If you bought a car off EBay would you buy from a dealer?

[RickM]

Just curious.

If Yes then why?

If your answer is no what would persuade you?

I figure the following may sway me:

- Automatic CarFax and PPI report. Yes, it might be self administered but it's better than what's typically offered. Negatives would be pointed out or addressed.

- Maint records. Not usually available but if available to dealer then they would be made available to the buyer...if possible.

- Offer a warranty for extra cost.

- Offer competitive financing....must be pre approved (before auction end or "buy-it-now).

- Potential client free to inspect/test drive car.

[widebody911]

A car would have to be pretty damn special for me to buy it off of ebay. It's tricky enough buying one in person and not getting screwed, much less buying one on the basis of somoene's write up on an auction site. I might consider it if it was close enough for me to drive down and check it out, in which case it's really no different than buying from the Auto Trader, but I wouldn't do one of those cross-country goose chases for a car. Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm in California, where all of the nice, rust-free Porsche emmigrate

[RickM]

Thom, Good feedback. Actually I probably wouldn't buy a car if it weren't local as well.
However, many people do buy sight unseen so I'm trying to figure what would be the most attractive way to carry out such transactions.

[jgbnm]

I bought one off of Ebay from a "used car dealer" in Florida. It was a '95 Lexus SC300 5-speed. Quite hard to find. I worked out well for me but it was a LONG few weeks waiting for it to arrive. Sold it after a year when I got my 911. Needed a more practical vehicle.

I can't say for sure that I wouldn't buy another one on Ebay, but it would have to be special. New Mexico is not the best place in the world to find interesting vehicles.

Jon