Tips/Suggestions When Purchasing Car From Private Individual?

[Hamrhead]

Whatever advice you can offer on this subject I'd appreciate.

I'm looking to buy a car from a private owner in Maryland.

'00 Viper ACR
4,400 miles. Looks to be in excellent shape from the pictures. 2nd owner - he purchased from dealer out west 1.5 years ago. Current owner says no accidents/paintwork.

I'm asking this because years back I managed to get burned buying a car from a private owner. Granted, I was much younger and the car was much cheaper, but what sort of recourse would I have if this thing turns out to be a POS?

 

[YellowFever]

Whatever advice you can offer on this subject I'd appreciate.

I'm looking to buy a car from a private owner in Maryland.

'00 Viper ACR
4,400 miles. Looks to be in excellent shape from the pictures. 2nd owner - he purchased from dealer out west 1.5 years ago. Current owner says no accidents/paintwork.

I'm asking this because years back I managed to get burned buying a car from a private owner. Granted, I was much younger and the car was much cheaper, but what sort of recourse would I have if this thing turns out to be a POS?

Probably none, you'll have to check with an attorney to be sure, but it's usually buyer beware. Best thing you can do is have the car inspected by a Viper tech at the nearest dealership. Have the guy drive it over and you pay for the inspection. When you go to inspect/buy the car take someone with you who has a good eye for body and paint work.

Good luck,
Jeff

 

[Silverback]

CARFAX.

Also YF had good advice. Get is checked out by an independant party. Hell, are there any members of the forum in the area that could look at it for you?

 

[Hamrhead]

CARFAX.

Also YF had good advice. Get is checked out by an independant party. Hell, are there any members of the forum in the area that could look at it for you?

Just opened up an account and ran one. All looks normal.

Original California car. Moved to Maryland in 1/04 to current owner.

 

[eddie102870]

like they said have a bodyman check it out for paint and damage and a viper tech check it out as far as mechanical issues a lot of wholesaler's have an eye for that.

 

[ViperTruck2933]

Hamr, If you are on Viperalley you might ask one of those guys if they know the car or if they would check out the car for you.

Those guys can be brutal at times but they know those cars and they usually go out of their way to point out a douchebag. They'll be all over the guy if they smell a problem with it.
:dontknow:

 

[Hamrhead]

Hamr, If you are on Viperalley you might ask one of those guys if they know the car or if they would check out the car for you.

Those guys can be brutal at times but they know those cars and they usually go out of their way to point out a douchebag. They'll be all over the guy if they smell a problem with it.
:dontknow:

I've been lurking over there for a while. Maybe I'll sign up and introduce my F'd up self.

Good Idea!:rock:

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

Good idea would also to be to put the car up on a rack and look along the bottom edge of the paint. It's pretty easy to tell if it's been repainted and alot of guys don't look that close when they strip it after painting along the bottom edge.
Good luck bro!!!:burnout: :burnout:

 

[Hamrhead]

Good idea would also to be to put the car up on a rack and look along the bottom edge of the paint. It's pretty easy to tell if it's been repainted and alot of guys don't look that close when they strip it after painting along the bottom edge.
Good luck bro!!!:burnout: :burnout:

Good thought - Thanks!:rock:

 

[Manic]

Good thought - Thanks!:rock:

Have you found out any more info about the viper Hamrhead?

 

[Hamrhead]

Here's two of the cars I'm considering:

2000 ACR - 4,400 miles, asking 51K, Aftermarket wheels, otherwise stock
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...2&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=121


I actually like this Silver one more (I love Black, but keeping it clean is a PITA), but only if I can get the price closer to 40K
'99 ACR - 31,000 miles, asking 45.5K, aftermarket exhaust and lowered, otherwise stock
http://www.viperalley.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=1846&sort=2&cat=2&page=2

 

[Hamrhead]

Have you found out any more info about the viper Hamrhead?

Not yet. Supposed to call him Thursday or Friday, but now I'm having second thoughts being as this individual is so difficult to contact. When I asked him if he had the original wheels, he said 'I'm not sure. I'll have to check'.

Anyone on this forum - How would you Not Know if you had the stock wheels to YOUR car????:dontknow: Although, he did get me the VIN and it checked out with what he told me on a CARFAX. I just get the feeling he's hiding something or something's not right. Bugs me...

I'd sooooo much prefer to buy from a dealer, but Viper's aren't exactly a dime-a-dozen on dealer's lots...

 

[Manic]

Friendly group at viper alley aren't they...

The '00 ACR at 4,400 miles is becoming a real rare viper... Very nice at definately a premium where the '99 would be more of a daily driver if you would call a viper a daily driver...

Will

 

[Dave T(BADVENM)]

I would go on to the Viper Club of America and Viper Alley forums and ask if anyone knows the owner of the car or is familiar with the car. Seems the MD/VA Viper guys are pretty active so there is a chance someone has seen it and could verify its condition. Also, some of the guys who know what to look for when purchasing a Viper (curb rash wheels, scratches on the front facia, etc) could take a look at it.

 

[Hamrhead]

Friendly group at viper alley aren't they...

The '00 ACR at 4,400 miles is becoming a real rare viper... Very nice at definately a premium where the '99 would be more of a daily driver if you would call a viper a daily driver...

Will

Yeah when comparing both cars and mileage, the '00 ACR definitely seems like the way to go for the extra cash, but that '99 would look waaay better to me for something closer to 40K!:rock:

With either car, it would just be a fair-weather toy.

 

[Hamrhead]

I would go on to the Viper Club of America and Viper Alley forums and ask if anyone knows the owner of the car or is familiar with the car. Seems the MD/VA Viper guys are pretty active so there is a chance someone has seen it and could verify its condition. Also, some of the guys who know what to look for when purchasing a Viper (curb rash wheels, scratches on the front facia, etc) could take a look at it.

I just posted over at the Alley yesterday and received some good info.

Friendly group at viper alley aren't they...

Yes, seems like a pretty good bunch of peeps so far! I'll try not to piss 'em off!