Sold car, New owner driving it home 2200 miles. Is he crazy?

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I sold a charger today and the guy decided to fly in from Reno, NV and drive it home from Michigan. I strongly advised against it since the car had never really been road tested but he did it anyway. Left 2 hours ago with it. I just don't want to get a phone call saying you know this car you sold me broke down and i need help or something along those lines. What is the proper thing to do in this situation.

[Finn]

Know his phone number and have caller id...

[pettyfan43]

Man all you can do is remind the guy that YOU ADVISE him NOT to do that.

[Shakey]

What is the proper thing to do in this situation.

Take some of the money he left you with and go out for a steak dinner at a nice restaurant and then on the town for a few drinks.

Leave your cell phone at home.

[G-man]

Have faith in your car!

I baught ages ago a 1972 Valiant Charger.

Car was rusty in spots, holes in other spots, engine was a 245ci Hemi straight 6. (never been rebuilt since 1972) had like 200 000miles on it, carb/engine was all brown (had oil stains on it to)... Didnt leak and water wasnt leaking, took 5-6 tries to get it started... when it started, i went on MANY 100 mile trips (there and back making 200miles) easily adding up to 1000+, never touched the car, sold as is eventually, drove beautiful. Never even thought "will the engine die or overheat". Drove in 90 degree temp, drove in cold, I used the sucker like a normal efi car. Never had problems with it. No air con, no tinted glass either.

Windows down and sweat like a pig but whocares.

I think u need FAITH in your car... they definately can do the distance and more.

[FLG]

Yep i agree with G-Man...for some reason it seems you can drive a beater for years but as long as ya have faith in her she always gets there...some even will tell ya when they wont make it by not starting when your ready to leave 

[HKCharger]

Id have done the same if it were me as that buyer.

[charger01]

Yep i agree with G-Man...for some reason it seems you can drive a beater for years but as long as ya have faith in her she always gets there...some even will tell ya when they wont make it by not starting when your ready to leave 

That works for everyone but me I think. :-\My buddies can drive beaters for years and have no problems with them.  Give one to me and they break down immediately. 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I don't care how nice of a car or how new of a car, If you take a long trip you can have anything happen. Parts are made to break and go bad.

[PocketThunder]

My 68 was just picked up at 6:30pm tonight on its way to New Zealand.  He's not driving the whole way though.   

[craigandlynda]

reminds me of the only bust that can go across the ocean.....columbus

[ITSA426]

I've driven them home several times.  Only occasional minor problems.  When you pull into your driveway you feel like you really know the car and the experience is priceless.

[suntech]

You did what you felt was right, and tryed to talk him out of it, but i admit tht i would have taken off in it myself, if it was drivable.
I mean, for normal cruising, it doesnt take much to keep it running, and spare oil, water and a fanbelt, and basic tools would keep you from beeing stranded somewhere in most cases.
Yes, ofcause a spare wheel. 
But the feeling you have when you pull up your driveway, after a roadtrip like that, is priceless!!!!!! He was just going to drive it, not fly it, so you are off the hook!!!
He will have somthing to tell his grandkids when he gets old

[HKCharger]

I mean who wouldnt want to drive a charger across country?

[69chargeryeehaa]

i did it, it was a BLAST 
after selling my first charger, i wanted another so bad.  posted a wanted add on here, got a reply that made me loose sleep.  Booked a 1-way ticket to Minnesota, bought the car in 30 secs, worked on it for 2 days in parking lots, drove from Minnesota to Toronto, Canada in a 40yr old car, trunk FULL of parts, heat stuck on a bit in 100+Deg temps, no radio, rear end was toast and shook like crazy at 64mph+, it was HOT AS HELL, did i mention is was HOT???  14" magnums with a 3.91 gear, 3400rpms at 60mph, it was HOT, but i LOVED IT!!!!! 

