Have Any Of You Ever Bought A Car on eBay?

[Mike4AU]

I have been looking quite a bit for a car for my son. His first car. I want to get him a BMW (what can I say, I'm a BMW kinda guy)...a 323 or 325 with 65K or less miles....$10-$12K. I know these cars are out there, but I keep missing on them.

In any event, I am now considering getting one off eBay. What do ya think? Tell me about the pitfalls.

Thanks for any help.

Mike

[JazzySmooth]

I have been looking quite a bit for a car for my son. His first car. I want to get him a BMW (what can I say, I'm a BMW kinda guy)...a 323 or 325 with 65K or less miles....$10-$12K. I know these cars are out there, but I keep missing on them.

In any event, I am now considering getting one off eBay. What do ya think? Tell me about the pitfalls.

Thanks for any help.

Mike

I bought my Lexus SC430 off of Ebay, paid in the neighborhood of $35k at the time. Car was in Boston, I was in Raleigh, NC. Seller was a dealer / wholesaler, so I felt a little more comfortable than if it was an individual. Basically I went by the seller's reputation, and the description / photos of the car. Only issue I ran into was one of the 4 tires had significant wear, which I informed the seller about (with pics) when I got home. He offered to pay for a new replacement, which while took some time to get the money, he did come through.

It can no doubt be a scary thought spending (or committing to spend) a lot of money for something you can't see firsthand. In my case I could have been doubly screwed as I flew up and that car was my way home. Overall I was very happy with my experience and will definitely consider that route again should I again be looking for a particular car, in a particular color, in a particular price range.

[jgeorg5]

I actually sold my 1984 Monte Carlo SS on ebay. I'm in the Chicago area and sold it to a guy from Iowa (who bought it for his son). He drove out to my place the Saturday after the auction ended, with a trailer and a certified check. From my side it went pretty smoothly.

I would get as many pictures as you can, ask all the questions you want, and probably get a car fax, just so you know as much about the car as possible. I would also check the seller's feedback. I would try to make a downpayment by PayPal, and pay the rest upon pick-up. If the car isn't what was claimed, you can get your downpayment back by filing a PayPal claim.

[Mike4AU]

I would try to make a downpayment by PayPal, and pay the rest upon pick-up. If the car isn't what was claimed, you can get your downpayment back by filing a PayPal claim.

Good idea...thanks!

Mike

[Sandbagger]

Mike

I have never bought a car on ebay but since your looking for a BMW.....
take a look at this site, http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php?

you will have to register to see the pics, but they have a sub forum for cars, but if its across the country, you can find other people that are willing to take a first look etc.... and because most enthusiasts keep real good care of there equipment( like in audio) its less likely you run across junk.

[1BionicEar]

I have two friends who have successfully bought Mercedes on eBay. An E55 AMG and a CLS550. Both from dealers.

My son found a Honda del sol on eBay from an individual, but we were close enough to pick it up in person.

Just be careful who you are dealing with.

[Mike4AU]

All good advice...thanks.

Sandbagger, I am a member of bimmerforums and check it quite often. No hits yet, but I keep looking.

Mike

[Sandbagger]

Mike

That is where I found my M3, then had Hugh and then a friend take a look at it for me.

All good advice...thanks.

Sandbagger, I am a member of bimmerforums and check it quite often. No hits yet, but I keep looking.

Mike