Any advise on buying a car long distance would be great. Im afraid that after I ask all the questions on my list that matter to me, and they seem too check out. I fly out to see the car and its not what they said it was.(wasted trip}. has anyone bought a car with out seeing it in person? {Almost all these cars look great in pictures}. I ask the following original motor? original body panels (noone can seem to tell me that) rusty or repaired frame? original color? and how does it run? Im looking for 65-67 conv. thanks for your help.
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Re: buying long distance
You need a set of eyes you can trust. One way is to hire a professional appraiser to check the car. I believe most are in the $200 range now, depending on travel. Unfortunately, many are associated with selling cars, and you then have to wonder about the real impartiality of the appraiser.
Another way is to know people on email lists and news groups. Then have one of them check the car out and send pictures. While many won't specify a "fee" since they aren't in the business, you should cover their expenses and probably give them something extra. Especially if they save you a $400 airplane ticket and more.
You may find several who would do that for you. Discussion groups like the NCRS technical group, the Corvette Restoration and Preservation List, VetteNet, and probably even Corvette Forum.
Of course, you need to say where the car is, not necessarily the address, but the town, so that those on the list can respond if they are in the area.
To get the best results, you need to have a "wish list" of areas you wnat examined and areas you want photos of.
But mainly, you just need to ask. -
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Re: buying long distance
Don't unless you can have somebody look at it. I've bought two on ebay. I asked all the right questions. Both where junk and left there after many hard hours of driving and the expense. Never have one delivered without inspecting!!Comment
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Re: buying long distance
Kelly: i usually ask a NCRS friend living in the area in question to have a look at the car before i go to the trouble of driving out to look at the car. never trust a photo and only rarely trust a seller. mikeComment
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Re: buying long distance
I've done it once but never again without seeing a car. I asked all of the right questions, got a lot of pictures, and was pretty sure about the car (67 BB convertible) less engine. When I got it home it wasn't what I expected. Body off, new paint, just not what I wanted.
It was still a pretty nice, no-hit car with a lot of NORS GM pieces and most of the parts to finish it. Very nice now, AFTER taking off his paint job,taking the body back off to re-do his frame work, and disassembling and re-detailing his front and rear suspension job. Took me 2 years to do this.
There's no substitute for a pair of trained eyes.
BLComment
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Re: buying long distance
Hello, I bought my car long distance, in Argentina... Well not truly long distance. I bought the car from an importer but I was able to ckeck the car in my country. Actually I checked 35 cars including twice which became my present car.
Nothing compares to a live checking, in person. But a good friend or relative could help if it is impossible to see the car.
Just a comment from my own experience, Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMCComment
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How picky are you?
Actually, I think the buyer's happiness depends mostly on his personal expectation of perfection.
I've bought many cars over the phone without photos. The sellers I've encountered mostly told me the obvious flaws in their cars. There were usually some additional flaws that I found when I got the cars home. The sellers either didn't notice these surprises or chose to keep these little nuggets to themselves. So what? I don't buy "show cars", nor do I expect an old used car to not need any repairs.
I know plenty of people who've been disappointed with their old Corvette purchases. It really doesn't seem to matter whether they hired an inspector or went to look themselves. The one trait they have in common is they all want perfect and shiny. Not factory appearance - I'm talking about much better than that. They wouldn't have bought a sixties Corvette new from the showroom. If they had, they would have driven the dealer to suicide with their warranty complaints.
My point is that we as NCRS members are often far too picky when looking at 30 to 50 year old used cars. If you think you might be guilty of that, please go inspect the car yourself. It's unlikely that any hired inspector will be critical enough to satisfy you.Comment
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Re: How picky are you?
I would suggest several things-first get yourself a Black Book from this website and
also perhaps another on buying vintage Corvettes. Study and understand what
you can there, especially the subtle differences between the production years re
standard and optional equip. Then try to get to a show -preferably for Corvettes only(unfortunately Carlisle just completed). See as many cars as possible-Auction
event at the show is very helpful to get ideas of prices. Next check internet sites , Hemmings, Autotraderonline.com and start to zero in.
Remember that most NCRS members will consider looking at a car in their area for a serious buyer. Get an idea if you can about which Corvette dealers seem to be the major players in the market, understanding that their prices will be high. Remember,those in business for a while are going to be reasonably careful not
to sell an obviously bogus vehicle. But buyer beware should be your watchword,
and always be prepared to walk away. Take your time-there is always another one
out there.If it sounds too good to be true, keep looking. By the way, where are you?Comment
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Re: How picky are you?
thanks so much for all of your input. by the way I live in southern maryland.(not so many old vettes around here.Comment
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Re: How picky are you?
thanks for all of your input. by the way I live in southern maryland.( not so many old vettes around here). kelly 39831Comment
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Re: How picky are you?
kelly: if you locate a vet you're interested in central to western maryland, i'll be happy to evaluate it for you at no charge.i'm in cumberland, md. mikeComment
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TAKE Mike's offer, Kelly!!!!! *NM*
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Re: TAKE Mike's offer, Kelly!!!!!
All great advice. Stay away from dealers. Some of my best cars and most untouched cars were from people who only knew it was a Corvette,color, 4 speed, etc. owned 29 years. You can try to ask ?? about orig. factory body panels, frame rust,engine numbers etc. Somewhere in the conversation I would ask what is the serial number of the car trim tag info.(if applicable). Then ask them to read off the info. from the title. Make sure the numbers jive. You won't know if they are looking at a corvette or a chevette. Some people just can't be trained over the phone. See if they have a video camera and film those important areas for you.You can be on the phone during the filming. Have you exhausted advertising locally(Wanted Corvette, etc.)? I agree that when you get a car in mind call the local NCRS chapter leader(s). I would gladly pay some NCRS member cash before I would drive/fly to see a car. The search is the best part. Enjoy it. My 2 centsComment
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Re: Amen to that!!!!!
I found a deal on a 68 frame in California, but as I'm in up0state New York, I was to say the least VERY worried about what the digital camera didn't show or even worse, what the junk man didn't want to show.
I was fortunate that there were two NCRS members near where the frame was.
One of our members even shot a roll of film so that I had multiple shots of all the most critical areas.
I purchased the frame with a very high comfort level and I was only out the cost of the roll of film and postage.
My two cents worth,
Chuck 32205Comment
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