Off Topic => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Sir_Hans on February 10, 2014, 07:35:08 am
Title: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Sir_Hans on February 10, 2014, 07:35:08 am
I want to check out and buy this car but the person says... "will only meet up if you have cash in hand." It wouldn't bother me too much if it was like 2,000-3,000 or less, but the asking price on this particular car is 9,500$.
I am nervous about meeting someone over craigslist with that kind of money on my person. But the craigslist post doesn't seem very sketchy other than that: http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html (http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html)
Any body got any ideas about safely testing out a car and meeting up with that kind of money in hand?
All I can think of is just going with another person to check out the car, but It still makes me nervous sporting almost 10k in cash for a meetup with a stranger. (lots of tweekers in hawaii)
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Xant on February 10, 2014, 07:59:56 am
Have a friend hold onto the money in a nearby café or equivalent.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Vibe on February 10, 2014, 08:05:46 am
You can't assume probabilities when you don't know them.
Yes you can.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 10, 2014, 11:15:21 am
Just from topic title, I was gunna suggest getting the car inspected at a neutral shop where neither of you know any employees. Thought it was an issue of hiding broken/failing parts. In your situation, I'd just be honest. Say "I have the funds to buy the car, I want to see it (and have it looked at by gearhead, if you aren't super knowledgeable about car stuff). Can I look at it/have a random shop check everything?"
If they refuse, they're selling a stolen car, trying to scam someone on a lemon, or impatient and immature. In any of those cases, it's not worth your time or well-being. If there's nothing to hide, they shouldn't have any issue getting the car checked up at a shop.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Molly on February 10, 2014, 11:33:33 am
Definitely agree with this one. Wear a wife-beater, your choice in color of track pants, some sort of weird ring, on your right hand, even if its fake, and bring a handgun for good measure. Don't forget to skip the occasional pronoun or article when speaking "with Russian accent". And last but not least, refer to the guy as "comrade" at least once. Reeking of vodka doesn't hurt either.
Anyway, good luck, hope this helps. :)
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Xant on February 10, 2014, 11:55:26 am
And when you inspect the car, say "cyka" a lot to bring the price down.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: zagibu on February 10, 2014, 12:37:44 pm
With cash in hands? Lol. What is there even to discuss? Just think about it, if you were selling a car, why would you make such a demand? It's clearly a scam.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: AntiBlitz on February 10, 2014, 01:46:44 pm
Legal advice, So whats to say he doesnt have a lien on the car? or if he even has the title? All transactions of large items like houses and cars are done through banks for security. He brings a copy of the title and you the cash to a bank, the bank checks the title and makes sure you essentially dont get scammed and act as the "witnessing party" during the transaction to show nobody was cheated on either end. On another note, i wont ever know Hawaiian laws, but in some states that im aware of, you can transfer titles by having both parties sign the title and then taking it to the local MVA/DMV for the switch in ownership. I would just hate to hear you purchased a car with a lien on it for 9,500 and the guy still owes or rather you now owe 4,000.
When handling sports cars, and buying them for that matter, its always best to make sure the car runs well. I would suggest testing the car yourself, and having a shop look at the car on the owners expense. Having the owner do this assures not only yourself, but all other would be buyers of the security of purchasing this vehicle.
As for knowing if its stolen or not, well you can ask your local police dept. to run the VIN located on several places on the car, most notably the driver side door, and the front window near the A pillar. If they refuse for some reason, well you can always try this, https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck, im not sure how up to date it is, however its better then nothing at all. In the end if it is, well you're out of your money and a car, until they catch the guy, and you sue for your money back.
TL:DR
*Make sure you are provided with a bill of sale, this will be provided to the MVA/DMV *Write down on the title the purchasing price, odometer, date of purchase, and lastly both parties signatures *Make sure there isnt a lien on the vehicle, you can check with a bank, or the MVA/DMV *Make sure upon the day of purchase you go to your MVA/DMV and switch the title over into your name, it will reissue the title to yourself, so the guy doesnt attempt to sell the title again and leave you in some sort of weird scam. *Make sure your laws even allow party to party transactions, you dont want to get caught up in some sort of legal battle with the state because you did an illegal deal. *Test the vehicle either yourself, or talk the owner into having the vehicle checked in a garage on his dime, he will or rather should do it if he wants the money, and honestly it only makes sense. *Bringing a friend along for safety is always a good thing, bringing a weapon, though may sound extreme is understandable, especially when carrying nearly 10k.(I myself think that is a good idea, i brought one to buy car seats lol) *Dont ever go inside peoples houses, or go to less populated areas, if he decides he wants to do the sale at his house, okay fine, but dont be lured down into his "basment office" to sign some sort of paperwork, it can all be done over the hood of the car, or in the parking lot of a restaurant.
