Buying online
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
Buying online
Thinking about selling my 1997 coupe and buying a C7, have found some on the C7 Corvette for sale forum. My question is how do you go about it? I don't want to get scammed, is it better to go see the car in person then doing everything remotely?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,412
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
I bought both C5s on this forum sight unseen, and sold cars remote as well. Worked phenomenally well. You have to trust the seller... I'd not deal with a new member or super low post count. In my case I contacted the seller via the forum, got their #, talked back and forth a bit. Fly out/drive home. But be 100% prepared to walk away if the car is not as represented.
I brought a cashier's check for one car, and the other, went to a local branch of my bank with the seller & withdrew a cashier's check.
I brought a cashier's check for one car, and the other, went to a local branch of my bank with the seller & withdrew a cashier's check.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
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From: New Jersey
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St. Jude Donor '25
Always look at the car in-person before you exchange any funds.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 158
Likes: 13
I’ve bought several cars online and in the process have learned a few things:
1) the car is not going to be in the condition you thought it would be in. Plan on it being worse.
2) speak to the person on the phone, you can tell a lot from how they answer questions.
3) avoid sellers that will not give out their phone number or address.
4) get a pic of the title. Mileage, exempt, rebuilt, are not always accurately revealed by the seller. Make certain the name on the title matches the seller’s name.
5) look at the interior chrome parts, gear shift and turn signal levers. If these are rusted so is the rest of the car.
6) look at the sellers surroundings. You can tell a lot by what’s sitting around the car, messy garage, mobile homes, junk cars, and parts cars identical to the one you are considering.
7) do not be in a hurry.
8) do a Google search of the seller’s address. A pic of their property and surrounding properties can be revealing.
1) the car is not going to be in the condition you thought it would be in. Plan on it being worse.
2) speak to the person on the phone, you can tell a lot from how they answer questions.
3) avoid sellers that will not give out their phone number or address.
4) get a pic of the title. Mileage, exempt, rebuilt, are not always accurately revealed by the seller. Make certain the name on the title matches the seller’s name.
5) look at the interior chrome parts, gear shift and turn signal levers. If these are rusted so is the rest of the car.
6) look at the sellers surroundings. You can tell a lot by what’s sitting around the car, messy garage, mobile homes, junk cars, and parts cars identical to the one you are considering.
7) do not be in a hurry.
8) do a Google search of the seller’s address. A pic of their property and surrounding properties can be revealing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 2,505
I bought both C5s on this forum sight unseen, and sold cars remote as well. Worked phenomenally well. You have to trust the seller... I'd not deal with a new member or super low post count. In my case I contacted the seller via the forum, got their #, talked back and forth a bit. Fly out/drive home. But be 100% prepared to walk away if the car is not as represented.
I brought a cashier's check for one car, and the other, went to a local branch of my bank with the seller & withdrew a cashier's check.
I brought a cashier's check for one car, and the other, went to a local branch of my bank with the seller & withdrew a cashier's check.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,915
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From: North Coast
Always go and inspect any car before any money is exchanged.
The price of a plane ticket is cheaper than a trashed car.
My key to look at is the drivers seat condition. If it is cracked, dried out and worn the cars owner did not really care for it well.
Same on the engine compartment. Look at the fire wall and the radiator.
Also as for underside photos. Rockers, pan and cross members.
.
The price of a plane ticket is cheaper than a trashed car.
My key to look at is the drivers seat condition. If it is cracked, dried out and worn the cars owner did not really care for it well.
Same on the engine compartment. Look at the fire wall and the radiator.
Also as for underside photos. Rockers, pan and cross members.
.
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I bought a car from a seller in Michigan, and since I get the 'Hemmings Magazine' for years now, I hired a MI base per-purchase inspection from a Appraiser in that state, about 75 miles from the vehicle itself, and I couldn't be more satisfied, John Henson went up and spent about 4 hours inspecting and video taping the car and every inch of it just about. I got the written exam, and the video. cost $485.00 but when the car arrived it was exactly what I bought. I would spent $30.000 and not regret it one bit with a good pre-purchase exam. money aside, he did an excellent job well worth the price ! If your going to spend the money, not a bad idea to get insurance of your purchase and get a inspection first ! 
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
Below hiring an appraiser is a good investment.
The key here is better to be out a few hundred dollars vs being out $20k or 25k.
My buddy got a GTO sight unseen. It had rust that he was told it did not have. He also had to fight to get the title. He ended up unhappy and loosing money.
The blessing of a C5 is in most areas or with in driving distance you will find what you want. You just need to be patient.
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I bought the 2003 C5 I had through the forum. I live in Missouri, the C5 was in New Jersey. Talked to the seller a number of times, and he responded each time with the exact info I was looking for - communication is a vital key. I put a small, refundable deposit down, bought a plane ticket to the closest airport and he met me there with the car. It was understood that if the car did not check out, the sale was canceled and my deposit would be refunded. Worse case scenario, I would waste the cost of the ticket to NJ and the ticket back home.
Fortunately, the seller was very honest and the car was exactly as described. I gave him a check for the remaining purchase price, we both went to the NJ DMV to get a temp tag for the car and I drove the car home.
Fortunately, the seller was very honest and the car was exactly as described. I gave him a check for the remaining purchase price, we both went to the NJ DMV to get a temp tag for the car and I drove the car home.
