Purchase out of state? (1 Viewer)

[FZJ80]

I'm wondering if anyone has ever purchased a vehicle out of state before, sight un-seen. If you have what was your experience and if you haven't, what do you think the pro's and cons are?

Right now I'm looking at a FZJ80 that is located in Marianna, Florida:
Preowned-Inventory Marianna Toyota Marianna FL

Also found another one in Kentucky:
Cars for Sale: 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 in Dry Ridge, KY 41035: Sport Utility Details - 265205551 - AutoTrader.com

I guess I need to figure out if I feel like traveling down to Florida or up to Kentucky to possibly purchase these are try and do everything over the internet and phone and have it shipped.

What are ya'lls thoughts?

 

[BBQ BOY]

I bought my FJ40 in Clearwater Florida unseen and it was the biggest mistake I have ever made. Luckily if it weren't for Glenn I would have burned it. It has cost me a lot of money to get it in great condition. The guy I bought it from was a master of disguise. Glenn is a great guy and mechanic. If you can try and buy local and have him look it over or even have him tell you what to look out for. heck have him call the person so he can find out about it.
Not saying you may not get a good truck because to be honest I was very uneducated about anything mechanical and I had no idea what I was buying. It's good to go now though. Very reliable and very sound.

 

[dbenke]

I bought mine(Doc's at the time)from St. Augustine. I didn't but it before I saw it, but had already decided to get it. Best buy I ever made.
While it did (does still) need some work, It was still a good buy.

 

[Brock]

if you can find a IH8MUD member down in the area to take a look at it might help lessen your fears.....

 

[lextechautomotive]

I do not recommend anyone buying a vehicle over 2thousand bucks, to buy a vehicle sight unseen. However if you think you've found the right truck out of town and it's to far to travel for personal inspection, then search the surounding area for an shop that is specific to that brand of vehicle and hire them to do a pre-purchase inspection. Just because you may have found a Toyota vehicle being sold from a Toyota dealership is not a guarantee that it's a nice clean trouble feee vehicle.
I do quite a few inspection a month for out of town internet shoppers.

 

[BELMONT148]

Why limit yourself to a locked only rig. Full axle sets can be found and shipped a whole lot easier than traveling all over the country to find a locked rig. I would buy the nicest unlocked 80 I could find locally and source a set of axles later. That's just me though. I wouldn't want to pay the premium for a locked 80 when there are plenty of nice unlocked rigs under $5000 around.

I think the last set of locked axles I saw sold for $1000 or something.

If I really had to have a locked 80 I would have bought Glenn's old rig from Agreekboy for $4500, and then bought that 80 with lockers on Autotrader in Aiken for $3500. Swapped the axles and sold the other 80 for $2500-$3500 and had a locked 80 with a TON of parts replaced for $4500.

Jeremy

 

[SHERMAN FJ62]

Glenn's on the right path. I would not drive several hours to get a vehicle you may or may not want

 

[73fj40lc]

My brother bought a tacoma from Miami. He talked to the seller on the phone several times and asked alot of questions and had alot of pics sent to him. In the end he decided to buy the truck if it was as promised. He was specific in what he wanted and expected. The seller assured him that it was what he was looking for. He finally flew to Miami with check in hand if it was as promised. He looked it over and drove it. Did the paperwork and it drove home. I won't buy anything unless I check it or have somebody that knows more than I do it for me, Period. You may get lucky but most people today wont be totally honest if they even really know their own vehicle. Alot of people never work on their own vehicles, they just drive them until something breaks. During my search for a 40 it amazed me how little alot of the owners really knew about their own vehicles. Just my humble 2 cents.

 

[85BrownCruiser]

I've bought 5 or 6 cars on ebay or over the internet...

like stated before, get a mechanic in the area to do an inspection on the vehicle. Buy the car with the most receipts, they will tell the life story of the car.
Good luck

 

[FZJ80]

Well, the one in Marianna, Fl. was bust, they sent a Service Dept. inspection list and it has a Front Crank Seal Leak, Front Power Seats dont work, Brake Pulsation, parking break inop, rr window inop, cig lighter inop, antenna inop.

As soon as I read all of that I didnt want it anymore, but he also said they would not fix the problems to make the sale. I guess Marianna Toyota isnt in the business of selling cars.

Oh well...

 

[Brock]

unfortunately they probably sent better rigs than that to the cash for clunkers program

 

[89s rule]

I bought my 80 from LA last summer and its been great. No complaints just remember things always look better in pictures than in person. If possible have someone check it out and I agree dont get stuck on having to have lockers, get a good truck and worry about lockers later.