I'm obviously very late to this story, but I'll try to share my best internet buy.
This was around 2009. With the combination of an obsession for 1970's cars and just enough jingle in my pocket, I thought I was going to be a great car restorer. I just needed a cheap starter car to get going. I spent hours and hours on ebay and craigslist and would poke a bid out every now and again. I finally come across a candidate. A 1977 BMW 320i, "runs and drives", on eBay. In case anyone is scratching their head, this was the e21 crap generation between the iconic 2002's and the e30's that soon covered the US in the late 80's.
It was within 300 miles (around Dallas) and at place called the Cadillac Ranch, no reserve auction. I take it up to I think $550, after a few days someone outbids me. I'm done. A little later I get an email that says "You Won"... I think I had the guy's phone number at this point so I call him and he says that a GI from Lafayette had bid before he knew he was getting deployed, some story like that and somehow he or eBay at deleted his bid, reinstated mine as winner. Against better judgment I started making pick up plans, in my mind I had just stolen this European beauty for $500ish bucks and couldn't wait to go get it.
I must have had something going on that weekend so somehow (and back when I didn't need sleep) I made a plan to work all day Thursday before making the 6 hour (each way) trip to go get it. Amazingly enough, the 'dealership' said meeting at midnight would be no problem. I printed out my MapQuest directions, showing it would be on the other (West) side of Dallas and me and a buddy headed towards the Cadillac Ranch, trailer in tow.
6+ hours later we are past the big lights of Dallas and Ft Worth, turning onto a dirt road. A mile later and we reach the Cadillac Ranch Nudist Colony. Creeping past a bunch of individual cabins towards the one building that is lit up. After a few minutes the most giant human I have ever seen came outside. Must have been 6'10" or so, and for people of my generation, he simply reminded me of the 4 armed beast on Mortal Kombat, Goro. Like exactly like him.
We walk off into the darkness to find the car. First I had to appreciate that someone had laid a nice towel down on the drivers seat, and then sure enough it did start when asked. Keychain was one of those that you buy at the beach with your name on it, this one said "Sandy". That instantly became the car's name. I loaded it on the trailer and we headed inside for paperwork.
Inside that was, the dance hall, that was next to the swimming pool at the Cadillac Ranch Nudist Colony. Took our seats next to the popcorn machine, traded cash for Sandy's title, got my somewhat average sized hand crushed in a handshake and headed out. Mind swimming with what this place was going to look like come breakfast.
I don't think me and my buddy had much to say for the next 30 minutes or so as we realized where we had just been and what all we had seen. Mentally pinching ourselves that we had made it out and were on our way home safe and sound.
The car probably drove a whole 3 miles or so before a hole rusted through the fuel pump, creating the stairstep chasing of problems that never got this car back to being roadworthy. Still had the car until this past summer when the barn it was in fell in on it and someone came and took her to a scrapyard. Good times.