If you do this, do it in person. While I have not bought a truck over Ebay, I did buy a boat. I talked to the guy first, then sent a DEPOSIT over paypal. Went there over a weekend, grabbed my brother and drove straight thru. Had a Cashiers Check, and swapped out for the title.

One major thing to watch: Different states have different requirements as to the bill of sale, info, odometer statements, etc. Get online with your state's BMV [or whatever it is called] and get all the info. For Indiana [where I live], I could download a bill of sale. Indiana also requires that the title on an out of state purchase be notarized. Since I knew this going in, I had it done there, and had no problem with the state.

Last two cents: Do it in person and know what documents you need to have: beats the (%&* out of trying to get it done later.

Woof

Bowser

 

Umm... Just my opinion, but if you have $21,000 cash to buy that truck, why don't you just go out and buy a brand new left over '05 and finance $6K or $7K? I got my '05 XLT supercrew 5.4 4x4 for $26K.
To me spending a few extra thousand would totally be worth driving a brand new truck with a full factory warranty. And your payments would only be like $200/month.

 

Vin# 1FTPW14554KB71894. This is the correct VIN# now.

Anyone have anyway of getting free access to the reports?

Why take the chance? Well, as I said before, it took me a long time to find such a deal and I don't want to pass it up, simply put.

Tardman, that is a good idea as it would build my credit, but I don't want to lay down another 5k I could put into mods. The warranty means nothing to me as I'll soon void it with the lift, etc.

Kool Aid, I posted before I'd give someone a $100 bill if they could find this truck (before it was anywhere in the US, but now within 500-600 miles from 95336 area code) with the options I mentioned. Of course I'd have to purchase the truck you found for the $100 to be handed over, but if my word is worth anything to you, you'll get your money.

I am pretty certain you won't find it on ebay/cars.com so don't get too excited about an easy $100. I look there daily.

Bowser, I think that's some great advice, I am more interested in the escrow service now, but I will contact DMV and see what kind of documents I will need and the best way of going about getting them.

Ram SS/T, I sent you an email explaining how and why, hope that explains.

If I missed something I'll reply to it when I get back.

 

I can't believe your fixin to sent $21K to some stranger, who you are sure is on the up & up. There are lots of con men out there who seem to be honest. There is something fishy with this deal. Why did it take him so long to send you the VIN? Something isn't right!! Well let me tell you something again, as stated before in this thread. "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is". Don't be played a fool. Heck, this truck has 47K miles on it. How do you know the guy hasn't trashed the engine. Or was it in a flood at some point? Why is he selling it so cheap? Do as "Tardman" says, put your $21K down on a brand new 05/06 and finance less than 10K. You could order one, have everything you want on it and have it in 8-10 weeks. BTW, you don't necessarily void a warranty by lifting a truck. There are lots of dealerships selling brand new modded trucks and they still have a factory warranty. I don't mean to trash on you, I just hate to see someone make a bad decision. Good luck with whatever you decide. Make sure you research this truck thoroughly. Make sure the guy has a clear title.

 

I still like my idea best. As ATCS2004 said, Dealers sell modded trucks all the time with a warranty. A lift may just void some suspension componants. And a tuner can be reset to factory settings before going in for service. It just seems like a waste to me to spend $21K on a used truck with an awful lot of miles when you can get a brand new one for not much more. Just my .02 cents.

 

Carfax costs 25 bucks or so for unlimited Vin runs. It's the first step in car hunting.

I have had more than a dozen people virtualy unable to read or report a Vin. One was a parts manager at a Suzuki dealership, so I wouldn't worry about that aspect.

Not disagreeing on buying local, mind you.
Chris

 

Sounds like it's a done deal. It's a big gamble buying sight-unseen....it's your money, good luck

 

Thought I'd update you guys before I get the money (either tomorrow or Friday, no later than Fri.). So I should be ordering my truck soon. However, today I got an email from a seller about an old offer I made him and said he may take it now. $22k for this Lifted (10 inch lift kit) 80,000 miles 2001 F250 7.3L diesel. It's sitting on 35's so it looks wierd, I'd of course add bigger tires, probably 39's, and regear it as well. It is already slightly modded, it has a superchips programmer, 4" exhaust, gauge pillar pod, near new Suncoast transmission. It is the Platinum Edition F250 I used to want. If I get this more money will go into my Jeep . However, the F150 is my dream truck, I'm just worried it won't respond so well to the mods I put into it. The F250 is probably much quicker than a stock F150, even lifted. Below are some pics of the F250.

I know the 2001 models are PMR's (powdered metal rods) as opposed to the much stronger forged rods, supposedly they can take no more than roughly 450 hp, and no octane, etc. What do you guys think, this F250 is local, so I could have it soon! I just don't know, I would imagine the F250 wouldn't be as bad on gas either. Just don't know!

