How to shop for cars safely on craigslist?

[Sir_Hans]

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

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)

[Xant]

Have a friend hold onto the money in a nearby café or equivalent.

[Vibe]

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[Life]

You can get a lot faster car than that for less than that cost.

But back on safety-topic. Bring a small pistol, its America.

[Xant]

If he has to ask this question, bringing a weapon will not help him, only make it more likely that he gets killed.

[HappyPhantom]

Does he mean literally cash in hand? Or just cashed up no strings attached ready to buy now?

[Kafein]

If he has to ask this question, bringing a weapon will not help him, only make it more likely that he gets killed.

But what if it marginally increases the chances of being killed and greatly reduces the chances of being robbed or scammed?

[Xant]

If ‘ifs’ and ‘ans’
Were pots and pans
There’s be no work for tinkers!

[Kafein]

If ‘ifs’ and ‘ans’
Were pots and pans
There’s be no work for tinkers!

Decisions under uncertainty do exist.

[Xant]

So does your mother. What's your point?

[Kafein]

So does your mother. What's your point?

You can't assume probabilities when you don't know them.

[Vovka]

Any body got any ideas about safely testing out a car and meeting up with that kind of money in hand?

speak with a Russian accent 

[Xant]

You can't assume probabilities when you don't know them.

Yes you can.

[WITCHCRAFT]

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.

[Molly]

speak with a Russian accent 

Most useful suggestion yet!