Interested in Corvette out of state
04-27-2019, 10:49 PM
#41
Team Owner
04-27-2019, 11:50 PM
#42
Team Owner
04-28-2019, 06:15 PM
#43
Team Owner
One other aspect of this deal was I had been gone 10 days. Early in the trip I developed a horrible toothache that required a root canal the day after I got back. My judgment and thinking was affected by the pain. (lesson 4: be in good spirits, and thinking clearly. Or call the trip off).
To answer the question regarding "escrow" I feel a good compromise would be to find or know an acquaintance that is familiar with the marquee to conduct an inspection prior to going there yourself. Forums can be useful in identifying qualified people for this purpose. I receive referrals through NCRS, and occasionally for SyTy's through my contacts with those cars, even though the forum self-destructed a few years ago.
To answer the question regarding "escrow" I feel a good compromise would be to find or know an acquaintance that is familiar with the marquee to conduct an inspection prior to going there yourself. Forums can be useful in identifying qualified people for this purpose. I receive referrals through NCRS, and occasionally for SyTy's through my contacts with those cars, even though the forum self-destructed a few years ago.
Sure, if you can find that someone who won't feel bad if a problem occurs and is in the area, it could be a good idea. I have done it a couple times but I always warn the buyer that he should NOT take my word for it and do a final inspection before he sends money. I have accepted the buyer's money and gotten cash to make the seller feel better about accepting a check or money order that might be a fake with my local bank facilitating the issue.
04-29-2019, 08:02 AM
#44
Le Mans Master
- Carfax to be safe (obvious).
- Maintenance records.
- Tell seller that you want a 14 to 30 day warranty (That usually weeds out the shady sellers, although some states require a warranty).
- Ideally a good mechanic to check it out, but that might not be so easy to do when travelling far.
- Go to the Regional Forum here and see if you can find a vette enthusiast who is close and might be willing to take a closer look. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-discussion-9/. Great way to get an unbiased opinion.
- Honest sellers always point out the flaws even those a buyer might not see right away.
Last edited by bac22; 04-29-2019 at 08:04 AM.
04-29-2019, 02:47 PM
#45
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2017
Location: Somewhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Yes, I live in Fort Wayne also. My first Corvette was in Indy when I bought it, the second was in Chicago. The one in Chicago was in better condition than the other, but still had some issues. But, it was what I was looking for, so I went ahead and purchased it.
04-29-2019, 08:58 PM
#47
Melting Slicks
I haven't gone far to get a used car but a few things I've done in the past to help weed out those who might be keeping ugly secrets about the the car.
- Carfax to be safe (obvious).
- Maintenance records.
- Tell seller that you want a 14 to 30 day warranty (That usually weeds out the shady sellers, although some states require a warranty).
- Ideally a good mechanic to check it out, but that might not be so easy to do when travelling far.
- Go to the Regional Forum here and see if you can find a vette enthusiast who is close and might be willing to take a closer look. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-discussion-9/. Great way to get an unbiased opinion.
- Honest sellers always point out the flaws even those a buyer might not see right away.
04-29-2019, 09:30 PM
#48
Team Owner
Maybe you do but I have never seen a seller that does point out anything. They might not try to hide something but they sure are not going to point out and give you ammunition to lower the price unless they are stupid.
04-29-2019, 09:44 PM
#49
Team Owner
How's that work out for you? No private seller in his right mind would offer a warranty. Anyone can blow up anything. If someone asked me for a warranty, I'd tell him "guaranteed to make it out of the driveway, then you're on your own".
True story: I sold my personal Typhoon after 9 years of enjoyment. Was a smoking deal for the buyer, he paid less than I paid for the paint job alone. I DROVE it from Los Angeles to Boston, no tools, no problems, and he purchased it there. The car ran flawlessly, like it had done for 9 years. 17 DAYS after he took delivery, it put a rod through a cyl wall. He admitted that he had been messing around and broke a rubber fitting on the turbo waste-gate. He drove it anyway, and it went into uncontrolled over-boost. About 30psi. I(f he'd left the hood closed, everything would have been fine. Instead he blew his **** up in 17 DAYS, and it took 2 years for hi8m to get it running again.
Example as to why I only guarantee it to get out of the driveway.
04-30-2019, 01:55 PM
#50
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: altered state
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St. Jude Donor '05
It would get impounded out here....take a bill of sale and drive it home Id be surprised if anyone got a ticket unless the tags were expired.
If someones just tire kicking no I wont go take it to a shop for them. If it was an expensive car, I have a deposit,. big maybe...they are better off taking a Fri night flight and coming out to see it.
