How far to investigate a car?: Classic Cars forum: Classic Motorsports

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Jan. 20, 2010 1:25 p.m. rconlon Reader

This question had me quessing what it means. The word "investigate" is not "purchase". The right car could be a million dollar barn find or a nice Sprite. One is worth some extra effort and the other can be found locally. I did drive just under 100 miles to investigate and purchase my Spider. I also looked for about 6 months before I found this one. There is another question. How long did it take to find your last classic car? Less than 1 month, 6 months, or longer.

Cheers Ron
Jan. 20, 2010 2:08 p.m. DneprDave New Reader

I always just find them. I know what I'm looking for and keep an eye out locally.

I haven't had to go farther than 50 miles to get any of my cars. I had a London taxi, that someone just asked me if I wanted it, they knew I liked English Iron and wanted to get rid of it.

Dave
Jan. 20, 2010 2:12 p.m. JeffT New Reader

I'd drive 100 miles each way to look at a car. Last car I bought came from St. Louis and was shipped to New Hampshire. Everything that interests me these days seems to be on the West Coast or in Texas. Big money to ship stuff cross country. The older I get the stranger my taste. I'd like a Saab Sonett, the Fiat x-1/9 interests me, Lotus Elan+2, etc. I'm leaning toward light weight and less expensive these days.
Jan. 20, 2010 4:18 p.m. boeingpilot New Reader

JeffT wrote: I'd drive 100 miles each way to look at a car. Last car I bought came from St. Louis and was shipped to New Hampshire. Everything that interests me these days seems to be on the West Coast or in Texas.

Jeff, we should team up! I live on the west coast, and it seems to me like all the cool stuff is back east!
Jan. 21, 2010 5:14 a.m. foxtrapper UltraDork

rconlon wrote: How long did it take to find your last classic car? Less than 1 month, 6 months, or longer.

I hardly ever go looking for a specific car, but if I do, it usually only takes me a few months to find one that makes me happy.

However my latest was simply an accident. Fella posted a heads up to an e-bay auction item on the GRMS board. The auction was ending in just a few hours. I bid what I knew I could recoup from the wheels and carbs if it turned out to be a pig in a poke. Surprise, I won. So an 1,100 mile trip later, I had myself yet another Spitfire.
Jan. 21, 2010 9:31 a.m. ggarrard New Reader

I looked for a couple of years before finding a Datsun Z 2+2 that fit what we were looking for. Several day road trips were made (Ottawa to Toronto, Ottawa to Montreal etc) to look at candidates and also communicated via email regarding a possibility in Houston. Finally found one in Belleville, Ontario (about 2 hours SW of Ottawa) that my sister suggested to me (a neighbour selling his toy). Last one I bought was by luck... an acquaintance asked if I could arrange posting his car on our club website...(it never got posted..).
Jan. 21, 2010 10:23 a.m. Tom Heath Marketing / Club Coordinator

rconlon wrote: This question had me quessing what it means. The word "investigate" is not "purchase". The right car could be a million dollar barn find or a nice Sprite. One is worth some extra effort and the other can be found locally. I did drive just under 100 miles to investigate and purchase my Spider. I also looked for about 6 months before I found this one. There is another question. How long did it take to find your last classic car? Less than 1 month, 6 months, or longer. Cheers Ron

I liked your question so much that I stole it.

I would have said "purchase" on this last poll, but I've been stuck driving a long distance only to find the rust-free survivor that was promised needs more work (and more metal) than advertised. I don't promise to buy anything that I can't touch anymore...
Jan. 21, 2010 11:45 a.m. rconlon Reader

Permission granted. It makes me think of another regarding advertised vs actual condition. In your experience most classic cars offered for sale " are reasonably as advertised or grossly misrepresented. or Are 20% or 50% or 70+% classic cars grossly misrepresended in an ad? Maybe you can think of another along the same theme. Cheers Ron
Jan. 24, 2010 8:51 p.m. Ian F Dork

We drove from NJ to Pittsburgh for the last car. I'm guessing the next one will require a longer drive.