Logistics of buying a car at Hershey

[PushingMyLuck]

Let's see how fast the immature trolls derail this thread, and let it be a shining example to the mods (and all new posters) of what a troll is.
Perhaps you simply stay out of this thread if you have nothing to contribute? If you don't like the questions, try clicking on another thread! It's not hard, even for a troll.

The questions below were raised in another thread, but as usual, it was trolled to death with literally zero constructive answers posted.
It's become SOP for this forum. The trolls enjoy trolling the original thread so much that I started a new one.

On the surface the Hershey corral sounds great, but I have 3 concerns about the logistics of buying a car at the corral.
Does anyone have any actual experience buying a car at Hershey? Please shed some light on how it works.

1) Do people allow test drives? Or are the cars firmly parked all weekend?
I'm not buying a used $35k car without driving it around a while.

2) In a parking lot in PA, you'd have to buy without a PPI, which violates the cardinal rule of this forum.

3) If you do buy a car at the corral, you'd have to go home, register the car, get plates, and then fly back to the sellers house the next weekend to pick up the car anyway.
So, you're still making 2 trips, where you could have just gone to the sellers house directly from his internet ad.
I also have concerns with handing over $35,000 to a stranger in a parking lot, and not directly taking the car home myself.
He's now got your cash AND the car, and he could falsify where he lives. Would you use your smartphone to verify his address and identity??
Do you need to bring a trailer? I could rent one, but have no experience driving with a hitched trailer and a car on it (nor a car with a trailer hitch)
Also, what if he wrecks it on the drive home? Then what?

The guess the value I see for a non-owner is to visually see multiple cars for sale at once, in order to decide which trip to make to the sellers house for the actual purchase negotiation.
Then you can make the 500 mile trip to their home for a test drive and PPI the following weekend?

[PushingMyLuck]

Allow me save the diehard Porsche trolls the trouble, so we can get on with the discussion:

"You're not buying a car! You can't afford it! You have no money, haha! "

"TROLL !! TROLL !!! TROLL!!! " (irony of the year)

"Buy a WRX! How DARE you question the greatest car ever built!! "

"$21.5k for an '86 Coupe? Sir, you know nothing about Porsches! An '86 Coupe goes for low 20s! You idiot!"

[MrBonus]

[wgwollet]

Ummm

1) Every seller is different about test drives. Of course some do allow test drives, I do, with me in the car. I bought cars and never test drove them...why? Price was good, car did not run and owner did not allow it...not in any order..
2) I said before on this Forum I do not care about PPI's. I know more about 911's then the PPI inspector. Now compression checks and leak downs are good, but I generally take the cars overall condition over the engine. My rule, 1) body is number one 2) interior is next 3) the engine is last but most of my cars are before 1988, and I can fix engines not body.
3) Well depending on where you live, there are many options. If you buy the car, get the title of course with no lien on it. Check the VIN, then make arrangements to secure the car. Call the local Porsche dealer or any dealer...tell then you want the car stored at their place...do this in advance to make sure they will...then go home,..call a reliable car transport...to pick it up..no big deal...do it all the time...never buy a car, get title and then leave the car with the seller...when I buy out west there are places that store cars for a small fee until you pick them up...call a enclosed storage yard..

Lastly, I been at Hershey last five years, usually the good buys are rare...Porsche folk knows prices, I do the best with private owners wherever I find the cars. But most people are not car buyers and can never pull the trigger because of their uncertain ways...I have many friends that need a act of God to ever take a chance on buying a car...it's called buyers remorse...

[PushingMyLuck]

wgwollet, thanks. I have some more questions based on your input.

1) I get that about test drives depending on the owner, but I meant is there anything different about Hershey? Are the parked cars configured in such a way that a test drive is impossible, even if the seller allowed it? The car is blocked in by other cars.

2) You don't need PPI's b/c you're a P-car ace, but what about those who are not? Engine problems would be a big deal for me. So, I'd really rather have a PPI if spending $35,000 un a used car. Are you saying buying at Hershey implies no PPI is really possible?

3) Ok, it sounds like before even going to Hershey, a buyer needs to arrange a way to store the car locally, if he buys one. Does anyone know tow companies, storage yards, or local Porsche dealerships that work in conjunction with this Hershey event? It would make sense to have all this information ahead of time, and to contact them to make sure they are available. The last thing you want is to buy a car, and then have no one answering their phones on a weekend. Then, you're really screwed.

Then, I could arrange transport via Intercity, within a few days. Has anyone here bought a car at Hershey and used local facilities to handle the transfer?

Yes, I would never expect a "deal" at a place like Hershey. You will pay top dollar to anyone who drives their car 500 miles to show at an event with 100's of buyers with cash and trailer in hand. The best deals are always Craigslist locally.

