...Is it to buy a S2000 online from another Country?

I live in Alberta Canada where everyone seems to be asking about four,five or six thousand over the Black Book prices.

I just checked Craigslist, for Washington, and there's lots of S2000's available at reasonable prices.

So I'm wondering how I would go about protecting myself against buying a lemon or being scammed?

I don't know anything about Craigslist but I assume it doesn't offer a buyer protection like E-Bay...no?
I'm thinking of asking a seller to go through E-Bay for this reason.

Flying down to see a car is not an option for me so I would need to have a dealer check it out and then have it shipped for about $2,000.00 (including customs)I called an auto shipper and they could pick up any car.

Any input or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

If you're not going to inspect the car yourself, I would not buy private. Go through a dealer, and see if either you can have a local bodyshop or better, a trusted local member inspect the car for you.

Sending someone a 5 digit cheque with no guarantees seems a little sketchy and nonsensical to me

 

Thanks Krypto.

So you don't think E-Bays auto buyers protection would protect me if some damage wasn't disclosed?
I could have the seller take the car to a Washington Mazda dealer for inspection at my expense.
Nobody here has done that sort of thing?

Otherwise, do we have any Washington members here?
I would be more than happy to pay someone here well to check a car out.

 

that's the route i would take if i were in your shoes. i have had better luck buying from private individuals than from dealerships with used cars. also, consider the seller. imo, if your seller is 60 and has nice cars, i wouldn't sweat it too much. if seller is a young punk who doesn't look like a details person, you may want to have a thorough check. if anything gives you a red flag, move on. don't be in any hurry and you will do fine.

 

It is unlikely that anyone here has had a seller take an S2000 to a Mazda dealership for an inspection. It is highly likely, though, that fellow S2ki folks have been willing to take an S2000 to a Honda dealership or an S2000 specialty shop on behalf of another S2ki member from another region.

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/forum/36-...-s2000-owners/

 

Oops

I've been driving a Miata too long.

 

I understand. Twenty four years with one car will do that to you. Had a 1990 Miata (red) and then a 1996 (black) over the course of nearly 15 years. Replaced the '96 in 2007 with a Rio Yellow Pearl S2000.

 

Here's a Honda master mechanic in Seattle who's experienced in S2000s--- maybe contact him and have him look over any S2000 you're thinking of buying----

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/106...tion-curtis-w/

 

Thanks Jetboater.

 

I bought an ebay s2000 from a dealer and had an excellent experience. I made sure i talked to the dealer personally. With today's technology you could have the dealer use their iPhone etc. to show you around the car. better yet, show how serious you are and fly down- have the dealership pick you up at the airport. Worst case is you return home without an s2000, but for the money you saved over the local sales, a few flights are well worth it. and makes for a great story later on.

but, you can't fly down. so that sucks. looks like you're stuck rolling the dice. Hey, have you got trust worthy car friends you can fly down for you?

good luck
darcy