How much effort do you expend chasing cars?

[fastfredracing]

I just drove 10 hours, paid $45.00 in tolls, and got a $145.00 speeding ticket, to purchase a 2500 hd with no rust. Came home empty.
Pulled up at 8 am this morning, and got that sick feeling. I could see the holes in the rocker panels from 30 feet away. He tried to drop the price 2k, and I still walked. I made it very clear that I was looking for a rust free truck, and that is how he advertised it. Explained to him that I was coming a very long way, and was not interested in another rusty truck.
He played dumb, " I never thought to check the other side, I assumed that if the passenger side was clean, that the drivers side would also be " He owned the truck since new. Can you say tool?
But, you can't grab the deals, if you are not prepared to go look, and in today's world, you gotta jump fast when they pop up. So, I am still shopping. On the road again.......

[porsche4life]

Hate to say it, but we've done the same Fred. Sucks to go a long ways only to walk away from the deal.

But if it makes you feel better, the one time we didn't walk and should have, it ended up costing almost as much as we paid for the car in repairs....

[RANDY P]

....about as bad as I do.

My 911-

Searched for A YEAR, and checked the usual sources. One morning, while still foggy-eyed I checked the Portland News Tribune, saw my 911. Called the owner asked the usual questions. That was within 15 minutes of getting up.

Got into my car, drove 4 hours, still in my sweats and did nothing but brush my teeth, saw car left deposit. Seattle to Portland.

Next morning, went down by train picked up 911. Done.

My pickup truck- found black one, owner says it's clean, clean clean, I drove from Vegas to CA unannounced, owner says he's available to show. He no shows. I call and call and when he does respond (via email) says 'truck was totaled' and he collected insurance money - all in the same day. Complete BS, I see the same truck listed the next day. turns out it has a salvage title.

I don't buy salvage.

I wind up seeing the truck I bought, in San Diego, drove over, bought it and stored Mercedes in paid storage. I flew back on southwest 2 weeks later to collect MBZ from storage, which was stored under "First Month $1" deal

BMW- same story as truck. Found what appeared to be beautiful 540I in pics, for a too-good-to-be-true price. Owner swears its perfect. Turns out the seller is a Russian car mechanic and the car is a roached out POS- ticking due to blown chain guides, numerous small dents and dings, CEL that was disconnected, I caught.

I was pissed. I drove from Vegas to CA on a moment's notice cash in hand (In my truck I bought in same fashion nonetheless) Decided to have lunch as a taco shop near LAX. checked CL on phone, saw a black 2003 540I M-sport just popped up- no pics. I called owner to verify if real M-sport (everyone claims to have M--sport, but few do) and turns out, it was a real Msport. Owner asking $8K, but will accept under $6K if right here right now cash deal.

I drove over, saw, and bought. Truck's turn to go to $1 storage

Car has been a headache ever since. These stories are both from the last 24 months.

rjp

[Jrboulder]

I started looking for a 912E in late 2009 and didn't find one until early 2013.

[Seahawk]

It is an interesting question, especially considering how much time is worth.

It is funny, I have done probably 5 PPI's on 2002's, averaging about $90.00 a pop (I am not overly concerned with the condition of the engine since the body on those cars is the cost center, so the price of a rust focused PPI isn't too bad). I know I have saved at least ten times that in pain and anguish.

I have stopped driving and trusting the sellers. I drove to Virginia a few times, same story as yours: Rust free classic, great driver, yuck, yuck. Pulling into their driveway, each time, I could see the rust bubbles. Heart breaking.

I almost pulled the trigger on a '76 2002 in the Bay Area...another poster here took a look for me and all was in order. My Dad has been sick so I waved off.

I did miss one with Sid, who was gracious enough to go take a look for me at a 2002 in Phoenix. Completely my fault that it got away, but I then decided to look at an SL560. No PPI, Pelican guy who went out of his way to make things work. Stupidly satisfied.

You can't always get what you want...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

You can't always get what you want...

But if you try sometimes... well you just might find... You get what you need





Sorry, sorry, sorry...

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have stopped driving and trusting the sellers. I drove to Virginia a few times, same story as yours: Rust free classic, great driver, yuck, yuck. Pulling into their driveway, each time, I could see the rust bubbles. Heart breaking.

