Pro Team Purchase
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Danville CA
Pro Team Purchase
Has anyone purchased a car from ProTeam sight unseen - I cannot get out there to see it in person, but I am going to try out the 48 hour at home inspection process. I have heard mixed reviews of the cars they have available, what is your experience? I am looking at a car, 1960 Corvette, that is a driver, ProTeam has given it a condition code of 4. I appreciate your help. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Since you are in CA have you tried looking at Corvette Mike's then you might be able to inspect the car yourself without incurring the cross country shipping costs... Remember all of these guys are used car salesman.. I believe there is an ongoing post in reference to ProTeam in the forsale section. You might want to check it out. There are several people here on the forum that have bought from PT and some are happy.. some not.. Dave.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,480
Likes: 457
From: POTSDAM NY/Punta Gorda FL
I would not by a car from anybody sight unseen, if you can't go there pay an appraiser to, or contact someone like www.vettefinderjim.com and have him find you a car, alot of members here have used him and been happy with the results.
Tom M
Tom M
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 2
From: North Royalton Ohio
Pro-team is not too far from the Toledo, ohio airport. You can connect through Chicago O'hare rent a car in Toledo and inspect it yourself for less than the amount you'll spend to ship it to you and back to them. Has to be at least $800.00 one way
Just my .02
Just my .02
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Children of the corn Illinois
Agree
I agree with the above post....DO NOT BUY WITHOUT INSPECTION AND DRIVING! I sell high dollar machines for a living and always encourage people to inspect before buying. One mans gold is another's junk. I would think you could fly to toledo for 500.00 and they would pick you up at the airport, or a forum member has to live out there looking for an excuse to go look at vettes...just my 2c worth
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 19
From: Portlandia Oregon
Check out Gm Downunder. www.gmdownunder.com. The owner John is a really nice guy. They are in SoCal.
oWEN
oWEN
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,343
Likes: 668
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
I have visited PT in the past when looking for an early Vette. They certainly have a wide selection to choose from. Never purchased any from them, since what I saw was way overpriced in comparison to other Vettes I saw elsewhere.
The main thing I noticed was the differential from what PT advertised the Vettes to be, and what the cars actually looked like in "person". Add writers by nature tell only the strong points, and stretch the truth as much as possible. I would never purchased a Vette from PT without inspecting it very closely.
By the way, calling Pro Team "PT" reminds me of what P.T. Barnum stated about "a sucker born every minute".
Plasticman
The main thing I noticed was the differential from what PT advertised the Vettes to be, and what the cars actually looked like in "person". Add writers by nature tell only the strong points, and stretch the truth as much as possible. I would never purchased a Vette from PT without inspecting it very closely.
By the way, calling Pro Team "PT" reminds me of what P.T. Barnum stated about "a sucker born every minute".
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Jul 17, 2005 at 11:45 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Westminster CO
If you are an INFORMED and KNOWLEDGABLE buyer, the PT offer is not a bad deal. All you risk is the cost of shipping. They will honor their return policy. My advice is to request all of the information you should ask for before the car gets shipped. If you ask, they are required to tell. But it is up to you to ask ALL of the questions that will tell you if you are buying what you think you are buying. They sell used cars........
Last edited by lawcpi; Jul 18, 2005 at 12:00 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
"PT"
...expect to over pay........great selection in one place.......you MUST know what to look for - they are not going to tell/teach you anything there......they make money on their "inspection" policy when you pay for the delivery(ies)....
Buyer beware.....
I recommend John at GM Down Under...straight deal from a straight guy...
Buyer beware.....
I recommend John at GM Down Under...straight deal from a straight guy...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 678
Likes: 5
From: McKinney Texas
I tried the PT 48 hour at home inspection and made arrangements to send the car back the same day it was delivered. The car was represented as #1, numbers matching, frame-off, etc., etc. Looked great in the pictures. Incidentally, they still have it listed exactly as before, but it is now rated #2.
The car was indeed a true numbers matching car and cosmetically decent at best (maybe a #3). What was not disclosed was the severity of the rust in the frame and bird-cage. Rust was so bad in places that we could poke a screw driver clear through. Lots of welding and patch work along frame rail. Saggy doors and dimples along the bonding strips on the rear fenders and back deck. The car was delivered to me with only 3 shocks...the A-Frame was too rusty and distorted to mount the right front shock. I could go on and on...
In all fairness, ProTeam was very concerned and cooperative. They offered to fly me to Ohio to review their entire inventory. When I declined, Brian T. agreed to reimburse me for return shipping of the car back to Ohio.
Lesson? Never buy sight unseen regardless of the source and always have the car evaluated by a Corvette expert. There are a lot of potential quirks in a Corvette that may not be evident to the untrained eye.
The car was indeed a true numbers matching car and cosmetically decent at best (maybe a #3). What was not disclosed was the severity of the rust in the frame and bird-cage. Rust was so bad in places that we could poke a screw driver clear through. Lots of welding and patch work along frame rail. Saggy doors and dimples along the bonding strips on the rear fenders and back deck. The car was delivered to me with only 3 shocks...the A-Frame was too rusty and distorted to mount the right front shock. I could go on and on...
In all fairness, ProTeam was very concerned and cooperative. They offered to fly me to Ohio to review their entire inventory. When I declined, Brian T. agreed to reimburse me for return shipping of the car back to Ohio.
Lesson? Never buy sight unseen regardless of the source and always have the car evaluated by a Corvette expert. There are a lot of potential quirks in a Corvette that may not be evident to the untrained eye.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Miramar, FL
I purchased my '65 Coupe from ProTeam through the hme inspection program, as I was unable to fly up and see the car at that time. I have spoken with Terry (the owner) on several occasions at various Shows, and I asked him his personal opioion of the car I was interested in. He told me all the pros and cons, and when the car arrived, it was honestly as he described it to me.
