• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

not a good sign

Share this page

Thanks J-P. If I find the right car out west, and get it checked out before buying, I'd really like to fly out and drive it home. But finding it, and having the pre purchase inspection, is the key. If I fly out and find it "lacking", then at least I've had a interesting trip.

:eek:

I'm interested in your broker idea. But what advantage does that give over me just scouring ebay, craigslist (SearchTempest), Hemmings, BAT, etc.? I'm already leaving "WTB" posts on various big car forums, as well as scouring their "For Sale" sections.

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
NutmegCT said:
I'm interested in your broker idea. But what advantage does that give over me just scouring ebay, craigslist (SearchTempest), Hemmings, BAT, etc.? I'm already leaving "WTB" posts on various big car forums, as well as scouring their "For Sale" sections.

Thanks.
Tom M.
Click to expand...

My sister uses a broker to buy all her (new to her) cars. I think she pays about $500 and he takes care of everything - finds the car, checks it out, negotiates the price the whole nine yards. Scouring the lists is great and having interweb friends is helpful too but, sometimes it is worth it to pay someone to do it for you. At the very least I know that when Mark (Abarth69) bought his Maser in Florida he paid an inspector to go and look - and take literally hundreds of photos. BTW I do know there are classic car brokers that do this - mostly higher end but a gig is a gig.
 
I've done car "inspections" down here for people I knew in Pittsburgh and Maine, what I found was far from what the sellers described and really overpriced: A "Like new" '69 Alfa GTV that was shiny and red, a "Ten at Twenty." Closer look found body filler evidence at the lower rockers and an overall "wavy" look to the bodywork... the other was billed as an "original paint, low miles" '68 VW bug, rusted out floorboards had been sloppily replaced (apparently welded in by someone inexperienced), ~some~ of the paint may have been original but the front fenders had been replaced and they were a shade off from the body. Engine underside was encrusted with muck. They were both listed in the $30K range! feh. Folk are watching too many auctions on th' tellie.

At the least get an inspection. Better yet, pay a broker to do the whole deal. JMHO.
 
Doc - that's always been the plan. Get an inspection.

character-magnifying-glass-16015531-300x293.jpg


But first - got to find a car to inspect!

T.
 
I love the Mercedes ponton body style. The "Tuxedo" car is beautiful - and impressively expensive.

Good luck with the search!
 
Agree on that ponton style for sure. And thanks for the good wishes.

Can't figure out why the seller is asking so much for "Tuxedo". There's no special "provenance", but he does say it's original, not a restoration.

TM
 
Back
Top