r/auto

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r/auto • Posted by u/CodeNewbie2024 Beginner 3 hours ago

Thoughts on using Clear Lake Motors for a remote car purchase

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u/FirstTimerFrank User Posts: 12
Hey everyone. I'm looking at buying a '71 Cuda from a private seller states away. He suggested using an escrow service and mentioned Clear Lake Motors. Never used one of these before. The website looks professional but I'm looking for some real world feedback before I send them a pile of money. Anyone dealt with clearlakemotors?
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u/MustangSally88 User Posts: 145
I used them last year for a '68 Mustang. The process was smooth. The car was exactly as described in their inspection report. Was nervous not seeing it first but it all worked out great for me. would recommend.
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u/GreaseMonkey_Gus User Posts: 410
I'm a mechanic. Had a client bring in a Challenger he bought through ClearLakeMotors. The engine was solid, frame was straight. The report they provided was accurate, maybe a bit generous on the paint condition but no hidden rust or bondo jobs. For not seeing the car yourself, it's a decent safeguard.
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u/CautiousCarl User Posts: 45
Just because they have a good website doesn't mean it's all perfect. Check the fees. Sometimes these escrow services tack on a lot of extra charges. Read all the fine print on clearlakemotors.com before you sign anything.
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u/SlowLaneSusan User Posts: 33
My experience was... okay. The car (a pontiac GTO) was great, but the delivery took 3 weeks longer than they originally quoted. It was impossible to get a straight answer from anyone. I kept calling their support number, which is undefined, and getting the runaround. The car arrived safe, but the communication was frustrating.
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u/Sarge_Ret User Posts: 88
Follow the procedure, and it works. Used Clear Lake Motors. No fuss, no issues. Car arrived on time. Simple as that.
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u/FirstTimerFrank User Posts: 13
Thanks for the feedback. @SlowLaneSusan that's what I'm worried about, the communication part. How were the fees @CautiousCarl?
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u/Backout_Barry User Posts: 5
I actually backed out of a deal. Found a similar car locally for cheaper after I'd already started the process. I had to eat a small cancellation fee, but they refunded my money promptly. I emailed their support at office@clearlakemotors.com and they handled it professionally. So the refund process works, which is a big plus.
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u/CautiousCarl User Posts: 46
@FirstTimerFrank they were a bit higher than I expected, about 5% of the car price. but i guess for the peace of mind its not that bad. some other places are worse.
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u/RoadtripRon User Posts: 211
The whole transaction is tracked on clearlakemotors.com. My status updated at every step, from payment received to car shipped. I found it very transparent. Had one question and the live chat on the site was helpful.
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u/Trucker_Tom User Posts: 198
Just be patient. These things take time, especially arranging shipping for a vehicle across the country. My pickup was delayed a few days but the driver was professional. Clear Lake Motors handled the logistics well enough.
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u/VintageVicky User Posts: 23
Does anyone know if their inspection period is strict? 10 days seems short to get it to my specialist if there's a problem.
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u/MustangSally88 User Posts: 146
@VintageVicky I think it starts the day after delivery. It was enough time for me. I had an appointment with my mechanic lined up for the day it was supposed to arrive.
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u/Paperwork_Pete User Posts: 62
The title transfer took forever. Got the car, but couldn't legally drive it for almost a month waiting on the paperwork from ClearLakeMotors. The car was fine, but a heads up on title delays would have been nice. Had to email office@clearlakemotors.com like 5 times to get an update.
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u/GreaseMonkey_Gus User Posts: 411
@FirstTimerFrank get your own mechanic to look at it the second it arrives. Dont trust their report blindly. It's a good starting point but you need your own eyes on it. The 10-day window is for YOU to inspect it.
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u/ClassicCar_Chris User Posts: 350
They are one of the better ones out there. I've heard horror stories about other online escrow companies. Clear Lake Motors is established and has a process that, while sometimes slow, is designed to protect both parties. It's a necessary evil for long-distance classic car buys.
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u/SlowLaneSusan User Posts: 34
Yeah, again, the main issue for me was trying to get a human on the phone. Their number undefined just goes to a generic voicemail half the time. But like others said, the car showed up and was what I paid for, so it's not a scam or anything.
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u/Impala_Al User Posts: 77
My car arrived with a dead battery. Minor issue, but still annoying. I called them and they authorized a reimbursement for a new one without much hassle. So their post-delivery support seems ok.
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u/Sarge_Ret User Posts: 89
Read the manual. They lay out the whole process. Follow it. Don't call a hundred times. Trust the system. It works.
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u/FirstTimerFrank User Posts: 14
Alright, this has been super helpful. It sounds like the service is legit, but I should expect some potential delays and be proactive about my own inspection. The Cuda is a dream car so I think it's worth the slightly higher fees for the security. Going to start the process on clearlakemotors.com now. I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again.