because they choose a vehicle outside their budget. Find a monthly payment that works for you and work backwards to find a vehicle price range. Use our payment calculator for help.
2. Get all the facts you need to make a good decision. Consider the cost of insurance, maintenance expense, financing, etc. Reach out to your insurance company for an estimate, and do some research of cost of ownership for the vehicle you are interested in. 
3. Decide how you want to pay for the vehicle. Look at purchasing versus leasing. Leasing payments tend to be lower and the risk to the consumer tends to be lower because the vehicles residual value is predetermined at the time of sale. What are you willing to put down as a down payment? Down payment and the term (# of months) of your deal have the most effect on the monthly payment whereas, the interest rate has very little influence on your monthly payment. 
4. Federal law requires that new cars and trucks display a label showing the MSRP. Some dealerships will add their fees and add-ons to the MSRP and wait for you to negotiate the price back down. At John Elway Chevrolet, we discount our vehicles upfront. Every new car is marked with the MSRP and our Elway Discount.
5. If you are trading in your vehicle you can use several "Trade-In" programs that will give you what we call a "book" value for your vehicle. The important thing to understand is that these are still estimations and are only as accurate as the information you provide. Be realistic as to the condition of the vehicle to avoid any disappointment.
6. Get everything in writing. If the dealership does not want to provide you with copies of your contract you need to be wary. Likewise, make sure anything promised after delivery, such as repairs and accessories, are in writing. 
7. All of our new vehicles are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. It is important that you save a copy of that warranty and understand that you are responsible for the maintenance to keep the coverage in effect. If you ever question if making a modification may void your manufacturer warranty, please give our service department a call and they can help guide you.  

If you ever have questions you may contact any of our sales consultants. As non-commissioned sales representatives, their only goal is to answer your questions and give you a world class car buying experience. We hope these tips help relieve some of the stress and anxiety of buying a car. When you are in the market we hope you visit John Elway Chevrolet in Englewood, CO.

Bad Credit? No Problem For John Elway Chevrolet Credit Center

We want nothing more than to see you drive off in a car that's going to help you and be with you for the long haul, even if you need a little help getting there. 

Shopping for cars is fun, right up until you have to talk about Auto Loans. In the wake of the worst financial crisis in generations, vast numbers of consumers have found themselves unable to obtain traditional financing for these types of purchases. For people with poor credit, trying to get an auto loan can be very stressful and discouraging. It doesn't have to be that way anymore.  Elway Credit Center has developed strong relationships with several reputable lenders who offer financing for borrowers who find themselves in this position and we would like to help you!

We know that credit problems can happen to anyone. Whether your credit problems have developed over time due to poor spending habits or come on suddenly due to a job loss, accident or illness, Elway Credit Center is here to help. We provide Auto Loans For People With Poor Credit because we believe that everyone deserves a secondchance. The best way to rebuild good credit is to reliably pay back a loan.  At Elway Credit Center, we can make that possible for you by providing interest rates and loan terms that give you a car payment you can afford.  We want to see you succeed! 

Fact: You can get an auto loan even if you've declared bankruptcy.
            Elway Credit Center can help you get a car loan even if you have filed for bankruptcy.   If it hasn't been fully discharged, you may need an authorization to incur debt from a bankruptcy trustee first.

Fact: I had a vehicle repossessed.
            We can help you qualify for a bad credit auto loan even if you've had a car repossessed. 

Fact:  I don't need a huge upfront payment.
            If a large upfront payment is sprung on you at the last minute, it could be a sign that you aren't at a reputable dealer.  At Elway Credit Center there are no surprises. Our honest and upfront staff will guide you each step of the way providing you with complete transparency of your purchase from start to finish.

Fact: I've never had any credit before.
            It doesn't matter if you have no credit or bad credit.  We can help you get a car loan at a rate you can afford and in a vehicle that you can depend on.

For more information on our services and various auto loan options for most credit types, call us today at 877-661-6687. Our dedicated team of loan experts are here to help.

Best Places To See The Colorado Fall Colors

September is here and fall is in the air. In many parts of Colorado you can already see some leaves beginning to change color. There is still time to plan your trip to see the Colorado fall colors and we are here to help you. The peak of the fall colors only lasts around 1 week, so there is a tight window in which to catch natures beautiful display. Here are a couple favorite fall color road-trip routes to consider this year. 

