Buy a restomod project from afar

This time of year is one of the best to buy a car because some strapped for cash folks are unable to buy presents for loved ones. This will usually motivate people to negotiate more. The only issue, is that you may need to venture outside of your local market to find the right car. Here are a few tips to help you along the way to make sure you get a great deal on your restomod project.

Know what you’re looking for:

Before you ever even start to look for a car, you should have at least an idea of what you’re looking for. Is this a project car? A donor? This will help you determine your pricing strategy, and maybe even help you figure out where to look.

It should also go without saying that you should know what model and brand you’re looking for. Going further than that, do you have a backup model? So, if you’re looking for a Mustang but can’t find an affordable one, are you willing to settle for a Torino? This is all stuff you should know beforehand.

Know how to buy at a distance:

Buying anything from a distance is a good way to stress yourself out. Plus, it’s never really a good idea to buy something without looking at it first. But, if you’re looking at an old street rod that’s 800 miles away, you at least need to get some eye balls on it, before you can buy it.

But, work won’t let you take off and if you wait too long, someone else will snatch this deal right out from under your feet. What’s a car-junky to do? There are plenty of third-party services out there who are willing to go look at a car for you at a reasonable price.

While this isn’t a perfect scenario, it beats the only other alternative, which is to buy without having anyone look at it. As someone who has used a service called We Go Look, I can say that they do a good job, take a lot of photos, and confirm the condition. Again, while not ideal, it is better than nothing.

Buying from depressed areas:

I found an old, late 60s big block Vette in a depressed area once, online. They wanted less than $9,000 for it, and it was a steal. Unfortunately, someone else beat me to the deal. But, the wonderful thing about having the internet at your fingertips, is that you can search for these cars in certain areas where people are willing to take less for a good car.

Know what you can spend:

This is one area where people go nuts. They set a budget, fall in love with a car, and then go way over their budget. You must have an idea of what you plan to spend beforehand. This is especially true if you plan to go to an auction. Which brings me to my next point …

Shop auctions:

One of the best things about auctions, is that if nobody is in the mood to buy, you’ll get a steal on a car without a reserve. If you’re willing and have the cash, this is a great way to go.

But, you need to know how much you’re able to spend. If you go with a limit of $30,000, but go up to $45,000, your wife will kill your ass when you get home.

Be ready to deal with people:

Some people suck. Some people haven’t the slightest idea what they’re doing with cars, and you may find something on the car that is totally jacked up. Or, you may find that the person who owns it just won’t budge on the price. This comes with the territory and should be expected.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that people always think they’ve got the absolute best of something. With cars, they believe that theirs just happens to be the baddest, most expensive muscle car ever built. Seriously. People always think their stuff is the best, and they have unrealistic expectations on the price.

Therefore, even though some people are more willing to negotiate at this time of year, not all of them are so don’t be surprised.

Craigslist:

Craigslist is a modern day phenomenon. There are deals all over the place and you can shop just about anywhere with any keyword. I bought my old ’67 pickup off an ad on Craigslist and it was a good experience.

The thing with Craigslist, is that there are also nut-jobs out there, so always stay on your toes when meeting new people. Craigslist is killer for finding project and parts donors. Just don’t think you’re going to get a pristine hot-rod out of it for cheap. The car will likely need work.

eBay:

eBay is a great place to find cars, even if it is more difficult to find good deals these days. Be prepared to act quickly when an auction is about to end and a good price is still to be had. You also need to be prepared for a bidding war last minute, because other people have the same idea as you.

Southwest:

It should go without saying that cars from the southwestern part of the United States will have the best parts. It rarely rains or snows there, and there isn’t any salt on the street to eat away at the metal on the car.

I always recommend to buy original parts from the southwest, or whole cars. They’re just going to be in better shape. You may also pay a premium for them though, because the people who own these cars understand that these parts are in high demand.

In fact, many businesses have cropped up all over the southwest because the cars are just in that good shape.

Shipping:

Shipping a car can be expensive. I always recommend doing a lot of research beforehand to make sure you’re getting a great deal, and know for a fact that the company you plan to use is reputable. Online reviews of a company are a good way to see what you’re getting yourself in to. Read them in detail and remember that you cannot please everyone so a bad review isn’t necessarily a deal breaker.

Have you ever bought a classic or project car at a distance? How did it work out for you in the end? Let us know in the comments, and if you haven’t liked our Facebook page yet, make sure you do so now.