I live in California and have bought 2 cars site unseen from Virginia and Florida. Both of these were advertised on e-bay and both sellers had 100% ratings over many sales. You have to do your due diligence. Check the seller's record with e-bay if that's where you're looking. Read ALL the feedback, good and bad. Start by emailing the seller through ebay and requesting specific information and pictures of specific areas of the car or parts that you're interested in. Make sure that this info is not covered in the ad. Nobody likes to waste their time with someone who is window shopping. If the seller answers you in a timely fashion and provides the info you asked for, request his/her phone number and call them. You can get a really good idea about a person's character by having an extended conversation with them. If they try to get you to buy it outside of ebay, even for a discount, walk away. If they're a fast talker and don't thoroughly answer your questions or provide copies of receipts for new items they say they put on the car, walk away. If a member of this forum lives close-by, take advantage of their opinion and possible problem areas, as others have said. Lastly, use a reputable shipper ( I used Intercity Lines for both). I've used both open and enclosed trailers with quality custom paint and have not had a problem. It sounds like a leap of faith to send a lot of money across the country, but if you do your homework, the results can be great. Of course, ideally you can find a car close enough to go see it. However, some of us are impatient and know the 'right' car when we see it. Hope this has been some help.
don't think there's any such thing as to much good advice so still open for more. 
