need tips on buying sight unseen

Use an escrow service.

 

You can run the transaction through eBay Motors for up to $50k of purchase protection.

 

WHere is the car located? Someone on FChat may know it or can check it out for you.

 

That's it

 

escrow

Keep the honest people honest

 

Send the deposit.
Go buy it yourself.
Take the time.
Spend the money.
Drive it home.
It'll be epic.
Should be more than just a financial transaction.
Should be a life experience.

 

+ 1 totally agree.

Did this with the 308GTB I bought, also sight unseen...drove it 600 miles non-stop the day I picked it up.

 

Can't make it any easier:

https://escrow.com/escrow-101/how-it-works-buyerseller.aspx

 

+1, one of my favorite memories was doing a weekend trip to get mine a thousand miles away.

 

I did all of this except the drive it home part (due to time constraints)

If I had the time, I would have driven if home.

 

did the same thing with my first purchase, flew out, drove it home. wouldn't do it any other way.
Nd

 

Unless you are bringing a bag of cash, most private sellers will not accept a check, even if it's a bank check. They may agree to let the car go with a bank check and hold the title until the funds clear which is OK.

 

Wire transfer.

 

Yep, but that does not address the OP's concern about paying before getting the car. I was addressing the issue of trying to pay in person.

 

You go to the bank together and do the deal. A bag of legal tender is always acceptable.

 

LET ME TAKE THIS ONE! LOL

 

Best tip?

Don't buy a car like this sight unseen.

 

Driven regularly?

 

I'm a dealer and have to deal (no pun intended) with this situation all of the time. Of course, I'm usually the one that people have to trust (as the seller), but I also buy cars sight unseen all of the time.

I never wire money without a signed bill of sale and a copy of the title, front and back. Of course, verify VINs as best you can.

Ultimately, someone has to trust someone. Sure, you can use escrow if you don't have a good feeling about the situation. However, if I didn't have a good feeling, I wouldn't buy the car sight unseen to begin with.

 

You guys are far more trusting than I. Never buy sight unseen. Always get personally involved in the transaction before you write a check. Drive it, smell it, pour over it and bring your best, wisest and most experienced friends to share the experience. After you do your PPI and buy it, then drive it all the way home with your best road rat buddies.

 

I agree with most go and test drive it at the very least make arrangements at a local bank check for a clear title, verify numbers, and if it feels good buy it. If it's to good to be true double check everything.