here's the pic that made me loose sleep.  I figured one way or another i'll get it home, my plan was to get a u-haul and trailer if it died on me....but the experience was PRICELESS, and the trip went flawless, 1200+mi no real issues, but me and the car really bonded; this ones a KEEPER. 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Well I am assuming he is doing fine on his trip. He did call once last night at 830pm about 150 miles away and said he stopped for gas and it wouldn't start like the battery was dead. I told him I had never had a problem with it, It always started right up even after sitting. He said well I'll get a jump and get going. Its 430pm now and I haven't heard anything all day so I am assuming no news is good news. I would feel bad if something did happen but I guess by now its not my problem anymore. I still won't rest easy until he gets it home either driving or hauling it hopefully it doesn't come to that.

[suntech]

I did a bonding trip with my car too!! Me and my daughter flew in to Chicago, and drove the car to Bay City, stayed the weekend there for a boatrace, and then down to Reading, PA.
Great trip, and no issues!! 

[General_01]

In 1989 I bought my '71 Superbee from a guy in Great Falls, MT. Flew in one way and drove the car back to Minneapolis, MN with my cousin. We still talk about that trip to this day.

[Big Lebowski]

  Go man go.

[challenger70]

i did it, it was a BLAST 
after selling my first charger, i wanted another so bad.  posted a wanted add on here, got a reply that made me loose sleep.  Booked a 1-way ticket to Minnesota, bought the car in 30 secs, worked on it for 2 days in parking lots, drove from Minnesota to Toronto, Canada in a 40yr old car, trunk FULL of parts, heat stuck on a bit in 100+Deg temps, no radio, rear end was toast and shook like crazy at 64mph+, it was HOT AS HELL, did i mention is was HOT???  14" magnums with a 3.91 gear, 3400rpms at 60mph, it was HOT, but i LOVED IT!!!!! 

here's the pic that made me loose sleep.  I figured one way or another i'll get it home, my plan was to get a u-haul and trailer if it died on me....but the experience was PRICELESS, and the trip went flawless, 1200+mi no real issues, but me and the car really bonded; this ones a KEEPER. 

  I bought my Challenger just outside San Francisco in Oakland.  The guy thought I was nuts driving a tired 30 year old car 3,000+ miles back to Chicago, still tells people about it 7 years later.  I must say it was the best trip I have ever been on.  Checked the oil every gas stop(about every hour with a 440 and 3.91's doing 75+)  Made it all the way home w/ out a single problem   I told the car if you make it home you will get the best of everything and it did.  Every car guy needs to do something like that, forms an instant bond with your car and a great way to see the country.   My Charger I just bought locally and I am kind of sorry I did.

[gordo1968charger]

i drove mine home too,only 130 miles,but my 2 boys loved it as well,specially as they did nt know i was getting it.
manchester  to thornaby(uk)
i loved the attention the car got too.

[elanmars]

i flew to north carolina and drove my car from there back to louisiana. lone wolf.
it was fun!

even though back then i REALLY didn't know much about cars, AT ALL. so it was a bit scary...

but i'd do it again, hell yeah.

[SeattleCharger]

What is the proper thing to do in this situation.

Take some of the money he left you with and go out for a steak dinner at a nice restaurant and then on the town for a few drinks.

Leave your cell phone at home.

   

[SeattleCharger]

My 68 was just picked up at 6:30pm tonight on its way to New Zealand.  He's not driving the whole way though.   

sold my 68 two weeks ago and it was being shipped off to australia, same deal.

   but to cheer myself up I got this soon after:    97 Fatboy,  11,900 miles on it from 71 year old man,  its fun, good mpg too, loud and lopey cam, not a 440, but fun to get on the 1340 cc's let me tell ya

[challenger70]

i flew to north carolina and drove my car from there back to louisiana. lone wolf.
it was fun!

even though back then i REALLY didn't know much about cars, AT ALL. so it was a bit scary...

but i'd do it again, hell yeah.

