Ebay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I bought both my corvettes long-distance and sight unseen. Some minor surprises with each but overall I got what I paid for. Would I do it again? Yes, because there aren't many corvettes for sale around here. It would be difficult to fly around just to look at cars. Ask lots of questions and get lots of pictures. And if in doubt, let it go. It's a big country and there are lots of corvettes out there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Redeasysport
Bought mine on eBay from a Toyota dealer 
in NJ for $7200.All I saw were the pics he posted.Had it shipped to Ohio and it was a little rougher than the pics showed(they always are).I needed a lot of little things fixed but I redid the fuel system,ignition system(including opti) tires.Mine had 154k on it and now it runs like new.If you don't wrench(like Corvette Kid said) it is a crap shoot.If it is in N.E. Ohio I will go look at it for you( I have done it before for another member and that 54K car was junk) 
in NJ for $7200.All I saw were the pics he posted.Had it shipped to Ohio and it was a little rougher than the pics showed(they always are).I needed a lot of little things fixed but I redid the fuel system,ignition system(including opti) tires.Mine had 154k on it and now it runs like new.If you don't wrench(like Corvette Kid said) it is a crap shoot.If it is in N.E. Ohio I will go look at it for you( I have done it before for another member and that 54K car was junk) 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 901
Likes: 15
From: Punta Gorda, FL
I bought my '04 on buy it now sight unseen. However, the car was still under warranty and the dealer was within 150 miles from my house. I went to pick up the car with the understanding that if it wasn't perfect I would just walk. It was better than expected.
I would not buy a car sight unseen and have it shipped. My definition of good condition is much fussier than most sellers out there.
I drove four hours one time to look at a top that the seller said was 99.9% condition. The thing looked like it had be dragged upside down down the street behind the car. Complete waste of a day. Some people are morons.
I would not consider myself in the market for a car located somewhere I was not willing to drive or fly to to check out the car before turning over any $$.
I would not buy a car sight unseen and have it shipped. My definition of good condition is much fussier than most sellers out there.
I drove four hours one time to look at a top that the seller said was 99.9% condition. The thing looked like it had be dragged upside down down the street behind the car. Complete waste of a day. Some people are morons.
I would not consider myself in the market for a car located somewhere I was not willing to drive or fly to to check out the car before turning over any $$.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
Bought 2 sight unseen and would do it again in a heartbeat. Just as long as I email them before and ask a few questions and make sure their feedback is almost perfect. Gotta be smart but good deals are out there with a little ebay experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
I'd NEVER buy anything sight unseen or test-driven at least by another corvetteforum buddy..
Perfect example, I drove down to Maryland (320miles from me) last Sunday to pickup a 'perfect' '94. Body looked very good, but tranny was slipping at WOT, and heater core was is BAD shape (spweing coolant in the vents.. (HURL)). Thank GOD I didn't even think of buying it sight unseen..
Perfect example, I drove down to Maryland (320miles from me) last Sunday to pickup a 'perfect' '94. Body looked very good, but tranny was slipping at WOT, and heater core was is BAD shape (spweing coolant in the vents.. (HURL)). Thank GOD I didn't even think of buying it sight unseen..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Not Ebay but I got mine sight unseen from a dealership over 200 miles away. It was a good experience. I flew in with a cashiers check and the Vette was perfect (and still is a great car).
Just make sure you can back out of the deal if it is not perfect.
Just make sure you can back out of the deal if it is not perfect.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I bought my Z from a member sight unseen save for some pics. It worked out fairly well (I got lucky), but in general I would recommend hopping on a plane to see it or have a member look at it, a few hundred could save you thousands in the long run.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I bought one new car thru ebay unseen. But it was brand new and not a vette. I bought the vette via ebay, but saw it, drove it before I made the trade. Seller gave me the 95 vette, plus some cash for my 97 dodge pick-up. He needed a pick-up, I wanted a vette. I did ebay searches for distance nearest when looking for the vette, saw lot of junk and few good ones. I would not buy any used car without inspecting it first.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: new zealand
buying unseen on auction site
Bought a Holden panel van with 308 V8 and M21 Muncie (very rare) on trade me (NZL ebay type auction). www .trademe.co.nz
When van arrived it was freshly painted over rusty bondo and poor repairs. Ran ok for 5 miles before gearbox blew. Would never have bought it if I had seen it in person but pictures flatter a vehicle.
Flicked it off in a damaged car auction as putting money into it would be a waste but of course lost money on it .
Learned a valuable lesson. Have SOMEONE look at it befopre buying or be prepared to buy a lemon
When van arrived it was freshly painted over rusty bondo and poor repairs. Ran ok for 5 miles before gearbox blew. Would never have bought it if I had seen it in person but pictures flatter a vehicle.
Flicked it off in a damaged car auction as putting money into it would be a waste but of course lost money on it .
Learned a valuable lesson. Have SOMEONE look at it befopre buying or be prepared to buy a lemon