5 Colorado Scenic Byways: by Colorado.com.

1. Top of the Rockies: Work your way from Copper Mountain up to Leadville and west to Aspen in this 82 mile route.
2. West Elk Loop: This 205 mile route takes you through West Elk Mountains and the towns of Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Carbondale.
3. Cache La Poudre-North Park: If you live up north this drive from Fort Collins to the valley of North Park is the perfect escape. 
4. Peak to Peak: Take Colorado's oldest scenic byway over the Continental Divide, through Black Hawk, and into Estes Park.
5. San Juan Skyway: Head to Southwest Colorado to experience the rugged terrain for the San Juan Mountains and work your  way through Telluride, Durango and Ouray.

If fall is your favorite time of year or you feel a little more adventurous, there are alternative ways to witness the Colorado fall colors. Here are three amazing ways to see the colors this fall. 

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

3 Alternative Ways to Explore Colorado Fall Colors: by Colorado.com

1. Hot-Air Ballooning: Get a new perspective on Colorado. Get up into the crisp fall air and experience the sea of fall colors. 
2. Horseback Riding: Travel deep into the woods and immerse yourself in the fiery orange and gold aspens. 
3. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV): Take the ATVs out or find a nice mountain bike trail and explore.

We are all so fortunate to live in a such a beautiful state it is important to get out there and take advantage of everything Colorado has to offer. We hope you pick a weekend, a route, and explore the fall colors this year. Send us your fall color pictures to info@elwaydealers.net or tag John Elway Chevrolet. 

Must Do Maintenance To Keep Your Vehicle Running Safe

 

It can be confusing to know exactly what maintenance is really necessary to complete at each interval. With warranties, synthetic oils and performance parts it can be tough to know when to maintenance should be performed. It is always smart to follow the factory recommended maintenance schedule in your owners-manual, but this is a simple breakdown of the basics. At John Elway Chevrolet, we conduct a FREE multipoint inspection to check for any unusual wear and tear that may lead to future issues when you visit our service department.

 

Once a Month Check:  

1. Oil: Check oil levels and look for leaks.
2. Hoses: Check hoses for cracks and loose connections.
3. Belts: look for uneven wear or excessive wear.
4. Tires: Check tire pressure and treads for uneven or excessive wear or cracking.
5. Coolant / Antifreeze: Check for low levels and leaks.
6. Air Filter: Replace if dirty

Every 3 Months:

1. Change Oil and Oil Filter: Check your owners-manual for recommendations. Vehicles using full synthetic oil can usually go up to 5 months before changing.
2. Windshield Washer Fluid: Refill washer fluid. Check fluid every month during the winter.
3. Power Steering Fluid: Check levels and for leaks.
4. Transmission Fluid: Check levels and for leaks.

Every 6 Months:

1. Wiper Blades: Check for broken or brittle blades.
2. Brakes: Check for uneven or excessive wear.
3. Spare Tire: Check spare tire pressure.
4. Shocks: Check for leaks and wear.

This is not a comprehensive list. This is meant to be a simple guide of preventative maintenance items to help keep your car running safe. We recommend consulting with a Chevrolet Factory Certified technician at John Elway Chevrolet and your owners-manual to make sure your unique vehicle receives the proper maintenance. To help you save time, we now take service appointments online and a free multipoint inspection with every service. 

5 Easy Steps To Increase The Life of Your Transmission

Your transmission is a crucial part of your drivetrain and can be extremely costly to fix. A new clutch can run anywhere from $1,200-$1,500 and a new automatic transmission can run $3,000 plus. Transmission troubles can mean a huge hit to the pocket book. We are here to give you 5 ways to help extend the life of your transmission.

