Hypothetical: Fly, buy, drive

[turbo6bar]

I am looking for a clean '74-83 911, or '73 RS replica. The Memphis, TN area is really poor for Porsches. I'd be lucky to find 5 911s for sale, and only 1 of the 5 might remotely match what I want. So, more than likely, I'll be buying from long distance. Has anyone actually flown to some of the big car shows/swap meets and bought their 911? It sounds like that would work if you frequented the shows enough and had the patience to find that special car, but I'm not sure how it would work given only 1 or 2 shots.

I don't need a car in mint condition. I feel like I'm pretty flexible about what cars I'll consider. I haven't found the car that screams "BUY ME!" but I've only been looking for 3 weeks.

My primary criteria:
coupe (sunroof a plus)
no red or black
I would like flares on any 74-77 models.
modifications are AOK
prefer strong engine and tranny, and at least good paint.
records are good, but I do place a lot of value on the person selling

I've got cash and will pull the trigger for the right one. My budget is $10-14k, but I will consider spending more if it is a keeper. Do you guys see any flaws in my goals?

Advice appreciated.

Jurgen

[47silver]

no flaws, the next one i get will be from calif and a turbo

gary

[Botman]

I say go for it. I was in the same position as you. The cars here were few and far between and therefore tended to be not only beat up, but expensive.

I found a few I was interested on the internet. The ads and leads all pointed to LA. I flew out on a Wednesday, looked and drove Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, bought Thursday afternoon after a down and dirty PPI and drove my baby back from LA to Houston Friday and Saturday. The most interesting aspect was that I ended up buying a car that I saw for the first time on Thursday morning. I must have looked at 25 cars and drove 6 or 7, as they are all over in the Santa Monica area.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. The trill of the chase is great, and what an adventure driving back! Learning the car and its sounds, strengths and weaknesses (few).

I bought a refundable round trip ticket in case I didn't score and was able to cash in the return trip tick. Good hunting!

[tiorio]

Just did this for the second time. Found a car I liked, got all the info. emailed to me and then flew out to see it. Unfortunately I had to use the return plane ticket as the financials couldn't be resolved but a one-way back and I picked up the beauty in Kansas City and drove to LA.

Upside is that the fiance was able to come along for the drive (and thanks to Southwest Airlines it only cost but a fraction of the purchase price of the car).

Did something similar with my 97 Land Cruiser and would do it again! Just remember PPPPPPPP (prior planning prevents piss-poor porsche purchasing performance). Do your homework, have owners email you everything they have (lots of pictures if possible) and docs, get the 30 day CarFax subscription and get all the VINs ahead of time (or find internet access in town) and see if you can't find a mechanic to do as many of the PPIs as possible (he/she can help compare if you have a couple you're interested in).

It's perfectly do-able but having the return ticket in hand (as recommended by others) really helps prevent the irrational purchase (also known as M.O.I. - moment of insanity)...

I'm sure there are more tips from others but thats my short-list!

Good luck on the hunt!

[Emission]

Never bought a car long distance, but sold a few BMW's this way.

Like the above advice, ask tons of questions, and ask for tons of pics before you jump on a plane.

When I sold my cars, I sent both of my buyers videotapes in the mail. I simply walked around the car very slowly with the camera and filmed everything up close. I filmed the interior and exterior, then the engine. To finish the tape, I started the car (they could hear how long it took to turn over and the idle, then pulled away). They loved the tapes! It costs nearly nothing to mail a VHS or 8mm tape. I decided if a buyer was willing to get on a plane, I could spend 15 minutes making a tape.

[speeder]

I think that it can work out well if, (and this is a big IF), you really communicate w/ the seller, both on the phone to hear his/her voice, and through email so that there is a record of what was said. There is nothing wrong with explaining to the seller, (in a nice way of course), the need for the email. I always diplomatically tell them that as long as there are no surprises they have a sale, but if there are surprises they will have no sale and an angry traveller on their lawn.

As for the swap meet idea, it might work, but I would just work the usual web sites, including ebay. I see lots of good 911s on ebay, but of course back to the communication advice. Jack Olsen, a moderator on this BBS, bought a late model Jaguar on ebay last year and had a good experience, but he REALLY covered his ass in writing before he sent any $$ or got on a plane. (Actually I think he had the car mailed to him, if I remember right). There is a good thread somewhere in the dustbin here about it, do a search and you might find it. Good luck!

