What's up guys. I posted here because I'm sure several of you have purchased p-cars and had them shipped to you.

Ive been in the market for a C6Z for a while and can't find the right vehicle. I finally found something I want (06Z with 3k miles) for close to the price I want but it is half way across the country. (Im in SoCal). Due to my work schedule, I don't have time to just fly out and see the car let alone drive it back. The owner seems credible and has given me numerous sources to back up who they are. (The seller also has a handful of collectible cars).

I have only dealt locally in my buying and selling of cars, so this is a new experience for me should I choose to go with it. I have already pm'd intercity lines for a shipping quote to see if I can get my ducks in order and go through with it

I just wanted to see your opinion on this situation and if it was the right deal for you, if you would go forth

 

I would say it depends on how confident you are in the info. youve been given. If its an 06 with 3k miles and stock. You probably know what to expect when getting the car (if the past owner wasn't lieing about track miles etc.)

I would heavily consider it but remember this site is national and there are lots of people willing to help scope soemthing for you if you give the geo. location of where your looking.

 

I agree with him, maybe you can ask one of the guys from that area to check the car out for you. Im quite certain most of them would like to do a test drive too..

 

I recommend against buying sight unseen. High res pics don't show everything, and CarFax and Autocheck don't tell the whole story. One person's "mint condition" may be different than another's. One person may overlook small scratches and dings, and to another person those may be a deal breaker. A PPI may not address everything you want to know.

IMHO, nothing replaces seeing and driving the car yourself (plus due diligence with a PPI, etc). There are plenty of stories with happy endings after buying sight unseen, but there are horror stories as well. If you can live with a car that might not live up to your expectations, then it might work for you. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck for a great new (used) car.

 

Ive done it a few time
I have bought 4 cars site unseen on ebay.. Write up a contract and make the seller sign. That way you only get stiffed with the shipping costs.

The corvette community is huge... go to corvetteforum.com and ask one of the local guys to check it out for you. Chances are they already know about the car. Best way though is to hop a plane and check it out

 

Very well put. If you are very picky, like me, buying sight unseen may not be for you.

 

Like Alpha said, it depends on how picky you are.

I fly a lot- Heck, I can get halfway across the country and back in a day. Take a red eye and you can get all the way across and back in 24 hours. If you live in OC you can pretty much get anywhere in the US from LAX pretty easily. Unless you work every day, weekends included, it is very doable....

Definitely have someone else do a 'driveby' for you, in any event.

GL

A

 

I have bought a car sight unseen before and it worked out fine, granted it was a mb not a p-car and it came from a reputable dealer. I would find a forum member close to the car and see if they can take a look, everyone here has been really helpful in looking at car for folks.

 

In the 2 weeks I went on a crazy car shopping spree. One of out the 5 cars purchased turned out to be a POS. It's a 1955 Porsche 356.

1st. The car get's to my house a week later from the scheduled delivery date.
2. The car won't crank
3. The E Brake doesn't work.
4. Rust under the floor mats
5. Cannot open the rear engine cover. I guess it's rusted shut.
6. The paint is horrible. Unlike the pictures I was shown.
7. The gas pedal is broken and it's almost impossible to push the clutch in, hold the gas and apply gas to start the vehicle.
8. I still have to receive the title and it's been almost 3 weeks and it was paid for in full.
9. I can't get anyone at the dealership to answer or return my phone calls.
10. My last resort will be to call the Better Business Beuro and or sue them.

And this car was supposed to be in excellent condition.

Caleb AKA StuntMan

 

corvetteforum.com go to the C6 general forum and the C6Z general forum and post exactly where the car is. Within hours, you'll have a friendly member go check it out for you.

I was the 'checker outer' guy for several purchases. Most will go check it out and even test drive it for you.

You can also use the yellowpages and find an independent mechanic that will go do a PPI for you. I did that on one older car (late 60's Buick GS) and was glad I did. The entire body was bondo -- almost no metal left.

 

I couldn't spend $50K on something without first seeing it , no matter what condition I'm told it's in. I've heard too many horror stories. I don't have that level of comfort, but some people do. What's your comfort level?

 

i bought my 01tt from far outa state had it shipped no probs at all. but i found a friend that lived close to look at it for me 1st.... all was ok in his eyes and mine to when it arrived... lots of collectors by and sell cars sight un seen ,at least in the old days (5 OR 6 years ago).if i remember correctly land jet bought his from a guy right the rd from me and had it shipped to maryland and i bought mine from maryland and had it shipped to ca. what a deal!!!

 

It's more about the type of person your are? I have bought and sold cars sight unseen. If the seller agree to take the car back if it was misrepresented that it should be all good. Put money in escrow, Make a contract, have him sign it with a copy of DL and should be good to go. If he's a stand up guy and stands behind his car it should be a no problem. If not look for something else.

 

To The OP. I bought my car sight unseen. I did hire FVD to check it out before it was shipped. It was perfect, but had a very small scrape (3/4" on near the left rear tail light).

You should hire two independent and reputable companies that have no affiliation with the owner. A body shop and a corvette specialist. Once you get the OK, I think you're good.

You may want to consider flying out, even if for a few hours just to check it out in person.

I'd love to get a Z06 some day. Mind PMine me the price? I'm very curious.

Better Business Bureau is a joke. It's a private company with a Fancy name and has absolutely no teeth.

 

Purchased a "really nice" 73 vette sight unseen. Seller seemed honest and I went for the deal and had it shipped. I won't go into details but I would never buy without seeing it myself first. Even if you have other people weed out potential purchases I would always look at it in person first. Lessons learned.