MTLNY

I know this sounds crazy, but, has anyone bought their C5(or any other expensive car) sight unseen, meaning through pics, car fax and a sense of trusting the seller's word? I'm curious to the responses. Since some of the clener and nicer vehicles live predominately in the south, and me being in the north, I would be tough to shop that far?

lager99

Yes, both my Z & my C6...they were both new though...wouldn't consider it used.

VETLAGD

I did... Went through TheVetteNet. Totally trusted them. Both they and the seller gave me every bit of info that I requested and I was totally pleased. Dont know that I would do it again, but I got lucky this time...

MTLNY

Does Vette net offer any garuntees?

Shortimer

No way! I also don't buy a car without a test ride.

Vettegator

I got my car thru Ken at the VetteNet.
Awesome experience!! Even better with him than dealers in my own backyard.

I had a great situation. Ken and the seller lived about 30 minutes away. Ken saw the car in person, took about 20-30 pics for me, and told me that if I left a deposit, the seller would refund it if I didnt like the car.

Well, I went to Florida (im in NY) with a check on hand. I was blown away when I saw this beauty sitting there. The pics didnt do it justice, and the rest is history.

I would do business with Ken again regardless if he sees a car in person or not. I had a great buying experience and have read many others on here that have too.

If you are buying privately, I would try to ask another forum member to check it out. Either that, or make arrangements to fly there to inspect. Ultimately, the small amount you spend in travel can pay itself off many times over if you do spot something that you might have not known until your brought the car home and it was too late.

EVIL_C5

in 1996 i bought my grand national sight unseen. it was in the dupont registry listed with 4600 miles on it.

they gave me a trade in on my 95 civic sight unseen, so i sent them a check to hold the car and made a 12 hour trip to chi-town.


i was super happy when i got there!

VETLAGD

You may just want to check them out at http://www.thevettenet.com

Ken Mihai is a pleasure to deal with and can answer any questions you have. But dont let me talk you into something you are comfortable with doing.

1000 miles was just to far for me to travel for a test drive. Again, I dont know if my nerves could take it again, but I got lucky this time.

Happy hunting...

MTLNY

unless I was 90% satisfied, then I would fly some where...Those trip can add up to a lot of $$$$$$.

TRpurtell

I bought my first Vette, a used 88, 10 years ago when I lived in NY and the car was in Ohio at a Chevy dealer. I talked to the salesman on the phone about the car and then found the phone number to the President of the local vette club - called him and he hooked me with a mechanic that I paid $100 to to check the car out in/out/on the street. He was cool with the car, I put a downpayment on it - flew to Ohio, was super happy with the car! This was a Chevy dealer that advertizes their used Corvette business so I felt comfortable with that - plus the mechanic checkout made me really comfortable.

Good luck!

MyBlueC5

Unless you're buying from a reputable dealer that specializes in corvettes, that would be the only way. A few months ago, I purchased an '01 C5 vert from a dealer in Texas off of ebay. After viewing 30 some pics, checking out auto-check, carfax and pulling a dealer warranty history, I paid a grand and plane tickets to fly from NC to TX, the car was a complete POS.

Point is, though I didn't pay the entire car, I would NEVER buy a car sight unseen. I thought I had my butt covered... guess that didn't happen.

Mark

Vetteman Jack

I ordered my '99 and my dealer traded for the '00. Basically bought both of them sight unseen and without driving them. No regrets.

Blue Lion

I bought my C5 w/o seeing it or test driving it first. However, I "interviewed" the seller many times, I checked the car through Carfax, I called my local dealer and had him run the car through their warranty computer for repairs, and I had a friend test drive it. No complaints.

AFVETTE

Yup. Back in May 2001 when my local Chevy dealer tried to screw me on a used C5. I contacted Ken @ TheVetteNet. He found me a car and we worked a deal in less than 48 hours. I took my bank check and trade and headed 270 miles from my home to near Kansas City Mo. The first time I laid eyes on my car was when they pulled it around in front of the dealership (after al the paper work had been signed and they had my trade).

The car was perfect. I had it for 3 trouble free years. Added about $9K in mods too and sold it this past May. The new owner reports the car is still perfect.

Here are a few photo's of that AW 99:


Just after re-doing the interior:


TR on AW with chrome Z06 wheels sure was purdy!

Tom

cazorp

Yes, I bought mine sight unseen through an internet ad from an individual near Dallas. It was a sweet deal and one of the best cars I have ever purchased. There were pics on the internet ad, but that was it.

Bob K

I've purchased 2 corvettes (94 & 00)from people on eBay. Happy both times.

Bob K.

Z06-JIM

Yea, kind of crazy but bought mine out of state, or at least paid a $500 deposit down, before ever looking at car.
It was a reposessed vehicle and did talk to the previous owner before sending money and flying down to get it.
Worked out great and have never regretted it.

quimbo

My first vette I got through ebay from a dealer in PA ALL PRO AUTO PURE CROOKS!!!!!!!!!!! The car was supposed to have been mint got car needed $3800.00 worth of work ALL CROOKS AUTO had to have known about. I took care of him filed a case with the PA attorney generals office the guy who sold me the car lost his licence to sell AND BUY CARS I HOPE HE LEARNED HIS LESSON HE ALSO WAS BANNED FROM EBAY WHAT A MAJOR SCUMBAG. Oh yeah got my money back hehehehehehehehehe He who laughs last laughs BEST. My new car has been nothing but a pleasure to own and yes I went to check this one out NO MORE SIGHT UNSEEN FOR ME Fool me once shame on you Fool me twice Shame on me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


QUIMBO SEEYAAAH

Rogue Wave

I found my C5 shopping online / surfing late one night on Kerbecks web site. They are about 90 miles from here. It was pre-owned with 9K miles on the ticker.

I called them the next morning and told them to put a sold sign on it. I then drove down, paid for it and drove it home.

I think it is all about trust... do you trust the people you are dealing with.

jfrc

YEP
the car you see below was purchased right thru this very sight