popo

I'm looking at 1996-1998 Honda Civics, looking to spend up to $6000, car to be used for commuting.

I've been checking out ebay and may decide to start bidding. For the sake of sanity, I'm only looking at cars in my area so that I can easily pick it up myself.

So, how do you go about paying for it, getting it inspected, etc? Anything special to watch out for in the process? Also, would you buy a later model salvaged car or is it not worth the risk?

TIA.

DEI37

Buying a salvaged car is a big mistake. I've learned that lesson. Not through an unreliable car, but by being upside down on it...big time. Buying cars over the internet is a risky proposition, regardless of how honest the other persons are. Personally, I would look at dealerships within 150 miles of you...there's GOT to be something in a 300 mile radius...don't you think?

__________________
Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

popo

There definitely is. What makes that so much more reliable than buying off eBay if I the eBay car is also in my area?

Thanks for the help.

KeyserSoze

Buying form a dealership that is selling a car on e-bay is safe. Always try to buy from a larger dealership before you go to on of those corner lots. Why? Well those corner lots sell what the big boys don't want to because it would have costed them more dollars then it was worth. The guys on the corner lots buy them cheap and patch them up and make them look real puuuuurty.

I ran some cars on Karpower on different Civics.

1998 Civic LX 69k miles Auto

Wholesale Retail

$6975.00 $9620.00

Take this car for example, if a big named dealership took thi in trade he most likely paid between 4500 and 5500 will advertise it for 8995 and when he sells it to you for 7995 he made a tidy profit, not counting what he will make on he back end. If the car was at an auction and is clean the little man will not be able to pay as much as him, which means they get the leftovers.......frame,flood,salvage and general pieces of shit.

You buy off e-bay MAKE SURE you have the car inspected, get the vin# and run a carfax take the vin# to a local dealers service dept. and have them run the history on the car. DO NOT buy from someone who demands cash and wants to meet in a parking lot somewhere.

DON'T buy a salvage title as it's hard to get it insured and you will regret it. If you find a particular car the peaks your interest, drop me a pm and I will help. If you see one at a dealership DEFINITLY drop me a pm with the info as I can call and save you some dollar bills no matter what state you in with a 10 minute phone call to them as I have done for many of my friends and family that don't live near me.

Now you ask why would I help a complete stranger?? Well, this will give you a good laugh but I AM one of the few HONEST car guys still in the business, and I hate seeing people getting FUCKED by some of these scumbags that are in my profession.

Either way bro if you need help even if its asking what you should pay for a certain car feel free to ask.

Good luck and happy motoring. Oh, and I have a SL55 that has been reduced to $139,999.00 still on our lot

__________________
THERE IS NO KEYSER SOZE!!

89transam

Ive bought two cars off ebay...both good experiances.

I would say...when I bought my first car the guy took pictures of EVERYTHING. I mean every little detail that was wrong there was a picture of it, like " the cars not perfect it has this this and these chips here"

They were tiny little things but it kinda showed that the guy wasent trying to hide anything. Then again if you wanted to hide somehting that it just what you would probobly do.

Recently my bro picked up a 97 contour for $3,000 . No salvage, perfect condition 59 K miles. The deals are out there.

__________________
I'd rather be rich than stupid.

popo

Hey thanks for the great tips. Keyser, PM on the way.

Spyder_Venom

I bought my race car off ebay. Just trust your instinct and ask a lot of questions, write down the awnsers. Then a day later I asked some of the same questions again and check with the original awnser. You would be amazed at how many people were full of shit when it came to this.

Using a Escrow service is often a good way to go, but be careful, several people have been scammed using them. I never thought there would be a day when a ESCROW would be currupt.

If the guy really want to sell his car, they shouldn't have any problems taking addtional pictures. Have them take jam shots and under carridge shots if rust is a issue. Do a car fax on the vechial as well as any dealer/ warrantee information. I feel its just as safe as going through a dealer, hell I actually prefer it!

__________________
The local track whore

JStrider

if the person selling the car on ebay is in your immediate area im sure they could arrange a test drive before the auction ends...

__________________
-=JStrider=-

~Clatto Verata Nicto