[Matt Monson]

1. People will allow test drives.

2. Industry professionals attend this event. I am sure with a little effort you can find a reputable mechanic to inspect a car for you. These people will have EZ up tents and trailers with their names on them. They won't be hard to find.

3. Most states allow you to transport a vehicle for up to 72 hours on no more than a bill of sale and a signed title. As long as you call your insurance company and cover the car and have them email proof of insurance to your smart phone, you have nothing to worry about with respect to legally driving the car home. No need for two trips.

Plain and simple enough for you?

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

1. People will allow test drives.

2. Industry professionals attend this event. I am sure with a little effort you can find a reputable mechanic to inspect a car for you. These people will have EZ up tents and trailers with their names on them. They won't be hard to find.

3. Most states allow you to transport a vehicle for up to 72 hours on no more than a bill of sale and a signed title. As long as you call your insurance company and cover the car and have them email proof of insurance to your smart phone, you have nothing to worry about with respect to legally driving the car home. No need for two trips.

Plain and simple enough for you?

This is not new info.

He's doing this on purpose.

Before I made my first post on Pelican Parts, I knew all this stuff because I read and searched. And I called my insurance folks, and talked to folks at the DMV about it. And my bank, to talk about wire transfer. The information is all here. All someone needs is the will to find it.

I also learned something about auto transport. A lot, actually. And it served me well when DAS came in with the lowest quote.

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

1. People will allow test drives.

2. Industry professionals attend this event. I am sure with a little effort you can find a reputable mechanic to inspect a car for you. These people will have EZ up tents and trailers with their names on them. They won't be hard to find.

3. Most states allow you to transport a vehicle for up to 72 hours on no more than a bill of sale and a signed title. As long as you call your insurance company and cover the car and have them email proof of insurance to your smart phone, you have nothing to worry about with respect to legally driving the car home. No need for two trips.

Plain and simple enough for you?

Thanks. But not simple.
Each answer only elicits a lot more questions.

1) Ok, so the cars are not truly "corralled" in like at a valet. That is a big incentive to attend, in that case. But, where can you go for a test drive? Is it just a pro forma 10mph spin around the parking lot, or can you leave the premises and drive on the highway and surrounding areas for 15 mins? And then re-enter the premises...

2) Wait, what do you mean by "a little effort"? There are certified P-mechanics on site doing real PPI's? Or do you mean there are mechanic types walking around as patrons of the event who might be willing to pop the hood and take a quick look for $50 and a sandwich? There's a big difference. That's not really a true PPI. Do I bring a floor jack or something? Tent and trailer sounds more formal. Is having an EZ up tent the same as having a fully equipped garage? People actually bring lifts to this event? They can do exhaust checks, compression and leakdowns, etc?

3) How can I get insurance on a weekend? My insurance agent does not work on weekends. Even if I could get on the spot insurance, you're saying I can drive an unregistered car with no plates for 72 hours? I have friends who flip muscle cars for a living, and they have never mentioned this. They all use trailers. They would drive the cars themselves if this was legal. I need to look into this, but it might be a moot point b/c my agent doesn't work weekends.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

Thanks. But not simple.
Each answer only elicits a lot more questions.

1) Ok, so the cars are not truly "corralled" in like at a valet. That is a big incentive to attend, in that case. But, where can you go for a test drive? Is it just a pro forma 10mph spin around the parking lot, or can you leave the premises and drive on the highway and surrounding areas for 15 mins? And then re-enter the premises...

You can leave and reenter at your own leisure. They do not trap you within the confines of an enormous parking lot.

2) What?? There are certified mechanics on site doing PPI's? Or do you mean there are mechanic types walking around as patrons of the event? Big difference. Is having an EZ up tent the same as having a fully equipped garage? People actually bring lifts to this event? They can do exhaust checks, compression and leakdowns, etc?

Every major shop in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic attend in some form or another. If you have cash and the ability to speak to other human beings, I cannot imagine you not being able to get a PPI on the spot.

If only there was some other way to look underneath a car without a lift...

3) How can I get insurance on a weekend? My insurance agent does not work on weekends. Even if I could get on the spot insurance, you're saying I can drive an unregistered car with no plates for 72 hours? I have friends who flip muscle cars for a living, and they have never mentioned this. They all use trailers. They would drive the cars themselves if this was legal. I need to look into this.

Uh, just about every insurance company covers you for the drive home from a purchase...

[Matt Monson]

Maybe Eric is right...
I read the follow up questions and I just imagine PML envisions Hershey like a dirty muddy pick-n-pull junkyard.

