Buying a car sight unseen???

[breck]

Anyone here ever bought a car without seeing or driving it?

I am looking into getting a 68 or 69 Camaro. Nothing fancy, not looking to spend a ton. Just a solid, good driving vehicle. I have found several online and around the country for better prices than I have here in Illinois.

Just apprehensive about getitng one without seeing it in person. When I do find one I like, I plan on getting as many pictures/video as possible....maybe try to find a non-biased mechanic in that area to inspect it for me, I dunno.

If you have had success, where did you go? If you had an issue with a dealer, where was it also?

Thanks!

(I guess this is my early mid-life crisis..lol)

[Imprezivr6]

Fly there, and check it out. depending how far you can have it shipped back, or drive it back.

Another option is having them take it to a local shop, for inspection.

I have bought about 10 cars out of state, but always fly there personally. One time I had a local friend check one out for me.

[TLopez]

My son's soccer coach bought a '67 Camaro convertible online (not sure of the amount he paid). He told me that he wished he had taken the time to go out and see it because the car had a lot of rust that was not shown on the pictures, and that fixing it was double the cost of an airline ticket.

Also, I would be cautious in buying a vehicle from an area where it snows a lot. The salt placed on the roads tend to rust the undercarriage over time.

Just my 2 cents.

[breck]

My son's soccer coach bought a '67 Camaro convertible online (not sure of the amount he paid). He told me that he wished he had taken the time to go out and see it because the car had a lot of rust that was not shown on the pictures, and that fixing it was double the cost of an airline ticket.

Also, I would be cautious in buying a vehicle from an area where it snows a lot. The salt placed on the roads tend to rust the undercarriage over time.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, I have thought about location of sale. Which is why I am looking at Texas and Arizona.

I would fly out I guess then have it shipped back.

[breck]

This is something I am looking at, but just a little cheaper.

http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/In...7/Default.aspx

This place also seems to get some decent cars in for reasonable prices..

http://www.atlasmusclecars.com/musclecars/

[TLopez]

Those are beautiful cars!

I have a 68 Camaro SS project car. 3 years till my son gets his license so I have some time to work on it. The only thing it needs cosmetic wise is a new dome light and dash pad. I figure I need $1,500 to get it on the road running sound. But I'm also looking into a new crate motor.

http://www.enginefactory.com/

[Imprezivr6]

If you find a car in AZ, I would not mind going to look at it for you(pending it wasn't TOO far)

Shit in the last 2 years alone I have bought cars in WA state, Ohio, TX and am about to fly to NM in a couple days pending I can work out this deal.. I am a car whore.

Just let me know.

[Sammich]

Sweet fucking baby Jesus, do NOT buy it without checking it out yourself D:

[steel1970]

My step dad had a car dealership for over 40 years. About 5 or so years ago he bought a near perfect 67 Vette convertible off of EBay.....drove it a few times, motor was kinda acting strange, took it to his motor guy, and it was messed up....had to put a new top end on it, basically new valves, springs, all that stuff.....cost him about $1500 and he wasn't happy, at all.....I would go look at it if I were you.....

[theroymccoy]

Seems like a no-brainer to at least see the car or have someone you trust take a look. I'll even go as far as to say to bring the most pessimistic friend/mechanic you know to look for anything wrong with it; you're already half way in love with the car, you just might overlook something because you were blinded by love

...by Luther Vandross.

Also, you can find any problems and use it to haggle a bit...hell the plane ticket might even pay for itself and then some depending on what you find and how good you are at haggling The headache you know (buying the plane ticket/traveling) is a lot better than the headache you don't know (mechanical/cosmetic problems).

[nexa]

If you find a car in AZ, I would not mind going to look at it for you(pending it wasn't TOO far)

Shit in the last 2 years alone I have bought cars in WA state, Ohio, TX and am about to fly to NM in a couple days pending I can work out this deal.. I am a car whore.

Just let me know.

This dudes got a good eye.^

I went and checked out a 997 for an intertron friend before he had it shipped to MD and he seems happy with his purchase.

[Imprezivr6]

This dudes got a good eye.^
.

LOL.. I am sooooo anal with my cars.

I went to look at a car the other day that was "mint" and when I got there I almost punched the guy in his throat. He is lucky he was local.

On a side note, looks like I found my new ride....Off to NM next week. Should be a fun drive down through payson.

And fwiw you are probably the only woman I would trust to check out a car for me. I almost had you go check out a 135i in Chi before you left, but I wasn't serious enough.