I found a car that Im really interested in. So far the car is in perfect condition from what I can tell in the pictures. I've got almost every angle without it being on a lift. The problem is that the price is high enough where I can't fly out and see it for myself, plus I need to have it shipped to me (enclosed trailer). I was curious if someone has bought a car off of ebay or something similar without riding/seeing the car in person. Please, if anybody can give me their experiences with thier situation, it would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone buy a car 2000+ miles away
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The problem with pictures (even good close up ones) is digital cameras tend to blend and hide many flaws. I've taken pics of cars over the years and someone won't even know it's their own car!
What I would do is look around on the boards for someone you can trust who lives in that area who can eye ball it. I've looked at several cars around me for other board members. Hopefully the person can be totally honest and not try to tell you it's junk in person just so they can nab it!
But if your looking at a car worth some money you should go look at it in person first or find someone local to it for sure! Worst case it's a mini vacation for the weekend if you fly out to see it in person if you can't find someone local.
I wanted this one TTA really bad but could not find anyone local to this guy and it was allot of money and far. He finally sold it and I talked to the new owner and he even said it was not as nice as the pics! But one thing is for sure.. if it's an investment for you and a car you really want.. don't buy it off pictures! Good luck!
What I would do is look around on the boards for someone you can trust who lives in that area who can eye ball it. I've looked at several cars around me for other board members. Hopefully the person can be totally honest and not try to tell you it's junk in person just so they can nab it!
But if your looking at a car worth some money you should go look at it in person first or find someone local to it for sure! Worst case it's a mini vacation for the weekend if you fly out to see it in person if you can't find someone local. I wanted this one TTA really bad but could not find anyone local to this guy and it was allot of money and far. He finally sold it and I talked to the new owner and he even said it was not as nice as the pics! But one thing is for sure.. if it's an investment for you and a car you really want.. don't buy it off pictures! Good luck!
RobsIron
Silent but Violent
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I have never flown out to see any Car or Bike I've purchased. Not necessarly smart and risky, but I have faired pretty well so far.
If the seller knows you are a serious buyer he should have no problem in taking a hour and videotaping the entire car in and out..starting and running. Make sure he has someone film him while starting the car(smoke etc.)and film the guages..oil pressure and temp. etc..close ups on any known flaws.
Do not be picky on what type of tape he has access to. 8mm, digital whatever. Take what you can get. You can get it converted locally to fit your viewing needs.
This is a great tool for the seller whether you buy it or not. If it is a problem for the seller to do this simple inexpensive task..Don't Buy It. HTH.
If the seller knows you are a serious buyer he should have no problem in taking a hour and videotaping the entire car in and out..starting and running. Make sure he has someone film him while starting the car(smoke etc.)and film the guages..oil pressure and temp. etc..close ups on any known flaws.
Do not be picky on what type of tape he has access to. 8mm, digital whatever. Take what you can get. You can get it converted locally to fit your viewing needs.
This is a great tool for the seller whether you buy it or not. If it is a problem for the seller to do this simple inexpensive task..Don't Buy It. HTH.
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
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FWIW & IMHO:
I totally agree with Phillyturbosix on this one. I realize that the turbo Buick world contains mostly good reputable people in it, with a few bad apples thrown in for good measure. But when it comes to buying something major as a vehicle, I would travel. One of the reasons for my decision is that I cannot afford to make a mistake on a car purchase. I am not in a position to say, "Oh, well, what the heck, I will eat the $2.5K or so for enclosed shipping from coast to coast, and I will probably eat several $K for making a bad decision, and I will regroup and go find another car. I would much rather fly, and if the deal turns bad, I will only be out flight time and money, I will have visited another place, saved myself money and embarassmnet, add another notch for a good decision to my belt, and I definitely will have enough money left to regroup for another purchase, and well, you get the idea.
Can you afford to make a bad decision in this situation? I could not afford to make that type of a bad decision finincially and I would not want to look at myself in the mirror the next morning either.
HTH
I totally agree with Phillyturbosix on this one. I realize that the turbo Buick world contains mostly good reputable people in it, with a few bad apples thrown in for good measure. But when it comes to buying something major as a vehicle, I would travel. One of the reasons for my decision is that I cannot afford to make a mistake on a car purchase. I am not in a position to say, "Oh, well, what the heck, I will eat the $2.5K or so for enclosed shipping from coast to coast, and I will probably eat several $K for making a bad decision, and I will regroup and go find another car. I would much rather fly, and if the deal turns bad, I will only be out flight time and money, I will have visited another place, saved myself money and embarassmnet, add another notch for a good decision to my belt, and I definitely will have enough money left to regroup for another purchase, and well, you get the idea.
Can you afford to make a bad decision in this situation? I could not afford to make that type of a bad decision finincially and I would not want to look at myself in the mirror the next morning either.
HTH
RobsIron
Silent but Violent
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I think we all know that without a doubt seeing the car in person is the Best way to go. I personally put a High value on my Time and weigh the risk on each vehicle. I was just trying to answer your Post Directly on you not flying.
Overnight the seller a 5-10% binder so he knows you're serious and then have him overnight a signed title without your name on it to you.
I have shipped cars all over the U.S. From the tipee top of Washington State to Fla. enclosed and have never paid more than $1300. I'm sure it would be a couple hundred more now with the fuel surcharges. I know of a couple good shipping companies without the middleman. Let me know if I can help.
