Collector Cars Going Abroad Seen On My Corner

So the world is getting a little smaller and Norway is get a little smoggier!

Every morning after Little Miss Mota Mouth goes to school, I like to take a leisurely walk down to Cisco Burger and get a coffee or a soda and a local paper before I start doing what I call work. Imagine this barrio- 12 blocks from the ocean, a block from the LA River, across the river from the largest port in North America and home of Jesse James' West Coast Choppers. Jesse built Cisco Burger for his employees and the gawkers who come by to look at his creations so I see my fair share of people in some pretty sweet cars and riding some amazing bikes. Last Friday, as I approached the gas station on the corner, imagine my surprise to see these beauties. I just had to talk to the driver to see what the story was! Turns out these cars both were sold online by two separate sellers to two different buyers in Norway. The driver was filling each with a quarter tank and then was delivering them down at the port. The Corvette was just beautiful and generally speaking, I am not a Vette kind of girl. If I had this car then I would convert. I promise. The Barracuda was sexily simple and is a 1971. Pretty nice ride and I can see why this makes the boys' hearts go Boom Boom. Here is our new age of car sales. Not only are they online but they are international. It is difficult to imagine either of these cars surrounded by European cars but they will definitely be making a statement for their owners! Oh- and the sales prices? The Corvette was a low $30,000 and the Barracuda sold for $48,000. Given that the Krone is stronger than the US dollar, these buyers got bargains!

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Buying A Car That Needs To Be Shipped

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

I am planning on buying a car that I found online but it has to be shipped because it is out of state. What is the process for this?

Eric in Idaho

According to eBay, 70% of the cars sold on that site are sold across state lines so buying cars that are not local to you is increasingly common because buyers are realizing that some cars are cheaper in other parts of the country or have had kinder climates that have kept them in better condition.

First you should get it inspected by a qualified mechanic- http://www.inspectmyride.com has a national network of mechanics who will go do a full inspection on your behalf and you don't have to be there.

For payment, consider using a service like escrow.com which will take care to insure that payment clears and that they car is being sold in stated condition. They will even do the tax, title and license for you and you and the buyer can split the cost because it protects you both.

As for transportation companies- you will have to decide if you want a covered transporter or not and cost will determine what you decide in the end but it is advisable to get good digital pictures of the car before it goes on the truck just protect you. Many transporters can provide additional insurance but make sure that it covers everything that you may worry about.

That pretty much sums it up- good luck!

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