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Anybody ever buy a car from across the country?

A

atom

Diamond Member
About 4 months ago my car was totalled. I've saved a little more since then and now I'm ready to get a new ride. Problem is, the car I want is not really all that common (it's used) so there are none in my area. I went searching on autotrader and saw a car there for sale which is more or less the exact car I'm looking for (even the color I want). Problem is I live in California and the car is in Oklahoma.

Apart from running a carfax on it, is there anything else I can do to make sure everything checks out ok? It's being sold by a car dealership, not a private seller, if that makes any difference.
 
What kind of car is it? You can check enthusiast sites and search for common problems and then have them addressed. Usually for this sort of thing (especially from a dealer) you need to know someone or actually be present to check out the car. Sorry I'm not in Oklahoma. 😉 Maybe someone has some good advice?
 
The car I'm looking at is a Starfire Blue 1998 Nissan 240sx LE with ABS/LSD package. It's pretty much the exact car I'm looking for. Given how few of these cars were produced, much less in this exact configuration, the chances of me finding the exact same car anywhere is more or less impossible.🙁

I don't know anyone even close to Oklahoma, so getting someone to check it out for me is more or less impossible. The only thing I'm worried about is major engine damage. Even if there were a few minor problems, like struts or belts need replacing, I'd still buy the car...........

Grr....I have no idea what I should do.
 
Originally posted by: atom
The car I'm looking at is a Starfire Blue 1998 Nissan 240sx LE with ABS/LSD package. It's pretty much the exact car I'm looking for. Given how few of these cars were produced, much less in this exact configuration, the chances of me finding the exact same car anywhere is more or less impossible.🙁

I don't know anyone even close to Oklahoma, so getting someone to check it out for me is more or less impossible. The only thing I'm worried about is major engine damage. Even if there were a few minor problems, like struts or belts need replacing, I'd still buy the car...........

Grr....I have no idea what I should do.
Click to expand...

time to greyhound it, or fly out there.
 
Maybe find some really kind ATOT'er?... I'd be sure you cant get one for less in on the west coast first since you gonna to have to probably pay a few hundred to get the car here (cost of ride there, plus gas, food, lodging).
 
u may have a problem. The reason u may have a problem is due to california smog check laws.Before u buy u will need to findout if the car meets California smog standards. The chances are it will not meet. If it don't meet u will need to speend money to make it feet the smog standard of California. After all sayd and done,it will be cheaper for u to buy car in california then buying it out of states
 
sure i have bought a few cars from across the country. You just have to be real sure you are getting a good vehicle.

If its cheap enough and the car you want. then flying out and driving it back is the best option.

my father owns car lots. so we buy a lot of cars down in texas, NM, and arizona. you can find some nice cars for cheap with NO rust. If we find buy stuff out there it is normally older stuff. some classic cars or stuff people would like to fix up.
 
Originally posted by: atom
The car I'm looking at is a Starfire Blue 1998 Nissan 240sx LE with ABS/LSD package. It's pretty much the exact car I'm looking for. Given how few of these cars were produced, much less in this exact configuration, the chances of me finding the exact same car anywhere is more or less impossible.🙁

I don't know anyone even close to Oklahoma, so getting someone to check it out for me is more or less impossible. The only thing I'm worried about is major engine damage. Even if there were a few minor problems, like struts or belts need replacing, I'd still buy the car...........

Grr....I have no idea what I should do.
Click to expand...

:Q that is such a great choice in cars. I hope you get one!
 
be careful

not sure if oklahoma fits this or not but arkansas does ...the car title in arkansas is a joke as they are not required to list it as totaled or even wrecked.so a lot of cars that were totaled are fixed and resold but may have alignment problems etc.. ie.. you pay good money and find it isn't worth what you paid for it.

one example

a few years back arkansas had several rivers that flooded and a lot of cars were damaged.the dealers repaired them and resold them
the electrical problems that resulted caused many folks a lot of grief,these were new cars from car lots and sold at reduced prices which other dealers bought and resold at "new car" prices.

the only way to tell was to look up under the dash for rust as the resalers very seldom cleaned this area and thats why the electrical problems ensued.but the only reprise that buyers had was the lemon law which by the way was enacted after the floods.so no support
or very little was given.

imho by all means check the car out or find someone to do it for you,but it is your money and time so consider this fyi.

mike
 
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