Purchasing a distant car that requires delivery - Who has done it?

I'd post in the appropriate regional subforum, see if another fchatter wants to go have a close look for you while you figure out where to get the PPI. Get the PPI before you fly out. Why get yourself excited before you are sure it doesn't need $30k in work.

 

I've purchased a handful of cars like this. My process:

1. Conversation and due diligence on seller
2. View lots of quality pics (on the lift, engine bay, etc.)
3. Redundancy in questions to the seller to insure consistency in the answers he gives
4. Contact someone locally (get names via forums, clubs, etc.)
5. Go look at the car ... in my case, I usually hire someone who is an expert in the marque with a good reputation as they are more qualified than myself. The money/time you save by not traveling can go towards this and it's usually close to a wash.
6. If the hired representative says things look good, then PPI
7. Purchase and ship
8. Enjoy

 

I did it with my 99 Modena.. bought it sight unseen! had trouble sleeping for 2 weeks.

1) Use your own shipper.. not theirs. I used Passport (FedEx) and was very pleased.
2) Use the boards to find someone regarded for the PPI
3) get a PPI!!!!!
4) Is the dealership legit? Are they a legit corp? Any issues with them

It can be a scary experience but buying a car sight unseen can be VERY worth it. Nothing beats the big white van that appears before you and opens to reveal your car.

 

One year ago I bout my 550 from Ferrari of Seattle sight unseen. We agreed on a price then I had a PPI done. They helped but I arranged for shipping and when I got it, it was better than described. I would not hesitate buying like that again as long as the dealer I was buying from a very reputable dealership. I was looking at a 360 from continental in Chicago and I would buy from them sight unseen. If you trust the dealer and PPI go for it

 

To reinforce what everyone is saying above, it's easier to get someone else to do a sanity check on the car first before you bother flying somewhere to see it. Whether you hire a third party mechanic or get a local FChat or FCA friend to inspect it, someone will tell you if it is even worth your time to bother with buying a plane ticket.

 

I would let the dealer pick it up and go through it. Complete maintenance records a must. Last major,plugs,fluid changes,tire age. Get the dealer to give you a fix it estimate. Negotiate. Ship it. Or have issues corrected there and drive it. It was late in the year,temps cold,possibility of rain,snow so I shipped. Didn't want to try to figure out the car in a lousy weather drive. GTS Bruce

 

I purchased mine sight unseen thru a F dealer in Long Island . PPI done they shipped the car to Florida . No problems . If you want to fly out to look at it have the PPI done in advance. Also you are buying a Ferrari . I would not worry about a hotel room . Enjoy the adventure it's half the fun.

 

Solid advice.

 

Sight unseen off of Craigslist. Owner was an Italian who didn't speak great English but a local exotic shop well known on this board knew the car and the owner. They did the ppi and brokered the sale then arranged discount shipping as they are a volume dealer. I had a deal for a euro 308 fall out because the local dealer didnt want me to get a ppi as they already had one and they would not allow me to go through another dealer. They had been in business just a short time. I am a business lawyer and one thing you must be careful of is the bankruptcy of the dealer. Their cars have first liens. If you give them money and they go bk (involuntarily) you lose your money and get no car.

Good luck and watch out!

 

Agree with this. Actually I'm taking my own advice now as I look for my next car...

If the sanity check works out, then book a flight. If you're in Dallas, you can get anywhere in the US fairly inexpensively. And the airfare is a lot cheaper than buying the wrong car. You really can only tell so much from photos.