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Would you buy a car from ebay without looking at it?

A

alphatarget1

Diamond Member
Auction ends in 30 minutes and all the history and stuff checks out on autocheck, but I don't know about buying a car I've never seen in person before...
 
I would. But I would also go see it in person and have cash ready to pay. If there is something wrong when I get there I bring out my copy of the listing and say where is this? Worse case take a picture or make a note of it and drive away with your cash.
 
I wouldn't. Unless it was something I was looking to restore and couldn't care less about its condition.

Without seeing it in person and driving it, no chance.

What car is it? If you're worried that you're losing a good deal, don't. There's always a better deal around the corner. As long as you're willing to wait for it, and go look at it in person.
 
Marlin1975 said:
I would. But I would also go see it in person and have cash ready to pay. If there is something wrong when I get there I bring out my copy of the listing and say where is this? Worse case take a picture or make a note of it and drive away with your cash.
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Auction terms say that $500 due within 48 hours of auction end. A one way flight out to MS is about $180 from Texas and it's an 8 hour drive. I can probably go on Wednesday on the 1 way flight and drive it back the same way... Would you pay the deposit before seeing the car?
 
satyajitmenon said:
I wouldn't. Unless it was something I was looking to restore and couldn't care less about its condition.

Without seeing it in person and driving it, no chance.

What car is it? If you're worried that you're losing a good deal, don't. There's always a better deal around the corner. As long as you're willing to wait for it, and go look at it in person.
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It's a 03 Ford Crown Victoria LX sport. They don't come around very often...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003...9070303?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27b4ebb35f
 
I have.

Ended up being a pretty good deal, even considering it took 6months to drive cross country back home (sat at my sister's for a while). 4 years later I could still sell it for more than what I paid for it.
 
alphatarget1 said:
Auction terms say that $500 due within 48 hours of auction end. A one way flight out to MS is about $180 from Texas and it's an 8 hour drive. I can probably go on Wednesday on the 1 way flight and drive it back the same way... Would you pay the deposit before seeing the car?
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I would not, unless it was by Credit Card.

Cars I have bought on eBay were within a 4 hour drive and I went within 2 days to get it.


EDIT
Just saw your link. Yea I would not be to worried about that. But again use a CC for the deposit.
 
Marlin1975 said:
I would not, unless it was by Credit Card.

Cars I have bought on eBay were within a 4 hour drive and I went within 2 days to get it.


EDIT
Just saw your link. Yea I would not be to worried about that. But again use a CC for the deposit.
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So when you say use a CC you mean giving my CC number over the phone to make the deposit? Or do you mean through paypal?
 
kami333 said:
No.

I bid but didn't expect it to win, it was in the middle of nowhere Vermont so that probably deterred a lot of people from bidding since they couldn't check it out before bidding.
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Hah I live right next to the middle of nowhere VT. 😛
 
alphatarget1 said:
Is that near the Canadian border?
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Yeah, up near Lake Carmi? My sister and my mom almost ended up in Canada by mistake. I had them drive out from Syracuse NY (10hr round trip) to pick up the car, then I flew out from Utah to pick up the car from my sister's a few months later (2day road trip back).
 
Somebody just got a great deal on a really nice car. You're right OP, those don't come around very often. When I was car shopping back in August, I thought about getting one of those or a Grand Marquis LSE. I realized that neither would fit in my garage, so I didn't pursue them.
 
I didn't end up bidding. It was only $7 over my price range. I really don't *need* a 2nd car but it would've been fun to have.

I was actually concerned about the lack of traction control on it. My ideal Crown Vic would also have a moonroof and low miles, but whatever, there is always another car like someone posted...
 
alphatarget1 said:
I didn't end up bidding. It was only $7 over my price range. I really don't *need* a 2nd car but it would've been fun to have.

I was actually concerned about the lack of traction control on it. My ideal Crown Vic would also have a moonroof and low miles, but whatever, there is always another car like someone posted...
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FWIW, I've driven a Charger with traction control and a Crown Vic without (both in snow). Traction control was spiffy but also annoying - doesn't bother me at all to not have it.
 
alphatarget1 said:
I didn't end up bidding. It was only $7 over my price range. I really don't *need* a 2nd car but it would've been fun to have.

I was actually concerned about the lack of traction control on it. My ideal Crown Vic would also have a moonroof and low miles, but whatever, there is always another car like someone posted...
Click to expand...



TBH, the last two cars I've owned have had traction control, and I turn it off when it's slick out. I can't stand trying to gun it up my driveway and having the throttle cut out on me. If you want good traction control, buy good tires.
 
jlee said:
FWIW, I've driven a Charger with traction control and a Crown Vic without (both in snow). Traction control was spiffy but also annoying - doesn't bother me at all to not have it.
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I mean, I live in Texas. Slick roads usually aren't a problem- my Legacy doesn't have traction control (granted, it's AWD). It's something I'd rather have than not have. If I don't want it I can always turn it off.

My ideal Crown Vic/Grand Marquis would be a 06+ one with the tachometer, center shift, leather, moonroof, and side airbags. Center shift alone limits it to the lx sport/hpp package, which are hard to find because they aren't widely produced.

I guess the thing I can compromise on is center shift, moonroof and side airbags... I'll wait for the next deal to come around.

I also thought about getting a Marauder, but I just don't really like being required to put premium fuel in, like my Legacy right now.
 
My brother bought a car off eBay but it was close enough that we took a 2hr drive to go see the car. I would never buy a car without seeing it first.
 
alphatarget1 said:
I mean, I live in Texas. Slick roads usually aren't a problem- my Legacy doesn't have traction control (granted, it's AWD). It's something I'd rather have than not have. If I don't want it I can always turn it off.
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Ah.

I've lived in NH for years and never owned a vehicle with traction control...winter vehicles have always been FWD or 4x4 (until I bought the FXT this year). To each his own though! 🙂
 
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