Bidding for Power

The Internet age has zapped the automotive performance and restoration world with classified ads and information from across the globe. Whether you're looking for an intake manifold or an original 396 Camaro convertible, hot rodders today are treated to a nearly endless inventory of cars and parts by simply going online.

Not too long ago, buying a choice musclecar or special part required a stack of classified sections, searching through swap meets, and too much traveling. Today, it's all just a click away by visiting the many Internet sites devoted to musclecars and parts. Sounds easy, right? Well, for the most part it is, but as with all transactions, there are pitfalls to avoid as well as great opportunities. So the more savvy the buyer, the less likely the chance of making the wrong purchase.

Like you, we're always looking for more automotive treasures, and we wanted to learn more about the world of buying this stuff online. We researched many of the popular online sites and visited with the folks at eBay. During our exploration, we found plenty of cool deals as well as a wealth of information that can help ensure that your next online purchase goes as smoothly as possible. So hang on as we travel through cyberspace and do some site seeing.

In the Beginning

Before buying anything online, you should first determine exactly what you're looking for and the price range you're in. As simple as that may sound, there seems to be a degree of excitement that overcomes many hot rodders (including the author) when clicking through the dozens of goodies available. Online auctions offer tremendous opportunities to find parts and cars from your desktop, but remember that it's up to you to do the proper research. Many auction sites offer services that show market value for vehicles or ranges of recently sold vehicles matching the same description. Before placing a bid, be sure to check the market price.

Searching the Web

Successfully locating the most items that match your request on a particular site depends on the description you enter into the search box. For example, if you're looking for a '65 Chevelle on eBay, we found that more listings could be found by also entering "'65 Malibu, 1965 Chevelle, '65 Chevy, 1965 Chevy, and 1965 Malibu" in the search box. You may also click on "View Seller's Other Items" and find more treasures.

Pricing Tips

Before placing a bid or actually buying, spend some time researching the prices of comparable items that have recently sold. For most parts, there typically is more than one listing of the same or similar items. If you're not in a big hurry, spend a few weeks watching what the item you're looking for is selling for. Most sites offer a service where you can go online and find a current market value of vehicles. eBay offers a link to www.kbb.com, and Collector Car Trader Online (www. collectorcartraderonline.com) offers a price checker that will show a range of prices of recently sold vehicles.

On-Site Inspections

Although you may live in Maine, your cool rust-free musclecar may be in Los Angeles. How can you actually determine that the car is in the approximate condition the seller says it is? Many online sites offer a service that provides certified vehicle inspectors who certify that vehicles sold are as described in the listing. A mobile inspection service offered through eBay Motors provides experts that will go anywhere in the country for you and prepare a report for a nominal fee ranging from $80 to $99.

If you plan on paying a large sum of money for a musclecar, then spending a relatively small amount on an inspection can pay big dividends in piece of mind or in avoiding a bad deal. We recently heard of one buyer who quickly purchased a musclecar based on the seller's photos and description, and when the car arrived at his home by carrier, its actual condition was far less than what was described. If what you are considering is only a day's drive or a few hours away by plane, it may be worth it to do the traveling and see the vehicle firsthand or use an on-site inspector.

Paperwork

Before cementing any deal on a vehicle, be certain that the car's paperwork is unencumbered and able to be transferred. Sometime sellers have no title, which makes the car difficult to transfer and may present a problem with John Law when the vehicle is being transported or driven back to your home.

Show Me the Money

Payment escrow services speed up and take the risk out of big-ticket transactions.

Getting It Home

Buying a car several states away will require either a memorable road trip or vehicle shipping. If you're buying a vintage musclecar with some steep performance gears, you may want to consider having the car transported to save wear on the motor, your gas card, and your hearing. Trust us, a 2,500-mile trip in a musclecar with 4.10 gears is an experience you won't want to do twice. Many of the online automotive sites recommend vehicle-shipping companies that offer quotes online.

Buying Site Unseen

Buying a car online may be easy, but the results will depend on how well you handle the transaction. Remember, use the resources available to help you ascertain the car's condition, verify the ownership title, and ensure that the funds are transferred properly. Most of the online sites we visited offer a multitude of services designed to simultaneously protect the buyer and seller. But you need to expend the effort and not rely solely on the seller's description of his vehicle. Here are some tips for online buying.

* Get as many photos of the car as possible and make sure they include areas under the car, inside the trunk, and in the interior and engine compartment.
* Learn as much about the car as possible before making a bid or offer.
* Ask the seller questions and watch out for evasive responses. If the seller tells you that he doesn't know the answer to your question, use other sources to find out. Examples are: if the seller informs you that he believes the factory A/C only needs to be charged, investigate if that's true or not. Often the A/C may really need expensive repairs and has been deliberately rendered inoperative.
* Check the price against similar cars and recent sales. Just because a vehicle has a high asking price does not mean it is a high-quality car. Many cars are grossly overpriced and sometimes sell beyond market value because the buyer becomes drawn in.
* Use the services of an inspector who can give you a third-party opinion. Remember, many sellers may not be qualified to evaluate the quality of the car you're interested in buying. A large percentage of vehicle restorations and the parts installed do not match the car's original quality, which might not be apparent to either the sellers or buyers.
* In some cases, you might even consider traveling to the location to inspect the car yourself.

By using the available resources and doing some research, you can find a car in the condition you're looking for and soon have it safely in your driveway.

Rest Assured

Many of the online sites we visited offer a host of services to help take the risk out of buying and selling vehicles online. For example, eBay Motors offers an Assurance Program created to build additional protection into each step of the buying and selling process. The three key features of the program are:

1. A limited warranty by www.1SourceAutoWarranty.com, which offers complimentary sight-unseen coverage to buyers of passenger vehicles and protects against failure of major mechanical components of the powertrain for one month or 1,000 miles (whichever comes first).

2. Payment Insurance is available no-cost through a third-party provider. It protects buyers against fraud or material misrepresentation on any passenger vehicle listed on eBay Motors. The coverage maximum is $20,000 with a $500 deductible.

3. Payment Protection benefits both the parties as they arrange for the exchange of funds and the vehicle after the auction closes. This feature is available as an option; Payment Protection consists of Fast Deposit and Secure Pay. To learn more about these programs and even a new financing service, visit www.ebaymotors.com and go to Services.