Thoughts on pre purchase inspections?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
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Thoughts on pre purchase inspections?
I have been looking to purchase an early year C3 and found a vehicle I am interested in looking at. I am considering setting up a pre purchase inspection if I get further down the road.
What are your thoughts on these companies that offer these services? I looked at a few web sites and some of them appear to be pretty thorough, with 150 point inspection reports, test drives, photos, etc. Do any of you have experience using one of these companies?
What are your thoughts on these companies that offer these services? I looked at a few web sites and some of them appear to be pretty thorough, with 150 point inspection reports, test drives, photos, etc. Do any of you have experience using one of these companies?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
I have been looking to purchase an early year C3 and found a vehicle I am interested in looking at. I am considering setting up a pre purchase inspection if I get further down the road.
What are your thoughts on these companies that offer these services? I looked at a few web sites and some of them appear to be pretty thorough, with 150 point inspection reports, test drives, photos, etc. Do any of you have experience using one of these companies?
What are your thoughts on these companies that offer these services? I looked at a few web sites and some of them appear to be pretty thorough, with 150 point inspection reports, test drives, photos, etc. Do any of you have experience using one of these companies?
Wes
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
As stated above, it really depends on what kind of car you are looking for. Do you want a 100 pt. NCRS correct car or just a nice clean driver? A 100% accurate car and a 100% mechanically complete car are two different things.
If you could post some photos, you'll get some responses here.
If you could post some photos, you'll get some responses here.
Last edited by Revi; May 5, 2016 at 09:23 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
My personal opinion is that there is no better pre-purchase inspector than you. I've always been wary of purchasing a car sight unseen and relying on others to tell me what they think about it.
Last edited by Easy Mike; May 5, 2016 at 09:27 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 264
Likes: 58
From: Virginia
If you can't go see it for yourself, I would only send a knowledgeable C3 guy. Very knowledgeable. Who knows where to look for the "expensive" repairs that may be hiding. Knows where to find all the "numbers" that may, or may not, matter to you. Always good to have someone who is NOT interested in buying it take a look. No emotional factors!
Good luck with your prospective purchase.
Good luck with your prospective purchase.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
If you can't go see it for yourself, I would only send a knowledgeable C3 guy. Very knowledgeable. Who knows where to look for the "expensive" repairs that may be hiding. Knows where to find all the "numbers" that may, or may not, matter to you. Always good to have someone who is NOT interested in buying it take a look. No emotional factors!
Good luck with your prospective purchase.
Good luck with your prospective purchase.
Your post didnt say whether you wanted a PPI because the car is far away and you are trying to avoid travel before buying, or because you do not have the knowledge to purchase a chrome bumper car yourself.
As CV6 states, the important thing is to send a "C3 Corvette" experienced person to look at it. There'
s lots of people who will take your money to "look at a car" for you and they may be appraisers or certified inspectors or excellent mechanics, but they might not have the slightest idea what to look at specifically on the car you are considering. Personally, I'm less interested in a person's opinion on how it rides in a test drive or what the compression check is, if that guy wouldnt know if someone put a '73 nose on a '72 or would not recognize an obvious restamp or doesn't know where the rust trouble spots are on every C3 frame.
Choose wisely.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
always know what your requirements are and have a lengthy discussion with the seller, including bottom line price and see as many photos as you can.
paying someone a few hundred for a report can be a frustrating experience. its human nature to try to get as much money for as little service as possible.
without seeing the car in person prior to purchase. I can almost guarantee that you will regret it.
paying someone a few hundred for a report can be a frustrating experience. its human nature to try to get as much money for as little service as possible.
without seeing the car in person prior to purchase. I can almost guarantee that you will regret it.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 17
From: MA
inspection
As stated above, it really depends on what kind of car you are looking for. Do you want a 100 pt. NCRS correct car or just a nice clean driver? A 100% accurate car and a 100% mechanically complete car are two different things.
If you could post some photos, you'll get some responses here.
If you could post some photos, you'll get some responses here.
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These companies that provide inspection services on multiple types of vehicles are absolutely worthless. I have read some of their "appraisals" on Corvettes. They include generic terms like V8 motor, 2 door, no visible dents??? As others have said, a real Corvette guy, well versed in the year Corvette you are considering, is who you want checking over any car you are considering. There are many knowledgeable members on this Forum that can assist you in most areas of the country. The NCRS is also a good resource, whether you are a member or not (and even if you're not looking for a totally correct car). They can tell a bad car from a good one and whether it's worth anywhere near what they are asking for it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
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Your post didnt say whether you wanted a PPI because the car is far away and you are trying to avoid travel before buying, or because you do not have the knowledge to purchase a chrome bumper car yourself.