 

 

JMO...But I dont like that F250. I'm not a big fan of the two tone paint job, it just looks weird to me. Also, lifted with those little tires makes it look goofy also. ( I know you will change them) I would stick with the F150. You say its your dream truck, then go for it. If you get the 250, you'll never be happy.

You said you will be ordering your truck soon...are you going with the 150 on ebay, or did you decide on a new one from a dealer (if you go with the 150)??

BREW

Let me kow, I have a story about buying off of ebay for you...A GOOD STORY!!!

 

I am still interested in that F150 from Indiana. I just got an email saying there is another person in Indiana interested in it, $@*. I am not going up on my offer, I have to ship this oversize pos. I really just don't know if a nice interior is going to be worth it, and insurance, ouch. I would think the F150 would be more expensive on insurance because of the value of the vehicle. I can tell you I'd probably be just as happy with the F250. I am just waiting for someone to tell me this F250 will be slow as hell. I can't exactly drive 6 hours to test drive it.

Tell me the story Brew!

 

I have the money now in my account, feels really good. From this day forward a lot is going to be different. I hope I feel like I haven't wasted any of it.

 

So heres the story...I get an IM from my buddy 2 weeks ago telling me he was bidding on a car on Ebay, and it looks like he may just win the bid. An hour later he IM's me and said he won. Only thing is, the car was in New York City and hes in Texas. I told him to come here, I would pick him up at the airport shack him up for the night, then drive to NYC in the morning to get the car....Plans were mad!! He emailed the seller a few times and talked to him over the phone another 2 or 3 times, and got all the info he needed about the car. The seller told him, to send a $250 deposit to show he was serious, I mean after all, he was in Texas. He told him if for any reason at all he didnt want the car when he got there, he would refund his money no questions asked. So we did just that, he came here, we drove to NY and got the car. The guy was really cool, took us to DMV so my buddy could get a temp. tag to drive it home. We looked over the car and it was everything and more, the seller said it was. My buddy was extremely happy. We got out of the city, I pointed him in the right direction and off to Ohio he went for the night and the next day went to Texas. He called me to tell me the car was awesome and ran flawless the entire trip. He got a great car at a great price and had a real good experience with the whole deal.

I know a lot of guys are totally against this type of transaction, and thats fine, let them be. You have to make up your own mind, and know that there are some honest people in this world and not everyone is out to screw you. If this is the truck you want, and you feel comfortable with the seller, then go get it and be happy. It doesnt matter where you got the money from or how someone your age can afford it. I say good for you. If you dont get what you want, you will never be happy with something else, just because its closer. I know youve been looking for a long time for this exact truck. I would talk to the seller a few times, maybe send him a deposit and go get the truck. If you could, I would highly recommend you go get it and not have it hauled to your house. Theres always that "what if" and for the extra few bucks, I think its worth seeing it in person and driving it before you lay all the cash down. Again, if you feel that comfortable with the seller, than just do it and be happy when it shows up. One last suggestion..is it anywhere near where one of the memembers of this site lives?? It might be worth finding out and maybe make a deal with someone to go look at it for you. At least you would have another opinion of the truck other than the owners. If it were anywhere in the Tri-State area I would do it for ya in a heart beat....Good luck with your decision...I say go for it. I mean how bad could it be, my buddy from Texas bought a car off a guy in the Bronx. You dont get more opposite than that.


BREW

 

Little things like the way the guy keeps his garage organized tells me that he takes care of his stuff and doesn't abuse it. My first gut feeling is that the truck has been well cared for and not abused.

 

Thanks brew, good story. The F250 just sold today It was sold for 23.5k however, I feel as if he may be bluffing because we've been talking a lot. I'm very respectful but make it a point I only want to spend so much, I am not a pushover. Anyways, I was going to go pick up the truck today (6 hr drive one way) but he couldn't take my offer of $22,250 because he owed money on it and $23,500 was the number he came up with he wouldn't go below. Anyways, I have that "what if" feeling I was trying not to get so I hope I'm going to be happy with the F150. I plan on getting the F150, roughly 23k total after registration fees, etc. I am then going to put another 4k and HOPEFULLY be done. I can see this becoming a money pit I really don't want.

I clearly have a case of the cold feet, ugh. I need to get this over with, I definitely would have saved money with the F250, without a doubt. I'm going to look for the next 2 days or so and if I don't find anything else that interests me (either a 150 or 250), I'm purchasing that F150 through escrow.com or I'll just fly up there and drive home. I am going to have my gf or a buddy go with me, it's going to be one lonely trip if not.