The truck smelled like motor oil, Cheetos, dirty socks, and a couple of best friends that really needed to shower. Alas, none of that mattered as they were on a mission to rescue a ‘68 GTO project that was in need of love and restoration. The photos showed a solid starting point: rust-free, plenty of parts to make the 52 hours of drivetime, thousands of miles on the odometer, 12 miles of dirt road, and a few late-night coffees worth it. It was his dream car after all, and the price was too good to pass up.
As the sun rose on the Pontiac, tucked tightly under a car cover, nothing could wipe the smile from weary travelers’ faces. That is, until the cover came off and the truth set in. Sure, it coulda been a solid project, maybe a decade ago. Rust and rot riddled the carcass of this iconic muscle car. His pockets felt heavy, his mind raced, and pain seared in his chest. “How could I have gotten suckered like this?” He asked himself.
The classifieds can be a “free-for-all” when you buy a classic car online. Murky photos, sketchy history, and little to no information can turn your dream deal into a nightmare real quick. So how do you protect yourself from ending up a thousand miles from home and on the wrong side of a deal? BuyTheCar.com is here to show you how.
Like a well-seasoned internet sleuth or classic car detective, there are clues in every listing that will tell you whether that ad can be trusted. And with over a decade of buying and selling classic cars, our team has used this knowledge to ensure each classic car auction is crystal clear. We’ve put together this handy little guide for you.
High Quality Photography & Video
It seems basic, but the reason we start with photography and video quality is that it’s probably the most important, and often the most overlooked sign of a good listing. Remember, a good listing has nothing to hide and often overshares. Here’s what to look for in the photos:
- Quantity: how many photos or videos did they upload? If it’s one or two, buyer beware. The more the merrier in this game. When a buyer lists as many photos as possible (our listings often have well over 100), they convey the most important element in the sale: trust. And that’s what increases with each photo uploaded.
- Glamour and gloom: Hell yeah, we want to see some killer shots for the car! We all want to know what it would look like on the cover of a magazine! But with every positive, there’s a negative. A good muscle car listing shows both the good and the bad.
- Undercarriage and the engine bay: A good listing never forgets what lies beneath. Now, we understand that maybe not everyone can jack up their car or have access to a lift. But for those who do, it’s a serious seller sign.
Build Proof and Documentation
In the world of cars, “receipts talk and b.s. walks.” If you’re browsing an ad and the seller has documentation, or even better, photos of all the documentation, you’re onto a good listing! This shows that the car is cared for and the build is verifiable. For an internet sleuth, this is a huge green flag.
- The build sheet: The holy grail of purists, or sometimes known as a build sheet, is something we love to see and save. Now, 50 or 60-year-old pieces of paper that are ripped from the bottom of a bench seat are few and far between. But if they got it, and they flaunt it, that’s a good listing.
- Receipts: No car that’s half a century old doesn’t have a few receipts floating around. Especially for those who have undergone a restoration. We love it when the buyer has proof of payment and can show exactly what’s been installed.
- Title Clarity: This one goes without saying; if they can show the title is clean and clear, that’s a go-ahead from us.
A Real and Meaningful Description
You’re probably just like us and spend way too much time searching for muscle cars for sale, then you’ve probably started to notice that you can tell a lot about a person by how they write their description. An incredible explosion of character and personality comes through here, and also some bitterness and rage. Here’s how to navigate the funny, insane, and even the dull or boring descriptions.
- Ownership history: Who owns it right now? How long have they had it, and where did it come from? Is it a second or third owner, or left in a field for 45 years? If a seller takes the time to share with you what they know about who owned the car and its history, you’re onto something special.
- Vehicle specs: What was in the car originally vs what is in it now? Have they taken the time to explain what motor powers the beast or which type of transmission you’re going to row the gears in? Does it have disc brakes, 12-bolt posi, efi… the list of upgrades can go on and on, and we hope it does!
- Driving it home or towing: We want to know whether we’ll need a trailer listed. This isn’t a question we should have to ask if the seller has taken the time with photos and a quality description. If it does drive, we want to know how well it drives. Does it need work to be roadworthy? Mo’ words is mo’ bettah!
- Known issues: Transparency and honesty are key, and we can’t stress it enough. A good listing will tell you what they know about it, good and bad. None of these cars is perfect, and we’re okay with that. What we’re not okay with are shocking surprises and heartbreaking finds after dropping a wad of cash.
An Engaged Seller
If there’s one thing to get right when you sell a classic car online, it’s that you have to be connected. A disconnect is a bad sign and should be taken seriously. Here’s what you’ll find when someone is truly engaged.
- Response time: Are they responding in minutes, hours, days, or weeks? When you message a seller, you’re entitled to a prompt response. Now, I’m not saying they need to drop everything they are doing and answer you.
- Willingness to engage: Sellers not only should respond in a timely manner but also in a professional manner. A seller who responds to posts (even the trolls) and works to earn your trust is another great clue that you’re onto a good car.
Realistic Pricing or Reserve
Whether it’s a fixed price classified or an online muscle car auction, the pricing should make sense. If a car is listed for too high, something is wrong, and that red flag goes way up. Also, this is where understanding reserve price comes into play, because a well-set reserve protects both the buyer and seller while keeping the market honest. If the price is too high, tread lightly. If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
Trust Your Gut
Human intuition is an invaluable factor when searching for a new car. Subconsciously, you’re tracking and checking for validity without even realizing it. Even if you’re not like me and you don’t talk to yourself, still ask, “Does this feel right?” Then listen. So when I say trust your gut, I mean it.
Check out our real-world examples of high-quality listings to see how the pros are auctioning their cars. If you’re interested in selling on a platform with a massive audience and absolutely killer (and high quality) listings, check out our seller FAQ section to see what we require in order to list your car on BuytheCar.com.
There are so many incredible deals out there and new opportunities waiting for you. So now that you have your rules and clues, you’re ready to hit the road and bring home that new dream car!