I believe everyone has their opinion of good, better or best. If you do not have the time, nor a personal friend that you trust their opinion, the home inspection method cannot be beat.
I believe everyone has their opinion of good, better or best. If you do not have the time, nor a personal friend that you trust their opinion, the home inspection method cannot be beat.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
Any time there is a potential conflict of interest - i.e., money changing hands, you are well advised to seek out as much info on your own as you can by inspecting the car yourself and/or hiring someone on the outside who can do it for you. A salesperson might not tell you everything you 'need to know', cynical as that is to say .. ! .. 
.. .
Even if it means flying out, etc., to do this IMO this is throwing good money after bad should the car be purchased, yet come up short of expectations after being shipped home. While it's entirely possible the seller might not be totally aware of every single defect on any given car, except the most obvious ones, this is why it behooves the buyer to do their 'homework'. It could make the difference in purchasing the car outright as represented, or in negiotating a lower selling price due to 'defects', or a NO GO decision not to purchase the car, after all.
John
.. . Even if it means flying out, etc., to do this IMO this is throwing good money after bad should the car be purchased, yet come up short of expectations after being shipped home. While it's entirely possible the seller might not be totally aware of every single defect on any given car, except the most obvious ones, this is why it behooves the buyer to do their 'homework'. It could make the difference in purchasing the car outright as represented, or in negiotating a lower selling price due to 'defects', or a NO GO decision not to purchase the car, after all.
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 167
From: sylvania ohio
hi we bought a 66 coupe in broomall,pa. several years ago. before driving over 500 miles we asked to see a video tape of the car. we recieved a very well done tape and arranged to go see it and a 66coupe in pitstown,n.j. decided to buy car after we got home so sent money and had it shipped. my point is a video tape is cheap and can be a good representation of the vehicle. finally, if you fly in to toledo i might be able to take you to napolean. really finally ,it is fun to look there but i don't think i would buy. bc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 109
From: Severn Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
bought my 1963 SWC "LADY" from ProTeam and have since done a complete "body off" restoration - you can see "LADY" at:
http://pbase.com/c5vetter
http://pbase.com/c5vetter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
St. Jude Donor '06
Did anyone notice the mark-up on any of the cars that PT bought at Bloomington Gold? Mecum has the following car listed as being sold at $76,388.
1965 Corvette Convertible, two tops, 327-375 hp, (fuelie), 4 speed, numbers match. Rally Red paint with Red interior. Body-off restored. NCRS Top Flight certified. Options: Kelsey K.O. wheels, power windows, power brakes, F-40, 3,55 posi, off road exhaust, and goldstripe tires. CC:1 $119,000.00 SOLD
1965 Corvette Convertible, two tops, 327-375 hp, (fuelie), 4 speed, numbers match. Rally Red paint with Red interior. Body-off restored. NCRS Top Flight certified. Options: Kelsey K.O. wheels, power windows, power brakes, F-40, 3,55 posi, off road exhaust, and goldstripe tires. CC:1 $119,000.00 SOLD
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
...and anyone else could have bid on that car too, Terry buys lots of cars at auction that anyone could go after...
Hey jnt... Ft Wayne? I bought my split in Ft Wayne...
Hey jnt... Ft Wayne? I bought my split in Ft Wayne...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Originally Posted by Desirider
I am looking at a car, 1960 Corvette, that is a driver, ProTeam has given it a condition code of 4. I appreciate your help. Thanks.
Desirider, I don't know how much work you want to do fixing up a Corvette, or what you are expecting from a #4 PT Rating, but from what I have seen a #4 would be a car that needed a total restoration and be close to a basket case. [B]Don't get in a hurry to buy a Vette.[/B] There are plenty of them out there for sale. Take your time keep looking and purchase the most expensive Vette you can afford. You will get much more value for your $$$ by putting the money up front instead of dumping money into it to get it in the condition you prefer.
Consider this point. If you don't have time to scrutinize your prospective purchase, are you going to have time to work on it, or enjoy driving it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,408
Likes: 2,203
I have bought from ProTeam in the past.....I would not buy ANY car sight unseen....have it inspected by someone you know and trust and is knowledgable about Corvettes or do it yourself (if you are Corvette savvy). Ask for the prior owner info and call them before you buy. My purchase was frustrating due to some of their sales tactics and having to put up with some gaming....but in the end, I got a correct, documented, excellent car with an interesting history for a fair price in the market....its now worth over 50% more than what I paid for it 7 years ago. But do your research....know what you are buying. Let the buyer ALWAYS beware and not fall in love with any one car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
St. Jude Donor '06
[QUOTE=Vettebuyer5863]...and anyone else could have bid on that car too, Terry buys lots of cars at auction that anyone could go after...QUOTE]
True.
And, he can also set any price that he wants. And, it is an individual's choice to pay it. It just seems like a high mark-up in my opinion. And, an opinion is all it is for it cannot be denied that a market exists. I have been there a number of times and their inventory changes regularly.
Vettebuyer5863, I saw you SWC on e-bay. Looks like a vey nice well kept car. Good luck with your sale.
Mike
True.
And, he can also set any price that he wants. And, it is an individual's choice to pay it. It just seems like a high mark-up in my opinion. And, an opinion is all it is for it cannot be denied that a market exists. I have been there a number of times and their inventory changes regularly.
Vettebuyer5863, I saw you SWC on e-bay. Looks like a vey nice well kept car. Good luck with your sale.
Mike
Last edited by jntdysf; Jul 18, 2005 at 11:42 PM.