If you can't physically lay your eyes on the car, the next best thing is to get someone who knows what they are looking for to look at it for you.
Newbie needs purchase help!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 6
From: Montgomery Alabama
Newbie needs purchase help!
Gents,
Am close to buying a car online. 1975 Convertible. I know, I read the buying a C3 page and it said never buy a car w/o looking at it. It is not close to me...would have to have it shipped. I do have a ton of pictures of the car and have had several talks with the owner.
What I need is someone who I can email all these pics to and then talk to them on the phone about what you think.
Thanks for anyone who can help.
Jeff
Am close to buying a car online. 1975 Convertible. I know, I read the buying a C3 page and it said never buy a car w/o looking at it. It is not close to me...would have to have it shipped. I do have a ton of pictures of the car and have had several talks with the owner.
What I need is someone who I can email all these pics to and then talk to them on the phone about what you think.
Thanks for anyone who can help.
Jeff
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Clarkston MI
Gents,
Am close to buying a car online. 1975 Convertible. I know, I read the buying a C3 page and it said never buy a car w/o looking at it. It is not close to me...would have to have it shipped. I do have a ton of pictures of the car and have had several talks with the owner.
What I need is someone who I can email all these pics to and then talk to them on the phone about what you think.
Thanks for anyone who can help.
Jeff
Am close to buying a car online. 1975 Convertible. I know, I read the buying a C3 page and it said never buy a car w/o looking at it. It is not close to me...would have to have it shipped. I do have a ton of pictures of the car and have had several talks with the owner.
What I need is someone who I can email all these pics to and then talk to them on the phone about what you think.
Thanks for anyone who can help.
Jeff
Jeff,
I did this very thing (buying a 72 vert online from AZ) and it is a very uncomfortable deal and I would strongly advise against it. As soon as you pull the trigger you'll feel sick and you'll wonder if you made the right choice. Even when you get the car you'll notice every little thing wrong with the car (even if you end up getting a good deal) and there will certainly be small things wrong with the car. I still have my car and I'm VERY happy with it, but it took a while to put plenty of work into it and make it my own. I think I was very lucky and would not take the risk again.
Do yourself a favor and spend the $500 to see the car where ever it is. You can spend $500 in a heart beat on these cars. It will be the best money you've spent and could save you thousands. Another idea is to have someone from the forum or a vette expert check the car out. There is a vette buyers list somewhere on here that I wish I would have had prior to my buying. Check it out which will guide you on requesting information and photos. If you're buying it from someone who doesn't know how to answer your questions, run like hell.
Take your time,
DJC
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
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From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 6
From: Montgomery Alabama
I will get the exact city in New York and see about having someone go look at it. There maybe a good auto inspection outfit in the area. The guy sent me a ton of pics...they all look great, but I do not know exactly what I am looking for either.
If anyone is interested at taking a look at the pics to give me a better idea, just pm me and I will send my phone and email.
Thanks guys!
If anyone is interested at taking a look at the pics to give me a better idea, just pm me and I will send my phone and email.
Thanks guys!
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
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From: Indy Indiana
listen to the advice you are given... do not buy the car without looking at it.. especially if you are a rookie.
an inspector will not know your exact requirements and may or may not scare you away based on his report. Take an inspector along with you if you do not know cars.
usually the sellers pics are not comprehensive enough to show the bad stuff..
did he send you lots of underbody pics or just paint job pics over and over?.. did he zoom in on some of the problem spots? I doubt it..
sellers publishing pics of the car will get top dollar by highlighting the best parts and sections. they lose thousands if they show wear points and rust.
an inspector will not know your exact requirements and may or may not scare you away based on his report. Take an inspector along with you if you do not know cars.
usually the sellers pics are not comprehensive enough to show the bad stuff..
did he send you lots of underbody pics or just paint job pics over and over?.. did he zoom in on some of the problem spots? I doubt it..
sellers publishing pics of the car will get top dollar by highlighting the best parts and sections. they lose thousands if they show wear points and rust.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,459
Likes: 13
From: Phoenix
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'09
OK, here are some basic pics, maybe someone can point out some help on this. Looks to be a good looking car. Interior is clean.
Now, not knowing price of car, and if you are shipping, more expense...is this really the car? Nothing closer?
If this is it...you need a little more help in dissecting the under-carriage.
So if some can provide help based on these. Overall typical minor cosmetic stuff (fan shroud, wiring, engine correctness) looks to be in decent shape.
Now, not knowing price of car, and if you are shipping, more expense...is this really the car? Nothing closer?
If this is it...you need a little more help in dissecting the under-carriage.
So if some can provide help based on these. Overall typical minor cosmetic stuff (fan shroud, wiring, engine correctness) looks to be in decent shape.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,459
Likes: 13
From: Phoenix
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'09
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 86
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From: Tularosa NM
I just did the same thing! Bought a 73 while oversees. Had a friend of mine look at it (though he is no corvette expert). He informed me that it had issues but all in all, good shape considering it is a 73. Bought it and I love the car. It is true that I am finding every little thing to nit-pick and finding out that parts are missing as get to learn more about the car. I am also finding myself with lots and lots of questions about the car in general (as I do not know what all is missing from it). Still do not know if I was taken on it, but I am still talking with the owners (they have been and are great) and like I said, I love it and think I did good so far. My car is not as in good shape as that one but I also paid less. $11500 for mine ( he was asking $12500). So far the only issue I have had was finding someone to ship it. Went through two carriers that fell through. Third was the charm. $1500 (cheapest price I could find) in an enclosed trailer from SC to NM. The whole shipping wait took just over 2 months.
Again, being a newbie, I took that risk and I am happy so far, though I am not saying in anyway shape or form that you should!!!! Just voicing my experience.
Best of luck to you!!
Again, being a newbie, I took that risk and I am happy so far, though I am not saying in anyway shape or form that you should!!!! Just voicing my experience.
Best of luck to you!!
Last edited by 1973 Vette; Oct 12, 2012 at 12:45 PM. Reason: added info
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 6
From: Montgomery Alabama
Talked to the prez of the corvette club in the NY area where the car is located. He will be going to check it out for me tomorrow. If it checks out, I will own a 1975 vert! Will let you all know how it goes. Thanks to everyone who looked at the pics, gave me a call, and great advice. Vette community is a great group of folks...hope to join the community soon.