I know Hawaiian prices on vehicles are astronomical due to its location, but id reconsider purchasing with cash if you are young. I found it much wiser to get the car i wanted by getting a loan. With nearly 10k, you can bump down the price of a car quite far, normally the value is around 200 less for every 10k on a 5 year loan. So if you wanted a 20k dollar car, you can get away with paying nearly half of the car off and only pay 200 a month on a loan for 5 years, leaving you with a newer car, as well as establishing credit to boot. All in all a good deal, though its up to you and your financial situation.
My car was 30k, my down payment was 2k, which left me with a monthly car payment of, 560 over a term of 5 years(i had it paid off in 3 1/2). My credit is now fantastic, as well as my pretty car and i was loan free at age 21, essentially setting myself up for any larger purchases in the future, IE a fucking house, and a motorcycle.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: engurrand on February 10, 2014, 07:45:50 pm
I want to check out and buy this car but the person says... "will only meet up if you have cash in hand." It wouldn't bother me too much if it was like 2,000-3,000 or less, but the asking price on this particular car is 9,500$.
I am nervous about meeting someone over craigslist with that kind of money on my person. But the craigslist post doesn't seem very sketchy other than that: http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html (http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html)
Any body got any ideas about safely testing out a car and meeting up with that kind of money in hand?
All I can think of is just going with another person to check out the car, but It still makes me nervous sporting almost 10k in cash for a meetup with a stranger. (lots of tweekers in hawaii)
OPEN CARRY A PISTOL
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: sF_Guardian on February 10, 2014, 10:08:37 pm
I want to check out and buy this car but the person says... "will only meet up if you have cash in hand." It wouldn't bother me too much if it was like 2,000-3,000 or less, but the asking price on this particular car is 9,500$.
I am nervous about meeting someone over craigslist with that kind of money on my person. But the craigslist post doesn't seem very sketchy other than that: http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html (http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/cto/4280740059.html)
Any body got any ideas about safely testing out a car and meeting up with that kind of money in hand?
All I can think of is just going with another person to check out the car, but It still makes me nervous sporting almost 10k in cash for a meetup with a stranger. (lots of tweekers in hawaii)
Get a friend operating a drone above you, guess that's safety by american standards.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Sir_Hans on February 11, 2014, 05:33:20 am
Thanks for the tips. I think I'm gonna see if hes willing to have a mechanic check it out.
It doesn't look like he will let me test drive it though unless he sees the cash. I'm not too worried the car is stolen, more worried someone would just jack me for the 10k. (ie: his friend is parked down the street with a loaded shotgun in his truck just waiting to mug me.)
I don't have any guns in hawaii and I don't own any pistols.
I would do the car loan but I have terrible credit. I think the only place that would give me a car loan is like private/independent dealers, and there is slim pickings in hawaii when it comes to those dealers...
I found another car I'm looking at even more, It's a 2004 nissan 350z and The guy is asking 8,000$ or 9,500$ with fancry rims/wheels/new front bumper and new headlights... And he isn't saying "will only meet up with cash in hand". Plus it's an automatic. (I'm sure that doesn't sound like a plus to a lot of people but there is actually a lot of traffic in hawaii and I heard manual is a bitch in traffic. Plus I doubt I'll ever try to drift.)
Thanks for the tips. I think I'm gonna see if hes willing to have a mechanic check it out.
It doesn't look like he will let me test drive it though unless he sees the cash. I'm not too worried the car is stolen, more worried someone would just jack me for the 10k. (ie: his friend is parked down the street with a loaded shotgun in his truck just waiting to mug me.)
I don't have any guns in hawaii and I don't own any pistols.
I would do the car loan but I have terrible credit. I think the only place that would give me a car loan is like private/independent dealers, and there is slim pickings in hawaii when it comes to those dealers...
I found another car I'm looking at even more, It's a 2004 nissan 350z and The guy is asking 8,000$ or 9,500$ with fancry rims/wheels/new front bumper and new headlights... And he isn't saying "will only meet up with cash in hand". Plus it's an automatic. (I'm sure that doesn't sound like a plus to a lot of people but there is actually a lot of traffic in hawaii and I heard manual is a bitch in traffic. Plus I doubt I'll ever try to drift.)
