Vette_Fan

First, I'd like to thank the CF in general - it seems I can always depend on it, no matter what crazy questions I might have. I'm sure everyone feels that way...

I am looking to buy a 2008 A6 Vert soon. The car is in Tulsa, Oklahoma; I am in SF bay area, California.

My plan is to fly there, meet the seller at the airport, drive the car to a local shop where I can get it all checked out. "IF" there isn't any matter of concern, then get oil & coolant changed and drive to his bank and transfer funds. Get the papers from his bank (they're holding the lien), and drive back. It should take me 3 days normally, or 4-5-6 days (scenic route).

I wanted to get your guys' feedback on getting ready for the big trip. Please feel free to share some pointers that you may consider would help me make this transaction and process smoother.

Thanks in Advance.

919cw313

Depends on what's been done. I'd be more concerned with tires than coolant.

How many miles on the car?

madsonp

Don't drive it in snow.

S.C. vette

Be prepared... to walk (fly) from this deal. In most instances one will see and or discover problems within the first hour. Leave your emotions & joy with your baggage. Remember, this is a business transaction, not a vacation.

Vet Interested

Excellent advice! But, if all works out and you can live with your findings, enjoy your ride.

kevinjm

You didn't mention miles, but consider changing brake fluid while you're at it. It's cheap protection, and likely necessary based on age alone.

cadyshac

Why not pay a local Chevy dealer to do an inspection on the car for you and email you their findings? It might save you a needless trip or if it all checks out you can be more certain the trip is worth it and you are going to go thru with the purchase.

Vette_Fan

True! I did that once. Went to see the car in Arkansas. The seller had misrepresented the car, and was a total jerk. I mean, even his wife was willing to negotiate the deal and he told her to shut up since it was his car. I did fly back then...

I understand it's a business transaction, not a vacation. But hopefully, all goes well; then I can turn it into a vacation. Lol.

Yeah, good catch.


BTW, the seller is a CF member as well. We've been communicating through PM messages.

Vette_Fan

2008, 31,XXX miles. A6. LT3 (without Nav)

Vette_Fan

That's actually not a bad idea. Should I still get an inspection done upon arrival or a Chevy dealer's report would suffice? And if so, what kind of details should I have them check out.

cadyshac

Maybe if you call the nearest Chevy dealer ahead of time you could set up something so they could go over the car when you are there or maybe you have enough mechanical ability and experience with corvette's that you are comfortable looking over the car yourself? Talk to the dealer, they should have a checklist they will go over. Same thing they would hopefully do before putting a used car for sale on their lot. They should also be able to run a VIS report for you detailing all maintenance done at GM dealerships as well as any outstanding recalls that might need completing.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Z0SIS

I would have this done before even going. If the report comes back and is satisfactory, you should feel pretty good about hopping on a plane and seeing it. You can tell the Chevy dealer to do their CPO inspection which is normally the more thorough of the two inspections they offer. The 'base' inspection is usually a 15-20 point, half hour effort. The CPO check would be >100 points. You can also tell the dealer to look for specific items if you wanted.

Coupe89

Have fun driving it back. I did, from New Jersey

Vette_Fan

Great pointer - I'll ask for that. And when it's time to sell, such report may still add some value.


What did you get from NJ? Please share some of your experience, trip planning, transaction preparation, things to look out for, must haves, etc...etc.

AORoads

I'd say have the dealer ck everything, even plug in and ck the diagnostics. But, it depends on the Chev dealer; for that, I would rely on local Corv club members to direct you to not only which dealer, but which tech at the dealer. I bought a used one the exact same way as you with flying in, but I used one of the largest new-Corvette dealers and was quoted $150. Because they were so honest at Les Stanford Chev in Dearborn MI, and the car was in such excellent condition, they only charged me $54. I did it at the time of flying in and inspecting and paying for the car. Doing it in advance is not a bad idea.

One last thing is, ask about service done to the car so far. If it's an '08, all the fluids may have been in the car since '07. If it were me, I'd do a drain and fill (not flush) of the A6. Matter of fact, I'd do all the fluids but that could be excessive. (and can wait until you get it home, at which point you can go the 60 some miles to Abel Chev and get the service done!)

As to travel back, needless to say, stay on the southern-most routes (I-10 to I-8) and even then, check weather. NM, AZ can get snow even that far south. That includes TX Panhandle as well.

Good luck.

BADBIRDCAGE

I’ve done this type of purchase twice. In addition to the suggested inspections the most important thing to me was contacting my insurance company, giving them the VIN and having them issue me a valid insurance ID card to travel with. When I took possession of the car I called my agent immediately, before driving away, and let them know I was in possession of the car. If I had not completed the transaction I would have called them and told them the deal did not take place. There would be no charge for the service they provided to me if I didn’t buy the car and take possession.

Vette_Fan

Thanks for the advice - I just put a thread asking for any CF members in Tulsa area; hopefully, someone responds back with a recommendation to a good shop. I did ask the seller about any history of maintenance, but his hard drive went bad, where he had saved the history. However, he said he does oil changes on time. And hasn't done anything much to the car, no other fluids changed, etc.

Big thanks for pointing out the route - I was considering Hwy 40 this entire time but now I am looking at some other options down south. I need to make a pit stop in Anaheim, CA. So, from Tulsa, I am considering Hwy 44 to Wichita Falls; back roads (277, 92, 70) to Sweetwater TX; from there jump on 20; then take 20 to 10...all the way to Anaheim, CA. I want to avoid taking 8 and go all the way down to San Diego, if possible (just adds too many miles & days).

Vette_Fan

Badbirdcage: good pointer. Will call Insurance ahead of time and tie that loose end.

buckmeister2

Get the inspection done in advance, period.

Some/all of the fluids may need to be changed, but that is not something that must be done before driving it home, unless the inspection report says to. The tires are an immediate concern, so be sure they are okay for travel. If the tires are original, or badly worn, use that as a negotiating point, as they will need replacement immediately.

Many/most insurance companies automatically cover purchased vehicles for a specific number of days without notification needed. You can contact your insurance company if you want to know the duration of automatic coverage.

Before you travel, if you are not carrying the funds with you, be certain any financial institution you deal with will do a wire transfer of the funds. Not all of them accept WT's, and you will be screwed if they only accept hand-delivered funds.

The bank may have the Title located at a different facility, requiring you wait, or accept it via mail. Very few lenders keep their Titles on the premises.

Last, expect there will be difficulties! The condition of the car may not be quite what is reported to be. If you are okay with that, use it as a negotiating strategy.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. I have bought quite a few cars sight unseen, and went to get a few of them to drive home. Things usually go okay, but seldom exactly as planned.

AORoads

^^ Your route above could be ok. When you get ready to leave, do an accuweather check all along the route using towns/cities for each and looking forward with 1, 3 or more days' weather forecast. It'll give you an idea (but it IS the weather, so it can change) of what it's going to be like and you can adjust your route accordingly. (I've done the section of 10 up to Casa Grande south of Phoenix)