Are we speaking the same language?, Trying to buy a 914 Options

[David Stowers]

Hi All,
Ive been trying to buy a 914 fore some months now and am getting really frustrated.
On two occasions I thought Id agreed a deal with sellers here and then from that stage nothing, no emails nothing.
Am I missing something here? I accept that as an overseas buyer people may rather deal with someone local but all I need is to be told thats whats going on. Instead its as if the seller has gone to jail or something and lost access to email or been abducted by aliens!
I guess it may work differently between US and UK but surely if someone changes their mind its not a big deal to let me know?
Rant over, anyone selling an 914, preferably pre 74 and as original as possible. Ive got about $5500 burning a hole in my pocket and a Porsche-less garage
David

[David Stowers]

From my recent experiences, if I jumped on a plane to come buy the car I want, I'd arrive to see an empty space on the driveway and no answer at the door. I appreciate cash is king but just not practical. UK ebay can go for weeks without a single 914 advertised and Ive just searched Craiglist here and not found a single one hence trying to buy in the States. Im happy to talk to sellers by phone or even skype to try and prove Im genuine, I will buy the one but its clearly going to test my patience. Youll notice from Wheeler Dealers the 'seller' bought the car back so all they did really was restore it for him Im guessing they couldnt find a suitable one for sale. Hope Sandy passes you by OK

[ScoopLV]

From my recent experiences, if I jumped on a plane to come buy the car I want, I'd arrive to see an empty space on the driveway and no answer at the door. I appreciate cash is king but just not practical. UK ebay can go for weeks without a single 914 advertised and Ive just searched Craiglist here and not found a single one hence trying to buy in the States. Im happy to talk to sellers by phone or even skype to try and prove Im genuine, I will buy the one but its clearly going to test my patience. Youll notice from Wheeler Dealers the 'seller' bought the car back so all they did really was restore it for him Im guessing they couldnt find a suitable one for sale. Hope Sandy passes you by OK

Offer to Paypal a $500 deposit to hold the car. That'll prove you're serious. That's how I did it at least. Paypal is the preferred method of payment around here because it's basically scam-free for the seller. (It takes a little trust on the buyer's part. But for the most part you will find that we're an honest group over here in North America.)

The seller didn't even want the deposit. Just my flight information was good enough for him. The fact that my flight was one-way was more than enough to prove to him that I was serious. He picked me up at the airport, the transaction was done in less than half an hour. (It took a few minutes to insure the car.) I was on the road less than one hour after my flight landed.

Incidentally, I'm suggesting you search Craigslist in the southwestern United States. All of them. That's how I did it. losangeles.craigslist.org, bakersfield.craigslist.org, lasvegas.craigslist.org, phoenix.craigslist.org, tuscon.craigslist.org, albuquerque.craigslist.org -- all the way to Austin, Texas. Even the small cities. There are dozens of them for sale in all conditions and at largely random prices -- beaters selling for five figures, pristine stock selling for four.

Have a map of the Southwest United States open in your browser and keep clicking "other craigslists in the area" every few days until you find the car you want. It took three weeks in my case. Be prepared for a large phone bill if all the seller provides is a telephone number. If nothing else, you'll learn a great deal about the American southwest through your search.

OR take one of the members up on their offer to broker the transaction for you. If I lived in England, I would go that route.