| Thinking about getting your first classic cars? With | | | | 4. Read your custom laws for international purchases |
| thousands of dealers and hundreds of website selling | | | | Purchasing any automobiles from out of the country |
| anything models from veteran models to the 1950's | | | | places you with the extra challenges of arranging |
| Mustangs and Camaros. You will definitely be spoiled | | | | shipping as well as clearing the customs, not to |
| for choices. Fact is sometimes we can accidentally | | | | mention the higher chances of getting scammed. So |
| make rash purchases in that "rush" of the moment. | | | | unless that this is a rare model indeed, it is better to |
| 1. Wait awhile before purchasing | | | | save all the trouble by looking locally first. For those |
| Unless you happened to be searching for a rare | | | | of you looking to import that rare vintage, consider |
| model, there is no rush to jump into the purchase | | | | hiring a freight or shipping agent to handle your |
| mode as there will be definitely be some options | | | | shipping, most of them would also be able to offer |
| around to check out. Look for the model you want | | | | competent advise of declaring customs, all the |
| on the internet, in your local car dealer or even the | | | | paperwork as well as providing the amount of duty |
| off beaten track garage, get the idea of the options | | | | to be paid. Certain countries require special permits to |
| that are available, how much of the price is fair (refer | | | | import foreign cars, therefore consult with your |
| to price guide), whether it is still possible to source | | | | shipping agent first before making a purchase. Also |
| for original restoration parts, what kind of restoration | | | | expect that once the car is in the country, you |
| work can be expected and of course by getting | | | | would need to enlist the service of a car agent to |
| more knowledgeable often put you in the position to | | | | arrange the registration and inspection of your classic |
| negotiate a better deal. Remember classic cars are | | | | car before it can be on the road. It is also sometimes |
| something that you want, it is not a necessity, and | | | | possible to negotiate with the seller for a money |
| therefore it is okay if you decide to walk away from | | | | back guarantee if things are not what it seems, but |
| a not-so-good deal. | | | | in most cases the shipping and duty charge cannot |
| 2. Make a check list | | | | be refunded. |
| Buying a classic car can also be somewhat similar to | | | | 5. Check up the seller, seller must be willing to answer |
| buying any other second hand car, ascertaining the | | | | question |
| condition of the car is of paramount importance. | | | | There are many ways to find information on the |
| Make a check list on what to look out for, ranging | | | | seller; firstly sellers must be willing to answer any |
| from the car body up to its interior, head lights and | | | | question regarding the car. When dealing with the |
| braking system. To make things easier, you can | | | | seller, be polite but upfront with your questions, such |
| check out some of the check list that are available | | | | as whether the car has been in an accident before, is |
| from or even eBay. Simply copy most of the | | | | there any rust in the structure etc. Any signs of |
| attributes and add on a few points to consider the | | | | sellers evading the question must sound an alarm for |
| sourcing of restoration parts and the work involved. | | | | you to be more cautious. If you are buying from |
| 3. Make sure you get all the documentation | | | | auction websites such as eBay, they also offer to |
| When you are about the make the purchase, | | | | extra feature of enabling you to trace the feedback |
| request that the seller to hand over a copy of | | | | from the seller’s pass customers to ensure that |
| documentation including the car registration, | | | | the seller is in good repute. |
| insurances, service history and schedule maintenance. | | | | 6. Arrange an actual inspection and test drive if |
| If the car has been restored before, ask the seller to | | | | possible |
| provide details such as photos taken before and | | | | If you are buying locally, insist on physically inspecting |
| after the restoration. Inspect all documents to ensure | | | | and test drive the car. Bring along your mechanic or |
| that they are genuine; make sure the VIN on the | | | | your friend who has experience in classic car |
| documents matches the VIN on the vehicle. Also if | | | | restoration. An expert would be able to alert you to |
| you are paying extra dollar on a good condition | | | | minor defects that are harder to detect as well as |
| vintage, check the service history to ascertain that | | | | providing an estimate on how much the restoration |
| the car is well maintained. | | | | work is going to cost you. |