As CV6 states, the important thing is to send a "C3 Corvette" experienced person to look at it. There'
s lots of people who will take your money to "look at a car" for you and they may be appraisers or certified inspectors or excellent mechanics, but they might not have the slightest idea what to look at specifically on the car you are considering. Personally, I'm less interested in a person's opinion on how it rides in a test drive or what the compression check is, if that guy wouldnt know if someone put a '73 nose on a '72 or would not recognize an obvious restamp or doesn't know where the rust trouble spots are on every C3 frame.
Choose wisely.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 22
always know what your requirements are and have a lengthy discussion with the seller, including bottom line price and see as many photos as you can.
paying someone a few hundred for a report can be a frustrating experience. its human nature to try to get as much money for as little service as possible.
without seeing the car in person prior to purchase. I can almost guarantee that you will regret it.
paying someone a few hundred for a report can be a frustrating experience. its human nature to try to get as much money for as little service as possible.
without seeing the car in person prior to purchase. I can almost guarantee that you will regret it.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I am looking at a 72 bb convertible. It is described as a numbers match engine and a good "driver" car. Not NCRS show quality. I have been looking for a while and have driven 2 cars near where I live in southeast Texas. If I can trust a forum member that lives near where the car is located that would be ideal. I have heard horror stories about buying cars and finding big issues once you get it home.
EDIT: just read the above post. Sounds like you are prepared to do both. Good for you.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; May 6, 2016 at 11:40 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bh,
After reading many of your other threads I think you need to be very careful about just having someone local to the car take a look at it and give you their opinion.
I think that MAY be enough for you to decide whether to travel or not, BUT, I believe you should still PAY someone very knowledgeable about 72 bb cars to look at the car WITH you, answer your questions, and give you their observations.
In the price range I believe you're looking, bb convertibles are going to have needs, or they'd be MORE money.
I realize this isn't what you want to hear but I think you need to consider it.
Regards,
Alan
After reading many of your other threads I think you need to be very careful about just having someone local to the car take a look at it and give you their opinion.
I think that MAY be enough for you to decide whether to travel or not, BUT, I believe you should still PAY someone very knowledgeable about 72 bb cars to look at the car WITH you, answer your questions, and give you their observations.
In the price range I believe you're looking, bb convertibles are going to have needs, or they'd be MORE money.
I realize this isn't what you want to hear but I think you need to consider it.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 22
Hi Bh,
After reading many of your other threads I think you need to be very careful about just having someone local to the car take a look at it and give you their opinion.
I think that MAY be enough for you to decide whether to travel or not, BUT, I believe you should still PAY someone very knowledgeable about 72 bb cars to look at the car WITH you, answer your questions, and give you their observations.
In the price range I believe you're looking, bb convertibles are going to have needs, or they'd be MORE money.
I realize this isn't what you want to hear but I think you need to consider it.
Regards,
Alan
After reading many of your other threads I think you need to be very careful about just having someone local to the car take a look at it and give you their opinion.
I think that MAY be enough for you to decide whether to travel or not, BUT, I believe you should still PAY someone very knowledgeable about 72 bb cars to look at the car WITH you, answer your questions, and give you their observations.
In the price range I believe you're looking, bb convertibles are going to have needs, or they'd be MORE money.
I realize this isn't what you want to hear but I think you need to consider it.
Regards,
Alan
I also spoke to a gentleman with Expert Auto Appraisals who will do an inspection at the site for $800. That sounds high to me but I spoke with him for a while an he was very helpful and knowledgeable specifically about early year corvettes. I just got some photos from the owner and a few videos. The car looks good in the pics so I may take the next steps to go see the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Furthermore, if the car is located a half hour from you, how come you haven't looked at it personally? Just curious.......
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
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Is the car "30 minutes away" from you, or 30 minutes away from the potential inspector? As several others have mentioned, if you provide a general area where the car is located, possibly someone from this site can set you up with a qualified inspector.
Furthermore, if the car is located a half hour from you, how come you haven't looked at it personally? Just curious.......
Furthermore, if the car is located a half hour from you, how come you haven't looked at it personally? Just curious.......