I've been looking for a ZDX Advance. With the color combo and price point I'd like, it's apparent I will probably need to purchase out of state. And it may be WAY out of state with what I'm finding. So I've been starting to research a scenario where I would need a reliable 3rd party inspection and shipping company. Because chances are, I will not be able to fly and drive back.

Due to the rarity of this car, I assume some on here may have done a similar purchase transaction. So I come asking for tips and recommendations, if anybody can assist.

What would be a recommended 3rd party inspection company? I was looking at Carchex and Inspect My Ride. But those companies appear to do more of a visual inspection, not necessarily a mechanical inspection. Should that be a concern? Is there a company that does a more detailed inspection?

Any recommendations for a specific shipping company? Is uShip a good site to use and research a reliable shipper?

What's the best way to handle the transaction? As far as exchanging funds, deposits, making sure not to get taken, etc. I plan to purchase from a dealer, not an individual seller.

Any help, tips or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

 

I may have to do this too. I bought my current car out of state but flew and drove back. I did have the local Acura dealer inspect the car. They do this all the time for buyers and used car sellers. An option.

 

So what if I'm looking at a ZDX that isn't at an Acura dealer? Do you mean I could have a local Acura dealer mechanic go look at or bring the car into their dealership to do a mechanical and visual inspection? If so, do you know roughly the fee they may charge for that? Did they provide you with any additional photos, etc when they did that for you, like Carchex does?

 

I used Carchex a few times. their service is actually so-so and not too informative, no real responsibility for the report, mostly crap quality pics, sometimes they dont even have the paint meter. But its well worth 120$ they charge when you have no other options of seeing the car.

I would ask the dealer to provide you detailed photos via email and confess about dings and dents the car has, lying too much is dangerous for them, and combine it with Carchex report.

carrier truck is another 1000-1200$

 

Thanks for the thoughts on Carchex Sandro. Sounds like you've probably purchased a few cars sight unseen. Makes me extremely nervous, but to me it's worth the risk to get what I want. Any thoughts as to a closed or open air transport. Open air saves a little, but may be worth the extra $ for closed

 

yep both zdx's were bought unseen but both times they prooved to be nearly flawless. i relied upon my intuition and it didn't fail me

both times it was some local truck service, open air. the only trouble was to wash it well afterwards

 

I bought my CLS from a private party on autotrader 9 years ago. I asked the seller to take it to his local Acura dealer, which he did, and they did a presale inspection. I think it was $75, not sure. I think the seller worked it into the price, can't remember. I do know that the Acura dealers do this routinely for private sales. Call your local dealer and ask about it.

CarMax seems to be an alternative too, since they are national and pretty reputable, and ship to any state (you pay for it). Someone else here just got a Z thru Carmax, about 2 months ago and posted about it.

 

Thanks for the info Sandro and Speed. As for Carmax, I've been keeping my eye on them but they usually have like 2 ZDXs available nationwide and rarely in an Advance. Plus I think their prices are a little high on the Z and of course non-negotiable. But I still check out their inventory from time to time.

 

Carmax seems to be lower than many Acura dealers prices I see. The dealers always start high and then have a 'fire sale' on many of their Zs. There's a 10 tech with 62k miles at the local dealer, they were asking $35k, yea. now it's 'price dropped' to $29k.
and the other dealer has one with 62k miles and certified it.. The Acura dealers are all over the place with the used Zs. at least Carmax seems to have some consistent pricing, and they do lower after certain time frames pass.
good luck.

I drove a 10Tech Grigio/umber yesterday. Had only 22k mi and was owned by an 80 yo man they said. Got to solo, and try it on some twisties. wow, handled great for the size/weight as you all know. I find the driver seating not as comfy as my CLS, and feels less roomy with the lower roof. Damm, I wish this wasn't so big a diff coming from my 6 speed coupe. Honda spoiled me with their shifters... ugh.

 

as far as i know Carmax and carsense have no haggle prices, they get discounted by computer automatically as the time comes
personally i would rather get the car from an acura dealer, you can always get the price down to your pleasure

 

I've actually purchased my last two Acura's from the internet (Cars.com). My 08 MDX was a CPO from an Acura dealer in Bethesda, MD while I lived in Denver, CO. The car only had a small "issue" on the right rear wheel-well, but they had cleaned it and used touch-up paint on it so I really didn't notice it. My current car (sold my MDX to my folks), which is a 10 TL SH-AWD Tech, I bought from an Audi dealer in Milwaukee, WI while I lived in Omaha, NE. I flew to WI and drove the TL back (only about 8 hours on a Saturday). The MDX I had shipped to me in an open-air trailer. There were 6 other cars on the trailer, including a 100k MB. The car needed a cleaning, but overall didn't cause my any problems. It was about $850 for that shipping. But in both cases, I saved $5k or more over buying locally, so it was well worth it.

I'm actually looking to buy a ZDX Tech now to replace my TL, so I'm looking online again. I just hope the ZDX will have enough space for the occassional Lowe's run as well as my golf clubs. I'd hate to have to buy something other than Acura.