Buying a car from afar

unbeam

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CAT Member
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Recently I was sorely tempted by the "garage find" Mk ll Tiger in Orlando. Looked largely untouched and original, with all of the correct trim pieces. But the listing was for $65,000, with an unknown seller, and odd elements of it being listed on both coasts, with multiple price points. This of course made me cautious. It has been sold (anyone know who bought it?) My question-- is there a safe way to buy a car y from a distance? Obviously a personal inspection is best, and buying from a known seller. But what if that is not the case, or not possible? What is the safest way for both buyer and seller, to transfer funds? Thanks, David
 
I sold a car abroad years ago and the buyer hired an "expert" to come see the car and take hundreds of pics. I know there are services out there like that, but with the number of CAT members coast to coast hopefully someone lives close and could go see it.
 
I sold a car abroad years ago and the buyer hired an "expert" to come see the car and take hundreds of pics. I know there are services out there like that, but with the number of CAT members coast to coast hopefully someone lives close and could go see it.

Do as the above suggested find a “Expert” of the car type that you are looking at. I know from experience having the car looked at by a pro is well worth the cost.... they will separate the good from the bad. All (most) sellers of hype the car that they are selling,

Good luck in your search.
 
Getting an inspection is ideal... As for transferring money, direct bank transfer to an account in the name of a person.. Not some entity.

Ideally the seller will be known.. If not... Its a roll of the dice.

I have bought 3 cars from usa. 2 from known members, so no issues.

1 from ebay.. I sent an intial deposit and kept up communication.. Was a bit unnerving... But worked out in the end.
 
I bought my Tiger from California, I am in Australia. It was on Ebay as a very damaged barn type. I contacted a Club member from Cal who was nice enough to not only verify the Tiger was a Tiger, he also sourced a alpine that was cut up for the neccessary body parts needed and they were all shipped to me here in Aus.
 
I bought my current Tiger sight unseen 30 years ago. A dealer had bought the car at auction but was not a Tiger expert. I had previously owned a Tiger and knew what to look for, so I asked him to take his portable phone out to the car and look at several different areas of the car and describe what he saw. By the end of our conversation I was sure I he had a real Tiger and we struck a deal.
 
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