Looking for a 2k C2... best way to buy?

I've been searching for a 2000 C2 coupe. I've been looking on Ebay, but I'm also thinking about contacting a local auction broker - a retired guy that my folks bought a Merc E320 from a few years ago. Does anyone have any advice on Ebay vs. auction cars vs. dealer or private party? Any reasons to avoid one or the other?

Unless you look at the car before you bid on Ebay, it would seem risky to me. The dealer and car brokers will mark everything up and I would think a private party might be more negotiable. If you might be interested in my 01 AS 996 c2 cab, send me an email. It has only 9k miles on it.

Well, I think the broker does it more as a hobby than a business. I almost bought a car from him a few years ago, and he only charges $400-$500 over the wholesale cost he buys at to cover transportation and expenses.

I've bought cars over the past few years from Ebay, factory dealers, and the Luxury Car Network. For me, the need to deal with these different outlets was driven by the fact that I was looking for VERY specific automobiles (model, color combination, options, miles, condition, etc). Price is certainly important but perhaps secondary. With EBAY, there are some sellers that do volume and can be "checked out" with respect to track record, integrity, etc.--folks like maybe EXPO Motorcars in Houston. Wholesalers and retailers that have sold hundreds of cars and been in business for many years provide a certain measure of comfort. For them, EBAY and other auctions are mostly for marketing purposes. With dealerships, I do know that some are willing to "acquire" a used car from another area dealer. Somewhat similar to trading stock for new inventory. This is in the event that you really want to deal with a particular dealership for reasons other than purely price. With so many outlets for high-end automobiles these days, I believe that price parity more or less exists. Sometimes you can get a great deal, but it's really more about the particular car. At the end of the day, that's what you're buying--and no legitimate seller will prevent you from inspecting the car thoroughly. That's the most important element because a purchase is a transaction. Once it's done, it's done. The ownership experience lasts day in and day out for as long as you own the car. . .

I obviously can't speak specifically of the guy your parents bought from. But I know a local high end auction car finder, here in SE Pa. that a few of my friends have bought BMW's through. He asks $500- 1000 over his cost and is still 1-2k under E-bay prices. There are so many cars at auction due to the economy and cars coming off of lease, that you can specify almost exactly what you want, right down to options and get it within a few weeks. I have bought 2 cars on the net and would say that anyone selling a Porsche on e-bay should be willing to have the car inspected. Even so, long distance and not knowing the mechanic or dealership checking the car, you are still gambling. I've only had a 50/50 success rate after $100-200 spent on prepurchase inspections.