"dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter" (dsigned001)
05/21/2016 at 16:01 • Filed to: None
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"dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter" (dsigned001)
05/21/2016 at 16:01 • Filed to: None | 1
| 16 |
I’m looking to buy an Audi A4 Avant with a manual (2005.5-2008), with less than 100000 miles. At any given time, it seems like there are usually about two of these cars for sale nationwide. I really don’t want to drive the damn thing 24 hours back : I really wouldn’t mind paying a $700 destination charge (or whatever). So my question is: how would I go about finding a dealer that’s trustworthy enough to entrust the task to? Or should I resign myself to flying out to look at it, and just eating the cost of the ticket (and time)?
EDIT: So I called on one of the cars, and apparently NY makes you drive a car before you can buy it. I didn’t ask if I could have someone else drive it for me, though. The guy also said it would likely be $2000 to ship (seems high, but it’s NY to CO).
E90M3
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:12 |
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I’d rather save the trip and just get it shipped, plus the cost of the flight and then gas home. I drove my explorer 17 hours straight before, and that was miserable, driving the 1 series for 12 or the M3 for 10 wasn’t as bad, still kinda sucked. When I was looking for my M3 I wanted a sedan with a 6 speed, leather, and idrive, with less than 25k on it. That proved to be a challenge, I finally found one but the problem was it was in Dallas and I was living in Corpus Christi at the time. The plan was to fly up there and buy it. So I called the salesman, and told him that and he had a much better idea. This was the last weekend in July and he wanted to get the car sold that month, since I couldn’t fly up until August, he had an alternative plan, he was like how about I ship the car to you for free. So that’s what we did, and the car showed up 2 days later. I wasn’t too worried about the mechanicals because it was in warranty at the time and BMW would fix it for free.99 and it looked great in the pictures, I also guess buying it from a Porsche dealer didn’t hurt either.
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dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
> E90M3
05/21/2016 at 16:14 |
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So who did you actually fill out paperwork with? Your local dealer? But the salesman in Dallas still got the commission?
Steve in Manhattan
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:14 |
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You have to drive it first. You also have to at least hire a mechanic that you choose to go over the car with a fine-toothed comb before you buy it.
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dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
> Steve in Manhattan
05/21/2016 at 16:18 |
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Yeah, the mechanic thing just isn’t going to be an option. I don’t dispute the value, but I don’t see any way to do it without taking time that I just don’t have.
CB
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:19 |
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Plan B: get a local Opponaut to check out the car for you.
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dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
> CB
05/21/2016 at 16:20 |
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Ha! I’m up for that. Still have to get the car to where I be though (Colorado).
EDIT: That might be a way to get the mechanic inspection as well.
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E90M3
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:22 |
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I filled out a credit application online, sent them a picture of my drivers license, put a $1000 deposit on my credit card and then the guy who brought the car had all the paperwork for me to sign. The dealer had prepared it and all I had to do was sign. I guess this guy moved cars all the time for the dealer, which is probably why they offered to bring it to me for free.
Klaus Schmoll
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:23 |
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I don’t trust dealers, I trust cars. I bought my car from one of the least reputable places. Bad part of town, gravel lot, office is an old trailer, and so on...
The car however had tons of documentation, I could see lots of new parts when it was on the ramp, drove perfectly, so I bought it. I wouldn’t buy a car sight unseen, but that’s just me.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:26 |
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The are many success stories — on oppo, even — of buying cars sight unseen. I don’t think I could do it, but if I did want something pretty rare I would be forced to consider it...
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CB
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:32 |
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You got a girlfriend or boyfriend? Take two weeks off and do a roadtrip?
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Steve in Manhattan
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 16:47 |
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On cartalk.com there’s a page called Mechanix Files - punch in a ZIP Code, and mechanics in the area pop up - they’re people the listeners on the show trust. You can send someone out to look at the car.
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dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
> CB
05/21/2016 at 16:52 |
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Ha. No, a wife and two kids. Hence the wagon. Otherwise I’d do a two day drive a thon, no worries.
zeontestpilot
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 17:18 |
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The movie is Matilda, nice!
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 18:25 |
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Find a shop online and have the selling dealer take the car there for you. If they refuse then bail and find a different car.
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 18:37 |
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Bought mine out of state. Similar situation add yours, but only 700 miles. Wanted a black 210 E55 with red interior and butt fans, which is an exceedingly rare configuration. Did 90% of the paperwork online via docusign and only had to leave my John Hancock on maybe the more lines when I arrived at the dealer. They took it in for a pre purchase inspection for me and everything, including offering to pick me up from the airport (but another opportunity picked me up instead). I thought about having it shipped but quotes were $900-1500 IIRC. Last minute plane ticket, two tanks of gas, and a hotel room halfway still only cost me half of what shipping would have. And the best part is that I spent a weekend having a fun little adventure in my new ride.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/got-it-1753378…
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/breaking-news-…
That's gonna leave a mark!
> dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
05/21/2016 at 20:04 |
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If you want to ship a car, call shippers or go on their website for a free quote. Last quote I got (2 mts ago) was about $1800 to ship from Washington state to Raleigh NC. Don’t pay through a dealer. You pay them for making the phone call on top of what the shipper wants, deal direct with the shipper.
I often fly to another state to buy a car. I am very picky and don’t mind the effort to get the exact car /$ I want. Just bought a car in PA and drove it home to NC. This time a temp PA plate was required but sales tax was paid in NC.