How to buy a car on the internet?

[LotsAHotAir]

I've been looking at a car on another board and have never bought a car on the internet. The car is out of state, so I can't go look at it. What else can I do other than a carfax to make sure that the car is as the owner states? The car is modified with your normal intake and exhaust goodies, including a Vortech supercharger, rebuilt transmission, converter, etc. Just trying to cover all of my bases.

Thanks.

 

[jpratt]

It is hard to do for sure. What I have done is ask around on the boards and find someone to look it over for you. Otherwise drive out there with money in hand, if it not what you thought then keep your cash and go home empty.

 

[SGRIM]

It is hard to do for sure. What I have done is ask around on the boards and find someone to look it over for you. Otherwise drive out there with money in hand, if it not what you thought then keep your cash and go home empty.

Agreed, I would have to get someone to look at it! I would also want to compare the title to the vin on the car! I have bought a few cars site unseen but it was because I know the seller good enough to feel confident I could get my money back if not what expected!

 

[2QUIK6]

I have bought 4 cars over the internet, 3 on ebay and one off Hemmings ad. In every case, I have went out and looked at the car before handing over any money...too many theives out there to do otherwise.
That can be difficult if you have no way to fly easily on short notice....I travel alot of business so I use my frequent flier miles since I never go anywhere for vacation to burn them up...
And of course...I'm in Texas and 3 of the cars were in Cali and the other in Maryland.... All were exceptional as described but a '86 560SL..it was nice appearing..but when I got it home discovered it needed about $5k in repairs.

 

[craggar]

Like already mentioned either go with cash in hand after you have made a deal and or get someone else to look at it and take pictures of any known problem areas.
I'v bought one without seeing it and did ok but have gone to pick up others that were junk. If it's being sold on Ebay you can almost be assured it's not what you thought you were getting. Espicially ifit's been modified.

 

[John Larkin]

Once you get real serious, get on a plane. It'll be the best $300 you ever spent. That's how I got my GN; flew to Detroit from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[LotsAHotAir]

Thanks for the help.

 

[ronbuick]

I bought two, and got screwed twice, unless it is within close driving distance. Just my two bad and never again experience, maybe the third time is a charm.

Ron

 

[GNRick]

I live in Illinois and found an 86 GN in Ohio with 25k miles on it. Even though it looked good on E-bay, I still got on a plane and arranged to get a U-haul and trailered it home. Still has original tires so I couldn't drive it back. On a side note......first thing I did was change the fluids. Now, after putting 400 miles on it in 8 months, the heater core went out on me. But I did use Royal Purple and ZDDPlus in the crank case.

 

[GNTurbo6]

Not that I've done it but here's what I'd advise:

Ask a ton of questions. If the guy doesn't know the answer then he either didn't care for the car or he doesn't know the history of it. In that case, stay away. If he has all the answers, he will be pretty passionate about answering all your questions and that should be a sign he was passionate about the car.

Have someone you know and trust check out the car if you can't do it yourself. Their desciption alone can be worth more than what the seller wrote on the ad.

Most online sales will require a deposit. Most of the time it isn't more than $500 or so. You have to be willing to lose this deposit if the car turns out to be a lemon when you finally see it for yourself. You may be able to get the deposit refunded if you are able to find clearcut lies in the description.

 

[2QUIK6]

Most online sales will require a deposit. Most of the time it isn't more than $500 or so. You have to be willing to lose this deposit if the car turns out to be a lemon when you finally see it for yourself. You may be able to get the deposit refunded if you are able to find clearcut lies in the description.

If you can make it out to see the car in a reasonable amount of time, like by the upcoming w/e, then I blow off the deposit. If on ebay and it says $$$ deposit required within 2 days or less I either ask them about it indicating that I will be coming out in person and if they still require the deposit I blow it off and move on to the next car. Any serious and honest seller knows there's theives and liars out there selling...at the same time there's a lot of liar buyers too that bid and then no show, but its your money and if they want it they will understand, if they don't, then don't do business with them.