how do I buy the car of my dreams?

[gerard vaglio]

This Sunday is a swap meet at Parts Heaven in Hayward CA and one of the difficult items IÕll be looking to find is a pre 74 911. IÕve been looking on and off for a few months now.

My dumb question is, what is the proper way to secure a car you want without risking your money? IÕll have a checkbook with me but how does the seller know my check is good and how do I know the seller wonÕt just drive off with my good check?

If by chance I see a car that I like IÕd like the seller to understand that IÕm not just a lookie- loo. What is the proper financial/parking lot etiquette one uses to identify oneself as a serious purchaser other then lightÕin my big cigar with a hundred dollar bill?

Thanks in advance.

[vash]

not this sunday, next sunday. june 5th right?

[gassy]

No such thing as a dumb question...
maybe give them a check for 10% ...then you wait til that clears, then give them a certified check for the remaining balance. Or...cash.

[craigster59]

If your dealing with Porsche people there is usually not a problem giving a deposit to hold the vehicle until you come up with certified funds or have a PPI completed. Just remember not to dress like a Nigerian, or try to give them a check for more than the asking price, it's always a deal killer.

[cbeers]

I agree. I think that if you should find something, the seller will work with you. It's not likely that the seller would be expecting someone to just show up with $XX,XXX.XX in their pockets.

There will be several local Pelicans going too, hope to see you there


-Chris

[anthony]

I'll be there.

When I bought my car both the seller and I went into a BofA branch where he cashed my check. It turned out that we both had accounts at BofA so it was easy.

You know if I was selling a car I'm not sure I'd take a cashier's check. You hear about so many getting faked these days.

Anyway, give the seller a small deposit to secure the car and show the seller that you are serious. I would have price settled up front contingent on the car passing a PPI.

[gerard vaglio]

vash,

I stand corrected, it's next Sunday, June 5th.

I like the idea of both parties going to the bank, I have a bank account at Wells Fargo and of course, one in Switzerland so there shouldn't be a problem.

[Drago]

The only thing that talks is cash, baby. Agree to a down payment amount (whether refundable or not, if not refundable it better be a rather smaller amount just to hold the car) and go from there...PPI is a must.

[vash]

see you there! i will probably take my pickup truck, just in case someone is blowing out a good ducktail or bursch muff.

[anthony]

I'm always torn about which car to take.

[vash]

take your pcar. i can fit alot of stuff in my pickup truck. i'll just make rounds delivering

[trader220]

Why notask some of the experts here that will be there to give you a hand looking at cars too? I am not from Cali but this board is filled with really great people that know their stuff and just about all of them I havemet would be happy to help you out.

[gerard vaglio]

I've had my 79 for 15 years but I've never owned a pre 74 so, yea, I would greatly appreciate any help in looking for and evaluating an older car.

Judging rust and condition of the body is just one of the areas I'm weak in because fully galvanized 911s in California don't tend to rust much.

I'm worried about rust repair that may have been done poorly or new paint that covers rust, but only for a short time. Getting a rust free car is the most important thing for me because I want to own the car forever basically.

I'd also be interested in putting together a group of locals who like working on these cars. Repairs for me are part of the fun and I'm up for helping anyone since I always learn something new in the process.

If anybody wants to meet up on the 5th and keep me out of trouble I'd be thrilled.

[WHCJr72S]

Gerard:
I will be there next Sunday and I will be glad to look over any early car for you. I will be driving my car and wearing a green Porsche hat. After 10:00 I will be around the car judging area, or you can call me at (408) 234-5868.

[gerard vaglio]

Thanks Bill,

I'll try and give you a call over the weekend, look forward to meeting you.

Gerard

[Nitrometano]

Your car of your dream is the car that likes to you. Not to anybody.