This is my first post on this forum. I have been lurking and learning.

I just finalized the deal on a 2002 C4S and have a question...

I know that some of you have prob done long distance purchases from an individual where you sent/wire transfered funds and had the car shipped.

The guy I'm buying the car from is in Miami and I am In Atlanta. He is moving to China, hence needed to sell his car. I'm paranoid about just transfering a large sum of money to someone I've never met.

What is the best way to go about the transaction? We both need to be secure with the process. Some kind of escrow account that could hold the funds till the car was verified to be on the truck?

Any advise / help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Wouldn't it be just as easy to hop a flight there and drive the car back. Good carriers can be hard to schedule and you run the risk of having your car damaged. I have shipped a car and had one go well, and one not so well.

 

A trip would be nice to introduce yourself to the new car and an excuse to spend a day or two in Miami for wonderful nightlife.

 

I would love to.....but I own my own business and just don't have the time.

I had a friend go by and check it out for me and he verified it was mint.

So I'm comfortable with the car....just not the transaction process.

 

Have your buddy go back and pick up the pink slip. Once you know he has it transfer your funds through cashiers check through a certified carrier, or wire it (not adviseable). After that you both have leverage on each other. The only thing now is to monitor the shipping transaction.

See if you can use a loan check from a bank institution and get insurance on the car before you go through the transaction. If anything goes wrong, you can always break some knee caps in China. Good luck.

D

 

I'd be hesitant to give money to someone who is about to leave for China. I would definitely do this transaction in person and make sure you have the title in hand.

 

+1, have someone you know get it for you or fly over the weekend and drive it back home... thats what I did... Atlanta to Miami is a days drive

 

Hi Brando, I'm John. Now that we're best friends, I'd be happy to have you fly me down to Miami and drive it to Atlanta for you, then you can put me on a flight back to DC. Problem solved!

I bought my car from a a guy in Boston. He was quite cool about the whole transaction. He sent me his executed title via fedx prior to me giving him any money. That way I could get tags and take them with me when I picked up the car. He met me at the airport, I gave him a cashiers check, put the plates on, and that was it.

 

What is "MINT" to your friend, might be only pretty good or ok to you, ALOT of people can not spot door dings, and waves in door, or even if worse case scenario, a repainted car. I bought my car that was 400 miles away, best to check it out yourself.

 

I would fly out and conduct this transaction in person as well. I think its worth the time. The drive back alone would be worth it...its like a mini vacation

 

I bought my car from a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Coral Gables, FL and I live in central OR. I had my bank wire them the money and they FedEx the title and paperwork. Had the car shipped, 19 days later the car arrived.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Even though the seller is pretty high profile in Miami (you can Google his name and get all kinds of hits...in a good light)...
It looks like I am just going to have to MAKE time to fly down, do the transaction in person, and either drive her home or get transport arranged.

Hobby Logger - It is a lot different buying from a MB dealership and having them ship it than it is buying from an individual....

oc996dreaming - My buddy is a serious car guy. He has a couple of Porsches and a Lambo. If he said it was mint.....it is going to be mint.

deckman - wow....you'd do that for me??? What a guy!

 

Well....I now am the proud owner of a 2002 C4S!

I went down to Miami and did the deal yesterday and she should be on a transporter and to me by this Sat afternoon.

And low and behold....after searching old forums here, she has been here before! Glad to see she was not just a garage queen and was actually driven like it was meant for.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ad.php?t=52962

Car currently has 33K miles and is still mint!

Thanks for all the input!

 

You are an absolute fool if you don't have the car PPI'd first.

 

Did just that. Glad I'm not an absolute fool......