I can get some really nice cars for dirt cheap out in cali. Out here they go for a good chunk of change.
Like cars i can get for 2k can be sold for 4k. Would it be worth while to buy them, clean them and transport them to make a buck?

If you sell 6 in one year you have to pay dealers' tax, IIRC. So just be careful whatever your decision.

quote Originally posted by 87antuzzi: I can get some really nice cars for dirt cheap out in cali. Out here they go for a good chunk of change.

Hmm. I have always heard that vehicles here in Texas would bring great profits if sold in California.
Any who ... You would need an inventory. Not everyone will want what you have. Some times vehicles will sell better than others. You might have to sit of your investment. A whole host of economic considerations to consider. I am not qualified to advise. I can say this though. If it was such a money making proposition, others would already be doing it. Heck, people can do it for themselves now, no need to buy from a middle man.

Double check the regulations for emissions compliance. I think if the car fails in CA it can't leave the state until it has passed. Same for taking one from TX, it'll have to pass strict CA regs.

Kenji Okasaki, the driver of the MoonEyes Nitro Funny Car made his fortune buying muscle cars in Cali and selling them in Japan...

Add transpiration costs for those, bus fair to and gas and title, registration to get it back and you will need a lot higher profit margin. Unless you can get them transported via freight, a few at a time cheaper.

It is an idea that has it’s merits. If you were going to visit someone in Cal. And brought something back. But the costs need to be added, plus as some one else said. Selling so many a year puts you into the dealer category.

That right there can add other expenses for license and here in Maine if you are a dealer you need a shop with a 2 bay garage and a bathroom.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: If it was such a money making proposition, others would already be doing it. Heck, people can do it for themselves now, no need to buy from a middle man.

That's exactly what I have been thinking/saying. Thanks Great minds and all.

Brad

yes

there is alot of this done up here in the "rust belt"

not as much as back in the 70's & 80's - but - still people doing it & making money at it.

I looked into doing it with pony cars in the early 90's when I left cali...and once ALL costs were factored in, I was about even taking a minimum-wage part-time job. IIRC at that time I was looking at a 2-3% margin on one.

My main concern as of right now is getting the vehicle out of California. Apparently there are "issues" there that we need to sneak around, or pay out a LOT more, and make it not worth it.

I already have access to a dealers license, my cousin has said she would have no problem with me working under her, but I would have to pay my own insurance, and tags.

Money is the main problem, I was thinking that if it was possible to get 3 cars out of California, (there has gotta be a simple way) I would drive out there in the Ford Ranger pulling 2 tow dollies, and an extra Reese hitch, buy 3 cars and tow 2 back. We'd have to go slow, but it'd only be an extra day or so pulling. Get back, sell 3, even if it takes a few months. Kris and I both seem to be born to sell stuff . Anyway, sell them, and go back again, after a bit (year or so) quit our jobs, and have one of us running back and forth buying, and one selling, eventually working into our own license. Have to get a decent tow vehicle pretty quickly, a ranger would get good mileage on the way out, and the way back towing, but would only last a few times at best.

Brad

Why Calf. cars? Why not AZ or NM cars? Less distance to travel.

The main concern is all the smog bull crap. In order to sell a car it needs to be smogged. Unless i go to a auction environment where everything is "as is". But with auction cars there is a risk of a salvaged title or lean sale on it. So meh. I have found some cheap cars that could just be driven out of cali then tagged in missouri. But from what i have heard and seen it is a pita to get a car out of cali.

I have s friend in upstate NY who used to fly to Florida and find nice cars owned by the near dead residents with low mileage and drive them back to upstate NY, stick a for sale sign on it and they'd be gone in a few days. Getting cars in a warm climate and get them into the rust belt, money can be made. Just figure on having some reason to go to the warm climate, find a good car, and have $$ to buy it and time to drive it home.

MstangsBware and AutoMark will go to Cali and bring 'em back alive for ya!
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[This message has been edited by Cheever3000 (edited 10-04-2010).]

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Hmm. I have always heard that vehicles here in Texas would bring great profits if sold in California. Any who ... You would need an inventory. Not everyone will want what you have. Some times vehicles will sell better than others. You might have to sit of your investment. A whole host of economic considerations to consider. I am not qualified to advise. I can say this though. If it was such a money making proposition, others would already be doing it. Heck, people can do it for themselves now, no need to buy from a middle man.

Allot of car haulers going from TX to CA via I10 every day.
Got my Suburban while visiting my sisters in San Antone.
Saved $3000
Next we will be taking your women!

Go buy yourself a cheap car that has some flaws which you could fix easily and cheaply. Fix what is wrong with the car, clean it up list it for sale and most importantly keep it clean. When the right buyer comes around sell it and go buy another one which has a little more potential and do it over again. You might want to buy a second car at some point such that you have a car to drive when one sells.

I have known a few people that have operated like this over the years. They don't make much money in the long run but they like dealing and trading so it makes them happy. I never bought a car from them as they were always asking too much

I bought and sold one vehicle for a profit in my lifetime (a Fiero) and it was not worth the profit thus I decided against doing it ever again. Although, I currently have three vehicles which I could potentially sell for a profit so maybe I just became a hoarder.

Once I get a plot of land, I'm definitely gonna do this. All you need is a shiny coat of paint to attract attention. I would also redo the interior as well, and clean the engine compartment. Assuming the car runs well. This means, I can buy a Fiero for $400, spend $1000 on it, and sell it for $2k-$3k. Not much when you're talking about cheap cars, but once you start to build up money, you can buy cars for $4k, and sell for $8k; making about $3k. And also, here in MD, we're a lot less strict on pollution. If the car is 20 years old or more, it doesnt even need to go through inspection or emissions...which are very easy to pass anyways.