a few years back we were buying our old discovery 2. going out to view a few, the first one was in the snow, the second was in a dealers around 45 mins away, we drove there, (it was a sunday) and pre-confirmed we were definitely coming and to stay open etc. when we got there it was still wet from last nights rain. and not as nice as described. i spoke with the missus that we would drive it anyway to use the 'experience' so we went in and discussed its merits, and we then noticed it was blocked in by three cars. he started it up and left us to walk round, and went into his office etc. -strange.... i got in and started to find small things wrong etc, and whilst looking around the 'A' pillar I saw an aftermarket bluetooth microphone poked into the top. whilst chatting over the subject 'lets just drive it anyway, though im not buying it' i looked again at the mini microphone and twisted it and it came out. there was no wire on it!. i poked it back in and we were then decided to go in the office and ask him to leather it off and move the cars around for a drive. -he asked us if we were buying it! (£8000 car) i said 'hopefully' etc. but he then refused! -said he would only offer a drive, (him driving) if we discussed a sale now. i showed him our old p38 etc. and he still refused. i looked at the missus and we just walked off. Bitter that we wasted the afternoon looking at a wet car on dry forcourt etc. we drove home wondering how the salesman made any money etc. Later, i then had a bathtime 'Eurika moment' the bluetooth mic was a bug! he knew the car we were coming to see, -he slipped it in and listened to our discussion in the office via FM radio. he knew, like i did there was no sale coming . what a bandit! you can buy them on ebay for about £10!

funny thing was, we ended up buying our disco2 off Greg Davies, -a comedian! -a private sale, and we didn't even know who he was! it was a good car! though it sounds like a toolbox being kicked down the stairs!

I've done it once and am about to do it again.

First time was a D1 V8 in Australia. Looked good with recent engine work done. On paper, it was fantastic. Once delivered, the cooling system was full of sludge and it blew its new heads. Sent it back for a full refund, luckily. And swore I'd never do it again.

So here I am some years later and I've bought a German motorhome pretty much the same way. Hopefully, flying out to Germany to collect it in a few weeks time. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

^ Which Make/Model we have a Dethleffs i680 Advantage and have had Frankias and Hymers in the past?

Gary, I'm not in your league just yet!

I've bought a 22 year old RMB 670. Mercedes-based A-Class. There's a few of differing interior configurations on mobile.de.

I'm told each of the RMB's were custom-built for their clients and that no two are the same inside. I can't say definitively, but so far haven't found that statement to be untrue.

Looked very seriously at Hymer (S700, S670. S660) and even rented one a few weeks ago. The new ones (saw them at the NEC last weekend) are seriously good. In our opinion, better than anything else we saw.

That said, we didn't look at Dethleffs as we'd just seen Niesmann and Bischoff are they left us feeling slightly cold. By contrast, we could have happily bought a new Hymer and not regretted it. Just lovely and so well thought-out.

But as a useable, non-depreciating classic, then it had to be Hymer or RMB. Couldn't find the 'right' Hymer and then this RMB appeared and fitted our needs perfectly. One-piece GRP construction. Mercedes running gear. Solar, etc.

Sorry, I digress.... Got a bit carried away there. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Nice

A few years back, I bought an F150 King Ranch pick up truck off a dealer on EBay in Galveston, Texas, based on about 40 pictures including a video, and close ups and shots taken down the flanks... It was about two years old when I bought it. Paid up, arranged a shipper who collected the car from the dealer and took it to Galveston Port, then brought it across in a container, first time I saw the car was in the shippers yard in Ipswich, and I was not disappointed!
Was an excellent truck all round, only slight disappointment was that somewhere between leaving the dealer and getting to me, the tow hitch was nicked.
It was a lovely feeling to jump in the truck and drive it for the first time, very relieved but happy. Big leap of faith, looking back though....

I have had two US Imports damaged while being unpacked from the Container at the docks due to the IDIOTIC workers that think its funny to jump in with a sledge hammer to knock out all the wooden supports and packing.

Actually watched them put a serious dent on the bonnet of a mustang and then walk on the roof leaving it seriously dented and I was standing there watching!!!!!

Biggest risk IMHO

Not sure id'e have stood there watching Gary...

It all happened in a second....

Guy knocked a chunk of wood out that fell on bonnet panicked slipped and stood on roof all in an eyeblink.

I then went crazy and believe me they paid....

crikey...

Alistair wrote:

I've bought a couple on eBay and just turned up to collect them & driven home. The last one I got from Belfast - they seller met me at the airport - I then drove to Larne, got the ferry to Stranraer and drove home.

I did everything wrong, turned up with a pocket full of cash, got into a strangers car - in the rain etc. but it all turned out OK

are we all mad then buying a car with out even test driving them!!
Im sure mine will be fine .......

Some of you are a lot braver than me though and Gaz...I would of done my nut and blown a gaskit if some one dropped a lump of timber on my car, glad it got sorted mind. If it dont work.......burn it!

If the IId tool cant fix it.......burn the FF.

If the FF cant be fixed......buy a Land Cruiser!

If the LC cant be fixed..............................................BUY a horse !!

I have done it with other cars but I wouldnt do it with such a complex truck. I would always prefer to see and testdrive such a car before buying, but what do I know, plenty of you seem to do it very happily! Good luck to you all. I just wouldnt personally. too fussy.

Bought mine over the phone also.... but then I took it to the stealer before paying the previous owner.  MML

I've done it twice: most recently with an 18 month old Mini Cooper S Cab. I'd been looking for a while for the right spec and price. Car was at a main dealer 90 minutes away. Negotiated over the phone- managed to chip the price a fair bit. Deposit paid on the understanding that if the car was anything other than mint I'd be taking my deposit and walking.

Car was as expected.

Other time was a Lotus Elise on a private sale. Car was 3 hours away but close to my brother who I arranged to go and kick the tyres and take it for a test drive. He gave it the thumbs up so the first time I saw the car was when I got the train down to drive it away!

I think with my experience of looking for a FFRR and some of the cars we looked at, I'd be pretty cautious about doing it anywhere other than a franchise...