Have you ever bought a vehicle online, sight unseen except for pictures?

[Jstpssng]

Where is it at in NC? Might be able to take a look at it for you?

I appreciate the offer but they sent me a copy of the door sticker and it isn't quite heavy enough for what I'm looking for. It's still a good truck for somebody though; $4500 for a clean 1995 F250 2WD.

 

[oosik]

Yes - I just dropped a BUNDLE on a brand new 2018 Ram 2500 series Power Wagon. I had never touched nor driven one prior to this purchase. The only thing I was able to agree with prior to this purchase - the color. The dealer had a 2018 Ram that was the color I was getting.

It finally arrived from the Chrysler assembly plant in Saltillo, MX, a month ago. Of course, I was able to look at pictures of the unit prior to purchase but nothing - "in the flesh".

The only difficulties - the almost vertical learning curve for all the digital displays & software programs on this vehicle. It has certainly made me realize how far back in the 20th century I was still lodged. I'm learning - it's very interesting - one of these days I may even have it ALL mastered.

PLUS - my old Samsung flip phone was not compatible. Sooo..... I now have an Apple iPhone XR. It's compatible with the programs on the new truck and has just as many new programs to master also.

 

[Diggin It]

Maybe it's just that I haven't been vehicle shopping for so long, but is $4500 for a 95 a good price? That seems a bit high. I paid $4500 for my 95 Taurus when I bought it 15 years ago. Those are selling for $1500 or less now. Yes, I know trucks can cost more (and do more) than a passenger car.

 

[Jstpssng]

A $1500 pickup is only one step away from the junkyard... and don't ask me how I know that. Up here they are all rusted out long before the running gear wears out. Then again I don't seem to come across the "deals" that others do.

The same company also have a 1985 D350 that would probably suit my needs, but I'll have to think on that one for a while.

 

[JJZ 109]

Once. Worst impulse buy ever. Thought it would be cool to have an old bricknose F250. Found a 1987. The body was as nice as described. Mechanically it turned into a nightmare. As soon as I got it fixed up and running beautifully I pedaled that SOB. I didn't want to trust it any further. I was 55 at the time, you'd think I would know better. Taking a total stranger on the other side of the country at his word and being optimistic are a bad combination.
The truck price wasn't bad. But after shipping and repairs were tacked on I lost my backside on that deal. Another installment on life's tuition.

Maybe it's just that I haven't been vehicle shopping for so long, but is $4500 for a 95 a good price? That seems a bit high. I paid $4500 for my 95 Taurus when I bought it 15 years ago. Those are selling for $1500 or less now. Yes, I know trucks can cost more (and do more) than a passenger car.

Look at prices on eBay right now for trucks a lot older than that '95. The used truck market seems to be hot at this point in time.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Ive done it 4 times. One from a dealer in southern VA, one from a dealer in Ohio, one from Berlin City Auto Group in NH/Maine, one from a dealer in Md (totally unseen, dealer delivered). For me, I think going through a dealership was easier/best. The only thing I would have been out of pocket on was my personal transportation to/from if I didnt like it when I got to see it. If your not afraid to spend the travel time/money, go for it.

96 F25 Ford powerful diesel 7.3 auto AC New tires excell - $2 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

97 Ford f25hd xlt interior power windows power door locks 46 engine automatic - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

 

[terryknight]

bought a truck off ebay sight unseen. bid what i thought was a low bid and i'd be happy paying. wound up winning. drove up to CT drove it home. did a little work to it drove it 2 years. sold if for more than i had in it. it's still running around the county being used

Ive done it 4 times. One from a dealer in southern VA, one from a dealer in Ohio, one from Berlin City Auto Group in NH/Maine, one from a dealer in Md (totally unseen, dealer delivered). For me, I think going through a dealership was easier/best. The only thing I would have been out of pocket on was my personal transportation to/from if I didnt like it when I got to see it. If your not afraid to spend the travel time/money, go for it.

96 F25 Ford powerful diesel 7.3 auto AC New tires excell - $2 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

97 Ford f25hd xlt interior power windows power door locks 46 engine automatic - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

that first one is a scam

 

[crazyal]

If you are looking at a truck for sale in NC beware. I did the same thing and bought my Tundra out of SC. The problem is that a lot of trucks down there came from up here. The best way to know where they spent their life was with the carfax. It'll tell you where it was sold, where work was done to it, and usually where it was registered each year. If you are going to go down there to buy a vehicle then find one that's a true southern vehicle with no rust.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
That's my plan. I will definitely go with the Carfax; even southern trucks could have been flooded in one of the hurricanes they've been having down there.

 

[ning]

I've mostly-bought, sight unseen ... basically negotiate the entire deal, make it clear that if my inspection & drive agree with the seller's description, I'll pay such and such a price -- and also that if anything is obviously not so, or if the seller tries a different price, I'll walk immediately.

I've done this often since '90 when I first did it, didn't want to drive 80mi just to haggle with a salesdroid and find out we weren't compatible.

Last time, we flew to Vancouver BC (from CA USA) and bought a car for tons less than local (and way fewer miles... er, km), even with import fees. Worked out great.