Ok...long time (years) since I've been on the forum. Life got in the way big time. Still is...but have decided to take what time I've got left and do something new. So... once upon a time I remember reading about a large truck outfit in Idaho (?) that could get a great deal on trucks. Is that still the case? Or...am I better off looking local?My current truck is a 2004 Silverado 1500 with over 350k miles. It doesn't owe me anything...but it isn't reliable to go on a road trip. Tried to go to Florida in February...broke down and needed a surprise front end brake job. Dealer in FL nor dealer in MO could figure out what happened or why. Just did. Stuck for a week. DH and I would like to get something reliable. Looking at Traverse, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and GM equivalents. Pre owned and gently used. DH isn't sure he wants to take on towing a trailer now. Thinks that ship has sailed. Any experiences with these vehicles... advice etc. greatly appreciated. Thanks...CTS

Are you thinking of Dave Smith? I don't know much about them but they used to have a ton of commercials on TV.

That's it! I'll check it out. May not be worth it. A friend suggested looking into a rehab dealer here...they get vehicles that are salvage title and apparently rehab them completely for resale. Not too sure about that option.

The reviews of the Dave Smith operation are all over the place. My guess is they are no different than any other dealership, just bigger maybe.

Sadly, it is no longer a deal.I tried them when I ordered the truck in my signature. I did better here in Phoenix, straight up with no travel expenses. Factor in travel expenses and it wasn't even close.

IF ,,, I am guessing correctly, looking for a gently used very small C or even a B may be more helpful.

Big truck dealer in Idaho? | Good Sam Community

covetsthesun
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
travelnman wrote:
OK so the world changed it did for me also, shocked at first. Thought those old people were never going to be me. Here is my take, do you get tired easily just tying your shoes, walking, lifting and need to rest. If yes you need to sit down and accept your end or you can pop up hit the trail, turn off the TV (especially the news programs) and show folks how its done. This activity is pure fun with new trails and sites to see. Gas now is cheap your living in a era we will never see again but keep your investment moderate unless you just hit the lottery or have a pension most of us only dream off. You will make friends that last for ever and learn about places to visit that can make you a happy camper for ever. Some of our state parks have nice cabins that are fun if pulling a RV is too nerve racking. Hit the national parks to they are almost free for seniors, vets, etc. Stay a while relax you earned it and you and I own it.

Very nicely said!:B
mtofell1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
A couple years ago my friend named Dave Smith bought a truck from Dave Smith. I always thought he should have got something for that.... even just a hat.... something. :)
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 02, 2020
^Whats this have to do with finding a deal on a truck??
travelnman
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
OK so the world changed it did for me also, shocked at first. Thought those old people were never going to be me. Here is my take, do you get tired easily just tying your shoes, walking, lifting and need to rest. If yes you need to sit down and accept your end or you can pop up hit the trail, turn off the TV (especially the news programs) and show folks how its done. This activity is pure fun with new trails and sites to see. Gas now is cheap your living in a era we will never see again but keep your investment moderate unless you just hit the lottery or have a pension most of us only dream off. You will make friends that last for ever and learn about places to visit that can make you a happy camper for ever. Some of our state parks have nice cabins that are fun if pulling a RV is too nerve racking. Hit the national parks to they are almost free for seniors, vets, etc. Stay a while relax you earned it and you and I own it.
covetsthesun
Explorer
Jul 21, 2020
I know trucks are a national market now...seems everyone wants one more than ever. Does anyone know of a personal buyer that's located in Missouri or Kansas? I've looked at everything from Carmax to CarFax and it's mind numbing combing through the offerings.
Thanks! cts
covetsthesun
Explorer
Jul 21, 2020
punomatic wrote:
I've bought several pickups and SUVs through vehixbuyers.com. Syd Dorn is an auto broker in Portland. He is very honest and reliable. He and his family have done much to change the laws in Oregon protecting consumers in the auto market. He can find you the vehicle you want anywhere in the country, usually within 48 hours. He does the negotiating; all you do is the test drive and sign the papers on the one you choose. DW and I and our family won't "shop" anywhere else. NOTE: I don't work for or get anything by referring people to Syd. I just hate the car buying process, but Syd has taken all the pain out of it. Good luck in your search.

I looked him up... I would love to find someone like him in Missouri!
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
Purchased several vehicles from Dave Smith "back in the day"...which means decades ago with Los Anchorage as the destination. They could almost always underprice the Alaska dealer (Chevy) by enough that, if one had the time, it offset the cost of to / from travel plus saved a bit. The vehicles I purchased there were for a commercial contractor and it was always easier to find the truck I was looking for from Dave Smith and to get Dave Smith to facilitate the additions than to try to get that truck up in AK and fight to find a shop that would do the additions needed.

The last time I considered using them (probably 10 years ago), I was in Houston and they couldn't compete with local pricing.
Litch
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
Kendall Auto mall in Nampa will meet or beat Dave Smith prices.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
Sadly, Smith sold out to the "modern" dealers. Their dealership still does have hundreds of vehicles stored all over Kellogg, ID. The last truck we bought was from a dealer in Spokane and was as good a deal as Smith might have had.
At one time, Smith paid a huge portion of the taxes in their county due to the sales.
covetsthesun
Explorer
Jul 19, 2020
Thanks everyone! I've dipped toes in a few times over the years to see if it was worth buying. With our current truck at over 350k miles and cranky it's well past time to get newer. Local dealer here treats me very well... and they have a buyer...so going to give that a whirl. Now we just have to figure out what path to take. Travel lite...or find something that will tow a TT. Covid just changed everything.

Thanks again for all the advice. Very much appreciated! CTS