My son is buying a car from the west coast and we live down south. He has agreed to buy the car, and wants to have it shipped to him . What is the best way to do the transaction $ and also any help with transport companys that operate on the North west coast.

a one way plane ticket, AAA membership, and gas money for the return trip home.
of course, he should pick up enough cash to pay for the car after he gets there- i'd hate to try to bring thousands of $$$ in cash onto an airplane these days..

Most people prefer wire transfer. As most any other way can be duplicated, cashiers check, personal check, etc., they will probably wait till the funds are guaranteed before releasing car.

Carrying large amounts of cash these days has become very risky. If stopped by any law enforcement you will automatically be deemed a drug dealer and the money conficated.

Do a thorough search of the credibility anyone you send money to. Once in their hands they control the entire deal.

I would use an Escrow Company, set it up so that you get a day to inspect the vehicle before you release the funds.

I have done the bank transfer route a few times. It is a very secure way to do it. I highly recomend it.

I will only buy cars that I have personally inspected. Then I pay in cash or a certified check. It saves on hassles of buying long distance. I have found that my defination of good and someone elses is quite a bit different. There is no better way to appraise a car than by putting your eyes on it!

I never buy without a visual inspection. To many things will not show up in photos and as Chris said your version of things is not always the same as the sellers. I use certified check for the transactions. Jb

Wire Transfer is best. Have done it many times...

I agree; ALWAYS visually inspect the vehicle before parting with any cash. I bought my 69 Chevelle off the internet(ebay), and despite having alot of digital pictures of the car,and owner reassurances, I still got burned. A clever photographer can hide or minimize flaws/problems that you could easily pick up on with your own eyes. Can you ascertain (based on internet photos) the condition of the gas tank, dash and engine harnesses, rear main seal leaks,brake rotors/drums, I can go all day... Trust me, these unseen things can turn what you anticipated as a fun and fairly cheap fixer upper into a COSTLY full blown body on restoration (which I am, thank God, finally on the tailend of). I have been there, though. You get so eager to have the car, that your rational logic takes a backseat to your emotions. I also recommend buying the best car that you can possibly afford cause you either pay it on the front end or you lose it in the longrun to the parts houses (false economics). BTW, I have done several wire transfer deals with no problems. I may be preaching to the choir, but I am trying to save you months of frustration. Brawley

Never buy a car without inspecting it personally. I have done it for other people and they have never liked it or they have missed something when doing it for me. I would never doit forsomebody agaiand I would never have it done for me again and I have bought MANY cars In excess of 50 cars as of this date . Know what you are getting and be happy and not have to complain about somebody else and or blame your self for not doing it.

Thanks for the input . I don't like buying a car without seeing it myself because there is always something so thanks again. Vince