1. Change Transmission Fluid: Be sure to check your owner’s manual or ask your service advisor how often they recommend changing your Transmission fluid. Most recommend every 15,000 miles or at least once per year. Your transmission fluid works just like the oil in your engine (please do not put engine oil in your transmission) by lubricating the gear for better performance and less wear. As your fluid gets dirty you increase wear and risk overheating.
2. Pick The Right Gear: Weather you have a manual or automatic, it is important to select the right gear for your driving conditions. Make sure you are using your lower gears when climbing hills, off-roading, or towing. Only use overdrive when you are driving at highway speeds. Follow these simple rules and you will reduce strain and wear on your transmission.
3. Use Brakes Not Gears: When you downshift to slow your vehicle you are putting significant stress on your transmission gears. Brake pads are much cheaper than transmission maintenance, so it’s a good idea to use your breaks first when slowing your vehicle.
4. Warm Your Car Up: Those cold Colorado mornings can be tough on your transmission if you don’t take the time to let the fluid warm up. It is good practice to let your car warm up and drive gently the first 2-3 miles. Don’t peel-out or do any doughnuts.
5. Watch For Overheating: Whatever you do, do not ignore your transmission overheating. If you are experiencing overheating in your transmission bring it in for service right away. For every 20 degrees over 200 degrees, your transmission’s lifespan decreases by a factor of 2. If this becomes a consistent problem your service adviser may recommend a transmission cooler be installed.

Be safe out there and take good care of your vehicle and it will take care of you. If you have any questions at all please call our service department or stop by and ask one of our Chevy Certified Service Advisers. Our extremely knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and help you get the most out of your vehicle. Check out our Chevy service specials and schedule your next service appointment online. 

John Elway Chevrolet Celebrates 5 Years | Denver, CO

John Elway Chevrolet is proud to celebrate its 5 year anniversary with the opening of it's new Used and Commercial Fleet facility directly across the street from John Elway Chevrolet main showroom. Our success over the past 5 years we owe to our amazing guests and employees. We are committed to changing the car buying experience for the better. We believe that is why we are going on our 5th year as Colorado's #1 Chevy dealer. We want to thank our staff and our guests for choosing John Elway Chevrolet. We are excited to grow and continue to better serve our guests and employees. Here's to another amazing 5 years.

Littleton CO Coffee Shop Gets Chevy #DayItForward Surprise

 

2016 is a Leap Year. This means we get an extra 24 hours this year. Chevrolet has challenged us to spend that extra 24 hours helping out our local community in a #DayItForward campaign. On this first installment of John Elway Chevrolet #DayItForward we find ourselves at Solid Grounds Coffee House in Littleton, CO donating $5 towards a customers order. We learned that even the smallest gestures can go a long way. We are looking forward to our next #DayItForward project coming soon. Stay tuned for more! JohnElwayChevrolet.com

5 Free Apps For an Epic Road Trip

There is no better feeling then cruising down the open road with the windows down and your latest Road Trip 2016 mix blasting. Often times this feeling is short lived. As the trip drags on and your copilot gets hangry, you run into a traffic jam, and you end up down a back road with no plans for the night. You had good intentions of this being a character building trip with the family, but it has turned into an all out screaming match and you are second guessing what you got yourself into. These 5 free apps will help keep your family bonding experiment on course.

1.  The Traveler: This is a great app to organize your entire trip as you go. Your virtual road trip scrapbook allows you to capture photos and videos and mark them on a map as you move along your journey. Compatible with Google maps, it takes pictures and videos through the apps action bar. Available for Android
   
   
   
2. RoadTrippers: Are you making your annual migration to see relatives? Spice things up a bit with the RoadTrippers app for iOS. This app helps you discover the road less traveled by finding obscure small businesses and attractions on your custom route. 
   
3. RoadNinja: Keep your eyes on the road and the task at hand. RoadNinjas is your personal digital billboard. This app gives you the location of restaurants, gas stations, and points of interest near every highway exit. With real time gas prices and special coupons, this app is a real money saver. Available on Android and iOS.
   
4. Postagram: Share your epic road trip with friends and loved ones by sending them a Postagram. This free app allows you to send customized postcards anywhere in the US for only $0.99. You take a picture and write a custom message and the app sends your custom postcard anywhere you like. Available on Android and iOS.
   
5. Field Trip: Are you a history buff or museum fanatic? This free Google app will alert you of historical sites, architecture, entertainment, and more. The app talks about interesting places as you drive by, but allows you to tell the app what you are interested in by giving each recommendation a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down". Available on Android and iOS. 
   

We hope these recommendations are helpfully when planning your next road trip. Please let us know if there are other road trip apps you like to use and if you enjoyed any of our recommended apps. Have fun out there and drive safe!

Schedule your next service appointment and get your vehicle road trip ready at John Elway Chevrolet. 

John Elway Chevrolet 

5200 South Broadway

Englewood, CO 80113

(720) 259-0391

 JohnElwayChevrolet.com