The only "pitfall" is the buyer not doing his/her homework.
Craigslist contains great deals and tremendous disappointments.
There are many reasons people use Craigslist -- but many do so because it gets quick, local, cash results.

That said, with respect to the Corvette of your dreams, if when you find it, start with the numbers. Ask questions.

- Original Owner? No? What's the history?
- Why are you selling it?
- What work have you done ?
- Do the receipts come with the car?
- Any original paperwork?
- Any restoration to chassis, body or interior?
- Original Paint?
- Any noticeable or obvious issues with the car? Paint?
- Has the car been in ANY accident that you're aware of?
- How about a flood?
- Is the title clean or is a salvage vehicle?
- Mileage?
- Original Engine?
- Original tranny?
- Trim Tag info?
- Car VIN?
- Engine VIN?
- Is this N.O.M or numbers matching drivetrain?
- Stock or custom engine accessories
- Interior condition?
- Brakes?
- Radiator?
- Vacuum system leaks? (headlights, wipers, temp controls)

Other tell-tale

- How are the tires?

- Do they all match?

- Original radio?

- Do you fill it with 87 89 or 92 octane?
(tells you how frugal the owner may be with this car)

- Have a car cover? (Good condition cars WILL have a cover..)

- Cupholders? (if yes.. then the carpet may have stains and scratches on the emergency brake handle).

- Does the car start with a couple quick pumps of the gas and a turn on the ignition OR do you have work at it?

- Original distributor?

- Change the wires?

- Last time you changed the plugs?

- Ever had to have it towed? Why?

- How does it handle in the rain? (if the guy knows the answer, then look for rust).

 

I cant stop laughing....

 

craigslist is a local sort of engine ( yes there are regional and national searches available to a more seasoned craigslist user) where you will get semi serious buyers looking for a test drive with no intention of buying.. these people say they have the money and will be right over.. but never show up.

as any buyer/seller transaction, do all your homework 1st. get pics, get answers to major questions.. title, payment requirements, bottom dollar amount, history, money spent on it.
ask the same questions twice, look for changed answers, this always works for me weeding out bozos. if you are looking to either buy or sell, you don't want to waste your time or his.

interview the other party as much as you can..

 

I've bought a few cars off CL with mostly good results. Unless the seller has posted a phone number, I won't consider the vehicle. The last purchase was the vette. I was in Jax, Florida (home is SC) visiting my bro, and the car was in a small town just south of Daytona. Before I looked at it, I got as much info as I could thru to internet about the seller. He checked out pretty good. While we were looking at the vette, the seller must have run me thru the internet also, because even tho it was a Sunday, he took my personal check for the fulll amount and signed over the title. Used correctly, the internet is an amazing tool! Have a great day, Bill

 

i would never take a person check, even if the internet told me the buyer was OK.

 

Bought a 99 coupe on CL and was very happy with the deal. I think you are dealing with more real people on CL than Ebay. For one on CL you are probably looking at the car before you buy it.

 

i surf craigslist all the time.. in fact without cl i doubt i would have ever gotten my 81 finished. i always check out the auto parts section. many parts bought very reasonably. in fact i bought a set of centerline comp pro wheels(similiar to convo pro) for 140.00! i love craigslist!

 

i buy and sell cars on craigslist all the time. just have to inspect what youre buying , like with any other purchase. i have great luck on cl. i do however suggest that when possibly purchasing , that you meet in a public, well populated place. i have heard stories of people going to buy only to be robbed. be cautious. when selling or buying i always meet in public whenever possible. i have had things stolen at my home and i dont want strangers knowing where i live. .
billy