Anyone have any experience buying a car on eBay?

[recycledsixtie]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Well, that seems to be the problem for me, you bid, you won, you own it. No chance for an inspection unless the seller states that you can. You can always try contacting prior to a bid to see if an inspection would be possible. As an FYI, I was looking at a pristine, one owner, supposedly well cared for Boxster locally that was also listed on eBay. While the car was getting its PPI, it was sold. Lucky for me, bad for the buyer because the inspection turned up some items that I would not be happy with. I told the seller the results, I don't know if he passed it on to the buyer. The car was to be shipped shortly.

I echo Bruce's sentiments. I once bought a Volvo P1800. Did not know much about cars then and discovered it was full of bondo to hold the rust together. I sold it at an auction because I could not look the prospective buyer in the eye. I see ebay the same way as a way to dispose of a car. However there could be some good buys there but I would never consider buying on ebay unless I could look the car over first before bidding and of course a PPI .

[Wret]

I bought my boxster from ebay. It was the smoothest car purchase I've made. Ebay claims some very broad buyer protection, which gave me the confidence to make a long distance purchase. During the bidding process, I clicked a link for financing. They basically sent be a blank check that I was authorized to sign over to the seller, pre-approved up to a certain amount.

The seller was a high end used car dealer several hundred miles away. I took a bus and the dealer offered to pick me up at the bus stop. A couple hours later I was driving home in my first Porsche!

[trimer]

I have bought two cars this way. my first box and a speedster. both were great transactions and was pleased.

[Xcellr8]

As the previous posts report, there are good transactions and bad. Having purchased 3 cars on eBay and sold 1, it is my opinion that it all comes down to your tolerance for risk. If you can tolerate some unknowns and can deal with a few minor mechanical issues (the photos should eliminate most cosmetic issues) then eBay can be a viable source for vehicles. Major mechanical issues do void the transaction (if you want out), UNLESS the seller disclosed those issues in the description. You never have to accept a vehicle that is not "as described."

I promise you - there will be something that was not described, but by then you will have already traveled to pickup the car, hopefully already have it covered by insurance, and have an emotional attachment to your "new" Porsche. So, you have to decide if you can live with the undisclosed flaw.

Now if you have the car shipped, then your ability to void the transaction or reject the car is virtually lost. Still probably possible, but MUCH more difficult and expensive.

To reduce risk ask questions. Lots of questions. You can generally tell by the seller's replies if there is something to be wary of. However, many of the sellers are just trying to flip the vehicle and therefore are not as intimate with its details as a private seller would be.

With all this in mind, the eBay vehicle should be procured at a discount because they have higher risk. You can almost bet on needing to put some money into it to cover the undisclosed flaw(s). This same caveat could apply to a local purchase if you aren't thorough in your pre purchase inspection.

IMO-FWIW,
Joe

[trimer]

Originally Posted by Xcellr8

As the previous posts report, there are good transactions and bad. Having purchased 3 cars on eBay and sold 1, it is my opinion that it all comes down to your tolerance for risk. If you can tolerate some unknowns and can deal with a few minor mechanical issues (the photos should eliminate most cosmetic issues) then eBay can be a viable source for vehicles. Major mechanical issues do void the transaction (if you want out), UNLESS the seller disclosed those issues in the description. You never have to accept a vehicle that is not "as described."

I promise you - there will be something that was not described, but by then you will have already traveled to pickup the car, hopefully already have it covered by insurance, and have an emotional attachment to your "new" Porsche. So, you have to decide if you can live with the undisclosed flaw.

Now if you have the car shipped, then your ability to void the transaction or reject the car is virtually lost. Still probably possible, but MUCH more difficult and expensive.

To reduce risk ask questions. Lots of questions. You can generally tell by the seller's replies if there is something to be wary of. However, many of the sellers are just trying to flip the vehicle and therefore are not as intimate with its details as a private seller would be.

With all this in mind, the eBay vehicle should be procured at a discount because they have higher risk. You can almost bet on needing to put some money into it to cover the undisclosed flaw(s). This same caveat could apply to a local purchase if you aren't thorough in your pre purchase inspection.

IMO-FWIW,
Joe

Couold not agree more on listening for seller remarks, answers, etc. I sent an email out last night on a 928 I was looking at. Asked what issues mechanically the car has and cosmetic issues as well. Response was cars in great shape. So then I asked if it had ever been in an accident. He wrote back and said - no signs of accident but you can talk to the widow of the owner. Now, no signs of accident is not the same as a Yes or a No. As a matter of fact, I pulled (accidentally bought a few more carfaxs than i needed) a carfax on it and it stated the car was reported with an accident back in 04. So needless to say, I dont trust this dealer/seller. BUT the car is priced decent enough and it is more of the rare 5 speed...

I bought one from a dealer and that guy was cool. did a video walk around, put me on speaker to start the car and listen in for a while, and the Boxster was a non dealer seller who was up front on everything...

My latest box was found on Autotrader but the guy was local so I could go see and drive the car.