Aldwyn,
I've bought both my cars long distance, but in both cases, I actually
travelled out to the car and looked at it before any money changed
hands. Granted, it would have been difficult to walk away from my TR4
purchase, because it was going to be my transportation home! :)
My advice is to try to find a third party to look at the car prior to
closing the deal. If you're fortunate enough to find one near a list
member, I think you'll find that most of us are willing to go look the
car over for you for free. Otherwise, you might try to contact a
British car mechanic local to the prospective car and hire him to look
at it for you.
Buying (and paying for) a car sight unseen is pretty risky. Be very
cautious and ask for lots of pictures and information. I think
there's a buyers guide on the VTR website (www.vtr.org).
Good luck!
--
Kurtis Jones
Russellville, Arkansas
1963 TR4 - CT19389L
1959 AH Bugeye - AN5L23250
www.geocities.com/tr4_1963
On 8/3/06, Aldwyn <aldwyn@sylvancircle.org> wrote:
> Hey guys,
>
> 38yo from Maryland, here... And ever since I was 13 I have wanted a
> Triumph. I have decided I have waited long enough, and that it's time to
> make the dream come true.
>
> Over the last few months, I have started to shop Spits and TR6s (I am torn
> between the two). But lets face it... these automobiles do not grow on
> trees, and are not as easy to find as they once were. So much of my
> shopping has been done on-line... ebay, cars.com, oldcartrader.com,
> triumphsonly.com, etc... So the plan is to buy, and then send it by an
> auto shipper to my place if it's not within 100 miles of me (give or
> take). I am not at liberty to pick up and travel to look over the car
> before I plop down 5K-10K on the thing, at the moment (again, unless it's
> close by).
>
> This is more then a little intimidating. I can't hear the car, feel the
> car, smell the car or see the car to make sure it is indeed in the
> condition the seller says it is in. Especially since I am not much of a
> mechanic, myself.
>
> Do any of you Triumph veterans have any suggestions for someone like me on
> buying online? Or should I stab my dream in the throat, be patient, and
> wait until the one I am looking for comes up close by so I will have a
> chance to look it over? :)
>
> Also... is there a FAQ for this list? And if so, can someone FAQ me?
>
> Thanks!
> Aldwyn
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