Would you buy a car sight unseen??
08-02-2006, 05:05 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
Everyone fudges when it comes time to selling a car. Even if they think they're up front, people's definition of pristene is way different.
Have someone from here eyeball the car at the very least.
Have someone from here eyeball the car at the very least.
08-02-2006, 05:11 PM
#17
Nordschleife Master
Might I suggest you contact a local dealer and have the car taken to that dealer for a full inspection.
Likely this will cost no more than a roundtrip ticket and won't waste your time, and unless you are an expert, you won't find everything anyway.
Likely this will cost no more than a roundtrip ticket and won't waste your time, and unless you are an expert, you won't find everything anyway.
08-02-2006, 07:25 PM
#20
Race Car
My $.02 ... post a request on the 993 board asking someone to go check it out. I have done this several times for buyers looking for a car in my area. Most of the 993 guys are fanatic and will be more that willing to help and have a good eye for typical issues. Someone will usually check it out within a day or two.
If I really trusted the RL inspector and the PPI, I would do it remotely.
If I really trusted the RL inspector and the PPI, I would do it remotely.
08-02-2006, 07:32 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
Every car I've purchased sight-unseen has had some blemish or paint issue. I've purchased maybe 4 cars this way and would suggest viewing your car. I purchased my 997S cab this way, and sure enough, it was scraped on the rear bumper. I had to have the car repainted (rear bumper) to alleviate the problem. It was damaged during transport. Do your homework and accept only ULTRA-HIGH resolution photos in good light for examination. Be careful and don't trust anyone blindly.
08-02-2006, 07:50 PM
#22
I have purchased 2 Porsche's sight unseen and sold one the same way.
One purchase experience was OK and one was great. If you know what you are looking for and pay to have a thorough PPI done by someone of your choosing (and that is reputable) and specifically spell out what you are paying to get then you will be fine. The most important thing is to be comfortable and confident with your PPI provider and spend some time discussing your situation and what you are looking for (i.e. they are your eyes because you won't see the car, you are picky, etc., you want to know everything about the car both the good and the bad). Be very specific with the PPI people in what they should look for in addition to the mechanical issues.
My so/so experience was because my PPI was crap. I still likely would have bought the car because it was what I wanted and I was getting a decent deal but I would have negotiated more with a better PPI. The red flags were there when I talked with the dealership but I just didn't notice them.
One purchase experience was OK and one was great. If you know what you are looking for and pay to have a thorough PPI done by someone of your choosing (and that is reputable) and specifically spell out what you are paying to get then you will be fine. The most important thing is to be comfortable and confident with your PPI provider and spend some time discussing your situation and what you are looking for (i.e. they are your eyes because you won't see the car, you are picky, etc., you want to know everything about the car both the good and the bad). Be very specific with the PPI people in what they should look for in addition to the mechanical issues.
My so/so experience was because my PPI was crap. I still likely would have bought the car because it was what I wanted and I was getting a decent deal but I would have negotiated more with a better PPI. The red flags were there when I talked with the dealership but I just didn't notice them.
08-02-2006, 08:28 PM
#24
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I have seen both extremes:
It work out once for me. Picked up a ‘71 Trams Am out of NorCal.
It was as represented and the deal closed. I even drove it home. Now if I could get those four hours at the Denver airport back. 
A friend flew to SoCal to buy a DeSoto. Looked it over, had a pizza, and then flew home. He still jokes about it being the most expensive pizza he ever bought. Must have been the cheese from the happy cows.
At this point I would follow the advice given and have someone trustworthy do an inspection.
It work out once for me. Picked up a ‘71 Trams Am out of NorCal.
It was as represented and the deal closed. I even drove it home. Now if I could get those four hours at the Denver airport back. A friend flew to SoCal to buy a DeSoto. Looked it over, had a pizza, and then flew home. He still jokes about it being the most expensive pizza he ever bought. Must have been the cheese from the happy cows.
At this point I would follow the advice given and have someone trustworthy do an inspection.
08-02-2006, 08:54 PM
#25
I had a friend verify the condition of the car and settled the payment in exchange of title. So the car was bought unseen but not blindly. A PPI can verify the car's condition mechanically and cosmetically. I'd not let this stop you from buying if you can get what you want at a great price.
08-02-2006, 09:52 PM
#27
Racer
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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I did, but only felt okay about it after my uncle checked it out for me - just so happens that he lives about 10 minutes from the dealer I bought it from. Between him and the many pictures the dealer sent, I felt fine about it.
