Blog

There’s no denying that having a reliable method of transportation is a major necessity for many consumers. For those who have occupational obligations that require a reliable workhorse, those who have some trailering and towing to undertake, or simply need something to facilitate their passions in the world of off-roading, a pickup truck has long been considered the best option. However, there’s another aspect of this equation, and that’s the cost that’s involved with purchasing one. Many of us have been led to believe that anything of exceptional quality has a price tag to match it. After all, it’s only natural to assume we always get what we pay for. However, this is not always the case. The most reliable truck on the road is the Chevy Silverado 1500. Taking advantage of the many attributes that the Silverado possesses without paying full price is as simple as purchasing one from a great used Chevy dealership like ours here at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown. As we’re going to explain, the cost-effective advantages that allow you to recoup a sizable return on your investment more than speak for themselves. 1999: A Legend Is Born At the dawn of the 20th century, Chevy established itself as a major force during the formative years of the American automotive industry. It was during this time that the pickup truck began its tenure as not just a symbol of Americana but an instrument that could make a sizable impact on both the working world and the needs of the average consumer. Because of the major role it played at the beginning of the century, it only made sense that when it came to its inevitable conclusion, the bow-tie brand would make another contribution as the new millennium began. It was in 1999 when the Chevy Silverado 1500 made its iconic debut. Since that time, the vehicle has not only gone on to become Chevy’s flagship project but also the standard bearer for what every pickup truck should ascribe to be in the fields of versatility, prowess, performance, and accessibility. Taking Advantage of Depreciation If you’re in the market for a used Silverado 1500, there are a number of things you should know about. The first of these is learning about depreciation and making this process work to your advantage. Depreciation is the process in which the value of a vehicle decreases a little bit each year. While this process occurs to every make and model and begins the moment one is driven off the lot, the rates vary depending on the vehicle you select. Keeping track of this process is relatively easy, as the yearly rates are published each year from a multitude of publications, most notably Kelley Blue Book. As far as the Chevy Silverado 1500 goes, we’ll take the time to break down some of the depreciation that occurs over time. After the first year of ownership, a Silverado 1500 maintains 91% of its original value, meaning you can find a relatively newer model for slightly less than the original starting MSRP. If you’re looking to save even more, consider purchasing a model that’s four years old, as this retains only 80%. Less than 75% of the resale value is attained after a six-year period, meaning you have the ideal chance to obtain quality for less. Repair Costs It goes without saying that any vehicle you purchase requires general maintenance and upkeep performed at regular intervals to keep it running effectively. Similar to depreciation, this is something that cannot be avoided, and everything depends on the vehicle you own. If you’re thinking of a used Chevy Silverado 1500, you’ll be quite pleased to know that the vehicle has an impressive reputation when it comes to maintenance costs. The annual costs to keep a Silverado on the road stay well below the threshold of $1,000 for the first six years of ownership. In this same allotted amount of time, the chances that a major repair will be required is just over the probability of 16%. The most common service that will be required is having the oil changed and tires rotated, which should be done every 7,500 miles. Suppose you’re looking to make a long-term investment. In that case, you might want to consider finding a used Silverado 1500 that’s equipped with a Duramax diesel engine, as many drivers have attested to putting upwards of 300,000 miles on the engine without needing a major repair. A Look at Kentucky Insurance Rates If you plan on purchasing a used Silverado 1500 from us at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Georgetown, you’ll find a considerable amount of great offerings to choose from. Aside from taking advantage of depreciation and repair bills that are easily affordable, you’ll find that insurance premiums are also much lower when it comes to used vehicles. While insurance premiums vary upon what carrier you choose, your driving record, and your age, the average yearly cost for insuring a Chevy Silverado 1500 in the state of Kentucky is $ 2,448 a year, and this balances out to approximately $204 a month. This data is for a new Silverado, and because used vehicles cost less, you should be able to shop around for an affordable rate that’s agreeable to your budget. Get More for Your Money With a Model Before 2020 Many of us remember how tumultuous the year 2020 was. And while many think of the global pandemic as the event most commonly associated with the year in question, there was another event that had a significant impact on the world we live in. This took the form of a worldwide microchip shortage. What this meant for the average consumer is that many production quotas were limited, and some features for many vehicles could only be produced in limited quantities. Now, if you’re looking for a vehicle with the special features you covet the most, there are two options. The first choice is to have a Silverado custom-built at the factory, which will ensure that you get first dibs on some of the items you want. But, because we’re talking about used versions of the Silverado 1500, we present this other option. Looking for a vehicle manufactured before the 2020 model year means paying less and getting more. If you’re unsure of which years come with certain features, our friendly and knowledgeable sales team will be happy to assist you in choosing the perfect option. Invest in a Pre-Owned Silverado 1500 Today As we’ve found out today, obtaining a vehicle of exceptional quality isn’t limited to those with a disposable income. As one of the most trusted brands to ever exist, Chevy’s reputation for quality has lasted several decades, and as we’ve seen today, it’s lasted into the modern era as well. A used Silverado 1500 can afford you all of the advantages that you need for work, play, and every other activity that falls in between. And the advantages are exactly what you’ll find when you come to shop with the experts at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick Of Georgetown. With an impeccable selection and a staff who make it their business to know what makes Chevy function, there’s no other dealership quite like us.

