Bidding on a Q45 on Ebay

[RAP]

I submitted a bid for a Q45 posted on Ebay two days back. Out of curiosity, has anyone here actually purchased an automobile via Ebay? If so, what was the experience like?

Of course all situations are different I know, but there are scams in every corner of the universe, and probably ditto for what goes on in Ebay?

I read the instruction/information posted on the Ebay poop sheet about bidding how to pay etc, however there are always experiences that might reveal a dark side to the process and that is my concern.

I have made exactly two (2) purchases on Ebay but not a bid process. The first was for a 240 FSM, book, and just recently a CD FSM for a VW passat. The 240 book is a book and no problem but after loading the VW Passat CD I found myself stuck at the very end of the process and can't get through to the information. The package the the CD came in has NO return address and no information except a bar code. I did follow the instruction correctly, I think, to install but no cigar. Which leads me to another question.

I note that the Q45 FSM can be downloaded but I ain't too cool on doing that and prefer the actual FSM to hold and caress in my greasy hands and would like to know the best (read cheaper) source of purchasing the FSM. I found the set for the Q45 advertised on this site but at $ 274.00??? Is that the only deal? I do plan to purchase the FSM after I purchase the car whatever the year.

Thanks again fellas. I note that the GAZZ thread is ongoing, and so is the price which is up-going ! ! !

Jack

[goody90q45]

I found the set for the Q45 advertised on this site but at $274.00??? Is that the only deal? I do plan to purchase the FSM after I purchase the car whatever the year.

Here's an FSM for sale from the Infiniti Parts forum for a 90-93:

zerothread/277076

[WBY]

I've bought 4 cars off of ebay so far, and the biggest question I've noticed is who is selling it? Is it a private owner or a dealer? I bought all my cars from private owners (all Nissans) and even though for the most part they say they described them to the best of their abilities, all but 1 of the cars had large problems. The 240sx I bought needed a timing chain and a steering rack (and to think that I was going to drive it back!), the z32 I bought was pretty good, needed motor mounts and the paint was not that great. The 1 Z31 I bought was basically a parts car so that doesn't count, and the other Z31 that I bought literally had cracks in the body and was in way repairable. I have noticed that most large dealerships that put nice Q45s on ebay seem to describe them really well with loads of pictures and lots of info. If you can inspect the car before going through with the purchase then its not so big of a deal. But if the car is 1000 miles away and the description and information available on the car isn't thourough, then I would be careful when it comes to bidding on it. Not trying to discourage you with my vehicle purchasing history with ebay, just reminding you to be careful when buying off of there especially when the car cannot be viewed first in person. Hope that this helps some!

Mark

[RAP]

Thanks for the help fellas.

Yes, I agree that a visual close up looksee would be better by far but the car I am bidding on is located in FL and I'm in LA. Not that great a distance but would require at least two days to go to where this car is located. However if this bids progresses well I do have family living in FL that could go kick the tires.

I also agree that the dealers do have many photos and a written description of their cars condition and that seems like on the up and up.

I don't much care for auctions because I found that folks pay way more than stuff is really worth in many cases. Now I've heard of those cases, where there was no attendance at the auction and stuff went for giveaway prices blah blah. Never been my luck though. Depends what a person wants I suppose and their perception of value.

However this Ebay auction is hands off and a person writes in a bid hoping for the best. Personally I'm flexible and can adjust my offering depending how badly I want an item/car when facing the seller and perhaps come to an agreement on price.

i did write the seller and I did post my telephone numbers. Based on what I have noticed for other cars for sale, no one bids enough to buy and the car is finally offered at a " buy it now for x amount" and then the car finally disappears from the board and no one knows that, if in fact, the car has sold.I suppose one could call the selling dealer to find out. In fact it seems like tha majority of deal are offered by dealers.

Anyway the car I bid on is still on the board and I'll see what develops.

Thanks for the help. Jack

[dapark55]

I bought an 03 Q45 on Ebay last summer. It was from a dealer, but I hired a local car inspection service. Go on line, there's a bunch of them. I don't know where you're buying the car from, but I used an outfit in Houston (I'm in NY), called Auto Critic. They provided me with a detailed report and I spent about an hour on the phone with the mechanic. There was a problem or two, but the dealer and I worked them out. (The mechanic went back for a follow up). That being said, I believed that I was nuts to send a check for over $20K for a car that I never even laid eyes on. However, the car is great and I'd consider using Ebay again. Good luck.

[infinitinut2]

Do not proceed without an INDEPENDENT inspection of the vehicle by a knowledgeable person(s)! I have tried twice in the last few months to consumate a deal, sight unseen, and, on one, when inspecting the vehicle at ATL airport, RAN away from the deal! No more Ebay deals unless I can inspect/drive the vehicle in question!

CAVEAT EMPTOR must be your bywords!

[Jesda]

My dad bought a W124 Benz from a Texas dealer on ebay. He got a warranty that very quickly paid for itself, so he's pleased. Its a gorgeous car.

I made an offer (not a bid) on a Lincoln Continental on ebay a couple years ago. I eventually backed out and someone else on the Lincoln forum bought it. Car turned out to be a mess of broken electronics.

If you can, get a friend on the forum to go see the car.

[maxnix]

Must have an in person inspcetion by knowledgeable people. The for hire service sounds intriguing.

Personally, I only bought one off Autotrader, spent a lot of time talking with the private owner and inspected it before handing over the cash. Only 26K miles, so service records were short and complete.

Cars.com and Autotrader seem to have a better clientele than eBay, but any car approaching 10 years is a crap shoot.