Buying from a private seller remotely?

MaxL · 03-04-2010, 05:36 PM

I found a couple of cars that I really like and would buy one of them right now if I know how to make sure everything goes fine and I get what I expect. But there is no way I am flying across the country to take a look at the car.

I am looking for a 2009 e90 M3, and buying such a new car from a dealer would be rather safe - I had friends who done that directly or via ebay without issues. But the cars I like are only available from private sellers. I have no idea how to go about buying a car unseen from a person. I mean, I do not need a testdrive to make up my mind - long past that. But what if the previous owner washed it with steel wool and parked by touch

? Also wiring a payment to a private person seems risky...

Does anyone buy cars remotely from private sellers? How? I'd appreciate if someone could point me to a how-to guide on that.

nuespeedgti · 03-04-2010, 06:03 PM

get a local enthusiast to check out the car in person before you make the
expense of flying out to look it over yourself. what state/country is the car
located in?

MaxL · 03-04-2010, 06:46 PM

Good point about sending a local friend in. Too bad the car is in San Diego - I do not know anyone there and it is the furthest from me point in the US.

nuespeedgti · 03-04-2010, 10:56 PM

there are a lot of cali guys on this forum post this up in the general section or
ask mods to move it. i have personally done this for others and have had others
do it for me, you would be surprised how much car guys are willing to do for
each other. gl

SlamMan · 03-04-2010, 11:03 PM

I'll bet you could get a quality repair shop to check it out for you and give you a report. You should have any used car you buy inspected by a pro first anyway.

MaxL · 03-05-2010, 12:53 PM

I found a car I want at a dealer, and they said they do their own inspection and are ready to put the results of their inspection in writing plus offer 5 day money-back. They also have 100% positive feedback on ebay. Sounds like good enough for me, given that this dealer is closer, and will see the car the same day it is shipped (I am still too busy to drive/fly there).

Would it still be necessary to hire an independent inspector? The car is 7 months old and has 5K miles with clean carfax.

JAX S50 · 03-05-2010, 09:59 PM

I would be willing to help out SD is about an 45min drive for me and just an FYI I want to sell/take over lease on my E90 as well.

OckEME3 · 03-05-2010, 11:37 PM

I live in San Diego, PM me I might be able to go have a look at it and take pics for you.

MaxL · 03-06-2010, 09:17 AM

Thanks guys! The one I'm looking at right now is Washington DC, though - the one in SD did not pass wife-control.

OckEME3 · 03-06-2010, 11:59 AM

Do you mind sending me the info on that car, my GF's brother is looking for an M3, I'd like to forward him the listing.

GL with your purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxL

Thanks guys! The one I'm looking at right now is Washington DC, though - the one in SD did not pass wife-control.

Tio///M · 03-06-2010, 12:04 PM

WHAT EVER YOU DO NOT WIRE MONEY!!! ITS LIKE CASH TRANSACTION. DO NOT USE AN ESCROW SERVICE ONLINE EITHER!!! Make sure you get their address copy of their drivers license and bank they want the money too. Do NOT place a deposit or wire any cash. Use a secure traceable and known establishment. FYI so you don't get scammed.

03-04-2010, 05:36 PM	#1
MaxL Captain Drives: M3 e90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 835 iTrader: (0)	Buying from a private seller remotely? I found a couple of cars that I really like and would buy one of them right now if I know how to make sure everything goes fine and I get what I expect. But there is no way I am flying across the country to take a look at the car. I am looking for a 2009 e90 M3, and buying such a new car from a dealer would be rather safe - I had friends who done that directly or via ebay without issues. But the cars I like are only available from private sellers. I have no idea how to go about buying a car unseen from a person. I mean, I do not need a testdrive to make up my mind - long past that. But what if the previous owner washed it with steel wool and parked by touch ? Also wiring a payment to a private person seems risky... Does anyone buy cars remotely from private sellers? How? I'd appreciate if someone could point me to a how-to guide on that.
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03-05-2010, 11:37 PM	#8
OckEME3 First Lieutenant Drives: SSII E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 313 iTrader: (0)	I live in San Diego, PM me I might be able to go have a look at it and take pics for you. __________________

03-06-2010, 12:04 PM	#11
Tio///M ///M South Lead Drives: Jerez Blk / Fox Red Ext Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In Miami Serving all of SoFLA Posts: 864 iTrader: (2)	WHAT EVER YOU DO NOT WIRE MONEY!!! ITS LIKE CASH TRANSACTION. DO NOT USE AN ESCROW SERVICE ONLINE EITHER!!! Make sure you get their address copy of their drivers license and bank they want the money too. Do NOT place a deposit or wire any cash. Use a secure traceable and known establishment. FYI so you don't get scammed. __________________ ///AA ///Challenge ///MS ///EAS ///OEM ///H&R /// MFlight!! .......NOW ///M SOUTH on Facebook!! FOR SALE!!

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03-04-2010, 06:03 PM	#2
nuespeedgti Captain Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 714 iTrader: (3)	get a local enthusiast to check out the car in person before you make the expense of flying out to look it over yourself. what state/country is the car located in?

03-04-2010, 06:46 PM	#3
MaxL Captain Drives: M3 e90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 835 iTrader: (0)	Good point about sending a local friend in. Too bad the car is in San Diego - I do not know anyone there and it is the furthest from me point in the US.

03-04-2010, 10:56 PM	#4
nuespeedgti Captain Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 714 iTrader: (3)	there are a lot of cali guys on this forum post this up in the general section or ask mods to move it. i have personally done this for others and have had others do it for me, you would be surprised how much car guys are willing to do for each other. gl

03-04-2010, 11:03 PM	#5
SlamMan Captain Drives: ED 5/19/2010, Interlagos E90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, 303 Posts: 778 iTrader: (1)	I'll bet you could get a quality repair shop to check it out for you and give you a report. You should have any used car you buy inspected by a pro first anyway.

03-05-2010, 12:53 PM	#6
MaxL Captain Drives: M3 e90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 835 iTrader: (0)	I found a car I want at a dealer, and they said they do their own inspection and are ready to put the results of their inspection in writing plus offer 5 day money-back. They also have 100% positive feedback on ebay. Sounds like good enough for me, given that this dealer is closer, and will see the car the same day it is shipped (I am still too busy to drive/fly there). Would it still be necessary to hire an independent inspector? The car is 7 months old and has 5K miles with clean carfax.

03-05-2010, 09:59 PM	#7
JAX S50 Private Drives: 2011 1 M Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: HEMET CA, 92545 Posts: 72 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 1M [0.00] 1997 M3 [0.00] 1993 M5 [0.00] 2008 M3 [0.00]	I would be willing to help out SD is about an 45min drive for me and just an FYI I want to sell/take over lease on my E90 as well.

03-06-2010, 09:17 AM	#9
MaxL Captain Drives: M3 e90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 835 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys! The one I'm looking at right now is Washington DC, though - the one in SD did not pass wife-control.