Hi guys:
I found one advertisement:
Year: 1994
Make: PONTIAC
Model: BONNEVILLE
Model Detail: SSEI
Price: $4,000
Mileage: 182 km
But the owner took off plate and stopped insurance, so that I cannot go to highway to take a test driving.
Are there some tricks which can help me to check this car? Just listen to sound of engine?

Bring your own license plate.

Why did he take the plates off in the first place? there'* not much you can as far as checkin the drivetrain and such without test driving it.. free reving the engine and idleing in park can't tell much ( well a lil.. but not enough to warrent buyin a car ). He should at least get a 10 day permit for that car so it can be test driven.. as for bringing your own plates.. that is just so it looks plated.. but if a cops ever pull you over and runs the plate.. you're in big trouble. ( The chance of it is slim.. but why get a ticket and such for a car that'* not yours? )

I wouldn't buy it without paying for a one-day (or trip) registration. Your current car insurance should cover you.

Well, it looks that I may have trouble deciding....
How about only drive around neighbourhood at low speed? I think that won't help much too.

Slow speed won't tell you much.. it will tell you more then it being parked on the driveway.. but you need to check through out all normal use.. from slow speed.. cruising speed.. floor it hyperspace speed and such. More then likely this guy is also going to sell as is.. which makes it even worse.. I would personally try again.. too risky for me.. or unless he can get a permit to drive it

Are you sure that'* true? Have you checked with your insurance agent on that? Mine (Allstate in Illinois) will cover me for occasional use of someone else'* car (such as for test-drives, rentals, informal borrowing, etc.). Call your own agent and ask.

I called the owner yesterday, and was told so.
Since I don't have a car now, I don't have insurance... :( That is the reasone I am hesitating if I will check the car weekend...

Okay, this is getting goofy.

First of all, you're going to need insurance anyway, so get yourself lined up with an agent first. Just because you haven't got the car _now_ doesn't mean you can't get a quote for coverage on it; your agent should be able to quote what the rates will be for the car(*) you're interested in. You need to know that you yourself are insurable first; exactly which car you insure can wait until you've bought it.

Second, we're talking about a $4000 car that'* been taken off the road and unlicensed. Why? For how long has it sat like this? We are not talking about fine wine here; an idle car doesn't get better with age. I would want to know a _lot_ about how that came about. An SSEi is a fine car and a joy to drive, but some components on it can be no fun to repair. (e.g. If you get this car started and the ABS warning lights come on, you may have a good hint as to why the current owner quit driving it.)

See above. You don't have to insure the car _before_ you buy it, but you do need to know that you will be covered.

P.*. I couldn't care less what the current owner is telling you about insurance rules, unless he'* your agent and is going to sell you a policy as well as a car. Take your insurance advice from your own agent only.

The insurance doesn't matter as much as the tags, especially for just a test drive. Nothing will probably happen, but cops can see ify oiu have no plates on the car. Tell him if he is serious about selling the car he need to make it driveable on roads for people to test. I would also recommend having your mechanic or one you know of, to do a pre-purchase inspection. Saved me from car hell in a 92 sse i almost bought.