I think mebonus covers it pretty well. Plus any major insurance company doesn't require your personal agent to add the car. You call the national number on the back of the card in your wallet. Some nice fellow named "John" on the phone over in Pakistan adds the car to the policy and emails you a temporary card. If you don't have a smart phone, you go back to your hotel, use their "business center" and print your insurance card.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Maybe Eric is right...
I read the follow up questions and I just imagine PML envisions Hershey like a dirty muddy pick-n-pull junkyard.

I think mebonus covers it pretty well. Plus any major insurance company doesn't require your personal agent to add the car. You call the national number on the back of the card in your wallet. Some nice fellow named "John" on the phone over in Pakistan adds the car to the policy and emails you a temporary card. If you don't have a smart phone, you go back to your hotel, use their "business center" and print your insurance card.

Haggerty did me even better than this. I gave them the VIN of the car, over the phone. I paid the money for the premium. They said the car would be covered for test drive/transport. This was before I ever set eyes on the car. And if I didn't buy the car? They'd refund the whole premium, minus the days I was insured on the car, prorated. This is not rocket surgery, and was easy to find out well before I spent a single dime on PPI or plane ticket to Atlanta.

Watch his posts, Matt. You'll see what I've been saying.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

Haggerty did me even better than this. I gave them the VIN of the car, over the phone. I paid the money for the premium. They said the car would be covered for test drive/transport. This was before I ever set eyes on the car. And if I didn't buy the car? They'd refund the whole premium, minus the days I was insured on the car, prorated. This is not rocket surgery, and was easy to find out well before I spent a single dime on PPI or plane ticket to Atlanta.

Watch his posts, Matt. You'll see what I've been saying.

But what is your contingency plan if the car is struck by a meteor during the test drive and you didn't specify flying space object coverage?

[NYNick]

Fish:
"I saw this delicious worm just dangling there, and I was swimming by..."
Fisherman:
"Gotcha, stupid!"

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

But what is your contingency plan if the car is struck by a meteor during the test drive and you didn't specify flying space object coverage?

[smacks forehead]

I did not get a rider for that. I should have, you are 100% correct. And tsunami coverage, for sure. I wonder if there is a "Return of the Elder Ones" clause?

[Matt Monson]

I get a certain entertainment value out of it. I promised Wayne I wouldn't be a total jerk to the guy, so that's what I'm doing. I could ignore his existence but what fun is that?
It's "his" thread so who cares if it goes to crap? I'm making an effort not to enable his destruction of other people's legitimate threads. But if he wants to start a thread like this, I'll play along. I even followed his rules and gave genuine and legitimate answers.

[maninblack]

I bought a car at Hershey last year. A great car in a special color. If you stand around asking about test drives, PPI's, and how you're going to get it home, someone like me is going to step in front of you, lay down the cash, and buy the car. That's the way a swap meet works. Show up, be prepared to inspect the car on your own as it sits, then man up and make a decision. That's how you get a good deal.

[PushingMyLuck]

MrBonus, thanks for the info.

Sounds like I could do a real test drive. That's good.

It sounds like a PPI on site is possible. Someone else asked the same question here and here, but did not get anywhere. I will keep exploring b/c no one has clarified if I am getting a bonafide PPI or some informal substitute in a parking lot. What P-car mechanic drives 500 miles on a weekend just to spend 2 hours doing a $250 PPI? Makes no sense to me.

I am going to talk to my insurance agent on Monday about registration laws in my state.
And if I can call an 800 number to get instant coverage over the phone on a weekend.

Do you just bring $35k in cash, or is there a safer & better way to exchange funds?

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by maninblack

I bought a car at Hershey last year. A great car in a special color. If you stand around asking about test drives, PPI's, and how you're going to get it home, someone like me is going to step in front of you, lay down the cash, and buy the car. That's the way a swap meet works. Show up, be prepared to inspect the car on your own as it sits, then man up and make a decision. That's how you get a good deal.

Yea, I'm not qualified to do that.
The very same "Snooze you lose" PPI dynamics are present in private party sales as well.

I agree with you.
Hershey doesn't sound like the place for a first time buyer, the more I think about it.

[Matt Monson]

PML,
I will restate what both myself and mrbonus have already said. Many of the top shops from the NE will be there. They will be there with booths and staff and if they bring their rig, even the ability to drive the car inside and put it on a lift. Yes, you can get a real bona fide PPI done on site. But you are high if you think you can get a proper PPI for $250. Expect to spend close to twice that.

You won't be calling some closed shop 500 miles away asking a mechanic to drive 8 hours to come look at the car. He will already be there selling cars and parts and participating in the concours.

You really are quite entertaining. Either you are the most niave person ever to join this board or you really get some sick pleasure in seeing just how ridiculous of a question you can ask and still get one of us to give you a real answer.

You running a betting pool somewhere and your clients place bets on which one of us will take the bait and give you a real answer?

[christiandk]

Anyone had good spam this weekend.....my tofu stunk!