[Canuck]

I agree that the investment in trip is well worth while. I bought my Crysler 300 and my Hurst Olds by doing an advanced inspection trip, in both those case, by establishing a raport with the sellers I struck a better deal than if I tried negoiating over the phone. By showing up I demonstrated that I was serious about buying the vehicle.
I bought a W30 ragtop based on the internet ad, some photos and verification of its authinticity, paid for the car and had it shipped to a friends location in Cleveland. I flew to Clevelnad a month later to trailer it home (2600 miles). I was dissappoited when I saw the car and just outside of Toledo I had the worst case of buyers remorse, that I was willing to include my 1 year old flat deck trailer if someone along the way made me an offer. No offers but I did resote the car and just recently sold it for a six figure price.
Conversely, of the 5 cars I have sold in the past 10 years none of the buyers came to look at the car first, however I provided extensive photos, videos and documentation before hand. In addition the restoration guy I use has a strong reputation for quality and has produced several award winning restorations.

Paul