Buying a vehicle long distance

[Paa Langfart]

I have been looking for a vintage truck of a certain kind for a couple of years.  Because the western part of the country is not as hard on sheet metal as the soggy salt soaked highways of the east, there are a lot more of these 40-60 year olds out there.  I have found quite a few on CL and some others on e bay that appear to be in the condition I wouuld like to find.  Prices run from about $3000 -$5000.  My question is would any of you buy something like this without inspecting it your self in person?  Have any of you done it?  How did you transport it back?  Any advice ?  Right now there are a couple in Colorado I am interested in but I really dont want to spend a small fortune flying out to take a look.  What would you do ?

[Bronn]

46 minutes ago, Paa Langfart said:

I have been looking for a vintage truck of a certain kind for a couple of years.  Because the western part of the country is not as hard on sheet metal as the soggy salt soaked highways of the east, there are a lot more of these 40-60 year olds out there.  I have found quite a few on CL and some others on e bay that appear to be in the condition I wouuld like to find.  Prices run from about $3000 -$5000.  My question is would any of you buy something like this without inspecting it your self in person?  Have any of you done it?  How did you transport it back?  Any advice ?  Right now there are a couple in Colorado I am interested in but I really dont want to spend a small fortune flying out to take a look.  What would you do ?

Long story short, we shot a weekend going to look at a vehicle in New York. The people lied about working with us on our trade in over the phone, we had to fight to get back a $500 deposit, and we had a nightmare of a trip from start to finish. It involved a 2:00 AM or so check-in to a roach motel called the Tuckahoe Inn in Yonkers (yes, that is really the name of the hotel, and was EXACTLY what was going on there) with an elderly family member, enough rain to float an ark full of animals, and a McDonald's that didn't serve gravy biscuits.

If you're thinking about doing something like you described, I would definitely find someone locally to check the vehicle out for you. I would get some sort of negotiations going in writing before you commit to the trip, and be absolutely sure this is the vehicle you want.

You can hire transport companies that move vehicles around from all over. They basically pick up cars that people buy from far away and deliver to your doorstep.

The cheapest route will be to find someone locally to inspect the vehicle for you, get a buddy who wants to join you on a road trip, drive out to pick it up, and drive back with buddy driving your other vehicle.

[cookinwithgas]

Find a local independent garage with a good Yelp or whatever reputation and ask them how much to do an inspection on the vehicle for you.

[Paa Langfart]

11 hours ago, Bronn said:

a roach motel called the Tuckahoe Inn in Yonkers

 rain to float an ark full of animals, and a McDonald's that didn't serve gravy biscuits.

 

Thank you for the advice - gives me a definite pause to think about this - and for the laugh.  I nominate you to do some pregame trashing of opposing teams if SCP needs a break.

[PandaPancake]

Page a Colorado Huddler to go look.

Also rust should be minimal as Colorado doesn't use salt.

[Anybodyhome]

Tell Panda, "I will gladly pay you Tuesday for an inspection today..."

[Mother Grabber]

no way I would ever buy a used car without checking it out first hand. too risky.

[Kevin Greene]

For transport I've used https://www.uship.com/

List your auction for the pickup/delivery you need. Give it several days, the lower prices will come in later.

[MadHatter]

On August 9, 2016 at 6:17 PM, cookinwithgas said:

Find a local independent garage with a good Yelp or whatever reputation and ask them how much to do an inspection on the vehicle for you.

This^^^

check BBB for a highly rated garage and contract then to inspect it. 

[stirs]

what sort of vehicle you looking for?

[stirs]

my dad had one of these growing up, wish I still had it