Buying a new car without seeing it?

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invinceable

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Nov 14, 2008
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So I am looking on Cars.com/Ebay.com and found a car I really like (actually two of them). Both of the sellers have good. As far as I am concerned, but is the point of actually seeing the car? In a way their feedback alone makes it better than just a random dealer in town because I can see what they have bought/sold recently and how their customers reacted.

Obviously I don't have the time to fly out to 3/4 different locations to to just "see" the car for the hell of it. I know it used to be the golden rule when using the Auto Trader type magazines, but with the internet and the advent of the entire feedback type system where you can see your history I would think this rule has changed a bit. Has anyone here done something similar ? A.k.a. found a good deal on Ebay, seen their good feedback, and went ahead and bought the car without actually going to look at it first? (provided the carfax was good, no reported accidents, comes from a reputable dealer with good rep on the site, car looks clean no dents/scratches, no reported scratches etc.)
 


So you are buying a used car?

Definitely check it out, especially if you are buying something that will not just bring you to the point A to B.
 
never buy a used car before testing it. NEVER! if you care about your money, go and check that car.
 
Yeah I am buying a used car, and it is $20k. Not a huge sum but not anything little either. But thank you for the advice.
 
I have bought 6-7 cars off ebay. Always a win with good feedback. Like you said its MUCH better than a dealer. A dealer will try to hide shit because they have no "feedback" while if an ebayer gets a bad strike they are fucked.

Buy it, just remember you can always back out when you go see it. Test drive it before before you finalize the pay. If you are going in person to pick it up 95% of them won't even ask for the deposit.
 
BigWill:

Good advice about the feedback. The guy has 100%, but how can I back out when I go see it? Let's say I see the car I like, the guy has 40 sales and 100% feedback, they want the $500 deposit within 24 hours (fine with me), then the rest within 7 days. Let's say I go pick it up in person because I want to check it out and take it to a mechanic, wouldn't that be an issue if I take it to a mechanic and there is something seriously fucked up, aren't I obligated to buy the car anyway as per ebay's rule? Or at least lose the $500?

Thanks again man good advice
 
Your $500 will be lost yeah. Thats pretty much the point of the deposit from a seller's point of view.
 
As long as you can afford to pay for the car and afford to replace all the parts in it individually I don't see a problem.
 
-JBX- said:
Your $500 will be lost yeah. Thats pretty much the point of the deposit from a seller's point of view.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately for sellers, Paypal almost always backs the buyer and if you use a credit card to complete the initial deposit you are double covered. I'm not talking about ripping the guy off, but if there is something wrong that isn't mentioned in the auction, then you have the ability to dispute and/or chargeback. If he wants a wire or different payment for the initial deposit, then you're pretty much screwed if something is wrong.
 
I would suggest finding a mechanic in the town where the car is for sale who specializes in whatever type of car it is. Set up an appt for them to do a once over on the car and ask that the dealer who is selling the car takes it over.

The one or two times I've done this the person selling the car had no problem doing this for me. If they wont do it might be an indication that the car isn't what they say it is.
 
My buddy bought an Evo last year for $16k and thought he got a great deal. Had to spend $10k to get it fixed lol, go see the fucking car dude. Yes, feedback systems are great but you don't want to be that guy who has to leave the first negative.

I'm not saying I wouldn't buy a car on ebay or online in general but I would still like to see it before bidding on it. Or what the above poster suggested is a pretty good idea too if it's too far.
 
ignore everyone above.

You arrange a pre-purchase inspection from the dealership that manufactured your car. Talk with seller and tell him the car is sold ... pending the PPI. Seller will deliver to dealership and for ~$150 you will find out everything that is wrong with the car. period.

Never buy a used car without PPI
 
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2 benefits I forgot to mention.

1> major defects aren't a deal breaker, just a reason for you to renegotiate

2> when taking to dealerships, they will go ahead and replace and part recalls (happens frequently) right there on the spot.

I'm not only the hair club owner, I'm a member.

I buy used, picked up a ford explorer about 6 months ago and did this. It was a a good deal at about $1500 under bluebook because it needed new breaks. Got the car and fixed the problem
 
I did.
Found a car on eBay. The listing was from a dealer in the UK. Called them up and "booked" the car for £500. The dealer agreed that if I don't like it after a test drive I will get my money back. No questions asked.

Drove it away home happly with no issues. I wouldn't do the same if if it was a private seller.
 
erect said:
ignore everyone above.

You arrange a pre-purchase inspection from the dealership that manufactured your car. Talk with seller and tell him the car is sold ... pending the PPI. Seller will deliver to dealership and for ~$150 you will find out everything that is wrong with the car. period.

Never buy a used car without PPI
Click to expand...

^^ +rep!
 
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