It’s almost a new year; it’s time to introduce a new Chevy – the Chevy Bolt. What is the Bolt? Chevy’s first all-electric distance traveler. The Bolt is not to be confused with the Volt. Instead, the Bolt is a true EV that can compete with Tesla vehicles at an affordable price. Learn more below.

1. Range
Why do we call it a distance traveler? Because the Bolt can travel at least 238 miles on a single charge. We say at least because various driver tests have shown the Bolt can travel well beyond 238 miles given the right conditions and the right driving habits. Pretty impressive, right?

2. Legroom and Storage Space
The Bolt was built to be compact on the outside and spacious on the inside. There is plenty of legroom to go around in the front and back. Plus, you’ll find 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space – a similar-sized car, the Honda Fit, only offers 16.6 cubic feet.

3. Price
The Chevrolet Bolt is expected to be priced at $37,500. When you factor in the $7,500 federal tax credit that you can receive when you buy an electric vehicle, the Bolt only costs $30,000. That is a steal in the EV market at the Bolt’s battery range.

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So you’re considering a new car, but don’t know what to do with your old vehicle? For sale by owner or trade in? Both have their benefits. For sale by owner might get you a little more money if you sacrifice time. A trade-in might lose you a little money but will give you time savings.

1. Research

The more you research, the more you’ll feel confident in your decision. Trade-in value is based on year, model, mileage, condition and demand of your vehicle. The more demand there is for your vehicle in an area, the better chance you have to get a higher trade-in value. Because of this, it is important to not only research car trade-in value but consider local market trends when determining your vehicle’s value.

2. Calculate

Sometimes it is worth it to repair certain features of a vehicle before you trade it in. Sometimes it is not worth it. It’s good practice to calculate the cost of the repair and then calculate how much more trade-in value would gained from the repair. This will tell you if the repair is worth it.

Quick fixes:

• windshield chips
• tires
• brakes
• dents

3. Keep in mind a dealership is a business

We need to resell the vehicle after you trade it in. We’ll give you the best trade-in value possible that allows us to resell the vehicle at a profit. We’re honest because that’s how we operate. No tricks with us.

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So you have poor credit and you want to know how to rebuild it? There are no quick fixes in rebuilding your credit but it is possible to rebuild your credit. It will just take time and a little budgeting.

Credit ratings are based on a number of factors: whether or not you pay bills on time, the amount of debt you have, whether or not you have debt in default, how much credit you have available and the age of your accounts.

In order to improve your credit rating, you should begin by making at least the minimum payments on each of your pre-existing loans. As you pay off your loans, try to keep your credit balances as low as possible. Avoid taking on too much debt. If you don’t have any loans, then it will be easier to build up your credit.

Only open new credit accounts when needed. Yes, the need for a new or used car is a good reason to open a new credit account – provided you’re not collecting cars you cannot afford. Purchasing big items like a car or a home and making payments on these types of loans on time will dramatically increase your credit rating.

If you have any questions regarding your current credit rating or available auto loans at Covert Chevrolet Buick GMC, reach out to our finance team.

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You’re ready to start car shopping. Great! We hope to make the process a bit easier and part of your next steps may include trading in your current car.
The team at Covert Chevrolet Buick GMC in Bastrop, Texas has encountered several questions from our customers about what to do before you trade in your car. This post is a great starting point to catch up on tips before you make that trade.

1) Repairs: Should you repair a vehicle before showing it to a dealer? Dealers are in the business of cars and therefore, have the ability to make mechanical or cosmetic repairs more reasonably than a consumer. Trading the vehicle in “as is” condition also allows the dealer to decide what needs to be done and to control the quality of the repair. There is little chance you would recoup the cost of last minute repairs, so you are much better off letting the dealer be responsible for them.

2) Detailing: Should you clean a car before showing it to a dealer? This is not as clear-cut as it might seem. Most cars will clearly benefit from an interior cleaning. Exterior cleaning is a different story and depends largely on the extent of flaws (primarily dings and scratches) around the vehicle. Exterior dirt and dust can hide many of those flaws.

3) Previous Paintwork: Paintwork, especially of poor quality or on an expensive vehicle, can significantly devalue a vehicle. Sometimes a wet-sanding (check with a body shop) can improve the look of paintwork, especially if the paint problem is primarily related to the texture of the paint.

4) Same-Make Dealer: It is often useful to have your vehicle appraised by a dealer who sells the same vehicle new, especially if it is something he might want to stock for retail. If he were to consider stocking your trade-in for his retail lot, he is likely to offer more for it when he appraises it. If nothing else, his appraisal may be useful in negotiation with other dealers.


5) Your Own Expectations: Before visiting a dealer, be sure you have a sense of what your vehicle is worth. Showing up with a realistic expectation will help you and the dealer strike a deal that satisfies you both.

These are some of the things you should consider before trading in your car. We know our customers look to Covert Chevrolet Buick GMC for guidance and checking our values before visiting their dealers. We’re here to help answer any questions you may have.

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If machines could go to a gym, workout and actually lose weight, then the Cruze would be leading the pack of fit machines. It lost about 250 pounds of curb weight from the previous model year. Not only is it lighter, but it is also stronger and sleeker.

It now packs a 1.4-liter turbo engine that outputs 152 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. This same engine reaches 60 mph in about 8 seconds. Not too bad when you consider it also offers drivers 40 mpg on the highway. An Eco 1.6-liter diesel engine should return in 2017, but as of right now the 1.4 turbo engine is Cruze’s main power source.

The interior has a newer and fresher design with enhanced materials. You’ll find a new seven-inch MyLink touch-screen with available Apple Carplay and Android Auto apps. More space in the back means more leg room for backseat riders.

If you’re in the market for a spacious mid-size car that balances zip with fuel efficiency, you’ll want to test drive the Chevy Cruze. Contact Covet Chevrolet Buick GMC today to schedule a test drive.

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