Yup. My dad drove to Dallas to get a Corolla with only 12k miles. Supposed to be super straight. Pulls up and can see the body work from the street. Gets closer and finds duct tape holding parts of the bumper cover together.

Uhh... No thanks.

[MMARSH]

I drove 5 hours with a trailer to buy a motorcycle. Talked to the owner quite a bit and got a good vibe, but you never really know till you see it in person. He drove 4 hours to meet me so I felt pretty good everything would be as we discussed.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Done that more times than I can count. I'd say I'm around a 75% success rate though. The good deals typically require a gamble.

[Baz]

I've had really fantastic "luck" if that's what you wanna call it.

Bought 2 vehicles in fact on eBay - sight unseen and no PPI's - and they were both killer deals! One was my '64 356C - if I told you guys the whole story you wouldn't believe it. Even better than a barn find.

Then again the first Porsche I ever bought ('81 SC) from Auto Trader ended up needing new head studs about a year after purchase - but I didn't pay that much for the car and learned how to drop a 911 engine in the process.

My tub from eBay:

[fastfredracing]

Mee too Baz.. I should not really complain. I have had some really incredible deals fall right in my lap when I was not looking.
Just seems that when I am aggressively looking, I really have to work at it, and chase every lead possible. I settled on the last few things I bought because I was rushed, and have had regrets. I am not in a hurry this time, and I am just going to wait for " the one" Nice looking bathtub you have there .

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Done that more times than I can count. I'd say I'm around a 75% success rate though. The good deals typically require a gamble.

Yep, this is what I have learned also. Some times you have to "beat the bushes" and really work at it to grab the good ones.

[id10t]

When Shaun was interested in buying my mom's M491 I did a facetime chat w/ him and showed him the entire car.

In today's world of technology, I can't imagine that most wouldn't do something like this before driving...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

A lot of effort. Some are as described, some aren't even close, some are better. I guess the only good thing is each has been a net very positive in one or another.

Ohio: Junk 78 with tons of 76 Turbo goodies on it. "Oh yeah, I turned the motor over the other day." Seized when I got there. The tail alone made it a good buy though, very profitable car.




76 Tub better than expected


MA: 86 Cab I'm heavily restoring now for a friend as a surprise for his wife. Big disappointment, was supposed to be a basic refresh, clean-up, my fault for not thoroughly inspecting the car, jumped at the price and paying now. Being a 99% person after a 50% inspection doesn't yield great results.




Texas: My 69S


Texas: 75 Carrera, wouldn't fit in the box truck with the S


Delaware: Rescued a friend's 69S from deadbeat buyer


Florida: My 84, thank you Steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Florida: Just drove this gem back for my grandfather

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by id10t

When Shaun was interested in buying my mom's M491 I did a facetime chat w/ him and showed him the entire car.

In today's world of technology, I can't imagine that most wouldn't do something like this before driving...

That was really well done!

[onewhippedpuppy]

How about the furthest distance? I've gone about 13 hours to Houston, that's my max thus far. I know some of you can beat that.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Flew to TX, rented the box truck and trailer for the 69S and 75 Carrera and drove back to Boston.

and 54 hours in a 69 E

[Laneco]

I flew from Oregon to Texas and picked up two Ford Edge's (one in Dallas, one in Nacadoches). No real chasing involved though as I had paid for both before departing to pick them up.

As far as "chasing" cars, we generally avoid that as most of the damn things just seem to follow us home. This car was an exception. It as local and a bit of a pain in the butt to get home but pretty good deal for $300. Dry, life-long California car with a new carpet kit in the box (that's probably worth close to $300), working Blaupunkt Houston and Blaupunkt stalk-mounted EQ (which I've promised to a Pelican).

I shall install an e-rod LS motor (430 horsepower) and ye shall know me by my path of destruction!

angela

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

How about the furthest distance? I've gone about 13 hours to Houston, that's my max thus far. I know some of you can beat that.

Our worst is driving the 15hrs back from Phoenix. Well it should have taken 15hours... We got stuck in a blizzard and took 10hrs to get about 200miles... :ee: then we stopped for the night and started again he next morning.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

How about the furthest distance? I've gone about 13 hours to Houston, that's my max thus far. I know some of you can beat that.

Maryland to Wichita for a POS 4Runner

For me, bought a 356 in LA, shipped it back to Maryland. You can go the distance...if your love is a strong one...