Guys who buy classic cars face two challenges: these cars are often purchased sight unseen from someone halfway across the state or across the country, and the money outlay for classic cars can be great while the warranties and guarantees are scanty. This is not like buying a new car, where you get to test ride it and get lots of warranties from a dealer who is practically sweating for you to take a car off the lot. Sure, a classic car is cooler, but you do need to follow some basic buying tips to get it into your garage safely:
1. Do your research. Your best bet is to join a classic car club before you buy your car. This gives you lots of enthusiasts who can vouch for a retailer (or not). In addition, you might want to ask the local classic car mechanic about vendors you can trust. If you find a classic car and need to check out the guy who is selling it, ask for references or past customers who can tell you what their purchase experience was like. You will also want to run the retailer’s name through a local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, and local police department to make sure that the person or company has not been involved in any scams. Googling the company or retailers name doesn’t hurt, either. Read the rest of this entry »