Thinking of buying a collector car?
We recently conducted a Pre-Purchase Inspection and Fair Market value appraisal on this excellent 1956 Ford Thunderbird leaving its owner of 53 years and relocating across the country.
Whether you are buying a collector car from a dealer or private seller, and have the possibility of bringing in an appraiser to look at the car, it really behooves you to do so.
An appraiser acts as a second set of eyes that will make sure the car is exactly as described in the dealer’s sales literature or private owner’s claims. An appraiser also functions as an important reality check: reining in your emotions is important to make sure you’re not overcome with the excitement of getting a classic car and end up with an overpriced toy needing more work and money than you’re comfortable with. Additionally, an appraiser can run similar year, make, model, condition and mileage comps that have recently sold to determine the accurate current Fair Market Value (FMV).
To find a good appraiser, ask for recommendations at local car clubs or classic car dealers.
In addition to hiring an appraiser, you will also be well served by taking the car to a mechanic who can make sure it runs correctly too. Engine compression and/or leak down tests are worthwhile investments. Happy hunting!
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What kind of auto insurance is right for you?
Daily driver (Stated Value) insurance is well suited for your daily driver car that is depreciating in value, but your custom or restored collector car that is going up in value, needs different (Agreed Value) insurance coverage. Do NOT lump your daily drivers and collector cars on the same policy! In the event of a claim for your collector car, you could be greatly disappointed!
Pre-purchase Inspections (PPI)
A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a thorough inspection of a vehicle conducted by a professional certified appraiser or technician before a potential buyer makes a purchase. The purpose of a PPI is to assess the vehicle's condition, identify any existing or potential issues, and provide the buyer with a report detailing the findings. To discuss/schedule your PPI, call/text 786-853-0711
If you are looking for a car inspector in South Florida
Call/text us for information on a pre-purchase car inspection in South Florida. We have three different options to suit your budget. Our expert car inspector will call the seller to schedule an appointment to inspect the vehicle. The auto inspector will go directly to the vehicle to conduct the inspection. You will receive your completed report by the end of the following business day. Need a car inspector? Call/text 786-853-0711
Car appraisals from Key West to Port Canaveral
For cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, RVs, boats and light aircraft appraisals, from Key West to Port Canaveral, South Florida Car Appraisers has you covered.
Which auto pre-purchase inspection should you choose?
If you do an internet search for ‘auto pre-purchase inspection’ almost certainly the first Sponsored listing will be Lemon Squad. Lemon Squad has great marketing! Dig a little deeper and search for Lemon Squad reviews and you might decide to keep searching. Whichever auto pre-purchase inspection company grabs your attention, before you hire them, do your due-diligence by reading through all the good, the bad and the ugly reviews online.
Which Land Rover Defender 110 would you buy?
Which Land Rover Defender 110 would you buy? Recently a client from Texas called to say he was looking to buy one of two mid-1990s advertised for sale in Miami, and he wanted pre-purchase inspections (PPI) on both so that he could decide if and which one to purchase. They were both being offered at about the same price.
In which state should I register my collector car?
In which state should you register your collector car? A great majority of the registrations for collector cars are split between three states: South Dakota, Arizona, and Montana. It can be a little confusing to know which one to choose , so here's a breakdown of each state to give you an idea of the one that’s right for you.
What’s the Difference Between Federal and California Emissions Standards?
California emissions standards are much stricter than those implemented by the EPA. The EPA is a federal government agency that oversees environmental protection matters. In 1970, congress passed the Clean Air Act (CAA). The law gives the EPA the authority to set nationwide vehicle emissions standards. But under one section of the act, California was granted the ability to seek a waiver from federal standards, thereby allowing the state to set its own stricter regulations.
Financing old cars
Buying an older car has its advantages, and the purchase process is relatively easy. As simple as it is, however, it's not unusual for drivers to have questions, especially when it comes to financing. In fact, one of the most common inquiries drivers have about buying a pre-owned vehicle is, "can you finance a car older than 10 years?"
How do you get financing on your branded or rebuilt title?
OK, the first question to address is what is the difference between a branded, salvage and rebuilt, or reconstructed title? A ‘branded’ title is any title that is not a ‘clean’ title. Both salvage and rebuilt/reconstructed titles are branded, but there is a difference between salvage and rebuilt. Can you get a loan on a vehicle with a salvage/rebuilt/branded title?