Has anyone bought a car on Ebay? and how do you know how good it runs, etc....?

I bought my car from E-Bay. It's a local car though (well not really that close to me.. about 50mi away...) so I drove up to NH and checked it out!

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

There've been several good threads about experiences / suggestions about buying on e-bay.

Do a search and see what comes up.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Make sure you know who you are dealing with. There was an article in August issue Boat U.S. magazine warning consumers be smart when making purchase on e-Bay. Someone bought a Porsche for $50K on e-Bay, and was told to wire the money to this "financial institute" instead of directly to the seller. Thinking what can go wrong doing business with an "institute"? WRONG!! Both the seller and the "institute" are fakes. The guy lost $50K and when reported to e-Bay, there was not a thing e-Bay could do.

I recently had an experience with e-Bay. They said I default on an item I bidded. Came to find out, it was not the item I bidded and many thanks to this forum members' suggestions as how to handle the situation.

I seriously doubt I will ever purchase from e-Bay again. Too many dishonest people out there.

__________________
95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

I fell in love with my 1988 300CE on ebay. Ad had lots of pics and seller feedback (as a SELLER) was very positive. Seller took car to local MB dealer for an inspection at my request and expense. Had some things fixed and we basically agreed to split the cost. Cost of inspection was $140 I think...cheap insurance!

I flew down to Tampa from NJ and inspected the car personally before I paid for the car. Seller was most cooperative and easy to deal with. He told me he would pay for my ticket home if I didn't like the car. I brought it home on the autotrain.

My advice is to have any car inspected by an authorized dealer and have them deal directly with you. Have the report sent to you and then discuss and negotiate extra repair cost with seller.
Then if possible delay paying for the car until you see it and drive it in person. Avoid wiring money and having the car shipped to you unseen if possible.

Also, do contact others who have purchased cars from the seller and get their stories. If they aren't happy they will certainly let you know.
Run a carfax report to learn about the car's history.

I also have been swindled out of the purchase price on another ebay car transaction...but that's another story..
BE CAREFUL...

PS... I love the car ...a real eye-catcher!!

Jim McLaughlin
Cape May NJ

I purchased a Range Rover off ebay but it was a local fellow, I saw the car, talked to the mechanic, etc.... In the process, I learned that many used dealer cars are consigned cars from car brokers. I'll never purchase a used car from a dealer again.

And, to get something unusual, like a SAAB AERO or low millage 928, Ebay is the most efficient way to search. I couldn't agree more with the prior post...top to bottom inspection is vital.

just bought a pair of nice mex tex palimino seats for my 81 SD for $51.00 on Ebay they were out of an 85 TD and came with bottom cushions of back seat so shipping was 170 pounds so hardly any bidding, I won bid and drove up to get them,I had been looking for seats for over a year........
William Rogers......