Biggest purchase on Ebay?

[Greg Goodfellow]

I just bought a car off Ebay-a '99 Taurus (LX model) for just over $3,000. The seller faithfully represented what was negative about the car, and gave the full 24-picture portfolio on it. I NEVER thought I would do this, but my wife had made several other purchases (gowns for the girls, especially-note this, fathers of daughters), and everything went fine. The seller had a 100% approval rate, so we put down the $250 required. My younger brother and I went to a place just outside of Baltimore, called Glen Burnie (Dave Loudin may know this place). Long story short, we brought back a car that is ideal for our purposes. It was a fleet vehicle with the Baltimore Police; unfortunately, the car's bumpers signalled that the vehicle may have been used for crowd control. Since it wasn't garage-kept, the paint job had faded on the roof, but I knew most of that already. I can deal with the cosmetics; the interior is virtually perfect. Baltimore kids must love to break off antennas, so I'm looking for a new one. I stopped at Auto Zone today, but the guy wasn't sure one of his universal units would work. It was hard to judge in the dark and the rain. I'll probably take it to a dealer, so if they lose parts down inside, they can fish them out.

Since my brother knows cars much better than I, I had him drive it. We got around 23 mph (going 75-80 or so), which is better than my 2004 Taurus. It tracks very well and is responsive. Overall, a very good experience. The guy called our house today and left a message, wondering how our trip home went. We'll leave positive comments.

BTW, I heard Christmas music on 97.1, WASH, yesterday. I think the announcer said they had begun All-Christmas Saturday morning at 5. I think Dave Loudin made mention of this.

[Ace Purple]

My brother bought his BMW over eBay and it turned out to be a great purchase for him.

[Dave Loudin]

Indeed, Greg, I know where you were. Glad you made it out alive! (actually not that bad....)

We haven't bought too much off of eBay, but we have purchased used prom gowns via Craigslist.

[Cameron]

For me - Toyota Camry in 2004.

[Scott Reppert]

I bought a car off of eBay. Paid $670 for it. Good deal, great seller, no problems..



As a matter of fact, I've bought lots of cars off of eBay...

[ashton]

Scott,
That makes me sad -

I've probably taken a hammer to more than one of those in my early years.

[cgarison]

It was a fleet vehicle with the Baltimore Police; unfortunately, the car's bumpers signalled that the vehicle may have been used for crowd control.

Nothing wrong with a fleet car. Ford has a tendency to do things to cars ordered with fleet package to make them last longer like stiffer springs, larger sway bars, and bigger oil sumps.

As far as bumpers looking pretty bad, that is just a result of urban living. My bumpers are serving well despite being cracked and the paint has been crazed/scratched/scuffed/and scorched. Just life in the big city.

I may go back to a Jeep with quarter inch steel bumpers and severe rocker protection to survive the urban jungle.

[Scott Reppert]

I've probably taken a hammer to more than one of those in my early years.

Keep in mind that there were TONS of that car casting made...the ones you would have smashed with a hammer...but they came in more common packaging. That car in THAT package? Probably less than 100 still around packaged. In other words, you can find that Hot Wheels car for $1-$3 in the "common" packaging. I basically paid the premium for it being what is know to collectors as "Blue Card Collector Number 0030"...