Has anyone ever either purchased a car without seeing it or shipped across the country? Any important things to pay attention to? I'm having someone who lives nearby look at the car, and since he owns one and is a very knowledgeable car guy, I trust his opinion.

And someone buy my truck! :D

Yes. I bought the 2002 SMG sterling grey M3 from TX that way. I also bought the other 2002 Titanium Silver SMG M3 from OH that way. Merely saw pictures of both of them. Shipped it out by enclosed freight to me.

I think it's a matter of trust -- the person whom is selling must give that sense to you. If there is any doubt -- walk. Cars come and go -- and prices come and go. I walked from two previous cars before settling with him.

In essence, you have to pay in full -- simple as that. What I did, to make me happy .. I directly transferred the money into his banking account. It was a Bank of America. I paid a transfer fee -- but, this left a paper trail. I refused to send a cashier's check/money order b/c directly transferring it -- is better IMO. Means, I have the money to send (i.e., no doubt about a counterfeit money order/cashier check) ... and I know a VALID, legitimate person is receiving it.

Plus, now I have his information -- banking number, etc. I would also request a copy of his D.L., insurance, business card, copy of title, and s.s. #. I asked for these items to be FED EX'd ... and, all of the spare keys except main, and a copy of the title upon receipt of funds. I, in return, provided all of that information as well. A legitimate and honest seller should not balk at that ... you both exchange this information to protect yourself.

If you feel uneasy doing that -- then don't buy a car sight unseen.

I bought my m3 from Colorado sight unseen. I had someone out there take a look at it and called up the guys at bimmerhaus who worked on the car. The seller also happened to be a bf.c member, so that gave me some more confidence.

I flew out, had the seller pick me up at the airport, went straight to his bank and deposited my cashier's check. Signed all the paperwork and drove the car back.

Yes. I bought the 2002 SMG sterling grey M3 from TX that way. I also bought the other 2002 Titanium Silver SMG M3 from OH that way. Merely saw pictures of both of them. Shipped it out by enclosed freight to me.
TWO E46 M3's...

RICH!!!:D


Scott




It's been a while...

I bought my m3 from Colorado sight unseen. I had someone out there take a look at it and called up the guys at bimmerhaus who worked on the car. The seller also happened to be a bf.c member, so that gave me some more confidence.

I flew out, had the seller pick me up at the airport, went straight to his bank and deposited my cashier's check. Signed all the paperwork and drove the car back.


:confused Not the situation Greg is asking about

:confused Not the situation Greg is asking about Well I was pretty well committed to the car before I flew out. It's not like I flew out there, took the car for a spin, then decided if I was going to buy it or not.

Or is Greg asking more about the actual transaction process?

no, just anything about the experience. If it happens, I'm still weighing flying out and driving back or shipping it.

I also bought my '02 M3 from a guy in TX without seeing the car in person. I actually bought it from someone on the M3froum, so I learned a lot about the guy by reading what kind of posts he started and replied to.
Nosoup brings up a lot of good points, and I might have done some things differently, like he suggested with the money transfer, and the License, ins,and work info.

I also had a friend who lived near him check the car too, and that is a great idea to give you some comfort in knowing what you are getting. I also spoke at length numerous times with the seller about the car, and I got a good feeling from doing this, as he was very nice, and volenteered much info about the car and what he'd done and used it for.

I shipped the car via one of the big name carriers, and have some suggestions if you decide to do that. My car did not show up unscathed and they tried to get out of it until I communicated directly with the company president. Have your friend take pictures of the car while it is loading on the carrier from all angles, so you can show the condition as it is being examined at the shipping point. Go over the damage inspection list when you rcv the car and make sure nothing is there that is not on the checklist. I actually took photos of them unloading the car, and subsequently found damage later after the carrier left. Fortunately the damage showed up in a photo I took while the car was still on the trailer, and that was what saved me,as I could show it was still in their posession and they did it before I took over. Next time I will inspect the car a lot more carefully so that does not happen, They did everything they could to discredit my claim.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Plane tickets can be had pretty cheap these days -- It's always been worth it to me to spend the extra $200-$300 to know wxactly what I was getting before committing.

FWIW -- A couple years ago I flew out, check in hand, to see 2 different porsche 928's that turned out to be not as advertised. I would have beeen kicking myself had I bought either one sight unseen.

I bought my 99 328is without seeing anything but pictures. However, I took my time and found a local BMW mechanic who happened to be a CCA member, as well as a CCA club racer. Having him check the car out gave me a lot of confidence and eased my worries. I went ahead with the deal and the car is great. Just cover all your bases, get his info, the cars info, and get a PPI done if possible.

-- Adam