CARCHEX offers to give any automobile a 155-point pre-purchase auto inspection almost anywhere in the USA. Not too high a price for peace of mind, especially if it can save one from having to deal with surprise repairs. For half of this amount, one can find a mechanic in the local directory who can check out the car and even take it for a test drive on one's behalf and then fax a detailed report. Nevertheless, some of the more thrifty buyers have found ways to save themselves the nominal fees mechanics charge without depriving themselves of the peace of mind of a pre-sale inspection.
Say, I live in Boston and happened to find a 1974 BMW 2002tii
that I really wanted all the way in San Diego. Now, I would definitely want
the car inspected prior to buying it. My thrifty side, however, wants to
avoid the $150 fee a local company would charge me to inspect the vehicle.
The solution? I would ask a fellow member of the BMW enthusiast community
who lives in San Diego to take a look at the car for me. There are plenty of
BMW forum members that would be more than happy to offer their time and
expertise to a fellow east coast bimmerphile in need.