Quote:
Originally Posted by jh_on_the_cape
Has anyone here ever purchased a used car online, but sight-unseen?
I am considering buying a used car, then flying to pick it up, take a little vacation with the car, then drive it home.
I supposed I could back out when I see the car, but at that point I am pretty committed.
I admit to being a little hesitant to do this!
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I bought my Tundra off eBay--in an auction (before most listings turned into Classifieds) and had it shipped to me.
Like ShovelHD, my experience was a little mixed as well--the truck was low mileage (as stated) but it definitely had been hit in the front end (not disclosed--but fairly minor) and had some damage along the top of the box rails (still don't know how that happened?).
None of these things were deal breakers--it was a truck (and has been used like one) and had been incredibly reliable, and I may have bought it off a lot with similar issues, but the non-disclosure rankled.
If I were to do it again, I would not buy from a small seller as I did (he lasted for about another 5 minutes on the 'Bay until he was bad-repped out of business), and I would only buy from a seller with top ratings with a buyback guarantee.
All that said, newer cars are more like appliances (unlike a vintage car like a 2002), and brand, mileage, and some additional research should let you know if the average car like the one you are considering is a decent buy, and on average you will do OK.