Any tips for buying a car out of town?

[jayuuey]

I have been looking around for an e30 and it seems most of the nicer offering are 8+ hours away. Have you experienced this type of situation before? I have emailed people for several photos and ran carfaxs already. Anything else I can do to feel confident pulling the trigger without seeing it first hand? Of course I wouldn't pay for the car before visiting but taking the long drive out or flying over is still a big investment in itself.

Thanks in advance.

[quattEUro]

i would just be ready to buy it on the spot. get as much info as you can without seeing the car, then when you go to check it out make sure you take your time looking over the whole thing. whip it around town for a bit, and go with your gut feeling. youll probably be able to talk him down a bit more if you got cash in hand aswell.

[ArTTemis]

Pictures,Pictures,PICTURES! Call them up and ask question after Question after QUESTION!!!!
I did that with 2 Saabs and also Audi TT! Its risky but if you look and compare the pictures you have with others of other E30's then you will know.
Its exciting! Also don't be afraid to make them take the car back if your not happy!
I did that with my 3rd Saab. Thats why I have an AUDI TT now! I flew from Virginia to Ohio. Then last min. back home.

[Club Cheetah]

Get all your paperwork straightened out i.e. Odometer disclosure. I'm currently trying to get this one piece of God Damn paper signed by a seller that was recently deployed.

Buying from a soldier about to get deployed= good deal and help a guy out,

Not getting every single document filled out properly before he leaves= FML

[JetBlue]

Have a local member here go check the car out for you. Then get a PPI before you make the trip.

[Fanatic]

Get all your paperwork straightened out i.e. Odometer disclosure. I'm currently trying to get this one piece of God Damn paper signed by a seller that was recently deployed.

Buying from a soldier about to get deployed= good deal and help a guy out,

Not getting every single document filled out properly before he leaves= FML

Can you mail the paperwork back and forth? Obviously it's not ideal and it's gonna take a while, but there should be notaries and even JAG overseas if he needs to use their services for it. I'm also assuming this is something that you can't scan in and email...

[Club Cheetah]

Can you mail the paperwork back and forth? Obviously it's not ideal and it's gonna take a while, but there should be notaries and even JAG overseas if he needs to use their services for it. I'm also assuming this is something that you can't scan in and email...


Uh... I sent my initial letter to the Army asking the whereabouts and/or POA of the soldier. I'll let ya know in a couple weeks when its all sorted out. Hopefully... They do everything by paper and US mail to create a paper trail. It apparently happens all the time but takes a while.

[cbock]

I bought my A6 from Virginia and had it shipped to San Diego.

Summary:
Found it on Autotrader.
Ran Carfax. (Single owner. Clean CF)
Paypal'd money to a "local" friend to cover cost of PPI at trusted local shop. Kicked in a little extra for his time.
Haggled price over phone with dealer.
Bought car via credit card (bank wouldn't finance out of state vehicle w/out passing smog).
Had dealer take car to DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers).
Picked up car in SD 5 days later.
Got it smogged.
Got bank loan. Paid off CC.
Registered at DMV.
Enjoyed car for over 2 years now.

Simple.