Buying a CPO vehicle. Ship it or fly and drive?

[BBFerrell]

I am ready to pull the trigger and buy and want your opinion on the pros and cons of shipping vs. Fly and Drive. Let's discount the convenience factor. I like the idea of seeing the car in person and negotiating the repair of any undisclosed defects. I am assuming that if I buy it and have it shipped that I won't be able to negotiate any repairs since they already have my money and I took possession of the vehicle. Is this correct?

Seems to me that if I fly out I can always negotiate a repair or walk away.

What are your thoughts?

Brad

 

[MorrisonHiker]

I am ready to pull the trigger and buy and want your opinion on the pros and cons of shipping vs. Fly and Drive. Let's discount the convenience factor. I like the idea of seeing the car in person and negotiating the repair of any undisclosed defects. I am assuming that if I buy it and have it shipped that I won't be able to negotiate any repairs since they already have my money and I took possession of the vehicle. Is this correct?

Seems to me that if I fly out I can always negotiate a repair or walk away.

What are your thoughts?

Brad

We've sold four Teslas online. For three of them, the buyers flew out to Colorado and drove back to Nevada, Michigan and Minnesota, respectively. For the fourth one, we drove it out to Nevada and flew back.

If I were buying a used one online, I think I would prefer to fly out and drive back vs. having it shipped. If buying new inventory from Tesla, it could work either way. We actually tried this last week and had plans on picking it up in another state. Plans changed and then they ended up shipping it. There were some logistical issues so we didn't get it on Saturday but will be picking it up today.

 

[BBFerrell]

I would feel much better buying and shipping a car bought from a fellow forum member. We at least get to communicate well and get a good sense of the cars condition.

Not so much with Tesla used CPO experience. Seems like a crap shoot.

 

[CameronB]

I am assuming that if I buy it and have it shipped that I won't be able to negotiate any repairs since they already have my money and I took possession of the vehicle. Is this correct?
Seems to me that if I fly out I can always negotiate a repair or walk away.

True...but...if you have spent time and money to fly somewhere and the seller doesn't want to budge on say a minor repair, you could walk away and be out your time and money for the trip. If this isn't an issue or you think the assumed repairs would be significant enough that they would make it worth it, then this sounds like a good plan.

Personally, I also think it's a lot more FUN to drive the car home than have it shipped

 

[BBFerrell]

Well, I pulled the trigger. I couldn't pass on the price. My first time owning a Tesla. It's pre AP. But, I will upgrade later this year when the facelift models are rolling off of leases. $38,400. Seemed like a decent price for a P85.

Here are the pics. Looks like it may be clean enough to have it shipped. Maybe.....

2013 Tesla Model S 5YJSA1DP8DFP15392 | False, Fa | Tesla

 

[PDACPA]

Congrats! Gorgeous looking car. So did you buy it from Tesla Used Inventory (the pics look like the ones they send you from their inventory)? If so, how can you be sure of the day it would be ready to fly out and pick it up? So many people on here post stories about the car not ready for the "Scheduled" day.

 

[BBFerrell]

I did buy it from Tesla used about one hour ago while flying home on business using the in-flight WiFi. Good question about the timing. Based upon the history on EV-CPO it looks like it's been for sale over a month. Plus, the pics look much better than most. Car looks detailed. So, I am hoping it's ready to go and the only holdup would be a human not doing the paperwork timely. No trade in and I am paying cash. So, the only paper work should be a temporary plate registration.

Of course, when I land I will try to speak to a delivery specialist to get a better feel for the timing.

 

[Evoforce]

Drive it!!!

 

[PDACPA]

That is a good story, bought your car while on an airplane (I bought the boat in my profile pic on the internet lol). I thought the cars were at non-Tesla sites (major auction or lease return centers) and the car had to be delivered to a Tesla center or to you.

So when you pick up the car, if there are issues (small dent, or something broken) Tesla will agree to repair all of them since you have to pay before seeing? Do they provide a loaner if in for bodywork?

 

[Jaywlker]

Drive it!!!

 

[Jawzipn]

I did buy it from Tesla used about one hour ago while flying home on business using the in-flight WiFi.

OP weird flex but OK. Good luck with your car, and keep us posted on the turn around time of actually clicking buy, and driving it off the lot.

 

[Amclymon]

Ok from Florida I flew to Atlanta and drove

Autopilot made it effortless

$2,000 ship fee or $200 (flight and hotel)

 

[Don TLR]

Definitely drive it, I've flown out to ride 2 BMW motorcycles back to Denver when I lived there, one in Seattle and one in Dallas, they make for great stories and memories you'll not soon forget.

 

[BBFerrell]

I will definitely keep everyone posted.

I'm not averse to driving a long distance. But this is a 48 hour via supercharger drive from Vegas to South Carolina. So, I have to weight the pros and cons. One good thing is I can see my daughter in Dallas on the way home. But, it's a good four days out of my work week

 

[Alset4S]

Drive it. I flew to Denver to pickup my Tesla MS

 

[Iluvpcs]

Drive it as well, fly out on an early Friday do paperwork, and your on the road by 2-5 pm and enjoy the adventure. There isn’t range anxiety as it maps you through all the SCs on way home. Be home by Sunday night even if driving 1000-1400 miles. I’ve bought 2 this way and drove home 800 miles by late next evening.

 

[JPP]

When I sold my 2013 S85 here on TMC to a private buyer, he flew out from Miami. I picked him up in it at SFO, and he jumped into the driver's seat and drove it (with me in the passenger seat) all Sunday afternoon. He took it back to his hotel and drove it/examined it some more. The next morning he drove it to a branch of his bank, he wired me the funds, I gave him the signed title, and he took off for Seattle. He was happy, I was happy. Just drive it--good way to get to know the car and wring out any bugs.

 

[mrbulk]

Personally I have never purchased a vehicle sight unseen, didn't matter to me if there were pictures available or not.

What would be better is if there is a warranty, you mention CPO so is it directly from Tesla, or a resale of a CPO?

 

[jmillic]

There is an alternative where it doesn't have to be drive or ship. You can do both.

The 1st Tesla I bought I flew from Atlanta to Cincinnati and drove it straight home (only about 500 miles). That trip is where I learned abut supercharging range etc.

My 2nd Tesla I bought it from a Forum member in Colorado. I flew to Junction City, he picked me up at the airport, we did the deal and I drove to a hotel where I stayed the night.

I couldn't justify a 2000 mile (3-4 day) drive home, so I drove about 400 miles, visited my mom for a few days and shipped it the rest of the way home.

I saved on shipping, got to drive it for a few days, made my mom happy for visiting and flew home where it arrived a few days later.

So why don't you drive to Dallas, see your daughter for a few days and ship it the rest of the way. Just an option.

Enjoy your new Tesla.

 

[BBFerrell]

I appreciate everyone's feedback and advice. I had a long day and still didn't get around to supplying the needed information to Tesla. Things like my drivers license, insurance, etc. I'm tackling that right now.
To answer mrbulk. Yes, this is purchased from Tesla and has the warranty. Otherwise I would not have been so trusting. Although I hear about numerous horror stories about the CPO process I do believe if approached correctly that Tesla will do what's right. Hence, that is way I am asking about the fly and drive.

If the car is ready to pickup Monday I will probably fly out and then drive her home. If, the process becomes unpredictable I may then opt for the shipment.