Does anyone have any experience or recommendations for on-line auction sites (other than eBay)? It seems like dealers are taking over eBay. I came across other auction sites that look interesting, like Copart.

 

I think that a lot of the things on Copart are repossessions, wrecks, etc.

 

you are really flying blind on most (if not all) of the auction sites unless you are lucky enough to actually get someone to physically inspect the vehicle BEFORE you make any payment. before i bought my 04 CE convertible i was looking at a 69 convertible listed on one of those sites. i was fortunate enough to have a friend in the area who was kind enough to give up a sunday afternoon and arrange for a personal inspection of the car. it was also helpful that my friend has been around cars all his life and has access to the dealer auctions and was trained by some pretty sharp people as to what to look for in a car. he makes a few bucks here and there buying and selling used BMWs (his specialty). from the pictures that were listed and the additional pictures that i had sent to me, the car looked very straight and like it was a good value for the price. after the inspection, the list of objectionable things on the car was as long as your arm. the fiberglass had been worked over and none of the lines around the front were crisp like should have been. the inside door jam was just almost slapped together and looked like raw fiberglass, well you get the picture. i thanked the seller and "walked away". i found out later that the car ultimately sold for about 2500 more than i was willing to pay to someone from out of the area and it was trucked to him. i can only imagine what he thought once he got a good look at the car in person and realized he bought a real project instead of a turn key ride.

i would stay away unless you are willing to buy from a dealer with a reputation, and even then i would be really careful.