I hear that I knew basics like checking fluids/belts/hoses but  I would have been screwed if I had had a real problem.  I had to call my dad to figure out what the hell that button on the floor(high beams) was   I was 22 and had never been in an old car like my Challenger.

[moparstuart]

i flew to north carolina and drove my car from there back to louisiana. lone wolf.
it was fun!

even though back then i REALLY didn't know much about cars, AT ALL. so it was a bit scary...

but i'd do it again, hell yeah.

I hear that I knew basics like checking fluids/belts/hoses but  I would have been screwed if I had had a real problem.  I had to call my dad to figure out what the hell that button on the floor(high beams) was   I was 22 and had never been in an old car like my Challenger.

high beam button Thats funny 

[69_500]

Well when I was in college I tended to make it a monthly event of flying somewhere and driving home in a new car. Be it the 70 GTX i bought in SF, or the 70 Charger I bought in Seattle, or the 87 GLHS from Tennessee, all were cars I flew out to look at, bought, and then drove back to Illinois. Never had any major issues with cars on the long drives home. The GTX blew a tire not 10 miles from where I bought it, but after that it was a smooth sailing ride for the next 20+ hours.

[68charger383]

This isn't your former car is it?

Car with MI plates seen in IL which is the way back to NV.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=46176.msg504514#msg504514

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

You know I saw that thread earlier tonight and my heart starting racing until i saw the picture. Not my car I sold a white 68 with red r/t stripe

[challenger70]

This isn't your former car is it?

Car with MI plates seen in IL which is the way back to NV.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=46176.msg504514#msg504514

I think I saw that car driving around by my work a week or 2 ago( I work right by O'hare)  

[AKcharger]

Provided I have a few parts, some jumper wires and a manual I'd do it. I put 10K miles on my '70 in 2 years going to shows all over the country...It was a BLAST

Look, here's us from the '05 Charger fever show getting the long distance award, VA to Kansas and back, put 3200 miles on the car!

[aussiemuscle]

... no radio,...

like you need one! you can just listen to the charger sing.

most old chrysler products i've owned wouldn't die. they cough, spit oil everywhere, dump water on the road, but i never had a motor blow up. all them retired due to bad rust!

[71 Bee Man]

I sold a charger today and the guy decided to fly in from Reno, NV and drive it home from Michigan. I strongly advised against it since the car had never really been road tested but he did it anyway. Left 2 hours ago with it. I just don't want to get a phone call saying you know this car you sold me broke down and i need help or something along those lines. What is the proper thing to do in this situation.

If it were me and i had been concerned, I'd have simply gotten him to sign a receipt which stated the owner recommended the vehicle not be driven. Then there is nothing to come back with.

Peter

[68chrgrwife]

When Hubby bought his car we drove it home (from Los Angelos to san Diego) it broke down along the way and the very nice guy who sold it to us came by and helped us (we had to stay over night at a friends house, though) he returned the next morning and finished helping us fix it enough to finish the trip home.  I thought that was a very gracious move on his part.

[twenty mike mike]

I sold a charger today and the guy decided to fly in from Reno, NV and drive it home from Michigan. I strongly advised against it since the car had never really been road tested but he did it anyway. Left 2 hours ago with it. I just don't want to get a phone call saying you know this car you sold me broke down and i need help or something along those lines. What is the proper thing to do in this situation.

Is this the ad?   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,45807.0.html

From the ad: "The car runs and drives great."

A bit contradictory, eh?

[charger01]

Looks nice enough.  I wouldve driven it too.

[tan top]

 one way to find out about the car     ................. did he make it  ?   did you ring the new owner how the trip went ?? 

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

I never heard a thing from him. To me no news is good news. That is the ad for the car when it was for sale. There are a lot of cars out there that run and drive great but that doesn't mean they are cross country vehicles.

[gordo1968charger]

really its a no risk gamble.
pay for transporting it or try and drive it home,if it breaks down get it transported home anyway.