Overnight the seller a 5-10% binder so he knows you're serious and then have him overnight a signed title without your name on it to you.
I have shipped cars all over the U.S. From the tipee top of Washington State to Fla. enclosed and have never paid more than $1300. I'm sure it would be a couple hundred more now with the fuel surcharges. I know of a couple good shipping companies without the middleman. Let me know if I can help.
Robs, I would have never thought to do a videotape of the car. Like you, and like everybody else, I do value my time and my money. I have never done anything like this before so I'm kinda shooting in the dark here. Once we settle on a price, I will more than likely due the 5-10% binder. I will keep you in mind if we end up closing the deal.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
If you decide not to go see the car, there are companies that does full inspections (for a fee) on cars and furnish details reports. I think ebay even has links for some of them.
Using "Googles or Ask Jeeves" to find inspection companies near the car.
Using "Googles or Ask Jeeves" to find inspection companies near the car.
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
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FWIW & IMHO:
I would never trust an inspection company for inspection on a turbo Buick, nor most othert speciality cars either. I would much rather take a chance and find a turbo Buick enthusiast local to the area the car is located at, and offer to pay him than hire a professional company. That way you support the Buick community, even though you run the risk of the car being bought out from under you. Even expert inspection companies are not familiar with the ins and outs of the turbo Buicks. Now if the car is better than fairly priced, why did it not sell locally, and it will probably get bought out from under you anyway even though you might be the first person showing serious interest in the vehicle. (Unless you offered and put a down-payment on the vehicle, probably sight unseen).
No flaming intended here, just some random thoughts on turbo Buick non-local purchases
I would never trust an inspection company for inspection on a turbo Buick, nor most othert speciality cars either. I would much rather take a chance and find a turbo Buick enthusiast local to the area the car is located at, and offer to pay him than hire a professional company. That way you support the Buick community, even though you run the risk of the car being bought out from under you. Even expert inspection companies are not familiar with the ins and outs of the turbo Buicks. Now if the car is better than fairly priced, why did it not sell locally, and it will probably get bought out from under you anyway even though you might be the first person showing serious interest in the vehicle. (Unless you offered and put a down-payment on the vehicle, probably sight unseen).
No flaming intended here, just some random thoughts on turbo Buick non-local purchases
Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
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FWIW and IHMO ............
NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!
I would rather pay purchase in the area and lay down $2K more........ and STILL be ahead! Good luck!
NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!
I would rather pay purchase in the area and lay down $2K more........ and STILL be ahead! Good luck!
I wouldn't 100% trust "seller's" statements ... People's version of nice is a ****box to other's Buicks are getting to be an "old" car now and some think it's ok to have a "little rust" 
its like buyin a pig in a poke IF I were spending some good $$$ I would look at it myself ... although if ya do that ya can't blame "other's" for "misleading" you :biggrin:
Buicks are getting to be an "old" car now and some think it's ok to have a "little rust" its like buyin a pig in a poke IF I were spending some good $$$ I would look at it myself ... although if ya do that ya can't blame "other's" for "misleading" you :biggrin:I bought 3 cars on ebay or over the internet, but never without going to see it/drive it first. 2 from Cali and 1 from Maryland...I'm in Texas....you can get cheap airline tix to anywhere in the US for less than $500 with some planning...you aren't going to get a car shipped for less than that over 2k miles.
I can't tell you how many cars I went to look at that were crap compared to the way the seller described it...in fact some of these folks knew nothing about cars..made me wonder how they ended up with a collector 2nd gen TA to begin with....Tuson, AZ....Minnesota....Chicago...and Seattle....all wasted trips because the pics they sent didn't even look like the car in person.
Yes my time is valuable and alot of it was wasted..but I'd be out alot more and really PO'd if I would have bought any of those cars that were crap, unless you have money to burn.
So even if the seller agrees to you only paying half until you take delivery (highly unlikely) and you don't like it, you still have to pay shipping back.
I can't tell you how many cars I went to look at that were crap compared to the way the seller described it...in fact some of these folks knew nothing about cars..made me wonder how they ended up with a collector 2nd gen TA to begin with....Tuson, AZ....Minnesota....Chicago...and Seattle....all wasted trips because the pics they sent didn't even look like the car in person.
Yes my time is valuable and alot of it was wasted..but I'd be out alot more and really PO'd if I would have bought any of those cars that were crap, unless you have money to burn.
So even if the seller agrees to you only paying half until you take delivery (highly unlikely) and you don't like it, you still have to pay shipping back.
one thing i would suggest and I did not have time to read the entire post. Speak with the seller and see if he/she is willing to pay for your plane tix home if you do not by the car. If he/she is serious and is not mis-representing the car he/she should agree to those terms. If you buy the car just drive it back.
If he is not willing to do that then i would walk from the car.
If he is not willing to do that then i would walk from the car.
Ok, I just called him, thank goodness for the time zones. He lives in Grant Pass with about 25 mins from Medford Airport. Also, he agreed to do half on transaction day and half on delivery. I think that says a lot. I will posting in the NW section of the board too.
Thanks again for the ideas,
Steve
Thanks again for the ideas,
Steve
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
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Ok, What happens if you do not like/purchase the car upon delivery, do you get reimbursed the half of your money already paid to him, and who pays return shipping?
