Buying a car long distance

[BuickOldsPontiac]

I have already picked up a lot of good ideas and suggestions from this site. It has got me thinking about what I want to do, and now it is finally time to start seriously hunting for my g-body. I almost feel like I am 16 again, I haven't bought a used car since then. I have been looking at what is available. Now there are some cars I might be interested that are sorta local (~100 miles), however thanks to the ease of the internet I have been able to find several further away that have caught my eye. Now that I am about ready to buy I want to know if I should consider buying long distance. How many of you bought g-bodies (or other cars for that matter) that weren't local to you? Any horror stories, good stories, tips, suggestions?

 

[redboy504]

All bad actually. I bought 3 cars online, all long distance. The first one was in Maryland and I couldn't get out there to pic it up for a while. It wouldn't fit on the truck for shipping, which cost another $1000. Then the guy charged me for storage until the fees were more than I paid for the car. Took me to court and I got nothing at all. He kept the money and the car. A-hole

Second was a Cutlass. I paid for it up front with Paypal through Ebay. Then the guy tells me he found a local buyer who has offered him more money, so I need to match his offer or get my money back. He gave me my money back, but had I done that to him I would have been wrong. It says that an ebay sale is a binding contract, but he weaseled his way out of it. A-hole.

Third was another Cutlass. I drove from New Orleans to Andrews, Texas. That's like 20 miles from New Mexico. There were times I thought I would never see my house again, LOL. Texas is a huge empty sate in some areas. Lost a driveshaft on the truck just outside of Beaumont, Texas. Stayed there 2 days and $200 dollars. Lucky I had family in Beaumont or I would have had to stay in a hotel. Got a ticket in some town because the lights went out on the trailer. Had to fix the lights in a Walmart parking lot. Then I made it to Andrews finally, 3 days late. Had the car come off the trailer a few times. Popped the straps a few times. Even had it almost come off on the interstate. The wheels turned and got caught on the wheel wells of the trailer. And last but definitely not least my cousin ran off the road and hit a light post. Car came off the trailer and hit the truck. Totaled the truck. it had front end damage, but we still got it all back to New Orleans. The tires were shaky, so they kept wearing out. Every hour or so I had to buy used tires. But I got my Cutlass Lol.

I think I learned to buy locally from hear on out. At least then I know exactly where to go to whip some ars. But your experience may be different. And I hope so. Good luck either way.

 

[melman109]

I'd stay local unless you personally know someone that can go check the car out for you and that can make sure the transaction goes through or unless you can personally drive to the car to do the transaction in person, to many snakes out there!

 

[454muscle]

My recent purchase of the 81 4 door malibu, was a 7 hour drive, each way.

The seller described the car in detail so there were absolutely no surprises. Plus it was an army base (Petawawa) and he seemed like a really nice guy. When I got there he said the car wouldn't start and needs a new battery, so he deducted $60 off the asking price. Turns out, all it needed was new ground straps.

Talk to the seller on the phone, does he sound genuine, or mysterious? Talking to my seller, I could tell he was dead honest. The car was his old man's who recently passed away, and it was well taken care of, so I got a good deal for $960.

 

[BuickOldsPontiac]

Thanks for the replies. 😀

I definitely plan on talking to the seller(s) by phone. I'd like to think I can get a decent initial read on them from that. I have so far looked in areas (away from here) that I either have relatives or friends semi-close to so I can probably get a trusted set of eyes to look over the car without me wasting an unnecessary trip. Even then I am not going to fork over any money until I actually get to the vehicle myself.

454 did you drive that vehicle back or tow it?

 

[lildhix]

i bought my car from GA im in MS and when we got there it was a mess..... it wasnt all that correct with his description. the int was wtf! the paint was fair to crap but not horrible. it just had alot of paper in it and dirty mucky carpet. the engine ran like a champ until we found out the intake was leaking..when we pulled off the intake there was about 3-4in of muck in the engine.(so there has to be more than what the guy said on engine mileage). so we vacumed it out and then soon after my engine threw a rod......... simply bc of the build up muck that was in it..... so basically ask for 100s of pics. ask for mileage and MAKE SURE ITS CORRECT!!! watch the price to woth it ratio.... and as stated before check the seller himself out if he doesnt have time to talk to you just bc he seem like he dont want to dont waste your time. (great communications make great sales/buys) 😀

 

[MUSCLEALMIGHTY]

I've bought cars/parts long distances before. All but one, I drove home...with a chase car behind me! Communication is key!! With todays technology, Sellers should be able to record a video....then upload to YouTube. That's the best thing, aside from actually being there in person. Any "trouble" area (s), make sure seller focuses on those areas.
My wife and I, love car hunting....and NOT scared of buying long distances. Just plan and go for it!

The 1 time I didn't drive, the brakes went to the floor on the 70 Monte. I just handed over the cash and got paperworks. At that time, my wife, didn't have her license. It was either my wife or myself, who was going to drive the Monte.....and the other drive the chase car....our vice versa! Ended up getting it towed...and the seller knocked of $300 for towing.

One (only) bad experience, was when I drove to NJ to get a78 or 79 Malibu. I got the seller way down to $600...on the way just talking away. 4hrs later, we finally get there. Seller runs out the door with paperwork in hand. My wifes brother and myself stupid self, are playing around (looking for bad) knowing the car was a steal.....just to get it for less AGAIN. I even used his bathroom. Just as I was going to hand Over the cash, a car comes flying towards us. It was the father! "If this car leaves this driveway, I'm calling the cops!" he says. They end up arguing in front the house. Meanwhile, his sister comes out telling, "He only wants to sell the car, for heroin!" I'm pissed.....and ready to take the car home with me. My wife and her brother, insisted I don't take the car. Needless to say, we drove the long journey back home......WITHOUT THE SUPPOSED PURCHASEBU!!

 

[jmt455]

Guess I've been lucky.
I have bought several cars without seeing them over the years. 1969 Firebird convertible, 1971 GTO, 1968 GTO, my 1983 Bonneville wagon, 1984 Eldorado...all but one was as described or better.

I've actually had worse luck on a couple of cars i bought locally that had more things wrong than I found when I looked them over and test drove them.

The advice regarding lots of images and lots of telephone time is solid advice.

I am in Michigan and I've had cars shipped here from California, Arizona and the East coast. I use transport companies that are local to the shipper's location. I find the shippers on Craigslist and check out their customer feedback online. Get multiple quotes; prices vary widely and you can usually get a good deal when a hauler is trying to fill an empty spot on his trailer.

 

[454muscle]

Thanks for the replies. 😀

I definitely plan on talking to the seller(s) by phone. I'd like to think I can get a decent initial read on them from that. I have so far looked in areas (away from here) that I either have relatives or friends semi-close to so I can probably get a trusted set of eyes to look over the car without me wasting an unnecessary trip. Even then I am not going to fork over any money until I actually get to the vehicle myself.

454 did you drive that vehicle back or tow it?

Took a friend with me to drive the DD back home. I went there early, so as to have enough time to go to the local MTO office and get temp plates. I drove it home with no problems.

 

[JBreu]

I found and bought my '84 Monte on E-Bay and at the time it was a Virginia car, turns out the owner relocated to Haggerstown,MD and that's where I went and bought it. The seller was very descriptive and had several photos as well on the ad. When I asked for pics of the underside, floorboards and frame rails he was accomodating...Anyways to make a long story short, I paid $2100.00 for my Baby and man it was a great deal!!