Buying a car out of state

I’m considering buying a car out of state. For those of you that are knowledgeable about such things – what is the “right way” to do this? Assume I will be buying a car from a private individual that is a stranger. Also assume that this is a 2002-2006 vehicle with less than 90k miles represented to be in perfect working order. I’m trying to balance the need to make both the buyer (me) and seller (stranger) comfortable with the transaction while not inadvertently screwing myself in some way. My thoughts include:

• Getting as many pictures via email as possible

• Talking to the individual on the phone to answer questions, get a sense of their personality (and test them on the BS meter)

• Pull CarFax

• Haggling over the phone to reach a price

• Sending a relatively small deposit (like $500) via paypal or other electronic means

• Booking a flight – round-trip just in case

• Personally inspecting the car at the airport and if needed re-negotiating. If the condition is so different from what was represented, walk away (easier said than done at this point)

• Drive home

Here is where I question myself – is it wise to send a deposit to a stranger? Is there some way to put a deposit or even the whole purchase price in escrow that would make both parties feel comfortable? Is it worth it to pay a local shop to do the inspection before I get there? How does titling/registration work to legally drive the car home?

Read this and learn what could happen.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/weird-car-buying-experience/24263/page1/

I've bought three cars out of State, but only one sight-unseen, for which I sent a deposit. That was an e-Bay Miata that I bought from a dealer. We renegotiated a couple of hundred dollars off the price when the tires weren't exactly as described.

I bought a Jeep and a Porsche from private parties. I checked both out, made offers and then came back with my trailer.

Aside from the added time, the only other snags I hit had to do with registration and inspections. Connecticut required inspections on any cars from out of state and I think it was a little more hassle to get the titles transferred.

I've bought 3 cars out of state.

1) 1995 Neon ACR - got pictures and scanned history docs via email from seller, agreed to price on phone, flew from Philly to Atlanta and bought car at airport. Sudden mechanical failure while driving owner home prevented return trip so I had to buy a one-way ticket back. Seller had problem fixed, split cost of unexpected round trip with me, and I went back and bought the car. No deposit. Drove it for about 7 years.

2) 2003 325i - found on used lot of BMW dealer via internet. Got more pictures and history via email. Called and negotiated price, dealer overnighted paperwork including disclosure forms, I filled them out and overnighted back. Paid my nephew $100 to drive me to pick up car, waited while their shop fixed a minor flaw I found on the walkthrough, drove it home (6-7 hour round trip). Still driving it.

3) 2002 Impreza TS - Craigslist. Drove 1.5 hours to look at a similar 2002 OBS with cash in glove compartment. Car history was fishy and condition worse than described; drove home with cash still in glove compartment. Found a better car (although more expensive) and talked with seller several times via email and phone. Waited 2 weeks for him to come down to my price; agreed on phone finally. Took train from Philly to DC and seller met me at train station. Inspected car and overall aesthetic condition was a little worse than I expected, but I bought it anyway since it rode and drove fine. Drove it home. No deposit. I probably overpaid for this car by $300 but I've been happy with it.

I've picked up 5 or 6 cars from out of state. I do all the things you mentioned including calling to talk over the phone. I'll also ask for specific pictures "can you get a shot of the oil pan and the inside of the trunk" so I know the car exists in his driveway. On two of them I expressed my nervousness about sending a deposit and asked if me buying the plane ticket was serious enough. They said yes so I sent them my e-mail confirmation. I've never been burned but I go ready to walk. My last trip I slept on a train with $4,000 in my pocket. When the crowd from Philly got on I was a little nervous haha.

The more pictures you can get, the better. Definitely talk to the owner over the phone about it at length if you can, the longer they talk is usually a good sign they aren't trying to hide anything, if they seam antsy to get off the phone probably means there's questions they hope you aren't able to ask. Carfax is a must and can help you test the BS meter by asking questions related to entries on the report. Also check know problem areas of the car online so you knwo what to look for when you go to pick it up.

I have purchased 3 motorcycles and 2 cars off of eBay, all out of state, the longest was a trip to Dallas from Nashville. So far I haven't been burned. Just trust your instincts and like I did with this GTO I was looking at, get someone local to look at it for you if you can.

Call me and try and haggle on the price before you even see the car and I'm going to hang up on you. Expect to pay full asking price and do your haggling in person, IMHO.

Aside from that, everything else is good. Depending on the drive, I'd look up a few friends on the route home and give them a heads-up you'll be coming through, best case you stop for lunch with an old buddy or new friend, worst case you get a hand when the tire blows and the spare is flat or the like.

if you got to fly it's to far....

In reply to kingbeann:

If you can arrange an inspection by a reputable third party before you even make an offer, do it. You'll have to pay, but it will be worth it.

Also, see if the state your buying in has a transit permit or transit registration. That will make it a lot easier to drive home.

I bought my Puma at a distance.....

I did it because I had someone I trust look over the car, drive it, and give me his impressions. Also talked with the seller at length, negotiated over the phone, sent a check, arranged transport, and all went well with the deal.

Before the Puma there was a customized beetle that I flew out to Oregon to see up close. Almost did that deal sight unseen because the car was $3500 IIRC. The missus forced me to fly out there to see the car, no matter how inexpensive it was. So I spend half a day on planes, get to the airport, drive 2 hours to see the car in the wilds or Oregon. And.........it was totally worth the expenses to see the car and walk away from it! Many things not up to my requirements, even for a cheap car, guy wouldn't let me drive it, some sketchy shadetree mechanicals, etc.......

Do what you feel like, but do your research. I highly recommend having someone you trust look the car over before you make a move towards it.