Ever Buy a Car off eBay?

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Kanger328

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Was wondering if anyone has ever bought a car off ebay. Specifically, a car that was located in a different state than the one you live in. Any pros and cons?

It's been hard trying to find the 4runner I want here in SoCal, so I've resorted to looking on eBay. I found this one that I really like, but I figure with the additional cost of shipping, not being able to really check out the car in person, etc. it may not be worth it?

Toyota : 4Runner Toyota : 4Runner | eBay

Plus, here's a CarFax. Looks like it was a dealer car for its early life. Then it was repossessed/auctioned. Hmmmm....

CARFAX Vehicle History Report on JT3HN87R020382612
 
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wow that almost looked too good to be true, i always want to look at the car and talk to the people before i buy, but if you got money to spend ebay is great. worst case senerio you spend 2-3 more grand fixing hidden problems but if you can get it for 5-6g its a good deal
 
I have been to this dealership. They do get nice 4runners from auctions in NJ, NY, and MA. What they never show you is any pics of the undercarriage, which is probably less than stellar. Stick to finding a 4runner that has lived its life in the Southwest.

I have bought a car off Ebay, but I knew the guy selling it. Before the guy posted it, I asked to buy the car for X dollars. He said no way, I was low balling him, and after not being able to sell it locally in the paper (the days before Craigslist), he finally posted it on Ebay and I bought it for less than the amount I originally offered him for it.
 
I've never bought a vehicle off E-bay, but a friend of mine has. He bought this 86 Ford Stepside pickup, for $3000.00 shipped. The truck looked to be in good shape in the pics, and the seller was pretty forthright with information about it.

When he got it shipped from the U.S to Canada, he found that the truck, was actually 2 trucks welded together! The box and cab were from 2 different vehicles, and the frame was cut square, and welded together!

He tried going through E-bay's buying protection policy, but they would do nothing for him! Citing, the age of the truck as being the issue with the vehicle!!

Luckily for him, he's a resourceful person. He found a frame here locally for $150.00, and is planning a full frame swap!

Do yourself a favor, buy a vehicle in person. CHeck it over yourself, then bring it into a garage and have them do a mechanical on it as well. This way, you're going into the sale with little to no surprises....

Good luck on your purchase man.... :)
 
Thanks all. This process is so depressing. I check autotrader, CL, cars.com, etc. everyday. Every once in awhile a nice one will pop up, only to have some issue with it. And the search continues...
 
He's a dealer with 100% positive feedback with over 1000 transactions. You can't go too wrong. But that said, he's a dealer. He knows what it's worth, you're most likely not going to get a stellar deal on it. So you might as well keeping looking for one that is enthusiast owned.

Don't be afraid of higher mileage vehicles. Most of the time they will have already had all the maintenance issues address that a lower mileage one would still need in the near future.
 
I've purchased over 10 vehicles off of eBay, over the last 10 years. I can honestly say, out of the 10, probably only one was "misrepresented". You just have to make sure you buy from someone with good feedback, you talk to them on the phone and ask lots of specific and straightforward questions, and then before you do the deal...make sure you feel comfortable with it.
 
Oh yes, and the seller "hymanwholesale" is a great seller. They have some of the best 4Runners on eBay. However, they are pricey, and will rarely let one go for less than the top of the market. I've seen then sit on a nice 4Runner for months in order to get top dollar for it.
 
The price is low, but there's still plenty of time left and the reserve hasn't been met, so my guess is that the price will be much higher when all is said and done. I agree too that being VA and MD car its whole life probably means that the undercarriage is going to have significant rust despite its low miles.
 
Hepar said:
The price is low, but there's still plenty of time left and the reserve hasn't been met, so my guess is that the price will be much higher when all is said and done. I agree too that being VA and MD car its whole life probably means that the undercarriage is going to have significant rust despite its low miles.
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Hyman always sells with a high reserve. I would guess they won't sell that one for less than $10k.

Also, that specific 4Runner looks very clean in the rust department. Under the hood nothing is corroded, and the rear drums look clean through the wheels. Obviously undercarriage pics would help, but from what I can see (the gold brackets under the hood are usually a good litmus test) it's probably not rusty.
 
I have used Flea Bay to buy 4 vehicles in the last 10 years. I got great deals on all of them. 97 tacoma4x4 in 2003 for $4500, 98 tacoma4x4 in 06 for 3800, 98 4runner limited in 2004(49k miles) for $10,500 and 2012 nissan rogue sl $26,400 out the door! I had 2 of them shipped from NY and Pen. Picked up the 4runner in Texas and the Rogue in Moblie. Just do some research and you will be fine.
 
Im in So Cal too man and it took me about a month to find one I really like. The negative thing about all the cars from back east is the rusted bottoms. I wouldn't buy a car over ebay but thats just me. You can request more pictures of the undercarriage, that's what my concern would be.

Good luck and keep looking! One will pop up and you'll know its for you

In the meantime, be patient!

:cheers:
 
I bought my 4runner from eBay last year. It was a smooth transaction. My seller didn't take any pictures of the undercarriage and it was rusty. Just watchout. But I love my runner and dont regret it. I wanted a 5spd.
 
I've had good luck buying a truck on ebay (1971 Chev) and I would just say what everyone else has- check the VIN for accidents, check the seller's history and just accept there may be things you didn't see in pictures when it arrives.

That one does look really nice though and price is pretty good IMO.

Dealer sounds like the real deal too. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
 
Having met the guy who owns it, he seems to be a little more credible than the normal used car sleaze. A few of his cars do come from FL, but the majority do come from the northeast. He sets a high reserve, with the thought that 4runners of 1997-2002 still command the prices they got two years ago.

Plus, if you don't like it, or problems creep up down the road, it is caveat emptor, and you are holding the bag.
 
I bought my 2002 4runner on ebay, couldn't find anything around here for the price or condition I got it for. I would have certainly bought the one your looking at if it was available at the time I bought mine.
 
My preference has always been '99-'00 4x4 SR5, Highlander, or Limited w/ e-locker or a '01-'02 4x4 Sport or Limited. This one would be perfect except I'm pretty sure this'll hike up to about $12-15k. Plus I'd have to pay another $1k for shipping. I'll be monitoring, but not very optimistic. Thanks again y'all.
 
Kanger328 said:
My preference has always been '99-'00 4x4 SR5, Highlander, or Limited w/ e-locker or a '01-'02 4x4 Sport or Limited. This one would be perfect except I'm pretty sure this'll hike up to about $12-15k. Plus I'd have to pay another $1k for shipping. I'll be monitoring, but not very optimistic. Thanks again y'all.
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Or jump on a plane and drive it back, thats what I did, even brought a friend to help with the driving, turned into a great little adventure.
 
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