Has anyone had any experience on buying a car online?

I found her on craigslistI foundd her on craigslist, she is selling her 2004 toyata with 29,000 miles for only $3000. She says she can find someone delivery to me for cheap and the deal will be closed only through eBay vehicle purchase protection so we both be protected.

Can that be true? What are some questions I should ask before the purchase?

Thanks a lot!

Uh, I don't know, CFZD... buyer beware! If you could arrange to have an independent to check the car over bumper to bumper for accident, flood, or any other history then I would feel better about it.
If it does check out, then a one way travel arrangement to pick it up and drive it home would save big bucks and pay for the check over.
What is it... a Corolla? Clear title?

There won't be many jumping at this thread to help you because it's your money were dealing with here and a lot of phoney deals too! Make your decision wisely.
Feel free to PM me with any Toyota questions if you'd like.

์NO. NO, and NO...

There are thousands of Ebay fraud cases in courts around the country, don't go there.

The other reason is this transaction will be based on "as is", so if the next day,
The car won't run or the whole thing falls apart, you cannot claim the seller.
If you are buying "used" car, the dealers are better choice, at least they give you 30 days guarantee.

Thank you guys so much. She also gave me the #VIN, and I went to Nada.com (didn't purchase the whole history review) but there are 10 records of this car.

Is that pretty bad?

P.S.It is a toyota carmy LE 2004.

Something's not right. That car has a book of nearly 10 grand if not more. She is trying to unload for the cheap.
Go for one with warrany even though that one still has powertrain warr left on it.
Smells fishy from here. <><

Edit: I just saw your added post below and it may have no scratches now due to the 250 dollar repaint over all that shoddy bodywork and frame damage.
Girl, I've seen so many of this it's not even funny anymore.
That car is one of THE MOST welcome trade in's on ANY car lot for a new(er) car ANYWHERE USA!! (if it's all she says it is)

Here is her entire email, please read:

Quote:

---

I have received your email regarding my car 2004 Toyota Camry LE.
The car is in perfect condition,with no scratches on it,no damage. It have all the papers and documents and is registered in USA!
The price for the car is $3000.
Mileage#: 29,808 miles
VIN#: 4T1BE32K54U3XXXXX
The car was my husband`s as he loved it very much, but he did not enjoy it as he died in a IRAQ 3 month ago. It brings very bad memories to me, I want to get rid of it.
The buyer will receive the car with all papers and receipts that he needs to register it to his name.
Shipping will be done whit DAS and it will take no more then 2-3 days. I have a friend there who will manage me a low price shipping and I assumed that it is my duty to pay for shipping it.It will be delivered directly to your address.
Anyway, I have to let you know that I want a fast deal so if you are really interested in buying it, please reply with the following information's:
-YOUR FULL NAME
-YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS
The transaction will be closed only through eBay vehicle purchase protection so we both be protected.
Also in this way you have the chance to pay after you receive and test the car!
I will look for your email,so that we can move forward with this deal!
Let me know,

XXX(Seller)

---

What do you guys think?

If this offer is as good as it sounds, why didn't she sell to friends or acquaintances or put ads for locals... if it's good, it'll be gone as soon as she started the ad.

Don't be tempted with this kind of offer... something is fishy here. Besides, you might end up in court and get nothing, like many others!

I think this smells so much as a scam it scares me. First her husband dying in Iraq, ( OK while outside chance) but sorry I don't believe it, and next "friend to deliver"

This reads like a scam email except it is going though eBay.
1 get a local mechanic to check it out, pick one out of the phone book, and ask them to take the car there for inspection.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is,

Or for the heck of it, where is the car at,

Thank you so much!
She advertised it on Craigslist and now she says the deal needs to be done on eBay. I checked eBay but I don't see any car close to her description. If she dare sell it on eBay, where wouldn't she do that?

Don't walk away from this deal, run. Shipping by DAS means "Department of the Army" which also means the car is not even in the US. The added "my husband died" sob story sold it for me. If it was that good of a deal (a $10,000 car for $3,000) it never would have had to have been posted on Craig's list as it would have been snatched up by a family member or friend immediately.

I can guarantee you that this is a scam. If a deal seems to be too good to be true then 99.9% of the time it is. Also if this were legitimate, the 10 records on the car is a little excessive but that depends on what they are for. If they were recall items that were fixed they all generate a record. Then again, if you smash it up and have it fixed that also generates a record.

If you EVER want to make an on-line deal you ALWAYS want to view the vehicle and the paperwork in person as well as test drive it before accepting it. Craigslist is somewhat notorious for scams.