[turbo6bar]

OK, so the swap meet idea isn't golden, but buying from afar is still doable if I'm careful. MikeZfreak advised me to check the PCA region websites regularly and hunt for a good buy on an enthusiast owned 911. I haven't seen anything lately, but I'll keep looking. From what you guys have said, I am definitely heading in the right direction. I place a lot of value on the seller's attitude and fanaticism towards their 'baby.'

The anticipation is killing me. I'm not getting much work done, and that can't go on for much longer. This disease is debilitating. Can I get 500cc IV of Swepco, stat!!!!

Jurgen

[Stuttgart951]

Keep the positive remarks coming - you all might ease my fears about long distance cars.

Also - you can by at a swap meet - but youre never sure what will be for sale there and IME, the prices are usually outrageous.

[turbo6bar]

Yeah, at the meets, PPIs are a little harder to obtain.

I had the impression Pomona meets can produce some good buys. Maybe it's just an inside joke to trick outsiders???

[jbryant]

If you find one in the Northern Virginia area, I would be glad to look it over for you. That could act as a filter for the really misrepresented ones. You also might find people in other areas to do the same. I never get tired of looking at Porsches!
e-mail:vacows@crosslink.net

Jim

[david c.]

I actually suggested to Wayne that he create a database of contact information and location of pelicanheads who would be willing to inspect cars on behalf of other pelicanheads... sort of a volunteer army of willing gearheads. Maybe take a few digital pictures, do some rust inspections, etc. Granted, experience and knowledge would vary wildly but it wouldn't cost anything.

[JeremyD]

I just did this for my 1987 Cabriolet. I live in St. Petersburg and bought the car in Chicago. Did the back and forth with the seller for two weeks. Taked to the garage (and mechanic) that they had it serviced with. Had a friend with a cell phone and digital camera go on a virtual inspection. (and drive) 30-40 digital pictures and a PPI later - money changed hands and I flew up and drove back. Found it on autotrader.com - but was also looking on carbuyer.com, yahoo classifieds, hemmings, calling all cars, etc.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by dave cardone
I actually suggested to Wayne that he create a database of contact information and location of pelicanheads who would be willing to inspect cars on behalf of other pelicanheads... sort of a volunteer army of willing gearheads. Maybe take a few digital pictures, do some rust inspections, etc. Granted, experience and knowledge would vary wildly but it wouldn't cost anything.

Hey, this worked for Evren...he has to be the longest distance buyer on this board! A '71 911E, from Orygun to Istanbul...it was a pleasure to initially check out the car for him, and Cindy & I now have a couple of new, and dear, friends...

[evren]

Certainly worked quite well -- the car just arrived today!.. can't thank Paul & Cindy and everyone else on this board who was so helpful to us throughout the whole adventure...

[turbo6bar]

Ok, so I can make an Excel spreadsheet with Pelican Parts members in all locations in the world. I think it's a great idea. I have a web site that is up pretty much 24/7, 365 days a year. I'll start a new topic to get this off the ground.

Jurgen

[david c.]

Cool! The volunteer army assembles!

[pwd72s]

Looks like we have Pittsburg and the Willamette Valley of Oregon covered! I've always felt it was kind of silly for a guy to fly a long distance to look at a car, out the airfare & motel money, only to fly back home disappointed. I'm NO mechanic, and don't pretend to be. But a lookover by somebody who is a fellow enthusiast could at least give a clue whether or not a PPI is warranted...just a simple exchange of courtesy thing...easy to do. I'm sure that if I ever wanted a 911 checked out in Istanbul, Evren would be glad to oblige...

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by evren
Certainly worked quite well -- the car just arrived today!.. can't thank Paul & Cindy and everyone else on this board who was so helpful to us throughout the whole adventure...

good show, great adventure, complete success.. the best to you

and Tyson is in LA and works for a class act Porsche shop.. if I wanted a Calif car I'd start with him............Ron

[weber92037]

Many available in the San Diego area. Try using "autotrader.com" and put in area codes 858, 760, 619. I would be happy to mail a copy to you if you provide your address. Thanks. Chuck.

[thrown_hammer]

I did the fly buy drive thing just before Thanksgiving. I talked with the guy for about 45mins. on the phone. I had trouble convincing him that I was really gonna hop on a plane and fly out. He sent pics of everything I asked for and told me about all the areas that needed attention. Maybe I got lucky but it worked out for me. (He did slightly overstate the effectivness of the heater)