I dont want to hear someone complaining the inspector missed something or worse yet they are wanting more $ off post inspection after wasting that much of my time.
Warranty? Ive had one actually ask that they were dead serious; that conversation ended real quick. I tell buyers the good and the bad even when I know they will never see it
If they are still paranoid at that point I dont want to deal with them they will be calling for months. If the car looks better/worse in person Ill be up front, not many sellers do that
Some have a weirdo thing about their car and check up for years which imo is bizarre. When Im done im done its just a car....nuts bolts and plastique.
Mystique disappears when you completely disassemble one and you got a pile of parts making a mess. LOL
If someones just tire kicking no I wont go take it to a shop for them. If it was an expensive car, I have a deposit,. big maybe...they are better off taking a Fri night flight and coming out to see it.
I dont want to hear someone complaining the inspector missed something or worse yet they are wanting more $ off post inspection after wasting that much of my time.
Warranty? Ive had one actually ask that they were dead serious; that conversation ended real quick. I tell buyers the good and the bad even when I know they will never see it
If they are still paranoid at that point I dont want to deal with them they will be calling for months. If the car looks better/worse in person Ill be up front, not many sellers do that
Some have a weirdo thing about their car and check up for years which imo is bizarre. When Im done im done its just a car....nuts bolts and plastique.
Mystique disappears when you completely disassemble one and you got a pile of parts making a mess. LOL
Last edited by cv67; 04-30-2019 at 02:00 PM.
04-30-2019, 02:03 PM
#51
Well what? If I have the signed title, bill of sale, insurance card in my name with VIN of the car I bought the only thing the cop can write for is unregistered vehicle. The plate I use is a plate off one of my owned cars. In PA, NJ or NY you don't get arrested and/or impounded for driving an unregistered vehicle you also happen to own and insure. Can't imagine any state doing that.
Last edited by pacoW; 04-30-2019 at 02:04 PM.
04-30-2019, 04:40 PM
#52
Team Owner
Well what? If I have the signed title, bill of sale, insurance card in my name with VIN of the car I bought the only thing the cop can write for is unregistered vehicle. The plate I use is a plate off one of my owned cars. In PA, NJ or NY you don't get arrested and/or impounded for driving an unregistered vehicle you also happen to own and insure. Can't imagine any state doing that.
Also, I would find it EASIER to say "Sir, I just bought this car 2 hours ago and do not have it registered yet. I will when I get home." than "I put on another plate to NOT attract attention. So sorry for the confusion."
Last edited by aklim; 04-30-2019 at 06:44 PM.
04-30-2019, 06:54 PM
#54
Team Owner
Hence the reason why I say it is better to get a PDI. If you really want to override the report, it is another barrier to overcome. When you have the fever you can gloss over stuff and not look for things because it would make it hard to buy a problem child. Mind can be your biggest enemy to overcome
05-05-2019, 12:41 AM
#55
Le Mans Master
Well what? If I have the signed title, bill of sale, insurance card in my name with VIN of the car I bought the only thing the cop can write for is unregistered vehicle. The plate I use is a plate off one of my owned cars. In PA, NJ or NY you don't get arrested and/or impounded for driving an unregistered vehicle you also happen to own and insure. Can't imagine any state doing that.
05-05-2019, 12:48 AM
#56
Team Owner
Regardless of the state, if I were the cop and I see run the plates and it comes up tied to another car, it will definitely make me think you are trying to blend in with the rest of the cars and might make me look harder and waste your time more, at the very least.
05-05-2019, 10:06 AM
#57
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
05-05-2019, 10:44 AM
#58
Team Owner
05-05-2019, 12:23 PM
#59
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2001
Location: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
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Having bought cars from coast to coast, and most recently bringing one from overseas, the internet makes buying a car a global thing now, and easy.
That said, same cautions prevail in long distance buys. Get your questions answered, then go see the car (or pay someone to see the car). Good luck. FWIW, 3 hours away is nothing. Really.
That said, same cautions prevail in long distance buys. Get your questions answered, then go see the car (or pay someone to see the car). Good luck. FWIW, 3 hours away is nothing. Really.
05-05-2019, 12:25 PM
#60
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Well what? If I have the signed title, bill of sale, insurance card in my name with VIN of the car I bought the only thing the cop can write for is unregistered vehicle. The plate I use is a plate off one of my owned cars. In PA, NJ or NY you don't get arrested and/or impounded for driving an unregistered vehicle you also happen to own and insure. Can't imagine any state doing that.
In my state, you pay $5.00 for a trip permit and drive on a slip of paper. It's valid for 3 days, point of purchase to home (or wherever you say when you buy the permit). Easy.