Shopping for a used truck can be a lot of fun: you have a tremendous amount of freedom with the used market. It’s important to pick a good used Chevy dealer in KY that you can trust, however, to ensure you get a great vehicle that’s in excellent condition. As long as you have a dealership that you know has your best interests at heart, then you can focus on getting the right features and options in your vehicle. This doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does mean you should keep some things in mind as you shop. Today, we’re going to take you through some of the most important things to consider and look at as you’re shopping for a used Chevy Silverado. We can’t tell you exactly what you need – that really depends on your specific situation – but we can give you some general advice. With these things in mind, it will be easy for you to look at models available to you and decide on if they’re right for you or not. Of course, the easiest way to find just the right used Silverado is to have one of our knowledgeable and friendly salespeople by your side to help you. #1 – The Engine As you’re shopping for a Silverado, the engine is a great place to start because so many other aspects of the truck really depend on it. We often tell our customers to think of the engine as the heart of the vehicle; it needs to be strong and reliable to keep your truck going. And with an impressive workhorse like the Chevy Silverado, a great engine is very important. While every Silverado has an excellent engine, there is a substantial amount of variety in terms of the engines inside these vehicles. Right now, for example, if you look at a brand-new Silverado, you can see six different engines to choose from – models from the previous generation (more on that below) had a similar number of options. That means that when you’re shopping for a Silverado, you can find a lot of different engines. So it’s important that you know what you need. The simple decision of if you want a diesel engine or a standard gas engine will make truck shopping a lot easier. Beyond that, you should consider how much power you need and what kind of transmission you want. Unless you go way back, you’re going to find an automatic transmission, but you can find 6-speed, 8-speed, and 10-speed transmissions all available. #2 – The Trim Level It’s easy to think of the trim as only being about luxury features and options. In reality, however, with the Chevy Silverado, the trim often dictates a lot of different features that have been available over the years. Looking at used Silverado models from 2010, for example, we can see that the LT and SLE trims had access to an impressive 6.2L V8 engine, while the standard WT trim did not. So, as you’re looking at different used Silverado models, you can make the process a lot easier on yourself by deciding if you need a higher trim. Since there have been a lot of options available, however, this is definitely an area where having someone by your side while shopping can simplify things. But if you know you want the performance and luxury of the highest trim for the years you’re interested in; then this can quickly eliminate models that won’t work for you. #3 – Model Year (Generation) Speaking of different model years, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the model year of any used Silverado you are considering. The generation of the vehicle will have a major impact on the kinds of features, options, and engines that were available for any given Silverado – and the model year can provide additional insight. Really, this comes down to getting rid of models that won’t work for you, so you can focus on ones that will. We suggest going back no further than the 2007 model year, which started the second generation for the Chevy Silverado. For more modern features, focus on models from 2014 to 2018, which was the third generation of the Silverado. If you want the latest and greatest, then the most recent generation started with 2019 models, but these are going to cost more than older ones. It really comes down to your budget, the features and power you want, and how you can get everything that you need. #4 – Towing and Payload Capacities Half the fun of owning a truck is being able to load it up with everything you need or haul a trailer or boat behind it. But even if you look at two Silverado models that seem identical from the outside, they can have very different capabilities due to their engines and other factors. Before you do any shopping, figure out what your requirements are: be generous and keep in mind it’s better to have more muscle than you need rather than find yourself in a tight spot. More powerful engines typically offer greater towing capacity, and these capabilities tend to improve from one generation to the next. So, if you have some serious towing needs with your Silverado, look for recent models with powerful V8 engines or even diesel engines. Always look at the specific capacities for any particular truck you’re interested in since similar models can still vary based on other factors. #5 – The Configuration As you look at different Silverado models, you should also consider what configuration will work best for you. For the last few generations, the Silverado has been available with a regular cab, larger extended cab, or a crew cab for maximum interior space. Three different bed lengths have also been offered: just under 6-foot, 6-and-a-half-foot, and an 8-foot bed. There are some limitations on combining these options, however, so it’s important to find the right configuration that meets your needs. #6 – The Interior It can be easy to think of interior options for comfort and technology as little more than luxuries that don’t really matter, but that’s a mistake. Your comfort in your truck, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road, is very important and really makes a big difference in getting the most out of your pickup. Plus, impressive tech features can help you stay in touch with others while on the job, make towing easier, and assist with navigation to get you where you need to go. #7 – Safety Features These might not be the first things you look at when shopping for a Silverado, but don’t overlook them. The safety features in a truck really can make a difference in your driving experience when it comes to protecting you and others on the road. Nothing can replace safe, careful driving, but modern safety systems and features can help improve your own abilities and make it easier to avoid a collision. If you have a young driver who’s going to be learning to drive with your truck, then look for a recent model with Chevy’s Teen Driver system to help encourage safe, responsible behavior. We Make Shopping for a Used Silverado Easy To be honest, even with everything we’ve discussed, there are plenty more things to look for and consider when shopping at your used Chevy dealer in KY. That’s why our salespeople are trained to work closely with all of our customers and help ensure you get everything you need. Give us a call or come visit us to find out more and discover how simple it can be to shop for a used Silverado when you have the right person by your side.