Honestly I prefer the looks 1995 300z. The 350z isn't too ugly, but it's almost ugly. :mrgreen:
I Need to start with carfax first though and make sure it was never a rental car. So many rental cars in Hawaii...
You can make that 350z into a sexy machine with a few things.. (although i dont like the automatic :) ) looks like he has a set of black headlights for it, i'd purchase those aswell if you decide on this car. black-out the tail lights black rims (could use a darker tint, but thats just me) since it'll be blackened out, its good to have another color to accent it, i think blue (red would look great too) would look great. blue spokes, blue break calipers, blue underglow LED's, blue led's in the interior, get the chrome exhaust tip "blued" or even get a new one. 2 10's in the back.
just some ideas :D
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: AntiBlitz on February 11, 2014, 12:06:03 pm
just food for thought, but never bring cash on your first deal, advise him you will meet him in a public area to do the exchange. This puts any would be robbers at the disadvantage, no home field anymore. Also most public areas have cameras and people standing all about, so meet at a restaurant or something. I almost bought a 90's Nissan myself about a year ago, i quite like them as well, always reminded me of a poor mans lambo, kind of that 80's 90's style of future cars that appealed to me.
Another thing to remember is simply that a set of wheels can cost 500 to 1k, so dont be galled into believing they are worth thousands like a dealership will tell you(unless they are the lightweight racing alloy wheels, or carbon fiber, which is doubtful, as they cost around 3k for a set)
Headlights can also be done yourself, actually i can explain to you how to open headlights and customize them yourself, it will sound trickier then it actually is, but when it comes to cash and cars, i know a thing or two. I cant see the link anymore, so i have no idea what they look like, but if they arent projectors, and are halogen i can explain how to retrofit them.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Molly on February 11, 2014, 12:50:46 pm
Thanks for the tips. I think I'm gonna see if hes willing to have a mechanic check it out.
It doesn't look like he will let me test drive it though unless he sees the cash. I'm not too worried the car is stolen, more worried someone would just jack me for the 10k. (ie: his friend is parked down the street with a loaded shotgun in his truck just waiting to mug me.)
I don't have any guns in hawaii and I don't own any pistols.
I would do the car loan but I have terrible credit. I think the only place that would give me a car loan is like private/independent dealers, and there is slim pickings in hawaii when it comes to those dealers...
I found another car I'm looking at even more, It's a 2004 nissan 350z and The guy is asking 8,000$ or 9,500$ with fancry rims/wheels/new front bumper and new headlights... And he isn't saying "will only meet up with cash in hand". Plus it's an automatic. (I'm sure that doesn't sound like a plus to a lot of people but there is actually a lot of traffic in hawaii and I heard manual is a bitch in traffic. Plus I doubt I'll ever try to drift.)
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: Rumblood on February 11, 2014, 03:52:17 pm
It is simple. Meet at the police station. You get there first and go inside and explain to an officer what you are doing and they will understand why you came there to meet up.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: zagibu on February 11, 2014, 11:45:47 pm
An automatic transmission in a sports car? People will spit in your face.
Title: Re: How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 11, 2014, 11:55:26 pm
An automatic transmission in a sports car? People will spit in your face.
Automatic transmissions and sports cars go hand in hand now, manual shifting of cars is slow and unfortunately limited, and was usually associated with being a man car, because we all know sports cars dont have genitalia included unless you are grasping a metal shaft and ball in the car and wiggling it about.
However with that said, as is my car, i drive a car which has a TC-SST transmission, or a Twin clutch sportronic shift transmission. This transmission is a manual which is then shifted electronically, essentially its semi auto, as the driver does not engage a clutch but does shift the gears, or rather tells the car when it needs to be shifted. These transmissions are the wave of the future of all sport cars, and unfortunately have snuffed manual cars now. Its only weakness which will come with time and technology is the fragile clutch pack which can be burnt under heavy load, essentially boiling the sensors and packs beyond repair due to them being bathed in oil similar to a motorcycle transmission. A new cost of these transmission runs about 12,000 dollars, while a manual repair job is a tenth of that.
Now of course, not all automatic sports cars have these, due to pricing, and of course a audience who has no idea what the hell it is or does and wants the manual to of course not be spit on(why sell them a fancy transmission, most people just want the term sports car, not that it matters whether or not it performs well, they just want the title). Of course, you wont see these on most american muscle cars, it seems the imports all have the right idea though.
My car tranny, if anyone cares to peak at it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Clutch_SST