Let's Play: Guess How Much

[Ghostrider 310]

Everyone please weigh in: How do you buy a car on the opposite coast unseen and protect yourself from receiving a car with a blemish or some other point you would have otherwise negotiated about?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Everyone please weigh in: How do you buy a car on the opposite coast unseen and protect yourself from receiving a car with a blemish or some other point you would have otherwise negotiated about?

Unless you know someone over there who can look the car over, I don't know how you'd do it. You can fly out and look it over and drive it home

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Unless you know someone over there who can look the car over, I don't know how you'd do it. You can fly out and look it over and drive it home

I might be genuinely interested in a car in Santa Monica, may need a member to fine comb it.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

I might be genuinely interested in a car in Santa Monica, may need a member to fine comb it.

Santa Monica, there are worse places to visit and pick up a Porsche.

[vitaminC]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Everyone please weigh in: How do you buy a car on the opposite coast unseen and protect yourself from receiving a car with a blemish or some other point you would have otherwise negotiated about?

If you're spending up to 90k on a car, a round trip ticket to see it in person first seems like small change and a really good idea.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by vitaminC

If you're spending up to 90k on a car, a round trip ticket to see it in person first seems like small change and a really good idea.

Very true but it will never be me spending 90K, the guy said a newsperson was interested, he's listed it above msrp, she can have it..

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Everyone please weigh in: How do you buy a car on the opposite coast unseen and protect yourself from receiving a car with a blemish or some other point you would have otherwise negotiated about?

I have bought a few cars sight unseen (from eBay) and the best way to do this is to hire a local company to do the PPI on site and then email you the report. The company will typically do a full visual inspection, check for engine error codes, perform a test drive, and provide lots of pictures. You can also talk to the inspector to get his impressions of the car and answer any particular questions that the report may not have addressed. The cost is around $250-$400.

Then you can use the report to decide whether to buy or not. I have decided not to buy several cars once I got the report. You can also use the report in your negotiations to justify why you're offering a lower price.

[Ghostrider 310]

Thanks Stone, that's a great suggestion. The used cars I have seen are all adorned with expensive adds I don't want, such as nav. As such, the dealers want more than a new car with less mods. Since interest rates are sometimes better on new cars there may be savings there as well. I might just order one from the local dealer, then I will always have a spot there for service.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by thstone

I have bought a few cars sight unseen (from eBay) and the best way to do this is to hire a local company to do the PPI on site and then email you the report. The company will typically do a full visual inspection, check for engine error codes, perform a test drive, and provide lots of pictures. You can also talk to the inspector to get his impressions of the car and answer any particular questions that the report may not have addressed. The cost is around $250-$400.

Then you can use the report to decide whether to buy or not. I have decided not to buy several cars once I got the report. You can also use the report in your negotiations to justify why you're offering a lower price.

How did you pay for the cars and transfer title?