To those people who have bought them. Are you guys really just wiring people money or sending certified checks on blind faith that the seller will send you the vehicle? I have asked two sellers so far to use Escrow.com and I've run into resistance both time. They just don't want use the service (which as far as I can tell provides two way protection to both buyer and seller during the transaction). I know I only have two data points but I'd figure I'd ask people here. How are you guys going about making sure you're getting what you pay for even when you fly out to go look at it?

 

I bought my ITR out of state. Live in WA state and bought it in Utah. Basically after I found the car online I asked every question I could think of and got pictures of everything I asked for. Once I decided it was the car for me, I arranged to one way fly there not just to look at it but to buy it with cashier's check in hand.
Buying sight unseen is still tough, obviously even if you get every picture imaginable at all angles it's still not the same as looking at it in person. There were a couple things I wished had been better and there were a few things that were better than I thought they might be so it is a risk. Just try to minimize risks through a lot of communication.

 

I flew from California to Maryland, had the owner pick me up at the airport, then went to my bank there, withdrew the cash and had him sign over the title in the branch location, then drove back to california non-stop.

Nice and easy

 

I drove from Florida to Virginia. I did the same thing as CDUB, asked every ? imaginable and got plenty of pictures, worked out a price with the buyer. When I got there of course there were a few more flaws but with more bargaining it was the car for me. Oh I also had Acura do an inspection on the vehicle. The seller was more than helpful. It was a fun and great experience. GL.

 

your crazy. non-stop. 10gallons of redbull?

 

Haha, no redbull...I flew my gf out too, we took a redeye flight and got into Baltimore MD at 6am(Cali time), so I slept on the flight for about 4hrs, then I drove about 16hrs to Dallas Texas and let the gf drive for about 4hrs while I slept in the back seat, then I woke up and drove the last 13hrs and we were home by 9pm, 33hrs total(with gas stops) for 2700+ miles. We were pulled over twice, but no tickets. I was going for time so we were always over 100mph and the caR did great. It was a great trip and I'll have to do it again when I buy my E86 I'm sure.

-4DrDb8GsR

 

I was the seller on a Out Of State R sale
sold my 2000 on Ebay, car went 5 days on the auction, then sold for the BIN price. Buyer had a cashiers check cut from an acura dealer in Va., he flew in, I picked him up at the airport, took him and his bro to my house and he picked up the car. Did the bill of sale, he brought a temp tag, and drove non-stop back to Md. I figured the car was protected via the ebay system, so the transaction went pretty smooth.
i bought My 98 Via ebay, sent the money through ebay, once the payment cleared, drove down to miami and picked the car up.
I dont think I would send someone that type of money without some type of buyer protection like ebay offers, too many scams and theives out there...

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. Unfortunately, the two R's I liked were both in WA. Being that I am in FL, this makes it hard to for me to drive it back (4DRDB8 your insane ). And I agree with you SlapSmak, there needs to be some protection this is why I wanted to use Escrow to pay and ship the vehicle (Both were outside of the Ebay system). I suppose i'll have to keep looking and wait for something a bit closer or devise some other plan of action.

 

I flew out to Philly with a money order and the owner picked me up at the airport. He kept the title until the money order cleared and I head across the country the same day. 26 hours straight.

 

Shinmantis, i am confused on this escrow part that you are pushing. Most seller want the cash/check in hand when they sell their car. if you find an out of state R that you are serious about purchasing, do what everyone suggested, communicate online/phone with seller ask for pictures and detail of what you want to know about the car. Next step just fly out there (search if your local bank is located near seller) inspect car yourself, or bring it to acura for a professional inspection, hand over check/cash be on your way. maybe you can bargain with the seller to help pay for flight (flight are so cheap now and days anyway) you can have the option of driving back or have it delivered on a trailer and fly back home. simple...

 

i bought my itr on ebay and im from mass and the car was in va. just gave him a bank check and cash in person when i came down.

 

WA to FL is a long ways. When I was looking there was actually one that was very tempting located in FL and one in NH I think. I sort of set myself a limit of around 1000 miles one way to find one. My drive home was about 11 hours, did it in one shot. My wife actually drove more than I did!

 

If you are confused about escrow (www.escrow.com). I just wanted to know how everyone else was going about these transactions and what their experiences have been. Judging from the everyone's response, the best way is still to fly out there and do as your suggesting. I don't typically buy cars out of state so I would rather come here and ask the group about it, then fall into the same set of mistakes that others have made in the past.

 

I flew to NC and drove mine back to alabama. f the bs

 

Go on a road trip to wherever the R is located. Take the amount wit u and a 45mm wit u in case the deal goes wrong or a problem n drive back home helll yeeea

 

wow, did you top up with oil on this trip? i though i drove alot...

 

yeah i checked the oil every 300 miles/fill up, but never burned more then a half quart at most, and that was at 7k rpm non stop for hours since i have a jdm fd and kept the speedo at 90+

gotta love cross country road trips, nothing like it

 

I sent a small deposit then the owner drove it to me from SC to NJ, then paid him off the rest in cash.

 

Escrow is a PITA to deal with. That's why, among not actually having cash. Also, the title is signed over to the Escrow company until the car is picked up/driven back and put in the banks name.

If your serious about getting one and have the money, bring a check/cash or whatever your comfortable with to get the car. Many folks on here are more than willing to go XX miles around them to take a look and give an unbiased opinion on the car.

I'll never, ever EVER deal with a car selling via Escrow again. What a waste and pain to deal with. Total crap shoot if you ask me when dealing with the car.