Out of State Car Inspection Needed

[Olds Fan71]

Curious if any members live near Livingston, Montana that could put eyes on a 1971 Olds Cutlass that I have been discussing with the seller. 

Edited January 13, 2023 by Olds Fan71 (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

Is the car an Oldsmobile?  Knowing what the car is

will be very helpful in finding the right member.

 

For example, it may take different sets of skills to

evaluate a 1904 Oldsmobile, versus a 1932 Marmon,

versus a 1980 Corvette, versus a 1992 Ferrari.

[alsancle]

You will see a lot of advice on here about buying a car remotely.   My advice is to go see it yourself,  unless it is cheap enough that if you are not happy it is not a big deal.   Although someone can take lots of pictures for you, it still isn't quite the same as laying your own hands on a car.

[rocketraider]

The only Olds guy I know in Montana is an individual I wouldn't trust to evaluate a little red wagon. 

 

Visit www.classicoldsmobile.com . I know there are straight-up people on there who live in the Pacific Northwest and might be able to help you.

[Paul Dobbin]

I have purchased cars sight unseen,  Once I see them, I say,  "I would not have bought this had I gone to see it".    In general,  I don't keep them long, but enjoy them while I own them.  One of them i have kept 32 years so far, i am still  enjoying it.   

The trip to see one ads to the adventure.

 

[60FlatTop]

Yesterday the transporter delivered a car that I bought only through online pictures and one conversation with the owner. Subsequent conversations were "How do you want me to send the money".

 

This morning a car salesman from a used car dealer across the street from our morning coffee spot checked out a picture of it in my garage. He knew about the deal because I considered using their transporter.

 

"How much do you have to do on it?" he asked.

 

"The big repair and most annoying thing is the driver's door stop. The bushing is bad and it makes two sharp clicking noises when you open it." He laughed and left. He knows he will never sell me a car.

 

During the first conversation I asked the owner what job he would do if he decided to keep the car. He said he would repair the right hand pin stripe. it was getting faded. That was when it sold.

 

Here is my list of telling questions.

 

Car Sale Questions

 

1. Do you own the car and have legal proof?

2 Is the paperwork clear and free of liens, unbranded?

3. How long have you owned the car?

4. Is the car currently licensed and insured?

5. Can it be driven on the road, legally, today?

6 Is the car in storage? If so, how long has it been stored?

7. How many miles did you drive it during the last 12 months?

8. Have you done any major work on the car since you have owned it?

9. What and when was the most recent service or repair?

10. If you decided to keep the car what improvement would you consider important?

[63RedBrier]

A friend and I spent an entire day driving down to an adjoining state to look at and possibly buy a fairly desirable collector car.  Burned a few tanks of diesel hauling around an empty enclosed trailer.  The seller had sent great strategic photos of the best areas of the car, but neglected to show the gaping rust holes big enough to fit your fist through!  No sale!  Glad I spent the time and money to look at the car in person…

[John_S_in_Penna]

1 hour ago, 63RedBrier said:

The seller had sent great strategic photos of the best areas of the car, but neglected to show the gaping rust holes... 

It's always refreshing to find a truly honest seller.

I've heard of cases where problems were so minutely

listed that the buyer saw the car and exclaimed,

"The car's better than I thought it would be!"

[John_S_in_Penna]

The AACA isn't very populated or active in the West,

so finding an AACA member to look at the car for you

might be a challenge.  Montana may be even more

challenging.  And transporting the car from Montana

might take longer with the specialized car-transporting

companies, because it's far from the beaten path.

 

I want to be encouraging, though, and you can find your

way around obstacles.  Perhaps going out there yourself

will be the best option if nothing comes up here.