Buying an S4

[farmurr]

You're all going to hate me - but rather than an MS3, I've decided to purchase an Audi S4. Reasons are many, but include: quattro AWD for the 1/2 year of snow here in Canada, the raw 300+ hp of the V8, sedan vs hatch, as well as not wanting to learn to drive a stick on the MS3 haha.

Putting that aside, I love this forum, the amazing advice I have received so far, as well as the extremely active members. So this is why I turn to you for advice now. (help)

Long story short, I found the perfect vehicle listed here, contacted the seller and he has since moved to the UK, while the car is still in Ontario in storage. I am wondering from those who have imported a car or bought from the US/Canada vice versa, what is a good way to do this to avoid scams and to make the transaction smooth? I do trust this guy and we spoke on the phone a few times already about the car, but I'm seeking alternative ideas as well.

What I have suggested is (since I have a friend in Manchester), is to send him a cheque for 1/2 value of the car, he exchanges this for the keys with the seller, then priority mails me the keys - I pick up the car and then send the 2nd 1/2 of the payment. Seems fair to me, but what do you guys think?

Thanks a lot!

 

[DaleNixon]

Congrats man. I love S4's! I don't care that they are heavy. I don't care that everything is by wire in them. They are hot cars and quick too if you ask me. Euro ftw!

 

[solidtrance]

I would be very carefull. The 1/2 now 1/2 later plan only cuts what you are risking in half. You could end up buying a set on S4 keys for half the price of the whole vehicle. I'm kind of synical anyways, but this sounds fishy (sp?). For instance if he was going to move without his car, why didn't he have someone local (a friend) take care of the sale. Basically if this guy rips you off from England, you will most likely be stuck. Tell him you will need a test drive before you make any decissions and see what he says.

I think I would need at least the following;

1. Proof that this car was his to sell.
2. The money would go through a 3rd party (like paypal) so that I could get it back if the deal went bad.

I'm missing a lot, but this should get you started. Good luck!

BTW.....why not a used MS6?

 

[farmurr]

Thanks for the help so far! Basically the "longer" story is that he and his broter moved to canada but when his bro was killed in a motorcycle accident he moved back home quickly. No other family, and no use for a left hand drive car in England!

Good point about paypal, ill look into their insurance/traceability/fraud protection as this might be Way safer than straight cheques. Any othet companies have 'holding' policies for money?

Just my own taste, but never really liked the look of the MS6. Also isnt the awd not as advanced as other AWD sedans? Haha lets not get into That debate!

Any help and insight is appreciated guys!

 

[solidtrance]

Just my own taste, but never really liked the look of the MS6. Also isnt the awd not as advanced as other AWD sedans? Haha lets not get into That debate!

Any help and insight is appreciated guys!

Certainly not going to tell anyone what their taste should be, after all I drive an 8 and most people either love or hate them.

No questin an S4 is a great car. Don't know much about the different 4WD/AWD systems out there. The MS6 seems to work fine to me, at least its more sure footed and less fun in Chicago winters.

Since you are talking about a significant amount of money there must be some sort of "escrow" like process you can use for this transaction. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[farmurr]

Wow, an escrow service is exactly what we need. I think it would protect both parties against fraud. Send payment to agency, confirm payment, he sends keys, I confirm receiving them, then he gets payed.

Another questions is regarding transfer of ownership. I've never bought a car via private sale, and was wondering if it would be ok to priority mail the forms needed to transfer back to the UK for him to sign, or do both parties usually need to be present in person to make the transaction at the DMV?

 

[dstmsp03]

good choice..S4 rocks.. v8 that can be made to HUGE power!!

 

[solidtrance]

Another questions is regarding transfer of ownership. I've never bought a car via private sale, and was wondering if it would be ok to priority mail the forms needed to transfer back to the UK for him to sign, or do both parties usually need to be present in person to make the transaction at the DMV?

Unless Canada is drasticly different than the US you should be fine as long as he fills his part out correctly. You would want to have the title at the same time as the keys BTW. Also I would run the VIN through CARFAX, and local PD if you can. I just dont think I could get over the risk. He must be offering a great deal on the car.

 

[farmurr]

Unless Canada is drasticly different than the US you should be fine as long as he fills his part out correctly. You would want to have the title at the same time as the keys BTW. Also I would run the VIN through CARFAX, and local PD if you can. I just dont think I could get over the risk. He must be offering a great deal on the car.

The title is in the car, and I've tried to get the VIN which he says he doesn't have with him - but as suggested above, I am not going to go through with this unless he can provide me with the VIN, License plate # or something else which proves the car is his, and his to sell.

I agree there is potential risk, but the deal seems really great. About $8-$10K less than comparable S4's in my area.

 

[solidtrance]

The title is in the car, and I've tried to get the VIN which he says he doesn't have with him - but as suggested above, I am not going to go through with this unless he can provide me with the VIN, License plate # or something else which proves the car is his, and his to sell.

Forget the license plate #, you need the VIN. Should be easy if is in storage locally. You should be able to arrange a way to go look at in person and just write the VIN down.

 

[farmurr]

Forget the license plate #, you need the VIN. Should be easy if is in storage locally. You should be able to arrange a way to go look at in person and just write the VIN down.

The car is in storage locally, but if you refer to my original post, the seller and the keys for storage/the car itself are with him, in the UK. :S

 

[sunshineFC]

if it sounds too good to be true....

 

[solidtrance]

The car is in storage locally, but if you refer to my original post, the seller and the keys for storage/the car itself are with him, in the UK. :S

I guess your SOL then. I would want to actually see the car and read the VIN directly off the car. Otherwise he could send you any AUDI S4 VIN, this would not be that hard to do.

 

[farmurr]

if it sounds too good to be true....

Haha that's what I thought at first, and was anticipating a "I will lower the cost by $100 to account for various shipping expenses, so please wire the money to my cousin in Kenya..." (rofl2) I've actually gotten this email TWICE while selling laptops/cell phones on craigslist etc. lol I know when a bad deal is going down (at least I think I do...)

I have to wonder though, if it IS too good to be true, why would he be fine with using western union / 3rd person or party and not receiving ANY payment until after I've received and inspected the car...

 

[mikeyb]

autotragic = ftl...You really should locate another S4. This one shows like a scam.

The S4 is a good car but I would rather have a e46 M3. I've been down the Audi road before and I am not really sure if I'm willing to go down that road again. I owned a 01 s4 2.7tt manual. It was great while under warranty but as soon as the warranty was up. It turned into a big piece of turd. But as of late the current offerings are light years from the older Audis that I am use too. I do like the RS4 and S5.

 

[farmurr]

autotragic = ftl...You really should locate another S4. This one shows like a scam.

The S4 is a good car but I would rather have a e46 M3. I've been down the Audi road before and I am not really sure if I'm willing to go down that road again. I owned a 01 s4 2.7tt manual. It was great while under warranty but as soon as the warranty was up. It turned into a big piece of turd. But as of late the current offerings are light years from the older Audis that I am use too. I do like the RS4 and S5.

Uhh...who mentioned anything about an automatic? The car in question is a 6speed manual. Oh wait, if you're referring to me not wanting to learn manual on the MS3; it's because of the struggles I have read from others on the forum - sorry if I implied the s4 was an auto.

Also, an M3 = rwd = ftl in Canada. Especially with a powerful car like that I can't imagine the trouble I'd go through.