Buying from interstate.

L7back Slammed & Awesome Dubber

89 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 26 Nov 2011, 9:22 am

#874298

G'day all. Does anybody have some tips on buying a car from an interstate seller eg best method of payment, how to have the car transported any unexpected pitfalls etc? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

72 Bay Microbus, 67 Squareback, 59 Deluxe Bug👍:

ragged Just ask if you need HELP!

478 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Nov 2011, 11:57 am

#874311

Pitfalls of buying a car unsighted (albeit from interstate) is you are relying on the honesty of the seller.
If you let people know where you are located it would be a great start.
Then if you advise where and what you are interested in, somebody might be close by and willing to have a look for you.
If all has gone well to this point, you might then arrange for the local Auto Association to do an inspection.
That is of course the vehicle is registered and the owner is willing to take it to the local Auto Association for a once over.
Then of course someone has to pay for the inspection.
I also assume that the owner has nothing to hide, or else he may not co-operate.
My best tip is to use the services of professionals, who will charge you a fee, remembering that fee is a great investment in not ending up with a LEMON.

Cheers Dave

L7back Slammed & Awesome Dubber

89 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 26 Nov 2011, 12:29 pm

#874316

Exactly the sort of tip i'm after. Thanks Dave 👍

72 Bay Microbus, 67 Squareback, 59 Deluxe Bug👍:

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 26 Nov 2011, 1:31 pm

#874322

yes some good tips
however
don't expect a glowing report from the auto ass report
they obviously want old 'junkers' off the road imao as if there were no new pos around what would fill those endless mags?
you'd never buy an old car with one of those inspection reports as there would be a toilet roll sized list for the report,
they would prolly FAIL a new car in the showroom
in saying that trying to get another vw'er to check it out would be more valuable from someone who has em than a report from someone who's pride and joy, apple of their eye, worked all there life for = an i30 :insert spew emoticon here: 😂
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greedy53 Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,062 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 26 Nov 2011, 6:48 pm

#874359

get as many pics as possable and not of the pretty paint but the other stuff like underside the a piller and b foot well battery base yep lots of pics if the seller is honest he wont mind

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mikkelly Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Sep 2010 · 28 Nov 2011, 6:28 pm

#874686

sometimes you just need to trust you gut feeling, and with a great deal of trust and trepidation, just buy!!! If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 28 Nov 2011, 7:23 pm

#874697

I don't recommend the above ^ we bought a karmann Ghia sight unseen, spoke to the guy (who is on this forum) and he sounded genuine, answered all our questions, turns out they were all lies. Told us what he knew we would want to hear.

If you can't afford to go see it, find someone with a good reputation and experience on here local to the area to check it out for you!

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
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DUB64 Officially Full-On Dubber

266 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 30 Nov 2011, 7:54 am

#874969

Have doen this a number of times mostly with good results.

I always found talking, talking, talking and then heaps of pics helps.

Once I have established a relationship with the seller and are as sure as I can be about the car I do two things.

1) Get a local friend/forum member/expert to have a look

2) Offer the seller half the price up front and the other half upon delivery. Some sellers will kick up but I have always said if you expect me to trust you about your description you need to trust me with your car.

The only time I get in trouble was when I sold my silver beetle to someone else! I offered them the half now half upon arrival deal. They took it and then told me the car had arrived damaged and they would be keeping it but not paying the other half.

If anyone sees a 76 Super in porsche silver let me know. Even though it cost me only $1000 overall I don't really care as I would love the car back!!!

DUB64 Officially Full-On Dubber

266 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 30 Nov 2011, 7:59 am

#874971

Car was in Dubbo when I sold it!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Nov 2011, 2:10 pm

#875013

L7back wrote:G'day all. Does anybody have some tips on buying a car from an interstate seller eg best method of payment, how to have the car transported any unexpected pitfalls etc? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Best to have someone You know look at it...

My Son flew from Sydney to Adelaide couple of years ago to buy a beetle....

All the pics of the beetle... [were fake...-sort of]
When He got there...

ALL the good bits were on another beetle....
complete with over spray.... ??

lucky He didn't pay before He saw....

so, photos can be misleading... .... mostly not???

plus, Your thoughts on what is good on a car
maybe entirely different to the seller....

BEWARE --- I know this makes it very difficult...

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 30 Nov 2011, 3:01 pm

#875027

i have bought 2 split kombis, 1 kg and 1 porsche sight unseen from interstate, if the price is ok, i usually expect the worst and if its better than expected im happy, so far i cant complain, bear in mind 2 of these cars were 15-20 grand each so it was a little bit of a worry😂

i am also an ex panel beater and do all my own work
for those who cant it would be worse

1 1963 356b porsche coupe
2 1960 karmann ghia cab
1 1965 karmann ghia cab
1 1966 karmann cab
1 1961 split ute
1 1967 split p/van
1 1952 standard bug
1 1963 ragtop
1 1960 ragtop
2 1954 ovals
1 1956 oval baja project
1 1957 oval flying flea

3amigos Seriously Crusin Dubber

100 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 4 Dec 2011, 9:22 pm

#875645

I have brought 4 kombis, 3 sight unseen. A 73(off a local), 72(ebay/kc) and a 74(off kc) and a 58 split (off dsk) . Best thing i could suggest is to go through the owners pedigree if they happen to be in a club. I was lucky enough to be able to research the owners, that is check their posts or find someone that, u trust, that would vouch for them. On all 3 interstate purchases i was more than happy with the condition/price of the kombis (esp the 58, described perfectly)...do your homework, like the pics and price = sale

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