People buy cars on eBay?

[PoorMan]

This is a scary concept to me, but there are plenty of cars to be found on eBay. Can anyone share their experiences? Good idea? Bad?

**** I've added pics on pg 2 ****

[mazspeed]

Hey Poorman. I'm glad you're looking around. I bought my car on e-bay, and would not do it again. In fact if I ever run into the old owner I'm going to put my foot in his ass.
Having said that, there are some good deals. Look out for the "But it now" for real cheap. These are scams. If you do find a car that you want, post it on a web board like this for someone in the area to check it out for you. DO NOT BUY SIGHT UNSEEN! I paid 20k for my car and it was worth 10. If you find a car in the bay area, I will look at it for you before you go and bid on a car that might not be what it seems. E-bay can be good, it can be bad, and it just depends on how well you look around. And by asking all these questions, it seems as if you are one of the smarter guys looking to find something good for your money, and doing everything you can like research, which is what I wish I had done. So you're already off on the right foot. Before you bid, find someone in the area who can do a check on the car for you. That's the best advice that I can give about e-bay.

[PoorMan]

Thanks, Mazspeed. It didn't even occur to me that a forum bro might be willing to look over a car for me. I should probably create a new thread, but if anyone is around the Glendale, AZ area and is willing to take a look at the car for me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4647424449&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Thanks,
Dave

[KillaCamaro67]

thats a nice nova!

[mazspeed]

That's a real nice Nova. Anyone in the Glendale area willing to take a look?

[PoorMan]

thats a nice nova!

I'm just worried floorpans are rusted out or something like that. He states there are some "tender areas" underneath the car. :_paranoid None of the pics show detail of normal rust areas (around windows, quarter panels, fenderwells etc.)

I saw a bunch of cars at Pomona that looked real nice from 10 ft away, but then when you get close and look at the trouble areas (sure enough) thar be rust!!!

[mazspeed]

I'm just worried floorpans are rusted out or something like that. He states there are some "tender areas" underneath the car. :_paranoid None of the pics show detail of normal rust areas (around windows, quarter panels, fenderwells etc.)

I saw a bunch of cars at Pomona that looked real nice from 10 ft away, but then when you get close and look at the trouble areas (sure enough) thar be rust!!!

And that's exactly what you have to look for. Most pictures will not show that, unless they are very detailed. Under carpets, trunk and floor pans. All of that.

[71Nova]

Looks like a sweet ride. Im sure someone will look at it for you.

[rockdogz]

Bought mine through eBay because it was close enough that I could check it out before hand.

[PoorMan]

Bought mine through eBay because it was close enough that I could check it out before hand.

That would be great...I haven't had that kind of luck thus far though.

[CRCRFT78]

I bought my car from Ebay. Granted it came from CarCraft magazine. Henry D and I talked about it quite a bit before I finally bid on it with a few minutes left. I would recommend trying to find one close enough to you that you can inspect the car. Pictures and documentation speak volumes for a car granted you have enough time to look through it all. Also, I think a seller should be able to answer any & all questions you may have about the vehicle without hesitation. If the owner is clueless or seems shady I would move on. Most will be glad to send you pictures of items you wish to inspect. Just do your homework on the car your looking for. The good thing about these forums is that fellow members are always willing to help out when they can. Alot of members are willing to look at cars for other members and I would trust an unknown member of the forum before I took the owners word. Its sad to say, but alot of car owners nowadays are out for the quick dollar.

[G-Body]

I traded my 84 olds cultass, on ebay. I was looking for an older Hot rod i have a 56 Cehvy street machine and was looking something a little more radical and found a perfect project car a 48 Aero fleetline Pro Street, guy owned and workd on the car 7 years and his wife said if she had to look at it another year unfinished she was leaving him lol and he said all his buddies were drivng in completed cars so we traded straight up, Car was beter than i would ever thought was alitttle leary buying a car site unseen but we sent updated photos a ton of them and got a real nice hot rod fenders have been welded and smooth to the car firewall smoothed and alot of hard work already done, lookng forward to fnishing it with my own wheel design and motor,and will be an all black car with red leather interior working on air ride now for mock up but yes was very lucky just had to be patient it was my second try putting my car up on ebay and it payed off

[rocketman]

i have bought acouple on ebay,with no problems,I know some guys who have been screwed.Just have to watch what you buy.

I there should be a clause on cars,if it's not what you think it should have been the bid is cancalled.

[PoorMan]

This is tough one. The Nova looks very nice.

I got a little more info from the seller, he said the car spent most of its life in the midwest and the undercarriage was not restored along with the rest of the car (the pics he sent me show fresh black paint on the undercarriage...so who knows whats under the paint). He said he doesn't think it has rusted through anywhere but there are some spots that are "brittle"--which to means it needs to be cut out and patched.

He acknowledges there is some rust. So it seems like he's being honest. But this is still a scary proposition to me.

...tempting though...

Don't know how to post pics or I'd share...maybe I can figure it out.

[PoorMan]

Here we go...

[PoorMan]

And a couple more...

[mazspeed]

It's hard to see but it looks as if there was some cheap patch work on the driver’s side under the seat. The outside looks much better then the underside. There is some rust, doesn't look terrible, but doesn't look that great if you're looking for a car that you don't have to do any rust repair on. Rust repair can be really costly if you want it nice underneath. Also looks as if the owner did a 5 minute black rattle can job under the car. I would give this car a pass unless you can get a good deal on it.

[PoorMan]

Letting this one go. Besides, after the car show today I feel utterly lost in a sea of cool rides...I don't even know what I want anymore.