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Great Tips for Buying Classic Cars Long Distance (Part 2)

3) Get the Car Inspected: Since you cannot do your own inspection when you are buying a classic car long distance, it is necessary to get the car inspected by an auto inspection company. A proper inspection will give you a clear idea of the true value of the car. There are a number of reliable auto inspection companies that can conduct inspections anywhere in the US, and you can find them on the Internet.

4) Make the Seller Sign a Contract: It is not easy to tell the difference between an honest man and a con man these days. Don’t believe everything the seller tells you. Prepare a contract that shows all the terms and conditions of the deal and get the seller to sign it.

5) Choose a Reputable Auto Transportation Company: Although it is much cheaper to get a back-street broker to arrange the transportation of the car, it is not a safe option. Also, do not let the car seller handle the transportation. You should employ the service of an established transportation company that has its own trucks.

6) Don’t Pay until Car is Removed from Seller’s Property: It is risky to wire money to the car seller directly. After you make payment for the car, it belongs to you, and the seller’s insurance will not protect your property if something unfortunate happens.

7) Get the Car Insured: Once you have released payment for the seller, you have to get insurance for the car immediately. If you are properly insured, you will get adequate financial compensation if the classic car sustains damage or is stolen.

Great Tips for Buying Classic Cars Long-Distance (Part 1)

If you are planning to buy a classic car from another state or country, you have to take certain precautions to ensure that you are getting good value for your investment. Since the car is not located in your locality, you may not get the chance to view and inspect it. Also, there are many scammers out there who are offering unbelievably good deals to make some quick money, and you may become a victim of a classic car scam if you are not careful. Here are a number of helpful tips for buying classic cars long-distance.

1) Do Thorough Research on Car and Seller: Before you decide to purchase a certain classic car, you should try to get as much information about it as possible. Two cars of the same make and year model may not have the same market value, because one car may be better conditioned than the other. Get the car dealer or owner to send you lots of photos of the car and ask for the VIN, body tag, engine number, service maintenance and ownership history, and other information. Also, do some research to find out about the seller’s credibility.

2) Follow your Instinct: When you are looking for a classic car, you may also meet with a dealer or owner who is uncooperative. If the seller refuses to give you straightforward answers or provide the documents that you requested, it is best that you do not buy from him or her.

Getting Hard-To-Find Classic Car Parts

One of the main problems that are experienced by classic car owners is finding the right auto parts for their vehicles. These days, most auto parts stores only carry auto parts for newer and more popular cars, and they do not supply parts for older cars. Even if you go to the manufacturer of your classic car, you will not get the part you want, because original classic car parts are no longer in production. Here are a few things that you can do to locate a hard-to-find part for your classic car.

If there is a swap meet in your locality, you should go there to look for the auto part you need. You will find all sorts of car parts and accessories for older cars in a swap meet. You can also try joining one of the classic car clubs in your area. Since the members of these clubs are mostly classic car owners themselves, they will know where to go to buy classic car parts. Some of them may even have the same type of car as you. A local salvage yard is another great place to look for auto parts, but you need to be patient enough to go through stacks of cars to find the right part.

Of course, there is also the Internet. There are numerous online classic car parts dealers and warehouses that offer both OEM and aftermarket parts at very reasonable prices, and you can order the parts online. You can also use an auto parts locator to find the parts you want.

How to Ship Your Classic Car (Part 1)

There are certain situations that require you to ship your classic car to a different location. You may be moving to a new place, buying or selling a car, or just giving your car away to a close relative or friend. Whatever is the reason, you want the car to arrive at the final destination in perfect condition. If you do not find the right shipping solution, your pride and joy may sustain some damages while it is being transported, and you will have pay a considerable amount of money to repair it.

There are companies that specialize in auto shipping, and they have the necessary experience to provide safe and efficient classic car shipping services. You can either go to these companies directly or find a broker to help you get a spot on their auto carriers. A broker can negotiate for a better price, but you will not be able to contact the carrier when the vehicle is being shipped. If you want better peace of mind, it is advisable that you go straight to an auto shipping company.

Carriers come in the form of open and closed trailers, and you have to choose a type of carrier that suits your budget and shipping needs. Open trailers are less expensive, but they do not protect your classic car from the elements. On the other hand, closed trailers are similar to mobile garages, and they will give your car maximum protection. They usually cost about 20% to 25% more than open trailers.

Old Car in the Barn

A barn find offers a rare opportunity for buyers to acquire a valuable automobile at an unbelievably good price. While it can be a steal, a barn find may also be a bad purchase. Here are a number of things that you should do before you decide to buy an old car in a barn.

It is advisable that you get the car inspected before you purchase it. A thorough inspection will reveal the authenticity of the car, as well as its functionality and overall condition. A classic car in the barn may have seen very little use, but this does not mean that it is still in a good condition. You should bring a mechanic along when you are viewing the car.

Another thing that you should do is check the title of the car. Many barn-kept classic cars do not have a readily accessible title. If the car that you are planning to purchase does not have a title, you can find out how to have it titled at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Lastly, you should have a clear idea of the total cost of acquiring and restoring the car. While some old cars in barns have been properly maintained throughout the years, other may have been neglected. You should ask your mechanic to give you an estimate of the total restoration cost that will be incurred, so that you will know whether the car is worth buying or not.