How far would you be willing to drive to purchase a vehicle? (credit, pickup)
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No bargains in the area I'm in but seeing some 3-5 hours away.
Has anyone traveled this far to purchase a vehicle? If so, how did you handle a pre purchase inspection if you had this done? Would it be unreasonable to ask a dealer to meet me halfway if I were to put down a deposit?gl
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I suppose if you agreed to let them keep the deposit of you didn't buy it, they might do that. It seems like spending $25-50k on a new car is a good reason to spend a few hours and some gas on the trip. If you are talking used, there are people that will go inspect it for you in the local area, just pay by debit/credit card. Assuming even $8-10,000 for the car, it's still worth the time and gas to go see and buy it. I have bought new as far as 100 miles away in the past, when that was the only dealer with what I wanted. I'm currently considering a car that's 2,000 miles away, but it's a classic, and I'll have it shipped here.
To drive, I'll go 300 miles for a car or so. That covers most of the major cities in TX, and some in OK. Anything more than that and I'd just fly there, or arrange shipping.
I had a deal for a new S2000 fall through on me (dealer just sent me my deposit back) when demand went up and markups went through the roof. I had already sold my car so I needed to find a deal or buy an interim car (what I should have done). I was able to cut a good deal with a dealer 1300 miles away so I flew up and bought it. Probably would not do it again.
From North Carolina, I've flown to NJ and driven to Florida to buy a car, and had a car shipped from Texas. The only reason I didn't fly out to pick up the car in Texas was that it was going to cost the same, and I wouldn't have to miss a day of work to have it shipped. Otherwise, I like to pick them up myself and drive back.
People used to commonly fly to Seattle from Alaska and drive a new (or new to them) vehicle back. Alaska DMV even had a Seattle office where you could register the vehicle and pick up plates. I brought a new 4WD pickup back with me when I lived up there.
No bargains in the area I'm in but seeing some 3-5 hours away.
Has anyone traveled this far to purchase a vehicle? If so, how did you handle a pre purchase inspection if you had this done? Would it be unreasonable to ask a dealer to meet me halfway if I were to put down a deposit?gl
That's nothing, Heyman . . .
Ten years ago I found and purchased the perfect Chevrolet SSR from a Chevy Dealer in a small town in Central Illinois.
The trip . . . about a two hour drive to the Phoenix Airport beginning at about 4 AM, a flight to St. Louis and then another two hour drive to the Chevy Dealer.
The 1600 plus trip home took about four days and I would happily do the same transaction again in a heartbeat.
My advice . . . GO FOR IT.
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