How to buy a car long-distance from a dealer
Buying a car long-distance can be a stressful endeavor, but the good news is that it’s actually never been easier. If you can wait a few extra days (or weeks) to work out the logistics, you can typically find exactly what you’re looking for for a lower price than your neighborhood dealership.
Why would anyone consider buying a car long-distance from a dealer in the first place? The most common answer is the price. Different areas of the country have different costs for groceries, houses, and even cars. Cars can even have better longevity in some areas of the country, which you can read more about here.
Looking out-of-state is also a great option if you’re loyal to a specific model like the Ford Flex or Chrysler PT Cruiser, which can often be tricky to find after discontinuation. Whatever the reason may be, there are a few things to check off your list before making your purchase.
Do your research online
Just like you would if you were looking at a car down the street, this process always starts with some initial searching. Buying a car long-distance is no different. What kind of car are you looking for? Where are you looking to purchase it from? All the information is available at your fingertips, so a great place to start is with the general make and model (and price) that you’re looking for.
It may be tough to manage a test drive before you buy from a location that’s out of town, so take advantage of the internet and watch videos of other test drivers documenting their experiences and/or read up on consumer reports and reviews. It’s a great place to start and use independent third parties for safety, reliability, and overall satisfaction ratings to give you more information while searching from afar.
Car buying can be frustrating for additional “fees” on top of the sticker price. With some new things to consider, like shipping or obtaining a registration in your vehicle’s original state, you may need to rethink your budget. However, the biggest financial factor on top of the sticker price, registration, and insurance is the cost to get your vehicle to you.
Calculate the sales tax
You will pay the sales tax in your state of residence, but some states also have additional temporary registration fees. Be sure to ask the dealership and the DMV if there will be any temporary fees while you (or someone else) drives the vehicle to your home. While you can typically find a better dealer in a different state, be sure to weigh the additional shipment costs.
Reach out to contending dealerships
Lots of dealerships these days make it easy to look at inventory online. For the most part, these online inventories are kept up-to-date with the vehicles they have in stock, but it never hurts to call and double-check. This is an excellent option if you have something specific you’re looking for and can therefore build a relationship with the location you may eventually purchase from.
It’s also helpful that many dealerships today have multiple locations or partnerships across the country. Some may have an internal network of inventory with participating dealerships to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Get a vehicle check/inspection
This is an essential part of the process if you cannot look over or drive the car in person before you purchase or have it shipped. Most dealerships with an online listing will have multiple pictures of the interior and exterior, but it’s important to get a second opinion from a private mechanic. Search for pre-purchase inspection providers in the area the car is being sold.
The dealership will likely have kept the car in good shape with their own maintenance team, but a separate set of eyes can help find any underlying issues the dealership may not consider significant. This can help lower the price and make sure your car is in good condition when you pick it up! Dealerships should have no problem taking the car to an independent repair shop if you’re serious about buying.
Look into logistics options
Some folks will choose to fly to the faraway dealership or have someone drive them in order to pick the car up themselves. However, the costs of flights and gas are significant considerations in this instance. This may not be a realistic option for you.
Having the car shipped is the most convenient and, believe it or not, the most cost-effective option when buying a car long-distance from a dealer. The shipping price can vary depending on the make, dealership state, and distance of travel. Costs are also determined by mileage, delivery fees, and driver cost, so this is a great question to ask when starting your initial search.
Shipping is more common than you might think, and dealerships are well-equipped to get you your new vehicle. Dealerships even send inventory to other locations to help you out. Either way, as a ballpark, you can expect to pay ~$1,000 to facilitate an out-of-state shipment.
Gather paperwork
Most dealerships have made it easy to purchase vehicles online, where you can essentially “hold” the car while you figure out the transportation. This might include a separate down payment and might even save some time during pickup by entering your driver’s license, insurance information, etc., ahead of time.
If you’re having your car shipped to you, you can typically complete the paperwork entirely online. It’s consistent with in-person buying, so be prepared to have your insurance, banking, and credit history ready to add to the online documents, making the process easier.
Make sure the car meets expectations
This might go without saying, but this is especially important if you’re investing a little bit of extra time and effort in finding your dream car. Inspect it, drive it often, and stay in contact with the dealership in case you have any issues. It’s relatively common to have a seven-day or 1,000-mile return policy, but that may not be possible if the car has been shipped over state lines.
Remember to be patient with your search when buying a car long distance from a dealer. In the end, this extra bit of effort can definitely be worth it!
