Where to buy used 3/4?

[captrcurtis]

While there are lot of sound opinions in these responses buying used presents many problems if you're purchasing private party or local used car dealerships a long distance from where you live. I can tell you from my 45 years of experience in the automotive business that your best bet is to buy from a dealer of the brand vehicle you are buying. In most cases the will be Certified pre-owned vehicles which typically carry a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty through the manufacturer. So if you buy the truck in Florida the local GM, Ford, Ram dealer in your area can take care of the issues. Further the manufactures standards for the inspections will give you some assurance that everything is what is stated (if it's a certified pre-owned). Further, there is a pretty good chance of finding a diamond in the rough such as the truck I bought in December. I had a 2013 SIlverado 1500 extended cab with a 5.3 and 141,000. It towed our Palomino Solaire 297 RLDS just fine here in Florida and the hills of Georgia, N & S Carolina. But, we are planning a trip out west and want to take the northern route and it would not be an enjoyable trip over the Rockies. Anyway, I found a 2011 GMC Sierra K2500HD with the Duramax 6.6 extended cab with 46,000 original miles and excellent shape. The car fax showed it as a 1 owner vehicle, no accidents and as clean on the interior as the day it was sold new. I found out the original owner only used it to tow their travel trailer and had not done so due to health since 2016 so they finally traded it for an Equinox. Now it is to old to certify but that's ok I got an extended service policy that is through General Motors for 36/45,000 that covers everything but trim and wear items. The price I paid out the door with service policy and all was 25,987.50 and they gave me 9750.00 trade in on my Silverado.
Anyway, it is my opinion that you will do better by going to the dealer. Good luck on your venture.